Four Lee Athletes earned the prestigious Paul Conn Student Athlete of the Year Award for the 2020-21 season. Baseball senior Alan Smith, men's tennis senior Daniel Prata, women's soccer junior Anna Lanter, and cross country and track and field senior Toni Moore earned the honor that recognizes the top Lee athletes who have achieved success in their sport, in the classroom and in service to the community.

Lanter has served as a team captain for the past three years for the perennial nationally ranked Lee women's soccer program."She has been the best leader I have had the privilege to coach," said Lee head coach Chris Hennessey. Over her career, Lanter has led the team to a regional championship, a Final Four appearance, three GSC Finals, and NCAA tournament appearances in both of her seasons.  "Anna made the All-GSC Tournament team this year and was a big part the success we had, including our highest national ranking in program history," added Hennessey. "Both her teammates and staff alike have the utmost respect for her how she represents them. Anna is Lee women's soccer hands down."

In the classroom Lanter excels as well graduating with a degree in business and a 3.95 GPA. She will begin her MBA program this fall.

Moore currently maintains a 3.6 GPA. She was on the GSC Academic Honor Roll for Cross Country in 2019 and 2020 as well as the GSC Academic Honor Roll for Track & Field in 2020. On the cross country course, Moore set herself apart as an exceptional athlete with a drive to push herself to the top. She helped lead the women's team to two GSC titles in Cross Country, finishing as a First Team GSC athlete in both seasons. In 2019, Toni was a key member of the Lady Flames Regional Championship win, earning all-region awards for her 15th place individual finish. The 2019 season continued with her contributing to the 14th place National Championship team finish.

On the track, Moore's accomplishments are equally as impressive. She currently holds the GSC Indoor Track Championship records in the 5000 meter and mile. Her performances in these events helped cement the team's two GSC Indoor Track Championship wins in 2020 and 2021. The 2021 season climaxed with Toni individually qualifying for the Indoor championship, where she finished 12th in the nation in the 5000-meter race, earning second team All-American. As the 2021 outdoor season begins, Toni has already reached the Division II provisional mark in the 3000-meter steeplechase.

Moore's drive and leadership does not end on the track, however. She was a SAAC representative for women's cross country. Additionally, she has helped volunteer in the community at Field-Woods - Taking Faith Outdoors, a ministry of First Baptist Church. She also invests in volunteering for a non-profit organization for foster parents called Hope4One.

"Toni is an exceptional person, athlete, leader and student, and an excellent candidate for the Paul Conn Student-Athlete award," said cross country and track and field head coach Caleb Morgan.

Smith was the lone captain on this year's baseball team and has helped guide the Flames to a No. 2 national ranking (highest ever) and the program's first ever NCAA South Region appearance. He earned All-GSC First Team honors, leading the conference in doubles with 17.

"Smith has been one of the keys to our recruiting to getting Lee Baseball established as a top contender in the GSC," said baseball coach Mark Brew. "His play on the field over the past three years has been excellent and he is arguably one of the top offensive players in the GSC.  Defensively, he has also played all over the field the past two years and has settled in at 3B this year and has helped anchor one of our best defensive teams to date."

Brew continued, "He is respected and held in high esteem by his peers and is affectionately referred to as "dad" due to his age and experiences in the baseball world and his ability to communicate with the team and help players out. More importantly, Alan is a tremendous man of faith.  He shared a testimony in on a trip to the Dominican Republic that has still impacted me as his coach.  He was a peer leader for the "FCA Circle of Champions" and has an excellent moral compass."

Smith graduated in 2020 with a 3.79 GPA in Business Marketing and will graduate this spring with his MBA where he has maintained straights A's and a 3.90 GPA.

In addition to his accolades on the field and in the classroom, Smith has participated in many servant oriented projects such as the teams Military Appreciation Day, Mix 104.1 MyMix Expo family event at the YMCA, reading programs at Michigan Avenue Elementary, assisting with local FCA fundraising events, and many other small projects. 

Prata graduated last year with a 3.4 GPA in Mathematics Actuarial Science and currently is studying his MBA where he has a 4.0 GPA.

"Daniel lives a life of joy and you will not find anyone more committed to his team and school than this guy," said head tennis coach Patric Hynes. "He also serves on the SAAC committee where he is the Vice-President. As people would know, Daniel does not do anything without full investment. What Daniel means to me, our family and our tennis program is hard to put into words. I would say that if my son Graeme grows up to be the kind of man he is, I would be a proud dad."

Prata helped guide the Flames to a top 50 finish nationally (No. 43) in 2021 and was a member of the 2019 team that won the program's first GSC Tournament match. Prata teamed with Jordi Dasi this year to form a talented doubles team that went 10-5.