Benton County's Athletes Of The Year Named For Warsaw, Lincoln, Cole Camp

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Tanna Howe
Warsaw

When Tanna Howe first burst onto the high school scene back in 2022, it was opined that she had big shoes to fill, considering her older sister, Taylor had quite the successful career at WHS. Now a junior, Howe has filled those shoes, and maybe more, earning her the title of Benton County Enterprise's female Athlete of the Year for Warsaw.
Howe began 2024 smack dab in the middle of the Ladycats basketball season where she helped lead the floor from the point guard position. She led the team in points per game (14.9), field goal percentage (32) and steals per game (3.2). Those numbers helped her to being named 1st team in the Ozark Highlands Conference, 1st team in Class 3 District 8, 2nd team Central MO Media All-District and a member of the KMZU Dream Team.
Following basketball, Howe turned her attention to her true love in softball. Throughout the Ladycats stellar 23-3 season, she provided a spark for coach Kelli Eierman's lineup at the top of the order.
"Her determination and work ethic sets her apart from most athletes," Eierman said. "She's always willing to put in extra time to better herself and the team."
That extra time propelled Howe to hit .554 with a slugging percentage of 1.012 in the spring. She led the team in extra base hits, including 4 homeruns, and tied for the team lead in RBI's with 36 while scoring a team high 43 runs. In 94 plate appearances, Howe struck out just 3 times.
Howe finished the softball season picking up 1st team honors in the Ozark Highlands Conference, Class 2 District 8, Class 2 Region 4 and Class 2 (All-State). She was also a Class 2 Academic All-State honoree.
"Tanna is always going to work hard and challenge those around her to do the same," Eierman added.
After traveling the country playing softball with the BC Peppers (Olathe, KS) throughout the summer and playing in many recruiting tournaments on her journey to play at the next level, Howe donned the green and black for the Ladycats once again in the fall for Warsaw volleyball.
Warsaw won 11 games in 2024, the program's highest win total in at least 15 years. For the Ladycats, Howe broke the school record for most digs in a season (618), shattering her sister's old mark of 350. Her 901 total digs is also a new WHS career record, breaking a mark previously held by Jaylen McCullick.
Ladycats coach Kelsi Brosnahan said, "Tanna is an exceptional athlete and natural leader who inspires her teammates with her dedication, guidance and positivity both on and off the court."
Howe was named 2nd team in the Ozark Highlands Conference and wrangled 1st team honors in Class 3 District 8.
Brosnahan went on to comment on Howe's work ethic as well.
"Her work ethic, sportsmanship and passion for all sports have not only made her a standout athlete, but also a respected role model for her peers," she said.
When the weather turned, it was back to the hardwood where Howe embarked on her junior year of basketball for Warsaw.
Through 14 games, the Ladycats had gone 9-5, already matching their win total from 2023-24, with at least 9 regular season games remaining on the schedule.
To date, Howe leads the team again in points per game (14.7) and steals per game (4.1).
"Tanna has been a constant since she stepped on the floor 3 years ago," Ladycats coach Matt Henderson said. "Constant determination, constant hustle, constant concentration and constant competition."
Henderson added, "Tanna has become a voice on the floor. She's put that together with her impressive performances to become a leader for the Ladycats."
Amongst statisitics and honors, work ethic and leadership are oftentimes determining factors in this award and those qualities are sentimented by all of her coaches.
Eierman summed it up by saying, "Tanna possesses many leadership qualities that have contributed to her success in volleyball basketball and softball . . . She is a dominant 3 sport athlete."

Drake Murrell
Warsaw

In a feat that has never been attained for the males at Warsaw, Drake Murrell is the Benton County Enterprise's first-ever back-to-back male Athlete of the Year.
Murrell's 2024 started in the middle of the 'Cats wrestling season and after having a successful campaign and making a trip to state his sophomore year, he followed that with conference and district championships and another trip to Columbia in mid-March where he came home with a 4th place, All-State finish after going 46-8.
In the spring, Murrell turned to baseball where he holds down the right side of the infield at second base. The sure-handed middle infielder finished the season with a fielding percentage of .904.
"Drake has started at second base for us for the last 3 years and is our most stable infielder," said coach Johnny Eierman.
He went on to say, "He is the type of player that all coaches want on their team and is a great example for all of our younger athletes. He's a leader and is going to do the right thing all the time, no matter what."
Fast forward to summer football workouts, camps and eventually the fall season, and Murrell was in his element.
For the Wildcats, Murrell solidified his place in Warsaw football lore with another highlight season.
On the offensive side, Murrell reeled in 17 passes for 413 yards and 6 TD's as a tight end, but defense was where he shined.
From his outside linebacker spot, he led the team with 78.0 tackles, including 6.0 sacks. Murrell also defended 5 passes and forced 6 fumbles while recovering 2 of those on the defensive side of the ball for the 10-1 Wildcats.
His efforts earned him 1st team in the OHC (TE & LB), 1st team MFCA All-District (LB), 1st team Central MO Media All-District (TE & LB), 1st team in Class 2 (All-State) and a spot on the KMZU Dream Team. He was also one of six members of the Wildcats who earned Academic All-State distinction.
To top off the season, Murrell was also named as the team's Most Valuable Player.
"When you create the list of everything you want from a leader, Drake Murrell checks all of the boxes," said Warsaw head coach Ryan Boyer.
He added, "Achieving All-State honors is a tall order. Being able to accomplish this twice is very impressive."
Now in the middle of another wrestling season, Murrell is looking to add to his total of 115 career wins and is hoping for his third straight trip to state.
Murrell's wrestling coach, Justin Wisdom concluded, saying, "Drake is a loyal teammate who displays integrity and a high level of character in everything he does . . . He possesses the intangibles of a leader and makes everyone around him better."
There it is again . . . "leadership" . . . a determining factor in this year's BCE male Athlete of the Year, Drake Murrell.

*Benton County Enterprise Athletes of the Year for Warsaw are chosen by an anonymous 5 person committee, consisting of administration, coaches and/or fans.

Alyssa Mellen
Lincoln

Senior Alyssa Mellen is our Lincoln 2024 female Athlete of the Year. She also earned the award last year. This past year, Mellen was All-State, All-Conference and All-District in softball.
She is also the leading scorer on the basketball team receiving All- Conference, All-District and All-Benton County honors.
Mellen was a fierce hitter in softball with extended power to all fields. She was also the Lady Cards best defensive outfielder.
On the basketball court, when she is on her game, she can drop three's from anywhere behind the 3-point line. She likes the straight in five-foot floater which is probably the most difficult shot in basketball.
This season, the addition of her freshman sister, Lily, has opened up other facets of her game. They play well together knowing where the other one is on the court at all times.
Lincoln won eight games last season and are 5-4 as we speak.
Both of her coaches, Aleah Johnson in softball and Brett Bryant in basketball give her high praise and look to her when the game is on the line.

Ben Eckhoff
Lincoln

Lincoln junior Ben Eckhoff is our Lincoln male Athlete of the Year. Eckhoff was All-Conference, All-District and Central MO Media All-District in football and All-Conference, All-District and All-Benton County in basketball. He was also an Academic All-State honoree.
Lincoln football head coach Brad Drehle raves about his protential and added, "He is our strongest player in the weight room."
Another thing that stands out is the fact that he has stayed healty during Lincoln's streak of injuries to key players. He has played under the weather in recent basketball games due to his desire to help his team. At 6'3", 225 lbs, he is a force at linebacker and at the center position in basketball.
His big fault is that he is so good natured that he isn't as physical as some would like him to be. That in itself is a good thing. Eckhoff is still learnig the game of basketball and can only get better. When he learns the backboard is his best friend, he will put up some very nice numbers. He is already a good rebounder and should improve as time goes by.
Again, he is just a laid back, nice kid that you have to root for in sports and in life.

Marilyn Hesse
Cole Camp

Junior Marilyn Hesse is our 2024 BCE female Athlete of the Year for Cole Camp High School.
She was 1st team All-Conference and All-District and made the Smith-Cotton All-Tournament team in volleyball. She also starred in track and in basketball.
Cole Camp volleyball head coach Abby Massingill commented, "Marilyn Hesse was a core component to our team's success this year. Marilyn put in extra work all year round and improved her play to become a six rotation player. Playing back row for the first time in her High School career. She led the team in kills and digs."
Massingill added, "Marilyn is a coach's dream because she is not afraid of hard work! She wants to improve and is willing to do anything she can to get there. As a teammate she sets the bar high in practice and makes her team want to work hard as well. Marilyn's attitude and effort are contagious! "
Hesse is a good student and is surrounded with many friends. It is the BCE's honor to award her as our 2024 female Athlete of the Year.

Grant Rodriguez
Cole Camp

Junior Grant Rodriguez is our 2024 Cole Camp male Athlete of the Year.
He was All-Conference, All-District, Central MO Media All-District and All-State in football. The 5'7" 185 pound quarterback and linebacker made his presence felt in a big way around Cole Camp High School.
The soft spoken, polite young man was also All-Conference and All-District in baseball as the starting catcher.
Rodriguez is also a 2-time state wrestling qualifier with around 100 wins to his credit.
Bluebirds football head coach Kevin Shearer said, "Grant is a tough kid and is good to be around. His wrestling background is good for football. He is used to people watching him and in wrestling you are all alone out there. Grant was easily our best football player."
Coach Shearer added, "Grant is a coaches kid. His father is Cole Camp's assistant football and wrestling coach Joshua Rodriguez. Grant has been around sports all of his life.
Shearer added, "He is steady in the weight room and gives you max effort every time out. He believes we can win every game. You can't ask for more than that from a high school kid."