Arizona Sports Awards High Achievers of the Week (2024)

October 23, 2015 8:01 pm ET

Each week, azcentral sports’ Arizona Sports Awards, presented by Valley Chevy Dealers, will honorAthletes of the Week, presented by La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries, and a High Achiever of the Week. Thislong-running list of all the Arizona Sports Awards High Achievers of the Week will be updated throughout the 2015-16 school year.

To learnmore about the Arizona Sports Awards, visithsawards.azcentral.com.

To nominate an Athlete or High Achiever of the Week, visitnominations.azcentral.com.

To purchase tickets for the end-of-year awards ceremony, visit sportsawards.azcentral.com.

Compiled by Arizona Sports Awards internSamantha Incorvaia.

High Achiever of the Weekfor May 5-12

Hannah Hansen

School:Chandler Arizona College Prep

Class:Senior

Sport:Tennis

Has a 3.95 GPA … Three-sport captain who competes inswim, basketball andtennis … First in tennis doubles and third in singles …Earned 18 varsity wins this season and represented ACP for the third time in the state doubles tennis tournament … Takes classes at Mesa Community College, where she also works part-time in the Life Sciences Department… Volunteers with girls group, runs the A/V for a yearly mother-daughter retreatand helps out with a local club basketball team …Will attend Northern Arizona Universityin the fall as a Lumberjack Scholar … “Hannah is a very competitive athlete,” coach and mother Katy Hansen said. “She will work hard to win.”

High Achiever of the Week for April 28-May 5

Kenny Silvestro

School:ChandlerHamilton

Class:Senior

Sport:Volleyball

Has a 4.3GPA … Liberowho leads with 398 digs, 4.2 digs per setand 543 serving received successes on Hamilton’s varsity team, as of Wednesday… National Honor Society Member …Link Crew leader … Member ofChick-fil-A Leader Academy, which gathers high school student leaders in the community for service projects…We The People government debate teamstate finalist …Completed more than 100 volunteer hours during his senior year… Chandler Education Foundation Impact Scholar …Accepted to ASU’s Barrett, TheHonors College and plans to study biological sciences… Plays club volleyball with En Fuego since sophom*ore year … “He can’t wait for practice to start and hates for practice to end,” coach Jeff Bader said.

High Achiever of the Week for April 21-28

Haley Hernandez

School:GilbertCampo Verde

Class:Junior

Sport:Softball

Has a 3.7 GPA …Catcher who played her first year on varsity this season… Enrolled in dual enrollment classes … Volunteers for fifth-grade classroom at Ashland Ranch Elementary School,as eighth-grade softball assistant coach at Cooley Middle School and with the Cooley Early Childhood Development Center… Plays utility forBatbusters, an 18U-divisionsoftball club in Mesa … Received Hustle Award during her freshman season at Campo Verde … Received Campo Verde Golden Glove award during sophom*ore season … Sign Language Club member …Played softball since she was 8years old … Hernandez’s biggest highlight was hitting the winning home run against Desert Vistaon April 9 … Wants to major in communication disorders in college… On the field, coach Joe Delsante said“as an athlete, she’s got one of the best arms, I’ve seen.”

High Achiever of the Week for April 14-21

Reuben Nach

School:Phoenix Sunnyslope

Class:Senior

Sport:Track and Field

Has a 4.6 GPA … Distance runner who competesprimarily in 1,600-meter runsand 4×800relay … Also playedvarsity basketball for three years… Competed in two years of cross country … No. 1 distance runner in the school and Most Valuable Runner recipient in cross country …Anchor leg in the 4×800 relay team, earning fourth at the GUHSD Relays on March 24… Ranks in the top 5 percent of his class … President of Mensch Club, a Jewish organization on campus … President of BByo, a Jewish youth group off campus … On April 15, Nach earned a personal recordof 5 minutes, 4 seconds… Nachran a sub-5-minute mile at the GUHSD Track Meet on April 20… Attending University of Arizona after graduation … “He’s very conceptual,”coach Jason Coury said. “He sees the bigger picture of where his team needs to go.”

High Achiever of the Week for April 7-14

Graham Byron

School: Phoenix Arcadia

Class: Senior

Sport: Tennis

Has a 4.52 GPA … Third in singles,first in doubles and captain of the tennis team… Ranked seventh out of 419 students in the senior class …National Honor Society treasurer …Student Body andKey Club International, an on-campusvolunteer club,vice president …Member of Arcadia Student Advisory Board … Ping Pong Club treasurer …Math tutor…Volunteers withAndre House,a downtown Phoenix organization committed to serving homeless underCongregation of Holy Cross and theCatholic Worker movement, andatCamp Anytown, focusing on leadership, diversityand acceptance, during the summer … Started playing when he was 9 years old … Wants to remain competitive and consistent with a positive attitude during Arcadia’s first time in Division I …“Regardless of the situation, he keeps a positive attitude,” coach Annie Boothe said.

High Achiever of the Week for March 31 – April 7

Bethany Loveall

School:Bagdad

Class:Sophom*ore

Sport:Softball

Has a 4.0 GPA … Third baseman who leads the team withseven hits and eightRBIs… Has a .778 batting average … Vice president ofFCCLA … Student council treasurer … Member of National Honor Society… Part of the Evening Light Fellowship … Said her favorite memory was hitting an in-the-park home run against Williams during a tournament… Said her greatest strength is her collaboration with her teammates … Played softball since she was 8 years old … Loveall said she always loved softball, and her sister inspired her to play the game, as well …Coach Sarah Morris said athletes from opposing teams may underestimate Loveall at first glance because she plays while wearinga skirt for her religion… Mentioned how her will to improve inspires other members on the team …Morris said Loveall is the No. 5 batter on the team …“Bethany is a big part of the team,” Morris said. “She’s a leader on and outside of her softball team.”

High Achiever of the Week for March 24-31

Libby Fleury

School:Phoenix Sunnyslope

Class: Senior

Sport: Tennis

Has a 4.0 GPA … No. 2 doubles and No.3 singles on varsity team … Captain and outside hitter of the Sunnyslope varsity volleyball team …Played four years of volleyballand won Sunnyslope’s “Viking” award at the end of the season, helping the team achieve two state titles …Wonthe deciding match last night in a tiebreaker againstMillennium …Member of National Honor Society …Sunday school teacher …Participates in summer outreach efforts with her church in at-risk communities, and this year, she’s heading toAngol, Chile, to work on a high school building project for the Mapuche Indian community … Plans on going to University of Arizona to studybusiness after graduation …“She has the best attitude,” coach KristiMoore said. “She takes things in moment to moment.”

High Achiever of the Week for March 17-24

Alex Dickey

School: Scottsdale Notre Dame Prep

Class: Senior

Sport: Softball

Has a 3.9 GPA … Pitcher and third base… As induction head on the executive board, she led a committee that planned theNational Honor Society induction ceremony…Went 2 for 3 with a two-rundouble and pitched seven innings, giving up four hits and no earned runs while striking out sixin a 3-2 win against Flagstaff …Member of Hope Kids Committee and Kairos … Volunteers with her church … Girl Scouts Ambassador … Started playing softball when she was 8 years old … Wants to beat her 20 RBIs from last season … Committed academically to Carroll College in Montana …“Alex is one of the best players who leads by example,” coach Caitlin Melnychenko said.

High Achiever of the Week for March 10-17

Thomas Duke

School:Chandler Hamilton

Class:Junior

Sport:Tennis

Has a 4.8 GPA … No.4 singles and No.3 doubles …Played two years of varsity tennis …Also competed in swim his freshman year …Leader of Hamilton Model United Nations … Receivedfourth place in All-State Jazz Auditions for piano … AP scholar… National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society member …Likes tennis for the competition and its physical, emotional and mental challenges … Wants to go to Arizona State University or University of Arizona for electrical engineering … “He sees the importance of what it’s like to help other people,” coach Phil Gonzales said.

High Achiever of the Week for March 3-10

Becky Ducar

School:PhoenixXavier Prep

Class:Senior

Sport:Softball

Has a 4.08GPA … Captain and shortstop who is batting third with a .471average and leads team with 14 RBIs, four doubles, two triples and two home runs,as of Wednesday… On March 9, Ducar hit a home run in a winagainst Glendale Mountain Ridge 5-0 …Enrolled in AP and honors classes …Member of National Honor Society, Unity and Diversity Club, Spanish Club and Gator Guides … Volunteers for elderly …Plays utility for AZ Storm Club … Named MVP for Xavier’s varsitysoftball team during her sophom*ore and junior years …Played softball since she was 5years old … Loves softball for its teamwork … Said a favorite memory involved her first walk-off home run during a game against Boulder Creek on March 3 …Committed to play softball at Villanova in the fall … “Her passion and love for the game shows in how she plays,” coach Carrie Markham said.

High Achiever of the Weekfor Feb. 25 – March 3

Brendan Hicks

School:Phoenix Desert Vista

Class:Sophom*ore

Sport:Soccer

Has a 4.4 GPA … Defensive player and center midfielder who scored five goals, earned four assists and played every minute of every game …Captained the defense and team to the Division I boys soccer semifinals this season … Voted Most ValuableUnderclassmanas a freshman and Most Valuable Player as a sophom*ore on the varsityteam … All-City athlete as a freshman and sophom*ore … Member ofSC Del Sol Club 2000 White team …Plays in Far West Regionals and led team to National Premier League Nationals in Indiana …Started playing soccer when he was5 years old…RepresentedArizona in the Olympic Development Program in regional tournament in January …Member of East Valley Boys Service Club …Member of Key Club … Wants to play Division I soccer in college … “He grew up being heavily involved, so it’s part of his life now,” coach Mark Wilson said.

High Achiever of the Week for Feb. 18-25

Jacqueline Iafrate

School:Scottsdale Christian Academy

Class:Junior

Sport:Basketball

Has a 3.9 GPA … Point guard who leads the team with 4.9 assists per game … Also earned 11.5 points per game and 3.3. steals per game … Plans on trying out for track and field in the 400 meters event … Plays club basketball for AZ Rebels… Started playing basketball when she was 8 years old …Signed up to volunteer as a mentor to kids with Crohn’s disease, which she was diagnosed with three years ago … Member of National Honor Society …Going to Guatemala with Students International on a school mission trip next week … Member of National Honor Society …“She’s a true strategist when it comes to games,” coach Travis Hearn said. “She gives highly intelligent answers on and off the court.”

High Achiever of the Week for Feb. 11-18

Jessica Roskelley

School:GlendaleDeer Valley

Class:Sophom*ore

Sport:Basketball

Has a 4.48GPA … During her first year at Deer Valley, she plays post and leads team with 3.3 offensive rebounds, 6.6 rebounds per game and 1.9 blocks per game …Competes in cross country … Runsthe 800 meters and4×800 relay,and shehigh jumps intrack and field …Tutors studentsinRTI Math … Involved in the Outreach Service Club …Activelyinvolved in her church … Will be inducted into the National Honor Society this spring … Started playing basketball in eighthgrade … Said her overall calmness improved as well as her ability to keep the basketball in her possession … Wants to keep improving and become more offensive-minded …“Jessica is a great kid,” coach Matt Dennis said. “She goes out of her way to help other athletes.”

High Achiever of the Week for Feb. 4-11

Cody Shear

School:Sierra VistaBuena

Class:Senior

Sport:Basketball

Has a 3.8 GPA …Captain and point guard who leads the team with 4.6assists per game and 1.7 steals per game… Competed in swim freshman year and football in junior year…Played in state tournaments his first three years in basketball…Student body president with student council… Enrolled inhonors and AP classes … Member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes andNational Honor Society… Volunteers with basketball camps, Edward Jones Canned Food Drive and St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church … Started playing basketball in sixth grade with the Desert Dunkers travel team before playing for his dad’s club team, the Hotshots … Wants to major in computer science in college after graduation … “He’s evolved into probably one of the best leaders we’ve ever had,” coach Dave Glasgow said.

High Achiever of the Week for Jan. 28-Feb. 4

Jordan Gardner

School:Snowflake

Class:Senior

Sport:Basketball

Has a 4.4 GPA … Forward who leads varsity team with 13.4 points per game, 8.3 rebounds per game and2.4 steals per game … Also leads in 5.5 defensive rebounds per game and 2.8 offensive rebounds per game …Rancross country in 2015 and competes in track and field for mainly the 800 meters … Finishing his landscaping project for a local museumto become an Eagle Scout … Tutors his peers in math … Received an All-American award for cross country … National Honor Society treasurer … Said sports was always part of his life, especially since his first word was “ball” … Will go on a religious mission for two years after graduation …“He’s what we call our Energizer Bunny,” coach Andy Wood said. “He doesn’t stop, and he’s one of the best leaders we’ve had in the history of our program.”

High Achiever of the Week for Jan. 21-28

Delaney Rohde

School:Scottsdale Desert Mountain

Class:Sophom*ore

Sport:Soccer

Has a 4.1 GPA … Midfielder who is in her second year on the varsity teamwith nine goals, 19 points and one assist … Volunteers with PaiuteCenter and Maggie’s Place through the National Charity League … Model for Agency of Arizona … Started playing soccer when she was 4 years old … Likes soccer for the competition, her teammates and the running … Said her favorite memory from soccer was after she and her team won the quarterfinals last year … “She’s one of those players a coach would dream of coaching,” coach Mark Eggleston said. “She’s the one everyone on the team will talk to.”

High Achiever of the Week for Jan. 14-21

Justin Nelson

School:Chandler Perry

Class:Senior

Sport:Wrestling

Has a 4.3 GPA … Team captain who wrestles at 195 poundsand starter on the football team …Enrolled in the Perry STEM program …Won firstplaceat the 14-team Verrado Varsity Wrestling Tournament on Jan.15-16 … Season record is 30-5 … Said discipline is his greatest strength … Volunteers in Perry’syouth wrestling program … Member of A Capella Club … Wrestles for the competition and the need to push himself …Plans on going to ASU with a Presidential Scholarship for electrical engineering …“He hasn’t disappointed,” coach Darren Johnson said. “He’s done everything we’ve asked him to and more.”

High Achiever of the Week for Jan. 7-14

Garrett Murray

School:Scottsdale Chaparral

Class:Junior

Sport:Soccer

Has a 4.0 GPA …Midfielder who helped Chaparral to an 11-2-1 record, including a win atthe Bulldog Invitational…Scoredonegoal and oneassist in a 4-1 win against Red Mountain… Member of the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society… Treasurer in Hiking Club …Plays point guard in basketball at YMCA and Boys and Girls Club leagues … Has volunteered withthe Boys and Girls Club, a pet market selling shelter dogs in Mesaand libraries in Scottsdale… “He’s a very optimistic kid,” coach Jason Speirs said. “He’s a joker on the team, so he keeps things light.”

High Achiever of the Week for Dec. 31-Jan. 7

MakaylaFiliere

School:Chandler Hamilton

Class:Senior

Sport:Basketball

Has a 4.7 GPA … Plays shooting guard and small forward… Leads Hamilton varsity team with an average of 2.3 steals per game …Member of the National Honors Society …AP Scholar with honors … Historian for Hamilton’s Best Buddies Husky Pack … Basketball coach in theHamilton Unified Program,where she helps organize events with Hamilton athletes andstudents who have physical or mental disabilities … Raised more than $5,000 for Feed My Starving Childrenby selling baked items she made … Hasoffers to play college basketball next season … “There’s not enough words to describe her,” coach Erik Dalipe said. “Her overall outlook in life is to help those in need by using herself and her accomplishments as a vehicle to provide service.”

High Achiever of the Week for Dec. 24-31

Allison Jorden

School:ScottsdaleChaparral

Class:Senior

Sport:Soccer

Has a 4.81 GPA … Co-captain who plays center midfielder for the Chaparral team with four goals and two assists this season… Competes in SC Del Sol travel club team … Ranprimarily the 400-meter and 4×400-meter relay for track and fieldfreshman year … CoachesChaparral’s Unified Track team thatconsists of students with special needs…Founder ofChaparral’s Unified Cheer her senior year … Vice President of Student Government … Vice President of Best Buddies … Works with Celebrate Autism, an organization that helps people with disabilitieslearn entrepreneurial skills … National Merit Semifinalist …Verbally committed to play Division I soccer at Indiana University …“She’s very positive,” coach Robyn Carlson said. “Girls around her play better because she lifts them.”

High Achiever of the Week for Dec. 17-24

Kelsey Siemons

School:TucsonCatalinaFoothills

Class:Junior

Sport:Basketball

Has a 4.1GPA …Team captain who plays center in basketball … Middle blocker in volleyball …Competes with the Tucson Rattlers and played with Club Copper Volleyball in the past…Honors student … Involved in Link Crew and volunteers with her church … After playing five games so far this season, Siemons is the leading scorer on the team, averaging about 11 points per game, and leading rebounder with 11 rebounds per game… Said her personal goal this season is to stay positive while playing on the court … To Siemons, basketball is a sport that’s always challenging and teaching her … Wants to be a marine biologist … “Her greatest asset is being a very physical player but a very smart player, as well,” coach Michelle Gallagher said.

High Achiever of the Week for Dec. 10-17

Mark Lugo

School:TucsonSt. Augustine

Class:Senior

Sport:Basketball

Has a 3.6 GPA … Team captain who playspoint guard in basketball … Lugo played nine games this season with about seven points per game, fiverebounds per game and threeassists per game … Visits the PhoenixVA to write letters and show appreciation to those who served the country …His dad was deployed in the Army, so he and his family considers thanking veterans an important act … When his mom accidentally signed him up for basketball instead of baseball in third grade, Lugo liked the sport and continued to compete… Involved in Club Basketball… Former student council member … Looking into scholarships for attending Pima Community College before attending a bigger university for nutrition or journalism … “He’s probably the heart and soul on the team,” dad and coach Mark Lugo-Gomez said.

High Achiever of the Week for Dec. 3-10

Sean Even

School:Phoenix Brophy Prep

Class:Junior

Sport:Basketball

Has a 4.42GPA …Forward and center for Brophy’s basketball team … Also plays middle in volleyball, his main sport … Involved in Key Club in the past … Former Eagle Scout …Spent June on a Brophyimmersion trip in Peru that included service work and exploration of Peruvian culture … Even’s project proposal for next year’s trip won, so the group that goes next year will work on his project idea to add trash cans in Tacna, Peru …Earned straight As through his first two years at Brophy, which included three AP courses and seven honors courses …Currently enrolled in five additional AP courses … Wants to study pre-med or engineering after he graduates …“He’s like a sponge,” coach Matt Hooten said. “He wants to learn, wants to improve and he wants to get better.”

High Achiever of the Week for Nov. 26-Dec. 3

Zoe Agundo

School:ChandlerArizona College Prep

Class:Senior

Sport:Soccer

Has a 4.2 GPA …Co-captain of the soccerteam … Her goal save percentage for the season was 79.6 percent …Starter with full-time minutes…First goalie on the team since the school opened … Was an All-Arizona honorable mention this season… Started playing soccerin about sixth grade … President of Cinematography Club and member of National Honor Society …Participated in Ambassador Club, Key Club, Newspaper Club, Student Council and Mentor Club … Volunteers at the Phoenix Art Museum and previously volunteered at the Chandler Public Library … Plans on majoring in industrial or project design, so she’s looking into Pratt Institute, Parson School of Design and Rhode Island School of Design and mentioned Lego or Apple as an example of companies that involve design and innovation in their work … “She knows how to prioritize,” coach Heather Osborn said. “She learned a whole lot of skills from everything she’s involved in.”

High Achiever of the Week for Nov. 19-26

Nekiyah Draper

School:KayentaMonument Valley

Class:Senior

Sport:Volleyball

Has a 4.63 GPA … Setter for volleyball … Member of student council, National Honor Society, American Indian Science & Engineering Society (AISES) … Historian of hersenior class … President of prom committee her junior year … Volunteers at soup kitchens and helped build a women’s shelter … Fell in love with the sport when she started playing volleyball in third grade … Started playing varsity her sophom*ore year … She said she’s become a better leader by finding ways to motivate her teammates and herself … She’s currently working on her college applications, but Stanford is her dream school, and she wants to study bioengineering… “She has evolved since her freshman year,” coach Rennell Gilmore said. “She’s everything you can ask for from an athlete and a student.”

High Achiever of the Week for Nov. 12-19

Tavion Allen

School:LaveenCesar Chavez

Class:Junior

Sport:Football

Has a 2.7 GPA … Plays safety forCesar Chavez’s football team …Had threeinterceptions in the first-round playoff game against Tucson Sabino,and he returned twoof them for touchdowns, making the firstplayoff victory in the school’shistory … Had twomore interceptions in the quarterfinal playoff game against Goodyear Desert Edge gave him a school record of 10 interceptions for the year … Second-leading tackler who averages 20 yards in punt returns …Competes in the 100-meter, 200-meter andsometimes 4×400 relay, triple jump and long jump intrack and field …Community volunteer whohelps coach young athletes on AZ Saints, a youth alliance football team … Played football since he was 7 years old … First-team all-region player as a junior… “Every play is an opportunity for him,” coach Jim Rattay said. “He goes full speed, and he gets double-figure tackles.”

High Achiever of the Week for Nov. 5-12

Kelsey Decker

School:GilbertCampoVerde

Class:Junior

Sport:Badminton

Has a 4.0GPA …No. 1 varsity player on the team for two years … Used to compete in long-distance events in track and field, but currently pole vaults…President of STEM for women club … Member of League of Literacy … Member of symphony orchestra and leads her section in Strolling Strings orchestra …Former member of FFA …Volunteers with Link Crew andAdopt-A-Family… Said her favorite memory of badminton was playing in the 2014state championship as a sophom*ore with her doubles partner … Plays badminton with her family, specifically her twin brother…Next season, she hopes to compete in badminton state championships again … Wants to get a scholarship to Northern Arizona University or Arizona State University and study in veterinary school and minor in music …“When you represent a school, you represent it at its full capacity,” coach Rochelle Burson said. “And she embraces all of it.”

High Achiever of the Week for Oct. 29-Nov. 5

Patrick Tansill

School: Gilbert

Class: Senior

Sport: Cross Country

Has a 4.65 GPA … First in his class … Competes in the 1,600-meter run and 4×800-meter relay in track and field … Wants to try out for soccer … Member of National Honor Society, Tiger Crew and the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Committee (MYAC) … Co-founded the ping pong club … Plans to start an ultimate frisbee club … Was part of Mu Alpha Theta club in his junior year … Volunteered over the summer by shadowing a sports specialist, Dr. Charles Peterson, at the Arizona Sports Medical Center … Wants to study pre-med … Applied to Arizona State University and Northern Arizona State University, but he is also looking into University of Denver, Regis University, Benedictine University and Franciscan University … “Even back then (four years ago), he was first to practice and the last one to leave,” coach Jillian Stadt said.

High Achiever of the Week for Oct. 22-29

Allison Ruka

School: Peoria Sunrise Mountain

Class: Senior

Sport: Swim

Has a 3.96 GPA … Achieved provisional state times in the 100 butterfly and 100 breaststroke … Takes AP and Honors classes … Ranked third in her senior class … Secretary for the National Honor Society … Clarinet section leader for Sunrise Mountain’s marching band … Swim team captain who coordinates athletes for special practice and meeting times … Volunteered with Sunrise Mountain Branch library over the summer … Began swimming when she was 6 years old in club swim … Wants to attend John Hopkins or Washington for math and music … Coach Cris Dilworth said Ruka doesn’t identify herself with her scores and times, making Ruka a humble student-athlete … “She knows what it takes to do well individually,” Dilworth said. “But she cares how the rest of the team does, as well.”

High Achiever of the Week forOct. 15-22

Drew Ketterman

School:Tempe Corona del Sol

Class: Senior

Sport: Swim

Has a 4.8 GPA … Team captain who swimsthe 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle and 200 freestyle relay … Member of Site Council and Red Kettle Club … Student body treasurer in student council and treasurer in National Honors Society … President and founder of Corona del Sol’s Mu Alpha Theta math club … National Merit Commended Scholar and AP Scholar …Part of the 200 Freestyle relay team, who finished in 17th place at the State Swim meet last season …Volunteered in Belize for three weeks working in a hospital and building houses … Wants to attend theUniversity of Arizona for a Public Health degree …“Every positive attitude you’d associate with him,” coach Ron Musgrave said.

High Achiever of the Week forOct. 8-15

Jeffery Goebel

School:Phoenix Sunnyslope

Class:Senior

Sport:Football

Has a 3.7GPA … Plays running back in football … Runs 100-meter, 200-meter and 4×100 relays in track …Rushed for 142 yards and scored three touchdowns, an extra point and a field goal in a 34-7 win overNotre Dame Prep on Sept. 25… During a game against Phoenix Greenway, he rushed for about 200 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns … He isNo. 2 in all-purpose yards in Division III, and in the state he ranks at No. 7 … Enrolled in AP Physics … Volunteeredby cleaning up North Central Boulevard through adopting a street with his teammates … Played football since he was in second grade … Would like to go to Northern Arizona University… Goebel said he’s part of an awesome team because they have good camaraderie … “He’s an explosive kid whoplays really big,” coach Damon Pieri said. “He’s never missed a practice. He’s not a real talkative person, but everyone follows his lead.”

High Achiever of the Week for Oct. 1-8

Samantha Berg

School:MesaRedMountain

Class: Senior

Sport: Badminton

Has a 4.7 GPA …Enrolled in honors classes … Plays varsity-level on the badminton … Also No. 2on the tennis team last season …A National Merit Commended Scholar…Shelooks forward to competing in the city and state tournaments …Coach Maggie Borze said Berg isa natural leader, andyounger teammates lookto her for guidance … Wants to apply early for liberal artsatHaverford College … Berg said badminton helped her build confidence because she used to be shy … Also mentioned that her favorite memory was from last season with her doubles partner during a state match, playing Desert Vista …“Sam is my go-to girl when I need help,” coach Maggie Borze said. “I am new to the sport, so when there are certain techniques that I am uncertain of, I can go to Sam and she can then inform me on how to present the strategy.”

High Achiever of the Week for Sept. 24- Oct. 1

Javon Freeman

School: Peoria

Class: Senior

Sport: Football

Has a 3.8 GPA… Lead tackler and defensive back in football … Tied for interception lead … Played football since he was 7 years old … Runs 100/110-meter and400-meterhurdles and 4×400-meter relay track events …Enrolled in AP and Honors classes … Student council member for all four years and student body president his senior year… Member of National Honor Society, DECA, MESA (Math and Engineering), Club Links (peer mentoring for freshmen) and HOSA … Over 200 hours of volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity, Fountain of Life Church, Zoo Walk and Fun Runs … Said he likes being part of a family on the football team … Received two Division II offers, one from South Dakota School of Mines and Colorado School of Mines … “He’s unselfish and successful in football and track,” coach Will Babb said. “If things aren’t given to us, we don’t like working for them. But he pushed himself.”

High Achiever of the Week for Sept. 17-24

Drew Inness

School: PhoenixNorthwestChristian

Class: Senior

Sport: Football

Has a 4.2 GPA… Varsity football’s quarterback…Plays point guard inbasketball and center field in baseball …Was the starting center fielder on last year’s Division III state championship baseball team …Member of National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes,National Society of High School Scholars, the student counciland the school’s advanced choir… Student Ambassador … Volunteers regularly at Feed My Starving Childrenand Young Life by being a Wyldlife leader … Said he is happy when others are happy, which is why he dedicates timeto volunteer … Mentioned winning footballstate championships freshman year as the highlight of his football career… Looking into Western New Mexico University, Arizona community colleges, California Lutheran University,Whittier College and University of Redlands … His coach and dad, DaveInness, said watching his son play is rewarding as both a parent and a coach …“I have known Drew since he has been in elementary school,” Jim James, dean of students at Northwest Christian,said. “The best part of this is watching him grow into the great man he is.”

High Achiever of the Week for Sept. 10-17

Carly Baniszewski

School: PhoenixArcadia

Class: Senior

Sport: Volleyball

Has a 4.81 GPA… Four-year member of the volleyball program … Member of National Honor Society and Travel Club andco-president ofRaising Awareness Club… Playedsoccer (MF) in the past and hopes to continue playing tennis this year …Represented Arcadia as a Unitown delegate and atthe National Student Leadership Conference…Mentorsyounger players involleyball … Tutors students … Member of the Phoenix Children’s Hospital Teen Board, the Scottsdale Honors Cotillion and the National Charity League … Saidgetting to know people is her favorite part about being in sports and extracurriculars … Coach Joshua Olshan said Baniszewski is “everything you would want in a student athlete.” …“If there’s something good happening on the Arcadia campus, Carly is usually nearby,” Arcadia High School’sAthletic Director Kevin Mooney said.

High Achiever of the Week from Sept 3.-10

Sarah Carter

School: PhoenixXavierPrep

Class: Junior

Sport: CrossCountry

Has a 4.4 GPA … Competed in the Peak’s Invitational Cross Country Meet with her teammates … Took first place in the 5K Summit Varsity Race and beat the Rolonda Jumbo’s course record in 2011 by nine seconds at 19:20 … Earned National Elite Silver Standard Status … Led Xavier to the Varsity Team first place podium … Was an AIA Student-Athlete Scholar for all seasons in freshman and sophom*ore years … Runs varsity cross country in top seven and track in the 800 meters, 1,600, 3,200 and 4×800 relay … Part of NHS, French club and Logos Film Club … Volunteered at the Arizona Science Center as a summer camp counselor … “All the girls want to be good, some want to be great, but I think Sarah takes it a step further,” coach Dave VanSickle said.

High Achiever of the Week for Aug.27- Sept. 3

Cole Achtzehn

School:ScottsdaleDesertMountain

Class: Junior

Sport: Football

Has a 3.8 GPA … Was a Scholar Athlete for the 2014 season … Volunteers with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale and Arizona Basketball Club by teaching and coaching basketball to members … Plays OL in football and played onvarsity as a sophom*ore … Played basketball for two years … “He’s a very intelligent, hard-working, diligent athlete,” founder and president of Arizona Basketball Club Pat Murray said. “He’s the definition of a student athlete.” …“He shows up everyday, ready to be a great player and teammate,” coach Mike Morrissey said.