Katy ISD Students Earn Academic All-State Honors in Cross Country, Football, Team Tennis, and Volleyball
Dozens of Katy ISD student-athletes have been recognized for their academic excellence and athletic achievements, earning spots on the Texas High School Coaches Association (THSCA) Academic All-State list for fall sports. These honors span multiple disciplines, including cross country, football, team tennis, and volleyball, and highlight the commitment of Katy ISD students both on the field and in the classroom.
To qualify for Academic All-State recognition, a student must be a senior in good standing with their respective team, possess good moral character, and maintain a grade point average (GPA) of 92 or higher. In addition, SAT/ACT scores and class rank are considered, with nearly perfect academic performance required to make the Elite team.
Lance Carter, the Executive Director of Athletics in Katy ISD, praised the student-athletes for their accomplishments: “These student-athletes have proven themselves not just in their respective sport but also as scholars. Congratulations to them all for distinguishing themselves in the classroom and on their field of play.”
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Cross Country
The cross country teams from several Katy ISD high schools excelled in both competition and academics. At Cinco Ranch High School, Richard Gurch earned 1st Team honors, while his teammates Alexander Hahn-Vadstein, Caroline Kemner, and Tomas Tellez were also recognized, with Tellez achieving Elite status. Jordan High School had a strong showing with Eamon Krom, Sofia Mera, and Rishaan Malik earning 1st Team and Elite placements, respectively. Katy High School’s Evan Couture earned 2nd Team, while Paetow High School’s Michelle Odima secured a 1st Team spot.
Other notable achievements include Seven Lakes High School’s Grayson Smith and Kayla Yang earning 1st Team honors, while Taylor High School’s Michael Klahn earned 1st Team recognition. Overall, Katy ISD’s cross country athletes demonstrated strong academic and athletic performances.
Football
In football, Cinco Ranch High School’s Luke Mathiasmeier achieved the Elite distinction, and several of his teammates, including Ali Kraidid and Carson Wald, earned spots on the 1st Team and Honorable Mention lists. Jordan High Schoolhad standout performances from Minkyu Lee and Roc Tenpenny, with Lee making 1st Team and Tenpenny earning 2nd Team. Katy High School saw multiple athletes honored, including Ryan Carbone (1st Team) and Carter Hansen (Elite). Paetow High School’s Alfred George earned 1st Team recognition, contributing to the school’s impressive showing.
Athletes from other schools, such as Seven Lakes High School’s Anthony Li (Elite) and Tompkins High School’s Etoro Bassey (Honorable Mention), were also recognized for their exceptional performances.
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Team Tennis
The Cinco Ranch High School team shone in team tennis, with several players making the Academic All-State list. Eddy Guo earned the Elite distinction, while Felice Bulos and Sophia Lukyanchenko were named to the 1st Team. Jordan High School's Sami Boinpalli and Soham Deshpande both made the Elite team, while Katy High School’s Victoria Liu and Paetow High School’s Ethan Everk also received recognition for their academic and athletic achievements.
At Seven Lakes High School, Isaree Mahaarnichanon and Annie Wang earned 1st Team and Elite honors, respectively, showcasing the depth of talent across the district’s tennis teams. Tompkins High School players like Abigail He and Kevin Wu were also honored for their outstanding performances.
Volleyball
In volleyball, several players from Cinco Ranch High School received academic honors, including Nicole Teerman (2nd Team) and Maggie Finnegan (2nd Team). Katy High School had a strong presence with Kaysen Miller and Allison Sanders earning 1st Team recognition. Mayde Creek High School’s Ehiose Esechie earned the Elite distinction, showcasing the talent from across Katy ISD.
Paetow High School's Kate Bailey and Seven Lakes High School’s Sophia Mao both earned 1st Team honors. Tompkins High School’s Aileen Liang and Taylor High School’s Shelby Landry were also named Honorable Mention for their achievements.
These Academic All-State honors recognize the hard work and dedication of student-athletes who balance their academic responsibilities with their commitment to their teams. “These young athletes have proven that success on the field or court is just as important as success in the classroom,” said Carter. “We are incredibly proud of all of them.”
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
