Athletes from 11 different schools have been named the Chagrin Valley Conference Athletes of the Week for the week ending April 16.
Each athlete was nominated by his or her coach. All statistics incurred from Monday, April 10 through Sunday, April 16, 2023.
Here’s a look at each Athlete of the Week by sport:
BASEBALL
Name: Rory Corrigan
School: Independence
Grade: 12
Stats: Batted .714 with five runs scored, and four RBI, along with a .857 slugging percentage, and a 1.000 fielding percentage
Coach’s Quote: “Senior leader Rory Corrigan had a tremendous conference week and helped to lead the on-the-field success, along with the emotional charge in our league matchups, as well as with all games played last week,” said Independence coach Jim Crooks.
Name: Eric Dill
School: Lutheran West
Grade: 11
Stats: Batted .600 (6-for-10) with two triples, three RBI, three runs scored, four walks, and struck out seven in 4 1/3 innings of work
Coach’s Quote: “Eric was locked in at the plate all week, as even his outs were hit hard,” said Lutheran West coach Thomas Balla. “After getting the win on the mound Tuesday against Cuyahoga Heights, his bat propelled us to an extra-inning win over Heights the following day as he went 4-for-5 with two triples.”
Name: Troy Hornak
School: Berkshire
Grade: 12
Stats: Went 1-0 on the mound and 6-for-11 (.545) at the plate with four doubles, six runs scored, eight RBI, and three stolen bases
Coach’s Quote: “Troy had a fantastic week for our baseball team,” said Berkshire coach Nick Burzanko. “He started big innings and finished big innings in the batter’s box with big hits and running the bases hard. Troy has been working very hard and is a staple of our success at the top of our lineup. He plays great defense as well as pounding the zone when he is on the mound. His leadership trickles down to everyone and always has a smile on his face, which helps his teammates relax and enjoy playing the game.”
Name: Geno Measel
School: Edgewood
Grade: 9
Stats: Went 1-1 on the mound with a 0.58 earned run average with one earned run on nine hits allowed and 12 strikeouts to just one walk in 12 innings
Coach’s Quote: “Geno was tremendous for us this week,” said Edgewood coach Jeff Barger. “We had some tired arms at the top of our rotation, and he stepped up in a big way, especially for a freshman. He was outstanding in both of his starts and deserved to be 2-0 if we had played any defense behind him in the loss.”
Name: Andrew Oros
School: Geneva
Grade: 10
Stats: Batted .733 (11-for-15) with a .778 on-base percentage, two doubles, two triples, 10 runs scored, five RBI, and two stolen bases; allowed no earned runs in two innings pitched
Coach’s Quote: “Andrew is just a great young man,” said Geneva coach Terry Hejduk. “He got off to a slow start the first week of the season and you knew it was just a matter of time before he got hot, and boy did he. He was huge this week in all three phases of the game but swung the bat at an elite level. The kid flat-out works and has a great attitude. He seems to be enjoying the season and I know I enjoy watching him play.”
Name: Matthew Wagner
School: Lakeside
Grade: 9
Stats: Batted .600 (9-for-15) with three doubles, one triple, eight runs batted in, six runs scored, two walks, and three stolen bases
Coach’s Quote: “Matt is a very talented freshman who really broke out this week,” said Lakeside coach Jared Sziber. “After a slow start, he has finally started putting it together all over the field. He has a number of big hits for us and never gets cheated at the plate. Even his outs have been very loud ones. He has played a great outfield for us making a number of great plays. He is just scratching the surface of what he can be moving forward.”
SOFTBALL
Name: Sierra Berman
School: Berkshire
Grade: 12
Stats: Batted .538 (7-for-13) with two doubles, four RBI, two runs scored, and eight stolen bases; robbed an extra-base hit with two outs and the bases loaded in a win over West Geauga
Coach’s Quote: “Sierra is that perfect example of a five-tool player,” said Berkshire coach Dave List. “She has speed, hits for power and average, and has a great glove and a strong arm. Her spot in center field is where fly balls go to die.”
Name: Rylie Leichtman
School: Cardinal
Grade: 10
Stats: Batted .444 with two doubles, an RBI, and three runs scored with four stolen bases; only allowed five passed balls in 20 innings behind the plate, and recorded 25 putouts with two assists
Coach’s Quote: “Rylie has been a very consistent hitter for us at the plate,” said Cardinal coach Haley Adams. “She has an aggressive mindset both at the plate and on the bases. In the nine games that we’ve played, Rylie has only struck out twice. She always finds a way to put the bat on the ball to give herself and her teammates a chance. Rylie is the type of leader who leads by example, and everyone else follows. She has been a great addition to our team, and we look forward to the future that she will have with us.”
Name: Shea Malone
School: West Geauga
Grade: 12
Stats: Batted .588 (10-for-17) with six runs scored, five RBI, three intentional walks, 10 stolen bases, and three double plays on defense
Coach’s Quote: “Shea showed her true self this week, by driving the ball hard all week when she wasn’t being intentionally walked,” said West Geauga coach Mark Percassi. “She ran the bases exceptionally well, stealing 10 bases, but also aggressively taking extra bases on base hits when on base. She constantly pressured defenses to honor her aggressiveness. Defensively, she was part of double plays and diving stops, often making them look routine. It’s fun to watch her play the game the way it’s meant to be played.”
Name: Alyssa Palmisano
School: Geneva
Grade: 11
Stats: Batted .636 with two doubles, an RBI, and a stolen base; recorded 13 putouts and threw out two of three would-be base stealers
Coach’s Quote: “Alyssa led our team this week with a .636 batting average and a .667 on-base percentage, which included two doubles, a stolen base, and an RBI,” said Geneva coach Eleshia Pitcher. “From behind the plate, she also threw out two of the three girls that tried to steal on her, had 13 putouts and caught a foul ball with bases loaded to secure our win over Madison this week.”
Name: Laylah Ruscin
School: Wickliffe
Grade: 12
Stats: Batted .700 (7-for-10) with five doubles, one triple, nine runs scored, seven RBI, four stolen bases, and a 1.000 fielding percentage
Coach’s Quote: “Laylah has been doing a phenomenal job for us this year, both offensively and defensively,” said Wickliffe coach Marlana Mucciarone. “She is incredibly versatile. At bat, she can hit for power, contact, bunt, slap, or drag. This makes her an ideal leadoff hitter. I know that I have said this before, but when she gets on base, good things happen for us. In center field, she tracks down fly balls effortlessly. I can’t say enough good things about her. She’s a great athlete.”
Name: Lola Thomas
School: Harvey
Grade: 12
Stats: Batted .600 with a 1.312 slugging percentage, three doubles, two triples, one home run, five RBI, 14 runs scored, seven walks, and 16 stolen bases
Coach’s Quote: “Lola is a threat at the plate and on the basepaths,” said Harvey coach Betsy Hada. “We have moved her to the leadoff spot in the lineup this season. It has allowed her to utilize her power and speed to make big plays happen. She has been a rock for us behind the plate. She is widely respected by her teammates and pushes them to be their best every day.”
TENNIS
Name: Isaac Riddell
School: Geneva
Grade: 11
Stats: Went 3-0 on the week
Coach’s Quote: “Number 1 singles player for Geneva, Isaac Riddell, went 3-0 on the week including a three-set victory over reigning Ashtabula County Player of the Year Jensen Yaroush,” said Geneva coach Scott Torok. “Geneva is off to a 7-0 start and Riddell is undefeated at 6-0.”
TRACK & FIELD
Name: Christian Anderson
School: Hawken
Grade: 12
Stats: Won the 100-meter dash with a new Beachwood Invitational record of 10.5 seconds
Coach’s Quote: “Christian is rewriting records on almost a weekly basis,” said Hawken coach Kim Curtis. “One of the fastest boys in Ohio history, Christian set personal, school, and meet records running in the Beachwood Invitation Meet. His unofficial time of 10.50 would have set a new State of Ohio Division II record. We look forward to Christian officially making his mark and achieving unparalleled success this season.”
Name: Leila Metres
School: Hawken
Grade: 11
Stats: Won the 200 and 400-meter races to earn the Beachwood Invitational MVP award
Coach’s Quote: “Leila already looks to be in mid-season form as she achieved Beachwood Invitational Meet MVP, securing first-place finishes in both the 200 and 400-meter open races,” said Hawken coach Kim Curtis. “Leila’s dedication to off-season power development is starting to manifest in her races. We are excited by what awaits her in the coming meets, and appreciate the leadership position she has assumed with her team.”
Name: Owen Zaumeyer
School: Berkshire
Grade: 11
Stats: Ran a time of 4:52.73 in the 1600 at the Aurora Invitational
Coach’s Quote: “Owen set out during the indoor season to run a 4:15 mile by the end of his senior year,” said Berkshire coach Aimee Green. “His work ethic and determination has paid off already as he has set yet another personal record in the mile at 4:52.”
