Cordes named to NIAA’s Top 10 student-athletes

The honors keep piling up for Cady Cordes.

The Churchill County High School senior was named one of the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association’s Top 10 student-athletes on Friday.

The NIAA recognizes 10 student-athletes each in the North and South. Joining Cordes from the North are Lyndsey Anderson of Spanish Springs, Michael Billingsley of Lowry, Sarita Jo Condie of Pershing County, Spencer Empey of Reed, Hunter Myers of Douglas, Tyler Meidell of Damonte Ranch and Anders Chaplin, Amanda Harris and Emily Harris of Whittell.

Cordes currently holds a 4.57 GPA, ranks No. 9 in her class of 304 students and has earned 11 varsity letters in her career.

The NIAA will host a banquet to recognize the student-athletes at 6 p.m. May 23 at the Peppermill Resort in Reno.

“I think it’s really important that I’m representing my school … and my community,” Cordes said. “You have to be a good athlete and involved with the school and the community.”

Cordes earned varsity letters in volleyball (three), basketball (four) and softball (four). She was named to the Division I-A first-team all state in girls basketball in March and earned first-team all league honors in volleyball this season.

Cordes has made numerous college visits and said she would like to continue her volleyball career at the next level. Should it not work out, Cordes said she also has various academic opportunities as well.

“I would like to continue to play volleyball,” she said. “It’s just a matter of figuring it out. I hope I can pursue my athletic career.”

The Top 10 Student-Athletes of the Year award, meanwhile, is given to not just the top high school athletes in Nevada, but rather to those student-athletes who exemplify total school and community involvement. Special consideration in the selection process was afforded to student-athletes who participated in multiple sports, other school groups and/or student government activities, and community service projects while maintaining a high academic status within their school.

“This is an outstanding event which recognizes student-athletes who exemplify what high school activities and athletics are all about,” Eddie Bonine, Executive Director of the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association, said. “While the requirements sound restrictive, we know these student-athletes exist as evident by the group of individuals we have with us. It is our goal through the Top Ten program to find and honor these superb individuals.”

Each school is requested to submit applications for male and female student-athletes. All candidates must be seniors. The general categories include scholastic achievement (class rank, grade point averages, number of semesters on the honor roll, number of honors/AP classes taken, and ACT and SAT scores), overall sports participation (number of varsity sports, number of varsity letters, and individual and team athletic achievements), other contributions (school and church activities, and community service accomplishments), an essay, and letters of recommendation. Winners receive commemorative awards from the NIAA and its sponsors. The awards include a $1,500 scholarship courtesy of the Farmers Insurance Group.