Top athletes tend to schoolwork

And those hours of practice and training can leave little time for schoolwork.

But three- and even four-sport athletes are not a thing of the past. Neither are true student-athletes.

Ten such seniors were honored Monday night at Sam’s Town as NIAA Top 10 Student-Athletes of the Year, presented by Lifetouch Photography.

The Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association, in conjunction with the Review-Journal and Lifetouch, honors the best student-athletes in Southern Nevada each year.

Following are the 2006-07 student-athletes of the year, listed alphabetically:

 

JEFF FERMON

Laughlin

Fermon earned 10 varsity letters in football, wrestling and baseball for the Cougars, helping the baseball team to the 2006 state championship. He was the Class 2A 160-pound state wrestling champion last season, and an all-conference pick in football. Fermon posted an unweighted GPA of 3.963, and ranked first in a class of 53. He also served as senior class president.

In his application essay, he wrote: "High school sports not only changed my physique, but my entire attitude toward life."

 

KASEN HASLEM

Round Mountain

A three-sport athlete, Haslem earned nine letters in football, basketball and golf. A two-time participant in the state golf tournament, Haslem also was the school’s junior class president. Had a 3.915 unweighted GPA with 14 honors classes, and ranked second in a class of 30.

He wrote: "High school athletics has given me a chance to express myself around others I would have otherwise never met. I have been able to meet many people from other areas of this state, and have befriended a number of them."

 

JEFF HOLLEY

Pahrump Valley

Holley earned 11 varsity letters in soccer, basketball and golf. He was chosen as team Most Valuable Player in soccer, and helped the Trojans to the state semifinals in basketball as a senior. He was ranked 13th in a class of 188, and posted an unweighted GPA of 3.688 with 16 honors classes. Student body president as a senior, he hopes to pursue a degree in aeronautical engineering.

He wrote: "I have met some of my best friends through sports which have taught me to interact with people I don’t know at first. I think that by playing sports I will be even more ready for college and I will be able to become a leader in the community in which I settle."

 

HEATHER HOLMSTROM

Foothill

Holmstrom earned eight varsity letters in track and field, cross country and soccer. She placed third at the Sunrise Regional and 14th at state in cross country. In track, she placed in the top eight at state in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 meters as a senior. Holmstrom posted an unweighted 4.0 GPA with 15 honors and eight advanced placement courses. She ranked No. 1 in a class of 415, and scored 2030 on the SAT Reasoning Test.

She wrote: "Personally, high school athletics has been a crucible for self-development. It is seeing firsthand that the team and its accomplishments are truly more meaningful than any individual achievement."

 

ALEXIS KEEL

Moapa Valley

A three-time all-division pick in volleyball, Keel also earned letters in track and basketball. She had a total of nine varsity letters, and posted a nonweighted GPA of 4.0 with 15 honors classes. Keel ranked first in a class of 126. She also served as team captain in track and volleyball as a senior.

She wrote: "Winning is definitely more fun and impressive, but I learned a lot about my character by learning how to lose. I learned to lose with dignity and pride, but most importantly, I learned that I have the determination and work ethic to persevere in life, win or lose."

 

JAKE KOELLIKER

Coronado

A standout in soccer and boys volleyball, Koelliker also lettered in basketball. He finished with eight varsity letters, and posted an unweighted 3.864 GPA. He ranked 47th in a class of 533. Koelliker took 15 honors and advanced placement courses. He was an All-Southeast Division pick in soccer and volleyball.

He wrote: "If I hadn’t participated in high school athletics I would not have enjoyed my high school experience as much, been as motivated to get good grades, or be as prepared as I am to graduate and go on to college."

 

SUHAN KUPOGLU

Green Valley

Kupoglu earned 12 varsity letters in cross country, soccer and track. She qualified for regional and state meets all four years in cross country and track, and was a four-year starter in soccer. She posted an unweighted GPA of 4.0 with 13 honors classes. Kupoglu ranked 16th in a class of 566, and scored 32 on the ACT.

She wrote: "Running an amazing race or playing a great game that I was proud of were truly memorable moments, but some of my happiest memories also came from the long bus rides, pasta dinners and practices with my best friends and coaches."

 

JAMIE MELLIES

Silverado

A standout volleyball and soccer player, Mellies also earned a varsity letter in basketball. She was the Southeast Division Most Valuable Player in volleyball and division co-MVP in soccer as a senior. She has signed to play volleyball at Seattle University. Mellies had an unweighted 4.0 GPA with 15 honors classes and was ranked No. 1 in a class of 547.

She wrote: "Balancing sports and academics has demanded organization and time-management skills. Along with meeting many people I learned cooperation, loyalty, trust and friendship values. High school athletics has been the catalyst that has shaped my personal development."

 

KATIE PALMER

Boulder City

A three-sport star, Palmer earned 10 varsity letters in soccer, volleyball, basketball and track. She was a two-time all-league pick in soccer and a first-team all-state selection in basketball as a senior. She won the 100-meter hurdles, 300 hurdles, 800 meters and 1,600 at state as a senior, and finished with 11 individual state championships in track. Palmer posted an unweighted 4.0 GPA and ranked No. 1 in a class of 165.

She wrote: "The timeless bonds I’ve created with my best friends came through athletics. I’ve gained a deep appreciation for my coaches; they’ve taught me countless lessons on sports and on life. I’ve acquired a love for my neighbors and all the little children who look up to me. After all, I used to be one of them."

 

KEVIN RATH

Silverado

A three-sport standout, Rath earned 10 varsity letters in baseball, basketball and football. He was an All-Southeast Division pick at quarterback and linebacker playing football as a junior, and second-team All-Southern Nevada pick at first base as a baseball player as a senior. Rath was a three-year starter on the basketball team but didn’t play as a senior in order to concentrate on baseball. He had an unweighted GPA of 3.7 and ranked 120th in a class of 597. Rath has signed to play baseball at Cal State Fullerton.

He wrote: "Helping my peers has made me appreciate what I possess. Passing on a tradition of winning and sportsmanship to my fellow athletes would make my dreams come true."