(WHAS11) -- The best of the best high school athletes were honored at the Vype Magazine Luncheon Wednesday.
The ceremony took place at the WHAS11studios. A special congratulations goes out to the Vype Athletes of the Year: Forrest Miller of North Bullitt High School and Abigail Boone of Eastern High School.
The following athletes were honored:
Forrest B. Miller, North Bullitt High School, Athlete of the Month September and Athlete of the Year 2012
Forrest is ranked top in his class, with a 4.0 GPA. He is a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, FCA and president of his junior and senior classes, and attended the 2011 Governor’s Scholar program. Forrest was captain of the soccer team his junior and senior years, earning academic all-state honors, defensive MVP, and the 110% player award. He played baseball his freshman and sophomore years, winning the 110% player award. Forrest has volunteered as a field umpire and clean-up crew for Blue Lick Baseball. He plans to attend the University of Kentucky school of business.
Alexis Van Wallaghen, Assumption High School, Athlete of the Month September
Alexis is a four-year member of the Assumption varsity field hockey team, which won the state championship in 2009. She received the Best Offensive award in 2008, was selected to the Junior All Star Team, Second Team All-State and the All Catholic Post Season Team. She also ran varsity track as a freshman. She has served as a school shadow hostess and Peer Leader, is a member of the Beta Club and coaches club field hockey with Stealth Youth Sports. Her field hockey coach, Debbie Judd says: “Alexis is courageous on the field and will go head to head with any goalie in order to score. Alexis is a leader by example and maintains a positive, team attitude.” She plans to attend Bellarmine.
Ernest Stevens, Jr., Trinity High School. Athlete of the Month October
Ernie has competed on the national level in men’s Intermediate Freestyle and Pairs Figure Skating. In 2010, Ernie and his partner, Christina Zaitsev, were named Juvenile Pairs U.S. Champion. In 2011, the pair placed fourth nationally at the Intermediate level and are competing at the Novice level for 2012. Although Ernie travels to Indianapolis four days a week to train, he has maintained a 3.6 GPA at Trinity. In addition, Ernie offers encouragement and support to other skaters. “He has been very supportive of my own daughter’s skating, letting her know she has something special and congratulating her on every accomplishment,” says nominator Robin Lachapelle. “He also has always exhibited a great moral compass and respect for adults and others that I find commendable in a young man his age.” Stevens said he plans to attend Butler - he is also now a member of Team USA
Sadie Reynolds, Ballard High School, Athlete of the Month October
A goalie for the Ballard and IFHCK field hockey teams, Sadie has participated in the Futures program since 2008, and in 2010 and 2011, played in the Futures National Championship. She was an AAU Junior Olympics Gold Medalist in 2010. For her high school team, she was named to the All-State first team and was defensive MVP in 2009 and 2010. In lacrosse, she was offensive player of the year in 2009 and selected for All-State in 2011. “Sadie is a born leader on and off the field. Her dedication to field hockey is a year-round example of how high school athletes become collegiate athletes,” says Lindsey Trager, the Ballard varsity field hockey coach. “She is always a positive influence on her teammates and pushes them to do their best at every practice.” Reynolds is headed for Central Michigan in the fall.
Brad Lott, Trinity High School, Athlete of the Month November
ESPNHS named Brad the number one face-off senior in the nation for lacrosse and the number 15 senior lacrosse player in the nation. He was named to the 2011 first team Division 1 All-State Team and was twice named an Under Armour All-American Midwest underclassman, and twice named Adidas National Lacrosse All-American. He also was a member of the 2011 Brine National Lacrosse All-Star Team. In addition, Brad is a member of the Trinity wrestling team, an honor student, a youth lacrosse camp instructor and he assisted with the Special Olympics regional golf tournament. Brad plans to attend Michigan.
Maggie Jo Bergamini, Mercy Academy, Athlete of the Month November
A three-sport athlete at Mercy, Maggie is a member of the varsity Jaguar field hockey, basketball and track teams. She has a 3.86 GPA and serves as a vice president of the National Honor Society and is a member of the French Honor Society, Senior Service Project, School Scholars, School Ambassadors and Venture Club. She also serves on the Walk, Development and Liturgy Planning Committees. In October, she was selected to play in the Kentucky Field Hockey High School Senior All-Star game. Bergamini will attend Butler.
Austin Zachary, Eastern High School, Athlete of the Month December
A cross country, track and soccer athlete, Austin was named Kentucky All-State Honorable Mention for cross country in 2009 and 2010 and Kentucky Academic All State Academic for cross country and track 2009 - 2011. He holds the school record for the 3200-meter and steeplechase events in track. In 2011, he finished 8th in the state track meet in the 3200-meter and 7th in the state cross country meet. He is a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Also a member of the soccer team, he was named Academic All-State in soccer 2009-2011. Austin enjoys refereeing youth soccer games and volunteered at Jewish Hospital the past three years. He plans to major in pre-med in college and continue running. Zachary will head to Bellarmine.
Mallory Tyler, Louisville Collegiate School, Athlete of the Month December
Mallory is a four-year starter on the Amazons’ varsity field hockey team. She has 100 career high school goals and was named Miss Field Hockey 2011. She was named to the NFHCA All-Region team for 2011 and selected for National Futures Championship 2007-2011. She was All-State 2008 - 2011, Academic All-State and All-American. Mallory also was cross country All-State and All Region Runner of the year, and multi-year Academic All American. She is a five-year varsity swimmer, was Academic All-American in track in 2011 and is a member of the National Honor Society. “Mallory is a dedicated, athletic, well-rounded young lady. As a citizen, she is a positive role model,” says her teacher and athletic director, Chad Wabrek. Michigan State is the college Mallory plans to attend.
Andrew Gottbrath, DeSales High School, Athlete of the Month January
“Andrew is almost always the first player on the field and the last off,” says DeSales varsity soccer coach and nominator Wayne Dodge. Andrew, who was named a varsity co-captain for the soccer team, helped provide transportation to help younger players get to practice. “Andrew is one of the hardest working student/athletes on our team,” says Dodge. “He often pulls younger students aside to work one-on-one on specific skills.” In addition, Andrew represents his school in the Kentucky United Nations Assembly delegation, received the Rochester University Outstanding History Student Award, and maintains a 3.8 GPA. He also received the 110% award for the DeSales soccer for the season. Gottbrath will attend Bellarmine in the fall.
Karen Powell, DuPont Manual High School, Athlete of the Month January
Karen is a four-year member of the duPont Manual cheerleading squad. “She has all the great qualities of a natural born leader,” says Manual cheer coach and nominator Valarie Ziegler Tackett. “Not only as a cheerleader, but as a student at Manual High School, she sets a great example for others.” Karen is a member of the Beta Club, National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society, maintaining a 3.7 GPA. In addition, Karen is active at Middletown Christian Church as a member of the youth group, youth choir, and handbell choir. Recently, Karen conducted a cheerleading clinic and try-out for Bowen Elementary School.
Matthew Murphy, Martha Layne Collins High School, Athlete of the Month February
Matthew was a four-year soccer player, the last two years at Collins High School. He was named the team defensive MVP, offensive MVP and MVP. He was academic All-State and All-State Honorable Mention in 2011. With his United 1996 ’93 club team, he also won club state championship. “Matthew is one of, if not the best defender in the state,” says his soccer coach, Scott Cress. “Matthew has the speed that no one is going to run by him, and has the one-on-one skills to stop anyone from getting past him. On top of that, he has led a defensive unit that has allowed less than a goal per game.” Academically, Matthew has carried a 4.03 GPA.
Mallory Almon, Portland Christian School, Athlete of the Month February
Mallory has been a four-year member of the varsity basketball team and three-year member of varsity softball at Portland Christian, where she received the Spirit/Christian Leadership Award as a junior. “While on the field, Mallory is one of the key players that motivate the team with her enthusiastic spirit and with her play,” says head softball coach, Allen Holbrook. “She motivates her fellow teammates while in the dugout during offense and while they are in the field for defense. She has a quickness and versatility to her athletic talent, which allows her to play almost any position. Off the field, Mallory spent three weeks working with orphans in Chihuahua, Mexico during the summer. She also serves as a leader in the student ministry at her local church. Almon will head to Boyce Bible College in the fall.
Kendall Hammerstrom, Holy Cross High School, Athlete of the Month March
Kendall is a member of the basketball team and the Class A State Champion track & field team at Holy Cross. He placed 5th in High Jump at the state meet as a junior and was twice the champion high jumper at the Mason Dixon Games. In 2011, he was named to the “All A” 6th Region Tournament Team in basketball. Scoring 15 points per game as a junior, he was on pace to be a 1,000 point scorer before suffering a broken foot and high ankle sprain. Kendall has a GPA of 3.9 and is a Governor Scholar and Churchill Downs Governor Scholar. Kent Foushee, the Holy Cross basketball coach and Kendall’s nominator, says, “Kendall serves as a great example to his teammates by his work-ethic on and off the court.” Kendall plans to attend Louisville.
Morgan Foley, Assumption High School, Athlete of the Month March
Morgan is a four-year member of the basketball and softball teams at Assumption. In 2011 for softball, she was named to the 7th Region All Tournament Team, East/West Junior All Star Team, 7th Region Junior All Star Team, Academic All-State, First Team All Region, All State Honorable Mention, and team MVP. In basketball, she was named to the 7th Region All Tournament Team and Sunshine Classic All Tournament Team. Morgan has participated in Habitat for Humanity and served lunches at the Franciscan shelter. “Morgan is always enthusiastic. She builds confidence in her teammates by continually offering encouraging words as well as demonstrating hard work and effort,” says her father, who nominated her. “The greatest compliment to us as her parents is when parents tell us how much their daughter looks up to Morgan.” Morgan will head to Indianapolis in the fall.
Jalen Spalding, Martha Layne Collins High School, Athlete of the Month April
As a member of the football, basketball and baseball teams all four years of high school, Jalen spends much of his time involved in sports. He attended Male for his first two years of high school, and has spent the last two years at Collins, where he is in the engineering program. He was named to the All District Football team and played in East-West All-Star Football Game. Jalen is a catcher and first baseman on the Titans baseball team. Off the field, he has volunteered to read to children at the local elementary school and with Habitat for Humanity. Jalen will take his athletic talent to the football team at Lindsey Wilson College this fall.
Abigail Boone, Eastern High School, Athlete of the Month April and Athlete of the Year 2012
A four-year varsity swimmer and three-year captain of the swim team, Abigail qualified for the state swim championships all four years and received the KHSAA Region II Swimming Sportsmanship award. “Abby has been the role model other swimmers have looked up to and admired not only for her athletic ability, but for her leadership and outstanding attitude,” says Marvin Lazaro, Eastern’s head swim coach. “Her teammates often ask her for advice, which she always freely gives.” Abby is an Academic All-American, a member of the Beta Club and the National Honor Society and a senior class officer. A member of the Eastern Chorale, she received a KMEA Distinguished Rating for Solo Vocal Performance.
Joey Hartlage, Butler Traditional High School, Athlete of the Month May/June
A three-year varsity runner on the track and cross country teams, Joey was a member of the Region 6 All-Freshman and All-Sophomore teams. He qualified for the state track meet this spring and state cross country last fall and was team captain his junior and senior years. He is involved with his church youth group, service activities, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and a school Bible study group. “In school he is always productive and is able to teach others while doing his own work,” says his mother, Leanne Buehner. He has signed to run cross country and track at Campbellsville University next fall.
Erica Walsh, Sacred Heart Academy, Athlete of the Month May/June
A basketball, lacrosse and flag football player, Erica was academic All-State in 2011 and 2012 and Defensive MVP for the JV lacrosse team. She was co-captain of the basketball team and twice received the Heart Award, voted on by teammates for the player who displays the desire, intensity and attitude. “I have coached kids with more talent, but not a kid that pushed herself to the limit like Erica does,” says basketball coach Donna Moir. “She was always the one making sure everyone had a ride, somewhere to go and something to eat.” Erica also raises funds for the Molly Johnson Foundation, which supports special needs children and their families. Erica plans to attend Mt. St. Joseph's.
Dalton Howell, Louisville Male High School, Athlete of the Month July
Dalton has been the 3rd baseman for Male’s top-ranked varsity baseball team since his sophomore year. He led the Male team this season in several categories, including homeruns, one of which was a grand slam midway through the season. At school, he works with special needs children, becoming a role model and being a friend. Dalton is also a dedicated art student and his work was recently displayed at the Louisville Water Co. He is a member of Southeast Christian Church and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. An AP scholar with a 3.4 GPA, Dalton has been accepted to the University of Kentucky school of Architecture.
Rachel AnnMarie Denham, Presentation Academy. Athlete of the Month July
Rachel a member of the tennis, golf, field hockey and dance teams at Presentation and a cheerleader for St. Xavier. Her dance team has garnered national championships through Jamfest and Universal Dance Association. Rachel is a Peer Leader and volunteers through St. Agnes Parish, Brooklawn, Little Sisters of the Poor, Breast Cancer Prevention and Awareness, Pure Fashion and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. She recently received the “Pres Ambassador Award” for 2012. Rachel also works at a part-time job to assist with the costs associated with Catholic education. “Rachel clearly understands the sacrifice required and is grateful for the opportunity,” says her aunt, Jeanne Mattingly. She is heading to Western Kentucky.
