At SoMo Sports, we understand the importance of student-athletes competing in prep sports in terms of development, both mentally and physically, for young adults who are preparing for life after high school.
Not only does competing in prep sports help build character, but it also provides student-athletes with tools such as communication, leadership and self-drive that will benefit them as they continue on life’s journey.
With that in mind, SoMo Sports wanted to honor the top Winter Season athletes in the area who put in countless hours of hard work during practice, workouts, games/meets as well as on their own time by naming them as a SoMo Sports Athlete of the Year.
The standout athletes are chosen by SoMo Sports reporters Jason Peake and Lucas Davis, who tirelessly cover prep sports for Joplin and its surrounding communities during the school year. Along with nominations by area coaches, SoMo Sports used individual accomplishments during the regular season and postseason as well as team success as factors for choosing each athlete of the year.
Each winter season sport will have an Athlete of the Year, and if warranted, there may be one or two honorable mentions per sport as well.
BOYS BASKETBALL
All Wright, junior, Joplin
Joplin junior All Wright had one of the better statistical seasons in program history for the Eagles in 2022-23.
While helping to lead the Eagles to a 17-10 record, Wright’s offense was a problem for teams to gameplan for, as he averaged 25.7 points per game.
He shot 44 percent from the field—knocking down more than half of his shots (50.1%) from inside the arc—and finished with a field goal percentage of 49.3. He made 31.7 percent of his 3-pointers (57-for-180) and was also a 72.9 percent free-throw shooter (137-for-188).
Wright added 4.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game on the offensive end, while finishing the year with 37 steals and eight blocks, with 45 deflections, on the defensive end.
Wright was a first-team All-Central Ozark Conference selection and was the 4-States Basketball Coaches Association Player of the Year.
HM: Max Templeman, senior, Carthage
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Destiny Buerge, senior, Carl Junction
Destiny Buerge’s remarkable high school basketball career ended on the state’s biggest stage.
A do-it-all standout guard, Buerge led Carl Junction to a state runner-up finish in Class 5.
As a senior, Buerge averaged 24 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.2 steals and 3.5 assists per game, leading the Bulldogs to a 30-2 record.
With Buerge leading the way, Brad Shorter’s Bulldogs set a school record for wins, won a conference title, captured a district championship for the eighth straight season and tied the best state finish in program history.
Among her many accolades, Buerge was named the Class 5 Co-Player of the Year, the District 7 Player of the Year, the Central Ozark Conference Co-Player of the Year and the 4-States Basketball Coaches Association POY.
The all-time leading scorer at Carl Junction, girls or boys, Buerge concluded her prep career with 2,465 points.
Buerge has signed with Pittsburg State University.
HM: Kianna Yates, senior, Carthage
GIRLS SWIMMING
Chloe Miller, junior, Carl Junction
Carl Junction’s Chloe Miller capped her outstanding junior year by reaching the awards podium in four events at the 2023 MSHSAA Class 1 Swimming and Diving Championships.
The area’s lone state champion in the pool, Miller won the 50-yard freestyle in 23.6 seconds to capture the gold medal. Miller also finished fifth in the 100 freestyle with a time of 53.94 seconds.
Miller also earned all-state honors as part of two relays. Carl Junction’s 200 freestyle relay team of Madeleine Garoutte, Skyler Sundy, Elyanna Dogotch and Miller placed fourth, while the team of Garoutte, Sundy, Dogotch and Miller took seventh in the 400 free relay.
Next, Miller won two individual events at the SWMO Championships—the 50 free and the 100 free. Miller also swam on the winning 200 free relay and the runner-up 400 free relay at the event.
Miller was part of four event wins at the Central Ozark Conference Meet.
Miller was the individual conference champion in both the 50 free and the 100 free while also swimming on CJ’s winning relays (200 free, 400 free).
Miller, who maintained a 4.0 GPA, went undefeated in the 50 free during the season.
HM: Madison Riley, senior, Carthage; Skyler Sundy, senior, Carl Junction
BOYS WRESTLING
Brady Roark, senior, Seneca; Samuel Murphy, junior, McDonald County; Jayce Hitt, junior, McDonald County
Seneca’s Brady Roark and McDonald County’s duo of Samuel Murphy and Jayce Hitt all captured state championships in 2022-23, with all three athletes earning SoMo Sports Co-Boys Wrestler of the Year recognition.
Roark once again was electric for the Indians, but this time it was at 132 pounds.
He closed the season with an impressive 56-0 record, winning districts, the Big 8 Conference as well as several tournaments.
Roark, who has signed with South Dakota State, capped his career with a 4-0 record at the Class 2 state tournament, pinning each opponent on the way to his third career first-place medal at the state tourney.
Murphy was just as dominant at 215 pounds for the Mustangs.
He closed the year with a 44-1 record and earned a Class 3 state title with a sudden victory in overtime of the finals matchup.
Murphy earned his way to the last match with a 4-3 decision in the opening round before a pin and a 3-2 decision in the semifinals.
Hitt went 26-0 en route to winning the Class 3 state championship at 285 pounds. Hitt won three of four matches at state by fall, including the title match.
Hitt, who battled a foot injury during the season, earned individual titles at the Big 8 Conference Meet and the district tournament.
HM: Eli Zar, senior, Neosho
GIRLS WRESTLING
Isabella Renfro, junior, Seneca
Seneca’s Isabella Renfro was once again a dominant force in the girls wrestling for the 2022-23 season.
After a record-setting sophomore campaign, Renfro followed up with a 47-0 record at 190 pounds.
In her third year with the Indians, Renfro captured the Big 8 Championship, a district title and added another state championship medal with a 4-0 run in the final meet of the year, finishing with three pins before an 8-2 decision in the state finals.
