Boulder City’s Frantz named finalist for High School Heisman

Avalon Frantz knew something was unusual Tuesday when the voice over Boulder City High's public-address system requested that all students congregate in the gym for an unexpected assembly.

"It was just weird," she said.

When the senior walked into the gym, a bizarre circumstance turned into a full-on celebration.

"I walked in and there's all these cameramen and just who knows what's going on," Frantz said.

Awaiting her arrival was a frenzy of students, faculty members, media and, most important, officials from Wendy's.

It was then that a rattled Frantz, upon seeing her parents, understood the magnitude of the visit.

The assembly was to announce that Frantz, a captain for Boulder City's girls volleyball team and a discus thrower in track and field, was one of 12 national finalists for the Wendy's High School Heisman award. The honor highlights student-athletes who perform at an elite level in the classroom, in the community and in athletics.

Frantz will fly to New York City on Dec. 7 for a ceremony that runs in conjunction with college football's Heisman Trophy presentation. The national winners will be announced at the event, which will be televised on ESPN2.

For her efforts, Frantz will receive a gold medal and a $2,000 award for Boulder City, among other accolades.

"Most awards just focus on one aspect of your life, because people work hard to excel in just that one area," Frantz said. "All my life, coming from Boulder City, you're taught to be well-rounded. This is an award that encompasses all those qualities, and it's nice to be recognized for putting the time into all these different areas."

More than 45,000 seniors applied for the prestigious honor, and the decision was whittled from 1,020 state finalists to 102 state winners, before a committee selected the final 12.

Frantz was a first-team All-Sunrise League setter for Boulder City and had 803 assists, 123 aces and 88 blocks this fall.

Frantz is ranked at the top of her class and maintains a 4.8 GPA. She is the president of the National Honor Society, student body secretary, and also volunteers extensively.

"It's just not in the classroom," Boulder City volleyball coach Cherise Hinman said. "Her community service projects and the other organizations she's involved with - she does so much. It shows a lot to younger athletes and younger students what they can accomplish if they set their minds to it."

■ SOCCER HONORS - Legacy's Saul Aguirre couldn't lead his team to a third consecutive boys state soccer title this fall. But his effect on the game was undeniable, and for his efforts he was named the Southwest League Player of the Year.

"He's one of those kids that has a good skill set," Longhorns coach Jose Gomez said. "Out on the field he was always working on free kicks or whatever weakness that he felt he was struggling with. From his sophomore year to his senior year, he was my most consistent player. Consistent on the field and consistent off the field."

Bishop Gorman's Thomas Olsen was the Southwest's Goalkeeper of the Year, and Cimarron-Memorial's Mark Bailey was named Coach of the Year.

In the Northwest League, Durango's Cristoval Magana took Player of the Year honors. Palo Verde's Nishant Yadav was Goalkeeper of the Year, and the Panthers' Kevin Hagood was Coach of the Year.

In the Northeast League, Canyon Springs' Jonathan Martinez was named Player of the Year, and the Pioneers' Dan Myers was named Coach of the Year. Bryant Peralta of Green Valley took Goalkeeper of the Year honors.

Liberty swept the Southeast League's top honors, with Danny Musovski earning Player of the Year, Chris Bradford taking Goalkeeper of the Year honors and Mike Eshragh being named Coach of the Year.

Green Valley swept the Northeast League girls honors, as Nicole Westover earned Player of the Year, Kiyana Lopez was the Goalkeeper of the Year and Roy Snyder nabbed Coach of the Year honors.

Coronado took all of the Southeast League girls honors, with Breanna McCallum grabbing Player of the Year, teammate Melanie Frank securing Goalkeeper of the Year and Dana Neel being named Coach of the Year.

In the Southwest League girls honors, Bonanza's Ashley Alonzo was Player of the Year, and the Bengals' Erin Kelly was named Coach of the Year. Gorman's Jessica Anaya was Goalkeeper of the Year.

In the Northwest League girls honors, Shadow Ridge's Taylor Lopez was Player of the Year, and the Mustangs' Jamie Gibo was named Coach of the Year. Durango's Emily Casale was Goalkeeper of the Year.

Division I-A honors also were announced.

Western's Luis Ponce was the boys All-Southern Region Most Valuable Player, and Clark's Juan Chavez took region Coach of the Year honors. Both also earned the awards in the Sunset League.

Tech's Rafael Munoz was the Sunrise League MVP, and the Roadrunners' Josh Jones earned Sunrise Coach of the Year honors.

Pahrump Valley's Sydney Sladey earned girls MVP honors in the region and Sunset League, and Faith Lutheran's Steve Morrill was named Sunset Coach of the Year.

Tech's Alex Guzman earned girls Sunrise MVP accolades, and Virgin Valley's Scott Trimming took the coaching honor.