2025-2026 Outstanding Senior Student-Athlete Award Winners

For the 4th Annual RPAC Rundown Outstanding Senior Student-Athlete Award, we had a number of great nominees. These nominees were selected by their respective schools and then voted blindly by a panel the RPAC Rundown put together.

This panel consisted of people in the media, athletic offices, members of college academia, and upper-level management positions in corporations. The panel then selected four winners, two female and two male student-athletes, from the Western and Eastern divisions of the conference.

The criteria for the award consisted of excellence in the classroom, activities, and athletics. They also had to show consistency in their athletic involvement, competing in 10 total sports seasons. These accolades, qualifications, and similar items were collected before the end of their spring sports seasons.

The information for each of these winners was provided by their schools and the information that stood out to our panel.

The RPAC Rundown Outstanding Senior Student-Athlete Award is brought to you by

Advertisement

West Male - Ethan Latta of Dundy County Stratton

GPA: 4.0

Class Rank: 1 of 26

Inter-High Day Competitor Microsoft Office & Algebra (2022-2023)

• His athletic ability speaks for itself, as you will see on his resume.

• He brings the same approach to the classroom.

• What people do not see is how he makes time to make everyone he interacts with feel like they are the most important person in the world to him at that moment.

• He is a great leader in the actions he shows on the field and in how he interacts with students, staff, teachers, and the administration.

Activities

Football

● All-District Selection (2022-2025)

● Team Captain (2024-2025)

● NSAA Class D1 Qurterfinal Qualifier (2022 & 2023)

● NCPA Academic All-State (2022-2025)

● Junior High Assistant Coach (2025)

● Letter Winner (2022-2025)

Track & Field

● NSAA Class D Team State Champion (2025)

● RPAC Conference Team Champion (2025)

● NSAA 4x100 Meter Relay State Champion (2025)

● NSAA High Jump State Runner-Up (2023 & 2025)

● NCPA Academic All-State (2023 & 2025)

● NSAA 4x400 Meter Relay State 3rd Place (2025)

● NSAA 200 Meter State 6th Place (2025)

● Letter Winner (2022-2025)

Basketball

● NSAA Class D1 State 4th Place (2023)

● NSAA Class D1 State Qualifier (2023-2025)

● RPAC All-Conference 1st Team (2025)

● NCPA Academic All-State (2023 & 2025)

● Letter Winner (2022-2025)

FFA

● Officer-Treasurer (2024)

● State Participant-Delegate

● Chapter Degree

● District National Resource Competitor (2022-2024)

Community Service

● Town Clean-Up (2022-2025)

● Adopt a Highway (2022-2025)

● County Fair Setup & Tear Down (2022-2025)

● Serve Food at Fireman Fundraiser (2022)

● Work Firework Stand (2022-2023)

● Serve Food at Golf Tournament Fundraiser (2022-2023)

Employment

Farm & Ranch Hand

● 40+ Hour Weeks During the Summer

● Heavy Equipment Operator

West Female - Karissa Stengel of Maywood High School and the Maywood-Hayes Center Wolves

• Our nomination is an exceptional candidate for the RPAC Rundown Outstanding Senior Student-Athlete Award because she exemplifies excellence not only in athletics but also in leadership, academics, and service. 

• Throughout her high school career, she has consistently demonstrated dedication, discipline, and a strong commitment to improving both herself and those around her. 

• As a multi-sport athlete in basketball, volleyball, and track, she has achieved remarkable success. 

• She has earned multiple RPAC First Team honors in both basketball and volleyball, served as a team captain in both sports, and played a key role in her track team’s state championship 4x800 relay. 

• Her athletic accomplishments reflect not only her talent but also her work ethic, perseverance, and ability to perform under pressure. 

• Beyond her individual success, she is a proven leader. Serving as class president, student council representative, and team captain, she leads by example and inspires her peers through her positive attitude and determination. 

• She understands the value of teamwork and consistently puts the success of her team above personal recognition. 

• Her excellence extends into the classroom, where she has maintained Honor Roll with Distinction, earned college credits, and been an active member of the National Honor Society. 

• Her commitment to academics, combined with her athletic achievements, highlights her ability to balance responsibilities and strive for success in all areas of her life. 

• Additionally, she is deeply involved in her community, volunteering her time through various service activities and mentoring younger athletes. 

• Her willingness to give back demonstrates strong character and a genuine desire to make a positive impact. 

• She truly defines a student-athlete, consistently representing us with integrity, dedication, and pride in all that is asked of her, making her highly deserving of the RPAC Rundown Outstanding Senior Student-Athlete Award. 

  
  

Leadership Positions: 

-Class President [2 years] 

-Student Council Rep [4 years] 

-Volleyball Team Captain [2 years] 

-Basketball Team Captain [3 years] 

Academic Achievements: 

-Honor Roll with Distinction [4 years] 

-Geometry Award 

-National Honor Society 

-Perfect Attendance [2023-24] 

-No Tardies [2022-25] 

-18 college credit hours 

-FFA Greenhand Award 

Extra-Curricular Activities: 

-Basketball [2022-26] 

-Volleyball [2022-25] 

-Track [2022-2026] 

-Mock Trial [2022] 

-Future Business Leaders of America [2022-23] 

-National FFA Association [2022, 2023, 2025] 

-Environmental club [2025] 

-Quiz Bowl [2022] 

Athletic Achievements: 

-RPAC BB first team [2024,2025, 2026] 

-RPAC BB honorable mention [2023] 

-VB BB team captain [2023-25] 

-RPAC VB first team [2024,2025] 

-RPAC VB second team [2023] 

-4x8 Class D [state champion 2025, 3rd place 2024, 4th place 2023] 

-Lettered in basketball, volleyball, and track [2022-25] 

-NCPA Academic All State, Basketball- 2 years and Volleyball- 2 years 

Volunteer Experience: 

-Babysitting 

-Setting up for soup suppers 

-Trash pickups 

-BBQ feeds 

-Serving pie and ice cream 

-Concession stand serving 

-Washing windows 

-Church decorating/cleaning 

-Cleaning houses 

-Matt Talbot Homeless Kitchen food server 

-Youth coaching/refereeing youth sports 

Work Experience: 

-Babysitting 

-House cleaning 

-Baling/Raking hay 

-Picking up bales 

-Moving/working/branding cattle 

-Mowing 

-Coffee shop barista 

-Sports referee/coach 

East Male - Brody Diefenbaugh of Elwood High School and the Hi-Line Bulls

GPA: 4.0

Class Rank: 1 of 13

Currently enrolled at UNK for College Classes

Currently enrolled at CCC for College Classes

• He has a 4.0 and has been involved in Football, Basketball, and Track for four years.

• He was awarded Fall Academic All-State in 2025.

• He was on the Football All-District 1st Team in 2025, the Second Team in 2024, and the Honorable Mention in 2023.

• In basketball, he has averaged 10 PPG and 6 RPG over the last two years.

• He was NCPA Winter Academic All-State in 2026 and All-RPAC 2nd Team in 2026.

• In Track, he was NCPA Spring Academic All-State in 2025.

• He has been in Play Production, where he was the District Outstanding Actor in 2023.

• Been on the Quiz Bowl team, where he served as Captain.

• He's been in FFA for four years and served as Vice President in 24-25 and President in 25-26.

• He has been on the Student Council and served as President since 2024.

• He is a part of the NHS and has served as Vice President since 2025.

Extracurricular Involvement

Football 2022-2025

● Demonstrated leadership skills by coordinating team suppers and serving as team captain my junior and senior year

● Exemplified accountability by showing up to practice and summer weights every day

● Awarded NCPA Fall Activity Academic All-State 2025

● Awarded All-District 1st Team 2025, All-District 2nd Team 2024, and All-District Honorable Mention 2023

Basketball 2022-Present

● Demonstrate leadership skills by serving as team captain my senior year

● Organize team shoot-arounds to improve in the off-season

● Awarded NCPA Winter Academic All-State 2026

● Awarded All-RPAC Second Team 2026

Track & Field 2023-Present

● Demonstrate dedication by consistently improving my performance throughout my participation

● Lead the jumpers’ group and lead team warm-ups

● Achieved school record in triple jump and 1600 meter relay

● Awarded NCPA Spring Activity Academic All-State 2025

One Act Play Production 2022-2023

● Demonstrated speaking skills by serving as a lead actor

● Awarded the Outstanding Actor Award at district meet in 2023

Quiz Bowl 2024-Present

● Serve as captain and leader of quiz bowl team

● Show hard work by studying and practicing at least once weekly during lunch hour for quiz bowl

The Stampede- Spirit Club 2022- Present

● Organized 1 pep rally and 2+ state send-offs each year

● Organized the annual homecoming bonfire

● Exemplify school spirit by showing up to games and leading chants at home volleyball games

FFA 2022- Present

● Exemplify leadership by serving as chapter president 2025-26

● Serve as chapter vice president 2024-25

● Organize community service projects by setting up leaf cleanup and a drive-in movie

● National qualifier and state champion in the Agriculture Issues competition 2024

● Awarded State Runner-up in Agriculture Issues competition 2023

● Earned Individual District Champion in Natural Resources Competition 2025-26

National Honor Society (NHS) 2024- Present

● Show leadership by speaking at the annual NHS induction

● Serve as chapter vice president 2025-Present

Student Council 2022- Present

● Serve as student council president 2024-Present

● Help organize the homecoming pep rally and set up dress-up days for homecoming

● Help by filling the pop machine every other week

Work Experience

Hired Hand, Summer 2024, 2025

● Showed responsibility by showing up on time every day

● Managed landscape and pasture ground by mowing weekly and removing invasive species

Lifeguard - Summer 2023

● Managed pool by checking chlorine and pH levels and changing them

● Drained and cleaned the kids pool

● Watched over children while swimming to make sure they were safe and following

pool rules

Cart Boy at Golf Course NE Summer 2022

● Made sure golf carts were clean and filled up with gas

● Cleaned up the golf range by going out and picking up golf balls

Community Involvement

Church Volunteering 2022-Present

● Set up and take down the nativity scene every Christmas season, welded back together the nativity scene characters

● Pull weeds and take care of the church landscape throughout the year

● Help upgrade the church landscape by planting flowers, moving rocks, and putting mulch into

the flower beds

Leaf Cleanup,  2022-2025

● Set up flyers around town to advertise for people to sign up to get their leaves raked

● Organize groups to go out and rake lawns

● Rake lawns and clean up for the elderly who cannot do it themselves

Drive-In Movie,  2022-2025

● Set up flyers to advertise a free community drive-in movie during the fall

● Help set up the projector and screen, the radio, and the popcorn stand for the movie

● Serve popcorn for free to people during the movie

Youth Group, NE 2022-Present

● Help run the service at church on Sundays

● Attend youth group gatherings every Wednesday

● Engaged in Random Acts of Kindness; for Christmas, we baked goods and gave them to people around the community

County Fair, NE 2022-Present

● Help set up rides for the County Fair

● Work 1-2 shifts each year by running rides, games, and taking tickets during the fair

Baseball, 2023-Present

● Show up to 2-3 practices per week; play at least 2-3 games a week

● Renovate the community baseball field by helping expand dugouts and build a new mound

● Help raise money for the program by going around to businesses and gathering sponsorships

East Female - Addison Andersen of Bertrand High School

4.0 GPA

Class Rank: 1/15

• VB, BB, TR, SP, PP, FFA - 4 years in all.

• All-Conference & All-State recognition multiple years.

• Has received Academic All-State honors in every NSAA activity in which they participated.

• Awarded the NSAA Believers and Achievers.

• Numerous clubs and organizations outside of school, while maintaining a 4.0 GPA.

• One of the best students that I have been around in 29 years of education, not just strictly academically.

• A very energetic and positive person in all aspects.

• Always willing to help out teachers, staff, and other students, and does a lot of work with younger students.

• Just a great person.

Academic Honors and Awards

• Academic Banquet Honoree 9, 10,11,12

• High Distinction Honor Roll 9, 10,11,12

• NSAA Currency Believers and Achievers 12

High School Activities and Honors

Volleyball 9,10,11,12

• All-Conference Honorable Mention 10,11,12

• Academic All-State 11

• Team Captain 12

  
  

Basketball 9,10,11,12

• Academic All-State 10,11

• All-Conference Honorable Mention 10,11

• All-Conference Athlete of the Week 11

• Team Captain 12

  
  

Track 9,10,11,12

• Academic All-State 10

  
  

Speech 9,10,11,12

• State Qualifier 10,11,12

• Academic All-State 10,12

One-Act 9,10,11,12

• State Qualifier 11

• Academic All-State 10,11

• State Outstanding Performance 11

  
  

FFA 9,10,11,12

• State Qualifier 9,10,11,12

National Honor Society 11,12

Elementary Field Day, Class Assistance 10, 11

Republican Plains Activities Conference Art Competition, 1st place Honorable Mention 10

Republican Plains Activities Conference Art Competition, 1st Place 12

Leadership Experience

Class Officer

• President 12

• Secretary/Treasurer 9,10,11

• Student Council 12

• National Honor Society

• Treasurer 12

FFA

• President 12

• Reporter 11

Youth Advisory Committee

• President 11,12

• Vice President 10

Clubs, Organizations, and Honors

• Youth Advisory Committee 10,11,12

• HS Letter Club 9, 10, 11, 12

• Church Youth Group 9, 10, 11, 12

• Fellowship of Christian Athletes, leader 9, 10, 11, 12

• Town Royalty, 2023, third-place finisher 10

• Community and Volunteer Experience

• Church Call Committee 10,11,12

• Church Scripture Reader 10,11,12

• Vacation Bible School 9,10,11,12

• Red Cross Blood Drive 11,12

• Coach Youth Volleyball 9,10,11,12

• Coach Youth Basketball 12

• Referee Youth Basketball 9,10,11,12

• Referee Youth Volleyball 9,10,11,12

• Volunteered Town Fair 10,11

• Volunteered at  Alumni Basketball 12

• BBQ 9,10,11,12

• Ran town Scavengerhunt 11

• Trash Pickup 9,10,11,12

• Caroling at Nursing Home 9,11,12

• Set up Craft Show 9,10,11,12

• Cleaned Community Building 11,12

• Helped with Children's Christmas Activities 9,12

Work Experience

• Aquatic Center (Assistant Manager) 9,10,11,12

• Private Swimming Lessons 9,10,11,12

• Grocery Store 12

• Boutique 9,10,11,12

• Farm Hand 9,10,11,12

• Private Babysitting 9,10,11,12

  
  

Future Goals: After high school graduation, I plan to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and major in Nutrition and Exercise Science, then later attend medical school to gain my Physical Therapy degree.