Our sports writers have collaborated to select the best players from each sport on campus. While no team sport is won or lost based on any individual, “Perry’s Best” highlights student-athletes who were not only great at their sport, but also on campus and in the classroom.

Jenna Reynolds: Badminton

Many people have changed their views about badminton and senior Jenna Reynolds would be a prime reason why.

The multi-talented athlete played a vital role in creating a successful, record-breaking season for the girls’ badminton team, ending 10-4,15th in state power rankings, and division one state runner ups. Reynolds made it to the second round of the individual state tournament. Laid back, hard working, and supportive, her personality is just as solid as her athletic abilities.

Olivia Vernon: Girls’ Basketball

Sophomore Olivia Vernon has been an exceptional player all season. She is a dedicated team player who lead the Lady Pumas to the  first round of playoffs and was awarded the All-East Valley Tribune Honorable Mention and AIA All Section 2 Second Team Member. Her happy-go-lucky, sociable attitude as well as her ability to be a leader has made her a great teammate. Vernon keeps getting better and has more to come in the future.

Markus Howard: Boys’ Basketball

Having been named to the All-American 2nd team for basketball, Markus Howard is awarded the Perry’s best award. Howard has been an all-around great person on and off the court. He led Arizona basketball with 32.4 points per game in only having played 26 games. While dominating the game he also won Player of the year award and won the AIA Basketball Special Olympics for the CUSD team the school has. Making a difference in the world hasn’t been too much of a challenge for sophomore, Markus Howard.

Kelci Abernanthy: Dive

Senior Kelci Abernethy has been a valuable asset to both the ranks and spirit of the dive team.

Ranked 8th in State, Abernethy set two school records for high scores and has consistently won 1st place in all but four meets her entire diving career. She signed with with Bryant University where she will compete in NCAA division one. She is supportive and a great role model for her younger teammates and a joy to her coaches.

Jon Underwood: Swim

Along with swimming on varsity all four years, setting countless records and winning the All-CUSD award, senior Jon Underwood can now add the Perry’s Best award to his resume.

Underwood began his journey as a swimmer his freshman year. Through the years, Underwood shattered record after record in relays and in the breaststroke. He continued to lead his team for three more years, leaving the men’s team with one of the best seasons on record.

Gina Brocamonte: Girls’ Soccer

Soaring across Perry’s soccer field all year long and doing their best is Gina  Bracamonte. She was awarded with an Honorable Mention and Coach Jason Dunn explains why, “She was a tough individual that wouldn’t back down from anybody. She played a defensive midfield position very well but also contributed on offense by scoring a few goals and assisting on a couple more. Coaches took notice in her all around play as midfield general and that is why she was selected as an Honorable Mention.” Bracamonte will be returning next year to the team as a senior.

Triston Smith: Boys’ Soccer

Triston Smith returned to playing soccer for Perry this year after two years of playing on a club team, and was one of the team captains for Varsity. Coach John Roberts describes how Smith led his teammates by setting an example this season. “When you think of Perry’s best, you think of them as an athlete, a person, and a student,” Roberts says. “He just encompasses what a Perry student athlete should be.” Smith will be attending Northern Arizona University this fall.

Mahea Rubin: Girls’ Volleyball

Senior Mahea Rubin has played libero on the varsity volleyball since her sophomore year and has played club volleyball for six years. Coach Fred Mann explains how Rubin constantly displayed MVP player qualities this entire season. Rubin will be attending Northern Arizona University this fall.

Wyatt Veach: Boys’ Volleyball

Statistics are only half of what makes up an athlete. The other half is infinite dedication and unrelenting hard work.

Playing in a total of 49 sets, with a .379% hitting percentage and a 47% kill percentage is what makes Wyatt Veach a necessity to the team.

To his team, Veach is not only a remarkable athlete, but also an inspirational leader, making him, Perry’s Best.

Madi Lundgren: Girls’ Golf

Girls golf had many new faces but one seasoned veteran returned for another year of varsity golf. Senior Madi Lundgren was familiar to the trials and tribulations her team faced. Sadly her team missed out on the state tournament this year as they fell to fourth in the conference with a record of 4 wins and 5 losses. Her team could not overcome the lack of depth on their roster.

Brad Pottle: Boys’ Golf
Junior Brad Pottle displayed qualities that epitomizes what a Perry’s best athlete should represent as showed the greatest improvement since the beginning of the season. According to coach John Lowery, “Pottle’s stroke average was just above even par,” he continued, “he had a great year and we’re looking forward to next year, hopefully he can have the same improvement.” Pottle qualified for state and finished 39th out of 77.

Austin Nightingale: Football

After overcoming a crippling knee injury during his junior year, senior quarterback Austin Nightingale has proved his skills whether on the football field or in the classroom. Nightingale finished his last year of varsity football with a total of 3738 passing yards and 33 touchdown passes, also receiving the award for 1st Team All-CUSD Quarterback. Nightingale’s signing to Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana illustrates the mix of his exceptional skills along with a standout character.

Adela Martinez: Softball

It is rare to find an under appreciated athlete with a stellar record, but Adela Martinez changed the game with a four-year varsity career on her belt already. As she has an on-base percentage of .392 and 72 home runs, Martinez has  Not only does she have a superb school performance, but Martinez impacted Perry’s own softball team for years to come.

Austin Bull: Baseball

To be called the best at what you do is quite the accomplishment. Senior, Austin Bull has played on the varsity baseball team all four years in high school. Bull was placed onto the All-American 1st team for infield. He is ranked 9th in all of Arizona for baseball and has broken a record at Perry for most bases stolen in a season. Bull also had over a .550 batting average for a consistent four games straight as well as having over 30 hits this year.

Taylor Shin: Girls’ Tennis

It takes hard work to be a high school athlete but heart is what makes a good athlete turn to a great athlete. Senior Taylor Shin proved to be this ideal athlete providing a asset to Perry’s girls tennis team.

Shin provided a great example to a new team, thrilled to complete her tennis career goal of clinching a playoff spot. This year, Shin advanced to the second round of playoffs to complete her stellar season.

Jordan Yeager: Boys’ Tennis

With all odds stacked against him, junior Jordan Yeager was not expecting to make the tennis team, let alone varsity after being cut freshmen year. However he rose above the odds and dedicated his time to become one of Perry’s Best. Yeager provided a fantastic example to his teammates through his persistence.

As if to prove his success, Yeager advanced to quarterfinals this season clinching a spot in the Elite 8 in doubles. Yeager was a major role in Perry’s jump to number 15 in state rankings giving the team the best finish in Perry tennis history.

Jenna Reynolds: Girls’ Track

Jenna Reynolds is the best thrower in Perrys Track and field history. She holds the current record for discus with a throw of 108 feet and one inch. She is encouraging and charismatic while throwing and around her team mates.

Actively participating in varsity track and competing at the state meet is just another one of her accomplishments as a Perry athlete. Reynolds is a team player on the field and a great representation of what a student-athlete should be in the classroom.

Cade Burks: Boys’ Track

Junior distance runner Cade Burks has been competing at a higher level throughout his whole high school career. He has been a varsity student-athlete for the past three years. Running cross country in the fall and distance track events in the spring.

He finished second in the 800 meter event at the state track meet.Burks has been a stellar athlete in this event for as long as he has ran them in high school. He was named to the all CUSD team for the 800 meter event his freshman and sophomore years, an unrivaled accomplishment.

Tucker Matsen: Wrestling 

Winning 30 matches in a season is no easy feat – not in any sport, at any level.

Senior Tucker Matsen is a unique type of athlete; a four-year varsity-level wrestler, he is the type who competes as if his next match might be his last.

In 2015, the 126-pound Matsen won 30 matches including a pair at sectionals. He placed third at the Buckeye- and second at Apache Junction Tournaments.