Athletes from 10 different schools have been named the Chagrin Valley Conference Athletes of the Week for the week ending Sunday, May 4, 2025.
Each athlete was nominated by his or her coach. All statistics incurred from Monday, April 28, 2025, through Sunday, May 4, 2025.
BASEBALL
Name: Patrick Brancel
School: Berkshire
Grade: 11
Stats: Batted .500 with two home runs, five RBI, six runs scored, and one stolen base; posted a 1.000 fielding percentage
Coach’s Quote: “Patrick had a good week at the plate, helping spark our offense to score 24 runs in two games,” said Berkshire coach Brian Hiscox. “In our 9-8 victory over Harvey, every single run mattered. In that game, he hit two home runs, scored three runs, and had three RBI.”
Name: Rice Johnson
School: Chagrin Falls
Grade: 9
Stats: Allowed one run on three hits and struck out two in seven innings
Coach’s Quote: “Rice has stepped up and has been outstanding in his last two starts against Perry and last week against West Geauga,” said Chagrin Falls coach Michael Sweeney. “After starting a little slow, Rice has continued to get better and better and now gives us another starter that we can count on to get us deep into a game. I have been extremely impressed with Rice’s resiliency. No matter what happens, he bounces back, works hard to make adjustments, and finds a way to excel. He competes, and I look forward to seeing him get better and better.”
Name: Owen McKoon
School: Perry
Grade: 12
Stats: Batted .444 (4-for-9) with two runs scored, a double, a triple, and two RBI. He also stole three bases
Coach’s Quote: “’O’ has been a key player in our program since his first game he played here four years ago,” said Perry coach Matt Platt. “This past week was no different. He hits for power to all fields, has above-average high school speed, and is a wall behind the plate for us. He has contributed so much to our success as a team.”
Name: Dom Narduzzi
School: Independence
Grade: 12
Stats: Batted .333 with a 1.000 slugging percentage, and a 1.429 on-base percentage, a double, and a home run, with two RBI; threw out a runner trying to steal in a key situation
Coach’s Quote: “Dom Narduzzi is the mainstay of both the defensive and offensive assault for the Blue Devils,” said Independence coach Jim Crooks. “His home run came at a moment when our offense needed to answer the opponent’s score in the top of the inning, and he did so in thunderous fashion. Behind the plate, Dom is always on top of his game to catch an aggressive pitching staff and does so with leadership and confidence.”
SOFTBALL
Name: Rylie Leichtman
School: Cardinal
Grade: 12
Stats: Batted .429 with a home run, four RBI, and four runs scored; posted a 1.000 field percentage
Coach’s Quote: “Rylie has been working extremely hard all season,” said Cardinal coach Haley Adams. “She puts in extra work and extra time on her own schedule to be the best that she can be. She has always been an aggressive hitter, but some hits weren’t falling for her earlier in the season, but this past week her hits finally fell for her, and our coaching staff couldn’t be happier for her.”
Name: Gianna Markijohn
School: Geneva
Grade: 11
Stats: Batted .556 (5-for-9) with a .600 on-base percentage, a double, a triple, three runs scored, three RBI, and three stolen bases
Coach’s Quote: “Gianna made some great plays on second base as well as key at-bats in the cleanup spot for us this week,” said Geneva coach Eleshia Pitcher. “Gianna’s attitude and effort never disappoint, and we can always count on her to come through for us in key situations.”
Name: Macey McGhee
School: Independence
Grade: 12
Stats: Batted .857 (6-for-7) with a 1.54 slugging percentage, .880 on-base percentage, three runs scored, and six RBI; Posted a 1.000 fielding percentage
Coach’s Quote: “Macey never does anything halfway; she’s one of the most focused and consistent players to walk onto a field,” said Independence assistant coach Zoltan Zoltai. “Every at-bat this week, she was at the forefront of each big offensive inning, especially with runners on base. Strong-armed and steady on defense, every play she made helped us win. She played like a quiet storm, calm on the surface but powerful enough to change the course of each game.”
Name: Avery Vencill
School: Edgewood
Grade: 12
Stats: Batted .714 with a double and three RBI
Coach’s Quote: “Avery has been a senior leader for us all season,” said Edgewood coach Randy Vencill. “She is a leader on the field and in the dugout. She had a great week at the plate and has been automatic in the field all season. She will be missed next season for sure.”
TENNIS
Name: Randy Vencill/Brennan Bush
School: Edgewood
Grade: 9/9
Stats: Won first place in second doubles at the CVC tournament
Coach’s Quote: “The boys are both new to the team this year; they have worked very hard to get to where they are in their game and have shown a ton of improvement this season,” said Edgewood coach Renee’ Mattson. “They make an excellent team, and I am excited to see how well they do next season.”
Name: Michael Wenger
School: West Geauga
Grade: 12
Stats: Went 3-1 on the week
Coach’s Quote: “Michael has been having a solid season at first singles for us,” said West Geauga coach Joe DiMattia. “He went 3-1 last week with wins over Beachwood, Fairview, and Chagrin to bring his overall record up to 9-3. He went 2-1 in the CVC tournament, finishing in third place, while playing on a tweaked hamstring. This showed me how tough of a competitor Michael is. He is going to rest up and be ready to make a run at sectionals.”
TRACK & FIELD
Name: Kelvin Santiago
School: Brooklyn
Grade: 11
Stats: Scored 23 points at the Potopsky Invitational; second in the 4×100, third in the 200-meter dash (24.05), fourth in the 100-meter dash (11.72), and fifth in the 4×200
Coach’s Quote: “Kelvin had a fantastic performance on Tuesday at Independence by placing in and scoring points in all four events he participated in,” said Brooklyn coach Logan Hennings. “Even though this is just a small glimpse into the accomplishing season Kelvin has had so far, the entire coaching staff at Brooklyn is immensely proud of Kelvin and can’t put into words what his dedication to getting better every single day means to our team. Even though Kelvin is our fastest runner, he is also a model teammate on the track and student in the classroom. We are lucky to have Kelvin wearing the blue and gold for Brooklyn.”
Name: Sylvia Vosicky
School: Kirtland
Grade: 12
Stats: Named MVP of the Potopsky Invitational after winning first place in the 4×800 and 4×400-meter relays, as well as the 200 and 400-meter dashes
Coach’s Quote: “Sylvia capped off an awesome meet with a come-from-behind victory as the anchor of the 4×4 for her fourth first-place of the night and setting the meet record in the 4×4 relay,” said Kirtland coach JP Moran. “She was awarded the meet MVP for her performances.”
