Ekalaka Public Schools honor student-athletes

On April 29, Ekalaka Public Schools honored all student-athletes in grades 5-12 for the 2020-2021 sports seasons at a program held in the CCHS Tuggle room.

Junior high volleyball players receiving recognition were: 5th grade - Alivia Foxley, Keli Melton, Selby Mulder, Ayla Yates, Samantha DeFord; 6th grade - Sadie Poppema, Sarah Enos, April DeFord; 7th grade - Bella Jensen, Corlan Laughery, Nasya O'Connor, Ella Strangford, Adlen Yates; 8th grade - Barbara Rose Elmore, Nicole O'Connell, Kendra Tooke, Tegan Williams, Tracy Wilson, Patricia DeFord.

CCHS Volleyball had eight returning letterwomen this year. They were Kari Kittelmann, Ella Owen, Tylee Loehding, Kenzie Tooke, Amaya Coleman, Heidi LaBree, Codi Melton and Katie Tooke. New letterwomen were Tyra O'Connor and Zoie Rost. Participation certificates went to Emily O'Connell, Kendall Kittelmann, Brynn Loehding and Natalie Foxley. Manager pins went to Katy Ivy and Jasmine Erickson.

Kari Kittelmann received first team All-Conference recognition and Kenzie Tooke received a second team All-Conference nod. Team members who received Academic All-State honors included Jasmine Erickson, Natalie Foxley, Kari Kittelmann, Kendall Kittelmann, Heidi LaBree, Tylee Loehding, Brynn Loehding, Codi Melton, Tyra O'Connor, Ella Owen, Katie Tooke and Kenzie Tooke. To receive this honor, these student athletes maintained a 3.5 or higher grade point average throughout the season.

This year's CCHS Volleyball most valuable player (MVP) was Kari Kittelmann. The most inspirational player was Tylee Loehding, and Ella Owen was most improved.

First-year Head Junior High Football Coach Carson Hilliard had seventeen players this year. Fifth graders participating were Kasyn Buckley, Tiernan O'Connor, Tristan Reynolds, Kinch Rost, Gage Stieg and Waylon Wilson. Sixth graders were Roger Beach, Rylan Carroll and Weston Strub. Kaleb Frye, Wyatt Melton, Chace Loehding, Jace Pardee and Clay Rost were the seventh graders who competed. Eighth graders were Preston Jensen, James Enos and Zander Ashbrook.

Returning lettermen on the CCHS football team this year included Jared Pardee, Ryan Rychner, David Ashbrook, Seth Kennedy, Shayne Enos, Brennen Bonsell, Turner Tooke, Jaden Pardee, Cardell Laughery, Tucker Tooke, Caiden Chavarria and J.W. Elmore. New lettermen were Brennan Graham, Kaden Montgomery, Ethan Frye, Christian Ashbrook and Cole Rost. Avory Matthews received a participation certificate. Darin Schallenberger and Royce Tooke served as managers.

Student athletes who made the Academic All-State list included Brennen Bonsell, Jared Pardee, Ryan Rychner, Seth Kennedy, Turner Tooke, Jaden Pardee and Darin Schallenberger.

Turner Tooke was a first team All-Conference quarterback this year. Second team All-Conference offensive players were running back Jared Pardee, guard Brennen Bonsell and tight end Ryan Rychner. Tooke was also first team All-Conference on defense as a defensive back and Seth Kennedy received a second team All-Conference nod at the linebacker position.

Mr. Offense this year went to Ryan Rychner and Mr. Defense was Seth Kennedy. An old award, Mr. Trenchman, was brought back this year by Head Coach Tenadore Kittelmann. Kittelmann said that every good eight-man team needs a "dirty lineman who gets it done in the trenches." The award this year went to Brennen Bonsell. Junior Turner Tooke was elected as this year's CCHS Football MVP.

Competing in junior high girls basketball for coaches Victoria Boyette and Jalyn Klauzer at Ekalaka Public Schools this year were: 5th grade - Alivia Foxley, Keli Melton, Selby Mulder; 6th grade - Sadie Poppema, Sarah Enos; 7th grade - Delilah Connell, Bella Jensen, Corlan Laughery, Nasya O'Connor; 8th grade - Nicole O'Connell, Kendra Tooke, Tracy Wilson.

Fifth graders competing in junior high boys basketball for coaches Brett Nielson and Kylee Kennedy included, Kasyn Buckley, Colt Jesperson, Tiernan O'Connor, Tristan Reynolds, Kinch Rost and Gage Stieg. Sixth graders participating were Roger Beach and Rylan Carroll. Braxton Bucholz, Kaleb Frye, Wyatt Melton, Eldon Morris, Chace Loehding, Owen Poppema, Jace Pardee and Clay Rost represented the seventh grade class. Eighth graders Zander Ashbrook, James Enos, Preston Jensen, Travis Schallenberger and Maxton Williams rounded out the team.

Returning letterwomen on the CCHS girls basketball team for coach Kayla Olsen this year were Ella Owen, Kari Kittelmann, Amaya Coleman, Kenzie Tooke, Heidi LaBree, Codi Melton and Tyra O'Connor. Zoie Rost, Kendall Kittelmann, Brynn Loehding and Kendra Tooke were new letterwomen. Natalie Foxley, Nicole O'Connell and Tracy Wilson received participation certificates. Tylee Loehding and Tegan Williams served as managers.

Heidi LaBree, Ella Owen and Kari Kittelmann made the All-Conference team. LaBree and Owen also received All-State honors.

All-State Academias for girls high school basketball included Kari Kittelmann, Ella Owen, Tylee Loehding, Kenzie Tooke, Heidi LaBree, Tyra O'Connor, Codi Melton, Kendall Kittelmann, Brynn Loehding, Tegan Williams, Nicole O'Connell, Kendra Tooke and Natalie Foxley.

Miss Offense this year went to Ella Owen and Kenzie Tooke; Miss Defense went to Kari Kittelmann; Miss Hustle went to Codi Melton; Tyra O'Connor won the Most Improved award; and this year's MVP was Heidi LaBree.

Boys high school basketball players who returned as lettermen this year included Jared Pardee, Ryan Rychner, Shayne Enos, Seth Kennedy, Turner Tooke, Jaden Pardee, J.W. Elmore, Ethan Frye and Sean Wolenetz. Tucker Tooke, Ryker Carroll and Brayden Bucholz were new lettermen. Participation certificates went to Avory Matthews, Travis Schallenberger, Preston Jensen, Zander Ashbrook and James Enos. Darin Schallenberger and Chace Loehding served as managers. Members of All-State Academics were: Jared Pardee, Ryan Rychner, Seth Kennedy, Turner Tooke, Darin Schallenberger and Jaden Pardee.

Jared Pardee was selected to All-Conference and All-State teams this year. He was also awarded Mr. Offense and MVP for the season. Turner Tooke was awarded Mr. Defense and received an All-Conference nod. Shayne Enos won the award for most improved player.