Athletes from 10 different schools have been named the Chagrin Valley Conference Athletes of the Week for the week ending Sunday, October 19, 2025.
Each athlete was nominated by his or her coach. All statistics incurred from Monday, October 13, 2025, through Sunday, October 19, 2025.
CROSS COUNTRY
Name: Carter Cline
School: Edgewood
Grade: 9
Stats: Finished 11th at the Division III district meet in 17:14
Coach’s Quote: “Carter has had a great season for only being a freshman, breaking 18 minutes four times, including his PR of 17:14 from this past weekend,” said Edgewood coach Steve Hill. “Carter has a great attitude and brings joy to practice every day.”
Name: Kate Farrell
School: Perry
Grade: 11
Stats: Placed 23rd in 22:07.70 at the Madison District
Coach’s Quote: “Kate’s gutsy race helped her team qualify for regionals,” said Perry coach Kristen Thomas. “Her aggressive start put her in a great position, and she stayed active in the second half to finish in the top 25. She’s had a solid season to this point, and we are excited to see her race at Boardman. She thrives on hard courses, and she loves to compete.”
Name: Hunter Kline
School: Perry
Grade: 10
Stats: Ran a time of 18:17.51 to place 34th at the Division III Madison District
Coach’s Quote: “Hunter had a solid performance in the Division III districts on Saturday,” said Perry coach Kristen Thomas. “He was aggressive at the start, getting out just behind his teammate Landon. He stayed strong through the last half and put himself in a great position to qualify. Hunter is ready to use that same tenacity this Saturday at Boardman.”
FOOTBALL
Name: Sam Bernhardt
School: Independence
Grade: 12
Stats: Completed 1-of-1 passes for 77 yards and a TD; carried 7 times for 76 yards and 1 TD; caught 1 pass for 6 yards; returned a punt 78 yards for a touchdown; recorded 3 tackles, including 1 for a loss, and picked off a pass on defense
Coach’s Quote: “Sam was all over the field on Friday Night,” said Independence coach Matthew Burns. “He’s one of those guys who rarely comes off the field, and he had a career night, which made Senior Night just that more special for him. In the second quarter, he was able to intercept a pass; then on the very next play, he threw a 77-yard bomb to Ryan Suhy. It was a very special night.”
Name: Jaiven Pope
School: Edgewood
Grade: 12
Stats: Carried 22 times for 197 yards with 1 TD
Coach’s Quote: “Jaiven was the best offensive player on the field against Jefferson,” said Edgewood coach Olajuwon Cooper. “He has a rare combination of speed, power, and vision. He’s electric in the open field and runs hard between the tackles. He can go to the house from anywhere on the field. He’s a big part of what we do offensively.”
Name: Colby Stiltner
School: Conneaut
Grade: 12
Stats: Recorded 390 passing yards, 2 TDs, 1 rushing TD, and a 2-point conversion
Coach’s Quote: “Colby had an amazing night,” said Conneaut coach Rocco Dobran. “He did a great job of distributing the ball, throwing to seven different receivers. In the final minute of the game, down seven, he stayed calm and threw a 33-yard TD pass, and ran in a two-point conversion for the win.”
Name: Kurtis Van Divner
School: Cuyahoga Heights
Grade: 11
Stats: Carried 5 times for 64 yards, including a 44-yard TD run, and caught 2 passes, for 58 yards with a 43-yard touchdown; recorded 5 tackles, including 1 tackle for loss, on defense
Coach’s Quote: “Kurtis has battled back from an injury in Week 1, and his athletic ability was on full display Friday against Trinity,” said Cuyahoga Heights coach Al Martin. “His two long touchdowns sparked our offense.”
BOYS SOCCER
Name: Asher Gearity
School: Beachwood
Grade: 12
Stats: Scored 3 goals with 1 assist
Coach’s Quote: “Asher is a four-year contributor to a varsity team that has won over 65 games in that stretch and has started for the last three years,” said Beachwood assistant coach Josh Lowe. “He is the team’s leading goal scorer and assist earner despite having to play as an interior midfielder for around half the season, instead of at his preferred position of either wing or striker. His performance has been instrumental to our team’s successes this season, sharing the CVC Metro title and making it five straight years with double-digit wins.”
Name: Jacob Homovec
School: Berkshire
Grade: 12
Stats: Scored 1 goal with 2 assists and 3 steals
Coach’s Quote: “Jacob is a key player on our defense with the ability to push up and support the attack,” said Berkshire coach Russ Buckley. “He is a team captain who works hard to support the team and lead our younger players. Jacob played with a knee injury all year and played hard even with the injury. He set the example for the team to follow.”
Name: Zach Pastor
School: Rootstown
Grade: 11
Stats: Scored three goals in one game
Coach’s Quote: “Although it was Zach’s fifth hat trick of the season, this was by far his most important one,” said Rootstown assistant coach Michael Farkash. “After going into halftime with a 2-0 lead over No. 4 Columbia, a couple of mistakes saw them draw level with us in the second half. Then, with three minutes left in the half, Zach stepped up and slotted home a game-winning penalty kick.”
GIRLS SOCCER
Name: Chloe Hall
School: Edgewood
Grade: 11
Stats: Scored an overtime goal in a win
Coach’s Quote: “Chloe scored one goal in our tournament game, which was in the first half of overtime. That goal clinched our first sectional win in school history,” said Edgewood coach Kaytee Shimek. “She left everything out there and showed how to not give up even when you are tired.”
VOLLEYBALL
Name: Haley Podojil
School: Crestwood
Grade: 10
Stats: Recorded 11 assists, 7 points, 4 aces, and 2 digs
Coach’s Quote: “Haley helped lead the Crestwood Red Devils to a dominant win in their first postseason match against Lincoln West,” said Crestwood assistant coach Oliver Wuensch. “Haley, who was selected as a captain at the start of the season, has done a terrific job of growing into her role as a setter for the varsity team. Her growth throughout the season and consistent hustle on the court have been awesome to see as a coach.”
Name: Ellie Spencer
School: Kirtland
Grade: 11
Stats: Recorded 16 digs, 11 service receptions, 9 kills, 3 service aces, 2 block assists, and 1 assist
Coach’s Quote: “Ellie was dominant in the playoff match against Fairport Harding,” said Kirtland coach Ricky Sanders. “She’s a six-rotation player with a high motor. Kirtland’s success goes through her play.”
