Warrior Pride: 5 Unforgettable Athletes From Waukee High School

Sports run deep in Waukee, and Waukee High School has long been at the heart of it. It’s no surprise some standout talent once wore the Warrior uniform. Today we're celebrating five unforgettable athletes from Waukee High School who made a name for themselves well beyond the hometown field.

Omaha Biliew – Five-Star Hoops Recruit Turned ACC Forward

Omaha Biliew was a consensus five-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American from Waukee High School. His path included time at national powerhouse Link Year Prep, but he returned to Waukee for his senior year, capping a prep career that kept him among the top-ranked players in the country. Known for his shot-blocking ability, Biliew made history as the highest-rated recruit ever to commit to Iowa State, though he later transferred to Wake Forest. (Source: Des Moines Register, ESPN)

Lauren Nidey – Soccer Standout & Academic Leader

As a goalkeeper for Waukee High School, Lauren Nidey was a four-year varsity starter and two-time First Team All-State selection, recording over 500 career saves and maintaining a remarkable save percentage near .900. A multi-sport athlete and National Honor Society member, she also earned multiple academic honors and club championships with VSA Rush. Nidey now plays Division I soccer at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. (Source: Milwaukee Panthers Athletics)

Michael Jacobson – Dual-Sport Star Turned NFL Tight End

Michael Jacobson dominated the hardwood at Waukee High School, averaging over 18 points and 9 rebounds as a senior and turning down a football scholarship to play college basketball. After stints at Nebraska and Iowa State — where he earned Big 12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year — Jacobson made a rare leap from basketball to football, signing as a tight end with several NFL teams, including the Colts and Saints. (Source: Des Moines Register, ESPN)

Brooke Boardman – Augusta Finalist & State Golf Champion

A breakout golf talent from Waukee, Brooke Boardman first made waves at age 13 in the Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals at Augusta National. By her senior year, she had evolved into one of Iowa’s top high school golfers, clinching the Class 4A individual state title with an 11-stroke win and helping Waukee secure the team championship. Boardman’s clutch putting — including a dramatic birdie in a five-way playoff — earned her a spot in the U.S. Women’s Amateur and a scholarship to the University of Kansas. (Source: USGA, Waukee Schools)

Jake Knott – Multi-Sport Marvel & NFL Linebacker

Jake Knott was a three-sport All-State athlete at Waukee High School before choosing to play football at Iowa State, where he became one of the Cyclones’ most feared defenders. Signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent, Knott made a splash in his NFL debut by recovering an onside kick. Despite a career disrupted by injuries and a suspension, Knott's athleticism and grit made him one of the most respected athletes to come out of Waukee. (Source: Waukee Patch, ESPN)

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