Athletics Hall of Fame

Nate Agostini started his athletic career at Horizon Honors as the Varsity Girls Basketball coach, a role he held for 16 years. In 2008, he became Athletic Director, where he devoted countless hours to developing the program. During his tenure, he introduced several new sports, boosted student participation, earned two Coach of the Year awards, served on multiple AIA committees, held the position of AIA Region Chair for many years, and was honored as the 2013 2A Athletic Director of the Year.

Lisa Barlow was the inaugural head coach of the Horizon Honors High School Boys’ Volleyball program in 2014, dedicating nine years to developing a competitive and respected team. Barlow led the program to 124 victories, culminating in an impressive run to the 5A State Championship Final in 2017. She actively recruited students who had never played volleyball before, nurturing their skills and fostering a culture of teamwork, perseverance, and sportsmanship. Under her leadership, Horizon Honors consistently earned State Tournament appearances, demonstrating the strength of her coaching philosophy and mentorship.

Mikaela Bledsoe Downes was a standout athlete on the Horizon Honors Softball team, competing at an elite level despite facing schools with much larger enrollments. During the 2011-2012 season, she delivered a record-breaking performance, posting staggering statistics that placed her among the nation's top softball players. Her achievements included a .735 batting average (9th nationally, 2nd in AZ), 8 home runs, a .779 on-base percentage (10th nationally, 1st in AZ), 46 runs scored, and a 1.470 slugging percentage (9th nationally, 1st in AZ). Her leadership and skill helped solidify her legacy as one of the program’s most dominant players.

Giuliana Castronova demonstrated exceptional leadership as Captain for the High School Girls Volleyball Team in both 2015 and 2016. Her outstanding character shone through, consistently elevating the performance of her teammates. Playing as libero, Castronova played a crucial role in steering the team to its first AIA Sports State Championship victory. She earned accolades such as All-State 1st Team and the Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Additionally, she was recognized as Section 2nd Team and All-State 2nd Team honors. Castronova was also a proud member of the school’s first-ever High School Girls Beach Volleyball Team.

Mike Corey served as the Head Varsity Softball Coach at Horizon Honors from 2020 to 2025, compiling an outstanding 104–25 career record. During his tenure, the program reached two state championship games, capturing the 2023 state championship and finishing state runner-up in 2024. His teams consistently dominated at the regional level, winning four region championships. Coach Corey was named Region Coach of the Year four times and 2A Conference Coach of the Year once, establishing one of the most successful eras in Horizon Honors Softball history.

Piper Corey was a standout multi-sport athlete at Horizon Honors, competing in Softball and Basketball all 4 years of high school. In Softball, she had an exceptional career highlighted by a dominant senior season in which she was named 2A Valley Region First Team, 2A Valley Region Player of the Year, and 2A All-Conference First Team. Piper still ranks among the AIA record leaders, including #8 in career batting average, #6 for RBIs in a single game, and #9 for single-season on-base percentage. She also earned All-Conference honors twice. In Basketball, Piper earned All-Region First Team honors three times, establishing herself as one of Horizon Honors’ most accomplished multi-sport athletes.

Chase Edwards boasted a remarkable four-year tenure as a High School Baseball Team starter, leaving an indelible mark with his exceptional performance and numerous All-Region recognitions. Versatile in his play, Edwards adeptly manned various infield positions throughout his career. He ranks among the all-time leaders with a staggering career total of 86 games played, along with a .536 batting average, 101 runs, 126 hits, 104 RBIs, 48 doubles, 15 triples, 9 home runs, and 34 stolen bases. Additionally, Edwards showcased his pitching skills, maintaining an impressive 2.79 ERA throughout his career on the mound.

Nancy Emmons played a foundational role in the history and success of Horizon Honors. Serving as the school’s first High School Principal from 1999 to 2015, she helped shape the vision and culture of the school from its earliest days. One of her most significant accomplishments was developing the school’s athletic program. Through her leadership and persistence, Horizon Honors became the first charter school admitted to the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA), opening the door for students to compete in interscholastic athletics. Her dedication and hard work created opportunities that continue to benefit students and athletes today.

Ryan Holguin is one of the most accomplished players in Boys Soccer History. Ryan holds the school records for both career goals (61) and career assists (51). Competing in the 3A Conference, Ryan earned First Team All-Region Honors during both his Junior and Senior seasons. He also played a key role in the success of the program, helping lead the team to the 3A State Quarterfinals in both his Junior and Senior years.

Under Kris Maglunog's guidance, the High School Girls Volleyball Team clinched the AIA State Championship in 2016, marking the first sports state championship in school history. Throughout his tenure as the Head Coach, Maglunog amassed an impressive overall record of 143-63. His exceptional coaching prowess was recognized with four AIA Coach of the Year awards. Maglunog was also the inaugural Head Coach of the High School Girls Beach Volleyball Team, demonstrating his versatility and dedication to fostering excellence across different disciplines of the sport. 

John Rush served as an Assistant Coach for the Middle School Girls Basketball Team from 2001 to 2002 before transitioning to the role of Assistant Coach for the High School Varsity Girls Basketball Team from 2003 to 2017. Throughout his tenure, Rush dedicated countless hours volunteering his expertise, playing a pivotal role in the development of the Girls Basketball program. Renowned for his exceptional teaching abilities and adept communication skills, he consistently fostered confidence within the teams he coached. Rush's volunteer commitment stands unmatched in the history of the Horizon Honors Athletic program.

Kaylan Shank made a lasting impact on the Horizon Honors High School Basketball program with her exceptional talent and dedication to the game. A four-year varsity player, she was a dominant force on the court as a forward, consistently leading her team with skill, determination, and leadership. Shank’s most memorable performance came when she scored an incredible 41 points in a single game—an achievement that still ranks among the top 10 highest-scoring games in Arizona girls’ basketball history. At the time of her induction, Shank remains the all-time leading scorer in Horizon Honors history, with an impressive 1,283 career points.

Alexa Smythe’s leadership as Captain of the High School Girls Volleyball Team across multiple seasons played a crucial role in the historic achievement of securing the school’s first Sport State Championship. Throughout her tenure, Smythe garnered recognition through several individual awards, including the prestigious All-State 1st Team and All-Region 1st Team honors. Additionally, her talent was acknowledged with the All-Section 2nd Team and All-State Honorable Mention distinctions. Smythe will always be celebrated as an athlete who contributed significantly to shaping the enduring culture of excellence within Girls Volleyball.

Trevor Tam made history as a standout athlete in both Cross Country and Track & Field at Horizon Honors. In Cross Country, he claimed the Sectional Championship his senior year and finished 7th at the State Meet. However, it was on the track where Trevor truly left his mark. In a remarkable display of endurance and skill, he became the first Horizon Honors athlete to capture State Championship titles in the 800m, 1600m, and 3200m events—all within just two days. This extraordinary feat cemented his place as one of the most accomplished runners in school history.

Trevor Weary showcased remarkable leadership as a four-year Captain, guiding the 2017 High School Boys Volleyball Team to the AIA 5A State Championship Runner-Up position. Throughout his tenure, Weary consistently earned recognition, securing a place on the AIA All-Section/Region and All-State Teams for three years. His Senior year he earned a spot on the All-Arizona Team, clinched the Region Player-Of-The-Year title, and was a nominee for the Arizona Player of the Year Award. Weary also served as the team’s MVP for all four years, fostering a supportive environment and exemplifying outstanding sportsmanship and integrity both on and off the court.

Head Coach: Laura Kramme
Assistant Coach: Halee Williamson
Players: Katie Berkey ‘05, Stephanie Berry ‘08, Heather Carlson ‘06, Caitlin Cox ‘08, Kevin Didde-Esteban ‘05, Stephanie Ficklin ‘06, Alexandra Johnson, Jasmine Mahabadi ‘08, Malea McFarland, Melissa Scott ‘06, Natalie Seibel ‘06, Heather Wolfsen ‘06, Lindsay Woodward ‘08, Aaron Wurth ‘06

The 2004-2005 season was a groundbreaking year for the Horizon Honors Spirit Line program, marking a historic achievement in the school's athletic history. The team dominated the competition at the State Championship, earning the prestigious All-Around Title with the highest scores across all three categories: Pom, Coed Cheer, and Partner Stunt. Through countless hours of practice, unwavering school spirit, and a commitment to precision and performance, the team showcased their talent on the biggest stage and set a new standard for future Horizon Honors cheer squads.

Head Coach: Lisa Barlow
Assistant Coaches: John Engelbert & Mike Smith
Players: Aidan Barry ‘17, Luke Butler ’18, Will Goff ‘17, Tommy Henschel ’17, Cruise Klock ‘17, Jeremy Kollman ’18, Cody Laflin ‘19, Joshua Lesio ’19,
Stephen McCollum ‘17, Kyle Murphy ’17, Matt Murphy ‘19, Aaron Tam ’17, Trevor Weary ‘17
Team Managers: Kenzy Payan ‘20 & Kelly Heiberger ‘18

In just the fourth year of the program’s existence, the 2017 Horizon Honors Boys Volleyball team made school history. As the only small school in Arizona competing in Boys Volleyball at the time, Horizon Honors played in the highly competitive 5A Conference and regularly faced both 5A and 6A opponents. Despite the challenge, the team dominated the regular season, finishing with a perfect 15–0 record. Their success earned them the 5A East Valley Region Championship. The team continued its impressive run through the playoffs and advanced all the way to the State Championship match, ultimately finishing as the 5A State Runner-Up, marking one of the most successful seasons in school history.

Head Coach: Kris Maglunog  
Assistant Coaches: Amanda Bors & Jessica Laflin ‘11; Team Manager: Aidan Barry ’17
Players: Gabriella Castronova ‘19, Giuliana Castronova ‘17, Jordan Cook ‘20, Alexis Gomes ’17, Amy Kendree ‘18, Erica Kendree ‘18, Alexa Marshall ‘18, Camryn Marshall ‘20, Liv Moran ‘19, Michelle Ogle ‘17, Roshi Patel ‘18, Alexa Smythe ‘17, Bailee Stratton ’17, Kelly Urbina ’17

In 2016, the High School Girls Volleyball Team etched their names in history by securing the school’s first-ever AIA Sports State Championship. Their remarkable feat was underscored by an undefeated streak, never dropping a set throughout the entirety of the State Tournament. Fueled by exceptional chemistry and strong leadership, the team exhibited unwavering determination and a tireless work ethic. Their dedication was evident from the off-season onwards, and their motivation to clinch the State Championship was palpable right from the first game of the regular season.