Paul Beranek-Ravenna
COACH PAUL BERANEK RAVENNA Paul Beranek’s specialty was painting basketball masterpieces. He was an art teacher for 31 years at Ravenna before passing away from cancer in 2015. In his 25 years as boys’ basketball coach, the Bluejays made nine state tournament appearances. The golden era included four state championships (with undefeated teams in 2005 […]
Shaquil Barrett-Boys Town
ATHLETE SHAQUIL BARRETT Boys Town (Class of 2009) Living in inner-city Baltimore, Shaquil Barrett’s father wanted his two sons to have a safer environment, so he placed them at Boys Town. Shaquil’s first game in the NFL brought him full circle—a win against his hometown Ravens. In his two years at Boys Town, he was […]
Deverell Biggs-Omaha Central
ATHLETE DEVERELL BIGGS Omaha Central (Class of 2010) Deverell Biggs came up—well—big in key moments of his athletic career. At the 2010 state track and field meet, he won the high jump on the first day with a mark of 7-0, earning his second all-class gold in the event, which tied for seventh all-time. He […]
Reshea Bristol-Omaha Bryan
Athlete RESHEA BRISTOL-ATHLETE OMAHA BRYAN-1996 A two-time all-state basketball selection who finished with 1407 points, Reshea Bristol led Omaha Bryan to three Class A tournaments and a runner-up finish in 1995. She earned All-Metro honors in volleyball her junior and senior seasons and competed for the Bears in soccer and track. The 1996 B’nai […]
Jackie Brandt-Omaha Benson
Athlete JACKIE BRANDT-ATHLETE OMAHA BENSON-1952 Before winning a Gold Glove as an outfielder for the San Francisco Giants, Jackie Brandt was the primary scoring threat for the Omaha Benson football team and four-year letterman on the Bunnies basketball and baseball teams. His senior year of football, he scored 52 of the Bunnies 71 points. […]
Kimera Bartee- Omaha Central
Athlete KIMERA BARTEE OMAHA CENTRAL-1990 A speedy outfielder/second baseman, Kimera Bartee was Omaha Central’s first baseball player to make the major leagues. He batted .455 and stole 25 bases his senior season, signing with Creighton. He helped the Bluejays qualify for the College World Series in 1991 and stole 27 bases in 1993, which remains […]
Casey Beran- Sargent
Athlete CASEY BERAN SARGENT-1995 A three-sport star who earned 12 letters in high school, Casey Beran led Sargent to the state football semifinals, averaged a double-double in basketball and set the school record in the shotput. An all-state pick at defensive end, he rushed for over more than 1000 yards his senior season, a year […]
Ted Butler-Lincoln Southeast
Athlete The consensus athlete of the year as a senior, Ted Butler wreaked havoc on the football field and the wrestling mat, and he carried a big stick on the baseball diamond. A two-time state champion heavyweight wrestler, he compiled a 111-19 record, losing only one match after his sophomore year.Playing center and defensive line, […]
Andy Birkel-Lincoln Southeast
Athlete Andy Birkel swept the all-class gold medals in the 100, 200 and 400 meter dashes at the state track meet to complete an undefeated senior season and one of the most outstanding years in state high school history. The consensus Athlete of the Year, Birkel earned all-state honors at wide receiver on the Knights’ […]
Nicole Brungardt-Norfolk Catholic
Athlete From the second she entered high school, Nicole Brungardt established a standard of greatness. Starting every volleyball and basketball game for four years, and accumulating seven gold medals at the state track meet, she earned Athlete of the Year honors as a senior. On the volleyball court she set the Norfolk Catholic record for […]