Angela Konopasek
Warsaw
There are many ways to define an athlete, and after asking around to see how other folks would describe the role, here were a few responses:
-"An athlete is someone who has the ability to find their true potential within a sport that they like."
-"An athlete is a person who just participates in a sport they like."
-"Someone who is very determined and disciplined in their sport."
-"Anyone who pushes the physical limits of the human body."
While all of these responses display a level of accuracy, they all define this year's female Athlete of the Year for Warsaw, Miss Angela Konopasek.
Konopasek, a senior at WHS, has (or will have) participated in three sports for all four years of her high school career (we're counting cheer in the fall of her freshman year), a rarity these days.
Over the course of her high school playing days, she has always exhibited qualities that not only make her an athlete, but also a leader.
"Leadership is an instrinsic part of Angela's persona," said Ladycats volleyball coach Kelsi Brosnahan. "She leads by example, with actions speaking louder than words. Her ability to inspire, guide and uplift her teammates has transformed the dynamics of the team, creating an environment where everyone thrives. Her leadership goes beyond mere strategy and gameplay; it's about building a team that values respect, hard work and cameraderie."
Warsaw Track and Field coach Cody Morgan agreed by saying, "Angela leads by example, always pushing herself while still taking the time to help younger athletes with technique and drills to help them improve."
On courts and on the track, Konopasek's resolve to improve is second to none.
"She is always one of the hardest workers for us and her determination shines thru in practices and games," said Ladycats basketball coach Matt Henderson.
Brosnahan seconded that motion.
"Angela approaches every practice and match with a relentless drive and commitment to excellence that sets her apart."
Once again, Morgan agreed.
"Her work ethic is extremely high. She is always putting in extra work after practices, knowing exactly what she needs to do to accomplish goals that she's set for herself."
Konopasek has shown many qualities that justify her selection as this year's female Athlete of the Year, but more importantly, qualities that will direct her in the many life ventures that await her upon graduation this spring.
"There's nobody out there with a bigger heart than Angela," Henderson commented.
"Angela's character is probably her best attribute," Morgan said in summation.
Brosnahan concluded, "Her inspiring character transcends the sport."
Ladies and gentlemen, we present to you, our 2023 female Athlete of the Year for Warsaw, Angela Konopasek.
Drake Murrell
Warsaw
In his first 2(+) years as a Wildcat, Drake Murrell has established himself as not only a fierce competitor on the football and baseball fields and wrestling mats, but he has built himself up as a leader of his teams through his performances on those stages.
For those reasons, we announce Murrell as the 2023 male Athlete of the Year for Warsaw.
In 2023, Murrell finished off his sophomore wrestling season with a record of 41-9 and was a state qualifier. In Columbia, he finished just one win away from a state medal. He earned his trip to the state event with a district runner-up finish and along the way, he picked up 3 tournament championships, inlcuding winning the conference championship in his respective weight class.
In the spring, Murrell swapped out his wrestling shoes for baseball cleats and played a valuable utility role for Warsaw baseball and coach Johnny Eierman.
"Drake is the ultimate competitor and leader," Eierman said. "He can play any position on the baseball field and he's a guy who's going to get the job done."
Fast-forward into the summer months and Murrell, now a junior, directs his attention to football.
His attentiveness led to a second team selection at tight end to the Ozark Highlands All-Conference team and it paid even bigger dividends on the defensive side of the ball where, in 12 starts, he led the Wildcats (by far) with exactly 100 tackles, averaging over 8 per game. He also finished tied for the team lead in sacks (4.0) and interceptions (2).
Those numbers earned Murrell first team All-Conference and All-District honors at linebacker and he was also named to the second team of the Central MO Media All-District teams. He collected third team All-State recognition at linebacker and was also an Academic All-State selection. But the awards didn't stop there . . . Murrell was also named to the KMZU Dream Team at linebacker and was named the team's Most Valuable Player for the 2023 campaign by his coaching staff..
"Drake is just a high character kid who leads on the field and in the classroom," Wildcats head football coach Ryan Boyer said.
Now back in another wrestling season, Murrell is a team captain with a current record of 14-2 and ranked number four in the state in the 157 pound weight division in Class 1.
"Over the last 12 months, Drake has absorbed a leadership role and is learning to thrive in it," 'Cats wrestling coach Justin Wisdom said. "Kids know they can look to him when times get tough . . . and being the guy who everyone looks to when things are tough isn't easy and some kids can't handle it, but Drake is embracing it in a kind of 'quiet assassin' way."
The coach added, "We know, as coaches, that Drake is going to give everything he has, day in and day out, no matter the circumstances."
Eierman added, "Drake works hard year around in three different sports and gets after it. Congratulations, Drake!"
He "gets after it". That's just one factor that makes Drake Murrell our Benton County Enterprise male Athlete of the Year for 2023.
Alyssa Mellen
Lincoln
The Lincoln Athlete of the Year Committee, headed by Johnie Logue, has named Lady Cardinals junior Alyssa Mellen as the 2023 Lincoln female Athlete of the Year.
Mellen was named All-Conference and All-District in basketball and volleyball. In basketball, she is a deadly three point shooter and is Lincoln's leading scorer and their best ball handler. With the graduation of Gracyn Eifert in 2022, she has taken on a much needed leadership role.
Lady Cards head coach Brett Bryant continues to teach fundamentals to his younger players and hopes to build his team around Mellen as she continues to mature as a player.
"Mellen is improving as a player on both ends of the court and as our team leader," Bryant commented.
She is the type of player that wants the ball in her hands at the end of a close game. She hit a big three and two free throws in the final seconds in their first win of the season over Lakeland 42-40 on the road and led the scoring with 21 points in that game.
In volleyball, she is constantly improving and had her best game in district play.
As a person, Alyssa is soft spoken and well liked by her coaches, teachers and teammates.
She is a good student and has a good future in basketball and volleyball for the rest of her high school career.
We wish her the best!
Cam Everhart
Lincoln
The Lincoln Athlete of the Year Committee headed by Johnie Logue has selected junior Cam Everhart as the Lincoln male Athlete of the Year for 2023.
Everhart was All-Conference and All-District in both football and baseball. He was also the sixth man on the awesome 28-1, Kaysinger Conference and district championship basketball team in the 2022-23 season.
Everhart hit a huge three late in the fourth quarter from the corner in Lincoln's victory over Northwest for third place in the recent Otterville Tournament.
Cardinals head coach Tyler Burke said, "Cam is a high percentage three point shooter and I was pleased that he took that shot."
At 5'10", Everhart plays bigger than his size and is not afraid to go inside and grab a contested rebound. He was an outstanding linebacker, running back, pitcher, first baseman and outfielder for the Cardinals. He was one of the few players to stay healthy throughout Lincoln's injury prone and small roster football season.
In baseball, he batted cleanup and opposing coaches occasionally pitched around him in key situations.
His favorite sport is baseball and he wants to play college baseball and hopefully reach the professional level someday.
If you know him, Cam is quiet, loves video games, is always early, and if professional baseball doesn't work out, he wants to be a game warden. He loves the outdoors and fishing and hunting.
Cam is a good student and a member of the A+ program. He plans on going to State Fair Community College for two years and then transfer to a major college.
We wish him all our best!
Emily Burdick
Cole Camp
The Athlete of the Year Committee led by Johnie Logue has named Senior Emily Burdick as the 2023 Athlete of the Year for Cole Camp.
In volleyball, she ended her career with 759 kills; an amazing accomplishment for someone who stands only 5'4".
Lady Bluebirds volleyball head coach Abby Massingill commented, "Emily made such a strong impact on the Cole Camp volleyball program all four years of her career, however, the way she stepped up her senior year and became such a strong leader was a turning point for her and the team. She led the team in kills and digs, while setting the standard high everytime she stepped onto the floor. Emily was a staple for us with her positive energy, work ethic, and the way she made her young teammates feel comfortable on the floor. Emily made everyone around her better!"
The true test of a great player is just that, they make their teammates better whenever they step onto the court. No higher compliment can you ever give someone.
Below are her honors and awards she earned in track and volleyball this past year.
Track
2023 State, Javelin, 9th
2023 All-District, Javelin
2023 All-Conference, Javelin
2023 All-Conference, 4x400m Relay
2023 All-Conference, 4x800m Relay
Volleyball
2023 All-Conference
2023 All-District
2023 Smith-Cotton All-Tournament team
Emily is a good student and is very popular with her fellow classmates and teammates. She has a bright future and we wish her the very best!
Reid Harrison
Cole Camp
The Athlete of the Year Committee headed by Johnie Logue has named Reid Harrison as the Cole Camp male Athlete of the Year for 2023. The senior excelled in basketball, baseball, track and football. Below are a few of his achievements.
Basketball
2023 All-Conference
2023 All-District
2023 MBCA All-District
Baseball
2023 All-Conference
2023 All-Disrict
2023 All-State
2023 Academic All-State
Track
2023 State, 100m, Champion
2023 State, 200m, 8th place
2023 State, Qualifier, 4x200m Relay
2023 All-District, 100m
2023 All-District, 200m
2023 All-District, 4x100m Relay
2023 All-District, 4x200m Relay
2023 All-Conference, 100m
2023 All-Conference, 200m
2023 All-Conference, 4x100m Relay
2023 All-Conference, 4x200m Relay
Football
2023 KMZU Dream Team
2023 MFCA All-District
2023 All-District
2023 All-Conference
2023 MFCA Academic All-State
Missing games because of injuries kept him from being All-State in football as he was a year ago.
When speaking of Harrison, one word comes ro mind, 'SPEED'.
On the baseball field, he broke the single season record for steals and is locked in to break the all-time record come this spring.
As a return man, Harrison ran back a kickoff to open the second half against Windsor in district play; something he had accomplished several times over his four years when someone was brave enough to kick the ball his way.
So it was no surprise that Reid has already signed with SBU to run for the Bearcats track and field program.
Harrison was the best receiver and free safety the Bluebirds have seen in a while.
Lincoln football head coach Brad Drehle gave credit where it is due for the speeester.
''Harrison was the one of the best, if not the best defensive player in the area," he said.
Cole Camp football and basketball coach Kevin Shearer gave Harrison the highest possible praise as he commented, "Harrison is the best athlete that I have coached in my 33 years of coaching.``
Off the field, he is a good student and a young man of few words.
This just might be his year to be All-State in basketball as he scored 22 points in the first half against St. Paul Lutheran and finished with 28 in their W-K Holiday Shootout victory in Sedalia a couple of weeks ago. He is a terror defensively on a full court press and can dribble through pressure on offense.
Congratulations, Reid and we wish you the best!
*Athlete of the Year awards are based on suggestions and nominations from selected committee members within each school district.
Those members may include coaches, administrators, teachers, fans and others in the community.
