1991 State Champion Baseball Team
Led by Head Coach Dan Griggs and Assistant Coach Gary Schmitz, the 1991 Warrior Baseball Team won the first State Championship for the SPX Baseball Program. The team was led by seniors Brian Witthar, Shayne Wright, Carl Quarrato, and Jimmy Perlik. In the State Semifinal game the team defeated Hornersville 8-6 with pitchers Tony Maddi and Kenny Hook combining for the victory. Toni Maddi and Kenny Hook both had 3 hits. In the State Championship game the team defeated Mansfield 9-5 with pitchers Brian Witthar and Kenny Hook combining for the victory. The offense was led by Jeremy Samples who hit a 2-run homerun and 4 RBIs. This capped off a tremendous season, ending with a 20-3 record.
Rosemarie Simone Marsalla, Class of 2001
Rosemarie lettered in both Basketball and Softball at St. Pius X. In basketball, she was a 4-year starter and 3-year team captain. Rose was a proud member of the 2000 State 4th Place Basketball team. She earned many awards and accolades during her career including two-time Northland Player of the Year, four-time first team All-District, and four-time All-State. As the team’s leading scorer she was selected as the team MVP all 4 years. Rosemarie set several records during her high school basketball career including most points in a season, most free-throws, best free-throw percentage, amongst many more. In softball she was a three-year Varsity Letter winner as well as three-time All-District and All-State player.
After high school, Rosemarie received basketball scholarships to play at the University of Northern Colorado as well as William Jewell College, where she finished her career. She returned to St. Pius X in 2004–05 as the freshman head coach and led the freshmen girls basketball team to an undefeated season. She was also an assistant varsity coach.
Rosemarie remains involved in youth and high school athletics through charity and philanthropy. She works as the coordinator for several organizations in the Kansas City area including The Thomas A. Simone Foundation, and Thomas A. Simone Awards, recognizing the best football talent in the KS/MO metro area. She currently sits on the board of F.A.C.E.—Foundation for Autism Collaboration and Empowerment. In addition, Rosemarie runs the Necco Raiders youth football organization with her husband, SPX alumni Philip Marsalla ’01. They reside in Liberty, Missouri with their three children: Frankie (12), Valentina (10), and Giovanna (4).
Eric Guettermann, Class of 2002
Eric participated and lettered in Basketball, Baseball, and Football at St. Pius X. In baseball, he was a 4-year Varsity Letter Winner and a member of the 1999 State Championship Team and the 2000 & 2002 State 2nd Place teams. He was a two-time All-State Outfielder and a KC Star All Metro Honorable Mention. Eric is the current SPX career record holder for stolen bases in a season (24).
In basketball, Eric was a 3-year varsity letter winner. In football, he was a 3-year varsity starter and a member of the 1999 State 2nd Place Team and the 2000 Championship Team. At the 2000 State Championship Game, Eric set the record for receiving yards with 153 yards; it has since been broken. He was a first team All-State Wide Receiver, second team All-State Wide Receiver, and a two-time Honorable Mention KC Star All-Metro Team Wide Receiver.
After high school, and a brief stint at Southwest Missouri State, Eric attended Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland, where he played baseball and studied Political Science and Economics. His records still stand, holding single-season records for hits and outfield assists. He was team MVP in 2006 and made the All-Centennial Conference team in 2005 and 2006.
Eric resides in the Northland with his wife Whitney and 11-year-old daughter Evelyn. They are parishioners of St. Therese in Parkville, and Eric serves as the Director of Sales and Pricing at National Beef Packing Company.
Anthony Simone Jr., Class of 2002
Anthony participated in Baseball, Football, and Wrestling at St. Pius X. As a student, he was a 3-time captain, played/coached in 8 State Championship games, and earned numerous All-District, All-Metro, and All-State accolades. His teammates described him as a dedicated athlete and leader whom they respected and admired.
In Baseball, he was a member of the 1999 and 2001 State Championship Teams and the 2000 State Second Place team. In football, he was a member of the 1999 State 2nd Place Team and the 2000 Championship Team. In 2000, he set the record for Most Tackles in a season (191). He was a two-time first team All-Metro Linebacker, a two-time first team All-District Linebacker, and first team All-State Linebacker. He won the Bobby Bell Award and the UNICO Brian Piccolo Award in 2001. In wrestling, he was a state qualifier. Anthony also holds the SPX school Bench Press record (196+ pounds) – 405 pounds.
After high school, Anthony redshirted his freshman year at the University of Missouri, then transferred to William Jewell where he played football, was a 3-year captain, and a multiple All-Conference honoree.
In 2020, Anthony returned to St. Pius X as the Head Football Coach. His first year coaching, he instituted many new programs and policies. Along with the Senior Captains, he developed a team motto of FFC – Faith, Family, and Champions. That year he took the 12-1 team to the first State Championship appearance in 18 years. In 2021, the team had another State Championship appearance and Anthony was named the Midland Empire Conference Coach of the Year.
Anthony resides in Kansas City, MO with his wife of 13 years, Kristin. They have six children: Jayshawn (18), Charles (16), Tommie Ann (11), Charlie Bear (10), Savina (10), and Gino (10).
David Stodden, Class of 2011
David participated in cross country and track and field at St. Pius X. He was a varsity runner for 3 years, having not competed his freshman year due to a broken leg from a dirt bike accident. During his three seasons, David earned a varsity medal in every race he ran—33 races, 33 medals. He never finished lower than 9th in any meet, at any level, any year; and in 32 of these 33 races, he finished 5th or higher.
He was a three-time state qualifier:
– 2008 State Medalist (9th Place)
– 2009 State Medalist (4th Place)
– 2010 State Medalist (3rd Place)
He is a three-time All-Conference, All-District, All-State runner, and a Coaches’ All-Metro selection from 2008–2010. When St. Pius X was a member of the West Central Conference, David held the Conference record for 3.1 miles at 15:58, which remains the SPX school record for that distance.
After high school, David received a scholarship to Truman State University for track and cross country. He studied Business Administration and was a member of the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity.
David currently owns and operates Custom Cut Metals with his father, Frank Stodden ’82. He also owns and operates a gym, Ambassador Club Fitness, with his wife Taylor. David and Taylor were married in 2019 and have two daughters: Charlotte (3) and Juliet (1.5). They live in the Northland.
Grant Gavin, Class of 2013
Grant participated in baseball, basketball, and football at St. Pius X. In baseball, he was a 3-year varsity letter winner. He was a three-time first team All-Conference First Base and Pitcher, first team All-State Designated Hitter/Utility Player, All-Metro Honorable Mention, and holds the school’s season high batting average of .644 (2011). His senior year, Grant helped lead his team to Conference, District, and Sectional championships and was selected to the 4A East/West All-Star Team.
In basketball, he received 2 Varsity Letters and was a member of the 2013 State 2nd Place team. In football, Grant was a 4-year varsity letter winner and Team Captain his senior year. He was second team All-District Quarterback, first team All-Conference Quarterback, third team Quarterback, All-District Punter, second team All-State Punter, and SPX Offensive MVP in 2012. Until the 2022 Football season, he held the SPX school record for most completed passes (145) in a season.
After high school, Grant received a baseball scholarship and played 3 years at the University of Central Missouri (UCM). He was also a member of the UCM football team his freshman year. As a baseball player, Grant was part of the MIAA Championship teams in 2014 and 2016. In 2016, he helped the team earn a Regional Championship and advance to the DII World Series. That same year, he was selected as First Team All-MIAA Relief Pitcher and earned All-Region honors.
Grant was named to the Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) First Team All-Region and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers of America (NCBWA) First Team All-Region. In 2016, he was selected in the 29th Round of the MLB Player Draft by the Kansas City Royals. He began his pro career with the AZL Royals in Surprise, AZ. Following his rookie season, Grant was named to the Arizona League Post-Season All-Star team and earned the Surprise Royals’ Pitcher of the Year award.
In 2021, he was the Minor League Rule 5 draft pick by the San Diego Padres (10th pick, first round). He played the 2022 season with the El Paso Chihuahuas and San Antonio Missions. He continues to play professional baseball and is currently a member of the Kansas City Monarchs. In 2023, he was selected to the American Association All-Star team while playing for the Monarchs.
Grant resides in Parkville, Missouri and Boca Raton, Florida in the off-season. His parents, Rick & Jan, also reside in Parkville and Boca Raton. His older brother, Alex ’10, lives in New York with his wife, Tess, and they are expecting their first child. His younger sister, Anna ’23, will be attending Belmont University in Nashville this fall.
