By Joseph T. O’Connor
Explorebigsky.com Editor
BIG SKY – Lone Peak High School’s athletic program is relatively new. Varsity football and volleyball are in their second years. Yet players for both teams are being recognized as some of the best in the state, for athletics as well as academics.
The varsity volleyball team led the honors by achieving a team cumulative GPA of 3.2, an impressive accomplishment, said Tony Beardsley, LPHS’ activities director. The team had six Academic All-State selections, meaning players receiving a varsity letter who also achieved a 3.5 GPA or better.
Varsity football was close behind, with a 3.0 cumulative team GPA and nine players chosen for Academic All-State awards.
Tucker Shea, a senior football player at LPHS, led the pack of decorated athletes. He made Montana’s six-man football All-State team for his second year in a row, the All-Conference team, and was invited to play in the Class “C” six-man senior football game.
“When you look at our awards, Tucker stands out,” said Beardsley, also head coach for the football team. “To have an All-State football player is one of the biggest things and shows our program is one of the best in the state.”
Shea’s biggest accomplishment, however, may have been off the field. His 4.08 GPA earned him an Academic All-State selection and he was one of 20 finalists for the Wendy’s National High School Heisman award, a program which honors students “through star performance in the classroom, on the field and in the community,” according to the award website. Each state picks one boy and one girl for award consideration.
“These [accolades] show LPHS is on the move,” Beardsley said.
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LPHS Varsity Volleyball Academic All-State
Tehya Braun
Johanna Fischer
Gabrielle Gasser
Soby Haarman
Zoe Ross
Kaela Schommer
LPHS Varsity Football Academic All-State
Justin McKillop
Ben Michel
Micah Robin
Chase Samuels
Tucker Shea
Tate Tatom
Winter Madden-Pattison
Jake Cruse
Cooper Shea
Football All-Conference Player Selections:
Tucker Shea
Jake Cruse
Haven Morris
Football Honorable Mention All-Conference Player Selections:
Tanner Burton
Tate Tatom
Football All-State Player Selections:
Tucker Shea
Selected to Class “C” 6-Man Senior All-Star Football Game in June:
Tucker Shea
Jake Cruse
Haven Morris
Grayson Bell (Alternate)
Dan Klein (Alternate)
