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Chrissy Feller

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.

Colton Evertsen – Wrestling

Senior Colton Evertsen didn’t need much motivation, but when he lost teammate and friend Michael Roach just prior to the Puma Duals,  his dear friend inspire the rest of his season.

At weekend’s end, the 220-pounder made a pin in the deafening gymnasium. That moment, to anyone who watched it, was a fitting conclusion to his stellar high school career.

Kambree Meskill – Soccer

Senior Kambree Meskill had a record-breaking year getting the Pumas a total of 40 points, including 14 goals and 12 assists during the duration.

A team captain and four-year letter-winner, Meskill was named Player of the Game  six times throughout the season.

Cade Burks – Track and Field

Senior distance runner Cade Burks had been knocking at championship’s door for two years, and in his final days as a high school athlete, the state title answered.

Burks won the school’s first division-I state championship with a 1600-meter time of 4:25:02s. Now, the Northern Arizona-bound senior’s name will be forever etched in Puma history.

Taylor Knoll – Volleyball

Taylor Knoll is an outstanding player who brings much needed strength to the volleyball team through all ups and downs. Her solid skill set at outside hitter helped the team succeed as a whole.

Even with her own personal obstacles, Knoll triumphed. Throughout the season, Knoll’s father, Brian, was suffering from esophageal and bone cancer; yet his support for the team never wavered. The Knoll family’s expression of strength transferred onto the court and helped the team thrive.

Kyle Van Haren – Basketball

Guard Kyle Van Haren lead another playoff push for the basketball program. The senior did it all – from dishing the ball to the right teammate at the right time, to playing intense man defense, to hitting an outside jumper in crunch time. For his efforts, Van Haren was named to the All CUSD 1st team for the second consecutive season, and All Section in 2016.

Tayt Smith – Baseball

Tayt Smith’s season is sort of a metaphor for the 2016 baseball team. The team graduated 12 seniors in 2015, which meant most underclassmen – like Smith – were buried on the bench, and entering this year, nobody knew what to expect.

All the Azusa Pacific-bound senior did was cement his legacy in the record books, as he won nine games as a pitcher (school record), tallied 51 strike outs (tied for second all-time), and hit .408 as the team’s center fielder.

Alyssia Gonzalez – Track

Ever since her freshman year, Alyssia Gonzalez has not only excelled in her performance as a sprinter and member of the 4×100 relay team, but as a figure of motivation and guidance for the girls team. A member of NHS as well, Gonzalez finds a perfect balance in knowledge and finesse on and off the track.

Hannah Johnson  – Softball

Senior Hannah Johnson hit .410 knocked in 33 RBI in a season in which the Pumas (22-14) reached the third round of the playoffs. Johnson overcame an early foot injury in time for state playoffs, where PHS went 2-2.

With perseverance and passion, Johnson has been a dedicated player, making varsity her freshman year and competing ever since.

Ethan Fillmore – Boys’ Volleyball

Senior Ethan Fillmore led the Pumas to victory 35 times in 2016, supplying moral support and furthering the skill already present on the volleyball team. Fillmore played 98 sets and lead all Pumas with 410 kills.

The massive success the Pumas had this season (division-I state runner-up) can be attributed to the dedication of the players like Fillmore.

Dakotah Kreil – Girls’ Golf

Dakota Kreil made an improvement that would make golfers of all ages and skill levels salivate: in 2015-16 the sophomore shaved 20 strokes off of her 9-hole average.

 The thing that really makes Kreil’s sophomore campaign special is that she doesn’t get in trouble – she keeps everything in play and has become a par machine. Her performance was one of many which lead to the golf team’s first appearance in state last fall.

Case hatch- Football

Case Hatch, not only was he the Arizona defensive player of the year, but also a major pillar of support for the football team; athletically and morally . Hatch carried the team defensively, averaging 12 tackles per game. His teammates describe him as energetic and uplifting on and off the field. While not playing football he works to give back to the community by participating in charitable events such as Shop With a Jock. Hatch is a model student athlete with a great attitude and strong athletic abilities.

Brad Pottle- Boys’ Golf

When selecting a Perry’s Best, athletic ability is not the only factor that plays in. Brad Pottle not only became one of the team’s top golfers, but also one of the leaders. Pottle also managed to assume the position of team hero after saving a man’s life on the golf course who was attempting suicide. All these qualities and more are the reason that Pottle has been named the Perry’s Best for the 2016 season.

Olivia Vernon- Girls’ Basketball

Olivia Vernon, the starting point guard for the girls basketball team at Perry, performed exceptionally well throughout her school season. She was recognized districtwide and statewide for her achievements as a basketball player.

Coach Brock Kearsley said, “she has a lot of experience coming into this season, probably the most experienced player we have.”

With all the leadership and skills she exhibited as she and her team progressed through a season of challenges, she proved that she truly is worthy of being called Perry’s best.

Laike Reader- Girls’ Tennis

Senior Laike Reader exemplifies an extraordinary athlete, team player and all around person. Reader ended the season with a singles record of 6-8, and a doubles record of 4-8. Reader is said to be a great leader for her team, encouraging the girls to continue pushing toward their goals and bettering themselves. Reader composes herself in a way that prides Perry, with confidence and sportsmanship. The ideal Perry athlete is more than just physical talent, they portray good morals and ethics. Reader is kindhearted and inspiring to the rest of her team.

Kyle Vance- Boys’ Tennis

Senior Kyle Vance has been playing tennis for number years. This season, Vance won the Coach’s Award that exemplifies an athlete that represents Perry well academically, athletically, and overall as a person. He was the team captain and All-CUSD first in singles and doubles. Along with his athletic abilities, Vance is an AIA Scholar Award Winner meaning his grade point average was a 3.5 or higher. Being a student-athlete is not an easy thing to do however Vance does it and is a good team player. He encourages other athletes to be their best and to grow not only as athletes but as people. He helps his teammates with whatever they may need. Overall, Vance is an accurate representation of an ideal Puma athlete.

Anthony “Chulo” Haren- Boys’ Track  

Running for boys track and field, Chulo broke the school record for the two mile race and was also on the team that broke the record for the 4×800 m relay race. In the state meet, Chulo placed 14th in the mile race, 7th in the 2nd in the two mile race, and 4th in the 4x800m relay race.

Paige Ellsworth- Girls’  XC

She’s Perry’s multi-sport scholar athlete of the year, one of girls XC team captains, and a runner to watch out for. Paige Ellsworth has been arguably this year’s most valuable girl XC runner and a true example of what it means to be fully dedicated to a sport that you love.

Celeste Llona- Girls’ Dive

Sophomore Celeste Llona not only works hard to bring skill to the dive team, but contributes dedication and support, strengthening the team and motivating those around her. Llona had a massively successful season, obtaining very high scores at school meets, and also qualifying to compete at state. She continually pushes herself, and even broke the record for the highest sixth dive score at a meet against Hamilton. The constant encouragement she provides for her teammates adds to a functional and healthy team spirit, making her a key asset in every way to the Dive team.

Jake Perrine- Boys’ Swim

Senior Jake Perrine has been swimming for many years, and his commitment to the sport has paid off for him personally as well as for his team as a whole. Perrine has attended and won many meets with the Pumas, and even earned an honorable mention from the East Valley Tribune for his excellent 200-yard individual medley at state. He never fails to show unwavering support for those around him, and continually motivates and encourages his teammates during games and practice. The care he has for his team and his persistent determination makes him a great swimmer and a great team player.

Coaches of the Year:

Brian Pomerantz

Brian Pomerantz took Puma volleyball to a new level in 2016.  Perry (35-7) locked up the No. 4 seed in the division-I playoffs, and then they rolled, subsequently shutting out No. 13 Higley, No. 5 Highland, and rebounding from a 2-0 deficit to beat top-ranked Desert Vista, 3-2 in the state semifinals. The team also set a school record .834 winning percentage in 2016 under Pomerantz.

Lerina Johnson

Coach Lerina Johnson had an outstanding badminton season this year. Easily staying undefeated, her team was able to dominate in almost all of their matches. She has definitely set the standard for Badminton at Perry and all they can accomplish. Perry is definitely proud of the badminton team especially the coach of the year, Lerina Johnson.