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National Merit & AP Scholars

Mount Michael Benedictine has a long tradition of academic excellence. Evidence of this can be seen in the scholarly recognition that Mount Michael students have received. Considering the size of Mount Michael’s enrollment, the achievement is all the more impressive.

National Merit Recognition is given to the nations top 1% of U.S. high school seniors based on PSAT scores from October of their Junior year.

  • Commended Students: 34,000 high-scorers recognized for their PSAT performance
  • Semifinalists: the 16,000 highest scorers
  • Finalists: semifinalists who meet academic and other requirements to be eligible for National Merit Scholarships

AP Scholar Program: 5 is the highest possible score on an AP Exam. A Score of 3 generally qualifies for college credit. Students who take the AP Exams are eligible for the following distinctions:

  • AP Scholars: students who receive scores of 3 or higher on 3 or more AP exams
  • AP Scholar with Honor: Average of at least 3.25 on all exams taken and 3 or higher on 4 or more of these exams
  • AP Scholar with Distinction: Average of 3.5 on all AP exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on 5 or more of these exams
  • *National AP Scholar: Average score of at least 4 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams (Discontinued after the 2020 AP Exams)
2026

ACT Score of 36: 
Jaxson Pigg, Xavier Zimmerman

2025

National Merit Finalists:
Connor Smith, Cole Storch

2024

National Merit Semi-Finalist
Rocco Zimmerman, Nick Halpin
National Merit Commended
Ryan Saxby, Thaden Wewel

AP Scholars with Distinction: Luke Albers, Callaway Deffenbaugh, Nick Halpin, Henry L’Heureux, Mengyao Lin, Jack McMahon, Ryan Saxby, John Skahan, Jacob Vandenack, Thaden Wewel, Rocco Zimmerman
AP Scholars with Honors: Adan Balas, Aidan Farrell, Peter Haas, Peter Killeen, Ashton Schroder, Sam Schwartz
AP Scholars: Alex Broderick, Andrew Busenbark, Jack Dewhurst, Ricky Kmiecik, Martin Kuhn, Obadiah Laa, Alex Poole, Aiden Ronk, Will Snyder, Cole Storch, Joe Trautman, Zach Wooten
ACT Score of 36: 
Rocco Zimmerman
2023

National Merit Finalists:
Will Brewster, Ryan Quinlan
National Merit Commended
Ryan Tillotson

AP Scholars with Distinction: Sebastian Santa-Maria, Ryan Stumpff, Ryan Tillotson, Will Brewster, Ryan Quinlan
AP Scholars with Honors: Jack Flott, Nick Halpin, Andrew Kirklin, Nathaniel Oehler, Ashton Schroder, Elliott Simpson, Jacob Sykora, Thaden Wewel, Chenghan (John) Yu, Rocco Zimmerman
AP Scholars: Luke Albers, Theo Bunawan, Conor Connealy, Callaway Deffenbaugh, Cole Gustafson, Harper Held, Sam Kleinschmidt, Ricky Kmiecik, Henry L’Heureux, Henry Stanek, Drew Van Haute, Jacob Vandenack
2022

National Merit Finalists
Tucker Cudmore, David Drews, Michael Mullin
National Merit Semi-Finalist
Andrew Hartin
National Merit Commended
Colin Eich

AP Scholars with Distinction
Will Brewster, Carter Cline, Tucker Cudmore, Colin Eich, Andrew Hartin, Eric Kaps, Sam Lund, Michael Mullin, Ben Rempe, Akilan Sivakumar.
AP Scholars with Honors
Jurgen Beller, Luke Broderick, Marc Fayad, Grant Foster, Kevin Kim, Ryan Quinlan, Sawyer Thompson, Max Vossen, Luke Wooten
AP Scholar
Jose Bonilla Gaytan, Caleb Brester, Brendan Farrell, Landen Fogle, Jagger Hastings, Drew Kirklin, Andrew Lee, Sebastian Santa-Maria, Callan Schroder, Ryan Tillotson, Wyatt Torczon, Wyatt Walters

ACT Score of 36: 
Michael Mullin

2021

National Merit Finalists
Matthew Collins
National Merit Commended
Lincoln Badley, Joe Chouinard, Jack Sorensen

AP Scholars with Distinction
Lincoln Badley, Cameron Detwiler, Matt Geary, Parker Hottovy, Huy Le, Akilan, Sivakumar, Jack Sorensen
AP Scholar with Honors
Kaleb Brink, Tucker Cudmore, Qixuan (Scott) Ding, Sam Lund, Quinn McMahon, Jake Moore, Michael Mullin, Kyle Pelan, Dane Storch, Max Vossen
AP Scholars
Jurgen Beller, Bradley Bennett, Will Byrnes, Joe Chouinard, Carter Cline, Eli Crnkovich, David Drews, Colin Eich, Landen Fogle, Isaac Gart, Gavin Gloeb, Sam Gustafson, Andrew Hartin, Henry Hohman, Eric Kaps, Ben Keller, Brennan McMahon, Michael Oehler, Zach Rapoza, Grant Schneider, Will Stringer, Dan Thomas, Wyatt Torczon, Nick Wehbe

2020

National Merit Finalists
Jacob Gathje, Tharein Potuhera, Alex Schrier, and Brayden Whitaker
National Merit Commended
Josh Davies, Alex Payne

*National AP Scholar:
Brayden Whitaker
AP Scholars with Distinction:
John Ackerman, Lincoln Badley, Jacob Gathje, Kolton Koubsky, Alex Payne, Tharein Potuhera, Trenton Sedlacek, Brayden Whitaker
AP Scholars with Honors:
Qixuan (Scott) Ding, Yiji (Jerry) Fan, Ben Goetz, Mason Matukewicz, Peyton Rosenfels
AP Scholars:
Calvin Benson, Kaleb Brink, Zhuyi (Joey) Chen, Minjun (Ryan) Choi, Joshua (Temi) Davies, Cameron Detwiler, Ben Gao, Logan Hock, Parker Hottovy, Will Janecek, Andree Kakish, Sanggyeum Kim, Huy Le, Jake Moore, Jackson Ramold, Evan Schroder, Keaton Stec, Henry Sorbeck, James (Max) Swiniarski, Richard (Drew) Thornton, Chun (Michael) Yeung

ACT Score of 36: 
Brayden Whitaker

2019

National Merit Finalists
Temiloluwa Adeyemo, Patrick Collins, John Paul (J.P.) Jensen, Levi Kicken
National Merit Commended
Jacob Benes, Daniel Davies, Patrick Fayad

*National AP Scholar:
Stefano Brunelli
AP Scholars with Distinction:
Stefano Brunelli, James Crotty, John Paul (J.P.) Jensen, Patrick Fayad, Temi Adeyemo, Jacob Benes, Andrew Shellberg, Jacob Rapoza, Colin Mallisee, Daniel Davies, Levi Kicken, Gerald Righter, Nolan Zeger, Sam Eberle, Bokai Zhang, Patrick Collins, Quan Hoang Ming (Max) Nguyen, Brayden Whitaker.
AP Scholars with Honors:
Sam Peters, Matthew Draper, Sebastian (Sid) deMayo , Carson Leahy, Donovan Clements, Alex Payne.
AP Scholars:
Shintaro Fujita, Evan Schroder, Henry Storbeck, John Ackerman, Nick Akers, Alex Schrier, Jacob Gathje, Trevin Detwiler, Ben Quinlan, Jarrett Cline

ACT Score of 36: 
Patrick Collins, John Paul (J.P.) Jensen

2018

National Merit Finalist
Garrett Gloeb, Nolan Huetter, Matthew Thiele
National Merit Commended
Dash Wedergren

AP Scholar with Distinction:
Ben Bies, Ming Hint Chui, Garrett Gloeb, Colin Lakeman, Armel Mignondje, Quan Hoang Ming (Max) Nguyen, Matthew Thiele, Lukas Williams
AP Scholars with Honor:
Jacob Benes, Stefano Brunelli, Patrick Collins, Hudson Hohman, Ian Kim, Ziyou Li, Paul McCaslin, Nicholas Orr, Joseph Recker, Nicholas Snyder, Dash Wedergren, Bokai Zhang.
AP Scholars:
Temiloluwa Adeyemo, Sebastian Alegrett, Ben Arkfeld, Donovan Clements, James Crotty, Sam Eberle, Douglas Lorcan Jamal, Thomas Janecek, John Paul (J.P.) Jensen, John Kuhry, Adam Orr, Lucas, Rief, Andrew Shellberg

2017

National Merit Finalist
Andrew Ahn, Zach Cairney
National Merit Commended
Joe Coldiron, Broden Kaps, Ben Murray

AP Scholar with Distinction:
Andrew Ahn, Zach Cairney, Nick Carson, Alex Earsley, Caiden Groff, Junho Ho, Reilly Jackson, Dan Jewell, Broden Kaps, Luca Mixan, Benedict Murray, Henry O’Callaghan, Sebastian Winters.
AP Scholar with Honors:
Christian Burbach, Nick Huetter, Ian Kim, Jack Straka
AP Scholar:
Nathan Carpenter, Ming Hint Chui, Joe Coldiron, Shengwei Dai, Michael Ecker, Alec Gregerson, Patrick Halpin, Dylan Herrmann, Miles Hock, Peyton Hottovy, Nash Kelly, Ian Price

2016

National Merit Finalist
Sam Bohart, Christian Keller
National Merit Commended
Jackson Thompson

AP Scholar with Distinction:
Matt Coghill, Tyler Degener, Paul Forget, Christian Keller, Min Chang Kim, Luke Krajewski, Jackson Thompson
AP Scholar with Honors:
Andrew Ahn, Logan Baumberger, Sam Bohart, Zach Cairney, Jack Hitzemann, Junbin Huang, Ben Hynes, Jack Morrissey, Brendan Nicholas, Alex Stoupa, Sam Van Haute, Sebastian Winters
AP Scholar:
Jacob Bova, Nick Carson, Jeremiah Connealy, Max DeMayo, Alex Earsley, Randall Esquivel, Caiden Groff, Junho Ho, Nick Huetter, Reilly Jackson, Broden Kaps, Case McNally, Jae Jun Park, David Recic, Ryan Reid, Muxuan (Tony) Tang

2015

National Merit Finalists
Jonathan Collins, Harrison Hohman
National Merit Commended
David Choi, Zach Frevert, Alex Hotovy

*National AP Scholar:
Jonathan Collins
AP Scholar with Distinction:
Cameron Bretsen, David Choi, Jonathon Collins, Marcus Cronin, Zach Frevert, Harrison Hohman, Alex Hotovy, Andrew Pace, Young-Joon Park, Zach Starman, Lucas Tucker.
AP Scholar with Honors:
Ryan Anderson, Augustin DeMayo, John Gutsmiedl, Christian Keller, Dun (Fletcher) Lin.
AP Scholar:
Ian Alfieri, Tyler Degener, Kalle Haines, Min Chang Kim, Taesung Kim, Stefano Tarantolo, Adam Terasinski, Andrew Whitaker

ACT Score of 36: 
Jonathan Collins

2014

National Merit Finalist
Jacob Eyth
National Merit Commended
Thomas Kalil

AP Scholar with Distinction:
Cameron Engel, Rowan Gruber, Ha-Seul Jeoung, Andrew Johannes, Thomas Kalil, Moonsup Kim, Johnathon Mikulicz, Will Sleddens, Scott Townsend.
AP Scholar with Honors:
Matthew Bohnhoff, Robin Britt, Jonathon Collins, Collin Donahue, Jacob Eyth, Alexander Hynes, Eun Woo Jee, Kevin Jewell, Young-Joon Park.
AP Scholar:
Cameron Bretson, David Choi, Jarrett Crnkovich, Marcus Cronin, Ryan Degener, Harrison Hohman, Justin Lytle, Andrew Pace, Austin Ramaekers, Jackson Taylor.

2013

National Merit Finalist
John Choi
National Merit Semi-Finalist
Paul Kujawa

*National AP Scholar:
John Choi, Paul Kujawa
AP Scholar with Distinction:
John Choi, Eun Woo Jee, Paul Kujawa, Yun Sik Oh, James Steier
AP Scholar with Honors
Peter Dewald, Hunter Hottovy, Yoon Ho Kim, Joe Kucirek, Randy Speer, David J Wooten
AP Scholar
Gabe Cohen, Jarrett Crnkovich, John T. Cronin, Collin Donahue, Cameron Engel, Yutong Gao, Alex Hynes, Andrew Johannes, Christian Jones, Thomas Kalil, Moonsup Kim, John Mikulicz, Connor Moynihan, Jihoon Park, Jacob Recker, Kyle Silke, Scott Townsend

ACT Score of 36: 
Paul Kujawa

2012

National Merit Finalist
George Townsend
National Merit Commended
Michael Collins, Harrison Engel

AP Scholar with Distinction
Tyler Bolden, Michael Collins, Harrison Engel, Hyo Bin Im, Michael Sojka, Joe Stellato, George Townsend
AP Scholar with Honors
Nick Cairney, Thomas Feichtinger, Sean Kruger, Richard Woods
AP Scholar
Martin Anderson, Jared Bourek, John Byrne, John Choi, Matt Denton, David Dickey, Graham Jewell, Yoon Ho Park, Paul Kujawa, Ned McNally, Evan Murray, Yun Sik Oh, Jihoon Park, Jacob Peffer, Ian Sheets, Nate Van Haute

2011

National Merit Finalist
Darren Chew
National Merit Commended
Joshua Hankins

AP Scholar with Distinction:
Mike Kellar, Gunhwan Kim, Yuan Zhou
AP Scholar with Honors
Mike Bohnhoff, Darren Chew, Josh Hankins, Kevin Koch, Vince Van Haute
AP Scholar
Adam Behr, Pat Dewald, Alex Engelkamp, Tanner Hendricks, Lucas Holloway, Joel Hotovy, Paul Huss, Jae Hoon Jung, Kyung Mo Kang, Peter Kritenbrink, Grant Parr, Clayton Taylor

2010

National Merit Finalist
Chris Hoff, Anthony Thiele
National Merit Commended
Adam Prusa, Lukas Ramsey

AP Scholar with Honors
Joshua Cox, Christopher Hoff, Baek Ho Jang, Gunhee Park, Adam Prusa, Lukas Ramsey
AP Scholar
Sangwon Bahng, Jacob Benes, Jack Brady, Thomas Christenson, Charles Dudek, Brendan Walsh

2009

National Merit Finalist
Zach Harvat, Luke Weitkemper

AP Scholar with Distinction
Yong Joon Kim, Luke Weitkemper
AP Scholar with Honors
Zachary Harvat, Jeong Woo Lee, Casey McCullen and Daniel Whitaker
AP Scholar
Jerome Prusa, Kyle Vincino

ACT Score of 36: 
Luke Weitkemper

2008

National Merit Finalist
Sam Lathrop, William Nicholson

AP Scholar with Distinction:
Sam Lathrop, Will Nicholson, Derek Stieren
AP Scholar with Honors:
Zach Rohweder, Aaron Zeller
AP Scholar:
Alex Cihak, Andy Jewell, John Lundgren, Colten Venteicher, Andrew Wimmer

2007

National Merit Commended
Kelson Hedderich

AP Scholar with Distinction:
Tom Frederick, Paul Hotovy, Thomas Kenny
AP Scholar with Honors:
Chris Antonelli, John DeWald, Jacob Pflug, Kyle Svingen, Aaron Wiese
AP Scholar:
Kurt Benes, Ryan Daly, Phil Ervin, Kelson Hedderich, Hanbin Im, John Pritchard, Pat Witt

2006

National Merit Finalist
Paul Farnya, Jeff Kucirek, Yifan Li, Sam Weitkemper
National Merit Commended:
Tim Prost

AP Scholar with Distinction:
Paul Farnya, Evan Freilich, Matthew Goldsmith, Jeffrey Kucirek, Sam Weitkemper
AP Scholar with Honors:
Michael Gibilisco, Yifan Li, Aaron Lockee, Greg Sullivan, Mason Tye
AP Scholar:
Timothy Agnew, Kyle Buschelman, Timothy Huss, Grant Mathey, Timothy Prost, Bryan Vovk

ACT Score of 36: 
Sam Weitkemper

2005

National Merit Finalist
Steve Christensen, Brent Lockee
National Merit Commended
Alex McKnight, Tim Padgett

AP Scholar with Distinction
Brent Lockee, Lance Villeneuve
AP Scholar with Honors
Alex McKnight, Matt O’Gara
AP Scholar
Steve Christenson, Ben Hankey, Scott Lindgren, David Nelson, Steven Stackhouse

2003

National Merit Commended
Brandon Hankey, Dan Olson

AP Scholar with Distinction
Dan Olson
AP Scholar with Honors
Brandon Hankey, Joe Kmiecik, Chrisopher Park
AP Scholar
Mark Hotovy

2002

National Merit Finalist
David Levy

AP Scholar with Distinction
David Levy
AP Scholar with Honors
Brett Stempel
AP Scholar
Brendan Parlor

2001

National Merit Finalist
Jamie Antonelli, Andrew Collins, Colman Lynch
National Merit Commended
Paul McTaggart, Tom Swanson

*National AP Scholar
Colman Lynch (also the top Nebraska State AP Scholar)
AP Scholar with Distinction
Grant Evert, Andrew Gard, Colman Lynch
AP Scholar with Honors
Andrew Collins
AP Scholar
Jamie Antonelli, Curtis McKnight, Paul McTaggart, James Mehr, Bryan Schrader, Colin Spicka

2000

AP Scholar with Distinction
Andy Sachs
AP Scholar
Mark Hanus, Jeremy Schiefen

1999

AP Scholar with Distinction
Aaron Isaacson, Mike Walsh
AP Scholar with Honors
Tyler Christiansen, Steve Sommers
AP Scholar
Lucas McKnight, Zach Voller

1998

AP Scholar with Distinction
John Eggers, J.P. Haas, Dylan Spicka
AP Scholar with Honors
Todd DeFreece
AP Scholar
Dan Duggan, Ricardo Perez

1997

National Merit Finalist
Nick Sachs

AP Scholar with Distinction
Sean Connolly
AP Scholar
Philip Mullen, Nicholas Sachs

1996

National Merit Commended
Jon King

AP Scholar with Distinction
Jonathan King *Distinguished State Scholar
AP Scholar with Honors
Robert Zechman
AP Scholar
Michael Foley, James Lyons, Brian Noonan, Andrew Travis, Nicholas Wessling

1995

National Merit Commended
James McTaggart

AP Scholar with Distinction:
Andrew Himberger
AP Scholar with Honors:
Joe Gard
AP Scholar:
James Jansen, James McTaggert

1994

National Merit Finalist
Jon Blue, Hector Perez
National Merit Commended
Adam Anderson, Joel Lanik, David Mctaggart

AP Scholar with Honors:
Adam Anderson, David McTaggart, Hector Perez
AP Scholar:
Jon Blue

1993

National Merit Finalist
Tim Fitzgibbons, Andrew Flack

AP Scholar with Distinction:
Andrew Flack, Andrew Glenn, Matt Sullivan
AP Scholar with Honors:
Dan Eggers, Tim Fitzgibbons, Nicholas Liebentritt
AP Scholar:
Bradley Gibson, Chris Hall, David Pecha, Matt Potter, Jeff Prochnow, Pat Rejda, Matt Wilson

1992

National Merit Finalist
Nathan Cuka
National Merit Commended
Pat Babka

Earlier AP records are not available

1991

National Merit Finalist
Coleman Naughton
National Merit Commended
Bob Ostronic, David Phipps

1990

National Merit Finalist
Peter Bradley
National Merit Commended
Tom Pesek, Scott Schmid

1989

National Merit Commended
Scott Belina, Mike Recker, Mike Cizek

1980’s Records Are Incomplete

1985

National Merit Finalist
Charles Collins, Randy Kauten, Tom Umthun
National Merit Semi-Finalist
Matt Eldredge
National Merit Commended
Michael O’Leary

1984

National Merit Finalists
Richard Boyle, James Classe, Brian Phipps
National Merit Commended
Thomas Herink, Brian Morrissey

Earlier Records are not available

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