West Lutheran's Gehl Named AAA State Finalist

West Lutheran senior Riley Gehl will represent Section 4A in the state finals of the Minnesota State High School League "Academics, Arts, & Athletics" award competition. The "Triple A" award recognizes and honors high school seniors who have excelled in the classroom, in the fine arts, and on the athletic field.

As one of the top two award finishers from the section, Riley will be invited to the Minnesota State High School League Award Banquet where league officials will announce the Triple "A" Award State Champions. The recipients - a girl and a boy will each receive a four-year $1,000 scholarship. Riley and all other section champions will be introduced on TV (channel 45) during the half time of the boy's AA basketball championship on March 24, 2012 at 2:00 P.M.

With a GPA of 4.28, Riley has started and lettered all four years of football, basketball, baseball and one year in track. Riley has been named captain 7 times in these sports along with being named All-Conference 8 times. Riley is President of the National Honor Society and has performed in band and jazz band. Riley plays the trumpet, baritone, piano, and guitar. He has also participated in West Lutheran drama productions. Riley's future plans include playing college baseball and pursuing a mathematics degree. He is a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Maple Grove. Riley is the son of Scott and Jill Gehl, Plymouth, MN.

This is the second sectional Triple A award winner in West Lutheran's history. Jenna, Riley's sister, was a Triple A state finalist in 2009.

(The preceding information was provided by a West Lutheran press release.)