Clawson High School Names Athletes of the Year

The Athletic Department has named seniors Emily Banules and Kevin Cunningham the 2010-11 Robert Herm Athletes of the Year.

In addition to their athletic prowess, each athlete excels in the classroom as Cunningham is this year's salutatorian and Banules was in the Top 10 of the senior class.

Banules strives for success

Banules follows in the footsteps of her brother, Anthony Banules, who won the award in 2009. Banules said she was excited.

"I was just happy because I knew I had worked hard for it," she said.

Banules enjoyed volleyball most in her high school career as she was No. 1 in the region. Her best sport of all time may be soccer where she was named to the All State team. She also competed on the swim team where she said she "swam with the guys but didn't get much recognition."

Banules said volleyball head coach Jenny Brown is her favorite coach.

Soccer coach Jared Kullman knows Banules is an athlete to be emulated.

"Emily is a student athlete to be modeled after and a deserving recipient of this year's Athlete of the Year," Kullman said. "She was a three-year starter for the three years she played for the girls varsity soccer team." 

She "was one of my top players each year," Kullman said. "She received all conference and all district awards each year and last year was named all state as a junior."

Her prowess in the classroom was noted by both teachers also.

"Emily is a dedicated student who works hard and understands the importance of a well-rounded education," English teacher Janice Beavers said.

History teacher Mike McGraw said Banules expected more from herself and those around her.

"She demands the utmost of herself and inspires the same type of dedication from her fellow teammates whether it be practice or game situations," McGraw said. "Her commitment to success will easily transfer from the athletic court and field to her life after high school."

Banules will continue her education at Wayne State University studying art education, but does not have plans to play any collegiate level sports.

Cunningham shines

Cunningham has excelled at cross country, wrestling and track during his high school career as well as the classroom.

"All my hard work paid off," said Cunningham, adding that his favorite sport was wrestling. He spoke highly of his wrestling coach Keil Jorgensen who helped him both on and off the mat.

"He was a great coach and always there for me," Cunningham said. "He taught me a lot of life lessons. He wasn't just a coach in wrestling but a coach in life."

Jorgensen showered praise on his star wrestler. 

"Awesome! So proud of that kid," Jorgensen said. "Kevin is a tremendous athlete with amazing leadership qualities. His hard work ethic and mental toughness made him an athletic success. I was extremely honored to have a young man with those attributes on my team. He made everyone around him work harder, listen better and wrestle tougher."

And as a student, Cunningham's classroom work was lauded by his teachers as well.

"Kevin strives for excellence in all aspects of his life— academics, athletics, and character," said calculus teacher James Kiefer. "He is a serious student/athlete with an engaging personality and witty sense of humor."

Spanish teacher Rebecca Goeghegan chimed in on Cunningham's educational talents as well.

"Kevin is a bright, articulate, polite and well-deserving student, one that I will remember throughout my career," she said.

Counselor and assistant track coach Amy Reaume said Cunningham has a bright future.

"Kevin’s personality is remarkable, his talents are impressive, and his future success is unlimited," Reaume said. "He is a young man who illustrates the willingness to surpass the expectations set before him, both academically and athletically."

Cunningham will attend Michigan State University in the fall with the Evans Scholarship.

The high school has given Athlete of the Year awards since 1995. The award is named after former athletic director Robert Herm who served from 2004 to 2008. The school renamed the award upon Herm's retirement.

Prior winners of the award are:

2010:  Sheena Przeadzki, Robert Feeman

2009:  Anthony Banules, Shannon Morehouse

2008:  Curt Barnauskas, Katie Ross

2007:  Matt Francis, Tami Ross

2006:  Grant Barnauskas, Helen Komova

2005:  Steve Feeman, Leslie Schachinger

2004:  Trever Zablocki, Alison Carpenter

2003:  Brandon Hauswirth, Becky Woltman

2002:  Joe Mansour, Tracy Ballantyne

2001:  Brian Morehouse, Andrea Pike

2000:  Kim Francis, Brian Trail

1999:  Tommy Dorr, Erin Dorr

1998:  Janice Denney, Bill Monnett

1997:  Bryan Stefan, Heather Marvin

1996:  Dan Glander, Kelly McDonald

1995:  Todd Francis, Sara Fisher