Colony multisport standout named Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman/Mat-Su Seahawkers Student-Athlete of the Year

PALMER — Jon Pomrenke began high school just as many freshmen do.

“My freshman year, I didn’t really know how important grades were,” Pomrenke said recently.

But it didn’t take long before Pomrenke realized the value of academics. And as Pomrenke emerged as one of the top athletes at Colony High School, he also became on of the school’s top students in the classroom. Now, Pomrenke is being recognized for his success in both athletics and academics. Pomrenke, a recent graduate of Colony High School, has been named a Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman/Mat-Su Seahawkers Student-Athlete of the Year. Pomrenke will receive a $1,000 scholarship to assist with his college education.

Pomrenke was a three-sport standout at Colony. As a senior, he was named first-team all-conference and all-state in football, second-team all-conference in basketball, and placed in multiple events during the region track and field championships. Pomrenke helped lead the Knights to the state tournament in both football and basketball, and was part of a CHS boys’ squad that earned a Region III track and field title. All of those accomplishments came as Pomrenke maintained a 3.9 grade point average.

Pomrenke said a greater focus on academics came as he started to compete in varsity-level sports, and began to think about his future after high school.

“It made me realize if I want to compete at the next level, grades are the first thing (colleges) look at,” Pomrenke said.

And Pomrenke will have that chance. He committed to Morningside College in Iowa and will play for the Mustangs NAIA program in the fall. Pomrenke also has earned an opportunity to get a head start of his pursuit of a career in dentistry. During his senior year, Pomrenke enrolled in a dental assistant course at Mat-Su Career and Technical High School.

“I really liked it,” Pomrenke said.

That led to a part-time job. He is now working with Dr. Nick Methven at Aurora Dental.

“I get to see everything,” Pomrenke said. “I’m getting hours, which is really important. But at the same time, I’m learning stuff I would not be able to get out of a book.”

Pomrenke said he’s able to work in different areas of the office, and even shadow Dr. Methven.

“I really like it,” Pomrenke said.

Pomrenke suffered a broken ankle midway through his senior season in football, but made enough of an impact to earn first-team all-state and all-conference honors. He was able to recover from the injury and be ready for the basketball season. Pomrenke said, when it comes to sports, football has always been his first love, and is excited about his chance to play at Morningside. Pomrenke is expected to play wide receiver for the Mustangs.

Pomrenke was one of three finalists for the Frontiersman’s annual award, created to recognize local student-athletes who excel in athletics and academics. Wasilla High graduate Reilly Devine and Houston High graduate Morgan Buntin were also finalists.

Devine was named first-team all-state in boys basketball, and helped lead the Wasilla boys to the 4A state title. He also played football, earning honorable mention all-conference honors, and carried a 3.326 GPA. Devine is set to attend Mount Marty College, where he will play college basketball.

Buntin was active in both athletics and academic extracurricular activities at Houston. He was the 2018 class salutatorian, with a 3.979 GPA. Buntin was a four-year varsity player in baseball and a starter in the Hawks infield. H was also class president.

Finalists had to meet a certain criteria (a minimum 3.3 GPA and letterwinner in at least one sport) and were nominated by their school administration. A small selection committee picked the winners.

Pomrenke will be recognized during a check presentation Tuesday at Hermon Brothers Field in Palmer, prior to a Mat-Su Miners Alaska Baseball League game. The game starts at 7 p.m., and the presentation is slated for about 6:45 p.m.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.