Athletes from six different schools have been named the Chagrin Valley Conference Athletes of the Week for the week ending Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024.
Each athlete was nominated by his or her coach. All statistics incurred from Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, through Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Name: Dekota Johnson
School: Crestwood
Grade: 12
Stats: Scored 29 points with five rebounds and four steals; shot 5-of-10 from behind the arc
Coach’s Quote: “Dekota had a fantastic start to the season leading us against rival Mogadore to open our season,” said Crestwood coach Josh Jakacki. “He scored at all levels and helped put the game to rest in the third and early fourth quarter scoring 12 of our 14 points.”
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Name: Gianna LaMarco
School: Madison
Grade: 9
Stats: Scored 13 points with 10 rebounds, six assists, and two steals in one game
Coach’s Quote: “Gianna helped lead us to a victory on Saturday against West Geauga,” said Madison coach Heather Reho. “She did a great job seeing the floor in transition, was versatile in shot selection, and had herself a double-double.”
SWIMMING AND DIVING
Name: Hailey DeWalt
School: Madison
Grade: 11
Stats: Placed 16th in the 100 IM at the Chardon Hilltopper Invitational with a 5.29-second improvement
Coach’s Quote: “Hailey set some personal goals for herself this season,” said Madison coach Susan Martin. “She is already well on her way to achieving them through her hard work and dedication to perfecting her specialized events every day at practice. Hailey is always positive and willing to learn.
BOYS WRESTLING
Name: Cameron Carter
School: Trinity
Grade: 12
Stats: Went 4-0 with three pins and a technical fall in winning a second straight Hawken Invitational Tournament title
Coach’s Quote: “Cam had a dominant tournament three first-period pins and a tech to win the tournament,” said Trinity coach Isaiah Hill. “We expect him to be wrestling in March this season again.”
Name: Joshua Hartman
School: Cardinal
Grade: 10
Stats: Went 2-1 with two pins
Coach’s Quote: “Josh has worked hard this year to improve his skills on the mat,” said Cardinal coach Dakota Ward. “He had the opportunity to beat a wrestler he lost to last year and ended the weekend with a second-place medal. We are excited to see what this season brings for him.”
Name: Jacob Lewis
School: Jefferson
Grade: 11
Stats: Went 5-0 with two pins and two technical falls in winning the Ashton Hynd Battle by the Lake
Coach’s Quote: “Jacob wrestled very well this past weekend,” said Jefferson coach Cody Lewis. “In the finals, he managed to secure a hard-fought win against an extremely talented athlete from West Geauga, who had pinned him at this tournament last year. What impressed me the most was his match awareness. He chose bottom at the start of the third period instead of my initial suggestion to go neutral. That one-point escape was the difference in the match. Having the confidence to escape from bottom will be crucial for him as the season progresses.”
Name: D.J. Otero
School: Lutheran West
Grade: 11
Stats: Placed second at the North Coast Classic with a 6-1 record
Coach’s Quote: “Junior D.J. Otero, currently ranked No. 1 in Division II at 106 pounds, bumped up to 113 for the North Coast Classic,” said Lutheran West coach Josh Malave. “En route to the finals, he secured victories over the Division I No. 11, and the Division II No. 5. He fell by decision in the championship final to the Division II No. 3.”
GIRLS WRESTLING
Name: Taylor MacAdam
School: Madison
Grade: 12
Stats: Was named MVP at the Ashton Hynd Battle by the Lake tournament after pinning her way through the bracket
Coach’s Quote: “This past weekend, Taylor did an amazing job of scoring points in every position top, bottom, and neutral,” said Madison coach Andrew Tomaso. “She loves being on the mat and she’s very exciting to watch.”
Name: Cali Otero
School: Lutheran West
Grade: 9
Stats: Finished third at the Women’s Ironman Tournament
Coach’s Quote: “Cali showed great heart and determination throughout the course of the two-day event,” said Lutheran West coach Josh Malave. “On day one, she delivered two upsets knocking off the No. 3 seed to advance to the semifinals. In the semifinal, she fell to the No. 10 ranked girl in the nation. In her final two matches, she delivered a thrilling come-from-behind victory in the consolation semifinal and in her final match, won by decision to secure third place.”
