Scholar athletes a bright spot

I’ve had the pleasure of watching entertaining games and eye-popping individual performances the past three years in the Greater Spokane League.

And I’ve chronicled the journeys of state championship teams.

The best event I’ve attended thus far, though, didn’t occur on a field, in a gym or on a track. Nothing tops what I had the honor of attending last week when the GSL’s 10 schools honored their scholar athletes of the year. It was the event’s 30th anniversary.

Each scholar has numerous accomplishments. Here’s a brief look at each.

Alexandria Moore (3.99 GPA) of Central Valley, a four-year letterman in cross country and three-year letterman in track, received an all-expenses paid scholarship all the way through a master’s and doctorate at Purdue University. She plans to study electrical engineering.

Austin Rehkow (3.87) of CV is probably more known for his accomplishments with his foot in football and on the basketball court. He received a scholarship to kick at the University of Idaho.

Abby Liss (3.79) of Ferris organized a school fundraiser called the Invisible Miles Run, which supports two children in Uganda. She will attend Western Washington.

Travis Thorne (3.99) of Ferris placed ninth at the State 4A cross country meet last fall. He will attend Arizona, where he plans to compete in cross country and track.

Clare Cozza (3.75) of Gonzaga Prep, a three-year letterman in soccer and track and one-year letterman in basketball, has scholarship offers at Creighton and Gonzaga.

Jacob Groh (3.87) of G-Prep, a three-sport athlete, plans to study health science at Carroll College, where he received Army ROTC and Presidential scholarships.

Natalie Hoogner (4.0) of Lewis and Clark played softball and is a valedictorian. She plans to attend Washington State to study speech pathology.

Brennan Schon (3.5) of LC, a three-sport standout, is undecided on a college but plans to play football and do track.

Mackenzie McPhee (3.98) of Mead was a starter on the Panthers’ state championship basketball team this year. She wants to study neuroscience while playing basketball at Regis University.

Langston Ward (3.91) of Mead has a full academic scholarship to Harvard and plans to study political science and play football.

Alyssa Lloyd (3.95) of Mt. Spokane will play soccer at Idaho and plans to major in exercise science.

Dane Larson (4.0) of Mt. Spokane, a three-sport athlete, earned a Presidential Scholarship to Whitworth.

Katie Knight (4.0) of North Central is headed to Washington to do cross country and track.

Daniel Whittaker (4.0), an NC valedictorian, will play baseball at Portland.

Alison Olsen (3.3) of Rogers is headed to WSU to major in nursing with an emphasis in neonatal care.

Carson Murray (3.6) of Rogers landed a Gates Millenium Scholarship and is undecided on a college.

Kaycee Hert (3.6) of Shadle Park plans to study neuroscience while playing basketball at Regis University.

Hunter Croft (3.77) of Shadle, a four-year letterman in cross country and track, will attend Boise Bible College.

Kayleigh Valley (3.7) of University was the league MVP in basketball and will continue playing at Montana.

Brett Bailey (3.86) of U-Hi became the Titans’ all-time leading scorer who set the league record for most points in a single game (47) and is headed to play at San Diego.