Athletes from eight different schools have been named the Chagrin Valley Conference Athletes of the Week for the week ending April 30.
Each athlete was nominated by his or her coach. All statistics incurred from Monday, April 24 through Sunday, April 30, 2023.
Here’s a look at each Athlete of the Week by sport:
BASEBALL
Name: Tony Hall
School: Edgewood
Grade: 11
Stats: Batted .556 (5-for-9) with a .600 on-base percentage and a 1.156 on-base and slugging percentage
Coach’s Quote: “Tony had a great offensive and defensive week for us,” said Edgewood coach Jeff Barger. “He hit .556 in a week that the rest of our team really struggled at the plate. Unfortunately, he came up with no one on base the majority of his at-bats, thus the lack of run production. He also was his usual wall behind the plate saving us from giving up more runs. He continues to be a great defensive catcher and is now our leading hitter as well.”
Name: Owen McKoon
School: Perry
Grade: 10
Stats: Batted .533 (8-for-15) with a double, a triple, a grand slam, nine runs batted in, six runs scored, and three stolen bases; went 1-0 on the mound with one run allowed and struck out four in four innings
Coach’s Quote: “Owen had a huge week for us impacting the game in many different ways,” said Perry coach Matt Platt. “Whether Owen is on the mound, behind the plate, or at-bat, we know that he gives us a great chance to win a ball game. His numbers for the past week and the season overall speak for themselves. What can be harder to see is the impact his energy and leadership have on our day-to-day operation as a team. He was voted as one of our captains at the beginning of the season and has fulfilled that role very well.”
Name: Brandt Stevens
School: Chagrin Falls
Grade: 10
Stats: Batted .500 (5-for-10) with one double, and three RBI to help the Tigers finish 2-1 on the week
Coach’s Quote: “Brandt was not originally a starter on this year’s team, but he has worked as hard as anyone. The coaches noticed and he earned a chance to play,” said Chagrin Falls coach Michael Sweeney. “He took advantage of his opportunity and has been in the lineup ever since. Brandt has performed so well that he has moved into the middle of the order. He has been a huge surprise for us this season and has added much-needed offense. I love the fact that he kept working and working until he got his chance.”
Name: Trip Thaler
School: Kirtland
Grade: 10
Stats: Allowed one unearned run and struck out six in a complete-game win over Edgewood in a key conference game
Coach’s Quote: “Trip showed great composure winning a 2-1 nail-biter on Wednesday,” said Kirtland coach Luke Smrdel. “He was very efficient on the mound and did a great job working through tough situations all game long. He’s got great stuff on the mound and has developed into one of the top pitchers in the area.”
Name: Hewitt Wilt
School: Geneva
Grade: 11
Stats: Batted .429 (3-for-7) with two runs scored, a walk, and three stolen bases; allowed no earned runs in seven innings with 62 percent of his pitches going for strikes
Coach’s Quote: “Hewitt continues to have a great year,” said Geneva coach Terry Hejduk. “This week, he stepped up like leaders and big-time players do, pitching a complete game gem against CVC rival Chagrin Falls. He was extremely focused and relaxed the entire game. The young man wanted it and went out and took it.”
SOFTBALL
Name: Alexa Bailey
School: Harvey
Grade: 12
Stats: Batted .733 (11-for-15) with a 1.733 slugging percentage, six doubles, three home runs, 12 runs scored, 11 runs batted in, and was 8-for-8 on stolen base tries; posted a 1.68 earned run average and struck out 52 in 25 innings with an opponent’s batting average of .188
Coach’s Quote: “Alexa had a great week on the mound and at the plate this week,” said Harvey coach Betsy Hada. “She led our team to key conference wins over Hawken, Chagrin Falls, and Beachwood, clinching at least a share of the Chagrin Division championship for our team for the third year in a row. She averaged just over two strikeouts an inning and had a .733 batting average for the week, crushing six doubles and three home runs.”
Name: Alexis Kaseler
School: Chagrin Falls
Grade: 11
Stats: Batted .295 with three runs scored, an RBI, two walks, three stolen bases, nine putouts, and two assists
Coach’s Quote: “Lexi is the definition of a team player and a coach’s dream,” said Chagrin Falls coach Whitney Garrett. “Lexi takes a huge leadership role behind the plate for us. She is constantly communicating with the other defensive players on the field calling out plays and key information. Taking the lead-off position in our batting order, Lexi is a player I know I can depend on to start us off right. Once she hits the bases, she is aggressive yet smart about baserunning putting herself in the best position to score. Lexi is a player we know will step up to the plate in any situation and give us all she has got. Only bright things ahead for number 28.”
Name: Sophia Paolillo
School: Edgewood
Grade: 12
Stats: Batted .750 (6-for-8) with two home runs
Coach’s Quote: “Sophia had a great week of softball,” said Edgewood coach Randy Vencill. “She has led our team all season in the field and at the plate. She had a two-home run game against Grand Valley and had three hits in our other two games. I am so proud of the job she has done this year.”
Name: Maddie Rupert
School: Perry
Grade: 9
Stats: Went 2-0 by allowing zero runs on four hits with seven strikeouts in 13 innings
Coach’s Quote: “In two games against Independence and Beaumont, Maddie pitched 13 scoreless innings giving up four total hits for an opponent batting average of .095,” said Perry coach Michelle Carino. “She recorded seven strikeouts in the two wins. While at-bat, Maddie went 2-for-6 with two RBI. Her performance helped our team get two needed wins heading into the final stretch of the season.”
Name: Nikolena Samac
School: Kirtland
Grade: 12
Stats: Batted .438 (7-for-16) with a double, two triples, and the first two home runs of her career; posted a 1.000 fielding percentage
Coach’s Quote: “Nikolena has done great in the outfield, and has had many great at-bats,” said Kirtland coach Nina Christley. “She gets on base, works the count, and gives us wheels on the bases.”
TRACK & FIELD
Name: Casey Adams
School: Independence
Grade: 11
Stats: MVP of Independence Invitational with three firsts and a second including a new school record of 17-9 in the long jump; one first, a second, a sixth, and a ninth-place finish at the Cuyahoga Heights Relays
Coach’s Quote: “Casey brings deliberate hard work, dedication, and love for her sport,” said Independence coach Jess Crooks. “Casey truly wants to become better at her craft. She works countless hours with our team and on her own. Her ability to help mentor younger athletes is present even while competing.”
Name: Louie Justice
School: Hawken
Grade: 11
Stats: Finished fourth in the shot put with a new PR of 42-1 and eighth in the discus (106-1) to lead the team to the team championship at the Miele Invitational
Coach’s Quote: “Louie is taking every opportunity to perform at the highest level,” said Hawken throws coach Lauren Butler. “Louie is hard-working and dedicated to hitting new personal bests as we enter conferences and postseason.”
Name: Sylvia Vosicky
School: Kirtland
Grade: 10
Stats: Anchored first place 4×800 and 4×400 relay teams in leading the Hornets to the team title at the Independence Invitational; named meet MVP at Cuyahoga Heights Relays by anchoring sprint medley, 4×800, 4×400, and distance medley relay teams
Coach’s Quote: “Sylvia had a tremendous week winning many races and awards between the two invitationals this week,” said Kirtland coach J.P. Moran. “She was integral in many relays, winning as the anchor leg and her performance at the end of the 4×4 at the Cuyahoga Relays where she took us from third to first and closed a tremendous amount of ground was absolutely beautiful to witness.”
