The Chagrin Valley Conference recognized several standout student-athletes for their performances during the week of Aug. 31-Sept. 6.
CROSS COUNTRY
Name: Vivianna Cellini
School: Conneaut
Grade: 11
Stats: Cellini was the overall winner at the McDowell Invitational in Erie, Pa., with a season-best time of 19:44.
Coach’s Quote: “Viv navigated the muddy and hilly course with determination and was fueled by reflection on a performance she was not happy with from the previous week,” Conneaut coach Luke Stecki said. “Understanding that she expects more from herself will continue to raise her own expectations and lead to more success this season.”
FOOTBALL
Name: Owen Davis
School: Geneva
Grade: 12
Stats: Davis rushed eight times for 147 yards and four touchdowns and recorded three solo tackles on defense.
Coach’s Quote: “Owen had another tremendous performance last week against Normandy,” Geneva coach Don Shymske said. “He wasn’t able to play in Week 2 due to injury and was a playmaker in every sense in our Week 3 victory.”
Name: Maverick Durden
School: Independence
Grade: 12
Stats: Durden rushed 14 times for 70 yards and two touchdowns, caught one pass for 31 yards, and recorded seven solo tackles and three assists on defense.
Coach’s Quote: “Maverick Durden was a difference-maker on both sides of the football against Crestwood,” Independence coach Matthew Burns said. “Offensively, he carried the ball 14 times for 70 yards and two touchdowns. He also added a 31-yard reception, giving us 101 total yards. Defensively, Maverick was all over the field, recording seven solo tackles and three assists. His physicality, toughness, and relentless effort set the tone for our football team. Maverick played the game the way we expect an Independence Blue Devil to play — fast, physical, and with tremendous effort.”
Name: Kurtis Van Divner
School: Cuyahoga Heights
Grade: 12
Stats: Van Divner caught three passes for 64 yards and a touchdown and recorded six solo tackles on defense.
Coach’s Quote: “Kurtis tackled very well on the perimeter and had a big touchdown reception in the second quarter,” Cuyahoga Heights coach Al Martin said. “That score made it a two-score game.”
BOYS GOLF
Name: Jackson Heinbaugh
School: Edgewood
Grade: 10
Stats: Heinbaugh shot a 38 in a tri-match against Madison and Conneaut on Aug. 31 and a 36 in a dual match against Geneva on Sept. 1. The 36 was a high school career best.
Coach’s Quote: “Jackson has been playing some great golf recently and is growing into a team leader as the season moves along,” Edgewood coach Ben Frable said. “He put up a couple of great scores in two big matches this week. His 36 was a high school career best for him. I’m excited to see what the next couple of weeks brings for him with CVCs and sectionals.”
Name: Matt Oros
School: Geneva
Grade: 11
Stats: Oros shot rounds of 39, 34, and 40 during the nomination period. His 34 at Village Green Golf Course was a career low.
Coach’s Quote: “Matt played phenomenally well, leading the Eagles in all three of our matches this week,” Geneva coach Brian Fink said. “That included a career-low 34 at Village Green Golf Course.”
Name: Peter Fischer
School: Chagrin Falls
Grade: 12
Stats: Fischer shot a 34 against Chardon, a 41 against West Geauga and a 36 against Willoughby South during the nomination period.
Coach’s Quote: “Peter has established himself as one of our top players and a steady leader for the team,” Chagrin Falls coach David Kimball said. “His consistency, competitiveness and ability to perform in important situations set a strong example for everyone around him.”
GIRLS SOCCER
Name: Tennant Crawford
School: Madison
Grade: 10
Stats: Crawford recorded one goal and two assists during the nomination period.
Coach’s Quote: “Tennant has always been a dominant force through the midfield, leading our team in assists last year,” Madison coach Chad Butler said. “This year she is pushing further up the field and scored her first varsity goal in a CVC match against Edgewood.”
GIRLS TENNIS
Name: Emersyn Semplak
School: West Geauga
Grade: 11
Stats: Semplak was part of a victorious doubles team that defeated Gilmour in straight sets.
Coach’s Quote: “Emersyn is a first-year tennis player who has worked her way into varsity tennis opportunities,” West Geauga coach Shaun Spence said. “She has shown tremendous commitment and improvement since joining our team in August. She is a true pleasure to coach.”
Name: Valeria Kislyansky
School: Hawken
Grade: 12
Stats: Kislyansky went 2-0 last week, including a win against Orange. She is 8-1 this season at No. 1 singles.
Coach’s Quote: “Valeria has had a great start to the tennis season sitting at 8-1,” Hawken coach Lori Shulman said. “After playing No. 2 singles for three years, she has earned the No. 1 singles spot this year and has really stepped up. She has worked hard on her mental game over the last few years and has really embraced the battle and competition. More importantly, Val has developed into an outstanding captain and leader for our tennis program and recognizes the importance of being a great teammate. I am excited to watch her finish out her senior tennis season on a strong note.”
Name: Lucy Peterson
School: Geneva
Grade: 11
Stats: Peterson went 2-1 during the nomination period, earning wins of 6-3, 6-2 and 3-6, 7-5, 10-4. Her lone loss came by scores of 5-7, 1-6.
Coach’s Quote: “Lucy started the week with a win while having an alternate doubles partner, then battled hard in the next day’s match but came up just short,” Geneva coach Amy Thompson said. “Her third match of the week showed her true grit to regain her focus in a tough mental game, taking the second set and winning the match-point tiebreaker to seal the team win.”
Name: Molly Frazier
School: Geneva
Grade: 10
Stats: Frazier missed the first match of the week due to injury, then returned to go 1-1. She fell 5-7, 1-6 before earning a 3-6, 7-5, 10-4 victory.
Coach’s Quote: “Molly started the week sitting out with an injury, then battled hard in the next day’s match but came up just short,” Geneva coach Amy Thompson said. “Her third match of the week showed her amazing spirit, doing a great job of uplifting her doubles partner, taking the second set and winning the match-point tiebreaker to seal the team win.”
VOLLEYBALL
Name: Kendra Pal
School: Jefferson
Grade: 12
Stats: Pal recorded 27 points, 11 aces, 17 kills, and 25 digs during the week.
Coach’s Quote: “Kendra is another one of our seniors who has been a key contributor for the past few years,” Jefferson coach Don Palm said. “She plays all six rotations and helps provide some of our offensive firepower at the net. She has a strong serve and was able to get a number of aces for us last week. We will need her to continue to play well if we want to achieve our team goals this season.”
Name: Mia Glover
School: Brooklyn
Grade: 12
Stats: Glover recorded 15 service points, six aces, three kills, 10 hits kept in play and 20 digs.
Coach’s Quote: “Mia is our senior co-captain and stepped up in a big way this week, covering for absent teammates and playing all around,” Brooklyn coach Debbie Hall said. “She has stepped into the captain role with grace and enthusiasm, and no matter what the circumstances, she is always encouraging her teammates. Her defense went toe-to-toe with some big hitters, with amazing digs and pursuing the ball. Mia also pulled off a few kills with big blockers and played well in the front row, keeping our team in the games. Knowing she is willing and able to play all around will continue to help our team throughout the season.”
Name: Bria Golem
School: Kirtland
Grade: 12
Stats: Golem recorded nine aces and 32 digs in two matches during the nomination period. She is five digs away from reaching 1,000 for her career.
Coach’s Quote: “Bria Golem has anchored the Kirtland defense with her fantastic play,” Kirtland coach Ricky Sanders said. “She’s five digs away from her 1,000th career dig.”
Name: Kelsie Fink
School: West Geauga
Grade: 11
Stats: Fink recorded 13 kills and three solo blocks against Laurel.
Coach’s Quote: “Kelsie has been killing it from the right side and the middle for us this season,” West Geauga coach Amber Baker said. “Her versatility has really helped add to our quick-option offense this year.”
