St. Joseph Sports Commission recognizes local student athletes and coaches

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — St. Joseph student athletes and coaches at the top of their game were recognized during the 2026 St. Joseph Sports Inc. Awards Presentation held Monday night at Missouri Western State University.

Community Engagement Award of Excellence

Nominees received a $200 scholarship with the winner being awarded a $750 scholarship.

Nominees for this year’s Community Engagement Award of Excellence, sponsored by the St. Joseph Sports Commission were: Cammie Peters, Benton; Cole Kelley, Benton; Lily Bridges, Lafayette; Ayden Hardy, Lafayette; Melody Montgomery, Central; Ethan High, Central; Reagan Maudlin, St. Joseph Christian; Aiden Martindell, St. Joseph Christian; Gracie Ide, Bishop LeBlond; and Brody Cathcart, Bishop LeBlond.

The winners are:

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Gracie Ide, Bishop LeBlond, whose volunteer activities include being the founder of the St. Joseph Catholic Academy Tutoring Program and Noyes Home caroling.

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Ethan High, Central, whose volunteer activities include being a Real World Learning Student Ambassador, Image Youth Group Leader and a member of the Church Praise Team.

Coach of the Year Award

Nominees included Ryan Madison, Lafayette; Jared Boone, Benton; Dr. James Schoonover, St. Joseph Christian; Chuck Davis, Bishop LeBlond; and Callene Farrell, Central.

The winner is:

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Coach of the Year: Jared Boone, Benton, who led the Benton boys basketball team to one of the most successful runs in program history.

For Boone, he credits the people around him for this putting him in the position to receive the award.

“Everything is very humbling, very exciting,” Boone said. “I'm not in this position without my players, coaching staff and my schools administration. Theirs a lot that goes into this (coaching a team). This is an award for a lot of people, not just myself.”

Scholar-Athlete of the Year Awards

Nominees received a $750 scholarship and the winner received a $1500 scholarship.

The winners are:

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Eliana Arambula, Benton, is a multi-sport senior including volleyball, soccer, track and basketball. She is a four-year varsity starter and a multiple All-Conference, All-District, All-City and All-0State selection, earning player of the year honors and helping lead her team to state runner-up finishes. She also carries a 4.34 GPA, Summa Cum Laude honors and extensive leadership and service involvement.

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Kanon Wetlaufer, Central, is a a decorated senior, competing in football, basketball and baseball. A two—year football captain, he earned All-City, All-Conference, All-District and Academic All-State honors while setting school passing records in touchdowns and yards. Wetlaufer also ranks in the top 3% of his class with a 3.98 GPA , 35 college credit hour sand 4.00 GPA through Missouri Western State University’s Early College Academy.

With this being Arambula’s senior year, she expressed her gratitude to win the award and the support she’s received from the Benton community.

“It feels amazing (to receive this award),” Arambula said. “As soon as I found about this award it was something I really strived for. This (award) means a lot because I know I have pushed myself academically and athletically in all four of years, all the time.”

Wetlaufer, finished this past season ranking sixth among all players in the state in passing yards in football. He completed 164 of his 312 passing attempts for 2,646 yards and 30 touchdowns.

Now finishing his senior year, he appreciates having his friends and family help him reach this accomplishment.

"It's a great honor, but I want to shout out everyone that's gotten me to this point," Wetlaufer said. "There's a lot of people that have helped me get here, like my coaches and my family members. It's just a testament to show what they put into me and it came out."