By Scott Hansen
MaxPreps.com
2007-08 Nebraska Boys Athlete of the Year
Brett Maher, Kearney
Maher moved to Kearney after his father accepted a position in Kearney from Centennial High School in Utica. The Bearcats were glad Maher made the move.
In football, Maher was an All-State kicker on the Class A semifinalist. As a wide receiver, Maher caught 40 passes for 775 yards and 10 touchdowns. Maher hit 41 of his 46 extra point attempts and was 8 for 14 on field goals.
Maher stepped right into the starting line up for the Bearcats in basketball, averaging 11.5 points per game on a state tournament qualifier.
Maher also made a huge impact for Kearney’s dominant track and field program. Kearney won the boys team title thanks to Maher setting the tone with his state record mark of 16-2 in the pole vault. Maher also won the long jump with a hop of 22-10¾.
Maher will walk-on at Nebraska for football as the Cornhuskers are making strides to restore their tradition with non-scholarship players.
Honorable Mention
- Kash Kalkowski, Grand Island: Kalkowski was a glue player for the Islanders in basketball, averaging 6.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.2 assists. In baseball, Kalkowski led the eighth-seeded Islanders to the Class A state championship. In the opening round, Kalkowski won the first of his two games in the state tournament over top-seeded Creighton Prep. Kalkowski hit .472 and was 6-2 from the mound with a 1.74 ERA. Kalkowski will attend Nebraska for baseball.
- John Leverson, Crete: Leverson was a three-sport star for Crete, but made the most impact on the gridiron. Leverson led Crete to two straight Class B football titles. Operating out of the wishbone, Leverson rushed for 1,155 yards and threw for 738. On defense, Leverson logged 92 tackles, swiped six interceptions, and had three fumble recoveries. In basketball, Leverson averaged 16.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per contest. In track, Leverson was one of the top high jumpers in the state before an injury forced him to miss the state track meet. Leverson accepted a football scholarship to attend Nebraska
- Bryson Mahlberg, Elwood: The Elwood quarterback rushed for 1,454 yards and 34 touchdowns and threw for 1,356 yards and 21 scores for the Class D1 semifinalists. Mahlberg averaged 26.3 points and 7.7 rebounds at just 6-1. Mahlberg finished his career on the hardwood as the all-time leading scorer in school history. In track, Mahlberg won a silver medal in the 300-meter hurdles before winning a bronze in the 100-meter hurdles. Mahlberg will attend Doane College, an NAIA school in Crete, Neb, for track.
- Jens Scholl, Deshler: Deshler won the Class D state title in cross country, completing the course in 17:03.26. In basketball, Scholl led Deshler to the Class C2 state tournament while averaging 21.1 points and 10.9 rebounds per game. In track, Scholl won three Class D gold medals in the 800, 1,600, and 3,200 in May. Scholl will compete in basketball and track at Doane College.
- Joey Spellerberg, Fremont Bergan: Spellerberg set a Class C2 state record by throwing for 2,546 yards and 29 touchdowns, completing 64.4 percent of his passing attempts as a senior for the Knights. In basketball, Iowa State recruit Wes Eikmeier grabbed the headlines, but Spellerberg was a presence in the Class D1 state title by averaging 6.5 points per game. Spellerberg also shot a 153 to win the Class D state golf title in May, his second straight title after winning Class C2 in 2007. Spellerberg will attend Nebraska for golf.
- Kendall Wehrle, Papillion-LaVista South: Wehrle was an All-State performer in basketball for the Titans, averaging 18.5 points and 7.7 rebounds per contest. Wehrle was the first 1,000-point scorer in school history. In baseball, Wehrle hit .476 from the plate and knocked in 36 runs for South. Pitching is Wehrle’s forte’, and as a senior he finished with a 5-3 mark on the mound. The 6-6 pitcher has a live arm and could be a major prospect in the future. Wehrle has signed to play baseball at Arkansas under former Nebraska coach Dave Van Horn.
Nebraska School Activities Association Boys Cup Winners
Information obtained from NSAA website
Class A Cup Champion
Millard West Wildcats, 346.25 points
Other Top Finishers: Omaha Creighton Prep, 332.5; Kearney 311.25; Lincoln East, 273.75; Omaha Westside, 250; Millard South, 240; Millard North, 228.75; Omaha Central, 215; Grand Island, 207.5; Fremont, 197.5.
Class B Cup Champion
Lincoln Pius X Thunderbolts, 302.5 points
Other Top Finishers: Omaha Skutt Catholic, 300; Elkhorn, 297.5; Gretna, 242.5; Beatrice, 232.5; Scottsbluff, 180; York, 180; Grand Island Northwest, 165; McCook, 157.5; Omaha Gross Catholic, 157.5.
Class C Cup Champion
Norfolk Catholic Knights, 287.5 points
Other Top Finishers: Bennington, 207.5; Hastings St. Cecilia, 195; Grand Island Central Catholic, 190; Perkins County, 177.5; Lincoln Lutheran, 175; Pierce, 170; Wahoo Neumann, 150; David City, 150; Nebraska City Lourdes Central Catholic, 147.5; Minden, 147.5.
Class D Cup Champion
Humphrey St. Francis Flyers, 177.5
Other Top Finishers: Fremont Bergan, 175; Burwell, 142.5; Ewing, 135; Hayes Center, 132.5; Pleasanton, 127.5; Elgin Pope John, 127.5; Bertrand, 117.5; Chambers, 112.5; Pawnee City, 112.5.
Scott Hansen: maxprepsok@sbcglobal.net
