Who turned in Ohio's top prep performances? You voted, you decided.
Who had Ohio's best individual performances?
You voted, you decided. The MaxPreps Ohio Athlete of the Week awards during the 2020-21 school year have come to a close. This week's winners are the last.
The awards will return in August.
Each week during the season (regular and post), there was be a fan-generated contest to tab weekly winners. Each winner receives a letter and award patch for their varsity jacket.
How does it work? Nominees are selected from statistics submitted on MaxPreps. Coaches who do not have current access may request their free account here. Weekly finalists are released on MaxPreps every Tuesday and voting is conducted in a special poll. Voting ceases at noon on Mondays. The winners (2-3 per week) are announced the next day along with the next week's nominees.
Participants may vote as many times as they want. It's a competition. This school year, over 14.8-million votes were cast, including 60,000 last week.
Week 43 Ohio High School Athletes of the Week
* Gavin Shrum, John F. Kennedy Catholic (Warren) BaseballJunior
pitcher/shortstop played large part in Eagles D-IV state championship.
Went 2-for-2 with a run and RBI and a 3-2 semifinal win over Fort
Loramie and went 2-for-4 with a run and stolen base in a 4-0 state final
win over Lincolnview. Also started on the mound in the final and went
the distance throwing seven scoreless innings (K'd seven and allowed
five hits) for the win.
* Noah LaFine, Archbishop Hoban (Akron) BaseballFreshman
pitcher helped the Knights win the D-II state title by coming in in
relief and earning the win in a 4-3 semifinal victory over Vermilion.
Struck out three and allowed one hit in 2.2 innings. Started the state
final and K'd seven, allowed five hits and gave up one earned run in six
innings of work in a 2-1 10-inning win.
Here is the school year's latest round of nominees...
* Allie Dunlap, Heath Girls SoccerSophomore had a hat trick (three goals) in a 3-0 season-opening win over West Muskingum.
Week 2
* Austin Sees, Brookfield Boys SoccerSenior goalie made 15 saves in a 2-1 win over LaBrae and 14 saves in a 3-2 win over St. John (Ashtabula). Two of the three goals he allowed were penalty kicks.
* Katie Hooley, Jonathan Alder (Plain City) Girls SoccerJunior captain had four goals and two assists in a 10-0 win over Highland and three goals and three assists in a 13-1 win over Franklin Heights.
* Kylee Kosek, Springfield (New Middletown) Girls SoccerSenior had three goals and two assists in an 11-0 win over Girard and four goals and an assist in a 14-0 win over Newton Falls.
Week 3
* Shaden Malone, Clay (Portsmouth) Boys SoccerSenior goalkeeper and striker played large part in a 2-0-1 week. Had 16 saves in a 1-0 win over Glenwood and 12 saves in a 1-1 tie with South Webster. Also netted three goals and an assist in a 5-3 win over Belpre.
* Jordan Briggs, Grand Valley (Orwell) Boys SoccerSophomore had back-to-back hat tricks (six goals total) in wins over Geneva and Pymatuning Valley. Added an assist against PV for 13 points on the week.
Week 7
Had 57, 48 and 27 assists, respectively, in wins over Normandy, Brush and Laurel. Added 20 in a loss to Riverside.
* Emily Baker, Troy Christian VolleyballJunior captain had over 20 kills (102 total) in four straight matches as the Eagles beat Newton, Legacy Christian, Brookville and Ansonia.
* Xavier Puryear, Heath FootballSenior running back scored six touchdowns and rushed for 68 yards on 16 carries in a 56-20 win over Lakewood.
Week 8
* Eric Babinchak, Howland (Warren) FootballSenior running back rushed for 290 yards and four touchdowns on 39 carries in a 27-0 win over Buchtel.
* Hannah Golden, Centerville VolleyballJunior setter had 45 and 41 assists in wins over Northmont and Fairmont and 42 assists in a loss to Springboro.
* Bryce Schondelmyer and Brennen Troutwine, Arcanum FootballTande posted huge numbers in a 57-39 win over Dixie. Schondelmyer, a sophomore quarterback, completed 21-of-31 passes for 425 yards and seven touchdowns and also carried the ball 15 times for 75 yards and a touchdown. Troutwine, a junior split end, had 10 receptions for 276 yards and four touchdowns.
Week 9
* Cidny Long, Madison Plains (London) VolleyballSenior middle hitter had 55 kills and 11 blocks in 3-0 wins over Springfield Catholic Central, Greeneview and Greenon.
* Lauren Tuttle, Northeastern (Springfield) VolleyballSenior outside hitter had a career-high 38 kills in a 3-2 win over Fairbanks. Also had 29 kills in a 3-1 win over West Liberty-Salem and 23 kills in a 3-0 win over Mechanicsburg.
* Nathan Hawks, Greenon (Springfield) FootballSenior kicker connected on three second half field goals (47, 43 and 32 yards) as the Knights beat Taft 30-28.
Week 10
* Doug Rakes, Fairview (Sherwood) FootballSenior quarterback threw for 304 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 131 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-36 win over Northwood. Has thrown for 37 touchdowns and rushed for 11 more this season.
* Tyler Welsh, Genoa Area Boys SoccerSenior goalie recorded back-to-back games with 10 saves in wins over Delta (5-2) and Pettisville (3-2).
* Janessa Koffer, Franklin Monroe (Pitsburg) VolleyballSenior had back-to-back games of 35 digs in wins over Lehman Catholic (3-2) and Ansonia (3-0).
Week 11
* Kylie Clifton, Milford Girls SoccerSenior goalie had 16 saves in a 2-1 D-I sectional final win over Seton and 10 saves in a 3-2 sectional semifinal win over St. Ursula.
* Taylor West, Tuscarawas Valley (Zoarville) VolleyballJunior middle hitter had 15 blocks (13 solo) and 12 kills in a D-IV district semifinal win over Hiland. Had 11 kills and five blocks in a district final win over Union Local.
Week 12
* Braden Anderson, Worthington Christian FootballSenior ran for 229 yards and five touchdowns on 15 carries and had 12 tackles in a 52-14 win over Bishop Rosecrans.
* Caleigh Richards, Maplewood (Cortland) Girls Cross CountryFreshman won her seventh race of the season and its was the big one. Ran 18:22.3 to finish first at the D-III state meet.
Week 13
Junior setter had 37 assists, 20 digs, six kills and four blocks in a 3-1 win over New Bremen in the OHSAA D-IV state final. Had 32 assists, 13 digs, three kills and three blocks in a 3-0 semifinal win over Dalton.
* Coley Sidloski, Strongsville Girls SoccerJunior forward had a goal and two assists in the Mustangs 3-1 win over Olentangy in the OHSAA Division I state final.
* Megan Wielonski, Mount Notre Dame (Cincinnati) VolleyballSenior setter had 36 assists and 10 digs in a 3-1 OHSAA D-I state final win over previously unbeaten Padua Franciscan. Also had 29 assists and seven digs in a 3-0 semifinal win over St. Joseph Academy.
Week 14
* Myles Blasingame and Zack McKibben, Coldwater FootballSenior tandem came up huge in the Cavaliers 38-35 win over New Middletown Springfield in the OHSAA Division VI state championship. A quarterback, Blasingame completed 11-of-20 passes for 185 yards and three touchdowns and carried the ball 17 times for 99 yards and two touchdowns. McKibben, a receiver/returner, had 351 all-purpose yards, including a key 72-yard punt return in the closing seconds that set-up the Cavs game-winning field goal. Also caught four passes for 76 yards and two touchdowns and carried the ball 12 times for 82 yards.
* Mitchell Hays, New Bremen FootballSenior quarterback/defensive back completed 5-of-6 passes for 81 yards and a touchdown and ran for 60 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries in the Cardinals 31-0 win over Warren JFK in the OHSAA D-VII state final.
Week 15
* Madison Roshelle, Princeton (Cincinnati) Girls BasketballSenior forward had 29 points, 11 rebounds, five steals and an assist in a 76-48 win over St. Ursula Academy. Also had 16 points, six rebounds, three steals and two blocks in a 71-46 win over Oak Hills.
* Ethan Bell, River Valley (Caledonia) Boys BasketballSenior point guard had 27 points, 11 assists, five rebounds and four steals in a 70-54 win over Clear Fork. Had 25 points in an 84-47 loss to Worthington Christian.
* John Riley, Miami Valley Christian Academy (Cincinnati) Boys BasketballSenior forward had 17 rebounds, 11 points, three assists and three steals in a 56-54 win over Felicity-Franklin.
Week 16
* Peyton Magee, Fairfield (Leesburg) Girls BasketballSophomore point guard had 11 points, 11 assists, six rebounds and three steals in a 75-65 win over East Clinton. Added 10 points, nine assists, six rebounds and four steals in a 73-50 win over Fayetteville-Perry.
* Izzy Lamparty, South Range (Canfield) Girls BasketballSenior forward had 27 points, 16 rebounds, two steals, a block and an assist in a 69-54 win over Salem.
Week 17
* Mackenzie and Mikayla Blair, Greenon (Springfield), Girls BowlingDuo was named to the All-Tournament Team at the Cincinnati Girls Holiday Classic by finishing first and third overall, respectively, with 412 and 404 series.
* Ogden Nijikowski, Mason Boys BowlingNamed to the All-Tournament Team at the Cincinnati Boys' Holiday Classic after roiling a 300 game and finishing second overall with a 517 series.
* Sam Fast, West Jefferson WrestlingSenior notched five pins (0:39, 0:43, 0:28, 1:44 and 0:21) en route to winning the 285-pound title at the Clear Fork Invitational.
Week 18
* Conner Douglass, Elida WrestlingSenior was named Most Valuable Wrestler at the Allen County Tournament after claiming the 138-pound title. It was his third Allen County championship (2020-2018).
* Kathleen Ahner, Legacy Christian Academy (Xenia) Girls BasketballSenior guard hit eight 3-pointers and tallied 31 points in a 64-36 win over Dayton Christian. Also had six 3s (23 points) in 63-61 season-opening win over Yellow Springs.
Week 19-20
* Marshall Bier, River (Hannibal) WrestlingSophomore won the 285-pound title at the Fort Frye Invitational by pinning every opponent (0:54, 1:22, 0:39, 1:03 and 0:34).
* Aubrey Haas, Eastwood (Pemberville) Girls BasketballJunior hit 13-of-13 free throws en route to a 26-point, nine-steal and four-rebound performance in a 64-20 win over Bowling Green. Also had 26 points, five assists and four steals in a 64-37 win over Fostoria and 22 points and eight rebounds in a 61-25 win over Otsego.
* Hannah Rearick, Lebanon Girls BowlingRolled a 436 series to win Fairfield's Back to School Bash.
Week 21
* Matt Ellis, Waynesville WrestlingJunior won the Bellbrook Invitational title at 126 pounds with five pins under a minute (0:25, 0:12, 0:55, 0:27 and 0:48).
* Jordan Tackett, Wilmington Boys Bowling
Rolled a 300 game and 677 series to win the Miamisburg Viking Classic.
Week 22
* Juan Sergio, Andrews Osborne Academy (Willoughby) Boys BasketballSenior had four double-doubles last week. Notched 27 points and 17 rebounds in a 76-62 win over Open Door Christian and 16 points and 17 rebounds in a 54-45 win over Trinity. Also had 10 points and 14 rebounds in a 56-38 loss to Kenston and 10 points and 11 rebounds in a 75-51 loss to Grand River Academy. Had 15 blocks in the four games as well.
* Kelsey Rose, Xenia Girls BowlingRolled a 446 series to win the Centerville Sweet 16 Shootout.
* Cooper Graham, River Valley (Caledonia) WrestlingSenior won the Western Brown Hammer and Anvil Invitational title at 220 pounds with four pins (5:31, 3:25, 1:04 and 0:30).
Week 23
* Chapman Faulkner, East Dayton Christian (Dayton) Boys basketballSenior dropped 30 points or more in each game during the Eagles current four-game win streak, including 40 in a victory over Temple Christian. Also had 53 rebounds, 16 assists and 15 steals in the four wins. Averaging 30.7 points per game.
* Michael Judge, Oak Harbor WrestlingJunior won the 113-pound title at Clyde's Dale Carroll Invitational by winning all four of his matches via pin (0:20, 1:00, 1:08 and 0:15).
* Natalie Hanson, Fairborn Girls Bowling
Rolled a 656 series to win the Boro Roll Off.
Week 24
Junior had 30 points and 19 rebounds in a win over South Gallia and 25 points and 19 rebounds in a win over Racine Southern.
* Reese Skaggs, St. Clairsville WrestlingSenior won the 220-pound title at New Lexington's Jimmy Wood Invitational. Pinned all five opponents (0:16, 0:28, 0:52, 1:02 and 5:16).
Week 25
* Bailee Smith, Maysville (Zanesville) Girls BasketballSenior reached 30 points or more for the fourth and fifth time this season with 37 points in a win over River View and 32 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in a win over Crooksville. Also had 21 points in a loss to New Lexington. Averaging 26.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.8 steals and 3.6 assists.
* Coleman Hauck, Triad (North Lewisburg) WrestlingSenior won the 152-pound title at the Ada Invitational with three tech falls (18-3, 16-0 and 20-4) and two pins (2:21 and 0:33).
* Jenna Smith, Garfield (Garrettsville) Girls BasketballJunior had her seventh, eighth and ninth doble-doubles of the season in wins over Lake Center Christian (30 points/13 rebounds and 26 points/14 rebounds) and a loss to McDonald (24 points/12 rebounds). Also had 26 points and nine rebounds in a win over Youngstown Liberty.
Week 26
* Max Rolnick, Andrews Osborne Academy (Willoughby) Boys BasketballJunior guard hit six 3-pointers in a win over Christian Community (26 points), and five 3s each in wins over West Geauga (27 points) and HEARTS for Jesus Christ (19 points). Also had four 3s and 22 points in a loss to Euclid.
* Tyler Stegemoller, Fairmont Boys BowlingJunior rolled a 704 series to win the Centerville Elks Invitational. High-game was a 278.
Week 27
* Olivia Shore, Miami East (Casstown) Girls WrestlingSenior captured her second straight state title (11 pounds) at the second Ohio HS Wrestling Coaches Association Girls State Tournament. She pinned all four opponents at state.
* Nathan Kelly, East Liverpool Boys Bowling Sophomore rolled a 760 series to win the D-II East District title.
* Karl Helmuth, Hoover (North Canton) Boys SwimmingSenior won three events (200-medley relay, 400 free relay and 100 breaststroke) and was second in another the 100 free) at the Division I district meet hosted by Geneva.
Week 28
* Cailyn Bright, Carrollton Girls BowlingSenior rolled a 695 series to win the OHSAA Division II state championship.
* Tyler Gehret, Versailles Boys BowlingSenior rolled a 684 series to win the OHSAA Division II state championship.
* Raegan Ernst, Dublin Jerome GymnasticsJunior captured her third straight all-around title at the district meet hosted by Worthington Kilbourne. She also won the uneven bars and floor exercise and was runner-up on vault.
Week 29
* Paige Yu, Medina Highland GymnasticsSophomore won the OHSAA all-around state title. Also won the uneven bars and balance beam. Was runner-up on vault.
* Jenna Stretch, Kenston Girls BowlingJunior won the OHSAA Division I bowling state title with a 740 series. She finished 118 pins ahead of the runner-up.
* Joseph Kirby, St. Xavier (Cincinnati) Boys BasketballSenior exploded for a career-high 29 points in an 81-65 D-I district final win over Wayne. Was 7-of-8 from 3-point range and 8-of-8 at the free throw line.
Week 30
* Tasos Cook, Westerville Central Boys BasketballSenior guard hit a game-winning half-court shot at the buzzer as the Warhawks beat Gahanna Lincoln 45-44 for the program's first D-I regional title. Cook, the OPSWA D-II Central District Player of the Year, finished with 23 points.
* Riley Box and Nick Mack, St. Francis de Sales (Toledo) Ice HockeySenior tandem helped the Knights win the OHSAA state title. Box had a hat trick in a semifinal win over Walsh Jesuit, while Mack dished out four assists. In a 2-1 win over St. Edward in the state final. Box assisted on both goals, while Mack assisted on the first.
* Taylor Strock, Napoleon Girls BasketballSenior and Cedarville University recruit helped lead the Wildcats to the program's first D-II state title. Had 13 points and five assists in a 46-43 state semifinal win over Carroll and 23 points and seven rebounds in a 76-44 state final win overt Vinton County. Hit 17-of-20 free throws combined in the games.
Week 31
* Gabe Cupps, Centerville Boys BasketballSophomore had 16 points, three rebounds, three assists and no turnovers in a 43-42 D-I state final win over Westerville Central. Had 11 points in a 63-49 semifinal win over Mentor.
* Steven Key, Mentor Boys BasketballSenior netted a game-high 25 points in a 63-49 D-I state semifinal loss to Centerville.
Week 32-33
* Jebadiah McGue, Ridgemont (Mount Victory) BaseballSophomore became the 10th player in state history to register at least 11 RBI in a game when he went 4-for-5 with a HR, three runs and 11 RBI in a 27-26 win over Vanlue.
* Briahna Bush, Cincinnati Christian (Fairfield) SoftballSenior captain and pitcher was dominant on the mound and at the plate in the Cougars first three games (all wins). Had 45 strikeouts and allowed one earned run in 17 innings, while going 10-for-10 with five homeruns, 22 RBI, a triple and nine runs.
* Zoe Coleman, Bishop Watterson (Columbus) Girls LacrosseJunior attacker/midfielder leads the state in scoring with 37 points. Has dropped seven goals in a game twice. Ranks second in the state in assists (15).
Sophomore scored 12 goals in a 20-5 win over Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary. Added eight goals and three assists in wins over Beaumont and Beachwood.
Week 34
* Mikayla Williams, Bexley (Columbus) Girls LacrosseSophomore midfielder had eight goals in a 14-13 win over Columbus Academy. Opened the season with six goals and an assist in a 14-7 win over Hilliard Davidson and four goals and three assists in a 15-12 win over Pickerington North.
* Skipp Miller, Bradford SoftballSenior pitcher struck out 55 batters and allowed two hits in wins over St. Henry (11-0), Tri-County North (6-1), National Trail (13-0) and Twin Valley South (15-0). Is undefeated (7-0) with 119 Ks, nine hits, four walks and no earned runs in eight appearances.
* Peyton Deverso and Ashley Fisher, Big Walnut (Sunbury) Girls Lacrosse. Junior tandem combined for 32 goals (16 each) in wins over Olentangy Orange (15-14), Westerville Central (10-8) and Centerville (17-3). Deverso has 31 goals this season, while Fisher has 29.
Week 35
* Cooper Felger, Chardon Boys LacrosseSophomore had five goals in a 15-1 win over Poland, four goals and an assist in a 13-0 win over Canton Central Catholic and four goals and two assists in a 17-3 win over Conneaut. Has 27 goals and six assists in nine games.
* Grace Heilman, Bexley (Columbus) Girls LacrosseJunior scored seven goals in an 18-13 win over Westerville Central, six goals in a 16-13 win over Big Walnut and five goals in a 16-12 loss to Watterson. Laos had three goals and an assist in an 11-11 tie with Granville. Has 33 goals and four assists in seven games.
* Addison Arnold, Bryan SoftballJunior pitcher struck out 43 in 26 innings in wins over Swanton (5-2), Liberty-Benton (10-0), Liberty Center (4-2) and Defiance (13-3). Walked four and gave up four earned runs. Is currently 7-0 with 87 Ks and 10 walks in 58.1 innings.
Week 36
* Stevie Asher, Highland (Marengo) SoftballSophomore struck out 14, 11 and 10, respectively, in wins over Centerburg, Shelby and Mt. Gilead. Has 106 Ks.
* Hannah Bendle, John Glenn (New Concord) SoftballSophomore went 12-of-13 with 12 runs, eight RBI, six stolen bases, two home runs, two triples and a double in wins over River View, Maysville and West Muskingum. Also improved to 7-0 with the pitching win over River View.
* Alexis Veldhuis, Seven Hills (Cincinnati) Girls LacrosseJunior had eight goals and two assists in a win over Maderia, seven goals in a win over Oakwood and six goals and an assist in a win over Westerville Central. Has 31 goals.
Week 37
* Sydney Bowser, Hubbard SoftballSenior went 4-for-5 with three home runs, nine RBI and three runs in a 15-7 win over Lakeview.
* Keegen Weiss, Ansonia BaseballFreshman pitcher picked up back-to-back wins with 11 strikeouts in a 4-3 win over Marion Local and 10 Ks in a 1-0 win over Tri-Village.
Week 38
Senior has had a torrid two weeks as the Vikings have gone undefeated with wins over Centerville (five goals, two assists), Marysville (five goals, four assists), Fairmont (three goals, five assists), Carroll (four assists), Lima Senior (four goals, four assists) and Northmont (five goals, six assists).
* Sydney McDermott, Portsmouth West (West Portsmouth) SoftballSophomore pitcher struck out a season-high 18 of the 23 batters she faced in a 3-0 win over Eastern. That was part of a 3-0 week that also included wins over Adena and Chesapeake (struck out 13 of the 15 faced). After starting 4-6, has gone 11-1 in last 12 decisions. Has 259 Ks and a 1.19 ERA.
* Zac Smargiasso, Copley Boys LacrosseJunior had 15 goals (five each) in wins over NDCL (15-5), GlenOak (16-6) and Holy Name (17-6). Has 61 goals and eight assists.
Week 39
* Cortney Dobbs, Watkins Memorial (Pataskala) SoftballFreshman tied the state record for home runs in a game with four in a 29-0 win over Columbus Independence. Her 11 RBI makes her the 14th player in state history to reach that mark in a game (record is 13). Was 5-for-5 (added a double). Also went 5-for-9 with a home run, double, five RBI and five runs in wins over Johnstown-Monroe (9-0), Northland (20-0) and Heath (9-1).
* Savannah Fitzpatrick, Highland (Marengo) SoftballSenior has been on a tear last four games. Had three home runs, five RBI, four runs and four hits in a 16-2 win over Northmor and two home runs, five RBI, three runs, a triple and three hits in an 11-0 win over Northmor. Also had a triple, two doubles, three hits and three runs in a 4-2 win over Lakewood and 2-1 loss to Buckeye Valley. Batting .512 with 52 runs.
* Rylyn Dyer, Georgetown SoftballJunior pitcher improved to 10-0 with 16 strikeouts in an 11-1 win over Deer park and 14 strikeouts and no hits in an 11-1 win over Fenwick. Also went 2-for-5 with a home run, triple, three RBI and three runs in the two games. Has 267 Ks in 144 innings. Batting .479 with 11 home runs, 39 RBI and 35 runs.
Week 40
* Emma Burke, Lancaster SoftballSenior went 2-for-3 with two home runs, four RBI and three runs in a 6-5 win over Westerville South. Also picked up the save. Leads the Gales in HRs (17), RBI (46), hits (55), runs (49) and average (.625).
* Sommer Bourne, Garfield (Garrettsville) SoftballSenior had four home runs, 12 RBI, 10 hits, 10 runs and three doubles in wins over Roosevelt, Bristol and Rootstown and a loss to Mogadore. Leads the G-Men in HRs (10), doubles (12), RBI (38), hits (36), runs (34) and average (.429).
Week 41
* 3,200 Relay, Oakwood (Dayton) Girls Track & FieldQuartet of sophomores Bella Butler and Emma Almoney, junior Grace Hartman and senior Hannah Moulton set a new state record in the event by running 9:08.72 to win the Piqua D-II regional title by 26 seconds.
Junior swept the discus and shot put at the Piqua Division II regional meet by setting school records in both events with heaves of 177-08 and 53-7.75, respectively.
Week 42
* Skipp Miller, Bradford SoftballSenior
threw a no-hitter and struck out 12 in an 11-0 D-IV state semifinal win
over New Riegel and tossed a one-hitter and K'd 10 in an 8-0 state
final win over Cuyahoga Heights. Leads the state with over 400
strikeouts.
* Anna Ankney, Fairview (Sherwood) SoftballSenior
went 2-3 with five RBI, two runs and a grand slam in a 10-8 D-III state
semifinal win over Wheelersburg. Added another HR in the Apaches 10=-
state final win over South Range. Helped team get to state by crushing
two home runs, including a grand slam, and notching seven RBI in an 11-0
regional final win over Cardington.
* Missy Holzopfel, Perry (Massillon) SoftballSenior
pitcher and Cleveland State recruit struck out 12 and allowed one-hit
in a 1-0 D-I state final win over Watkins Memorial. K'd eight and
allowed three hits in a 4-2 state semifinal win over Lakota West.
CLICK HERE to see the winners for the 2017-18 school year.
CLICK HERE to see the winners for the 2018-19 school year.
