Area’s top student-athletes honored

Spencer Patterson

Monday, May 22, 2000 | 9:53 a.m.

Even to the most casual prep sports fan, some of the names in this year's Southern Nevada Top 10 student-athlete list are bound to ring a bell.

Included are the state's first four-time state cross country titlist, the leader of the two-time state football champions and the USA Today State Player of the Year in boys basketball and football.

But as much as for their athletic accomplishments, the 10 high school students on this year's list are being recognized by the Las Vegas Sun, the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association and Elmore Sports Group for their achievements in the classroom and in their extracurricular activities.

The student-athletes and their families will be honored at a banquet tonight at 6:30 at the Imperial Palace, with each senior receiving a $500 U.S. savings bond, an engraved pen and pencil set and a certificate noting their achievement.

The 1999-2000 student-athletes of the year:

Danielle Boyack

The leading scorer in the history of Durango girls basketball, Boyack finishes her prep career with nine varsity letters in basketball, volleyball and track. A two-year all-conference selection and an honorable mention Sun all-state choice in basketball, she was named team MVP three times in basketball and once in volleyball.

With a 3.0 unweighted GPA, Boyack ranks in the top third of her senior class. She has also been heavily involved in student government for four years, serving as vice president of her class as a senior. She plans to study elementary education in college.

In her application essay, Boyack wrote: "Sports and life go hand in hand. Hard work, dedication and respect for teammates and peers are all necessary ingredients for success. I have always tried to be an example to others through my work ethic."

Jamaal Brimmer

The Durango senior was one of the area's dominant athletes this year. He earned the Sun's Player of the Year award in basketball and a spot on the Sun's all-state defense in football. The starting quarterback, safety and kicker in football and his team's leading scorer in basketball, Brimmer was named USA Today Nevada Player of the Year in both sports.

An early football signee with UNLV, Brimmer's 3.2 GPA ranks in the top third of his senior class. He plans to study hotel business or computer programming in college, and hopes to play professional football someday.

"High school athletics has taught me the value of competition against human beings that have the same dreams as I do," Brimmer wrote. "I'm very blessed that I have the ability to compete every night. That makes high school athletics absolutely priceless for me, and I'm glad I had the chance to experience it."

Kevin Gamett

One of the area's most skilled soccer players, Gamett earned seven varsity letters at Chaparral in soccer and volleyball. The Cowboy soccer team's captain the past two years, Gamett earned all-division, all-conference and team MVP honors, and the 1999 Gatorade State Soccer Player of the Year award.

The valedictorian of Chaparral's senior class of 536 students with an unweighted 4.0 GPA, Gamett is also active in community service and in his church. He also participated in the varsity choir for four years, earning several awards. Gamett will attend BYU next year, where he plans to be a premed student.

In his essay, Gammett wrote: "I have learned to exert every effort to win the respect of my teammates; I have learned to obey and trust those coaches who have seen my faults and helped me to overcome them; I have learned to let my heart lead the way when my body would rather quit."

Lee Hafen

A three-sport throwback, Hafen graduates from Boulder City as one of the most storied athletes in school history. A two-way starter and all-conference punter in football, an all-state selection in baseball and the Eagles' all-time leading scorer in basketball, Hafen leaves high school with 11 varsity letters.

Hafen is also his school's valedictorian, with an unweighted GPA of 4.0 An active Eagle Scout, he also holds several leadership positions within his church and participates in community service. Hafen plans to major in engineering in college and eventually become a doctor.

"Being an athlete has made me humble," Hafen wrote. "Unfortunately in sports there is no middle ground. Either you win and you are ecstatic or you lose and you are devastated. The only constant in sports is that if you stay with it, sooner or later everyone becomes humbled."

Rod Lukes

Another three-sport performer, Lukes leaves Rancho with seven varsity letters in football, basketball and volleyball. A receiver on the Sun's all-state football first team the past two years, Lukes was also an MVP of the Sunrise Region in basketball in 2000, as well as an all-conference selection in volleyball.

With a 3.0 GPA, Lukes ranks 89th in Rancho's senior class. For the past two years, he has served as a volunteer at the Inner-City Games. Next year, he will attend Mississippi's Alcorn State on a full football scholarship.

In his essay, Lukes wrote: "Participation in high school athletics means dedication. If you are on a high school team that means it is time to work. You have to work hard for yourself as far as keeping the grades and staying in shape and improving your skills. You also have to work hard for your coaches and teammates because you want to be that someone they can call on to make the big play."

Abby Miller

The first four-time state cross country champion in Nevada history, Green Valley's Miller also claimed her fourth state title in track over the weekend, winning the 3,200 meters. She also finishes high school with a varsity letter in swimming.

Miller made national headlines this year, winning the prestigious Wendy's High School Heisman award -- an honor bestowed on just one high school boy and girl in the country each year. A Green Valley valedictorian with a 4.0 unweighted GPA, she participates on her school's newspaper staff, in student government and in both the math and Spanish clubs. Miller is also involved in community service activities, including volunteering her summers at a summer camp for children with critical illnesses. She will attend UC-Irvine on a track scholarship next year and plans to major in psychology.

"I used our cross country team's motto of "Work Hard and Have Fun" as a way to become a stronger athlete both physically and mentally while simultaneously enjoying being part of a unified team," Miller wrote in her essay.

Taylor Miller

The 1999 Sun State Defensive Football Player of the Year, Miller was a mainstay for a Cimarron-Memorial team that captured back-to-back 4A football titles in 1998 and '99. A four-year letter winner in track, the senior added the 4A state discus title to his resume over the weekend.

With a 3.5 GPA, Miller ranks in the top fourth of Cimarron's senior class. An active member of his church, he participates in community service and has achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. After serving a two-year Mormon Mission, Miller will attend the University of Utah on a football scholarship.

"Athletics has allowed me to get closer to my father and older brother, both very accomplished football players," Miller wrote. "Sports has made me feel if I put my mind to it I can accomplish anything."

Kim Ortega

An outstanding three-sport athlete, Ortega has a been key member of Moapa Valley's basketball and track teams for four years -- earning 12 letters in three sports. She finishes her prep career with seven state team titles -- four in volleyball, two in track and another in basketball. She also leaves with school records in five track events.

Ranked 19th in the senior class with a GPA of 3.67, Ortega is also a member of the Moapa Valley jazz band and serves in student council. She also volunteers time to work with the elderly.

In her essay, Ortega wrote: "I have learned that with hard work and discipline you can achieve your goals and become a better athlete. Athletics have also taught me how to work with others during tough competition. Being an athlete in high school is not only about winning, but also about being responsible and committing yourself to your sport."

Jaime Phillips

Phillips graduates from Lincoln County High with almost as many state championships (eight) as varsity letters (11). She captured four 2A basketball titles, three in volleyball and another in softball, earning all-division honors in all three sports.

Phillips ranks ninth in her class of 52 with a 3.73 GPA. She serves as the editor for her school's newspaper, is the student body vice president and works on the yearbook staff. She also coaches and referees for youth sports leagues and volunteers for community service activities. She plans to study teaching or sports medicine in college.

"Being part of a team has helped my self-esteem and confidence as a person and as an athlete," Phillips wrote. "Athletics has shown me that you have to work extremely hard to reach goals, and communicate with others in order to succeed."

Lara Saye

A dominant track and field athlete, Saye concludes her Silverado career with three state individual titles after winning both the shot put and discus events at the 4A Track & Field Championships over the weekend. Her discus throw of 156 feet a year ago still stands as a Nevada state record.

Ranked 23rd in a senior class of 713 students, Saye has taken 15 honors and three advanced placement courses en route to a 3.83 unweighted GPA. A member of Amnesty International and Global Lab, as well as an elected official for her class committee, Saye will attend UCLA on a track scholarship next year and plans to study sports medicine there.

In her essay, Saye wrote: "Participating in high school sports has taught me to be a leader, given me self-confidence and presented me with opportunities to meet many other talented athletes. Dedicated hours of training have resulted in numerous achievements in my sport and provided me with a college scholarship. I hope to continue my athletic and academic success in college."

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