Athletes from 13 different schools have been named the Chagrin Valley Conference Athletes of the Week for the week ending Sunday, September 7, 2025.
Each athlete was nominated by his or her coach. All statistics incurred from Monday, September 1, 2025, through Sunday, September 7, 2025.
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY
Name: Chase Cardona
School: Edgewood
Grade: 11
Stats: Finished as the runner-up at the Champion Invitational with a time of 18:46
Coach’s Quote: “Chase is in his first year of cross country and is working hard to work his way onto varsity,” said Edgewood coach Steve Hill. “This race may propel him to accomplish that.”
Name: Luke Sly
School: Jefferson
Grade: 12
Stats: Placed sixth at the Wooster Invitational with a time of 16:21.3
Coach’s Quote: “Luke has done a great job leading our team this year, placing first place for our team in every race,” said Jefferson coach TJ Furman. “He has done a tremendous job leading our team on and off the cross country course this season.”
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
Name: Grace Dzura
School: Jefferson
Grade: 9
Stats: Placed ninth at the Wooster Invitational with a time of 20:33.8
Coach’s Quote: “Grace has led our team by taking first place on our team in our first three meets as a freshman,” said Jefferson coach TJ Furman. “She has had a tremendous start to her freshman year.”
FOOTBALL
Name: Owen Davis
School: Geneva
Grade: 11
Stats: Carried six times for 101 yards and two touchdowns, including a 45-yarder; recorded two tackles on defense
Coach’s Quote: “Owen had a breakout game for us this week,” said Geneva coach Don Shymske. “He’s done an excellent job in his role with the team so far this year. During our game this week, he showed maturity and growth. Owen is learning and improving each and every week. We’ve asked a lot of him this season, and he keeps responding in a positive fashion.”
Name: Donovan Moorhead
School: Hawken
Grade: 12
Stats: Completed 31-of-34 passes for a school-record 320 yards with no interceptions
Coach’s Quote: “In our 42-13 win over rival Gilmour, Donovan was 31-34 passing, two incompletions were throwaways, setting a school record for pass completions in a game,” said Hawken coach Mark Iammarino. “He threw for 320 yards, another school record, with no interceptions. He also had a 51-yard punt that was downed at the opponent’s one-yard line.”
Name: Nathan Tommer
School: Cuyahoga Heights
Grade: 10
Stats: Caught five passes for 110 yards and three touchdowns; scored one two-point conversion; recorded five tackles, including two solo stops, and one pass breakup on defense
Coach’s Quote: “Nathan has taken on key roles on both sides of the ball as a sophomore,” said Cuyahoga Heights coach Al Martin. “We needed every big play he made on Friday in a close victory on the road over Crestwood.”
BOYS GOLF
Name: Mason Elliott
School: Madison
Grade: 12
Stats: Averaged 36 strokes during the week
Coach’s Quote: “In a win against Lakeside last week, Mason shot a personal and team best for the year, 33,” said Madison coach Pat Moran. “He followed that up by shooting a 39 in a win against Perry.”
GIRLS GOLF
Name: Anuja Patel
School: Orange
Grade: 11
Stats: Finished the league season undefeated with a comeback win over another top golfer
Coach’s Quote: “Anuja’s comeback shows how composed and competitive she is,” said Orange coach Cody Kovach. “One of her goals was to be undefeated in CVC matches, which last year she didn’t do. She’s content when she wins for about one minute. Then, it’s all back to getting better because she knows there is so much more she can do to improve.”
BOYS SOCCER
Name: Dylan Boland
School: Rootstown
Grade: 10
Stats: Scored three goals in two games
Coach’s Quote: “Dylan Boland played a key role in both of our wins this week,” said Rootstown assistant coach Michael Farkash. “Defensively, he isn’t afraid to get stuck in, delivering strong, physical tackles in our half of the field to win back possession. Offensively, his sharp soccer IQ and powerful shot can make life difficult for opposing keepers. We want our midfielders to score goals, and that’s exactly what he has done for us this season. Dylan capped off our match against Crestwood with a powerful header, and then set the tone early at Canton Central Catholic by finishing a rebound on a corner kick and later sending home a sweet side-volley from the top of the box.”
Name: Ethan Johnson
School: Chagrin Falls
Grade: 12
Stats: Scored one goal with four assists in two games
Coach’s Quote: “Ethan’s play at the holding midfield position has been integral to leading Chagrin to a 7-0 record, scoring 35 goals and only giving up one,” said Chagrin Falls coach Brian McKenna.
Name: Iain Monroe
School: Hawken
Grade: 12
Stats: Helped the team record clean sheets in two games
Coach’s Quote: “Iain is the heart and soul of our team, our fearless captain who leads by example,” said Hawken coach Vlad Muresan. “He helped our team achieve two massive victories against Lutheran West and University School, providing balance and protection to our back line while also driving our team forward, while playing with a tremendous level of intensity and aggressivity.”
Name: Jamie Panichi
School: Independence
Grade: 12
Stats: Scored five goals
Coach’s Quote: “Jamie led us to victory against Lawrence with the first hat trick of his high school career and followed up that achievement with two more against rival Cuyahoga Heights,” said Independence coach Brien McDonald. “As a second-year captain, I think Jamie has done an excellent job managing that delicate balance between kicking for our football team while leading our soccer team and our developing offense.”
GIRLS SOCCER
Name: Avery Bechlem
School: Independence
Grade: 10
Stats: Scored four goals in one game
Coach’s Quote: “After a couple of years away from soccer, Avery has really learned how to play forward at the high school level,” said Independence coach Bryan Less. “In this game, she aggressively attacked defenders and made great runs to open herself up. Her physical play got her two goals on sheer will alone, one off a corner, and another off a loose ball by the goal.”
Name: Carly Kray
School: Edgewood
Grade: 11
Stats: Scored one goal with one assist in one game
Coach’s Quote: “Carly had a great goal and a great assist this past week,” said Edgewood coach Kaytee Shimek. “She is someone on our team who gives it their all, and the team really rallies around her. She is a great player on both sides of the ball. She plays defensive mid, so she sees a lot of the ball defensively and then uses that momentum offensively by creating opportunities for herself and her teammates.”
Name: Kelly McCandless
School: Berkshire
Grade: 12
Stats: Scored two goals in a key win
Coach’s Quote: “Kelly is on fire to start this season,” said Berkshire coach Ian Patterson. “She has scored in all six of our matches so far this year, totaling 20 goals, which comes out to an average of over three goals per game. Last week, we had a high-intensity match against the Kirtland Hornets, who were unbeaten at the time and ranked in the top 20 of the state for Division V teams. Kelly scored two key goals in this matchup, helping us secure a 3-0 victory.”
GIRLS TENNIS
Name: Dani Forte
School: Hawken
Grade: 12
Stats: Went 2-0 on the week
Coach’s Quote: “Dani had a great week with wins over two of the best players in the area, including Abigail Lynch of Gilmour in three sets,” said Hawken coach Lori Shulman. “She continues to impress and improve year after year and competes hard with integrity every time she is out on the tennis court.”
Name: Cassia Rogers
School: West Geauga
Grade: 12
Stats: Won a three-hour singles match
Coach’s Quote: “After watching Cassie play for four years, I would say this was her most impressive and gutsy victory,” said West Geauga coach Shaun Spence. “This was the most skilled opponent she has ever beaten. I loved watching her compete and grind to a huge win.”
Name: Claire Rubin
School: Chagrin Falls
Grade: 11
Stats: Came back to win a match after losing the first set 0-6; won the tiebreaker 12-10
Coach’s Quote: “Claire serves as the team captain because of her outstanding leadership on and off the court,” said Chagrin Falls coach Kathleen Aranavage. “Her performance this week exemplifies her work ethic, resilience, and tenacity.”
VOLLEYBALL
Name: Kailyn Cerjan
School: Geneva
Grade: 12
Stats: Recorded 35 assists, 11 digs, and 5 service aces
Coach’s Quote: “Kailyn has worked hard to speed up our offense and connect with our attackers,” said Geneva coach Annah Haesler. “Kai is our leader in assists and is becoming one of our leaders on the service line. We had battles this week with two strong teams, and Kailyn led with a calm, fierce mentality.”
Name: Mia Glover
School: Brooklyn
Grade: 11
Stats: Recorded 38 digs, 25 service receptions, and 17 service points
Coach’s Quote: “Mia is our No. 1 defensive specialist and one of our more consistent servers,” said Brooklyn coach Debbie Hall. “She is extremely competitive and is gaining confidence as a back row player, as she was one of our hitters the last few years. Her dig percentage rises each week, and her defense keeps us in our games. Mia is always willing to step into any position that is needed because her goal is to never leave the court. She is extremely coachable and is always assisting her underclassmen.”
Name: Brooklyn Hicks
School: Jefferson
Grade: 10
Stats: Recorded 31 service points, 18 kills, 8 aces, 7 digs, and 3 blocks
Coach’s Quote: “Brooklyn is one of our front row players who helps control the net with her attacking and blocking,” said Jefferson coach Don Palm. “She is a really good athlete who loves to compete and works tremendously hard. We look forward to her continuing to grow and improve over the course of the season as our chemistry, timing, and trust throughout the team get stronger.”
Name: Marissa Rish
School: Berkshire
Grade: 12
Stats: Recorded 50 assists, 21 digs, 17 kills, 12 service points, and 6 aces in two matches
Coach’s Quote: “Marissa had a solid week in helping the team go 2-0, including a rivalry victory over Cardinal in straight sets,” said Berkshire coach Joni Prots. “Marissa contributed both offensively and defensively and showed great leadership on the court.”
Name: Kyndall Williams
School: Hawken
Grade: 12
Stats: Recorded 36 kills, 20 digs, 8 service aces, 3 assists, and 2 blocks in two matches
Coach’s Quote: “Kyndall brings a fierce competitive spirit every time she steps on the court,” said Hawken coach Patty Hace. “Her leadership helps steady and guide our side, and her smart, composed play elevates each possession as she consistently works to better the ball with every contact. In our match against Geneva, she kept Hawken alive in many long rallies by taking the ball out of system or securing a vital dig. She is a force, and we’re excited to see her continue that power over the course of the season.”
