Chancellors Pride: 5 Unforgettable Athletes From Shawnee Mission West High School

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

1. Matt Freije - Former Professional Basketball Player

Matt Freije is a former professional basketball player known for his scoring ability and long career at both the collegiate and professional levels. A standout at Shawnee Mission West High School, he was named Mr. Kansas Basketball in 2000 before heading to Vanderbilt University, where he became the school’s all‑time leading scorer by the time he graduated and earned First‑Team All‑SEC and All‑American honors. Freije was selected in the second round of the 2004 NBA Draft by the Miami Heat. He went on to play in the NBA with the New Orleans Hornets and Atlanta Hawks, appearing in 42 total league games before later having a lengthy international career. In recognition of his impact, he was inducted into the Vanderbilt Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017 as one of the Commodores’ greats. (Sources: VU Commodores, NBA)

2. Sinclair Miramontez - NWSL Professional Soccer Defender

NWSL defender Sinclaire Morgan Miramontez had accomplished high school career at Shawnee Mission West, earning First-Team All-American, three-time First-Team All-Sunflower League Defense, two-time First-Team All-State and Sunflower League Defender of the Year in 2015. Sinclair continued her soccer career as a star at the University of Nebraska, earning multiple All‑Big Ten honors and being recognized on the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List. Miramontez was selected in the 2020 NWSL Draft by the North Carolina Courage, marking her transition to the professional game. She also spent time with Racing Louisville FC and OL Reign, contributing as a defender in the league. Her college career was highlighted by consistent starting roles, regional honors and participation in U.S. Youth National Team camps, reflecting both her athletic and academic commitment. (Sources: Huskers, ESPN)

3. Sydney Miramontez - Retired NWSL/International Professional Soccer Player

Sydney Miramontez is a retired NWSL and international soccer player, as well as the older sister of Sinclair. A standout at Shawnee Mission West, she set school records for goals and assists, while also earning several accolades, including All-Sunflower League Offensive Player, All-American Honorable Mention, four-time First-Team All-Sunflower League, and Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year runner-up. Sydney also continued her playing career at the University of Nebraska, where she continued to be an offensive contributor with multiple goals, assists and earned conference recognition. Sydney’s professional career included time with FC Kansas City, Utah Royals FC, and a loan stint with the Western Sydney Wanderers in Australia’s W‑League. She also made appearances for Kansas City NWSL before retiring from professional competition in 2020. (Sources: Huskers, ESPN)

4. Steve Towle - Former NFL Linebacker

Steve Towle is a former NFL linebacker who played his entire professional career with the Miami Dolphins after being drafted in the 1975 NFL Draft. A product of Shawnee Mission West and the University of Kansas, Towle is best remembered for his tackling ability, including setting the Dolphins’ single‑season tackle record with 217 in 1976 and being named the team’s MVP that season. Over six seasons, Towle was a defensive stalwart during the Dolphins’ competitive run in the late 1970s, establishing himself as a key figure in Miami’s linebacker corps. (Source: NFL)

5. Jay Jeffrey - Multi-Sports Baylor Hall of Famer

Jay Jeffrey is a former college football and baseball player and coach who grew up in Overland Park and starred at Shawnee Mission West. In football, Jeffrey played quarterback at the University of Missouri before transferring to Baylor University, where he became a standout and helped lead the Bears to the 1980 Southwest Conference championship and a Cotton Bowl appearance. He also contributed on the baseball diamond at Baylor as a shortstop and left fielder. After his playing days, Jeffrey transitioned into coaching, serving on the staff at Southwest Texas State University as both a football assistant and the head baseball coach during the program’s move to NCAA Division I. Even after transitioning into a successful career in business, Jeffrey remains part of a family with deep athletic ties, including induction into the Baylor Athletic Hall of Fame. (Source: Baylor Bears)

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.