Athletes from 11 different schools have been named the Chagrin Valley Conference Athletes of the Week.
Each athlete was nominated by his or her coach.
All statistics incurred during the week ending Sunday, October 17.
Here’s a look at each Athlete of the Week by sport:
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY
Name: Jeremy Hofius
School: Hawken
Grade: 9
Stats: Finished 11th at the CVC meet with a time of 17:49
Coach’s Quote: “Jeremy is a very talented and young runner for Hawken,” said Hawken coach Jessica Lariccia. “Only being a freshman, he has already shown so much maturity and an unbelievable amount of growth. This past Saturday, the team took home the CVC title, however, that could not have been done without the beastly performance from Jeremy. As our fifth runner, he maintained to stay at the top of the pack the entire race. I am so proud of him and look forward to his postseason these next few weeks.”
Name: Jarrett Long
School: Berkshire
Grade: 11
Stats: Finished fifth at the CVC meet with a time of 18:17
Coach’s Quote: “Jarrett stepped up at the CVC meet and had a 21-second PR on a hard, muddy course that earned him a fifth-place finish earning first-team CVC honors,” said Berkshire coach David Kindall. “Jarrett’s gutsy performance helped pull his teammates along to PRs and was integral to the boys repeating as CVC champions. Jarrett should make an impact on the team race this week at districts and is sitting in a good spot for his first individual regional berth.”
Name: David Steimle
School: Grand Valley
Grade: 11
Stats: Won the Valley Division title and MVP award with a time of 17:38
Coach’s Quote: “David set a goal a year ago when he placed second to come back this year and to win the meet,” said Grand Valley coach Kurtis Fisher. “He did so with a very solid performance. He led the Valley race from start to finish.”
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
Name: Stephanie Drazetic
School: Kirtland
Grade: 10
Stats: Placed ninth at the CVC championships
Coach’s Quote: “Stephanie ran her lifetime personal best when the team needed it most to secure the CVC Valley team title and earned second-team All-CVC in the process,” said Kirtland coach J.P. Moran. “She was a top 10 finisher and a key part of the team championship.”
Name: Katie Jirousek
School: Cuyahoga Heights
Grade: 9
Stats: Lead runner for the varsity squad
Coach’s Quote: “Katie is one of the most promising, young, and coachable runners in our cross-country program at Cuyahoga Heights,” said Heights coach Chadwick Robinson. “She is quickly developing into a runner who is going to be competing to get to the regional meet as a sophomore next year. With an incredible work ethic and a supportive, energetic family, Ms. Jirousek will be training year-round and will earn her way to the top of the field in the coming years.”
Name: Alana Nowak
School: Independence
Grade: 10
Stats: Won the Valley Division championship
Coach’s Quote: “Alana epitomizes the saying, ‘The dictionary is the only place where success comes before work,’” said Independence coach Vern Blaze. “She works to improve herself no matter what sport it is. Right now, that work has resulted in her performing at a high level in both cross country and soccer.”
Name: Jordyn Wichert
School: Berkshire
Grade: 11
Stats: Finished 11th at the CVC meet in 23:46
Coach’s Quote: “Jordyn has been a great addition to the girls’ team this year and her performance at the CVC meet was great from a dual-sport athlete in her first year running cross country since middle school,” said Berkshire coach David Kindall. “Jordyn got out hard and held her own near the front on a difficult course in sloppy conditions and ran a 25-second PR and earned all-CVC honors.”
FOOTBALL
Name: Rick Coleman, Jr.
School: Harvey
Grade: 12
Stats: Completed 4-of-6 passes for 168 yards and two TDs, ran six times for 212 yards and two more scores; recorded seven tackles, including two for a loss, and one interception; returned a punt 60 yards for a touchdown and a blocked field goal 95 yards for another score
Coach’s Quote: “When your best players are your best people, you know your program will be in great shape,” said Harvey coach Mick Mohner. “It is hard to put into words what Rick has meant to this program, as well as his performance this past Friday night. The variety of ways in which he scored was incredible. He is one of our hardest workers and to see that pay dividends for him throughout this season, we couldn’t be prouder. He has accounted for over 1,800 yards of offense and is responsible for 25 TDs this season. On the defensive side of the ball, he has accumulated 37 tackles, three tackles for loss, has forced three fumbles, and has three interceptions. On top of being a great athlete, Rick is also a great student and holds a 3.8 GPA, and holds offers to play football at multiple Ivy League schools.”
Name: Zach Czako
School: Cardinal
Grade: 12
Stats: Carried 30 times for 159 yards and one touchdown
Coach’s Quote: “Zach has been a complete workhorse since taking over the No. 1 running back spot,” said Cardinal coach Chris Perrotti. “He has just over 650 yards rushing on the year and those yards have not come easy. Zach is quite often carrying three or four defenders on his back for continued positive gains. Not only does he run over defenders, but he is our leading tackler on the season. He delivers a gruesome hit to whomever he comes in contact with, never shying away.”
Name: Lucas Stoddard
School: Berkshire
Grade: 12
Stats: Carried six times for 68 yards and caught four passes for 97 yards and three touchdowns; defensively, recorded 13 tackles, including four for a loss, and one sack
Coach’s Quote: “Lucas set the tone all night on offense and defense,” said Berkshire coach Josh DeWeese. “He scored on three out of four receptions and was a menace all night on defense.”
Name: Ethan Strahan
School: Crestwood
Grade: 12
Stats: Carried five times for 20 yards and caught one pass for 25 yards and a touchdown; recorded 10 tackles, including two for a loss, and a sack
Coach’s Quote: “Ethan’s performance on Friday is why we count on him week in and week out to be our defensive leader,” said Crestwood coach Jack D’Amato. “He makes plays from sideline to sideline. He is starting to also find himself on the offensive side of the ball, where he had a reception for a TD on Friday.”
BOYS SOCCER
Name: Edgar Camarillo
School: Harvey
Grade: 12
Stats: Scored four goals with one assist
Coach’s Quote: “Edgar has taken his game to the next level the second half of the season,” said Harvey coach Natalie Sisler. “He has really increased his focus and aggressiveness in the attack, creating multiple opportunities for us to score in big games. His versatility has been a major asset for us this season as we have had to move him around at different times to fill holes in the lineup created by injuries to other players. Edgar always does what the coaches and the team need without any questions.”
GIRLS SOCCER
Name: Frankee Flesher
School: West Geauga
Grade: 11
Stats: Scored five goals with one assist
Coach’s Quote: “Frankee’s ability to find the back of the net against two quality teams in Hawken and Hathaway Brown was outstanding, especially as we look to head into the tournament,” said West Geauga coach Kori Jesenovec. “I am really enjoying the combination play between Frankee and Megan McGinnis as they are both finding ways to make each other successful for this team.”
Name: Sadee Hamilton
School: Lakeside
Grade: 12
Stats: Scored three goals with one assist
Coach’s Quote: “In the last week of her senior season, Sadee finished strong with two goals and one assist on senior night, and added another goal in a game later in the week,” said Lakeside coach Angelo Velotta. “She ends the season with 11 goals and three assists on the year.”
VOLLEYBALL
Name: Georgia DeJohn
School: Kirtland
Grade: 10
Stats: Recorded 27 kills, 36 digs, two aces, two blocks in seven sets
Coach’s Quote: “Georgia, a two-year varsity starter, has consistently been a key contributor to our team’s success,” said Kirtland coach Arlayna Newcomer. “She brings a great presence to the court and has been a solid six-rotation player for us this season.”
Name: Kayla Herbst
School: West Geauga
Grade: 10
Stats: Recorded 24 kills and five aces in three matches
Coach’s Quote: “Kayla has grown so much this season,” said West Geauga coach Amber Baker. “All the pieces of the puzzle are coming together for her now and the whole team is proud of her. Kayla is an amazing player and teammate. I can’t wait to see how much she improves over her JO season.”
