Republic's Wyatt Woods, Fair Grove's Brooke Daniels voted NL Athletes of the Year

Republic football standout Wyatt Woods and Fair Grove multi-sport star Brooke Daniels were voted the News-Leader 2023-24 Athletes of the Year.

News-Leader readers selected the pair in polls that garnered over 30,000 votes last week.

Woods, who was selected as the News-Leader's 2023 high school football player of the year , led Republic to its first-ever state championship appearance as the team's play-making starting quarterback. He rushed for nearly 1,600 yards and 19 touchdowns while also throwing for 933 yards and 13 scores and also hauling in one receiving touchdown.

His efforts led Republic to a 12-3 record. The Tigers qualified for the state semifinals for the fourth time in program history, winning a district title for the first time since 2005. They avenged one of their two regular-season losses in the state semifinals by beating Webb City for the second time in school history. He tossed the go-ahead touchdown pass as time expired in the third quarter.

More: Republic football secures its first state title appearance after thriller vs. Webb City

Daniels, who wrapped up her junior year, helped lead Fair Grove to two state championships in 2023-24. A state title in basketball was Fair Grove's second in a row and second in school history. A state championship in volleyball was Fair Grove's first in school history with a 35-1-2 season.

Daniels was an all-state performer in both sports. Her competitiveness on the court separates her from most while rising to the occasion in the biggest moments. She's been a star player on all three of Fair Grove's state championship teams.

More: Fair Grove girls repeat as Class 3 state champions by beating El Dorado Springs

Daniels had nine points, five rebounds and four steals in Fair Grove's state title wins and she scored 18 points in a state quarterfinal victory, showing off her unmatched quickness. On the volleyball court, Daniels was fourth on the team in kills and first in assists and digs.

Among other worthy nominees who came up just short in the Athlete of the Year polls include Central's Keion Epps, Marionville's Hugh Eaton, Forsyth's Tristan Hunter, West Plains' Paige Sheridan, Kickapoo's Kya Johnson and Logan-Rogersville's Madelyn MacPherson.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Republic's Wyatt Woods, Fair Grove's Brooke Daniels voted NL Athletes of the Year