Cari Jensen Smith
Fowler
A 2000 graduate of Fowler High School, Cari Jensen was a three-sport athlete – volleyball, basketball and track – who also participated in student council, band, drama, National Honor Society, FBLA, FCCLA and a number of church activities.
In volleyball, her teams were four-time district and regional champions, three-time state champions and a state runner-up. She was a four-time first team all-state selection.
In basketball, Cari set 10 school records and helped her team to four state appearances, one state title and earned numerous awards, including first team all-state and 2A Player of the Year three times.
In all, Cari won basketball tournament MVP honors on at least five occasions and post-season honors in league, region and state all four years.
In track, she set three school marks, won the state championship in the 100 meter hurdles (three times), triple jump (sophomore), 300 meter hurdles (sophomore) and placed in several other events throughout her career. Her track team also won a state title.
Cari was named the Colorado Prep Sportswomen of the Year (2000), Fred Steinmark Award recipient (2000) and The Denver Post/Denver Athletic Club Student-Athlete of the Year (2000). She and Kristen were honored by the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame as Prep Athletes of the Year in 2001.
Both Kris and Cari were FHS co-valedictorians and earned volleyball scholarships to Kansas State. They both earned numerous academic awards in high school and college, in addition to being active in their church.
She lettered three times in volleyball at Kansas State, earned All-Big 12 honors three times, was the school’s first Academic All-American first teamer and earned a post-graduate scholarship following her career.