NIAA awards $20,000 in scholarships to top student athletes

Some of the highest achieving high school athletes from the past year will be awarded $1,000 scholarships after being named one of the Top 10 Student-Athletes by the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association.

The student-athletes of the year awards are presented to the top students who excel in sports, maintain a high academic status and make a difference in their community.

"This is an outstanding award which recognizes student-athletes who exemplify what high school activities and athletics are all about," Timothy Jackson, executive director of the NIAA, said in a news release. "While the requirements sound stringent, we know these student-athletes exist as evident by the group of individuals selected this year. It is our goal through the Top Ten program to find and honor these superb individuals."

There were 10 students selected from Northern Nevada and 10 from Southern Nevada, five boys and five girls from each region of the state.

Seniors in high school may apply for the scholarships each spring through the NIAA website. The top 10 are selected by a committee formed by the NIAA administrators.

2024 Top Ten Student-Athletes of the Year

Northern Nevada Top Ten Student-Athletes of the Year

• Brady Alves, Churchill County High School, Fallon
• Ryan Dolan, Galena, Reno
• Conner Fecht, Pershing County High School, Lovelock
• Carson Franklin, Reno High School, Reno
• Mckenzie Garrett, Galena High School, Reno
• Hudson Gerlits, North Valleys High School, Reno
• Kaleigh Hanifen, Reed High School, Sparks
• Sydney Rogers, Reno High School, Reno
• Eliza Ross, Spanish Springs High School, Sparks
• Shaloni Walker, North Valleys High School, Reno

Southern Nevada Top Ten Student-Athletes of the Year

• Savanna Burt, Moapa Valley High School, Overton
• Blake Eecklor, Shadow Ridge High School, Las Vegas
• Emily Gent, Pahrump Valley High School, Pahrump
• Megan Kingman, Coronado High School, Henderson
• Aaron Lajato Ordonez, Pinecrest Academy Cadence, Henderson
• Cory O’Neal, Pahrump Valley High School, Pahrump
• Zachary Pedro, Basic Academy, Henderson
• Richard “Ripper” Riffel, GV Christian School, Las Vegas
• Nathan Sherrard, Mojave High School, North Las Vegas
• Londyn Wipperman, Centennial High School, Las Vegas

This article originally appeared on Reno Gazette Journal: NIAA awards $20,000 in scholarships to top student athletes