11 chosen as top student-athletes

Spencer Patterson

Friday, May 21, 1999 | 11:05 a.m.

Like the amplifiers in Rob Reiner's cult classic film "Spinal Tap," this year's list of Southern Nevada's top student-athletes goes up to 11.

Each year, the Las Vegas Sun, the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association and Elmore Sports Group recognize 10 high school seniors for their achievements in the classroom, their contributions on the playing field and their extracurricular endeavors.

The students are selected from an outstanding applicant pool. This year's group was so impressive that the selection panel broke with tradition, going with 11 winners for the first time.

The student-athletes and their families will be honored at a banquet Monday at 6:30 p.m. at the All-Star Cafe, with each senior receiving a $500 U.S. Savings Bond, an engraved pen and pencil set and a certificate noting their achievement.

The 1998-99 student-athletes of the year:

Jordan Adams

A dominant multi-sport athlete, this Moapa Valley High School senior finishes her career with nine varsity letters in basketball, volleyball and track. With Adams leading the way, the Pirates captured four consecutive 3A state volleyball titles and this year's 3A state basketball championship. She also earned the 1998 Gatorade Circle of Champions award recognizing her as the top volleyball player in Nevada.

A fixture on her school's honor roll, Adams boasts a 3.73 GPA and ranks 17th in a class of 151. She has accepted a basketball scholarship to the University of New Mexico, where she plans to pursue education and coaching.

"Playing sports in high school has helped me become a well-rounded student athlete," Adams wrote in her application essay. "Before coming to high school, I was very unsure of myself, but playing sports changed that."

Erin Armstrong

One of the state's most feared goal scorers, this Bonanza High School senior earned 11 varsity letters in soccer, track and tennis. Armstrong is a three-time all-conference soccer selection and was named MVP after helping the Bengals to the 4A Southern Zone title as a freshman.

With a 3.9 GPA, Armstrong ranks 12th among 452 seniors at Bonanza. A serious piano player and an active member of her church, she also found time to hold down a part-time job throughout her junior and senior years. She plans to attend dental school after college to pursue a career as an orthodontist.

In her essay, Armstrong wrote: "As my participation in sports continued throughout high school, I learned that athletics and academics can complement one another beautifully. As my skills improved, so did my confidence which assisted me in every other endeavor."

Latoya Bembry

One of four valedictorians honored this year, this Indian Springs senior graduates with eight varsity letters in volleyball, basketball, softball and cheerleading. A two-time captain of the Thunderbirds' basketball team, Bembry also received all-conference recognition in softball and volleyball.

Bembry ranks first in her class of 33 with a 4.59 weighted GPA and she has been an active proponent of community service and a member of her school's student government. She will attend the University of Miami-Coral Gables next year, where she will study in the pre-law program.

"When I look back on the past four years I've spent in high school, a feeling of satisfaction washes over me because I know I took full advantage of every opportunity that came my way," Bembry wrote.

Bradley Callihan

One of the top golfers in Nevada, this Silverado High School senior earned four letters on the links and two more on the soccer field. A first-team all-conference golf selection his final three years, Callihan was the Skyhawk golf team's MVP in all four seasons. He also helped Silverado to this year's 4A Southern Zone soccer title.

Callihan, whose 3.94 GPA ranks ninth in his class of 587, has been active in community service and served as a volunteer on the Ensign for Senate Campaign in 1998. He will attend Oklahoma State University in the fall, where he plans to major in chemical engineering.

"High school sports gave me the opportunity to meet new people, expand my knowledge and compete with the best athletes in Southern Nevada," Callihan wrote. "By testing my mental and physical strength, sports have brought out the best in me."

Alex Dixon

A dynamic four-sport athlete, this Durango High School senior earned nine varsity letters in football, track, basketball and baseball. The Trailblazers' starting tailback the past two years, Dixon ran for more than 3,200 yards during his varsity career. He served as a captain in both football and basketball and helped his team to this year's 4A state basketball playoffs.

Dixon's 3.35 GPA ranks 61st among Durango's 692 seniors, and he is active both in his church and in community service. He served as his school's student body president this year. He will attend Morehouse College in Atlanta, Ga., and plans to major in business administration.

In his essay, Dixon wrote: "Maintaining a positive attitude has allowed me to develop my leadership skills on and off the field. High school athletics develops leaders of tomorrow by instilling confidence and positive attitudes in its athletes."

Lindsay Heiselbetz

Another talented four-sport athlete, this Lincoln County High School senior finishes with 10 varsity letters in basketball, volleyball, softball and track. Heiselbetz helped the Lynx to 2A state titles in both basketball and volleyball in 1997, and has been a constant member of her sports' all-academic teams.

The second valedictorian in this year's group, Heiselbetz boasts a 4.0 GPA and ranks first among 45 students in her class. Active in student government, her church and community service, she hopes to play basketball at the college she chooses.

"As I look back on my high school experiences, athletics seems to stand out most vividly in my mind," she wrote. "Learning the importance of teamwork has helped me to understand that it takes more than one person to accomplish something worthwhile."

Jake Keel

This Moapa Valley senior contributed heavily in four sports, earning 11 varsity letters in track, basketball, cross country and football. The MVP of the Pirates' basketball team the past two seasons, Keel is a three-time state track champion and helped set a pair of school relay records.

The third valedictorian honored this year, Keel's 4.0 GPA ranks first among Moapa Valley's 151 seniors. An avid musician who plays guitar, trumpet, piano and drums, he also is in line to receive an Eagle Scout award. He plans to attend Brigham Young University and go on a Mormon mission. "Sports helped teach me the importance of setting goals," Keel wrote. "If I tried something without much of a goal, I wouldn't get too far. But if I gave myself something high to shoot for, I would push myself to do better."

Billy Joe Murray

Among the strongest athletes in Nevada, this Eldorado High School senior graduates with six varsity letters in football, track and baseball. A member of the Sun's 1999 all-state football team, Murray was a dominant two-way lineman for the Sundevils. He also is an accomplished power-lifter, holding three state records and one national mark.

With a 3.76 GPA, Murray ranks 24th among his class of 416 and had a perfect attendance record three years running. An Eagle Scout who is active in community service, he plans to attend a dental college, and ultimately, practice law.

In his essay, Murray wrote: "While participating in football and track, I met a lot of new faces from different schools, and we became close friends. High school athletics has helped me to learn to enjoy the game and has made me the outstanding man I am today."

Jessica Rafferty

This talented three-sport athlete from Cheyenne High School earned an unparalleled 12 varsity letters in three sports: cross country, soccer and track. One of the state's top distance runners, Rafferty has been part of two Desert Shields 4A cross country state title squads and has several individual and team zone championships to her credit.

With a weighted GPA of 4.0, Rafferty ranks 36th in a class of 571. She is involved with community service activities and plays in her school's jazz pep band. She will attend the University of Nevada-Reno, where she plans to continue her track career.

"By practicing every day and competing in meets and games, I have become healthier and stronger physically," Rafferty wrote. "Athletics at Cheyenne also taught me life skills that I will need in the future."

William Rainford

A versatile three-sport athlete from Bonanza High School, Rainford finishes with 11 varsity letters in wrestling, cross country and track. A multi-year all-state medalist in both cross country and wrestling, he took second place in his weight class at this year's Super-State Wrestling Tournament.

Rainford's GPA of 3.7 ranks 105th among 452 Bonanza seniors. He is dedicated to community service, as evidenced by his work with disabled children. A longtime Boy Scout who has achieved the rank of Life, Rainford plans to pursue a degree in physical therapy in college.

In his essay, Rainford wrote: "I am dedicated in all I do, whether it be schoolwork, sports or family. I can be depended on to be there."

Shannon Scow

The fourth valedictorian honored this year, this Green Valley High School senior was a force on the soccer field and graduates with five varsity letters in soccer and volleyball. Scow helped the Gators reach the winner's circle twice as a member of the school's 4A Southern Zone title teams in 1997 and '98.

With a 4.0 GPA, Scow ranks first in her class of 677 students. Green Valley's Student Council president, her extensive list of extracurricular endeavors also includes participation in forensics.

"It has oft been said that 'adversity can make you strong,' and looking back on my high school athletic experience, the lessons learned from travails overcome stand out among the incredible successes and fun," Scow wrote.