Another award for Yohn

Katie Yohn may have graduated from St. Edward High School, but her resume of high school awards hasn't quit growing.

The Illinois High School Association announced Tuesday that Yohn had been selected as one of only seven athletes statewide to earn a Sportsperson of the Year award for the 2008-09 school year.

The seven individuals were honored for their outstanding sportsmanship during interscholastic competition.

Yohn, the two-time Daily Herald all-area captain for girls basketball as well as the 2008-09 Daily Herald Female Athlete of the Year, was a four-year member of St. Edward's girls volleyball and basketball teams, where she helped the Green Wave to a 2007 Elite Eight appearance in basketball and a third-place state trophy in volleyball in 2008.

Now a freshman on the Bradley University women's basketball team, the 5-foot-10 Yohn is the school's all-time leading scorer in girls basketball and was named to three all-state teams her senior year. She was also a four-year academic honor roll student at St. Edward.

"She is a leader among her peers," St. Edward teacher and soccer coach Tim Brieger wrote in his nomination to the IHSA. "She possesses a strong work ethic and desire to succeed, while always demonstrating a positive attitude on and off the court.

The other Sportsperson of the Year awards went to Jennifer Abercrumbie of Chicago Marist, Rahul Kamath of Downers Grove South, Garrett Mulchrone of St. Ignatius, Pat Wampler of Champaign Central, Taylor Pullman of Riverton and Ryan Brown of Shelbyville.

"Being named an IHSA Sportsperson of the Year is a tremendous honor, as these seven individuals represent some of the best and brightest in the state," said IHSA Assistant Executive Director Beth Sauser, whose scoring record at St. Edward Yohn broke. "One of the IHSA's missions is to produce better citizens through involvement in high school sports and activities. These young people are living proof of that ideal and exemplary role models for the students that will follow them at their respective high schools."

Applicants were judged by a committee of IHSA staff members based on letters of recommendation highlighting their skills and sportsmanship, participation in sports and activities, academic performance, application essays and overall involvement in their school and community.

Each winner will receive a plaque and a $500 scholarship during the Illinois Principals Association conference in October.