Athletes from nine different schools have been named the Chagrin Valley Conference Athletes of the Week for the week ending Sunday, April 20, 2025.
Each athlete was nominated by his or her coach. All statistics incurred from Monday, April 14, 2025, through Sunday, April 20, 2025.
BASEBALL
Name: Frank Bucar
School: Wickliffe
Grade: 11
Stats: Batted .333 (4-for-12) with three RBI, four runs scored, and three stolen bases; pitched five scoreless and hitless innings with 10 strikeouts to just four walks; 1.000 fielding percentage (7-for-7)
Coach’s Quote: “Frankie pitched a great game this week and once again proved his value on the mound,” said Wickliffe coach Phil Motta. “He is the solid core of our defense at shortstop. Sometimes, taking him away from that position is difficult, but we need him to pitch, too. His fastball and sinker were working throughout the game. He gave us an incredible performance and showed a great deal of heart and desire to achieve the no-hitter.”
Name: Toby Dickson
School: Jefferson
Grade: 12
Stats: Batted .714 (5-for-7) in two games with a walk-off single; pitched seven innings, allowing two unearned runs with 12 strikeouts
Coach’s Quote: “Toby is enjoying a very successful senior year due to the hard work and leadership he has shown in the early going,” said Jefferson coach Scott Barber. “Toby is at the top offensively and is our go-to ace of our pitching staff. He leads by example and holds everyone to a high standard, making us a very good team.”
Name: Luke Sivon
School: Perry
Grade: 12
Stats: Batted .545 (6-for-11) with a home run, five runs scored, three walks, five stolen bases, and an RBI
Coach’s Quote: “Luke has had a great season so far both offensively and defensively,” said Perry coach Matt Platt. “His offensive stats and speed on the bases have a huge impact on our team’s success. What might go unnoticed is his defensive play in centerfield. He has tracked down so many balls in the gap that have helped us to stay in games. He has been a difference maker all season.”
SOFTBALL
Name: Leigha Blazetic
School: Wickliffe
Grade: 11
Stats: Went 3-1 in the circle with 48 strikeouts and a .808 ERA in 26 innings of work; Batted .462 (6-for-13) with three doubles, one home run, seven RBI, and two walks
Coach’s Quote: “Leigha has been nothing short of phenomenal this season,” said Wickliffe coach Marlana Mucciarone. “Dominating in the circle, she averages 11.5 strikeouts per game and has held opposing hitters to a mere .147 batting average. Her impact doesn’t stop there; offensively, Leigha has come through with clutch hits in key moments, whether it’s moving runners into scoring position or driving in runs when it matters most. She has gone above and beyond our expectations and continues to prove herself as a true game changer on the field.”
Name: Claire Cafaro
School: Geneva
Grade: 11
Stats: Batted .545 (6-for-11) with a .615 on-base percentage, a double, five RBI, three runs scored, and a stolen base; went 9-for-9 in fielding chances with three diving catches
Coach’s Quote: “Claire had a great week for us in centerfield,” said Geneva coach Eleshia Pitcher. “She caught every ball that came to her and made three diving catches to keep runners from scoring. She was also a force at the plate last week, putting the ball in play every time she went to the plate but once.”
Name: Whitney Davis
School: Berkshire
Grade: 10
Stats: Batted 1.000 in two games (7-for-7) with a double, a home run, and six stolen bases
Coach’s Quote: “Whitney is playing at a very high level as her role has changed this year in the sense of having her not having to carry all the pressure and now is helping in any way possible,” said Berkshire coach Joe Medlen. “She is currently batting .594. She continues to be a very hard out as she truly is a five-tool player. This young lady’s softball IQ is through the roof. Whitney is absolutely an amazing teammate and is a joy to watch and be blessed to coach.”
Name: Olivia Lewis
School: Jefferson
Grade: 10
Stats: Went 3-1 in the circle, allowing just five earned runs in 24 innings with 22 strikeouts; posted a 1.419 ERA
Coach’s Quote: “Olivia gives us a chance to win every time she steps on the rubber,” said Jefferson coach Nick Price. “She works extremely hard. Pressure situations don’t seem to bother her.”
Name: Emily Pleva
School: Cardinal
Grade: 10
Stats: Batted .455 with a .725 slugging percentage and a home run, one RBI, two stolen bases, and three runs scored; posted a fielding percentage of .933
Coach’s Quote: “Emily is aggressive at the plate and does a great job of making adjustments quickly at the plate,” said Cardinal coach Haley Adams. “She is one of many players who have a high IQ of the game on our team. Emily showed this week how hard work will always pay off. She has put in a lot of work outside of practices and games. We are proud of her hard work and determination, along with her leadership on and off the field.”
Name: Shaylynn Rogaski
School: West Geauga
Grade: 12
Stats: Batted .583 (7-for-12) with three runs scored, three RBI, two stolen bases, and she threw a runner out at the plate from center field and finished with six putouts and a diving catch
Coach’s Quote: “Shaylynn was clutch in the eighth inning, driving in the winning run against a really good Jefferson team in a walk-off win,” said West Geauga coach Mark Percassi. “Shay amazes us in centerfield as she effortlessly roams the gaps and makes diving catches and throws runners out. Needless to say, we feel secure when balls are hit in the air from gap to gap. She is truly fun to watch play this game.”
Name: Carly Tracy
School: Edgewood
Grade: 9
Stats: Batted .714 with two doubles, seven runs scored, seven RBI, and a .765 on-base percentage
Coach’s Quote: “Carly had a great week at the plate and in the field for us,” said Edgewood coach Randy Vencill. “She has been a refreshing addition to this year’s roster. Carly has stepped right in without skipping a beat, and you would never know she’s a freshman. We continue to look for big things from her this year.”
TENNIS
Name: Nick DeFazio
School: Edgewood
Grade: 11
Stats: Went 2-0 on the week
Coach’s Quote: “Nick has improved astoundingly since last season,” said Edgewood coach Renee’ Mattson. “I’m proud of the work he has put into progressing his skills in the offseason this past year. He dedicated himself to improving on something and it’s paying off for him.”
Name: Isaiah Rose/Logan Willsey
School: Geneva
Grade: 11/10
Stats: Went 3-0 as a first doubles team
Coach’s Quote: “Isaiah and Logan have anchored our team all season,” said Geneva coach Scott Torok. “They are undefeated with high aspirations for the postseason.”
TRACK & FIELD
Name: Meena Abdul-Basser
School: Beachwood
Grade: 9
Stats: Set a meet record at the Beachwood Invitational with a time of 57.27 seconds in the 400-meter dash; also ran a leg in the 4×200-meter relay that set a meet record in 1:42.96, and placed third in the 200m dash in 26.46 seconds
Coach’s Quote: “Meena is a freshman sensation and we’re so thankful to have her on our team,” said Beachwood coach Willie Smith. “She ran a phenomenal third leg on the 4×200 relay, which also set a meet record at the Beachwood invitational last Saturday. She finished third in the 200 with phenomenal competition. She is mature beyond her years, strong personality, and is a phenomenal person; tremendous effort from her this past weekend.”
Name: Morgan Haywood
School: Edgewood
Grade: 12
Stats: Broke the school record in the pole vault for the second time this season with a mark of 10-3
Coach’s Quote: “Morgan has been extremely dedicated to her craft this year, putting in extra time in the pole vault,” said Edgewood coach Steve Hill. “She is motivated to make a run at qualifying for the state meet in June. She went from a personal best last year of 8-8, to breaking the record twice this year at 9-6 and now 10-3. The sky is the limit.”
Name: Eve Kaminski
School: Cardinal
Grade: 11
Stats: Placed fifth in the 300 hurdles at the Berkshire Invitational
Coach’s Quote: “Eve is a hard-working athlete who does a lot of work on and off the track,” said Cardinal coach Dakota Ward. “During the offseason, she runs extra miles and does what it takes to be better. She was the fastest leg in her 4×400 and 4×200 meter relay teams, helping them to take top five in both. She also dropped five seconds in the 300 hurdles, helping her to get a new PR. We are very excited to see what Eve does this season.”
Name: Jasiah Pope
School: Edgewood
Grade: 10
Stats: Won the 4×100, 4×200, and placed second in the 100 and 200 at the Berkshire Invitational
Coach’s Quote: “Amazing performance by Jasiah,” said Edgewood coach Jim Sanchez. “He came back from behind to win in the two relays he was in with the best times of the year. He was just edged out in his running events. He helped score 36 points for his team to win the Berkshire Invitational. Jasiah is a great athlete as a sophomore and has a bright future.”
