Frontiersman to profile top Mat-Su Valley student-athletes

MAT-SU — As local prep athletes usher in the new seasons, the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman is taking time to recognize a few student-athletes who excelled during the 2008-09 school year.

In an effort to note the accomplishments of student-athletes who stand out in both academics and athletics, the Frontiersman will name the recipients of the second-annual Frontiersman Prep Student-Athlete of the Year Award.

In the Tuesday edition of the Frontiersman, the top boys and girls student-athlete will be profiled.

The winners are among eight nominees from four local Alaska School Activities Association sanctioned high schools.

Officials from each of these schools — Colony, Houston, Palmer and Wasilla — nominated both a male and a female student-athlete, and an independent committee selected the winners.

To be eligible for nomination, the student-athlete must have been a senior varsity athlete during the 2008-09 school year with a minimum 3.5 grade point average.

The following is the list of nominees.

Allie Grazulis- Colony

Grazulis earned a 4.4 grade point average during the first semester of her senior year and a 4.7 GPA during the second semester, while serving key roles on the Colony varsity volleyball and girls basketball teams.

Grazulis helped lead the Knights girls basketball squad to a Northern Lights Conference title and a runner-up finish in the 4A state basketball tourney.

Earlier in the year, Grazulis was named the NLC volleyball most valuable player after leading Colony to a conference crown.

Grazulis will play college basketball at Colorado School of Mines this year.

Collin Murphy-

Colony

Murphy finished his senior year with a perfect 5.0 GPA, after recording A letter grades in each one his advanced placement classes.

While excelling academically, Murphy — Colony’s class of 2009 valedictorian, stood out in football, basketball and soccer.

In football, Murphy was named first-team all-state at defensive back and second-team all-state at quarterback after leading the Knights to the 4A state playoffs.

In basketball, Murphy helped the Knights to the state tournament.

In soccer, Murphy was named first-team All-NLC after helping lead the Knights to a conference title.

Murphy will play college basketball at Cal Tech next season.

Kelsey Thamm- Houston

Thamm captained the varsity volleyball and girls basketball squads while maintaining a 3.83 GPA.

She was involved in National Honor Society, student government and the Houston High School Peer Helpers program.

School officials noted Thamm for her leadership abilities, and efforts to help mentor young volleyball and basketball squads.

Anthony Origer- Houston

Origer was a Houston High School football standout and participated on the track and field team during his senior year at HHS.

He was named first-team All-Northern Lights Conference and first-team All-State at defensive end after helping lead the Hawks to the 3A state playoffs.

Origer also helped Houston’s boys’ 800-relay squad post a sixth-place finish at the 4A state championships his senior year.

In the classroom, Origer held a 3.5 GPA. Origer was also active in student government and the HHS Peer Helpers Program.

Outside of Houston High, Origer was active in the Boy Scouts of America and earned Eagle Scout honors.

Mikaela Bolling- Palmer

Bolling earned a 4.15 GPA, and was an International Baccalaureate certified student in both English and art.

Bolling was active in student government, participated in numerous art shows and volunteered at the Palmer Public Library.

On the court, Bolling stood out in basketball and volleyball.

In basketball, Bolling was a captain and earned first-team All-NLC and all-state honorable mention honors as a senior, and earned a varsity letter for the fourth time.

In volleyball, Bolling was named first-team All-NLC for the second straight year.

Bolling will attend UAA this year on an academic scholarship.

Nick Stahler-

Palmer

Stahler, who was enrolled in International Baccalaureate classes since his sophomore year, posted a 3.5 GPA as a senior.

In addition, Stahler led the Moose wrestling team by winning a 4A state title in the 140-pound weight class. Stahler was also named the state tourney’s most outstanding wrestler.

He also finished fifth at the Reno Tournament of Champions.

This year, Stahler will attend Colorado State University- Pueblo on a wrestling scholarship.

Jenna Johnson- Wasilla

Johnson, the 2008-09 4A state girls basketball player of the year, finished with a 3.52 GPA as a senior.

Johnson finished a stellar basketball career by leading the Warriors to a third-place finish in the 4A state tournament. Johnson was the NLC player of the year, the Gatorade Alaska Player of the Year, and a first-team all-state selection.

Johnson also captained the WHS volleyball squad, and was named first-team All-NLC in volleyball.

David Kennedy- Wasilla

Kennedy capped his high school career with a perfect 4.0 GPA in four years. while taking advanced placement classes.

Kennedy was the president of the Mat-Su Rotaract Club, the Rotary for young people. He also was active in the National Honor Society, volunteered during the American Cancer Relay for Life and was the class of 2009 valedictorian.

Kennedy was a standout diver for the Warriors, and placed third in the 1-meter dive at the state swimming and diving championships.

He was also the Region III champion in the 1-meter dive.

Kennedy also competed on the Wasilla wrestling and track and field squads.

This year, Kennedy is attending the U.S. Naval Academy, where he will dive at the Division I level.