Athletes from 10 different schools have been named the Chagrin Valley Conference Athletes of the Week for the week ending Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Each athlete was nominated by his or her coach. All are based on the period from Monday, April 13, to Sunday, April 19, 2026.
BASEBALL
Name: Sebastian Becker
School: Kirtland
Grade: 11
Stats: Struck out 14 while allowing one unearned run and a walk in a seven-inning complete game
Coach’s Quote: “Sebastian has been throwing the ball well in each of his starts,” said Kirtland coach Luke Smrdel. “He’s one of our aces, and we’re counting on him continuing to pitch well.”
Name: Frankie Bucar
School: Wickliffe
Grade: 12
Stats: Batted .615 (8-for-13) with 4 walks, 3 doubles, 4 RBI, and 6 stolen bases; 9-for-9 on defense; pitched five innings with 10 strikeouts
Coach’s Quote: “With a fairly inexperienced team, Frankie remains the model of consistency,” said Wickliffe coach Phil Motta. “After an initial slow offensive start to the season, Frankie has come on strong in all facets of the game and continues to play hard for all seven innings. He’s a model for the program, and I hope the young guys see and appreciate the commitment he has made to the game of baseball.”
Name: Nolan Ghann
School: Independence
Grade: 11
Stats: Batted .400 (4-for-10) with a double, 2RBI, 4 runs scored, and he went 2-for-2 in throwing out potential base stealers
Coach’s Quote: “Nolan Ghann is becoming a reliable powerhouse at the plate for the Independence Blue Devils,” said Independence coach Jim Crooks. “The combination of his at-bats along with his play behind the plate helped the Indy boys go undefeated in three games during the week.”
Name: Ash Martin
School: Chagrin Falls
Grade: 11
Stats: Batted. 462 (6-for-13) with a 1.149 OPS, 2 doubles, 4 runs scored, and 6 RBI
Coach’s Quote: “Ash started a little slow, but there was no doubt he was going to get it going at some point,” said Chagrin Falls coach Michael Sweeney. “Well, the time is now. Over his last seven games, Ash is hitting .565 with an OPS of 1.512 and 13 RBI. Ash is coming back from two knee surgeries after missing all of last baseball season and the end of his football season. Not only that, but he is also learning a new position and is our full-time catcher. He has worked hard at the catching position and gets better each and every day. He is an exceptional kid both on and off the field, and I am glad to see him having success after what he has gone through.”
Name: Cole Twardokus
School: Hawken
Grade: 11
Stats: Batted .572 with 4 RBI, a double, HR, 6 runs scored, and 3 stolen bases; recorded a win and struck out 9 in 6 innings
Coach’s Quote: “Cole has been a leader in all facets of the game,” said Hawken coach Aaron Brandt. “During this critical week of play, Cole had three different ways to positively impact the game. Monday, he helped us beat Lutheran West with his power bat. Tuesday, he excelled with his arm, shutting down a good Lutheran West lineup, and Friday, he found ways to get on base and score runs in a win over Chagrin Falls. Cole is a complete player who works hard to improve all areas of his game.”
Name: Mason Vega
School: Brooklyn
Grade: 10
Stats: Batted .700 (7-for-10) with 11 RBI, 2 doubles, and 3 walks
Coach’s Quote: “Mason was red-hot at the plate this week in two wins over Trinity and a loss to Wickliffe,” said Brooklyn coach Kevin Sedlacek. “Mason is a sophomore who is a returning varsity player from last year. He is the foundation we need in a rebuilding season.”
SOFTBALL
Name: Lauren Eickhoff
School: Chagrin Falls
Grade: 10
Stats: Batted .375 with a .500 slugging percentage, 1 double, 2 RBI, 1 run scored, 1 walk, 1 stolen base, and 16 putouts with a .913 fielding percentage
Coach’s Quote: “Lauren has been a great asset to our team offensively this season,” said Chagrin Falls coach Kendyl Penna. “She continuously works hard, has a great attitude, and is a great team player.”
Name: Olivia Lewis
School: Jefferson
Grade: 11
Stats: Batted .583 with 7 hits and 6 RBI; Struck out 21 with a 0.667 ERA
Coach’s Quote: “She was a consistent bat for us all week, coming through in key moments and helping generate runs when we needed them most,” said Jefferson coach Emily Hagerdon. “On the mound, she did a great job across four games, showing toughness and control while racking up 21 strikeouts. That kind of steady presence, offensively and defensively, makes a huge impact on our team.”
Name: Luci Paolillo
School: Edgewood
Grade: 12
Stats: Went 2-0 in the circle with a 1.16 ERA and 13 strikeouts; at bat, she recorded 4 hits, 3 walks, 3 RBI, and 3 runs scored
Coach’s Quote: “Luci had a great week on the mound and at the plate for us,” said Edgewood coach Randy Vencill. “She has been a team leader all year and is like having a coach on the field. She is a huge reason for our team’s success thus far.”
Name: Amanda Peklay
School: Wickliffe
Grade: 12
Stats: Batted .600 (6-for-10) with 1 double, 1 triple, 5 RBI, 6 runs scored, 1 stolen base, and a 1.000 fielding percentage, including a double play, doubling a runner on first from center field
Coach’s Quote: “Amanda has been a steady and dependable presence for our program throughout her career, and she continues to lead by example as a senior,” said Wickliffe coach Marlana Mucciarone. “Her athleticism and softball IQ allow her to excel. She brings positive energy every day and does a great job helping guide our younger players. Amanda is having her best season and has been a major part of our team’s success.”
Name: Lely Percassi
School: West Geauga
Grade: 12
Stats: Pitched 13 scoreless innings with 12 strikeouts, 2 walks, 6 hits, and 3 wins
Coach’s Quote: “Lely has quietly pitched really well for us and continues to build off of a great second half of the season from last year,” said West Geauga coach Mark Percassi. “She also is a consistent contact hitter for us in the middle of the lineup and works extremely hard to be her best.”
Name: Addie Sheppard
School: Geneva
Grade: 12
Stats: Batted .400 (2-for-5) and threw out 2-of-3 runners attempting to steal
Coach’s Quote: “Addie, a Mount Union commit, was key for us behind the plate, throwing out two runners in key situations to ensure nobody crossed the plate in our win over Jefferson,” said Geneva coach Eleshia Pitcher. “She also contributed at the plate with a .400 batting average.”
TENNIS
Name: Billy Beseth
School: Hawken
Grade: 11
Stats: Went 3-0
Coach’s Quote: “Billy had a very strong week, earning two solid wins at No. 1 singles and a tough three-set victory at No. 1 doubles against a good Solon team,” said Hawken coach Lori Shulman. “Playing No. 1 singles is a tall task, and he has undoubtedly earned that spot with the work he puts in during the off-season and has embraced the challenge. Billy has also developed into a very strong captain and leader for our tennis program this year and continues to lead by example in the way he competes and shows up every day.”
Name: Eric Goyzman
School: Chagrin Falls
Grade: 11
Stats: Won in straight sets against conference rival
Coach’s Quote: “Eric plays No. 1 singles, and in our division, it is intense,” said Chagrin Falls coach Mary Kay Yuhas. “I can’t believe the tennis IQ on this athlete; he understands how to handle adversity on the court and has emerged this season as a fierce competitor. He embodies resilience and humility. I am so proud to be his coach. His future is bright in tennis and beyond.”
TRACK & FIELD
Name: Mitchell Creel
School: Independence
Grade: 10
Stats: At the George Gross Invitational, he won the 800 and 1600, and led his 4×800 team to a second-place finish; At the Perry Relays, he led the distance relay to a win and the 1600 team to a second-place finish
Coach’s Quote: “Mitch is a very smart runner, he knows his role and fulfills his duties at each meet,” said Independence coach Pete Pucella. “He is very aware of the total package it takes to maintain a well-disciplined top-tier distance athlete at this stage of the season. Mitch is diligent with his training, diet, and sleep routine. He is a great example to the younger runner with his whole approach to a race, including his pre-race routine, running plan, and post-race cool-down and refuel period.”
Name: Kara Deister
School: West Geauga
Grade: 12
Stats: Followed a big week last week with four wins at the Kurt Frankel Invitational
Coach’s Quote: “Kara started the season off as a triple event winner at the Eastlake Ranger Invitational on April 10 in the long jump, 100 hurdles, and 300 hurdles. She also finished second in the high jump,” said West Geauga coach Mike Taurasi. “She then followed that up a week later on senior night at her very own West Geauga Kurt Frankel Invitational with wins in the high jump, long jump, 100 hurdles, and 300 hurdles.”
Name: Ella Haeseler
School: Geneva
Grade: 12
Stats: Led the team in scoring at the Perry Relays
Coach’s Quote: “Ella led the way for the Eagles this week,” said Geneva coach Annah Haeseer. “Geneva finished second at the Perry Relays. Ella helped her team score by placing in discus, shot, high jump, and the 4×100. Ella continues to work hard and strive for her goals.”
Name: Kylie Sayle
School: Kirtland
Grade: 10
Stats: Led the 4×800 relay team to a first-place finish and placed second in the 800 and 1600 at the George Gross Invitational; Won the 400 and 800 in a dual meet
Coach’s Quote: “Kylie is having an incredible season,” said Kirtland coach JP Moran. “Many of her races, she has won or was runner-up. The times she was runner-up, it was to previous CVC Athlete of the Week and her teammate, Izzie Copeland. She is a rock-solid member of our team, always running three or four events to help score points for the team.”
