Horizon Honors Secondary School

The Horizon Honors Athletics Hall of Fame is a celebration of our athletic history, honoring the indomitable spirit, exceptional achievements, and unwavering dedication of outstanding athletes, coaches, and contributors.

The Hall showcases the integral connection between sportsmanship, leadership, and character development and fosters a culture that values both individual excellence and collective success, creating a legacy that resonates within our community for years to come. 

The 2025 event was held on March 29, 2025 on the Horizon Honors campus.

2025 HORIZON HONORS ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES:
Mikaela Bledsoe Downes '12 - Athlete
Kaylan Shank '07 - Athlete
Trevor Tam '17 - Athlete
Lisa Barlow - Coach
2005 Co-ed Spirit Line - Team

Look for information in November 2025 on nominations for the 2026 Hall of Fame.

HALL OF FAME DISPLAY:
The home of the Horizon Honors Schools Hall of Fame will be right outside the double doors that lead out into the Gym Hallway, allowing us plenty of room for all our future Hall of Famers! The simple, classic display will feature a plaque for each award winner that includes a photo and a brief paragraph about the Hall of Famer’s achievements during their time at Horizon Honors.

The location and the plaques will be a constant visual reminder to all Horizon Honors students, Kindergarten through Senior year, of the excellence that has been and can be achieved not just in our gyms and on our fields, but in our classrooms and in all other aspects of life. We expect to complete the project in Spring 2025.

Nate Agostini, Contributor (Inducted 2024)
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, Coach 

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 '12, Athlete (Inducted 2025)
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 '17, Athlete (Inducted 2024)
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.

Chase Edwards '16, Athlete (Inducted 2024)
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.

Kris Maglunog, Coach (Inducted 2024)
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, Contributor  (Inducted 2024)
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 '07, Athlete (Inducted 2025)
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 '17, Athlete (Inducted 2024)
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 '17, Athlete (Inducted 2025)
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 '17, Athlete (Inducted 2024)
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.

2005 Co-ed Spirit Line, Team (Inducted 2025)
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.

2016 Girls Volleyball, Team