2024 GHS Athletic Hall Of Fame - Class Of 2024

Chris Ford

Chris Ford was a key figure in GHS athletics for three years. While he helped the 1977 Maple Leaf basketball team win the first Regional Championship in the history of the school, it was the on gridiron where he excelled for three years. A two-time All-NCIC selection, he gained All-State honors as a senior. He was a three-year starter on teams that were 39-1, and collected three consecutive State Championships. He followed his high school career with four years at Augustana College, again with All-Conference honors and an All-Amereican selection as a senior. Chris has continued to share his talents as a coach at Christian Hope Academy and has served on the National Fellowship of Christian Athletes Football Board.

Lori (Hofer) Boldt

Lori (Hofer) Boldt was a three-peat standout at GHS for four years and added track as a fourth effort as well. In volleyball, she was All-Conference for two years and was chosen as MVP her senior year. During her three year varsity softball tenure, she again gained All-Conference honors after her senior year. On the basketball court she was a four year varsity performer, again earning All-Conference honors twice. After her senior year, Lori was chosen as the GHS Female Athlete Of The Year. After GHS, Lori entered the University of Illinois where she participated in volleyball and basketball.

Autumn (Bassett) Heap

Autumn (Bassett) Heap began her interest in golf at an early age, crediting her initial interest to her family outings at the Geneseo Country Club, beginning in 7th grade. Autumn played softball at GHS, but her focus continued to be golf. She played during summers at the Club and credits Julie (VerHeecke) Frels with helping her, especially with her short game. While in high school, she continued to play in summer tournaments, became a four year varsity letter winner and was the first GHS female golfer to excel in the postseason. She won the IHSA Regional, carding a 77, establishing a school record. Autumn led her team to the State Tournament, the very first GHS Golf team, boys or girls, to do so. That team finished 4th in the State, with Autumn placing 7th individually. After GHS, Autumn took her game to the collegiate level, playing at Illinois State University

Todd Akers

Todd Akers was a three sport athlete at GHS, winning All-Conference honors in both football and basketball where he was also named to the Quad-City and Kewanee Hog Fest All-Star teams. However, his highest honors were on the track where he ran the hurdles, and in the field, where he triple jumped, long jumped and high jumped, and was a four year letter winner. He was the NCIC High Jump Champ and qualified for the State Finals twice. Todd’s GHS record of 6’11” still stands after more than three decades. He received a track scholarship to the University of Illinois where he placed 6th in the Big Ten Outdoor Meet and also began competing in the javelin and the decathlon. After the U of I, he has become a National Registered Paramedic and is a certified search and rescue diver.

Marc Motzer

Marc Motzer was a three sport standout at GHS beginning in wrestling his freshman year when he was a NCIC Conference Champion, on his way to becoming a four year varsity performer. On the football field, he was a two year starter at quarterback, passed for 1,000 yards, was twice an All-NCIC selection, and was named to the Quad-City All-Star team and played a key role on the 1990 IHSA Football State Runner-up squad. Marc was a starter on the GHS Baseball team for three years, again earning NCIC honors and was named the Quad-City outstanding defensive player of the year. He topped off his GHS days by being awarded the John McCormick award as the outstanding Male Athlete of the Year. After GHS, Marc went to Kirkland College where he was a two-year starter and helped lead them to the JUCO World Series. He followed Kirkwood with a stint at Iowa State as a two year starter. After his collegiate days, Marc played with multiple professional teams and was invited to camp with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Allison (Farrell) Cooney

Allison (Farrell) Cooney began a career on the golf course as a GHS freshman that would distinguish her in high school and later at Western Illinois University. At GHS, she was named to the All-Metro golf team four years running, and was All-Conference as a junior and a senior, was named MVP for three years, and was chosen as area Pacesetter. Allison was regional champion her senior year, carding a 78 for the win. Allison's finish at the Sectional meet her senior year qualified her for State. After her GHS days, Allison continued her golf career at Western Illinois University with significant accomplishments on the links consistently for four years accompanied by Summit League All-Academic honors and was named a Distinguished Scholar. During the summer of 2024, Allison teamed with her dad to win the Father/Daughter Invitational Tournament in Kerry, Ireland.

Don Fredericks

Over more than three decades, Don Fredericks established a career resume at GHS that goes far beyond the overwhelming number of successes that his teams rang up. The numbers alone reflect only a small portion of his contribution to our school and community. Don's focus has always been on the student, not what he or she accomplished on the track or in the field, but their personal growth as a person, how they treat themselves and others with the dignity they deserve. While Don's athletes' accomplishments read like a litany of excellence, those who have had the privilege of his influence, from his very early days at GHS until the present, remember and speak of his conduct towards everyone, regardless of athletic success. Don Fredericks set the highest standard of character possible.

2007-2008 Maple Leafs Basketball Team

The 2007-2008 Maple Leafs Basketball team, coached by GHS grad Brad Storm was a senior dominated squad that was ranked all year in the State top 20 and topped their season with 20 wins. They began the season by winning a championship of their own Thanksgiving Tourney and finished it off with a trip to the Sweet 16. In the interim, they played to a second place finish in the rugged NCIC Conference, won two games at the prestigious Pekin Holiday Tournament, and reached the Championship game in the Iowa/Illinois Shootout, falling in triple overtime to the top team from Iowa. In the postseason, the Maple Leafs were Regional Champions and qualified for the Sectional finals, placing them in the Sweet 16 for only the second time in Maple Leafs Basketball history.

VanKerrebroeck Finishes 3rd At GHS F/S Invite

October 3 - Country View GC
Final Standings
Moline 161
Geneseo 182
Rock Island 195
Alleman 205
Sterling 212
Geneseo B 231

GHS Results
t-3rd: Kellen VanKerrebroeck (42 / +6)
t-6th: Carter Dickey (44 / +8)
t-8th: Eli Palmer (46 / +10)
16th: Ian Catour (50 / +14)
t-19th: Jack Gehling (54 / +18)
23rd: Lucas Rodriguez (55 / +19)
t-26th: Tyler Gerstel (59 / +23)
t-26th: Aiden DeCap (59 / +23)
t-26th: Tyler Massingill (59 / +23)
t-31st: Raidyn Allison (63 / +27)
33rd: Grant Bjorkman (69 / +33)

Leafs Take 3rd At Sterling Regional, Advance To Sectionals

October 2 - 2A Sterling Regional - Emerald Hill GC
GHS Results
1st: Bryson VanHoutte (80 / +8)
9th: Kwin Van Kerrebroeck (84 / +12)
14th: Elijah Ford (88 / +16)
18th: Grady Bernahl (91 / +19)
21st: Ashton Veloz (94 / +22)
32nd: Drew Kelly (97 / +25)

Final Standings
Dixon 336 (Advances to Sectional)
Byron 338 (Advances to Sectional)
Geneseo 343 (Advances To Sectional)
Sterling 351
Princeton 355
Rochelle 355
Rock Falls 385
Stillman Valley 409
Kewanee 421

The Leafs will compete at the 2A Maple Park Kaneland Sectional. The meet will take place on Monday October 7th at the Hughes Creek Golf Course in Elburn.

Lady Leafs Finish 5th At Galesburg Regional.....DeGrave, Roberts, & Seei Advance

October 1 - Galesburg Regional - Lake Bracken CC
GHS Results
14th: Claire DeGrave (93 / +22) Advances
15th: Keely Roberts (94 / +23) Advances
22nd: Olivia Seei (99 / +28) Advances
38th: Katy Wilson (107 / +36)
48th: Lillian Bellagamba (112 / +41)
49th: Shay Schehl (113 / +42)

DeGrave, Roberts, & Seei will compete at the 2A Normal University Sectional. The meet will take place on Monday October 7th at the Weibring Golf Club in Normal.

Final Standings
Dunlap 344
Morton 366
Pekin 374
Moline 390
Geneseo 393
Quincy 414
Rock Island 420
Washington 425
Galesburg 449
Bartonville (Limestone) 479
Jacksonville 479
Peoria (Richwoods) 324* (3 golfers)
East Peoria 339* (3 golfers)

Veloz Earns Medalist, Leafs Victorious Over Orion In Regular Season Finale

September 30 - Oakwood CC
Maple Leafs 162 Orion 185

GHS Results
1st: Ashton Veloz (38)
2nd: Bryson VanHoutte (39)
4th: Kwin VanKerrebroeck (42)
5th: Elijah Ford (43 )
6th: Drew Kelly (44)
9th: Grady Bernahl (48)

JV 176 Orion 203
t-1st: Owen Parker (43)
t-3rd: Kellen VanKerrebroeck (44)
t-3rd: Brody Clementz (44)
t-7th: Dylan Cotty (45)
9th: Matthew Johnson (49)
t-10th: Carter Dickey (52)

Maple Leafs Victorious On Senior Night, Finish 8th At Sterling Invite

September 25 - Country View GC
Maple Leafs 149 UTHS 194

GHS Results
 1st: Bryson VanHoutte (33 / -3)
2nd: Kwin VanKerrebroeck (37 / +1)
3rd: Elijah Ford (39 / +3)
4th: Drew Kelly (40 / +4)
5th: Grady Bernahl (44 / +8)
7th: Ashton Veloz (47 / +11)

September 26 - Sherrard - Country View GC
Maple Leafs 153 Sherrard 189

GHS Results
 1st: Bryson VanHoutte (34 / -2)
2nd: Kwin VanKerrebroeck (39 / +3)
t-3rd: Elijah Ford (40 / +4)
t-3rd: Ashton Veloz (40 / +4)
5th: Drew Kelly (43 / +7)
7th: Grady Bernahl (45 / +9)

JV Results
Maple Leafs 174 Sherrard 128 (2 golfers)
 1st: Owen Parker (40 / +4)
2nd: Dylan Cotty (42 / +6)
3rd: Brody Clementz (45 / +9)
4th: Carter Dickey (47 / +11)
t-5th: Aiden Brudos (51 / +15)
t-5th: Kellen VanKerrebroeck (51 / +15)

September 28 - Sterling Invite - Emerald Hill GC
Final Standings
Riverdale 312
Sterling 335
DeKalb 336
Dixon 336
Sycamore 341
Rock Island 342
Maple Park (Kaneland) 351
Geneseo 352
Rochelle 363
Yorkville (Parkview) 391
Sherrard 400
United Township 446

GHS Results
4th: Bryson VanHoutte (76 / +4)
23rd: Ashton Veloz (88 / +16)
t-38th: Kwin VanKerrebroeck (94 / +22)
t-38th: Elijah Ford (94 / +22)
43rd: Drew Kelly (96 / +24)
57th: Grady Bernahl (103 / +31)

Busy Week For The Maple Leafs, VanHoutte Medalist In Galesburg

September 16 - Pirate Invitational - Deer Park CC
Final Standings
1st: Normal (University) 285
2nd: Minooka 288
3rd: Ottawa (Red) 291
4th: Aurora (Marmion) 297
5th: Beecher 303
6th: Geneseo 304
t-7th: Bartonville (Limestone) 308
t-7th: Spring Valley (Hall) 308
9th: Peoria (Christian) 319
10th: Morris 321
t-11th: Oswego 323
t-11th: Maple Park (Kaneland) 323
13th: LaSalle-Peru 329
14th: Dixon 333
15th: Streator 336
16th: Ottawa (White) 339
17th: Yorkville (Parkview Christian) 379
18th: Sycamore 380

GHS Results
3rd: Bryson VanHoutte (68 / -2)
t-27th: Kwin VanKerrebroeck (77 / +7)
t-34th: Ashton Veloz (78 / +8)
t-44th: Elijah Ford (81 / +11)
t-63rd: Drew Kelly (85 / +15)
96th: Owen Parker (95 / +25)

September 17 - Oak Run GC
Maple Leafs 161 Williamsfield 164

GHS Results
 2nd: Kwin VanKerrebroeck (39 / +4)
3rd: Ashton Veloz (40 / +5)
t-4th: Drew Kelly (41 / +6)
t-4th: Grady Bernahl (41 / +6)
t-9th: Dylan Cotty (44 / +9)
11th: Owen Parker (45 / +10)

Underclass Score
JV 165 Williamsfield 201
t-1st: Kellen VanKerrebroeck (40 / +5)
t-1st: Brody Clementz (40 / +5)
3rd: Carter Dickey (42 / +7)
4th: Matthew Johnson (43 / +8)
t-7th: Adam Johnson (52 / +17)
11th: Brock Marshall (55 / +20)

September 18 - Bettendorf Golf Invite - Palmer Hills GC
Final Standings
Pleasant Valley 290
Dubuque (Wahlert) 295
Eldridge (North Scott) 297
Moline 299
Port Byron (Riverdale) 300
Central DeWitt 301
Bettendorf 309
Metamora 325
Davenport (Assumption) 335
Geneseo 339
Rock Island 344
Burlington 344
Clinton 373
Davenport (Central) 376

GHS Results
Bryson VanHoutte (78 / +7)
Kwin VanKerrebroeck (83 / +12)
Ashton Veloz (87 / +16)
Drew Kelly (91 / +20)
Elijah Ford (93 / +22)
Kellen VanKerrebroeck (98 /+27)

September 19 - Bunker Links GC
Galesburg 158, Maple Leafs 162, Alleman 191

GHS Results
Medalist: Bryson VanHoutte (34)
Elijah Ford (39)
Owen Parker (44)
Grady Bernahl (45)
Dylan Cotty (51)
Kellen VanKerrebroeck (52)

September 20 & 21 - Pekin Dragon Invite - Lick Creek GC
GHS Results
Bryson VanHoutte (145 / +1)
Kwin VanKerrebroeck (168 / +24)
Elijah Ford (168 / +24)
Ashton Veloz (169 / +25)
Drew Kelly (173 / +29)
Brody Clementz (205 / +61)

Final Standings
Moline 590
Normal (University) 604
O’Fallon 607
East Peoria 612
Washington 616
Pekin 618
Chatham (Glenwood) 618
Metamora 620
Edwardsville 622
Dunlap 624
Bartonville (Limestone) 633
Alton 640
Geneseo 640
Morton 642
Normal (Community) 644
Peoria (Notre Dame) 647
Belleville (West) 648
Quincy 648
Rock Island 651
Peoria (Christian) 660
Lockport 662
Richwoods 662
Normal (West) 667
Bloomington 669
Springfield 670
Champaign (Central) 674
Delevan 687
Springfield (SHG) 698
Pontiac 704
Bloomington (Central Catholic) 744

Successful Week For Lady Leafs Golf, Medalist Honors For DeGrave & Seei

September 17 - Oak Run GC
Lady Leafs 173 Williamsfield 215

GHS Results
 1st: Claire DeGrave (37 / +1)
2nd: Olivia Seei (38 /+2)
t-3rd: Keely Roberts (49 / +13)
t-3rd: Shay Schehl (49 / +13)
t-7th: Katy Wilson (56 / +20)
t-7th: Lillian Bellagamba (56 / +20)
Also competing for GHS was Paysli Christ (75 / +39)

September 18 - Saukie GC
Lady Leafs 171, Rock Island 192, Alleman 46 (1 golfer)

GHS Results
 1st: Olivia Seei (36 / +2)
t-2nd: Claire DeGrave (43 / +9)
t-2nd: Keely Roberts (43 / +9)
8th: Shay Schehl (49 / +15)
9th: Lillian Bellagamba (57 / +23)
12th: Paysli Christ (72 / +38)

September 19 - Oakwood CC
Moline 198 Lady Leafs 204

GHS Results
 1st: Olivia Seei (46 / +11)
t-2nd: Claire DeGrave (48 / +13)
7th: Keely Roberts (53 / +18)
9th: Shay Schehl (57 / +22)
11th: Lillian Bellagamba (68 / +33)
12th: Paysli Christ (79 / +44)

September 21 - Macomb Invitational - Gold Hills CC
Final Standings
Quincy (Notre Dame) 321
Monmouth (United) 337
Geneseo 362
Quincy 389
Glasford (Illini Bluffs) 401
Macomb 409
Carthage (Illini West) 414
Aledo (Mercer County) 426
Havana 503
Also competing were Canton, Pittsfield, & Hamilton

GHS Results
 7th: Keely Roberts (85 / +15)
12th: Olivia Seei (88 / +18)
16th: Claire DeGrave (92 / +22)
22nd: Katy Wilson (97 / +27)
26th: Shay Schehl (101 / +31)

Lady Leafs Win At Lake Bracken, Wrap Up Final Home Meet With Win Over Metamora

September 11 - Lake Bracken CC
Lady Leafs 199, Galesburg 217, Knoxville 172 (3 golfers)

2nd: Olivia Seei (43 / +7)
5th: Claire DeGrave (49 / +13)
6th: Keely Roberts (52 / +16)
t-7th: Shay Schehl (55 / +19)
9th: Katy Wilson (56 / +20)
11th: Lillian Bellagamba (64 / +28)
Also competing was Paysli Christ (80 / +44)

September 12 - Geneseo CC
Lady Leafs 177 Metamora 187

 1st: Olivia Seei (40 / +5)
3rd: Keely Roberts (43 / +8)
4th: Claire DeGrave (44 / +9)
t-6th: Katy Wilson (50 / +15)
11th: Lillian Bellagamba (55 / +20)
12th: Shay Schehl (56 / +21)
13th: Paysli Christ (73 / +38)

VanHoutte Wins Again, Earns Medalist At Metamora Redbird Classic

September 13/14 - Metamora Fields GC
Metamora Redbird Classic

Final Standings
Pleasant Valley 586
Washington 623
Pekin 632
Metamora 634
Geneseo 635
Wheaton (St. Francis) 642
Bartonville (Limestone) 643
Chicago (Payton) 654
Lombard (Montini) 676
Sycamore 678
DeKalb 686
Yorkville 687
Galesburg 691
Bloomington (Central Catholic) 694
LaSalle-Peru 698

GHS Results
1st: Bryson VanHoutte (142 / E)
Kwin VanKeerebrocek (157 / +15)
Ashton Veloz (164 / +22)
Eli Ford (172 / +30)
Drew Kelly (175 / +33)
Dylan Cotty/Grady Bernahl (198 / +56)

September 9 - Highland Springs GC
Rock Island 165 Maple Leafs 171

 t-3rd: Bryson VanHoutte (41)
t-3rd: Ashton Veloz (41)
6th: Eli Ford (44)
7th: Drew Kelly (45)
8th: Kwin VanKerrebroeck (47)
11th: Dylan Cotty (56)

Underclass Score
JV 188 Rock Island 204
1st: Grady Bernahl (43)
2nd: Kellan VanKerrebroeck (45)
5th: Carter Dickey (49)
6th: Owen Parker (51)
t-7th: Brock Marshall (53)
9th: Brody Clementz (54)