Cox and Schultz win state ExCEL

Owatonna High School juniors Ava Cox and Lowell Schultz will represent the Huskies as two of 34 state-level ExCEL Award winners for the 2025-26 school year.

According to a press release from the high school, the duo “will be invited to participate in an on-court recognition ceremony on Saturday, March 14th at Williams Arena in Minneapolis. Recipients will be introduced and presented with their plaque during halftime of the Class AAA Championship game, starting at 2 p.m.”

The pair were both selected for their strong academic, athletic and arts resumes.

Cox’s activities outside of sports include: Link Crew, National Honor Society, prom committee, student council, and Students Helping Others Choose (SHOC).

She also serves as the vice president for Owatonna’s Best Buddies and was the co-president and founder of Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA).

Cox was a member of choir and orchestra and serves her community as a part of Big Brothers Big Sisters, Toys for Tots, youth coaching, being a tutor for National Honor Society, and as a church and hospital volunteer.

Schultz is also heavily involved in his school activities, taking part in Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA), Mock Trial, National Honor Society and student council.

He is also the Students for Life president and an Owatonna School District School Board representative.

In the arts, Schultz participates in band, choir, orchestra, musical theater, marching band, pep band and the carolers.

His community service includes being a member of 4-H, Boy Scouts, Eagle Scout

project, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Shop with Santa and serving as a church volunteer.

Both Cox and Schultz also represent the Huskies’ cross country and track and field teams in athletics.