Bishop Ward High School senior Kylie Burns signed to play basketball for University of Alaska Anchorage on May 26. She is pictured here with her parents, Linda and Mike Burns, and Bishop Ward Head Basketball Coach Carlos Williams.

This past season, Kylie averaged about 20 points a game with 6 rebounds and was a leader on the court.

“Kylie is a very talented ballplayer and a determined individual,” Head Basketball Coach Carlos Williams said. “At the next level she will work extremely hard to become a better collegiate athlete. With her work ethic and drive Anchorage Alaska will be pleased with their choice.” 

Kylie has recently received several honors for accomplishments as a girls’ basketball player. Most recently, she was named Kansas Female High School Athlete of the Year in the Kansas City Metro area by the Kansas City Sports Commission.

She also was one of only 23 girls from the state of Kansas to be selected to the national McDonald’s All American team.

Kylie was selected for the Hy-Vee/Pepsi High School All-Star Challenge on April 10 at the Independence Events Center. This event showcases some of the top senior basketball players around the city. The game was featured on Metro Sports cable channel.

Senior Chris Huey signed to play basketball with University of St. Mary on May 5.

Chris is a 6’4 guard and has played at basketball for Bishop Ward for four years, including two years on varsity. Chris was voted one of two captains his senior year.

“Chris’s height and athleticism will really help him at the next level, as he frequently uses his 6’4 frame in order to get difficult shots off in the lane or to change the shots of opponents,” Assistant Basketball Coach Daniel Reimer said.

Chris is pictured here (front row) with his parents Joanne Huey and Chris Huey and (back row) University of St. Mary Assisant Coach Brian Rutz, Chris's siblings Elizabeth Huey and Andrew Huey, and Bishop Ward Assistant Basketball Coach Daniel Reimer.

Senior Alex Orel signed to play baseball for Benedictine College on April 30.

As a junior, Alex was selected 2nd team all state outfielder by the Kansas Baseball Coaches Association. He was also selected 1st team all Kaw Valley League outfielder in 2009.

This year, Alex is hitting 428 with 15 RBIs for the 11-6 Cyclones.

“Alex has good instincts, along with a strong arm,” Head Coach Dennis Hurla said. “As a hitter, he has the ability to drive the ball to either gap. Alex has a bright future as a college baseball player.”

PHOTO: Alex is pictured here (front row) with his parents, David and Eileen Orel (back row) Head Baseball Coach Dennis Hurla and Benedictine Head Baseball Coach Doc Beeman.

Senior Aaron Connor signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball with the University of St. Mary on April 22. Pictured here (front row, left to right) Bishop Ward Assistant Basketball Coach Daniel Reimer, Aaron Connor, University of St. Mary Assistant Coach Brian Rutz, (back row, left to right) Athletic Director Joel Heider, Aaron’s sister Elizabeth Connor, and Aaron’s parents Ann Connor and Joe Connor.

Aaron is a 6’1 guard and has played for the Bishop Ward varsity basketball team for the last two seasons.

“Aaron is an excellent 3 point shooter and free-throw shooter,” Bishop Ward Head Basketball Coach William Buser said. “He made 86 percent of his free throws this past season.”

Aaron also ran for the cross country team and the track team during his high school career.

On Feb. 10, Bishop Ward High School senior Zach Nill signed a National Letter-of-Intent to play football at Benedictine College. Zach is pictured here (front row) with his parents Randy and Diane Nill and (back row) Assistant Football Coach Travis Grosdidier and Head Football Coach Greg Duggins. 

Zach is 6’4 and 225 lb. and has played TE and DE the past two seasons and made every catch he got his hands on this year and was a consistent blocker.

Zach added great strength and depth to the D-line this fall. He attracted interest at all levels-small college, D-II and JUCO in FB and basketball as well. Zach was named All-KVL honorable mention at TE and was an All-Area player at TE.

Zach was also named as the “Cyclone Award” winner this past season by his teammates. The Cyclone Award goes to the student/athlete that best exemplifies true Spirituality, great character and service to others.  

On Feb. 5, Bishop Ward High School senior Jenny Schneider signed to play softball for Ottawa University. She is pictured here (front row) with her parents Greg and Kathy Schneider and (back row) Bishop Ward Assistant Softball Coach Jennifer Orth, Ottawa University Coach Jay Kahnt, and Bishop Ward Head Softball Coach Natalie Muehlberger.

Jenny Schneider has been a varsity pitcher her entire career and also plays third base. Schneider pitched 127 innings her junior season and faced 550 batters. She gave up 107 hits and had 106 strikeouts and only walked 14 players. She posts a 1.5 ERA and only had a 0.187 batting average against her. She was voted to the 2nd team All Kaw Valley league and voted MVP by her teammates. She was a captain her freshmen and junior seasons.

Schneider also helped lead Bishop Ward’s varsity softball team to the state tournament as a Junior, and pitched all three games at Regionals.

Schneider has spent most of her career as clean-up hitter. She led the 2009 team with a 0.333 batting average and had a 0.424 slugging percentage. She also led the team in fielding percentage with a 0.964.

“Jenny Schneider has been an inspirational leader since the first day she stepped on the field as a freshman,” Bishop Ward Head Softball Coach Natalie Muehlberger said. “She is a natural leader and has made our program better just by being a part of it.”