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Gazette Athlete of the Year 2024: Meet the 5 Male finalists
Lance McShane of Maquoketa Valley, Jack Miller of Jesup, Preston Ries of Monticello, Derek Weisskopf of Williamsburg and Brett White of Solon
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Jul. 7, 2024 6:45 am, Updated: Jul. 8, 2024 4:54 pm
The five finalists for The Gazette’s 2024 Male Athlete of the Year:
Lance McShane, Maquoketa Valley
A prolific running back, he compiled 3,693 career rushing yards, scoring 56 touchdowns. He also made 160.5 career tackles and earned first-team all-state honors as a senior in both football and basketball. He collected 803 career points and 486 rebounds. A four-time state placewinner in track and the school record-holder in the 400-meter hurdles.
Will play football at Iowa State University.
Jack Miller, Jesup
The son of 1990 Gazette Female AOY Jaye Donlea Miller of Jesup.Captured the boys’ long jump title at the Drake Relays,then the 2A crown at the state meet. He is a four-time all-stater in basketball and baseball and a 15-time varsity letterwinner. A four-time individual district qualifier in golf.
Will play basketball at Upper Iowa University.
Preston Ries, Monticello
The state’s all-time career total yardage leader, the Class 2A state football player of the year andThe Gazette football co-player of the year,he accumulated 4,485 total yards and 57 touchdowns as the Panthers (10-2) reached the 2A state semifinals. A three-year all-stater in basketball, he is the leading scorer and rebounder in school history. State placewinner in the shot put and discus as a senior, and a five-year starter in baseball.
Will play football at the University of Iowa.
Derek Weisskopf, Williamsburg
The Gazette football co-player of the yearlast fall after earning area defensive-player-of-the-year honors as a junior. Led the Raidersto the 2023 Class 3A state title.3A all-state captain, and a two-time first-team all-stater. Also, two-time first team all-state in basketball. A field-event star in track and field, winning a pair of state high jump titles. As a senior, he was third in the high jump, fourth in the discus, ninth in the shot put.
Will play football at the University of Iowa.
Brett White,Solon
An Elite all-state baseball selectionas a junior after hitting.460 with 17 doubles and seven home runs and driving in 37 runs. Hit.482 as a sophomore. Two-time first-team all-state football pick, collecting 281 career tackles. Played 23 games as a senior in basketball and lettered four times in track and field. Was a state qualifier in the 4x100 as a junior.
Will play baseball at Baylor University.
Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette