We begin our look at the top 10 sports stories at Hillcrest Academy during the previous school year by highlighting the work of student athletes in competition and in the classroom. Through the most recent fall and winter athletic seasons, 35 Ravens were honored at the state and conference level for their dedication. Hillcrest senior Grant Bender was awarded Academic All-State honors by the Iowa Basketball Coaches Association this winter. He led the Ravens with 423 points, third in the Southeast Iowa Superconference, finishing his career with more than 900. His 57 steals were fourth in conference, his 56% field goal percentage was sixth in the league with 137 boards, ninth in conference. Bender was one of 24 athletes across the state to be recognized. The All-State group had an average ACT score of 26, GPA of 3.9 and averaged at least 15 points per game.

At the Superconference level, those honored during the fall season included volleyball team members Lydia Beachy, Erin Bontrager, Hailey Chalupa, Emily Curtiss, Zoey Curtiss, Niva Helmuth, Tara Poole, Kylee Statler, Anna Torok, Claire Withrow and Malia Yoder. Academic All-Conference cross country athletes included Jesse Blossom, Micah Gerber, Kyle Neuschwander and Delaney Shaw. Morgyn Nafziger was honored as a manager.

Through the Superconference, Ravens honored for their work in the winter included Bryce Bailey, Josiah Beachy, Grant Bender, Mason Bender, Micah Gerber, Lincoln Miller, Rowan Miller, Seth Ours, Jace Rempel, Ethan Yoder, Lydia Beachy, Jesse Blossom, Hailey Chalupa, Zoey Curtiss, Niva Helmuth, Abigail Kacmarynski, Tara Poole, Delaney Shaw, Mariam Sow, Anna Torok, Claire Withrow and Malia Yoder.

In the spring, Raven track athletes Jesse Blossom, Erin Bontrager, Morgyn Nafziger, Delaney Shaw and Claire Withrow were named Academic All-Conference.

To make the Superconference list a student athlete must participate in a sanctioned sport and maintain a GPA of 3.5 or better.

Our top ten countdown of Hillcrest sports stories continues tomorrow when our ninth story takes us to the softball diamond.