Strafford High School senior Hayley Frank and Springfield Catholic senior Tyson Riley were named the 2018-2019 Athletes of the Year, while two state championship basketball teams – the Strafford Lady Indians and Greenwood Blue Jays – were named Teams of the Year on Monday night in the Elliott Lodging Sports Commission Awards presented by Blevins Asphalt.
The program drew a crowd of nearly 900 to the University Plaza Hotel & Convention Center in Springfield as the Springfield Sports Commission, with the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame assisting, celebrated the past school year of athletics achievements. The night was emceed by Dan Lucy, the longtime Sports Director of KOLR 10 TV and part of the MSHOF’s Class of 2018.
Nearly 150 student-athletes from southwest Missouri high schools as well as 26 teams – including band, cheerleading and dance – were recognized on stage as well as through highlight videos. There were 30 categories decided by a selection committee, which chose the top five athletes/teams in each category, or six if a school was represented by two individuals. Additionally, the Skyline High School boys basketball team was recognized with the Inspiration Award, while the Springfield-Greene County Park Board was bestowed the Sports Commission Award.
“We were happy to recognize athletes from across southwest Missouri tonight,” said Lance Kettering, Executive Director of the Springfield Sports Commission. “As many of you know, this area loves sports and appreciates athletes who succeed the right way. It’s an honor to be honoring them.”
GIRLS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR — Hayley Frank, Strafford High School: With all eyes on Frank this past school year, the Strafford senior and University of Missouri basketball signee handled the pressure like a true pro. Ultimately, she earned Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year in basketball after leading Strafford to its fourth consecutive state title, an undefeated season and helped hand off a state-best, 115-game win streak. She flanked the winter by qualifying for the Class 1 state golf meet in the fall and finished as an All-State selection in the one-class spring softball season.
Other finalists: Natalie Basham, Camdenton High School; Sadie Chisum, Hartville High School; Alana Findley, Fair Grove High School; Tayte Kozlowski, Kickapoo High School
BOYS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR — Tyson Riley, Springfield Catholic High School: As a 6-foot-3, 218-pound senior, Riley earned Class 3 Football First Team All-State honors as a defensive back but also earned Class 3 Region Offensive Player of the Year and was unanimous as a QB and defensive back on the the All-Big 8 East Conference East team. He rushed for 1,602 yards and threw for 512 yards and had 66 tackles. Riley also was part of Springfield Catholic’s Class 3 state runner-up basketball team & was honorable mention All-Big 8 Conference East Division, and then earned All-State in the 110 meter hurdles and 300 meter hurdles at the Class 3 state track meet. He has signed with the United States Military Academy in West Point, N.Y.
Other finalists: Trevor Christian, Lebanon High School; Blake Delacruz, Parkview High School; Jay Strausbaugh, Logan-Rogersville High School; Zach Westmoreland, Joplin High School
GIRLS TEAM OF THE YEAR – Strafford High School Basketball: Coached by Steve Frank, the Strafford Lady Indians won their fourth consecutive Class 3 state championship in March, as Strafford stiff-armed Lutheran North 61-53 and finished 33-0. It also marked the Lady Indians’ state-record 115th consecutive victory, two months after breaking Marshfield’s then-record of 102. The team featured Hayley and Kayley Frank, Logan Jones, Maddison Chittenden, Kyndall Compton and Emma Compton.
Other finalists: Blue Eye High School Girls Track & Field Team; Bolivar High School Girls Cross Country Team; Lebanon High School Girls Wrestling; Logan-Rogersville High School Volleyball; Walnut Grove Girls Basketball Team
BOYS TEAM OF THE YEAR – Greenwood Laboratory School Basketball: Not since 1942 had Greenwood won a state title, but that drought ended in March as the Darren Taylor-coached Blue Jays beat Oran 55-54 in the Class 2 state championship game. Sophomore Grant Harper hit the game-winning 3-pointer for a team led by sophomore sensation Aminu Mohammed, who delivered a 24-point, 14-rebound effort. The Blue Jays, who finished 29-3, included Tommy Pinegar, Grant Harper, John Shapr and Garret Litherland. In the run-up to the state finale, the Blue Jays won by scores of 73-71, 57-52 and 61-54.
Other finalists: Monett High School Wrestling; Neosho High School Wrestling Team; Seymour High School Baseball Team; Springfield Catholic High School Basketball Team.
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GIRLS TENNIS – Erin Jarvis, Springfield Catholic High School: Jarvis reached the Class 1 state quarterfinals after winning sectional and district championships. She went 27-2 in the regular season, which included winning the Springfield Invitational along with the Republic Tournament. Additionally, she was the Big 8 Conference singles champion and named the Big 8 Player of the Year.
Other finalists: Mattie Leigh Miles, Logan-Rogersville High School, Lyndsey Hood & Kassidy Anderson, Mount Vernon High School, Kaitlyn Snyder, Republic High School, Evelyn VanDenBerg & Madeleine Fulk of Springfield Central High School, Claire Griesemer & Ashley Andrews, Springfield Catholic High School.
BOYS SWIMMING & DIVING — Ben Hines, Nevada High School: Hines was the Class 1 state champion in the 50-yard freestyle (20.74 seconds) and won state in the 100-yard freestyle (46.19 seconds). He also won the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle at both the Southwest Missouri Championships and the COMO Invitational. As a USA simmer for the Berzerker club, he was a top four finisher in the USA Swimming Futures Championships and was a top 10 in seven events the USA Swimming Pro-Am. He also competed in the USA Speedo Junior Nationals and the National Club Swimming Association’s Junior Nationals.
Other finalists: Andrew Atwood, Logan-Rogersville High School; Alex Crawford, Joplin High School; Gabriel Austin, Kickapoo High School; Sam Beatty, Glendale High School; Cole Earl, Glendale High School.
GIRLS GOLF – Kayla Pfitzner, Springfield Catholic High School: Pfitzner became the Class 1 state champion, posting a score of 154. She also was the regional runner-up with an 80, and that came after winning a district championship. Her list of accomplishments didn’t end there. She also placed second at the Big 8 meet, carding a 68. Pfitzner also won the MSU Relays, firing a 71.
Girls Golf: Elizabeth Freeman, Ozark High School; Wriley Hiebert, Glendale High School; Jenna Teeter, Carl Junction High School; Brooke Wagner, Logan-Rogersville High School; Reagan Zibilski, Springfield Catholic High School
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY – Alexis Barber, Ozark High School: Barber won the Southwest Cross Country Coaches Association season-opening meet in 19 minutes, 34.64 seconds. At season’s end, Barber placed seventh at the Class 4 state meet in 19:25.6 – the best finish of any southwest Missouri runner in state competition last October. In between, she won the Central Ozark Conference in 18:44.2, a Class 4 district in 18:35.27 and placed sixth at the regional in 18:45.8.
Other finalists: Anna Bandy, Bolivar High School, Alexis Barber, Ozark High School; Brocklyn Barber, Ozark High School; Kaylee Hatley, West Plains High School; Ally Montez, Carl Junction High School; Mia Harris, West Plains High School
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY – Clayton Whitehead, Carthage High School: Many eyes gravitated to watch Whitehead this past season, and for good reason. He was the state runner-up in Class 4, finishing in 15 minutes, 44.22 seconds. That came after he won the regional (15:36.20), district (15:54.73) and Central Ozark Conference (15:49.0) meets. This in a season when he posted the state’s fastest time in the 5K, running in 15:11.3 and won the Rim Rock Cross Country Classic’s Crimson Division in 15:35 out of 235 runners – a run at the University of Kansas. He has signed with South Dakota State University.
Other finalists: Brady Bauder, Kickapoo High School; Keifer Dooley, Branson High School; Kolin Overstreet, Lamar High School; Caleb Pyle, Bolivar High School
SOFTBALL – Julia Higgins, Republic High School: Higgins turned in one of the more memorable seasons in state high school softball history, as she finished with 60 runs batted in – the second-most in a single-season in MSHSAA. She also hit 14 home runs, breaking the program’s record by one, and also had 12 assists. All of which earned Higgins Class 4 All-State and All-Region honors as well as the Co-Player of the Year in the Central Ozark Conference.
Other finalists: Katie Brooks, Bolivar High School; Izzy Erickson, Reeds Spring High School; Kylie Helm, McDonald County High School; Julia Higgins, Republic High School; Nya Morgan, Ozark High School; Kaitlyn Ragsdale, Republic High School
BOYS SOCCER – Mitch Stephens, Glendale High School: Glendale’s soccer program has long been one of the area’s most competitive, and Stephens was the latest standout produced by the Falcons, as he led them to the Class 3 Final Four. And that was despite Stephens missing a portion of the season because of an injury. He finished as the team’s leading scorer for the second consecutive season and earned Class 3 Honorable Mention All-State by the Missouri High School Soccer Coaches Association and Class 3 All-Region honors. Stephens signed with Grand Canyon University.
Other finalists: Hunter Daniels, Nixa High School; Jaxon Riddle, Kickapoo High School; Nick Rushing, Ozark High School; Jason Puente, Monett High School
VOLLEYBALL – Birdie Hendrickson, Logan-Rogersville High School: The southwest Missouri volleyball community began seeing Hendrickson as a likely force two years ago, and she has certainly elevated her game. This past season marked her junior year, and the outside hitter led Logan-Rogersville to the Class 3 state championship. Along the way, she had 393 kills and 359 digs en route to earning a string of accomplishments: Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year, Class 3 All-State, All-District and Big 8 Conference Player of the Year.
Other finalists: Madison Hicks, Crane High School; Tayte Kozlowski, Kickapoo High School; Julia McCown, Ozark High School, Ashton Wildermuth, Willard High School.
FOOTBALL – Will Boswell, Mount Vernon High School: Boswell, who helped Mount Vernon reach the Class 3 state semifinals, earned Missouri Football Coaches Association’s Class 3 Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-State after finishing with 164 tackles and the same number (5) of sacks, pass break-ups and fumble recoveries. Plus, he forced three fumbles and had two tackles for loss. Boswell also added running back duties and finished with 1,567 yards rushing on 257 carries, including 21 touchdowns. He also had 22 receptions for 241 yards and a TD, later signing with Northwest Missouri State University.
Other finalists: Paxton Delaurent, Camdenton High School; Brayden Lidgard, West Plains High School; Tyson Riley, Springfield Catholic High School; Zach Westmoreland, Joplin High School
MARCHING BAND – Camdenton High School’s Pride of the Lake Band: Directed by Paul Baur, Camdenton had a history-making school year that included the two largest and most challenging competitions in the country. Camdenton became only the second band from Missouri to ever place at the Bands of America San Antonio Super Regional, placing third in Class 2. The band later competed at the Bands of America Grand National Championships, going against 120 others at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Camdenton advanced to the semifinals – only the second Missouri band ever to pull the feat – with a show called “Red Hot.”
Other finalists: Kickapoo High School, Nixa High School, Ozark High School, Willard High School
GIRLS SWIMMING & DIVING – Cabrini Johnson, Logan-Rogersville High School: Talk about a phenomenal season. Johnson had an impressive showing in the Class 1 State Swimming & Division Championships. She won a state championship in the 100-yard breaststroke, finishing in 1 minute, 4.71 seconds. She also placed third in the 500-yard freestyle (5:10.64) and helped the 200-yard medley relay team to a fourth-place finish. All this was after a big showing at the Southwest Missouri Championships, where she won the 100-yard breaststroke (1:06.92) and the 500-yard freestyle (5:12.21), plus helped the 200-yard medley win it.
Other finalists: Ashley Baldwin, Glendale High School; Mary Bean, Liberal High School; Faith Guyer, Summit Prep Academy; Maggie Moore, Summit Prep Academy; Oliva Stoneman, Nixa High School
GIRLS WRESTLING – Lizzie Miller, Buffalo High School: If there’s a display of medals and winning brackets at the Miller household in Buffalo, it has to be crowded. While her brother Floyd won the 171-pound state championship in February, Miller won one of her own. She captured the 116-pound state title and finished 24-1, doing so with two pins and a 3-0 decision at the state tournament.
Other finalists: Erin Bohmont, Branson High School; Gracie Lawhon, Willard High School; Quincy Glendenning, Lebanon High School; Justice Seely, Waynesville High School; Jazzmine Seely, Waynesville High School
BOYS WRESTLING – Cayden Auch, Neosho High School: Several coaches said Auch had arguably the most impressive run through the state tournament of any wrestler from southwest Missouri – and helped Neosho win state. He raged his way to the Class 3 state championship in the 126-pound bracket, pinning two of his first three opponents – he scored a technical fall in Round 2 – and won 4-3 in the finals against defending state champion Oscar Ortiz. Auch also won Class 3 District 3, the Central Ozark Conference and the 31st annual Neosho Wrestling Tournament. He finished 42-1.
Other finalists: Cayden Auch, Neosho High School; Braxton Barnes, Neosho High School; Karter Brink, Monett High School; Hayden Burks, Bolivar High School; Kale Schrader, Carthage High School; Floyd Miller, Buffalo High School; Jay Strausbaugh, Logan-Rogersville High School
GIRLS BASKETBALL – Hayley Frank, Strafford High School: Frank was the centerpiece of Strafford’s Class 3 state championship season – her fourth consecutive with the Lady Indians – and earned honors all around. She was the Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year for a second consecutive year, was Class 3 All-State and All-Mid-Lakes Conference. She averaged 22.8 points, 13 rebounds, 7.2 blocks and 2.0 steals a game – and finished with a career 3,004 points (top 10 in state history) and a state-record 1,629 career rebounds. She has signed with the University of Missouri.
Other finalists: Paiton Acord, Parkview High School; Alana Findley, Fair Grove High School; Faith Gilkey, Walnut Grove High School; Priscilla Williams, Branson High School
BOYS BASKETBALL – Aminu Mohammed, Greenwood Laboratory School: Mohammed – a five-star recruit in the Class of 2021 – led the Blue Jays to the Class 2 state championship and 29 wins just one year after the Blue Jays won only seven games. Mohammed averaged 34.2 points, 17.3 rebounds, 2.7 steals and 1.5 blocks en route to being named the Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year and All-State. He scored 1,059 points for the season.
Other finalists: Daniel Abreu, Willard High School; Jake Branham, Springfield Catholic High School; Anton Brookshire, Kickapoo High School; Luke Vandersnick, Logan-Rogersville High School
DANCE TEAM – Glendale Crimson Girls: Coached by Shana Fishel, the Crimson Girls have developed a persona across the Ozarks as a team that likes to challenge itself. This year, the Crimson actually skipped the Missouri Dance Association State Team Championships and instead headed to a national competition in Florida. There, Glendale placed seventh in the Large Varsity Kick category and 16th in Medium Varsity Jazz. At the Sugar Bears Invitational, the Crimson won first in the Class 3-4 Kick category as well as in Dance and Pom.
Other finalists: Branson High School, Carthage High School, Glendale High School, Kickapoo High School, Logan-Rogersville High School, Republic High School
CHEER – Republic High School: Call it a memorable 2018-2019 school year for Republic. Coached by Matthew Massey and Heather Bice, Republic competed in three competitions. Among them was the High School Cheerleading National Championship at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., where Republic finished 13th in its first performance there. The team had advanced by taking first in the Show-Me State Regionals, earning bid, and that came after earning first at an event in Arkansas.
Other finalists: Marshfield High School, Ozark High School, Republic High School, Seneca High School, Spokane High School
BOYS TENNIS – Garrett Lewis, Joplin High School: A team captain, Lewis broke the state and school record for single-season wins as he finished 36-4 in a season that saw him advance to the Class 2 state tournament. He won the Springfield Invitational in singles, won district and sectionals and placed seventh individually at the state tournament. At team state, he won his third-place match and helped the team win the Joplin Invitational and the Central Ozark Conference team championship. He has signed with Rockhurst University
Other finalists: Asa Borup & Kaden Seward, Joplin High School; Payton LaFevers, Glendale High School; Luke Steiner, Springfield Catholic High School; Jarrett Teel, Forsyth High School; Matthew Zengel, Kickapoo High School
BOYS GOLF – Dawson Meek, Glendale High School: Meek won the Class 4 state championship in May, firing a two-day score of 68-78 146 at Silo Ridge Golf & Country Club in Bolivar. He had placed 10th at the Class 4 Sectional 3 tournament with a 77 after winning the Class 4 District 5 title with a 76, leading Glendale to the team title. Meek also won the Ozark Conference with a 1-under-par 71, tied for fourth at the Springfield Invitational with a 76 was third at the MSU Relays with a 76.
Other finalists: Connor Obert, Glendale High School; Cooper Hess, Lebanon High School; Gregory Mitchals, Willard High School; Presten Richardson, Miller High School; Walker Tynes, Springfield Catholic High School
GIRLS TRACK – Brianna Utecht, Marshfield High School: Not many athletes can say they had four All-State performances, but Utecht could after the Class 4 state track meet. The Marshfield sophomore placed eighth in the 100 meters in 12.69 seconds, was sixth in the 400 in 59.42 seconds and was fifth in the 200 in 25.77 seconds. Her 200 time was the second-best among five area state medalists. She also was part of Marshfield’s 4×100 relay that placed fourth after a time of 49.52 seconds.
Other finalists: Alexis Barber, Ozark High School; Brocklyn Barber, Ozark High School; Natalie Basham, Camdenton High School; Danielle Wilson, Greenwood Laboratory
GIRLS FIELD – Kaesha George, Monett High School: Make a note to yourself to get to a Monett High School track and field meet in the spring of 2020. After all, George will be in her final tour on the southwest Missouri high school scene and will be doing so as a two-time, Class 4 state champion in the javelin. At the recent state meet, she not only won the event but shattered her own state record with a throw of 151-06. That was roughly 13 feet better than a year ago.
Other finalists: Kennedy Aurentz, Kickapoo High School; Tassilyn Bolin, Willard High School; Kaesha George, Monett High School; Tayte Kozlowski, Kickapoo High School; Olivia Lyon, Ozark High School
BOYS TRACK – Lance Ward, Carl Junction High School: Most coaches figured Ward would bring home some hardware from the Class 4 state meet, particularly after winning two events at the Sectional 1 meet. He delivered as Ward became All-State in the 400 meters and 200 meters and also helped the 4×400 relay place sixth. His 400 time of 48.24 seconds was good for second and would have been third-best in Class 5. His fourth-place 200 time of 22.58 was the best among area state medalists, plus would have been fourth-best in Class 5.
Other finalists: Zachary Gebhard, Springfield Catholic High School; Clayton Whitehead, Carthage High School; Evan Smith, Chadwick High School; Zakary Taylor, Marian C. Early (Morrisville) High School
BOYS FIELD – Zach Westmoreland, Joplin High School: The Joplin wide receiver not only became a Class 5 state champion in the javelin but set the meet record with a throw of 194-06. He also placed sixth in the long jump with a leap of 22.03 and competed on Joplin’s 4×100 and 4×200 relays.
Other finalists: Nate Baldwin, Sarcoxie High School; Gabriel Kurtz, Camdenton High School; Wallace Squibb; Springfield Catholic High School; Reagan Ulrich, Branson High School
GIRLS SOCCER – Jadyn Easley, Ozark High School: Easley ended her senior season as Ozark’s career leader in goals (130), assists (56) and total points (316). This after her 2019 spring featured 32 goals and 11 assists as Ozark advanced to the Class 5 District 9 championship game, with the Lady Tigers finishing a 15-win season. Easley, who has signed with the University of Missouri, earned first-team honors on the All-Central Ozark Conference, All-District and All-Region teams – plus was the Region Player of the Year.
Other finalists: Kaitlin Knetzke, Springfield Catholic High School; Jalyn McClean, Kickapoo High School; Emma Miller, Glendale High School; Kourtney Tucker, Springfield Central High School; Lexie Rasmussen, Nixa High School
BASEBALL – Gage Singer, Aurora High School: Singer had a tough act to follow after Wyatt Sparks’ incredible 2018 season, but Singer delivered – and was named the Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year. He batted .386 and had an .814 slugging percentage for an Aurora team that was ranked No. 1 in Class 3 for much of the season. His offensive numbers included six home runs, eight doubles and two triples. He also drove in 21 runs, scored 32 runs and had 11 steals. His on-base percentage was .564. On the mound, he was 6-0 with 83 strikeouts in 36 innings – and he walked only four.
Other finalists: Mason Auer, Kickapoo High School; Will Duff, Springfield Catholic High School; Garrett Rice, Willard High School; Gage Singer, Aurora High School; Ty Wilmsmeyer, Glendale High School
BASS FISHING – Parkview High School’s Caleb Haines and Devon Rathbun: Haines and Rathbun were named to B.A.S.S.’ 2019 Bassmaster High School All-State Fishing Team in March – and are among only 62 nationally to receive the honor. Haines won the PTA recently while Devon placed 29th out of 108 boats in the field. The next day, they won the youth-only event out of 355 boats. Rathbun already has signed with McKendree University on a fishing scholarship.
Other finalists: Bolivar High School — Caleb Welch and Nathan Young; Camdenton High School – Payton Sapp and Gage Erickson; Clever High School – Hunter Williams and Logan Clifford; Ozark High School – Emily Freeman and Ethan Middleton
