Ekalaka Public Schools honor student athletes

On April 26, Ekalaka Public Schools honored all student athletes from grades 5-12 for the 2017-2018 sports seasons at a program held in the CCHS Tuggle room.

Junior high volleyball players receiving recognition were: 8th grade - Emily O'Connell, Amaya Rios, Katy Ivy, Kenzie Tooke; 7th grade - Heidi LaBree, Tyra O'Connor; 6th grade - Jennie Schmid, Kendall Kittelmann, Brynn Loehding; 5ht grade - Nicole O'Connell, Tegan Diede, Barbara Rose Elmore, Kendra Tooke.

CCHS Volleyball had ten returning letterwomen this year. They were Jordan King, Kyleigh Bonsell, Kennedy Tooke, Claire Callahan, Tori Tooke, Annette Lovec, Whitney Kittelmann, Hannah LaBree, Heather LaBree and Rose Rychner. New letterwomen this year were Kari Kittelmann and Ella Rucker. Participation certificates went to Jasmine Erickson, Jaelee Strangford, and Tylee Loehding. Managing the volleyball team this year was Lauryn DeFrance.

Tori Tooke, Claire Callahan, and Heather LaBree received All-Conference nods. Additionally, Tori Tooke was named to the All-State team. Team members who received Academic All-State honors included Kari Kittelmann, Whitney Kittelmann, Hannah LaBree, Heather LaBree, Tylee Loehding, Rose Rychner, Kennedy Tooke, and Tori Tooke. To receive this honor these student athletes maintained a 3.5 or higher GPA throughout the season.

This year's CCHS Volleyball most valuable player (MVP) was Tori Tooke. The most inspirational player was Heather LaBree, and Ella Rucker was most improved.

Awards based off of stats were: Best Serve Percentage, Whitney Kittelmann and Heather LaBree, 95%; Aces, Tori Tooke, 74 (323 team total); Kills, Claire Callahan, 301 (904 team total); Blocks, Claire Callahan, 84 (139 team total); Digs, Hannah LaBree, 259 (1228 team total); Assists, Tori Tooke, 345 (766 team total).

Head Junior High Football Coach Ches Meyer had 15 players this year. Eighth graders were Turner Tooke, Brennen Bonsell, and Darin Schallenberger. Seventh graders participating were J.W. Elmore, Cardell Laughery, Jaden Pardee, Tucker Tooke, Sean Wolenetz, and Caiden Chavarria. Sixth graders were Christian Ashbrook and Ethan Frye. Travis Schallenberger, Preston Jensen, Zander Ashbrook, and Tucker DeFord were fifth graders completing the team.

Returning lettermen on the CCHS football team this year included Cameron Wolenetz, Caleb Fix, Grafton Bonsell, Wyatt Kittelmann, and Mick O'Connor. New lettermen were Max Larson, David Ashbrook, Seth Kennedy, and Jared Pardee.

Student athletes who made the list for Academic All-State included Caleb Fix, Wyatt Kittelmann, Mick O'Connor, Jared Pardee, and Ryan Rychner. Mr. Offense this year went to Caleb Fix. Mr. Defense was Mick O'Connor. Senior Cameron Wolenetz was elected as this year's CCHS Football MVP.

Competing in junior high girls basketball for Ekalaka Public Schools this year were: 5th grade - Shaun-tey Kerr, Nicole O'Connell, Kendra Tooke, Tegan Diede; 6th grade - Kendall Kittelmann, Brynn Loehding, Jennie Schmid, Natalie Foxley; 7th grade - Heidi LaBree, Tyra O'Connor; 8th grade - Katy Ivy, Emily O'Connell, Amaya Rios, Kenzie Tooke.

Fifth graders competing in junior high boys basketball included Zander Ashbrook, Preston Jensen, and Travis Schallenberger. Sixth graders participating were Christian Ashbrook, Brayden Bucholz, Ryker Carroll, and Ethan Frye. J.W. Elmore, Jaden Pardee, Tucker Tooke, and Sean Wolenetz represented the seventh grade class. Eighth graders Brennen Bonsell, Adrian Rios, and Turner Tooke rounded out the team.

Returning letterwomen on the CCHS girls basketball team this year were Jordan King, Tori Tooke, Claire Callahan, Lauryn DeFrance, Whitney Kittelmann, Hannah LaBree, Heather LaBree, Rose Rychner, Kari Kittelmann, and Ella Rucker. Eighth grader Amaya Rios received a letter this year. Kennedy Tooke and Tylee Loehding were this year's managers.

Heather LaBree, Hannah LaBree, and Claire Callahan made the All-Conference team and Heather LaBree received All-State honors. All-State Academias for girls high school basketball included Clarie Callahan, Kari Kittelmann, Whitney Kittelmann, Hannah LaBree, Heather LaBree, Tylee Loehding, Rose Rychner, Kennedy Tooke, and Tori Tooke.

Miss Offense this year went to Claire Callahan; Miss Defense went to Tori Tooke, Miss Hustle went to Hannah LaBree; Kari Kittelmann and Amaya Rios split the Most Improved award; and this year's MVP was Heather LaBree.

Boys high school basketball players who returned as lettermen this year included Caleb Fix, Wyatt Kittelmann, Grafton Bonsell, Dylan King, Mick O'Connor, Seth Kennedy, Jared Pardee, and Ryan Rychner. Cameron Wolenentz, Max Larson, and Turner Tooke were new lettermen. Members of All-State Academics were: Caleb Fix, Seth Kennedy, Wyatt Kittelmann, Mick O'Connor, Jaden Pardee, Jared Pardee, Ryan Rychner, Turner Tooke, Cameron Wolenetz.

Mick O'Connor was elected to the All-Conference team and was also awarded MVP for the season. Seth Kennedy and Wyatt Kittelmann split the sixth-man award, Jared Pardee received the award for Mr. Offense, Caleb Fix was Mr. Defense, and Max Larson won Most Improved. Managers of the boys basketball team this year were Jasmine Erickson and Jaden Pardee.

Twelve kids were recognized for competing on the junior high track team in Ekalaka this year. The list includes: 5th grade - Zander Ashbrook, Tegan Diede, Barbara Rose Elmore, Nicole O'Connell; 6th grade - Ethan Frye, Ryker Carroll, Kendall Kittelmann, Brynn Loehding, Brayden Bucholz; 7th grade - Jaden Pardee, Sean Wolenetz; 8th grade - Brennen Bonsell.

There are also five individuals competing in track and field from CCHS this year. As the season is still going, awards have not yet been given. Members of the track team are Kyleigh Bonsell, Caleb Fix, Wyatt Kittelmann, Mick O'Connor, Max Larson, and David Ashbrook.