Scott Helsper

Kansas Wesleyan football

A senior pursuing a degree in emergency management with a minor in criminal justice, Helsper, a 2016 Lake City High grad, helped the Coyotes make it to the NAIA semifinals last year. He totaled 41 tackles with five interceptions. This year the Coyotes are 12-0 and have reached the NAIA quarterfinals. Scott has three interceptions with 28 tackles so far this year.

Macky Morris

Stanislaus State volleyball

Morris, a 6-foot sophomore outside hitter from Post Falls High, was presented the California Collegiate Athletic Association Championship Scholar Award before the Warriors’ (16-10) quarterfinal match in the conference tournament against Cal State-San Marcos on Nov. 21.

The Championship Scholar Award is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating in each CCAA-Sponsored Championship. Morris has a perfect 4.0 grade-point-average which is the highest among all student-athletes, who are at least a sophomore and in her second year of competition at the institution. “I am extremely proud of Macky for receiving this honor. It is well deserved as she works just as hard in the classroom as she does on the court,” Santislaus State coach Mallori Gibson-Rossi said. “The chemistry program is one of the most difficult programs at our university and she excels at it. I couldn’t be happier for Macky.”

Zach Hillman

Whitworth football

Hillman, a senior strong safety from Post Falls, was named to the 2019 Academic All-District 8 Division II team, released by the College Sports Information Directors of America. Hillman carries a 3.89 cumulative grade point average (GPA) through last spring as a kinesiology major. Hillman led the Whitworth defense with five takeaways in 2019, intercepting four passes and recovering a fumble. Hillman finished fourth on the team with 47 tackles and had four pass breakups. Hillman was the Northwest Conference’s defensive student-athlete of the week after the season-opening win at La Verne. The NCAA Div. III Academic All-District VIII teams are selected from players at schools in the Northwest, California, Texas and Iowa. Members of CoSIDA nominate and select the players. To be eligible for nomination, a player must be a starter or important reserve with a 3.30 cumulative grade point average and of at-least sophomore standing. Whitworth nominated seven players in 2019.