It's the Heisman Trophy for Kansas City ... for high schoolers ... who golf.
But you get the drift.
It's the Kenneth Smith Award. It's reserved for only the very best golfer in KC, male and female. With the selection of Thomas Luger as this year's male recipient, there's a trend developing with the Kenneth Smith Award: Shawnee Mission East students.
You see, Luger is a Lancer. Just like Andy Spencer was before him and Chase Hanna before both of them. All three have won the award meaning the Kenneth Smith ceremony has taken place at Shawnee Mission East four of the last five years. (Spencer won it twice.)
Luger was an easy choice according to Kenneth Smith Award director Pat McMahon. Luger finished second in the 6A state golf meet, losing in a playoff hole at Auburn Hill Golf Course in May. He won three tournaments on the year and finished second in two others.
But the award also factors in classroom performance and community involvement. Luger carries a 4.3 GPA and volunteers for various charities.
There's a good chance the award could once again come back to East, as Luger still has his senior year to play.
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