Athletes from 17 different schools have been named the Chagrin Valley Conference Athletes of the Week for the week ending Sunday, August 25.
Each athlete was nominated by his or her coach. All statistics incurred from Monday, August 19, 2024, through Sunday, August 25, 2024.
Here’s a look at each Athlete of the Week by sport:
CROSS COUNTRY
Name: Izaiah Siler
School: Madison
Grade: 12
Stats: Placed 47th out of 394 runners
Coach’s Quote: “Zay was a huge reason the Blue Streaks were able to have a Top 8 finish out of 52 teams represented at the Riverside Light up the Night event on Saturday,” said Madison coach Jeremy Verdi. “He went out very aggressively and set the tone for the rest of the squad.”
FOOTBALL
Name: Nate Blasiole
School: Crestwood
Grade: 12
Stats: Carried 32 times for 230 yards and two touchdowns
Coach’s Quote: “Nate had a great start to the season,” said Crestwood coach Jack D’Amato. “He trusted the blocking of his teammates and continued to show why he is one of the best backs in the area. He is a tireless worker who is willing to put the team on his back. Nate picked right back up where he left off from last season.”
Name: Dylan Burlingham
School: Jefferson
Grade: 11
Stats: Completed 18-of-28 passes for 322 yards and two touchdowns
Coach’s Quote: “Dylan made some solid decisions with the ball Friday night,” said Jefferson coach Brandon Hanna. “As the game went on, he found a good flow.”
Name: Aidan Duncan
School: Trinity
Grade: 12
Stats: Rushed 10 times for 219 yards and three touchdowns and also threw for 50 yards and recorded four tackles on defense
Coach’s Quote: “Aidan is a special player,” said Trinity coach Jeff McSweeney. “There are things that he does on the football field that you just can’t teach.”
Name: Rocco Ressler
School: Independence
Grade: 12
Stats: Caught 12 passes for 112 yards, returned six kickoffs for 114 yards, and recorded nine solo tackles and eight assisted stops with a 55-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown
Coach’s Quote: “Rocco played the best game of his career on Friday as he never came off the field,” said Independence coach Rick Adams.
Name: Russell Tye
School: Orange
Grade: 11
Stats: Carried seven times for 177 yards and three touchdowns; recorded six tackles, a sack, and two tackles for loss on defense
Coach’s Quote: “Russ had a great game on Friday night,” said Orange coach Rob Senor. “He has great vision and is able to hit the holes created by our O-Line. He also has a knack for the ball on defense. Russ is a team leader and a captain.”
BOYS GOLF
Name: Dylan Phillips
School: West Geauga
Grade: 9
Stats: Shot a two-under-par 33 and a one-under-par 34
Coach’s Quote: “Freshman Dylan Phillips has been a welcomed addition to West Geauga’s varsity team,” said West Geauga coach Jay Kletecka. “His knowledge and understanding of the game elevate all around him, including his teammates. What is next level for Dillon is his ability to visualize his next shot, and his ability to consistently put himself in a position for success. He not only manages each golf course he plays, but he is also able to manage each shot and putt. He always seems to have the right club in his hand at the right time. Dillion attacks pins and greens and has the ability to shoot under par every time he goes out. When he occasionally misses a green, he can easily get up and down to save par. Getting to watch firsthand his approach to the game has been an awesome experience for me as the coach. I look forward to his future success.”
GIRLS GOLF
Name: Avery Vencill
School: Edgewood
Grade: 12
Stats: Shot a par-36 and is averaging 40.5 strokes per nine-hole match
Coach’s Quote: “Avery has been playing very well this season and has emerged as a team leader,” said Edgewood coach Christina Fischer. “Her play has been very consistent and much of our team success is due to her contributions both on and off the course.”
BOYS SOCCER
Name: Eric Campbell
School: Conneaut
Grade: 12
Stats: Scored two goals with one assist
Coach’s Quote: “Eric Campbell had two goals and one assist in Conneaut’s 5-4 win against Independence on August 24, 2024,” said Conneaut coach Jim Campbell. “He played hard the entire game, scoring the winning goal in the last 48 seconds of the game.”
Name: Oscar DiFranco
School: Chagrin Falls
Grade: 12
Stats: Scored six goals
Coach’s Quote: “Chagrin Falls senior Oscar DiFranco scored six goals last week in the Tigers’ two games,” said Chagrin Falls coach Brian McKenna. “Oscar scored both goals in their 2-1 victory over Chardon and four goals in their 6-0 win over Streetsboro. Although he was injured for the first 12 games last season, he has been Chagrin’s leading scorer the past two years and has picked up right where he left off.”
Name: Grant Keilin
School: Beachwood
Grade: 12
Stats: Scored seven goals with two assists
Coach’s Quote: “As was the case in the previous two seasons, senior captain Grant Keilin set the pace and standard for an excellent opening week of the season where the team performed at a high level,” said Beachwood assistant coach Josh Lowe.
Name: Antonio McCladdie
School: Cuyahoga Heights
Grade: 11
Stats: Recorded 21 saves in two games
Coach’s Quote: “Antonio was a major influence on both outcomes last week,” said Cuyahoga Heights coach Matt Natal. “Antonio kept the team in the game against Open Door and secured the win against Wickliffe.”
Name: Brandon Shaw
School: Hawken
Grade: 10
Stats: Scored four goals in a win over Elyria and added an assist in a win over Kenston
Coach’s Quote: “Brandon is back at Hawken after playing at Benedictine his freshman year and he will be a big player for us in the next three years,” said Hawken coach Vlad Muresan. “His assist against Kenston helped us get an important win, while his four-goal performance against Elyria highlighted his versatility, creativity, and hunger in front of goal. The sky is the limit for Brandon.”
GIRLS SOCCER
Name: Ayvah Chin
School: Brooklyn
Grade: 12
Stats: Recorded a 3.5 saves per game average
Coach’s Quote: “Ayvah Chin was outstanding in goal as we kicked off our season and played our first conference game against Independence,” said Brooklyn coach Rebecca Blaine. “She remained focused and alert throughout both matches, consistently ready for anything that came her way. Ayvah faced many shots in both games, demonstrating her skill and composure under pressure. She nearly secured a clean sheet in the conference game, a testament to her strong performance. Her efforts were crucial in keeping us competitive in both matches.”
Name: Kelly McCandless
School: Berkshire
Grade: 11
Stats: Scored five goals
Coach’s Quote: “Kelly started off the week with four goals on the road to lead us to a 6-1 victory over Cardinal Mooney,” said Berkshire coach Ian Patterson. “She followed it up with a header served in off of a corner to tie the game at home against Champion that ended 1-1. She has been a spark plug for our offense so far this season and is hungry for more.”
Name: Jordan Rowan
School: Perry
Grade: 12
Stats: Scored seven goals
Coach’s Quote: “Jordan scored three goals against Archbishop Hoban High School and four goals against Holy Name High School last week,” said Perry coach Rich Stavar. “She was tenacious in both the middle and attacking thirds.”
TENNIS
Name: Ivy Berlin
School: Orange
Grade: 9
Stats: Won two matches (6-0, 6-4; 6-0, 6-4) at first singles
Coach’s Quote: “Ivy has handled the pressure of playing towards the top of our lineup as a freshman beautifully,” said Orange coach Rich Bole. “She is a hard worker and a tremendous fighter on the court.”
Name: Sharon Jiang
School: Edgewood
Grade: 11
Stats: Went 2-0 on the week
Coach’s Quote: “Sharon is incredibly motivated this season,” said Edgewood coach Renee Mattson. “She is putting in a lot of effort and working hard and it’s showing in her performance every match.”
Name: Sophia Kristoff
School: West Geauga
Grade: 12
Stats: Won a doubles match against Independence
Coach’s Quote: “Sophia is great to have on the team,” said West Geauga coach Mary Kay Yuhas. “Sophia has the perfect demeanor for the sport. She is enthusiastic, mentally strong, and poised on the court. She is also extremely kind and encouraging to the freshmen on our team. It is a privilege to be her coach and her future is bright.”
VOLLEYBALL
Name: Jackie Blasiole
School: Crestwood
Grade: 10
Stats: Recorded 20 kills, 20 digs, seven service points, and two blocks
Coach’s Quote: “Jackie is an all-around player for the Red Devils,” said Crestwood coach Wanda Hoffman. “She is one of the underclassmen playing with a group of seniors. Jackie can jump out of the gym with an aggressive swing. Blasiole has a powerful serve and protects the floor from our opponents. She was a big part in our two victories this past week. I’m heartbroken to say that Jackie Blasiole will probably be out the rest of our season with an injury.”
Name: Peyton Gambatese
School: West Geauga
Grade: 9
Stats: Recorded 11 digs and three kills along with a 97.6 service rating
Coach’s Quote: “Peyton is a phenomenal athlete, very coachable, and has an outstanding attitude,” said West Geauga coach Peyton Gambatese. “Her calm and collected confidence is elevating her play beyond her years. Peyton has saved us with her serving and quick defense this season, and I know she will continue to impress us all.”
Name: Gianna Ianetta
School: Edgewood
Grade: 12
Stats: Recorded 50 assists and 27 points
Coach’s Quote: “Gianna is a key part of our offense and carries a lot of responsibility,” said Edgewood coach Kyra Vencill. “She excels at providing support to the floor and has even taken our freshman setter Summer Matthews under her wing. She is one of our captains this year and we look to her leadership to help lead us this year. We run a faster tempo offense, and she does a great job for us.”
Name: Marillia Matuz
School: Jefferson
Grade: 12
Stats: Scored 26 points with three aces and recorded 53 digs, 48 kills, and five assists
Coach’s Quote: “Marillia is an outstanding all-around volleyball player,” said Jefferson coach Don Palm. “Last year, she made a name for herself as a passer and defender. As a three-year starter, we will be asking her to do more for us on the offensive side of the net this season. Marillia also has a tremendous volleyball IQ and is a wonderful teammate and role model.”
Name: Jade Riedel
School: Brooklyn
Grade: 12
Stats: Recorded 76 digs, 14 service points, and four service aces
Coach’s Quote: “Senior captain Jade Riedel is our libero and is our main defensive player,” said Brooklyn coach Debbie Hall. “Jade’s defense is one of the reasons we stay in contention against stronger, more experienced teams this season. Without it, we wouldn’t have a chance of any type of offense. She is a fierce competitor and has a never give up attitude that she tries to instill in the rest of her teammates.”
