The 2023 James O'Melia Jr. Athletic Award was presented to two Rock Island High School athletes at a special event on May 18. The award is named after Rocky alum Jim O’Melia who passed away in 1981. In his honor, a male and a female athlete at Rock Island High School is chosen who best represents those qualities that Jim ’Melia lived by throughout his school and community life.

 

The student-athletes are selected for athleticism, leadership, honesty, sportsmanship, and character. Kayla Rice and Lucas Rettig were chosen as the James O'Meila Athletic Award winners! Congrats to our winners and all the honorees! Each were awarded $1,000. 

 

 

 

Kayla Rice is the daughter of Paulette and Keith Rice.

Outstanding in three major sports. Kayla has earned an impressive total of 9 varsity letters competing for the Rocks in Volleyball, Basketball and Soccer.

Kayla was a 4-year member of the Volleyball, Basketball and Soccer teams.

 

Volleyball Athletic Honors:

4-year member

Western Big 6 First Team

 

Basketball Athletic Honors:

4-year member

Team Captain

Western Big 6 First Team

 

Soccer Athletic Honors:

4-year Member

Team Captain

 

Scholastic Achievements:

GPA: 4.0 unweighted, 4.08820 weighted

Ranked #21 in class of 321

National Honor Society

All-Western Big 6 Academic Team

IHSA Academic Achievement Award

Charles O. Austin Scholar

Student Council Member

Student Ambassador

Gray Matters Collective Member

Junior Marshall for 2022 NHS Induction and 2022 RIHS Graduation Ceremony

Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council

RIHS Student Advisory Council

RIHS Student Athlete Committee Member

RIMSD41 Student Board Member

 

Kayla’s outside activities include:

Earl Hanson BD Program Mentor/Speaker

Goodwill of the Heartland Volunteer

Community Clean Up Volunteer

River Bend Food Drive

Mississippi Valley Blood Drive

Dance Marathon Fundraiser

 

Kayla’s future plans are to attend the University of Illinois – Springfield to play basketball and

study Pre-Med or accounting.

 

 

Lucas Rettig is the son of Heidi and Kevin Rettig.

Outstanding in three major sports, Lucas has earned an impressive total of 4 varsity letters competing for the Rocks in swimming, track and tennis.

Swimming Athletic Honors:

4-year varsity letter winner

Team Captain-Sr

WB6 All-Conference 2nd Team-So

WB6 All-Conference 1st Team-Jr, Sr

WB6 Most Valuable Swimmer-Jr, Sr

QC All Metro Swimmer of the Year-Sr

IHSA Sectional Champion-Sr

IHSA State Qualifier-Sr

RIHS Record Holder – 100 Butterfly

IHSA Sectional Record Holder – 100 Butterfly

 

Track Athletic Honors:

1-year member

Sophomore Award

 

Tennis Athletic Honors:

Junior Varsity Letter

 

Scholastic Achievements:

GPA: 4.0unweighted, 4.2770 weighted

Ranked #9 in class of 321

National Honor Society

Charles O. Austin Scholar

Rotary Club

Interact Club

Illinois State Scholar

All-Western Big 6 Academic Team

IHSA Academic Achievement Award

National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches of America Academic All American-Sr

All-State Choir-Jr, Sr

Lucas’s outside activities include:

Teaching swimming lessons at RIFAC

 

Lucas’s plans are to attend Augustana to swim and study Computer Sciences.