True grit: Fallon’s Faith Cornmesser named NIAA Top 10 Student-Athlete

Fans got a glimpse of the grit Faith Cornmesser possessed when she was just a freshman.

After starting the softball season on junior varsity, Cornmesser was bumped up to varsity, just in time for the playoffs. With Fallon in the state tournament, Cornmesser was summoned to pitch the championship game. She didn’t falter, leading Fallon to a 7-5 win over Fernley in 2015 — Fallon’s last state title.

“My goal is for the team to come back from last year with the drive to finish on top,” said Cornmesser, now a senior on the softball team, which lost to Fernley at state last year. “After falling short last season, I think the team has what it takes to go all the way. Though we have almost the same team, we will need to work hard to regain the team components of the game.”

In between leading her team on the diamond and being a contributing factor in the Lady Wave basketball team’s last two state championships, Cornmesser is as fierce in the classroom. Cornmesser, who will graduate in the spring with 10 varsity letters, is third in her class with a 4.47 and 3.98 (non-weighted) grade-point average.

Because of her success on and off the field, Cornmesser has been selected as a Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association Top 10 Student-Athlete. Cornmesser, who also submitted an essay to the NIAA, became the sixth consecutive Fallon student-athlete to receive the honor after Whitney Skabelund was selected last year.

“Faith’s dedication and commitment to the classroom, her community and extra-curricular activities are tremendous,” said Brad Daum, Fallon’s athletic director. “She is well respected by the administration, teaching staff, coaches, student body and teammates because of her strong leadership skills and outstanding character traits.”

Cornmesser has shown the last four years that the diamond is her home away from home.

After guiding the team to the state title as a freshman, she helped lead Fallon to a third-place finish at state the following year before the team finished second to Fernley in last year’s state tournament. She was a first-team all-league and all-state selection as a pitcher last year.

On the hardwood, Cornmesser was the glue that kept Fallon together this past winter. After recovering from an injury that kept her out of volleyball and the first week of the basketball season, Cornmesser came back strong to lead Fallon to its second state title. She was named to the all-league’s first team and all-state second team the past two years.

“As a student-athlete, it is expected of you to be a good role model to all around you. This is simply because athletes must set a good example anywhere they go,” Cornmesser said in her essay. “I believe that this is also important for the trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness and caring that must be portrayed to be called a good role model. Possessing these qualities will create a positive reputation for you in the future.”

Off the court and diamond, Cornmesser was just as effective, if not, more.

She has served as president of the Block F Club, leading events to raise money for the high school’s athletic department. She has served as the parliamentarian for the National Honor Society, helping to plan meetings, communicate with members about events and voting on actions. She has also participated in two state Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA, future health professionals) conferences.

Cornmesser also worked on several community service projects, including helping to organize canned food drives, directing Cancer Awareness events, tutoring fellow students and elementary students and assisting at youth sports camps.

“Faith has shown, through example, the motivation and humility to learn and develop into a fine young woman,” CCHS Principal Kevin Lords said. “She maintains high integrity and honesty. She possesses a great personality and knows how to interact with others. She is caring, compassionate and self-motivated.”