—Messenger photo by Britt Kudla 2021 st. edmond carol donnelly WINNER aubrey BEMRICH is pictured here with mother, Kristi and father Jamie.

Aubrey Bemrich’s list of accolades earned while competing for St. Edmond are enough to fill a wall.

Bemrich added one final honor when she was named the 2020-21 Carol Donnelly winner, awarded to the top female athlete in the school.

Along with earning state championships in cheer and stunt group, Bemrich anchored the Gael 4×800-meter relay to a title in her final act at St. Edmond this past track season.

“That was my favorite memory,” she said. “The best feeling was winning it and coming back the next day when our distance medley was expected to get eighth and we fought hard for second.

“Both of those taught me the importance of teamwork and that believing in each other and encouragement can go a long ways.”

A three-time all-North Central Conference selection in cross country, Bemrich also ran three years at both state cross country and state track. She was named all-state in cheer three years, as well, and twice earned state titles in stunt group with her teammates.

“The state events are my favorite memories,” she said. “I grew up always wanting to go to state in something and it always seemed like such a big accomplishment.”

Bemrich followed the careers of Erin Flattery, Megan Flattery, Emily Averil and Jaci Stumpf to see how she could shine for the next generation to follow her as a Gael.

“All four of them worked hard in everything they were involved in,” she said. “They were people I grew up watching excel at what they loved.”

She recognized the influences of coaches Monica Shelly, Mike Szalat, Amber Barwin, CJ Tracy and Josephine Alstott in helping her succeed.

“All of them taught me that when I believe in myself, I can achieve my goals no matter how far out of reach they may seem,” Bemrich said.

In the fall, Bemrich will head to the University of Iowa to study health and human physiology with a focus in exercise science on a pre-PA track.

“What I will miss most about St. Edmond is the culture and the people,” she said. “St. Edmond has taught me many lessons I will use forever, but has also brought me many relationships whether it be teachers, coaches or friends.

“St. Edmond is like a family and that is something that I will miss.”

Named for Carol Donnelly, the first girls physical education instructor at St. Edmond, the award has been handed out every year since 1997. The other nominees were Avery Galles, Kacey Kruthoff, Sydney Schulte and Kelli Kersten.