Chris Cone, Class of 1976
Chris Cone was a three-year letterman in basketball at St. Pius X High School. He was a key player on the 1972-73 and 1973-74 teams that finished as state runners-up. Widely regarded by his teammates as the best shooter on the team, Chris was recognized as one of the top guards in the city, alongside Tim Presko ’76. During his three years with the St. Pius X team, they achieved an impressive record of 73-14. Chris held the school record for most field goals in a game with 17 and scored a total of 1,028 points in his career, placing him in the top 10 in school history, despite playing without the benefit of a three-point line. He was also selected as an all-conference and all-region player during his time at St. Pius X. After high school, Chris went on to play basketball at the University of Missouri–Kansas City.
Bennie Palmentere, Class of 1983
Bennie Palmentere has been a cornerstone of the SPX Football program since the 1980s, both as a player and coach. As a player, he was part of the 1981 state championship team and voted All Northland Running Back in 1982.
After high school, Bennie attended and graduated from William Jewell College, where he played defensive back for four years. Bennie started his coaching career at St. Pius X in the fall of 1989 as assistant freshman coach and varsity special teams coordinator. His dedication continued as he took on the role of offensive coordinator during the Missouri Hall of Fame era from 1998 to 2002. During that time, he was named AFLAC Missouri Assistant Coach of the Year. Under his guidance, the team secured three state championships and three runner-up finishes. Many of his offensive players hold school records, showcasing his coaching prowess. Bennie’s involvement with the school spans 35 years, reflecting his enduring commitment and significant impact on SPX athletics.
Bennie is a financial planner and owner of two garden supply stores. He is the son of the late Bennie Palmentere Sr. and Anita Palmentere and one of four brothers, Nick ‘80, Anthony ‘82 and Chuck ‘85. Bennie lives in Kansas City and is father to son, Bennie ‘14; and daughters, Alexandria ‘16, and Anna ‘17.
Great Day to Be a Warrior!
Jay Griggs, Class of 1993
Jay Griggs had an outstanding high school sports career, earning varsity letters in both baseball and football. As a key player on the baseball team, he was a four-year varsity letterman and contributed to the 1991 state championship win and the third-place finishes in 1992 and 1993. He was recognized as the 1st team Northland Catcher in 1991, 1992, and 1993, 1st team All-State Catcher in 1992 and 1993, and received honorable mention for All-Metro Catcher in 1993.
In football, Jay was a three-year letterman. His teams were conference champions in 1990, 1991, and 1992, and district champions in 1992. Individually, he earned honorable mention as a Kansas City Metro Wide Receiver and was named 2nd team All-District Wide Receiver in 1992. By the time he graduated, Jay held school records for receptions in a season and interceptions in a career. He still holds the record for most interceptions in a game with three. In recognition of his athletic achievements, he received the US Army Athlete of the Year Award in his senior year.
After high school, Jay attended Benedictine College, where he continued to excel in baseball. He played for four years and was part of the 1997 conference championship team. Jay was named All-Conference Catcher in 1997 and 1998. Following his playing career, he served as the pitching coach at Benedictine College from 1999 to 2007.
Jay resides in Kansas City with his wife, Misty and two children, Cooper (SPX Senior) and Camryn.
Michael Sansone, Class of 1998
Michael Sansone, a member of the Class of 1998, was a standout athlete in both football and basketball at St. Pius X. In football, he was a three-year letterman, earning recognition in 1996 as a 2nd Team All-District Player and in 1997 as a 1st Team All-District Quarterback. That same year, he was also named 2nd Team All-State Quarterback and 2nd Team All-Metro Quarterback. Michael was the quarterback for the district championship team in 1996 and led two of the most remarkable comeback victories in St. Pius X history against Lexington. In one game, the team overcame a 28-0 halftime deficit to win 36-35, and in another, they rallied from a 14-3 deficit with just 5 minutes remaining to win 18-14.
In basketball, Michael was a four-year letterman. He earned 1st Team All-District honors for the 1996-97 and 1997-98 seasons and was named 2nd Team All-State in 1998. As the point guard, he led the team to district and sectional championships during the 1996-97 season and scored over 1,000 points in his high school career.
Michael resides in the Kansas City Northland and owns a trucking company, Brolly Transportation, based out of North Kansas City. His daughter, Nicolette graduated from St. Pius X in 2022.
Clint Longwell, Class of 1999
Clint Longwell excelled in multiple sports during his time at SPX. A three-year starter in football, he played both defensive end, tight end and punter. He was a member of the 1996 district championship team and the 1998 state championship team, earning 2nd team All-District honors as a defensive end in 1998.
In basketball, Clint was a four-year letterman, contributing to the 1997 district championship team and the 1999 sectional championship team.
As a three-year letterman in baseball, Clint played a crucial role in the 1998 and 1999 state championship teams. He was recognized as a 1st team All-State Pitcher and 1st Team All-Metro in 1999. Clint continued his baseball career at CMSU, as a member of four Division II College World Series including the 2003 National Championship team.
Clint resides in Blue Springs and is married to his wife Alison. Both work in education, Alison as an elementary school principal and Clint as a history teacher and baseball coach. Clint’s parents, Mark and Julie Longwell, retired to their farm in Mooresville, Missouri. His younger brother Clay, lives in Springfield, Missouri with his wife Andrea and their two boys, Brooks and Whit.
2006 State Champion Volleyball Team
Led by Head Coach Inger Condit and Assistant Coaches Karl Mendell and Melissa Lureso Springer ‘97, the 2006 Lady Warrior Volleyball Team won the State Championship. Not only was it the first State Championship for the SPX Volleyball Program but it is the only women’s athletic team in SPX history to win a State Championship. The team was led by seniors, Jesse Koch Williams, Jacqueline Ross, Britany Wolf McFaul, Michelle Armilio Circo, Allie Humphrey Canaday, and Jenna Tarantino Grider. Their collaboration and chemistry allowed them to dominate at districts, sectionals and at quarterfinals, where they defeated their biggest rival Archbishop O’Hara. At State they defeated Reed Springs, Lutheran South, and Lutheran St. Charles in the Championship Game. This team will be remembered for their determination, hard work and enduring warrior spirit!
2006 State Champion Volleyball Team Roster
Allison Humphrey Canaday ‘07, Michelle Armilio Circo ’07, Head Coach Inger Condit, Rebecca Pearson Enayati ‘09, Jenna Tarantino Grider ‘07, Amanda Hake ‘08, Samantha Sellmeyer Knapp ‘09, Britany Wolfe McFaul ‘07, Assistant Coach Karl Mendenhall, Amber Romstad ‘08, Jacqueline Ross ‘07, Elena DiMiceli Shanley ‘08, Assistant Coach Melissa Lusero Springer ‘97, Jessica Koch Williams ‘07.
