Athletes from 13 different schools have been named the Chagrin Valley Conference Athletes of the Week for the week ending Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024.
Each athlete was nominated by his or her coach. All statistics incurred from Monday, Oct. 1, 2024, through Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024.
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY
Name: Joey Ciavarelli
School: Kirtland
Grade: 10
Stats: Earned first-team All-Conference after running a PR at the CVC championships
Coach’s Quote: “Joe had a huge breakthrough performance at the conference championships,” said Kirtland coach J.P. Moran. “He has been striving to break 18 and get in the 17s, and crushed his goal and earned first-team all-conference during the process. It sets him up on a high note heading into the district championships.”
Name: Tor Eastlake
School: Cardinal
Grade: 11
Stats: Placed 10th at the CVC championships
Coach’s Quote: “As a new runner to cross country, he has a background in soccer and track that transitioned very well to cross country,” said Cardinal coach Jennifer Fekete. “He has a nice combo of speed and endurance and is mentally very tough. He is a quiet leader who leads by example. He gets the job done without questions asked. Already an incredibly impressive season for a first-year runner and the season isn’t done yet.”
Name: Joey Lubanovich
School: West Geauga
Grade: 10
Stats: Finished 15th at the CVC championships with a time of 17:59
Coach’s Quote: “Joey ran his best race of the year on Saturday,” said West Geauga coach John Boylan. “He has consistently been the number two runner all season long. He works hard and is determined to get better. I’m looking forward to the upcoming cross country seasons as Joey is only going to get better.”
Name: Roman Ramsdell
School: Fairview
Grade: 11
Stats: Ran a time of 16:36 to lead his team to a CVC title
Coach’s Quote: “With the goal from the beginning of this season to win the Valley Division team title, Roman ran his second fastest time of the season and led the team from start to finish,” said Fairview coach Jennifer Dahler. “Ramsdell wasn’t afraid to run aggressively out of the gate, and it set the tone for our entire team.”
Name: Joe Shay
School: Cuyahoga Heights
Grade: 12
Stats: Ran a time of 19:43 at the CVC Championships
Coach’s Quote: “Joe Shay is irreplaceable on so many different levels,” said Cuyahoga Heights coach Chadwick Robinson. “As a senior, Mr. Shay leads by example in both the field of competition and more importantly in the classroom. Even though I have only known Joe for just under a year and a half from both the classroom and in track and field and cross country, he has had a lasting example on me as an educator and also as a person. It’s as if I’ve known him for 10-plus years. In my 17 years of coaching the sport of cross country and 20-plus years of coaching overall, there hasn’t been a better human being under my belt. With an infectious smile, a sense of humor, and a willingness to push himself no matter the circumstances, Mr. Shay continues to astound me in every way. His teammates gravitate towards him during practice and on meet day. When he is competing, there is no first, second, or third gear; it’s sixth gear all the time. When Joe finishes a race, he is in a pain cave from pushing so hard that there is literally nothing left in the tank. This past week at the CVC Championships, he was running with a sinus infection and still performed admirably. If you could bottle up his raw intangibles and sell it, you would be an instant millionaire.”
Name: Cody Weber
School: Jefferson
Grade: 9
Stats: Placed fifth at the CVC championships in 16:35
Coach’s Quote: “Cody has had an amazing freshman year helping the team win several meets,” said Jefferson coach T.J. Furman. “He has a tremendous work ethic that has made him into a solid runner and leader. He is a fun-loving kid who brings a lot of energy to our team.”
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
Name: Eve Kaminski
School: Cardinal
Grade: 11
Stats: Placed fifth at the CVC championships with a time of 21:02, good for the eighth spot on Cardinal’s all-time leaderboard
Coach’s Quote: “Eve is an amazing runner who splits her time between soccer and cross country,” said Cardinal coach Jennifer Fekete. “Not only is she a main scorer for the soccer team, she is the lead runner on our team. Her determination to run faster each week helps to encourage her teammates to go with her and work harder each week. She is very competitive and holds herself to an incredibly high standard. She is a quiet leader who leads by example of hard work, putting her head down and getting it down. She gets out hard but has good footspeed and somehow always has a kick.”
Name: Addie Kennedy
School: Conneaut
Grade: 12
Stats: Ran a PR of 22:40 to finish 19th at the CVC championships
Coach’s Quote: “This is Addie’s sixth year running cross country,” said Conneaut coach Jessica Kennedy. “She works hard every day at practice, and it has been exciting watching her push herself and improve. She is a great teammate, always cheering for everyone. Addie will be missed next year.”
Name: Sophia Kereky
School: Jefferson
Grade: 9
Stats: Placed fifth at the CVC championships in 20:15
Coach’s Quote: “Sophia has had an outstanding freshman year being our number one runner in all of our meets,” said Jefferson coach T.J. Furman. “She set the school record at Tiffin with a time of 19:08.9. Sophia is an extremely hard worker who loves to compete. She also is a member and leader of our girls’ soccer team. Her leadership can be seen on and off the field of play.”
FOOTBALL
Name: Cortlon Campbell
School: Lutheran West
Grade: 12
Stats: Ran for 81 yards and a touchdown and caught two passes for 22 yards; recorded four tackles on defense, including two solo stops; kicked an extra point and averaged 34 yards on four punts
Coach’s Quote: “Cortlon does it all for us,” said Lutheran West coach John Parrella. “He plays wide receiver, running back, quarterback, linebacker, kicker, and punter. He’s one of the most complete players I’ve ever coached.”
Name: Burke Lowry
School: Fairview
Grade: 11
Stats: Completed 15-of-22 passes for 313 yards and four touchdowns; ran for 47 yards and a touchdown on six carries
Coach’s Quote: “Burke had a great game this past week against Cardinal,” said Fairview coach Sean Ranc. “He threw the ball and ran the ball very efficiently. Not only did he have a great night, but he also set many school records. He now holds the school record for most passing yards in a career and single season, and also now holds the records for most passing touchdowns in a single season and career.”
Name: Kaden Robinson
School: Trinity
Grade: 12
Stats: Carried 11 times for 107 yards with three touchdowns
Coach’s Quote: “Kaden ran the ball as hard as he has all year,” said Trinity coach Jeff McSweeney. “He really set the tone for our offense on Friday.”
Name: Ryan Turner
School: Conneaut
Grade: 11
Stats: Caught six passes with two touchdowns; recorded nine tackles including two for a loss, one sack, and he picked off a pass
Coach’s Quote: “Ryan had an outstanding game on both sides of the ball to carry our team to a victory over our rivals,” said Conneaut coach Rocco Dobran. “Ryan is a great team leader who brings a great attitude and amazing effort every day.”
BOYS SOCCER
Name: Troy Snyder
School: Independence
Grade: 9
Stats: Recorded 16 saves in two games
Coach’s Quote: “Troy became the starting goalie for the Blue Devils after multiple goalies were injured early in the season,” said Independence coach Brien McDonald. “Troy was selfless in stepping up to help the team and continues to improve each game regardless of the result. He started off the week strong against Berkshire with an incredible 13-save performance, his best game in net this season, and kept us in it with chances to tie in a 2-1 loss. He then capped off the week with three key saves against Fuchs Mizrachi to earn his second shutout of the season and helped us finish the regular season with a 2-0 home win.”
Name: Antonio Soto Rodriguez
School: Harvey
Grade: 12
Stats: Scored four goals in two games
Coach’s Quote: “Antonio has really elevated his play this year and become an inspirational leader for his teammates through his play,” said Harvey coach Natalie Sisler. “This week, Antonio helped us defeat our rival Riverside in the Battle of Painesville on senior night Thursday, 5-1, and scored a hat-trick in the process. Additionally, he scored a goal in a tough loss, 3-2, to Gilmour on Tuesday following a 7-1 victory over Bedford on Monday. Antonio is a leader in the classroom and on the pitch. He has played in multiple positions for us this season both at center back and midfield to help the team be successful. He is a selfless player who is ultra-competitive and will do whatever is asked of him to help the team.”
VOLLEYBALL
Name: Kayleigh Helm
School: Crestwood
Grade: 12
Stats: Scored 14 points with 10 digs, nine blocks, six kills, three assists, and two aces
Coach’s Quote: “Kayleigh Helm has been an asset to our team,” said Crestwood coach Wanda Hoffman. “I am always impressed at how smart, and the great vision Kayleigh has when hitting. Halfway through the season, Helm switched starting positions, which allowed her to serve. Her serves are line drives with some heat behind them. This has been a benefit to our team. When it comes to great team players, Kayleigh is one of the best. She is a right-side hitter/blocker and is always ready to earn us a point with a kill or a block. In the win versus Garfield, Kayleigh was key with her front row play and serving. I will miss coaching her next year.”
Name: Finley Mongell
School: Geneva
Grade: 12
Stats: Recorded 36 digs in two matches
Coach’s Quote: “Finley is a senior defensive specialist, and she had an awesome week,” said Geneva coach Annah Haeseler. “She is a quiet leader and a true team player. She is fast, strong, and a wonderful addition to our team.”
Name: Natalie Soltis
School: Cardinal
Grade: 10
Stats: Recorded 51 digs, 13 kills, a 47-of-48 in serve receive (98 percent), and a 61-68 attack rate (90 percent) with 13 kills
Coach’s Quote: “Natalie had an exceptional week for the Huskies,” said Cardinal coach Michael Chaffee. “Cardinal upset Mogadore, who was 15-3 at the time on an 11-game win streak, swept Beachwood, and lost in five to 16-6 Kirtland. Natalie had one serve-receive error for the entire week and hit and served at an over 90 percent rate. She played at a consistently high level start to finish. She has developed into an outstanding all-around player for Cardinal.”
