Ali Henry '27 Recruiting Profile

My name is Ali Jo Henry and I am a 15 year-old athlete from Northeast Kansas.  I will turn 16 in July of 2025. I not only want you to see my abilities on film, my dedication to the sport, my team, and the statistics I plan to upload over the years, but I also want to tell you about my dedication and leadership off of the track field or volleyball court.  

I appreciate volleyball is not the same sport as track but my efforts are almost duplicated.  My sophomore high school volleyball season ended with a #23 Kansas player ranking for the Class of 2027 and a 3A KSHSAA Runner-Up finish.  Two quotes from the Prep Dig scout published on Prep Dig included: "Henry is the lunch bucket attacker for Central.  She plays with more grit than John Wayne. She scored the ugly points for the Thunder and scored in key moments."  "Henry is a prospect I have loved seeing evolve. She won't turn coaches' heads right away, because she is not a flashy player. She is a head-down, touch-as-nails, lunchbox-style athlete. The bottom line is she is a winner. She does not need to be the number one option on the offense or need to wear the libero jersey.  She can play any position on the court."

If allowed the opportunity to throw the javelin at the next level I will continue my evolution as a thrower and work ethic!

Two weeks into my freshman track season Coach Bass, the throwing coach at Nemaha Central High School, encouraged me to try the javelin for the first time.  In mid-March 2024 I threw the javelin for the first time in my life and am hooked on the sport.  I excelled in the sport and placed 4th at the regional track meet with a new PR of 119'9".  I was the only freshman 3A javelin thrower at the Kansas State High School 2024 State Track in May of 2024. Though I did not have a new PR I finished in 15th place at State.  According to AthleticNet I am ranked 24th in the nation as a freshman javelin thrower and only 8 feet off from being in the top 10 in the nation.  I am currently ranked 4th in the state of Kansas and less than 5 feet from being ranked in the #1 position in all Kansas classes!  

I am excited about the sport and working daily with a javelin trainer. I have uploaded video of this trainer and how I use it daily as well as some of my throws in competition.  I have been working with a coach out of St. Joseph, Missouri, Coach Butterfield, attending private sessions. Coach Butterfield has encouraged me due to my build to try the discus this summer as well and I plan to follow his guidance.

With all of the above said, I am still a leader on the volleyball court and plan to work hard to be a leader on the field in track.  I am continuing to work on my nutrition, started weight lifting in school due to being allowed to as a sophomore,, and keep my focus on working with my coach at Nemaha Central as well as Coach Butterfield in St. Joseph Missouri in the off-season.  As time allows daily I am completing reps with the javelin trainer in our yard, throwing at the school in the javelin area, and when I have time I attend open gyms for track at Kansas State University.

Off the court and track field, I am striving towards my KEY award in 4H, have a leadership role in our local 4H club, participate in multiple clubs at my high school, and I plan to attend Catholic Heart Work Camp this summer in Memphis, TN.  I also help my parents out as needed at our family's deli business.

My parents are my inspiration to keep working hard as I see how much dedication they have to their professions. If given the opportunity to participate as a student-athlete in college I will give 100% at practice each day and any competitions as well as being a positive ambassador for the school and sport.

Now that you know a little bit about me, I would like to have the opportunity to demonstrate my leadership and athletic abilities to the coaches recruiting for the Class of 2027!