Thrice as nice

They combined to stand out in seven sports and earn 26 letters between them.

• Photos

Seniors Jess Bye, Tom Lyscio and Bronson Shepherd exemplify the philosophy and values that are the Warrior Way. As a result they were named Brainerd Warriors Athletes of the Year at Monday night's all-sports banquet in the high school gym.

Bye earned 10 letters in soccer, hockey and track and field.

"I was surprised and honored," Bye said of winning the award. "I was really excited. I didn't know until they said the three record things (in hockey), then I just got a big smile. I felt really honored."

Lyscio earned nine letters in football, Alpine skiing and track and field.

"It's just great to know that other people notice how hard I've worked and what I've put into my sports," he said. "It's a real honor to get this award."

Jess Bye (left), Tom Lyscio and Bronson Shepherd were named Brainerd Warriors Athletes of the Year Monday night at the all-sports banquet in the Brainerd High School gymnasium. Brainerd Dispatch/Clint Wood» Purchase reprints of this photo.

Shepherd earned seven letters in football, hockey and baseball.

"It's a great award," Shepherd said. "There's a ton of great athletes that are deserving of it. I feel pretty good to be one of the guys."

Bye, whose tentative plan is to play junior hockey next year and eventually at a Division I school, was a team captain in all three sports and was a two-year captain in two sports.

She was a four-time all-conference selection, two-time state tournament participant and three times received all-state honorable mention. She was named conference and Brainerd Dispatch athlete of the week.

Bye holds three school records in one sport and is the all-time leading scorer in hockey with 156 total points. She won numerous individual awards, including team MVP, offensive player of the year and defender of the year.

In one sport, Bye played in every possible varsity contest (77 total) from her freshman through senior season. She participated in the all-star hockey series and was the recipient of a state character award.

"The memories will last forever," Bye said. "Our very first time in the state soccer tournament that was ... words can't describe, then breaking the record for most career points, that was really exciting, too.

"I will miss everybody and playing with them. That's what I've liked the most."

Lyscio was a senior captain in two sports, a two-time MVP, two-time all-conference and two-time scholar all-conference selection.

He has been named all-section, all-area, all-state and academic all-state and received all-state honorable mention.

Lyscio was on the section championship football team and was an individual section champion. He was a two-time team state participant and a two-time individual state participant.

He has the highest individual state finish in school history in one sport and was a participant on the school's first boys' team state meet in Alpine skiing.

Lyscio will attend the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth where he will be a member of the Saints' first football team and throw the shot put and discus for the track and field team.

"It's been great," Lyscio said of his Warrior career. "I wouldn't have had it any other way."

Shepherd was a team captain and was named all-conference twice, all-section twice, was named to the all-area football team and received all-state honorable mention.

He was a member of an academic section championship team, was a state participant and played in an all-star hockey series.

Shepherd plans to attend Concordia College in Moorhead where he will play football and possibly hockey.

"It's been a great experience," Shepherd said of his Warrior career. "It's going to be tough to have it come to an end, but it's been a ride, it's been fun."

Notable

Warriors activities director Todd Selk recognized Eric Davidge, Peter Schmitz, P.J. Smith, Kristi Sachs, Brian Skogen, Jim Kramer, Chris Ford, Tim Houle, Angela Headlee and Don and Bob Ryan for their efforts with Warrior Way Inc., which will help qualifying athletes pay for activities fees.

Former head volleyball coach and long-time assistant cross country, swimming and track and field coach Carl Schirmer received the Bud Schmid Award.

Chris Dens and Kacie Bahr were recognized as Brainerd's Minnesota State High School League Academics, Arts and Athletics award winners.

MIKE BIALKA may be reached at mike.bialka@brainerddispatch.com or at 855-5861.