Congratulations to Kaleesa Houston on being chosen to represent Waconia High School as our 2019 Athena Award winner! Kaleesa’s excellence and leadership in Wildcat athletics, as well as in the classroom and the community, has distinguished her as an outstanding recipient for this award. Kaleesa Houston, daughter of Louise and Jason, has been an outstanding member of our Cross Country team and continues to be an exceptional leader in Track and Field.
To date, Kaleesa’s efforts have earned her seven varsity letters, 12 All Conference awards, six section awards and a captaincy in Cross Country and Track and Field. Kaleesa holds the school record for the 5k and shares that going to state in Cross Country her sophomore year in high school was one of her career highlights! Kaleesa is a three-time State Cross Country Running qualifier and as a Senior earned the Section 2AA Championship title with a stellar time of 18:25 in the 5k race!
Academically, Kaleesa has maintained a 3.88 GPA making the A-Honor Roll four consecutive years and has been named a four-time academic All-State winner. In addition, Kaleesa has earned three WHS Academic Letters and a Spotlight on Scholarship award in each of her athletic seasons since 2015! Kaleesa has also been very active in school and community activities participating in a variety of program offerings including: Peer Mentor, International Club, served as a graduation usher, Carver County Library volunteer and served in a leadership role as a member of the WHS Students Against Destructive Decisions organization. This extremely humble student athlete, as a 9th grader, also earned a Black Belt in Karate! Kaleesa plans on majoring in Exercise Science at North Dakota State University with the goal of becoming a Physical Therapist while participating on their Cross Country and Track and Field teams! Congratulations and Best Wishes Kaleesa!
Danielle Pioske, daughter of Patricia and Brian Pioske, is an outstanding student athlete who has been a wonderful role model within Waconia High School’s Volleyball and Track and Field programs. Danielle’s dedicated efforts have earned her four varsity letters in Volleyball and five varsity letters in Track and Field. On the volleyball court, Danielle served as a team captain, was named All Conference and MVP twice and achieved a remarkable milestone securing her place in the record books with 1,000 career digs. Described by her Wildcat Head Volleyball coach as a “student athlete that demonstrates a strong work ethic and competitiveness that positively influences the players and coaches around her, Danielle is an amazing leader.”
And lead by example she does, especially in Track and Field! Danielle has attained many truly amazing Track and Field accomplishments, and as she enters the sixth year of her career, much more is sure to come! In addition to being named team captain Danielle is a two-time winner of the Track and Field MVP award. Danielle has earned eleven individual All Conference titles and eight Section Championship titles. In addition, Danielle was a member of the 2017 Section Track and Field Championship Team and just recently broke her own school record in the long jump, with a jump of 18ft 1.5 inches at the 2018 Marshall Track meet. Danielle has earned All State honors for the past four consecutive years and to highlight her career are two MSHSL State Champion gold medals Danielle earned as a member of the 2015 and 2016 State Championship 4 X 200m relay teams!
Academically, Danielle has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout her high school career; is a two-time Award of Excellence recipient, has earned a MSHSL Spotlight on Scholarship award in each of her activities for the past five years and has been named a four-time academic All-State winner. Danielle has also been very active in school and community activities participating in a variety of program offerings including: National Honor Society, Peer Mentors, Conservation Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the America Reads program. Danielle has accepted a volleyball scholarship at Drake University.
Congratulations to Molly Reighard on being chosen to represent Waconia High School as our 2017 Athena Award winner! Molly’s excellence and leadership in Wildcat athletics, as well as in the classroom and the community, has distinguished her as an outstanding recipient for this award. Molly Reighard, daughter of Heather and Brian Reighard, has been an enthusiastic teammate in Cross Country and Basketball and continues to be an exceptional team leader in Track and Field. Molly’s efforts have earned her a Varsity letter in Cross Country and two letters in Basketball.
However, Track and Field is where Molly continues to shine! Molly has attained many truly amazing Track and Field accomplishments, and as she enters the sixth year of her stellar career, much more is sure to come! In addition to being a five time letter winner, Molly has been named captain for the 2017 Track and Field season and is a three time winner of the Track and Field MVP award. Molly has earned thirteen individual All Conference titles and three Wright County Conference Team Championship titles. Molly holds six school records in the long jump, 100m dash, 200m dash, 400m dash, 4 x 100m relay, and the 4 x 200m relay. She is also a member of the 4 x 200m relay team that set the record for the Hamline Elite meet. Molly’s accomplishments at the State Track and Field meets are many: 3rd place – 100m Dash (2015 & 2016), 4th place – 200m Dash (2015 & 2016), 3rd place – 4 X 200m relay (2014) and to highlight her career are two MSHSL State Champion gold medals Molly earned as a member of the 2015 and 2016 State Championship 4 X 200m relay team! Academically, Molly has maintained a 3.99 GPA making the A-Honor Roll four consecutive years and has been named a four-time academic All-State winner.
Molly has also been very active in school and community activities participating in a variety of program offerings including: Peer Mentors, Conservation Club, Unified Basketball, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the America Reads program. Molly has accepted a track and field scholarship at Loyola University Chicago where she will be majoring in Biology. Congratulations Molly and best wishes for a successful Track & Field season and collegiate career, we are proud of you!
Congratulations Ally Marrs on being chosen to represent Waconia High School as our 1st female student athlete to have earned the prestigious, Athena Award. Ally’s excellence and leadership in athletics, as well as in the classroom and the community, has distinguished her as an outstanding recipient for this award. Ally Marrs, daughter of Nancy and Michael Marrs, has been a team leader in Cross Country, Hockey and Track. Her athletic accomplishments as a three-sport athlete throughout her high school career are impressive. Ally is a five-time letter winner in Cross Country and was voted team captain of the 2015 Cross Country team. Ally is a four-time letter winner and was named All Conference and Academic All State in hockey.
Additionally, Ally was a strong, contributing member of the 2015-2016 Wright County Conference Championship Girls Hockey Team. Ally’s numerous track honors include being named team captain and Academic All State, earning multiple All Conference, Section and State Awards and earning an athletic letter in each season of participation. Ally’s twelve total career athletic letters is quite remarkable, to say the least! In the Spring of 2015, Ally’s prowess in track shined through when, along with her teammates, they set the school record for both the 4x200m Relay and the 4x100m Relay and then secured the State 4x200Meter Relay Team Championship Title! Academically, Ally is outstanding. Ally is a member of the International Club, has earned four academic letters and has been on the Waconia High School “A” honor roll with a 4.0 grade point average throughout her career.
Ally is extremely involved as a volunteer with the America Reads program and at Ridgeview Medical Center. She also serves as a Freshman Peer Mentor, a confirmation sponsor and as a youth hockey coach. With a resume like this, Ally is sure to be successful as she enters college at either UW-Madison or Notre Dame and studies Biology with plans to continue on to medical school. Congratulations to Ally on being named the 1st Waconia High School Athena Award representative.