Athletes from 17 different schools have been named the Chagrin Valley Conference Athletes of the Week for the week ending September 17.
Each athlete was nominated by his or her coach. All statistics incurred from Monday, September 11 through Sunday, September 17, 2023.
Here’s a look at each Athlete of the Week by sport:
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY
Name: Samuel Gdovichin
School: Cardinal
Grade: 10
Stats: Won the Grand Valley Invitational and placed 29th at the Spartan Invitational
Coach’s Quote: “After districts last cross country season and regionals for last track season, Sam has been training with a plan,” said Cardinal coach Jennifer Fekete. “He has been working hard to prove he has a place at regionals this year. When we are doing workouts, he does them and then some; doing another mile, or another repeat, or another hill. Sam has stepped up as a leader on the team and encouraging his teammates to want it too.”
Name: James Kitagawa
School: Independence
Grade: 11
Stats: Finished the Boardman Spartan Invitational in 18:44
Coach’s Quote: “James running his season’s best time and finishing so high amongst CVC Valley Division runners at the Boardman Spartan Invite is the result of his work ethic,” said Independence coach Vern Blaze. “James consistently gets the work in week-in and week-out, and that’s why James is improving over the course of the season.”
Name: Alex Kolhoff
School: Madison
Grade: 11
Stats: Ran a time of 17:09 to finish among the top three at the McDonough Invitational
Coach’s Quote: “Alex has worked extremely hard this season to get back to form,” said Madison coach Jeremy Verdi. “He really took a big step forward in leading his squad to a runner-up performance in cross country this weekend, even being down two runners. Alex and the Blue Steaks are back to full strength once again heading into the Patriot Invitational this weekend.”
Name: Chase Levey
School: Hawken
Grade: 10
Stats: Placed 10th at the Boardman Spartan Invitational with a time of 16:54
Coach’s Quote: “Sophomore Chase Levey led the Hawks at the Boardman Spartan cross country invitational, achieving a personal best in the process,” said Hawken coach Kim Curtis. “Chase has been dedicated to working hard on every aspect of his training, and we are relying on him to fill an important role moving forward for the team. We are excited by his breakthrough PR on a challenging course placing in the top 10 for boys Division II race.”
Name: Jacob Williams
School: West Geauga
Grade: 10
Stats: Placed sixth at the McDonough Invitational with a time of 17:19
Coach’s Quote: “This is Jacob’s first year running cross country and he is running like a veteran,” said West Geauga coach John Boylan. “His sixth-place finish was his first top 10 finish in his high school career. Jacob is getting stronger and stronger each week. I’m looking forward to the next two years.”
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
Name: Katie Kovacs
School: Madison
Grade: 11
Stats: Ran a time of 21:52 at the McDonough Invitational
Coach’s Quote: “Katie started the race strong knowing there was a huge hill just past the first mile,” said Madison coach Becky Barton. “She held her place in the race and finished fifth overall. Katie is an intelligent runner and pushes herself to be her best always.”
Name: Tammy Liplin
School: Edgewood
Grade: 12
Stats: Placed 14th out of 362 runners at the Boardman Spartan Invitational with a time of 20:04
Coach’s Quote: “Tammy has worked hard this summer to put herself in a position to make it back to the state meet,” said Edgewood coach Steve Hill. “This meet proved that she is right where she needs to be heading into the tournament phase of the season.”
Name: Holly Vis
School: Perry
Grade: 11
Stats: Ran a time of 19:46 at the Boardman Spartan Invitational
Coach’s Quote: “Vis attacked the hill at the start and never looked back,” said Perry coach Kristen Thomas. “She was determined to race in the top 20 on one of the hardest courses in Northeastern Ohio. She fought to the end and raced to a new personal record.”
Name: Sylvia Vosicky
School: Kirtland
Grade: 11
Stats: Placed 20th at the Boardman Spartan Invitational
Coach’s Quote: “Sylvia looked very strong and ran a great race at Boardman,” said Kirtland coach J.P. Moran. “It was her best performance on the Boardman course of her high school career and builds on a very solid start to the season for her.”
FOOTBALL
Name: Offensive Line (Cody Brugmann, Blake Baumgardner, Gavin McIntyre, Landon Kuenzer, Dan Doering, Corey Barnauskas)
School: Crestwood
Grade: 11/12
Stats: Paved the way for 291 rushing yards on 16 carries
Coach’s Quote: “Our offensive line did a great job on Thursday night taking care of their business up front,” said Crestwood coach Jack D’Amato. “Typically, an under-recognized group, our offensive line dominated the line of scrimmage and that resulted in a team win.”
Name: MarTez Pinkney
School: Beachwood
Grade: 12
Stats: Carried 16 times for 166 yards and a touchdown; caught two passes for 46 yards
Coach’s Quote: “MarTez is a warrior this year,” said Beachwood coach Scott Fischer. “Even though it has been a tough season, he has played extremely hard every week. I am proud of this young man. He is a true leader and captain.”
Name: Cavon Wise
School: Harvey
Grade: 12
Stats: Completed 10-of-10 passes for 157 yards and a touchdown, carried two times for 10 yards and a score in just over one half of football
Coach’s Quote: “Cavon did a tremendous job managing our offense on Friday night,” said Harvey coach Mick Mohner. “He may not always light up the stat sheet as we have really good running backs, but he does a great job of orchestrating our offense. He couldn’t have been more efficient as he completed every pass he threw. His night included leading us down the field for two scores with under two minutes remaining in the first half. If Cavon continues to play like this, we have an opportunity to be a tough opponent throughout the remainder of the season.”
GOLF
Name: Sam Holtz
School: Chagrin Falls
Grade: 12
Stats: Scored a 45 in a tri-match with Cuyahoga Heights and Hawken
Coach’s Quote: “Sam carded the low round 45 at Tanglewood for the CVC tri-match on September 14 against Hawken and Cuyahoga Heights,” said Chagrin Falls coach Kristin Reboul. “She carries Chagrin’s lowest team average and is a consistent contributor to the team score. Sam’s energy and leadership motivate her teammates. Her competitive experience and athletic talent will steer Chagrin into the postseason. We are lucky to have Sam as our teammate.”
Name: Annie Johnston
School: Edgewood
Grade: 10
Stats: Shot a 44, 39, and 45 in three matches
Coach’s Quote: “Annie’s 39 at Madison Country Club and her 44 at Village Green led the Lady Warriors to victory in two crucial CVC matches,” said Edgewood coach Christina Fischer. “She had a great short game this week and did very well around and on the greens.”
BOYS SOCCER
Name: Landon Jatsek
School: Independence
Grade: 12
Stats: Recorded 12 saves and one shutout while allowing just two goals
Coach’s Quote: “Landon Jatsek had his two best games of the season with four key saves and the fifth shutout of the season against rival Wickliffe to keep us undefeated in CVC play, and eight big saves against very dangerous Keystone attackers in a 2-2 tie,” said Independence coach Brien McDonald. “So, to end the week with a 3-0 Wickliffe win and a 2-2 Keystone tie gave everyone lots of confidence going forward. Landon has steadily regained form as the season has progressed coming up with clutch saves at key times.”
Name: Grant Keilin
School: Beachwood
Grade: 11
Stats: Scored six goals in two games
Coach’s Quote: “Grant has 55 career goals in 2 1/2 seasons, which puts him third all-time in the Beachwood record books for career goals,” said Beachwood coach Brian Greene. “He has also scored goals in all nine games this season, which ties him with the nine games of consecutive goals last season, for the second-longest streak in program history. He has six games this season with multiple goals, and 16 for his career, which puts him tied for third in program history for that category.”
Name: Drew Pfost
School: Crestwood
Grade: 11
Stats: Scored one goal
Coach’s Quote: “Dating back to last season, Drew became a starter to open the 2022 season. Since then, Drew has played 30 straight games without coming off the field,” said Crestwood coach Eric Sway. “Drew played every possible minute of every game last season and has done the same through 10 games this season. Drew is such a hard worker and does anything asked of him without hesitation, question, or complaint. In two wins last week, Drew helped lead the defense to allowing only one goal given up total between both games. As a defender that typically gets no mention, Drew also scored his first varsity goal of his varsity career last week which he then was awarded a great celebration with his teammates’ support.”
GIRLS SOCCER
Name: Reagan Boiarski
School: Grand Valley
Grade: 11
Stats: Scored seven goals
Coach’s Quote: “Reagan scored seven of our nine goals last week, often being double and triple-teamed,” said Grand Valley coach Vail Foltz. “She earned every goal with her speed, foot skills, and hard work despite being targeted by opponents as our main scorer.”
Name: Adison Cook
School: West Geauga
Grade: 10
Stats: Scored two goals and added an assist
Coach’s Quote: “Adi is currently the top scorer for the West Geauga varsity team with eight goals this season thus far,” said West Geauga coach Cassidy Lewis. “Adi is a dangerous forward with quick movement on and off the ball. She is able to control the ball when winning it high up the field and distribute to players with her staggering vision. Adi always puts up a battle and never shies away from a 50-50 (ball). Her ability to hold onto the ball with her technical skill has allowed her to earn multiple penalty kicks, which she has executed every time. In the three conference games we have played, Adi scored five goals and had three assists in this three-game run, leading us to our current 3-0 standing in the CVC.”
Name: Evania McCandless
School: Berkshire
Grade: 12
Stats: Scored four goals with two assists
Coach’s Quote: “Evania has proven to be a dominant force again this season, drawing double teams essentially every time she touches the ball,” said Berkshire coach Ian Patterson. “Despite the relentless work rate from opposing defenses, she continues to find ways to be effective including four goals and two assists last week. Her season total is now at 10 goals, but she is just as effective if not more effective at drawing the entire focus of opposing defenses while making runs off the ball opening up huge attacking lanes for other offensive threats. She found the back of the net in the first three minutes of the contest against Aurora and added two assists in that contest. She then followed it up on Thursday night in conference play with a hat trick against visiting Cuyahoga Heights.”
TENNIS
Name: Cathleen Applebee/Gabby Brown
School: Edgewood
Grade: 11
Stats: Placed third at first doubles at the Ashtabula County Tournament
Coach’s Quote: “Cathleen and Gabby have practiced, worked hard, and put in the time and effort to become a better doubles team,” said Edgewood coach Renee’ Mattson. “They joined late in the season last year and this is their first year competing as a varsity doubles team. I think their hard work has been paying off. The pair took third place for the first doubles position at the county tournament this Saturday at Saint John.”
Name: Audrianna Linek
School: West Geauga
Grade: 12
Stats: Won a doubles match 6-2, 7-6
Coach’s Quote: “Audrianna is the ultimate team player,” said West Geauga coach Mary Kay Yuhas. “She is up to play singles or doubles whatever is best for the team. She is always supportive of her teammates and one of the last to leave practice. Audrianna is a dual athlete, a cheerleader for the Wolverettes, where she takes center stage. The world is a brighter place with Audrianna in it.”
VOLLEYBALL
Name: Zoe Babnik
School: Crestwood
Grade: 12
Stats: Scored 14 points with 24 digs
Coach’s Quote: “Zoe Babnik is a second-year varsity libero,” said Crestwood coach Wanda Hoffman. “She did fantastic this week, helping the team to three out of four victories. Zoe is very steady and consistent when it comes to defense and has an amazing ability to cover her hitters. Her serving has been on point. As a senior, Zoe is working hard to keep the team in the winning column.”
Name: Gigi Calabrese
School: Chagrin Falls
Grade: 10
Stats: Recorded 17 kills, seven service aces, an 83 % serving efficiency on 42 serves
Coach’s Quote: “As a sophomore outside hitter, Gigi is starting to see the court and demonstrate she is more than a big hitter,” said Chagrin Falls coach Kelly Holtz. “She is one of the team’s lead servers. She is adding digging and passing to her skill set when she isn’t coming through with some big swings when her team needs her. Last week, Gigi led the Tigers to five close sets against Perry—a win–and West Geauga—a loss. Her tenacity to problem solve on the court is only getting stronger each time she plays.”
Name: Bailey Evangelista
School: Geneva
Grade: 12
Stats: Recorded 54 digs and 17 service aces
Coach’s Quote: “Bailey had an outstanding week,” said Geneva coach Annah Haeseler. “She led our team in serving aces by far. Seventeen ace serves in three matches. Bailey is a hardworking student-athlete. She hustles, leads by example, and is always willing to help out when needed. Her serving this last week led us to two conference wins and a tough battle with Edgewood. She steps in and plays wherever she is needed. I’m super proud of this senior.”
Name: Anna Grill
School: West Geauga
Grade: 9
Stats: Recorded 11 kills and two aces
Coach’s Quote: “Anna has proven time and time again that she can handle the pressure of being our big pin hitter,” said West Geauga coach Amber Baker. “Anna is racking up the kills every week. This freshman is going places.”
Name: MaKenna Rhodes
School: Edgewood
Grade: 11
Stats: Recorded 33 kills, 44 digs, 28 receptions, 14 points, two blocks, and two aces
Coach’s Quote: “MaKenna is one of our co-captains and an exceptional leader,” said Edgewood coach Kyra Vencill. “I’m very proud of her progress this year and her ability to lead on the floor. MaKenna is one of our lead attackers, plays all the way around, and is by far our loudest voice on the floor. She is constantly communicating to her teammates and one you will hear cheering from anywhere in the gym. She is the first to cheer her teammates on, celebrate their successes, and get the team motivated. Her success and contributions have helped lead us this year and will continue to be a driving force for us. She has a desire to work and improve her skills, which makes her extremely coachable. I enjoy having her and hope many adopt her energy.”
Name: Sophia Simon
School: Lutheran West
Grade: 12
Stats: Recorded 30 kills, 12 digs, four aces, and two blocks
Coach’s Quote: “Sophia is the epitome of a senior leader,” said Lutheran West coach Laura Thrasivoulou. “She leads on and off the court. This week, Sophia attacked 52 balls with only two errors. She is an amazingly efficient middle hitter and leader for Lutheran West.”
