Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

The Your Prep Sports Alumni Report is a weekly segment that recognizes the accomplishments of graduates from YPS area schools that are continuing their careers as student athletes at the collegiate level. Alumni News is a way for readers to keep tabs on former area standouts as well as honoring those athletes that continue to excel at the next level.

Shelby Gunnells

Solon and North Dakota State graduate Shelby Gunnells was named one of 30 honorees for the 2021 NCAA Woman of the Year Award last week.

The NCAA Women of the Year Award recognizes female college athletes who have exhausted their NCAA eligibility and distinguished themselves in academics, athletics, service and leadership throughout their college careers.

Gunnells was a 2020 first-team all-American in the indoor shot put and earned second-team honors in the 2021 outdoor season. She ranks in the top-10 in NDSU history in four events and contributed to eight team conference titles.

Naeem Smith

City High graduate and current Rice senior Naeem Smith had five solo tackles in a 48-34 win over Texas Southern on Saturday.

A 5-11, 197-pound safety, Smith ranks second on the team with 25 tackles and leads the Owls with 15 solo stops and three pass breakups in four games this season.

Evan Flitz

Former West High all-state and current senior quarterback at Pomona-Pitzer (California) Evan Flitz passed for 305 yards and five touchdowns in a 44-8 win over Willamette on Saturday.

Flitz also rushed for a team-high 29 yards in the win as the Sagehens improved to 2-2 on the season.

In four games this season Flitz has passed for 971 yards and 11 touchdowns with one interception.

If you know of a Your Prep Sports area graduate currently excelling at the collegiate level let us know by sending information to rmurken@yourprepsports.com or @yourprepsports on Twitter.

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