Homer High School awarded exceptional student athletes during a celebration on Wednesday, May 14, at the Homer High School Mariner Theatre. In an email last Thursday, May 15, Homer High School Athletics Director Justin Zank said the awardees are chosen by consensus between all Homer High School coaches.
Freshman Abby Ostrom was named “Female Freshman Student-Athlete of the Year” for her participation in cross-country running, basketball and track. Ostrom lettered in all three sports as a freshman while earning a 4.02 GPA.
Freshman Charlie Rustand was named “Male Freshman Student-Athlete of the Year” for the 2024-25 school year for his participation in cross-country running, cross-country skiing and track. Rustand lettered in all three sports as a freshman while maintaining a 4.0 GPA.
Senior Grace Miotke was awarded “Female Student-Athlete of the Year” for her involvement in volleyball and track while maintaining a 3.9 GPA. Miotke has signed on to run track for the University of Alaska Anchorage, beginning this fall.
Junior Johannes Bynagle was awarded “Male Student-Athlete of the Year” for his involvement in cross-country running, cross-country skiing and track. Bynagle earned a 4.08 GPA while participating in sports.
This year’s “Program of the Year” honored the local Nordic ski program. This year, the boys won all five regular season meets, regions and a Division II State Championship.
According to Zank, the girls “gradually improved throughout the season with a second-place finish at regions to Kenai and avenging that loss at state by defeating Kenai by a combined 2 minutes for a Division II State Championship.”
Other awards included “Manager of the Year,” recognizing junior Ellen Barrett for her work as a football and basketball cheerleader, basketball cheer team captain, and a manager for the wrestling and track teams. Vanessa Fefelov, Derek Bynagle, Cindy Burns and Britny Bradshaw were recognized as “Parent(s) of the Year.” The Mariner Award recognizes scholarship, pride, discipline, coachability and dedication. Seniors Jamen Anderson and Channing Lowney were both honored with the Mariner Award.
In addition to the local awards, senior Brightly Thoning was acknowledged for her signing to run track at Trinity University and junior Jackson Snaric was honored for his recent statewide award through the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame, the Trajan Langdon Award.
Homer High School Sports Awards honorees
2024-25 School Year
Female Freshman Student-Athlete of the Year
Abby Ostrom
Male Freshman Student-Athlete of the Year
Charlie Rustand
Female Student-Athlete of the Year
Gracie Miotke
Male Student-Athlete of the Year
Johannes Bynagle
Program of the Year
Nordic Ski
Manager of the Year
Ellen Barrett
Parent(s) of the Year
Vanessa Fefelov, Derek Bynagle, Cindy Burns, Britny Bradshaw
Mariner Award: Scholarship-Pride-Discipline-Coachability-Dedication
Jamen Anderson and Channing Lowney
