Athletes from 17 different schools have been named the Chagrin Valley Conference Athletes of the Week for the week ending Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024.
Each athlete was nominated by his or her coach. All statistics incurred from Monday, August 26, 2024, through Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024.
Here’s a look at each Athlete of the Week by sport:
CHEERLEADING
Name: Keira Donovan
School: Independence
Grade: 12
Stats: Performed 17 handsprings during a tumbling routine; is the school record-holder with 22 handsprings
Coach’s Quote: “Keira thrives each Friday night as the only senior and head captain of the IHS varsity cheer squad,” said Independence coach MacKenzie Canter. “The crowd always looks forward to seeing her stunting as a flyer and her unique tumbling abilities. Keira is a natural leader and an asset to the team.”
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY
Name: Griffin Berlin
School: Orange
Grade: 9
Stats: Ran a time of 18:10.2 at the Ashley White Invitational
Coach’s Quote: “Griffin is an intensely hard worker and one to watch this season,” said Orange coach Rachel Frutkin. “As a freshman, he is already a stand-out on our team, dropping 30 seconds from our preseason race to Ashley White on Saturday. We all look forward to his development this season and into future seasons.”
Name: Owen Bottar
School: Madison
Grade: 11
Stats: Won medalist honors at the Mentor Invitational with a time of 16:58
Coach’s Quote: “Owen has put a significant amount of energy into being a better runner and his progress is astounding,” said Madison coach Jeremy Verdi.
Name: Carter Schaubert
School: Jefferson
Grade: 10
Stats: Placed first at the Oscar Grant Invitational out of 137 runners
Coach’s Quote: “Carter has had a phenomenal start to the 2024 season, winning all three races he has competed in,” said Jefferson coach T.J. Furman. “He has worked extremely hard at becoming the best runner he can be. He has led his team to two team titles out of the first three meets of the season. He has done a great job of becoming the leader of our team on and off the field.”
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
Name: Vivianna Cellini
School: Conneaut
Grade: 9
Stats: Placed 11th at the McDowell Invitational with a time of 20:57
Coach’s Quote: “Freshman Vivianna Cellini is new to the sport of cross country,” said Conneaut coach Jessica Kennedy. “She has trained hard all summer and has had a solid start to the season. Her positive attitude and energy are a great addition to our team.”
Name: Izzie Copeland
School: Kirtland
Grade: 11
Stats: Ran a personal best time of 20:23 to place 23rd at the Mentor Invitational
Coach’s Quote: “Izzie puts in a tremendous amount of work, and she has had a really good summer of training,” said Kirtland coach J.P. Moran. “She has set a lifetime personal best in each of the first two meets this season. She is working hard and extremely motivated to have a great season and it will be exciting to watch it unfold.”
Name: Maddie Crooks
School: Edgewood
Grade: 12
Stats: Finished third at the Oscar Grant Invitational
Coach’s Quote: “Maddie has had a strong start to her season winning The War on the Shore and running a 19:25 at the Oscar Grant Invitational, her best time since her freshman year,” said Edgewood coach Steve Hill. “She has a great attitude and she is working hard to prepare for the postseason come October.”
Name: Hazel Kananen
School: Perry
Grade: 9
Stats: Placed 59th at the Mentor Invitational with a team-best time of 21:55.9
Coach’s Quote: “Hazel raced to a 59th place finish this past weekend at the Mentor Cardinal Classic,” said Perry coach Kristen Thomas. “She is a mid-distance and long sprinter/hurdler on the track, so the 5K is a bit of a jump for her. She handles the distance and the tough competition like a seasoned veteran even though she’s just getting started. Hazel loves to compete.”
FOOTBALL
Name: Ralph Jackson
School: Wickliffe
Grade: 11
Stats: Carried 14 times for 156 yards and a touchdown; recorded 14 tackles and a pass breakup on defense
Coach’s Quote: “Ralph had a great game Friday night,” said Wickliffe coach Marce Porcello. “He is a great leader, plays both ways and on special teams. Ralph ran the ball extremely hard and was a huge reason we won on Friday night.”
Name: Jordan Johnson
School: Hawken
Grade: 12
Stats: Carried 16 times for 250 yards and two touchdowns with runs of 73, 53, and 48 yards
Coach’s Quote: “Jojo was great in Thursday’s 34-7 victory over Berkshire,” said Hawken coach Mark Iammarino. “He broke tackles, out-ran defenders, and created big plays on offense. He was also very solid in pass protection.”
Name: Dom Narduzzi
School: Independence
Grade: 12
Stats: Completed 14-of-22 passes for 176 yards and three touchdowns with nine carries for 68 yards; on defense, he recorded six tackles
Coach’s Quote: “Dom had the overall game of his career,” said Independence coach Rick Adams. “He was a leader on the field and did not force any plays. He was very effective both with his arm as well as with his legs. He also played a very solid linebacker, accounting for six tackles.”
Name: Bryce Peet
School: Geneva
Grade: 11
Stats: Carried six times for 157 yards with three touchdowns, including one that went for 96 yards; recorded 10 tackles, including two for a loss, on defense
Coach’s Quote: “Bryce had an excellent game this week,” said Geneva coach Don Shymske. “When we were in a hole on the one-yard line, he popped a 96-yard run and did a phenomenal job of flying to the ball on defense. He’s one of our team leaders and was voted a captain as a junior. He’s always prepared and studies the game plan and scouting reports tirelessly. That’s a big reason for his success.”
GIRLS GOLF
Name: Annie Johnston
School: Edgewood
Grade: 11
Stats: Averaged 41 in two matches
Coach’s Quote: “Annie has been one of my top players throughout the season,” said Edgewood coach Christina Ficher. “She has worked hard in the offseason, and it is paying off. She has worked hard with her driver and is more disciplined with her putting game.”
Name: Anuja Patel
School: Orange
Grade: 10
Stats: Shot a plus-one and a plus-round during the week
Coach’s Quote: “Anuja is a competitor who stays mentally focused on every shot she hits,” said Orange coach Cody Kovach. “She has put in the time in the offseason and looks to improve all parts of her game. With her, the moment is never too big for her and even though she is only a sophomore, she always keeps her poise regardless of the situation.”
BOYS SOCCER
Name: Giordano Gullotta
School: Hawken
Grade: 10
Stats: Recorded four assists
Coach’s Quote: “Giordano had a sensational performance against Padua, delivering four assists to three different players and showcasing his technical ability in the final third,” said Hawken coach Vlad Muresan. “He demonstrated the range of passing and his whole arsenal that can unlock any defense and help our team in the most critical moments of the season.”
Name: Elijah Jurisch
School: Crestwood
Grade: 12
Stats: Scored four goals with six assists
Coach’s Quote: “Elijah helped lead his team to two big wins this past week with great performances in the first CVC divisional game of the season against Jefferson and then helping his team to beat larger school Ravenna,” said Crestwood coach Eric Sway. “Elijah was instrumental in pretty much everything offensively and helped get his teammates involved with five others scoring goals in the respective two games.”
GIRLS SOCCER
Name: Erin Hallis
School: Crestwood
Grade: 12
Stats: Scored six goals with two assists; broke longtime school record with six goals in a single game
Coach’s Quote: “Erin had a tremendous week by breaking the longtime school record of five goals in a game by getting six goals against Ravenna, and on top of that added two assists in the game,” said Crestwood coach Eric Sway. “Erin was flat-out unstoppable in playing all 80 minutes.”
Name: Baileigh Wimer
School: Lakeside
Grade: 9
Stats: Scored two goals
Coach’s Quote: “Baileigh had two goals in our game against Jefferson on Thursday, Aug. 29, which we won 2-0,” said Lakeside coach Aaron Chamberlain. “She was a constant threat to score and distribute to other scorers throughout the game.”
GIRLS TENNIS
Name: Gabriella Goldberg
School: West Geauga
Grade: 12
Stats: Won a doubles match
Coach’s Quote: “Gabriella is one of the kindest and hardest working athletes on and off the field on our team,” said West Geauga coach Mary Kay Yuhas. “She was often the first one at practice and the last one to leave. I appreciate her dedication to the sport and her teammates. I feel that the resilience she shows on the court will give her the confidence to take on all the adventures and opportunities in her future. I am so proud to be her coach.”
VOLLEYBALL
Name: Amaya Brooks
School: Lutheran West
Grade: 12
Stats: Recorded 50 kills, 21 digs, and 14 aces
Coach’s Quote: “Amaya is a dynamic player who hits a very heavy ball,” said Lutheran West coach Laura Thrasivoulou. “She has the ability to be a game changer not only at the net but also from the service line. Her energy is infectious and is a great leader.”
Name: Anna Grill
School: West Geauga
Grade: 10
Stats: Recorded 14 kills in one set
Coach’s Quote: “Anna is continuing to shut it down for the Wolverines again this season,” said West Geauga coach Amber Baker. “In her second year on varsity, Anna has remained poised and has taken control of the pin position again this year. Anna is putting up big numbers in the kill department and has also gained a strong voice on our team. Anna is respected by her team and coaches, and I can’t wait to see what the rest of this season has in store for this big hitter.”
Name: Sophia Newman
School: Orange
Grade: 10
Stats: 9.3 kill rating
Coach’s Quote: “Sophia brings her best onto the floor each night,” said Orange coach Jen Gold. “She is one of our strongest outside hitters and all-around players. After five matches, Sophia has a total of about 50 kills for the season and displays solid defense when on the floor.”
Name: Ali Puruczky
School: Cardinal
Grade: 11
Stats: Recorded 50 kills, five service aces, and 29 digs in three matches
Coach’s Quote: “Ali had a dominant week in every aspect of her game,” said Cardinal coach Michael Chaffee. “She is a strong all-around player who has a very deep understanding of all of the elements of volleyball. She works year-round at her sport and is always improving and seeking to get better. She is a team leader and was selected as a co-captain of our team by her peers. She is the type of player that wants the ball at crunch time. She had an outstanding week, as did our entire team.”
Name: Audrena Vega
School: Brooklyn
Grade: 12
Stats: Recorded 27 digs, 21 assists, six service points and two aces
Coach’s Quote: “Senior Audrena Vega is one of the hardest working setters I know, and we had tough competition this week,” said Brooklyn coach Debbie Hall. “She has the hardest job this season of bettering the pass, but somehow, she gets the job done and gets to every ball. Knowing at times there are few choices, she takes it upon herself to push the ball back over or performs her setter dump, which helps our team score points.”
