As the head of the National High School Coaches Association‘s nominating committee for its 20 senior athletes of the year in boys’ and girls’ sports, this is always a special time of year as we announce the this year’s honorees.
Back in January we announced that Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) quarterback Tate Martell won the NHSCA Senior Football Athlete of the Year award that is presented with High School Football America. Today we’re proud to announce the other nineteen winners.
Related: Bishop Gorman finishes No. 1 in High School Football America Top 50
It’s the 18th year straight year the NHSCA has honored achievers in the high school athletic community nationwide. This year’s recipients are from 17 different states. California, Massachusetts and New Jersey top the list with two athletes each being honored. Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Washington each had one athlete honored.
While these athletes represent a multitude of different backgrounds, they exhibit a common theme: a strong dedication to developing their skills and preparing themselves to become the productive leaders of tomorrow.
“The 20 young men and women we are honoring today represent the thousands of success stories produced in high school athletics,” NHSCA executive director Eric Hess said. “They have worked extremely hard to develop and hone in on their skills and have become not just great student-athletes, but outstanding role models on and off the field, and we are delighted to be honoring them.”
Each one of the honorees will receive a beautiful trophy, plus each will be honored in the National High School Sports Hall of Fame Museum, which the NHSCA will be building in the near future.
NHSCA Senior Athletes of the Year
Following are the NHSCA’s selections as National High School Senior Athletes of the Year along with previous honorees:
Baseball
Royce Lewis – JSerra School, San Juan Capistrano, California
After being announced as the NHSCA Senior Baseball Athlete of the Year, Lewis was drafted No. 1 overall in the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft by the Minnesota Twins. In his first minor league at-bat, Lewis hit a home run. During his senior season, Lewis hit .377 with four home runs and 25 stolen bases.
Lewis is a member of USA Baseball’s Under18 team that won the gold medal at the Pan American Championships in Mexico last year. Lewis carries a 3.10 GPA, plus he volunteers at a children’s hospital in San Diego.
Lewis is the third athlete from California to win the NHSCA Baseball Senior Athlete of the Year Award. Brady Aiken of Cathedral Catholic, who is currently a minor league pitcher with the Cleveland Indians, won the award in 2014. Kyle Skipworth of Patriot High School, who played with the Miami Marlins, won the award in 2008.
Below are the NHSCA’s past selections for the Senior Baseball Athlete of the Year:
2016 – Riley Pint – Overland Park HS, Kansas
2015 – Mike Nikorak – Stroudsburg HS, Pennsylvania
2014 – Brady Aiken – Cathedral Catholic HS, California
2013 – Clint Frazier – Loganville HS, Georgia
2012 – Joey Gallo – Bishop Gorman HS, Nevada
2011 – Dylan Bundy – Owasso HS, Oklahoma
2010 – Drew Vettleson – Central Kitsap HS, Washington
2009 – Patrick Schuster – Mitchell HS, Florida
2008 – Kyle Skipworth – Patriot HS, California
2007 – Blake Beaven – Irving HS, Texas
2006 – Kyle Drabek – The Woodlands, Texas
2005 – Colby Rasmus – Russell County HS, Alabama
2004 – David “Homer” Bailey – LaGrange HS, Texas
2003 – No Award Given
2002 – Jeff Francouer – Parkview HS, Georgia
2001 – Joe Mauer – Cretin-Derham Hall, Minnesota
2000 – Brian Hall – Carlsbad HS, New Mexico
Boys’ Basketball
Michael Porter, Jr. – Nathan Hale High School, Seattle, Washington
Michael Porter had an outstanding senior season leading his team to a perfect 29-0 record and a Washington Class 3A state championship. Porter, who will attend the University of Missouri in the fall, finished the 2016-17 season averaging a double-double with 36.2 points per game and 13.6 rebounds with five assists, 3.2 steals and 2.7 blocks.
Porter, who transferred from Father Tolton High School Missouri before his senior season when his father was hired as a coach at the University of Washington, finished his four-year career in high school with 3,427 points. Gatorade and USA TODAY have also named Porter the Player of the Year, plus he won the Naismith Player of the Year Award as the top college recruit in the nation.
Porter maintained an A-average in the classroom, plus he volunteered on behalf of his church’s youth ministry.
Porter is the first athlete from Washington to win the NHSCA Boys’ Basketball Senior Athlete of the Year Award.
Below are the NHSCA’s past selections for the Boys’ Senior Basketball Athlete of the Year:
2016 – Lonzo Ball – Chino Hills, California
2015 – Jaylen Brown – Wheeler HS, Georgia
2014 – Karl Towns, Jr. – St. Joseph HS, Metuchen, New Jersey
2013 – Jabari Parker – Simeon HS, Illinois
2012 – Perry Ellis – Wichita Heights HS, Kansas
2011 – Austin Rivers – Winter Park HS, Florida
2010 – Harrison Barnes – Ames HS, Iowa
2009 – Derrick Favors – South Atlanta HS, Georgia
2008 – Samardo Samuels – St. Benedict’s Prep, New Jersey
2007 – Kevin Love – Lake Oswego HS, Oregon
2006 – Greg Oden – Lawrence North HS, Indiana
2005 – Josh McRoberts – Carmel HS, Indiana
2004 – Dwight Howard – Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, Georgia
2003 – LeBron James – St. Vincent-St. Mary HS, Ohio
2002 – Nik Caner-Medley – Deering HS, Maine
2001 – Kevin Torbert – Flint Northwestern, Michigan
2000 – Zach Spivey – Coronado HS, Texas
Girls’ Basketball
Megan Walker – Monacan High School, Richmond, Virginia
Walker, who will attend the University of Connecticut in the fall, averaged 26 points per game with eight rebounds per contest during her senior season. Monacan was a perfect 30-0 this season, winning its third straight Virginia Class 4A state title. Walker finished her career with 2,067 points and was also named the 2017 Naismith Female Athlete of the Year.
Walker is an excellent student with a 3.83 grade point average and also volunteers as a youth coach at a daycare center.
Walker is the second Virginia girls’ high school basketball player to win this award. Elisabeth Williams of Princess Anne High School won the NHSCA Girls’ Basketball Athlete of the Year award in 2011.
Below are the NHSCA’s past selections for the Girls’ Senior Basketball Athlete of the Year:
2016 – Crystal Dangerfield, Blackman HS, Tennessee
2015 – Katie Lou Samuelson, Mater Dei HS, California
2014 – Tyra Buss – Mount Carmel HS, Mt. Carmel, Illinois
2013 – Saniya Chong – Ossining HS, New York
2012 – Breanna Stewart – Cicero-North Syracuse HS, New York
2011 – Elisabeth Williams – Princess Anne HS, Virginia
2010 – Chiney Ogwumike – Cypress-Fairbanks HS, Texas
2009 – Skylar Diggins – Washington HS, Indiana
2008 – Elena DelleDonne – Ursuline Academy, Delaware
2007 – Maya Moore – Collins Hill HS, Georgia
2006 – Tina Charles – Christ the King, New York
2005 – Abby Waner – Thunder Ridge HS, Colorado
2004 – Candace Parker – Naperville HS, Illinois
2003 – Brittany Hunter – Brookhaven HS, Ohio
2002 – Ann Strother – Highlands Ranch HS, Colorado
2001 – Shyra Ely – Ben Davis HS, Indiana
2000 – Alison Thomason – Pickens County HS, Georgia
Boys’ Cross Country
Casey Clinger – American Fork High School, American Fork, Utah
Casey Clinger, who will run at Brigham Young University, became the first boy to win back-to-back individual titles at the Nike Cross Country Nationals in December. Clinger closed-out his high school career by winning the 5A state title, his sixth in the sport. Clinger won the 2016 5A title with a course record of 14-minutes, 42.9 seconds.
Clinger also won back-to-back Gatorade Utah Boys’ Cross Country Awards, plus he was named the Gatorade’s National Boys’ Cross Country Runner of the Year Award.
Clinger is an excellent student with a 4.0 GPA and an Eagle Scout.
Clinger is the first runner from Utah to win the NHSCA Boys’ Senior Cross Country Athlete of the Year Award.
Past selections for Senior National Boys’ Senior Cross County Athlete of the Year:
2016 – Drew Hunter – Loudoun Valley HS, Virginia
2015 – Grant Fisher – Grand Blanc HS, Michigan
2014 – Taylor “Kai” Wilmot – North Central HS, Washington
2013 – Edward Cheserek, St. Benedict’s Prep, New Jersey
2012 – Futsum Zeinasellassie – North Central HS, Indiana
2011 – Lukas Verzbicas – Sandburg HS, Illinois
2010 – Wade Meddles – Sierra Lutheran HS, Nevada
2009 – Reed Connor – The Woodlands HS, Texas
2008 – Chris Derrick – Nesqua Valley HS, Illinois
2007 – Chad Hall – Big Bear HS, California
2006 – A.J. Acosta – El Camino HS, California
2005 – Andrew Bumbalough – Brentwood Academy, Tennessee
2004 – Matt Withrow – Andrew HS, Illinois
2003 – Chris Solinksy – Stevens Point HS , Wisconsin
2002 – Timothy Moore – Novi HS, Michigan
2001 – Dathan Ritzenheim – Rockford HS, Michigan
2000 – Donald Sage – York HS, Illinois
Girls’ Cross Country
Brie Oakley – Grandview High School, Aurora, Colorado
Brie Oakley, who only started running cross country as a junior, won Colorado’s Class 5A title last year and then won the Nike Cross National’s individual title by 28 seconds. As a junior in her first state cross country meet, Oakley, who will run at the University of California in Berkeley, finished second. Then during track season, she set a 5A state meet record in winning the 3,200-meter and 1,600-meter races.
Oakley, who also won Gatorade’s National Girls’ Runner of the Year Award, is an excellent student with a 4.6 grade point average. She’s the second straight Colorado runner to win the NHSCA Senior Girls’ Cross Country Athlete of the Year. Katie Rainsberger from Air Academy in Colorado Springs won the award last year.
Below are the NHSCA’s past selections for the Girls’ Cross Country Athlete of the Year:
2016 – Katie Rainsberger, Air Academy HS, Colorado
2015 – Anna Rohrer, Mishawaka HS, Indiana
2014 – Tessa Barrett, Abington Heights HS, Pennsylvania
2013 – Catarina Rocha – Peabody HS, Massachusetts
2012 – Molly Seidel – University Lake School, Wisconsin
2011 – Aisling Cuffe – Corwall Central HS, New York
2010 – Megan Goethals – Rochester HS, Michigan
2009 – Jordan Hasay – Mission Prep, California
2008 – Christine Babcock – Woodbridge HS, California
2007 – Marie Lawrence – Reno HS, Nevada
2006 – Aislinn Ryan, Warwick Valley HS, New York
2005 – Ramsey Kavan – Yankton HS, South Dakota
2004 – Sunni Olding – Minster HS, Ohio
2003 – Amber Harper – Orem HS, Utah
2002 – Amber Trotter – Ukiah HS, California
2001 – Sara Bei – Montgomery HS, California
2000 – Victoria Chang – Punahou School, Hawaii
Field Hockey
Kourtney Kennedy of Watertown High School, Watertown, Massachusetts
Kourtney Kennedy closed-out her outstanding high school career without a loss and four straight Massachusetts Division 2 state championships. Kennedy scored the winning goal in her team’s 4-3 win over Oakmont Regional in the state final, which extended Watertown’s national record win streak to 123 straight. Watertown also has a 183 game unbeaten streak.
Kennedy, who has accepted a scholarship to play at the University of Connecticut, was her team’s leading scorer, finishing her career with over 100 goals. As a junior and a senior, she was named second team All-American, plus she was named to the Boston Globe and Boston Herald All-Scholastic teams in 2016.
Kennedy is the first winner of the National Senior Field Hockey Player of the Year Award from Massachusetts.
Past selections for Senior National Field Hockey Player of the Year:
2016 – Haley Schleicher, First Colonial HS, Virginia
2015 – Austyn Cuneo, Eastern HS, New Jersey
2014 – Carol Middough, Shore Regional HS, New Jersey
2013- Lexi Smith – Florence HS, New Jersey
2012 – Emma Bozek – Lakeland HS, New York
2011 – Maxine Fluharty – Sussex Technical HS, Delaware
2010 – Marta Malmberg – Marathon Central HS, New York
2009 – Kelsey Kolojejchick – Wyoming Seminary, Pennsylvania
2008 – Katie Reinprecht – Mount St. Joseph Academy, Pennsylvania
2007 – Katelyn Falgowski – St. Mark’s HS, Delaware
2006 – Amie Survilla – Crestwood HS, Pennsylvania
2005 – Katy LePage – Skowhegan HS, Maine
2004 – Caitlin Williams – St. Thomas Aquinas School, New Hampshire
2003 – Laree Beans – Emmaus HS, Pennsylvania
2002 – Lori Hillman – Eastern Regional HS, New Jersey
2001 – Carey Fetting-Smith – Bryn Mawr School for Girls, Maryland
2000 – Jacque LaFleur – Bel Air HS, Maryland
Football
Tate Martell – Bishop Gorman High School, Las Vegas, Nevada
Tate Martell finished his career 45-0 as the school’s starting quarterback with 113 touchdown passes. During his senior year, Martell completed 136 of 215 passes for 2,362 yards and 41 touchdowns with just one interception. He also ran for 1,257 yards and 21 touchdowns.
Martell led Bishop Gorman to three straight USA TODAY Super 25 national championships, plus the Gaels finished No. 1 in the 2016 High School Football America Top 50.
Martell played in the 2017 U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas.
In the classroom had a 3.32 GPA, plus he volunteers as a youth football coach and mentors elementary school students. Martell is attending Ohio State University.
Martell is the first student-athlete from Nevada to win the NHSCA Senior Football Player of the Year Award.
Below are the past winners of the NHSCA Senior Football Athlete of the Year Award:
2016 – Sean McGrew – St. John Bosco HS, California
2015 – Kyler Murray – Allen HS, Texas
2014 – Leonard Fournette – St. Augustine HS, Louisiana
2013- Derrick Henry – Yulee HS, Florida
2012 – Johnathan Gray – Aledo HS, Texas
2011 – Johnny Manziel – Tivy HS, Texas
2010 – Seantrel Henderson – Cretin-Derham Hall, Minnesota
2009 – Garrett Gilbert – Lake Travis HS, Texas
2008 – Terrell Pryor – Jeannette HS, Pennsylvania
2007 – John Brantley – Trinity Catholic HS, Florida
2006 – John Dergo – Morris HS, Illinois
2005 – Greg Paulus – Christian Brothers Academy, New York
2004 – Jeff Byers – Loveland HS, Colorado
2003 – Austin Scott – Parkland HS, Pennsylvania
2002 – Lorenzo Booker – St. Bonaventure HS, California
2001 – Tyler Bell – Ventura HS, California
2000 – David Beck – Lockport HS, New York
Boys’ Golf
Kaiwen Liu – Torrey Pines High School, San Diego, California
Kaiwen Liu closed-out his high school career by finishing tied for sixth at the California Interscholastic Federation’s Boys’ State Golf Championships. Liu, who has accepted a scholarship from the University of California at Berkeley, shot 1-over par, which helped his team finish in third place. As a junior, Liu won the California Interscholastic Federation’s San Diego Section individual championship, which helped Torrey Pines High School win the team championship.
Last year he was named to the Rolex Juniors All-America second team. Liu was born in two hours outside of Shanghai, China. He began playing golf at eight years old.
Liu is the third California athlete to win the NHSCA Boys’ Senior Golf Athlete of the Year Award. Current PGA Tour star Rickie Fowler of Murrieta Valley High School won the award in 2007. La Mirada’s Daniel Im, who is currently playing on the European Tour, won the AOY award in 2004.
Below are the NHSCA’s past selections for the Boys’ Senior Golf Athlete of the Year:
2016 – Cooper Dossey – Vandegrift, Texas
2015 – Sam Burns – Calvary Baptist, Louisiana
2014 – Scottie Scheffler – Highland Park, Texas
2013 – Andrew Bieber – Gilmour Academy, Ohio
2012 – Wyndham Clark – Valor Christian HS, Colorado
2011 – Jordan Spieth – Dallas Jesuit, Texas
2010 – Cory Whitsett – Memorial HS, Texas
2009 – Cameron Peck – Timberline HS, Washington
2008 – Wesley Graham – Spruce Creek HS, Florida
2007 – Rickie Fowler – Murrieta Valley HS, California
2006 – Tim McKenney- Desert Mountain HS, Arizona
2005 – Brian Harman – Savannah Christian School, Georgia
2004 – Daniel Im – La Mirada HS, California
2003 – Brendon Todd – Green Hope HS, North Carolina
2002 – James Frost – Calais HS, Maine
2001 – John Bradley Holmes – Taylor County HS, Kentucky
2000 – Jason Furlow – DuQuoin HS, Illinois
Girls’ Golf
Kaitlyn Papp – Lake Travis High School, Austin, Texas
Kaitlyn Papp closed-out her scholastic career winning Texas’ Class 6A individual championship with a 7-under par 137, which helped Lake Travis to its third straight state championship. Papp, who will attend Texas in the fall, is a four-time Rolex Junior All-American, earning first team honors in 2015 and 2016.
Papp was named to USA Today’s Second-Team All-American Girls’ Golf team in 2016. She was selected to represent the USA on the winning Junior Ryder Cup team and was selected to represent the USA at the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup in Toyota-shi, Japan.
Papp is the second Texas student-athlete to win the NHSCA Girls’ Golf Athlete of the Year Award. Maddie Szeryk of Allen High School won the award in 2014.
Below are the NHSCA’s past selections for the Girls’ Golf Athlete of the Year:
2016 – Allisen Corpuz – Punahou HS – Hawaii
2015 – Madison Odiorne – Summit HS , Oregon
2014 – Maddie Szeryk – Allen HS, Texas
2013 – Jessie Sindlinger – Charles City HS, Iowa
2012 – Megan Blonien – Altus HS, Oklahoma
2011 – Aurora Kan – Chichester HS, Pennsylvania
2010 – Jenny Shin – Torrance HS, California
2009 – Courtney Gunter – Porter Ridge HS, North Carolina
2008 – Wesley Graham – Spruce Creek HS, Florida
2007 – Ester Choe – Cactus Shadows HS, Arizona
2006 – Morgan Pressel – St. Andrews School, Florida
2005 – Mari Chun – The Kamehameha School, Hawaii
2004 – Amie Cochran – West Torrance HS, California
2003 – Mandi McConnell – Grand Blanc HS, Michigan
2002 – May Wood – The Baylor School, Tennessee
2001 – Sarah Sparks – East Noble HS, Indiana
2000 – Christine Hentzner – Bishop Gorman HS, Nevada
Boys’ Soccer
Stephen Milhoan – St. Ignatius High School, Cleveland, Ohio
Stephen Milhoan, who will attend Xavier University in the fall, closed-out his brilliant scholastic career by leading St. Ignatius to its third straight Ohio state Division I soccer championship last fall.
Milhoan ended his career with 80 goals and 39 assists. He was the National Soccer Coaches of America’s 2016 National Player of the Year. Milhoan is also a two-time winner of the Ohio Soccer Coaches Association’s Division I Player of the Year Award.
Milhoan is the first Ohio athlete to win the NHSCA Boys’ Soccer Athlete of the Year Award.
Below are the NHSCA’s past selections for the Boys’ Senior Soccer Athlete of the Year:
2016 – Esteban Calvo – Montverde Academy – Florida
2015 – Connor Smith – McDonogh School – Maryland
2014 – Brad Ross – Franklin HS, Tennessee
2013 – Christian Roldan – El Rancho HS, California
2012 – Andrew Harris – The Gilman School, Maryland
2011 – Dzenan Catic – East Kentwood HS, Michigan
2010 – Soony Saad – Dearborn HS, Michigan
2009 – Kevin Bick – St. Xavier HS, Kentucky
2008 – Casey Townsend – Traverse City West HS, Michigan
2007 – Andrew Duran – Lincoln-Way East HS, Illinois
2006 – Eric Alexander – Portage Central HS, Michigan
2005 – Lee Nguyen – Plano East HS, Texas
2004 – Nick Colaluca – La Salle Academy, Rhode Island
2003 – Greg Dalby – Poway HS, California
2002 – David Walters – Lake Lehman HS, Pennsylvania
2001 – Ned Grabavoy – Lincoln-Way HS, Illinois
2000 – Dan Walsh – US Air Academy, Colorado
Girls’ Soccer
Hope Breslin – Massapequa High School, Massapequa, New York
Hope Breslin had an outstanding high school career, leading her school to three Class AA state championships along with a runner-up finish. Breslin and her teammates just missed winning a fourth straight state title in November 2016, losing to Arlington 2-1 in double overtime. Massapequa did win four straight Long Island championships with Breslin on the team.
Breslin, who was New York’s Gatorade Player of the Year as a junior, ended her career as Massapequa’s all-time leading scorer with 82 goals. She had 35 goals this past season, which is a school record. Breslin was the Class AA Player of the Year. A National Honor Society student, Breslin will attend the University of Illinois on a scholarship.
Breslin is the second New York athlete to win the NHSCA Girls’ Soccer Athlete of the Year Award. Hannah Cerrone of Ketcham High School won the award in 2007.
Below are the NHSCA’s past selections for the Girls’ Soccer Athlete of the Year:
2016 – Opal Curless – Mount Desert island HS, Maine
2015 – Hana Kerner – Northern Highlands HS, New Jersey
2014 – Mallory Eubanks – Tates Creek HS, Kentucky
2013 – Morgan Andrews – Milford HS, New Hampshire
2012 – Ashley Spivey – McDonough School, Maryland
2011 – Morgan Brian – Frederica Academy, Georgia
2010 – Kealia Ohai – Alta HS, Utah
2009 – Natalia Torosian – Lenape HS, New Jersey
2008 – Christine Nairn – Archbishop Spalding, Maryland
2007 – Hannah Cerrone – Ketcham HS, New York
2006 – Lauren Cheney – Ben Davis HS, Indiana
2005 – Amy Rodriguez – Santa Margarita HS, California
2004 – Ashlyn Harris – Satellite HS, Florida
2003 – Heather O’Reilly – East Brunswick HS, New Jersey
2002 – Jill Oakes – Harvard-Westlake HS, California
2001 – Mary McDowell – Wheat Ridge HS, Colorado
2000 – Ashley Sherbondy – Colorado Springs Christian, Colorado
Softball
Alexis Holloway – Crown Point High School, Crown Point, Indiana
Alexis Holloway had an outstanding senior season, leading Crown Point to its first-ever state championship in softball. Crown Point won the Class 4A title game with Holloway in the circling, striking-out six batters in the championship game. Crown Point finished 30-2 record. Not only was Holloway the team’s top pitcher with a 22-1 record, she is also one of the best hitters with a batting average above .400.
Holloway, who will attend Notre Dame in the fall, carries a 4.42 GPA. She’s a finalist for the Indiana Miss Softball Award. Holloway has been a First Team member of Indiana’s All-State team three years running.
Holloway is the first player from Indiana to win the NSHCA Senior Softball Athlete of the Year Award.
Past selections for Senior National Softball Athlete of the Year:
2016 – Maddy Barone – Silver Lake HS, Massachusetts
2015 – Taylor McQuillin – Mission Viejo HS , California
2014 – Johanna Grauer – Amador Valley HS, California
2013 – Carley Hoover – D.W. Daniel HS, South Carolina
2012 – Rainey Gaffin – Legacy HS, Colorado
2011 – Andrea DiPrima – Buffalo Grove HS, Illinois
2010 – Dallas Escobedo – St. Mary’s HS – Arizona
2009 – Kensie Fowler – Canyon del Oro HS, Arizona
2008 – Cathleen “Cat” Hosfield – Riverdale HS, Tennessee
2007 – Jordan Taylor – Valencia (Placentia) HS, California
2006 – Kirsten Shortridge – Keller HS, Texas
2005 – Valerie Chapple – Olathe East HS, Kansas
2004 – Anjelica Selden – Vanden HS, California
2003 – Lisa Dodd – University City, California
2002 – Alicia Hollowell – Fairfield HS, California
2001 – Catherine “Cat” Osterman – Cypress Springs HS, Texas
2000 – Kristin Schmidt – North Shore HS, Texas
Boys’ Swimming
Ryan Hoffer – Chaparral High School, Scottsdale, Arizona
Ryan Hoffer closed-out his high school career by helping his school win Arizona’s Division II swimming and diving championship. Hoffer won state gold in the 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard butterfly. He won both events by setting a new state record. His time in the 50-yard freestyle is believed to be the second fast all-time at the high school level.
Hoffer, who will attend the University of California at Berkeley in the fall, is the No. 1 swimmer in the Class of 2017, according to SwimSwam.com. Hoffer is a member of the USA Swimming Junior National Team.
In December 2015, Hoffer set a national age-group (17) record in the 100-yard freestyle at 41.23, becoming only the second swimmer under 18 to break 42 seconds.
Hoffer is the second swimmer from Arizona to win the NHSCA National Boys’ Swimming Athlete of the Year Award. Brophy Prep’s Alex Righi won the award in 2005.
Below are the NHSCA’s past selections for the Boys’ Swimming Athlete of the Year:
2016 – Michael Jensen – Upper Dublin HS – Pennsylvania
2015 – Andrew Seliskar – Thomas Jefferson HS – Virginia
2014 – Jonathan Roberts – Southlake Carroll HS, Texas
2013 – Austin Garcia – San Dimas HS – California
2012 – Matias Koski – Northview HS – Georgia
2011 – David Nolan – Hershey HS, Pennsylvania
2010 – Kyle Whitaker – Chesterton HS, Indiana
2009 – Cole Cragin – Friendswood HS, Texas
2008 – Brian Alden – Neuqua Valley HS, Illinois
2007 – Austin Staab – Westerville HS, Ohio
2006 – Shaune Fraser – The Bolles School, Florida
2005 – Alex Righi – Brophy Prep, Arizona
2004 – Kyle Bubolz – Waukesha North HS, Wisconsin
2003 – Garrett Weber-Gale – Nicolet HS, Wisconsin
2002 – Tyler DeBerry – Sabino HS, Arizona
2001 – Matt McDonald – Hamilton Southeastern HS, Indiana
2000 – Alex Lim – The Bolles School, Florida
Girls’ Swimming
Brooke Forde – Sacred Heart Academy, Louisville, Kentucky
Brooke Forde closed-out her scholastic career with two individual state gold medals, giving her five for her high school career. Forde, who will attend Stanford University, captured state titles in the 200-and-500 freestyle events, setting new records in the process. She also was part of two gold medal winning relay teams at the Kentucky state championships.
Forde is a member of the USA Swimming Junior National Team. She won a gold medal at the Junior Pan-Pacs as a member of the 800-meter freestyle relay team.
Forde is the first swimmer from Kentucky to win the NHSCA National Girls’ Swimming Athlete of the Year Award.
Below are the NHSCA’s past selections for the Girls’ Swimming Athlete of the Year:
2016 – Beata Nelson – Vernona/Mount Horeb HS – Wisconsin
2015 – Katie Ledecky – Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, Maryland
2014 – Janet Hu – Oakton HS, Virginia
2013 – Missy Franklin – Regis Jesuit HS, Colorado
2012 – Bonnie Brandon – Cherry Creek HS, Colorado
2011 – Gretchen Jaques – Glendora HS, California
2010 – Emily Bos – Holland HS, Michigan
2009 – Mary Beck – Westlake HS, Texas
2008 – Michelle McKeehan – Center Grove HS, Indiana
2007 – Lauren English – Montville Twp. HS, New Jersey
2006 – Alexandra Clarke – Sunnyslope HS, Arizona
2005 – Hannah Smith – Dexter HS, Michigan
2004 – Rhiannon Jeffrey – Atlantic HS, Florida
2003 – Kara Lynn Joyce – Pioneer HS, Michigan
2002 – Mary Descenza – Rosary HS, Illinois
2001 – Kaitlin Sandeno – El Toro HS, California
2000 – Sara McLarty – Deland HS, Florida
Boys’ Tennis
Samukh Pathi – Westborough High School, Westborough, Massachusetts
Samukh Pathi won his third straight Massachusetts Division 1 individual championship during the 2016-17 school year, beating Dover-Sherborn’s Max Schuermann of St. John’s High School 6-3, 1-6, 7-5. Pathi found himself down 5-3 in the third set before storming back to get his three-peat. As a freshman, the 5-9 Pathi finished runner-up.
Pathi, who is currently ranked No. 260 by the Tennis Recruiting Network, didn’t lose a match during the 2017 season. He finishes his high school career with an 84-3 record. He will play at Colby College in the fall.
Pathi is the first Massachusetts student-athlete to win the NHSCA Boys’ Tennis Athlete of the Year Award.
Below are the NHSCA’s past selections for the Boys’ Tennis Athlete of the Year:
2016 – Jon Dollahite – Mountain View – Utah
2015 – Martin Joyce – Hinsdale Central – Illinois
2014 – Chase Perez-Blanco – Gulliver Prep, Florida
2013 – Miguel Alda – Westwood HS, Texas
2012 – Brett Clark – Collier HS, Florida
2011 – Curtis Haworth – Putnam City North HS, Oklahoma
2010 – Raleigh Smith – Gulliver Prep, Florida
2009 – Wyatt Lippert – Lakota West HS, Ohio
2008 – Casey Watt – Pine Richland HS, Pennsylvania
2007 – Matthew Allare – Kings HS, Ohio
2006 – Michael Dierberger – Nicolet HS, Wisconsin
2005 – Jack Marsh – Seton Catholic HS, Arizona
2004 – Keithan Gregg – Cut Bank HS, Montana
2003 – Shane Tyree – Lake Howell HS, Florida
2002 – Ryan McBridge – Corona del Sol HS, Arizona
2001 – Brandon Gill – Park Tudor School, Indiana
2000 – Geoff Russell – Mountain Pointe HS, Arizona
Girls’ Tennis
Stephanie Schrage – Millburn High School, Millburn, New Jersey
Stephanie Schrage, who will play tennis in college at Princeton University, finished her high school career with a runner-up finish in the 2016 state individual championships. Schrage captured the state title as a junior after a runner-up finish as a sophomore. She only lost three matches in her entire scholastic career with over 100 victories. Two of the losses came in the state finals, while the other was in the state quarterfinals as a freshman.
Schrage has been a big part of the Millburn program that won four straight New Jersey Tournament of Champions state titles during her time in the program. Millburn has won 99 straight matches heading into the 2017-18 high school sports season. She is ranked the No. 6 recruit in the Class of 2017 by The Tennis Recruiting Network.
Schrage is the second New Jersey student-athlete to win the NHSCA Girls’ Tennis Athlete of the Year Award. Kate Fahey of Rumson-Fair Haven, who beat Schrage in the 2014 state finals, won the award in 2015.
Below are the NHSCA’s past selections for the Girls’ Tennis Athlete of the Year:
2016 – Susanne Boyden, Wakefield HS – North Carolina
2015 – Kate Fahey – Rumson-Fair Haven HS, New Jersey
2014 – Cassie Mercer – Huntington HS, West Virginia
2013 – Rasheeda McAdoo – American Heritage HS, Florida
2012 – Ronit Yurovsk – Plum HS, Pennsylvania
2011 – Brooke Urzendowski – Marian HS, Nebraska
2010 – Lilly Kimbell – New Braunfels HS, Texas
2009 – Elizabeth Epstein – Francis Parker HS, Illinois
2008 – Shinann Featherston – St. Francis Prep, New York
2007 – Whitney Taney – Edina HS, Minnesota
2006 – Pavi Francis – Marcus HS, Texas
2005 – Katie Potts – Divine Savior Holy Angels HS, Wisconsin
2004 – Nicole Leimbach – Pine Creek HS, Colorado
2003 – Anne Yelsey – Corona del Mar HS, California
2002 – Rankin Williams – Needham Broughton HS, North Carolina
2001 – Brittany Dietz – Osborne HS, Kansas
2000 – Chrissie Nolan – Glenbrook North HS, Illinois
Boys’ Track and Field
Damion Thomas – Northeast High School, Oakland Park, Florida
Damion Thomas capped an outstanding scholastic career by winning his third straight Florida 110 hurdles state title. Thomas, who will attend LSU on a scholarship, was the No. 3-ranked sprint hurdler in the nation during the 2016-17 school year.
Thomas, who was named Gatorade’s Track and Field Athlete of Year as a junior and a senior, also won a silver medal at the New Balance Indoor Nationals, plus won the sprint hurdles at the 2017 Texas Relays with a time of 13.43 seconds. Thomas holds the 14 and 15-year old age group national record in the 110 hurdles.
Thomas is the second athlete from Florida to win the NHSCA Senior Boys’ Track and Field Athlete of the Year Award. Xavier Carter of Palm Bay High School won the award in 2004.
Below are the NHSCA’s past selections for the Boys’ Track and Field Athlete of the Year:
2016 – Norman Grimes, Canyon HS, Texas
2015 – Chad Zallow, John F. Kennedy HS, Warren, Ohio
2014 – Trentavis Friday – Cherryville HS, North Carolina
2013 – Grant Hill – Huntsville HS, Alabama
2012 – Jarrion Lawson – Liberty-Eylau HS, Texas
2011 – Gunnar Nixon – Santa Fe HS, Oklahoma
2010 – Sam Crouser – Gresham HS, Oregon
2009 – Mason Finley – Buena Vista HS, Colorado
2008 – Christian Taylor – Sandy Creek HS, Georgia
2007 – Craig Forys – Colts Neck HS, New Jersey
2006 – David Klech – California HS, California
2005 – Kevin Craddock – James Logan HS, California
2004 – Xavier Carter – Palm Bay HS, Florida
2003 – Earvin Parker – Lewisville HS, Texas
2002 – Ryan Shields – Leo HS, Illinois
2001 – Alan Webb – South Lakes HS, Virginia
2000 – David Fraser – Westfield HS, Texas
Girls’ Track and Field
Kethlin Campbell – Shelbyville Central High School, Shelbyville, Tennessee
Kethlin Campbell captured three gold medals this past year by winning the 100- and 200 meter dash titles, plus the long jump at the Class AAA championships. Her winning jump of 20-feet 3.5 inches was the sixth best in the nation in the spring during the 2016-17 school year. Campbell also won the Tennessee Indoor State Championship in the 200-meter dash and she’s the 60-meter state record holder. Campbell won over 30 medals during her scholastic career.
Campbell, who owns a 3.98 GPA, is a member of the National Honor Society and National Society of High School Scholars. She’ll attend Duke on a track and field scholarship.
Campbell was also Gatorade’s Tennessee Track and Field Athlete of the Year.
Campbell is the first Tennessee student-athlete to win the NHSCA Girls’ Track and Field Athlete of the Year Award.
Below are the NHSCA’s past selections for the Girls’ Track and Field Athlete of the Year:
2016 – Cassondra Hall, Warner Robins HS, Georgia
2015 – Jasmyne Graham, Roosevelt HS, California
2014 – Ariana Washington, Long Beach Poly, California
2013 – Haley Couser – Gresham HS, Oregon
2012 – Shelbi Vaughan – Legacy HS, Texas
2011 – Morgann LeLeux – Catholic HS, Louisiana
2010 – A’Lexus Brannon – Ozen HS, Texas
2009 – Tohi Young – Del City HS, Oklahoma
2008 – Emily Reese – Chamblee HS, Georgia
2007 – Bianca Knight – Ridgeland HS, Mississippi
2006 – Griffin Matthew – Niwot HS, Colorado
2005 – Alexandra Anderson – Morgan Park HS, Illinois
2004 – Ashley Owens – Liberty HS, Colorado
2003 – Allyson Felix – Los Angeles Baptist HS, California
2002 – Sally Meyerhoff – Mountain Pointe HS, Arizona
2001 – Monique Henderson – Morse HS, California
Volleyball
Brooke Heyne – Skutt Catholic High School, Omaha, Nebraska
Brooke Heyne closed-out her scholastic carry by leading her school to a perfect 44-0 record, a Class B state championship and a No. 2 ranking in the USA TODAY Super 25. Heyne recorded 474 kills, 362 digs and 40 service aces.
Heyne, who will play at Kansas State, was named co-captain of the All-Nebraska team, along with being a MaxPreps’ first team All-American. Heyne was also a 2016-17 Under Armour Third Team All-American.
Heyne is the fifth Nebraska student-athlete to win the NHSCA Volleyball Athlete of the Year Award. Twins Amber and Kadie Rolfzen of Papillion-La Vista South High School won in 2013. Courtney Van Groningen of Sterling High won in 2011, while Gina Mancuso of Papillion-La Vista South HS.
Below are the NHSCA’s past selections for the Volleyball Athlete of the Year:
2016 – Khalia Lanier, Xavier College Prep, Arizona
2015 – Alexa Smith, Lewis-Palmer HS, Colorado
2014 – Alexa Filley – Assumption HS, Kentucky
2013 – Amber & Kadie Rolfzen – Papillion-La Vista South HS, Nebraska
2012 – Jordan Burgess – Berkeley HS, Florida
2011 – Courtney Van Groningen – Sterling HS, Nebraska
2010 – Morgan Broekhuis – Colorado Springs Christian, Colorado
2009 – Gina Mancuso – Papillion-La Vista South HS, Nebraska
2008 – Kelly Murphy – Joliet Catholic Academy, Illinois
2007 – Alix Klineman – Mira Costa HS, California
2006 – Megan Hodge – Riverside HS, North Carolina
2005 – Cynthia Barboza – Long Beach Wilson HS, California
2004 – Angit McGinnis – Fraser HS, Michigan
2003 – Kristin Richards – Timpanogos HS, Utah
2002 – Bre Ladd – Canyon del Oro, Arizona
2001 – Jennifer Saleaumua – Bonita Vista HS, California
2000 – Laura Grote – Westwood HS, Texas
Wrestling
Stephan Glasgow – Bound Brook High School, Bound Brook, New Jersey
Stephan Glasgow, who was named the Outstanding Wrestler at the NHSCA Senior Nationals in March 2017, finished his high school career by winning his second New Jersey state individual championship. He defeated two-time defending state champ Shane Griffith of Bergen Catholic 3-2 with a takedown with 25-seconds to go in the match.
At the NHSCA Senior Nationals, after two national runner-up finishes, Glasgow captured his second NHSCA national title. Glasgow, who was the Freshman National Champion in 2014, won the 152-pound title by technical fall in 5:37 over Kyle Jasenski of Albany Academy in New York in the finals.
Glasgow, who will wrestle next year at Rutgers, finished his high school career with a record of 128-8. He was ranked No. 4 by InterMat at 152 pounds.
Glasgow is the fifth New Jersey wrestler to win the NHSCA’s National Wrestling Senior Athlete of the Year Award. Other Garden State AOY winners are 4X NHSCA champ B.J. Clagon of Toms River South HS in 2013, Mark Grey of Blair Academy in 2012, Mark Perry of Blair Academy in 2003 and Steven Mocco of Blair Academy in 2001.
Below are the NHSCA’s past selections for the Senior Wrestling Athlete of the Year:
2016 – Kanen Storr, Leslie HS, Michigan
2015 – Austin Myers – Campbell County HS, Kentucky
2014 – Ryan Millhof – Collins Hill HS, Georgia
2013 – B.J. Clagon – Toms River South HS, New Jersey
2012 – Mark Grey – Blair Academy, New Jersey
2011 – Blake Roulo – Matoaca HS, Virginia
2010 – Tyler Beckwith – Greene HS, New York
2009 – C.J. Napier – Columbus HS, Kansas
2008 – Jordan Oliver – Easton HS, Pennsylvania
2007 – Colt Sponseller – West Holmes HS, Ohio
2006 – Adam Hall – Bonners Ferry HS, Idaho
2005 – Dustin Schlatter – Perry HS, Ohio
2004 – J. Jaggers – St. Pete Chanel HS, Ohio
2003 – Mark Perry – Blair Academy, New Jersey
2002 – Nathan Galloway – State College HS, Pennsylvania
2001 – Steve Mocco – Blair Academy, New Jersey
2000 – Jesse Jantzen – Shoreham-Wading River HS, New York
We will unveil the National Coaches of the Year award winners on Thursday.
