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Meet the 2021-22 Boone County Sports Awards Athletes of the Year

chris kwiecinski, columbia daily tribune
·5 min read
Boone County High School Sports Awards
Boone County High School Sports Awards

The Columbia Daily Tribune is proud to announce its 2021-22 Boone County High School Sports Awards athletes of the year.

The Boone County High School Sports Awards is part of the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards, the largest high school sports recognition program in the country.

The overall male athlete, female athlete and coach of the year will be announced later this month.

Here are the Boone County Sports Awards athletes of the year by sport:

Fall sports

Rock Bridge's Andrew Hauser crosses the finish line as the individual champion at the MSHSAA Class 5 boys cross country state championship meet.
Rock Bridge's Andrew Hauser crosses the finish line as the individual champion at the MSHSAA Class 5 boys cross country state championship meet.

Boys cross country

Andrew Hauser, Rock Bridge

Following in his brother’s footsteps, Hauser is our boys cross country runner of the year. The sophomore finished first at the 2021 MSHSAA Class 5 state championships and was named the Missouri Gatorade Cross Country Distance Runner of the Year.

Girls cross country

Elyse Wilmes, Father Tolton

Wilmes burst onto the scene as a freshman at Tolton, where she claimed the individual 2021 state title while leading the Trailblazers to the MSHSAA Class 3 championship. At state, there was a 21-second gap between Wilmes and the second-place finisher.

Rock Bridge's Maggie Lin lines up to return the ball during a match against Jefferson City in the Class 3 District 4 team finals at Cosmo-Bethel Park.
Rock Bridge's Maggie Lin lines up to return the ball during a match against Jefferson City in the Class 3 District 4 team finals at Cosmo-Bethel Park.

Girls tennis

Maggie Lin, Rock Bridge

For the 13th season in a row, Rock Bridge girls tennis earned a district title. Lin played a large part in that endeavor, as she played her way to a berth in the MSHSAA Class 3 singles tournament semifinals.

Rock Bridge standout Ella Swindle was one of the most sought-after volleyball recruits as a junior and aims to win a state title before her high school career is over.
Rock Bridge standout Ella Swindle was one of the most sought-after volleyball recruits as a junior and aims to win a state title before her high school career is over.

Volleyball

Ella Swindle, Rock Bridge

Swindle is our volleyball player of the year after leading Rock Bridge to its first-ever state Final Four finish. The University of Texas commit recorded 690 assists as a junior during the 2021 season and was named the Missouri Gatorade Volleyball Player of the Year.

Tolton's Audrey Rischer positions the ball before making a putt on the 18th green during the Class 2 state championships in 2020 at Meadow Lake Acres Country Club in New Bloomfield.
Tolton's Audrey Rischer positions the ball before making a putt on the 18th green during the Class 2 state championships in 2020 at Meadow Lake Acres Country Club in New Bloomfield.

Girls golf

Audrey Rischer, Father Tolton

The sophomore skyrocketed to the top of the Boone County golf scene in a spectacular way. Rischer set a MSHSAA record when she scored a round of 60, 12 under par, at the Helias Invitational. She finished the season second at the MSHSAA Class 3tournament.

Hickman's Sam Ragsdell scored 31.5 points during the MSHSAA Class 2 meet.
Hickman's Sam Ragsdell scored 31.5 points during the MSHSAA Class 2 meet.

Boys swimming

Sam Ragsdell, Hickman

Ragsdell didn't just take second in the 50-meter freestyle at the MSHSAA Class 2 meet. He tied his brother's old record in the race with a time of 21.28. Ragdsell scored 31.5 points overall at state, too.

Hickman's Mo Lehmedi (8) runs the sideline while dribbling the ball during a match against Rock Bridge.
Hickman's Mo Lehmedi (8) runs the sideline while dribbling the ball during a match against Rock Bridge.

Boys soccer

Mo Lehmedi, Hickman

Our boys soccer player of the year was a major contributor to Hickman’s 19-4-1 season. Lehmedi was a first-team all-state selection after the 2021 season, during which he scored eight goals and dished 11 assists.

Rock Bridge's Abby Hay (23) follows the path of a home run during a game against Hickman at Hickman High School.
Rock Bridge's Abby Hay (23) follows the path of a home run during a game against Hickman at Hickman High School.

Softball

Abby Hay, Rock Bridge

Hay was the leader for a Bruins team that won 27 games during the 2021 season without a senior on its roster. Our softball player of the year was named first-team all-state as a catcher during her junior year and committed to play at Missouri.

Hallsville's Tyger Cobb (4) leaps over a Blair Oaks player during a game Oct. 8.
Hallsville's Tyger Cobb (4) leaps over a Blair Oaks player during a game Oct. 8.

Football offensive player

Tyger Cobb, Hallsville

Cobb’s performance led Hallsville to an undefeated regular season, and it’s why he’s our football offensive player of the year. He earned Class 2 third-team all-state honors after scoring a combined 46 touchdowns as a runner and passer. He led all Boone County players with just shy of 2,000 rushing yards.

Football defensive player

Rickie Dunn, Battle

Our defensive player of the year, Dunn was one of the only players in Boone County who recorded multiple fumble recoveries, interceptions and defensive touchdowns. Dunn earned Class 5 District 4 honors after his standout 2021 season.

Winter sports

Father Tolton's Lindsey Hervey raced to first place in the 500-meter freestyle at the MSHSAA Class 1 meet.
Father Tolton's Lindsey Hervey raced to first place in the 500-meter freestyle at the MSHSAA Class 1 meet.

Girls swimming

Lindsey Hervey, Father Tolton

Hervey won gold in the 500-meter freestyle at the MSHSAA Class 1 championships, winning with a six-second separation between first and second. She also took third in the 200-meter freestyle.

Hickman's Hank Benter (106) works to take down Staley's Parker Leverknight before getting the pin and winning his state quarterfinal match at Mizzou Arena.
Hickman's Hank Benter (106) works to take down Staley's Parker Leverknight before getting the pin and winning his state quarterfinal match at Mizzou Arena.

Boys wrestling

Hank Benter, Hickman

Nothing like perfection to begin your high school career. Benter, a freshman, finished a perfect 41-0, winning an individual MSHSAA Class 4 state championship at Mizzou Arena in the process alongside his brother, Hayden.

Rock Bridge's Anna Stephens, left, starts to roll Battle's Aubrey Porter into a cradle during a match Jan. 4.
Rock Bridge's Anna Stephens, left, starts to roll Battle's Aubrey Porter into a cradle during a match Jan. 4.

Girls wrestling

Anna Stephens, Rock Bridge

Stephens finished 30-6 in her senior season as she wrestled her way to the MSHSAA Class 4 District 2 championship match for the third straight season. She finished her Bruins career with 125 wins.

Father Tolton's Jevon Porter (14) kicks the ball out on a pass during the Class 4 championship game Saturday at JQH Arena in Springfield.
Father Tolton's Jevon Porter (14) kicks the ball out on a pass during the Class 4 championship game Saturday at JQH Arena in Springfield.

Boys basketball

Jevon Porter, Father Tolton

In his final season, Porter led Tolton to the Class 4 state championship game. His size, length and versatility made him one of the most difficult players to guard in the state. Porter led Tolton with 29 points against Vashon in the championship loss.

Rock Bridge's Averi Kroenke (21) looks to make a play during a game against Blue Springs South on Jan. 17 at Truman High School.
Rock Bridge's Averi Kroenke (21) looks to make a play during a game against Blue Springs South on Jan. 17 at Truman High School.

Girls basketball

Averi Kroenke, Rock Bridge

The Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Class 6 Co-Player of the Year, Kroenke led Rock Bridge to a stellar 26-2 record in her senior season as a player who dominated both ends of the court. She will continue her playing career at Missouri.

Spring sports

Father Tolton's Christian Rischer swings during the Class 3 state golf championships in Sedalia.
Father Tolton's Christian Rischer swings during the Class 3 state golf championships in Sedalia.

Boys golf

Christian Rischer, Father Tolton

Rischer took first overall at state in 2021. In 2022, he finished third but was the key that lifted the Trailblazers to a team state championship. Rischer's two-day score of 145 finished one stroke behind the individual state co-champions.

Rock Bridge coach Ben Loeb instructs Max Litton, left, and Akhil Elangoven during the Class 3 boys doubles tennis championship on May 20 at Cooper Tennis Complex in Springfield.
Rock Bridge coach Ben Loeb instructs Max Litton, left, and Akhil Elangoven during the Class 3 boys doubles tennis championship on May 20 at Cooper Tennis Complex in Springfield.

Boys tennis

TIE, Max Litton and Akhil Elangovan, Rock Bridge

In their head coach's final season coaching boys tennis, Elangovan and Litton sent Ben Loeb off as a state champion. The duo won the Class 3 MSHSAA doubles title.

Rock Bridge's Tamyra Nevills prepares for a throw.
Rock Bridge's Tamyra Nevills prepares for a throw.

Girls track and field

Tamyra Nevills, Rock Bridge

Showing her strength, Nevills was a dominating force in the discus throw event. She claimed the Class 5 state title in the discus with a toss of 42.03 meters.

Rock Bridge's Chris Giles set a new Class 5 record in the 100-meter dash, earning the state title with a finish of 10.46 seconds.
Rock Bridge's Chris Giles set a new Class 5 record in the 100-meter dash, earning the state title with a finish of 10.46 seconds.

Boys track and field

Chris Giles, Rock Bridge

Giles helped the Bruins win the Class 5 championship, winning gold in the 100-meter dash and the 4x400-meter relay. He set a new Class 5 record in the 100-meter dash, earning the state title with a finish of 10.46 seconds.

Rock Bridge's Madison Hendershott (20) shoots from the corner to center the ball during the Bruins' 3-1 win over Kickapoo in the MSHSAA state sectionals on May 28.
Rock Bridge's Madison Hendershott (20) shoots from the corner to center the ball during the Bruins' 3-1 win over Kickapoo in the MSHSAA state sectionals on May 28.

Girls soccer

Madison Hendershott, Rock Bridge

The Bruins' magical run to the state Final Four wasn't by accident. Hendershott and the 2022 team were special. As a junior, Hendershott played a part in the deep postseason run as an all-state, all-district and all-conference player.

Southern Boone's Carter Karotka help the Eagles to their first-ever state title.
Southern Boone's Carter Karotka help the Eagles to their first-ever state title.

Baseball

Carter Karokta, Southern Boone

The Eagles' first-ever title was the result of a team playing its best at the best time. Karotka's bat helped Southern Boone score and his pitching arm closed games out. Karotka was named a high school Gold Glove Award winner as one of just nine players in the country to earn the honor.

Chris Kwiecinski is the sports editor for the Columbia Daily Tribune, overseeing University of Missouri and Boone County sports coverage. Follow him on Twitter @OchoK_ and contact him at CKwiecinsk@gannett.com or 573-815-1857.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: These are the 2021-22 Boone County Sports Awards Athletes of the Year