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Schools

GHS Student Athletes Honored With Tradition of Excellence Awards

Ashley Puff, Brad Martens, Joseph Hollman, 21 cheerleaders and 16 dance team members are honored Monday at the Geneva School Board meeting for qualifying for state competitions.

Thirty-nine Geneva athletes who competed in state-level competition this winter were presented with the Tradition of Excellence Award at Monday's School Board meeting.

Geneva School District 304 Superintendent Kent Mutchler said the Tradition of Excellence Award represents "the highest award that the board gives to staff and students."

It's hard to say whose achievements were most excellent, but a special tip of the hat has to go to Joe Hollman, who finished 25th of 39 swimmers in the state 200-yard freestyle preliminaries with a time of 1:45.49, according to the Kane County Preps website. The meet was held Feb. 24 and 25 at New Trier High School, said Geneva High School Principal Tom Rogers, who made the announcements Monday.

Find out what's happening in Genevawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"Quite an accomplishment to represent a team in a swim meet when we don’t even have a pool," Rogers said.

It's true. Geneva has been fortunate enough to put together a swim team, coached by Mary Keyzer, in spite of never having a facility at which to practice.

Find out what's happening in Genevawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Ashley Puff qualified to compete in the IHSA State Gymnastics Meet in the floor exercise and balance beam. The gymnastics team is coached by Kim Hostman.

Brad Martens competed in 113-pound weight class of the IHSA State Wrestling Meet on Feb. 16 to 18. Tom Chernich is Geneva's wrestling coach.

Geneva's cheerleading team, coached by Jen Jackson, competed in the Illinois Cheer Association State Competition held Feb. 10 to 11 in Springfield. The cheerleading team members include:

  • Casey Anderson
  • Kendall Becker
  • Nelly Castro
  • Taylor Collins
  • Emily DePasquantonio
  • Kelsey Gerbec
  • Kaleigh Hollister
  • Hailey Kissane
  • Alessa Laserna
  • Mikaela Lee
  • Sam Lucas
  • Stephanie Midgley
  • Victoria Ouellette
  • Alex Riley
  • Katie Rogalla
  • Karlyn Romine
  • Taylor Schlegel
  • Rachael Valiunas
  • Kayla VanBergen
  • Paige VanBergen

Geneva's dance team, coached by Amanda Cornwell and Jamie Abts, competed in the Illinois State Dance Competition held March 3 to 4 in Peoria. The dance team placed third in the state in lyrical dance and the open dance competition. The dance team members are:

  • Taylor Barnett
  • Jackie Cale
  • Kate Condon
  • Amanda Cushnie
  • Aimee Dappas
  • Alexandra Freeland
  • Alex Hardy
  • Brittany Joy 
  • Courtney Kein
  • Michelle Lapetina
  • Mindy Lietza
  • Kelsey Paeth
  • Katie Reis
  • Stephanie Rinne
  • Lauren Serra
  • Hailey Wishne

Rogers said the dance team truly represents Geneva's tradition of excellence.

"Our girls seemingly qualify for state every year," he said.

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