Athletes from nine different schools have been named the Chagrin Valley Conference Athletes of the Week for the week ending April 23.
Each athlete was nominated by his or her coach. All statistics incurred from Monday, April 17 through Sunday, April 23, 2023.
Here’s a look at each Athlete of the Week by sport:
BASEBALL
Name: Adam Knaak
School: Kirtland
Grade: 12
Stats: Batted .556 (5-for-9) with a double, a home run, two runs scored, four RBI, and a stolen base
Coach’s Quote: “Adam is locked in at the plate,” said Kirtland coach Luke Smrdel. “He has a great approach up there and is using the whole field. He’s been making solid contact all year and hitting with a lot of power.”
Name: Anthony Starr
School: Brooklyn
Grade: 12
Stats: Batted .571 (4-for-7) with a home run, three runs scored, and five RBI
Coach’s Quote: “Anthony has been hitting the ball hard all season, unfortunately, they have been at defenders,” said Brooklyn coach Kevin Sedlacek. “This week, hits have been finding gaps and he has been clearing the bases.”
Name: Jack Watson
School: Chagrin Falls
Grade: 9
Stats: Pitched 7 2/3 innings with a win and a save in improving to 3-0 on the year; retired both batters faced with the bases loaded in a save against Hawken and threw a 72-pitch complete game against Padua
Coach’s Quote: “Jack has done a great job in his role as a pitcher this season, especially considering that he is a freshman,” said Chagrin Falls coach Michael Sweeney. “Jack is 3-0 on the season but also has recorded three saves. Jack has been used both as a starter and as a late-inning reliever and he has been outstanding in both roles this season. Jack has shown that he can remain calm in any situation. He never seems to get rattled and gets better and better as the season goes on. Jack also plays shortstop, third base, and catches when he is not on the mound.”
SOFTBALL
Name: Emily Clar
School: Beachwood
Grade: 12
Stats: Batted .750 (9-for-12) with two doubles, seven runs scored, and eight RBI; Went 2-1 with 15 strikeouts in the circle
Coach’s Quote: “Emily showed great senior leadership,” said Beachwood coach Mike Coreno. “She pitched three of our game games and went 2-1. Her timely hitting helped our team have a 3 -1 week.”
Name: Peyton Pierce
School: Chagrin Falls
Grade: 11
Stats: Batted .343 with two doubles, five runs scored, an RBI, and four stolen bases; recorded two putouts and three assists
Coach’s Quote: “Peyton is a player we can rely on week in and out to leave it all out on the field for her coaches and her teammates,” said Chagrin Falls coach Whitney Garrett. “In spot No. 2, Peyton takes the responsibility of being aggressive, yet disciplined. She works the count, lays down bunts, and puts the bat on the ball when needed. She is a force to be reckoned with on the field covering a large majority of the left side of our infield. She is not afraid to get dirty and lay it all on the line to make the play. She has been a crucial part of our team leadership this year stepping up to help mentor many of our younger players and share her softball knowledge. Peyton has a very bright future, and I am lucky to have been her coach throughout the past few years.”
Name: Abby Schneider
School: Wickliffe
Grade: 12
Stats: Struck out 16 with a 1.16 earned run average in two games; batted .333 with a home run and five RBI; recorded a 1.000 fielding percentage and recorded 12 of 15 outs in a shutout of Cardinal
Coach’s Quote: “Abby has been the workhorse of the team this year,” said Wickliffe coach Marlana Mucciarone. “She has started every game in the circle and does exactly what we need her to do, which is make our team competitive. Abby hits her spots and gets teams to pop out, fly out, or hit weak grounders. She also plays a significant role offensively, as she leads the team in runs batted in. We definitely would be a very different team without her. She is one of those players who knows her role and does a great job getting it done.”
TENNIS
Name: Eric Allen/Myles Colgan
School: Geneva
Grade: 12/9
Stats: Went 4-0 as second doubles team and won the second doubles title at the Ashtabula County tournament
Coach’s Quote: “Eric Allen and Myles Colgan have formed a very formidable doubles team for the Eagles posting a 9-0 record for the undefeated Geneva squad,” said Geneva coach Scott Torok. “Allen, a senior and a standout Eagle soccer player, has transitioned into a solid tennis player since picking up a racquet a year ago. Colgan, a freshman, also a soccer player, has cracked the varsity lineup and quickly made a name for himself. Their recent title at second doubles at the Ashtabula County tennis invitational has this duo ready to tackle the second half of the CVC season.”
Name: Allen Morris
School: Perry
Grade: 11
Stats: Went 2-0 at first singles
Coach’s Quote: “Allen has been a force at his first singles position again this year in the CVC and non-conference play with a 6-0 record this season so far,” said Perry coach Rob Walker.
Name: Tyler Snyder
School: Hawken
Grade: 10
Stats: Went 2-0 singles/first doubles
Coach’s Quote: “Tyler is undefeated this year, and he is a versatile player that can play in several positions,” said Hawken coach David Paradzik. “Additionally, Tyler exemplifies the sportsmanship and team spirit as he has evolved into a leader for the team.”
TRACK & FIELD
Name: Mila Gresh
School: Chagrin Falls
Grade: 11
Stats: Won the 1600 (5:24.21) and took second in the 800 (2:30.16) to score 18 points for the Tigers at the Kurt Frankel Invitational
Coach’s Quote: “Mila has been outstanding for us this season,” said Chagrin Falls coach Brittany Laseak. “She has been willing to run in any race and has had personal records week after week. Mila has run everything from the 400 to 3200 for the team. She is a great role model for teammates; she has a positive approach to each workout and to her training plan overall, and she will race wherever her team needs her.”
Name: Richard Luecke
School: Lutheran West
Grade: 12
Stats: Won the shot put (45-11) and discus (122-5, lifetime PR) at the It’s Gonna’ Be Windy meet, and won the shot (45-10) and took third in the discus (119-0) at the Huron Invitational
Coach’s Quote: “Richard capitalized on a strong indoor track & field season to come out even stronger in the outdoor season,” said Lutheran West coach Anjanette Whitman. “We look forward to him excelling even further as we head into the championship part of the season.”
