06/21/19- Ferguson tabbed Midway University/KHSAA Female Student-Athlete of the Year for 2018-19

August 21, 2019 2018-2019 News Releases

Ferguson tabbed Midway University/KHSAA Female Student-Athlete of the Year for 2018-19

The third annual Midway University/KHSAA Female Student-Athlete of the Year program concluded when the award winners from the past year were invited to campus for a ceremony to announce the overall winner for 2018-19. It was announced at the ceremony that Maci Ferguson (tennis) of Russell High School was named the overall winner for 2018-19.

A 2018 graduate of Russell High School, Ferguson left a lasting impact in her time as a standout for the Red Devils. A two-time Doubles State Champion and a four-time All-State Tennis Team Selection, Ferguson helped lead the Red Devils to five consecutive Region Championships. She also is a three-time Region 16 Player of the Year who also won the 2017 Wendy’s Heisman Award.

Ferguson not only excelled on the court, but also in the classroom. While putting in many hours with lessons and travel on the weekends, she holds a perfect GPA while taking many ‘Advanced Placement’, Honors, and Dual Credit courses. She also was the Student Body Vice President and was involved in numerous clubs and activities within Russell High School.

When she is not working on excelling her craft in the classroom or on the court, Ferguson is putting others above herself with her work in the community. She could likely be found at Bridges Church in Russell, while also volunteering at the Ashland Tennis Center and the East Greenup County Kiwanis Club.

The Midway University/KHSAA Female Student-Athlete of the Year award is based upon overall athletic performance (60%), academic achievement (20%) and community service (20%). Students must possess an overall grade point average of 3.0 or better to qualify, and must be academically eligible during the season in which they are nominated. School administrators, coaches and athletic directors nominate student-athletes online at KHSAA.org, and the nominees are voted upon by a closed panel consisting of representatives from Midway University.

2018-19 Award Winners (May 2018 through April 2019)

• 2018 Bass Fishing – Morgan Miracle (Garrard County)
• 2019 Bass Fishing – Hannah Wesley (Boyle County)
• 2018 Tennis – Maci Ferguson (Russell)*
• 2019 Tennis – Natalie Chou (Sacred Heart)
• 2018 Track & Field (1A) – Alli Cundiff (University Heights)
• 2018 Track & Field (2A) – Marly Walls (Nelson County)
• 2018 Track & Field (3A) – Rachel Boice (Oldham County)
• 2019 Track & Field – Promise Cross (Rowan County)
• 2018 Softball – Olivia Palask (Calvary Christian)
• 2019 Softball – Brooke Meier (Villa Madonna)
• 2018 Golf – Ava Dillow (J. Graham Brown)
• 2018 Field Hockey – Megan Read (Kentucky Country Day)
• 2018 Cross County – Sarah Been (Elizabethtown)
• 2018 Soccer – Ashley Durik (Sacred Heart)
• 2018 Volleyball – McKenna Vicini (Lexington Catholic)
• 2018 Competitive Cheer – Hannah Daniels (Knox Central)
• 2018 Dance – Allie Potts (Madisonville North Hopkins)
• 2019 Bowling – Taylor Petrey (Corbin)
• 2019 Swimming & Diving – Olivia Greinke (Henry Clay)
• 2019 Basketball – Savannah Jordan (Conner)
• 2019 Archery – Julia Shepherd (Lynn Camp)

*overall winner for 2018-19

Maci Ferguson becomes the second winner from Russell High School joining Sara Hieneman (softball) who won the award for 2017-18. Sacred Heart’s Brooke Forde (swimming & diving) was the program’s inaugural winner for 2016-17.

	2018-19 Midway University/KHSAA Female Student-Athlete of the Year Award Winners
	Golf – Ava Dillow (Brown School) A member of Brown’s golf team since the 6th grade, Ava qualified for the 2017 Leachman Buick GMC Cadillac/KHSAA Girls’ Golf State Tournament and finished 23rd overall. She has qualified for the All “A” State tournament four-straight years and is a two-time KY JR PGA player of the year. Ava is very involved with her community, serving as a volunteer for three years at the Don Fightmaster golf tournament for exceptional children and at St. John Bible school. She is also a volunteer for CLOUT, Citizens of Louisville Organized Together, and the treasurer for KY United Nations Assembly (KUNA). She is a part of the Raceland Assembly and received the Louisville Mayor’s Award of Excellence. Ava boasts a 3.93 GPA and is in the National Honor Society and National Society of High School Scholars, Beta Club and participated in the Governor’s School of Entrepreneurs in the summer of 2018.
	Volleyball – McKenna Vicini (Lexington Catholic) A volleyball letterman since 8th grade, McKenna earned All-City honors her sophomore and junior years, as well as All-District and Second Team All-State as a junior, while sporting a 3.95 GPA. She has received two MaxPreps player of the week awards, and was a part of the USA Volley National Youth Training Team her freshman and sophomore year. McKenna was a part of the JVA All-National Team in 2017 and 2018 and is committed to play volleyball at Stanford University. An active member in the community, McKenna has been a house mentor for two years, along with a student ambassador at her school the two years prior. She also tutored kindergarten students at Stonewall Elementary School for three years, volunteered at her school’s Dance Blue for three years, and helped with Mary Queen of the Holy Rosary’s Fall Festival.
	Field Hockey – Megan Read (Kentucky Country Day) Megan was selected for the Junior Olympic and Future Olympic teams in 2017, and also played with the USA National Indoor Team (2017-2018). She earned Second Team All-State honors in 2015 and First Team All-State accolades in 2017, while also garnering a spot on the KHSAA All-State Tournament Team. She was chosen to play in the Junior All-Star game in 2017, while also being named All-State by the Louisville Courier-Journal, and has committed to play field hockey at the University of Michigan. Academically, Megan was a National Merit Semifinalist, a member of the KCD Honors Program and a High Honors Student in 2017. She boasts a 3.86 GPA and was on the NFHCA High School National Academic Squad for two years (2016 and 2017).
	Soccer – Ashley Durik (Sacred Heart) A four-year letterman and two-year team captain, Ashley earned First Team All-State and All-Region honors in in 2017 and was a finalist for the Courier-Journal Soccer Player of the Year award. She garnered All-State Second Team and All-Region First Team accolades in 2016, and helped Sacred Heart to the KHSAA State Championship in 2015. In addition, Ashley was a part of Kentucky Olympic Development from 2012-15 and has committed to Cornell University. A Full IB (International Baccalaureate) Student at Sacred Heart, Ashley boasts a 4.0 GPA and has been on her school’s honor roll and Principal’s list every year. She is a part of the National Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society, and was a member of Future Doctors of America all four years. Her extracurricular activities include the Centro Mundo Leguna Immersion Program (Seville, Spain), the Thai Elephant Conservation Project (Thailand), and the National Leadership Youth Forum, Medicine that took place at UCLA and Northern Illinois University.
	Cross Country – Sarah Been (Elizabethtown) A two-time region champion in Cross Country, Sarah placed 7th at the 2017 KHSAA 2A State Championships. In Track & Field, Been has captured two state titles, winning the 3200 meters in 2018 while contributing to Elizabethtown’s 2A state record in the 4×800 meter relay. She holds school records in the 1600 meters, 3200 meters, 1-mile and 5K Track, and the fifth-best time in the 800 meters. A 4.0 GPA student, Sarah is involved in multiple clubs and organizations, including Student Council, KYA, Y-Club and Beta Club. She routinely volunteers at Feeding America, a local food back that supplies 42 counties with food for children and families in need, and packs bags for a backpack program that sends food home with students over the weekends.
	Competitive Cheer – Hannah Daniels (Knox Central) A three-time All-American cheerleader, Hannah competes as a flyer, tumbler and cheerleader at Knox Central while boasting a 4.0 GPA. She is also a past recipient of Knox Central’s Most School Spirit Award and the 110% Award. Hannah is very involved in her community, having volunteered for Hearts for University of Kentucky NICU, Relay for Life, coat and food drives, a nursing home and the Heart and Soul Life Center. Her extracurricular activities include working as an Upward Cheer Coach, being a Science Olympiad, the Congress of Future Medical Leaders and the Summer Health Scholars. She is also a part of the Kentucky Youth Assembly, Junior Achievement program and Lego Robotics.
	Dance – Allie Potts (Madisonville-North Hopkins) An NDA All-American with a 4.0 grade point average, Allie is a three-time recipient of the Spirit Award and Showmanship Award at NDA camp. After serving as a co-captain during the 2017-18 season, Allie was named team captain the following year and also received the Pin It Forward Award, which is given by a peer for having an impact on another peer. An active volunteer in her community, she has been on several mission trips, including the Adventure Serve Mission Trip in Eastern Kentucky, and played a role in creating a mural to promote water conservation and helped clean out a cave in Eastern Kentucky. She has also volunteered at Highpoint food and clothing shelter, the local hospital and the local animal shelter.
	Bowling – Taylor Petrey (Corbin) As a member of the bowling team for four years, Taylor has garnered many accolades in her time as Corbin’s anchor, including high honors at the KHSAA State Tournament. As a junior, Taylor was runner-up at the state tournament, after a semifinalist finish in 2016. She has earned a spot on several All-Tournament Teams and finished 38th in the National High School Bowling Championship. Taylor was also named the 2018 TRISPY Girls Bowler of the Year, and outside of school has seen success bowling for the Kentucky USBC. A 4.0 GPA student, Taylor is a very active member of her school and community, serving with the Junior Historical Society, FCCLA, BioMed, National Honor Society, International Thespian Society, BETA, Choir, and as the stage manager of the Redhound Theatre Program. She also volunteers for Relay For Life, 4H Summer Camp, and Baptist Health Hospital.
	Swimming – Olivia Greinke (Henry Clay) As the captain of Henry Clay’s swim team, Olivia has been a regional and city finalist over the course of various seasons. She has qualified for the swimming and diving state championships multiple times, including the 2019 state meet where she placed 16th in the 100 breast and contributed to a 12th-place finish in the 200 medley relay. A 4.0 GPA student, Olivia is active in extracurricular activities, serving as the secretary of Henry Clay’s environmental club, working with an environmental group with students from area schools, participating in STEM Club and assisting others as a calculus tutor.
	Basketball – Savannah Jordan (Conner) A 1,000 point scorer, Savannah has received multiple honors during her playing career at Conner, twice being named to the All-9th Region Team, along with a spot on the 33rd District All-Tournament Team. Outside of basketball, she excels academically, boasting a 4.0 GPA and a 34 on her ACT. She is also very involved in her community, including Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America, the National Honor Society, Taste of Hope for the Ronald McDonald House, and involvement in multiple fundraisers and events for cancer patients.
	Archery – Julia Shepherd (Lynn Camp) As a member of the archery team since middle school, Julia has finished in 1st place at over 20 archery meets. In addition, she has in the top-4 at multiple regional meets. A multi-sport athlete, Julia also competes on the softball and basketball teams at Lynn Camp. A 4.0 GPA student, Julia is a very active member of her school, participating in the BETA Club and the Governor’s Cup Competition Team, while also serving as Vice President of Finance for DECA Club. She is also very involved in the community, having gathered donations for Operation Christmas Child, assisting with a cancer survivor dinner, and volunteering with a Christmas giveaway for families in need.
	Bass Fishing – Hannah Wesley (Boyle County) A member of the Boyle County Bass Fishing team since the 8th grade, Hannah Wesley was the first high school angler invited to be on Team United States in the 2019 Pan Am Games in October. She was named the first Midway Female Bass Fishing Angler of the Year for the 2015-16 season and qualified for the KHSAA State Bass Fishing Championship the following year. She finished top five in the 2018 Bradley Roy Open out of 115 boats including 230 anglers, while also being the first female high school angler to participate in the Professional Bass Series on Kentucky Lake, Lake St. Clair and Cumberland the same year. Hannah is heavily involved in her community as a member of Pleasant Run Baptist Church along with volunteering for the Kiwanis Club, Kids Day and Camp Horsin’ Around, where she fished with at-risk and disabled campers.
	Tennis – Natalie Chou (Sacred Heart) A team captain and member of Sacred Heart’s #1 doubles team, Natalie Chou has been named to the Courier Journal Metro Louisville Area Girls Tennis Team every year since 2015 and earned the Decoturf High School Tennis Team Championship Sportsmanship Award in 2017. She has contributed to two State Team Runner-Up finishes (2016 and 2017), two Regional Doubles Championships (2017 and 2018), along with State Team Championship in 2018. She has been a tennis clinic instructor for Down syndrome individuals since the fall of 2015 at the Buddy Up Tennis Program in Louisville. Chou also excels off the tennis court, sporting a 4.0 GPA while earning a spot on SHA’s Principal List for three-straight years. She has been very involved in academic programs outside of her school as well, as part of the Stanford Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills Internship in 2018 and the Yale Young Global Scholars Programs at Yale University in 2017 and Singapore/Yale in 2016.
	Track & Field – Promise Cross (Rowan County) A multi-sport student-athlete, Promise Cross earned all-state honors in Track and Field while also competing in Basketball and Soccer at Rowan County. She scored her 1,000th career point in the 2019 16th Region Tournament and grabbed her 500th career rebound in the same game. In Soccer, Cross earned All-Region and All-State honors in 2018 after scoring 33 goals. In Track, Cross participates in the High Jump, 300M Hurdles, Long Jump and Triple Jump. As a sophomore in 2018, Cross won the 2A State Championship in the High Jump and placed 16th nationally in the High Jump at the 2018 New Balance Outdoor Nationals. As a junior, she traveled with her AAU team (Kentucky Elite runners) to the Music City Indoor Invitational held at Vanderbilt University and placed 1st with a high jump of 5’6”. In the classroom, Cross has maintained a 3.7 GPA and stays involved in her community as a volunteer at the Rowan County Middle School Youth Services Center and with 4H as a camp counselor in the summer.
	Softball – Brooke Meier (Villa Madonna) An accomplished student-athlete during her career at Villa Madonna, Brooke Meier was a member of Conference Championship teams in Volleyball, Soccer, Softball and Track. As Softball became her main sport, Meier, a pitcher and shortstop, earned 9th Region All “A” Classic All-Tournament honors as a sophomore and junior. She broke the school record for most consecutive shutouts (10) and total shutouts (12), which placed her second in the KHSAA record book. Meier was the only Northern Kentucky high school player who competed for a Select National Team in the 2018 Cup International Fastpitch Championship in Rotterdam, Netherlands. During that time, Brooke and several teammates volunteered to participate as USA hosts for a clinic that was offered for Dutch youth softball players. An exceptional student, Meier sports a 3.9 GPA while being a member of the National Honor Society. As a junior, she received First Team State All-Academic Team accolades from the Kentucky Softball Coaches Association.

Editor’s Note: Winner photos are available for download from Dropbox. Natalie Chou and Morgan Miracle are not pictured as they were unable to attend the event.