LITTLE MIAMI PANTHERS ATHLETICS

2006 Little Miami graduate Melissa (Beerse) Hemphill was a standout cross country track and field student-athlete for the Panthers. In fact, before high school, Melissa had never competed in a school-sponsored sport. However, that did not deter her success athletically. After four incredible years on the track, she became only the second female Panther in school history to qualify for the OHSAA State Championship Meet three times, while also being a state-placer in each of those trips to Columbus. Melissa led the team in scoring three years, enroot to setting three school records while also holding impressive academic accolades in the classroom. After graduation, Melissa went on to compete in track and field for the United States Air Force Academy just north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado.

Cross Country – 3 years
Track & Field – 4 years

• All-FAVC – 2003, 2004 (1st), 2005 (1st) and 2006 (1st).
• 2006 FAVC Field Athlete of the Year.
• Regional Qualifier – 2004, 2005, and 2006.
• State Qualifier & Placer – 2004 (8th), 2005 (5th) and 2006 (3rd).
• Led team in scoring for three years.
• At graduation, Hemphill held three school records in the pole vault (12-2), 100 hurdles (15.1), and 300 hurdles. Also, held the district (12-2) and Regional Meet (12-0) pole vault records.
• Attended the United States Air Force Academy and pole vaulted for the Falcons.