Central Ohio High School Sports Awards: ThisWeek names top performers for 2021-22

From staff reports
·8 min read
The Central Ohio is part of the USA Today High School Sports Awards program, the largest high school sports recognition program in the country.
The Central Ohio is part of the USA Today High School Sports Awards program, the largest high school sports recognition program in the country.

ThisWeek Community News put a cap on the school year by announcing the top performers at the Central Ohio High School Sports Awards on June 15 at the Ohio Theatre.

Upper Arlington’s Sam Burns, Dublin Jerome’s Raegan Ernst, Grandview Heights coach James Gerdes and the New Albany girls lacrosse team took top athletic honors.

Bexley’s Grace Heilman, Africentric’s Jaydn Person, Gahanna Lincoln’s Adolphus Addison and Jerome’s Kevin Liu were the top scholarship recipients.

In addition, the top athletes in 30 sports and 19 other scholar-athletes were honored during the show, presented by Encova Insurance and in partnership with Nationwide Children’s Hospital Sports Medicine and Raising Cane’s. Former Ohio State and NFL standout Malcolm Jenkins was the guest speaker.

The winners at the Central Ohio High School Sports Awards pose for a photo with guest speaker Malcolm Jenkins, Encova Insurance executive vice president and chief strategy officer John Kessler, two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin and ThisWeek managing editor Lee Cochran on June 15 at the Ohio Theatre. Jenkins is a two-time Super Bowl champion who played at Ohio State.

Burns was Male Athlete of the Year, in addition to being the Player of the Year in both hockey and boys lacrosse. He recorded 53 goals and 48 assists to lead the hockey team to a state semifinal and a 30-8 record. In lacrosse, Burns recorded 42 goals and 16 assists as the Golden Bears won their first state title since 2016.

“I’m just grateful to be in the place that I’m in and to be raised by my parents and have my family around me,” Burns said. “They and the coaches that I have had gave me this opportunity and I couldn’t have done it without them. These three awards are a credit to them and not to me at all.”

The other finalists were Pickerington Central’s Troy Lane, who was the Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year, and Marysville’s Gabe Powers, who was the Football Athlete of the Year.

Upper Arlington's Sam Burns and guest speaker Malcolm Jenkins both hold up three fingers in honor of the three awards Burns received at the Central Ohio High School Sports Awards. Burns was named overall Male Athlete of the Year and earned Athlete of the Year honors for hockey and boys lacrosse.
Upper Arlington's Sam Burns and guest speaker Malcolm Jenkins both hold up three fingers in honor of the three awards Burns received at the Central Ohio High School Sports Awards. Burns was named overall Male Athlete of the Year and earned Athlete of the Year honors for hockey and boys lacrosse.

Ernst was Female Athlete of the Year and Gymnastics Athlete of the Year after becoming only the third gymnast from central Ohio to win the state title in the all-around competition. She also is only the second person to be named Athlete of the Year in a sport all four years. Dublin Coffman’s Abby Steiner (2015-18 in track and field) is the other.

“This is so surreal,” Ernst said. “Not many people get to end their senior year on such a highlight like I got to. I'm so thankful.”

The other finalists were Reynoldsburg’s Imarianah Russell, who was the Girls Basketball Athlete of the Year, and Gahanna Lincoln’s Camden Bentley, who was the Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year.

Dublin Jerome's Raegan Ernst shares a laugh with fellow athletes at the Central Ohio High School Sports Awards on June 15 at the Ohio Theatre. Ernst was named the overall Female Athlete of the Year and Gymnastics Athlete of the Year.
Dublin Jerome's Raegan Ernst shares a laugh with fellow athletes at the Central Ohio High School Sports Awards on June 15 at the Ohio Theatre. Ernst was named the overall Female Athlete of the Year and Gymnastics Athlete of the Year.

Gerdes coached the Grandview Heights boys soccer squad to the first state team title in school history, defeating Columbiana Crestview 4-2 in the Division III final. In the process, the Bobcats won their eighth consecutive district title and finished 17-4-2.

“(The sports awards show) was a fantastic experience. The production, the venue, it just caps off a really memorable season,” Gerdes said. “It was a great honor. Oftentimes, Division III schools don’t really get too much recognition when it comes to competing against the bigger schools. What we did at Grandview was pretty memorable, and I’m glad we got to be recognized in this way.”

Upper Arlington football coach Justin Buttermore and Reynoldsburg girls basketball coach Jack Purtell were the other finalists.

Coach of the Year honoree James Gerdes, the boys soccer coach at Grandview Heights, poses for a photo with former Ohio State and NFL player Malcolm Jenkins at the Central Ohio High School Sports Awards on June 15 at the Ohio Theatre. Jenkins was the guest speaker at the show.
Coach of the Year honoree James Gerdes, the boys soccer coach at Grandview Heights, poses for a photo with former Ohio State and NFL player Malcolm Jenkins at the Central Ohio High School Sports Awards on June 15 at the Ohio Theatre. Jenkins was the guest speaker at the show.

Named the Team of the Year, the New Albany girls lacrosse squad finished 21-2 and won the Division I state title after finishing as runner-up in the previous three tournaments. In the state tournament, the Eagles beat both teams they lost to during the regular season, taking down Massillon Jackson in a semifinal and Upper Arlington in the final.

“We’ve worked so hard for this, and it’s just great to be up here to celebrate with all of my teammates and celebrate this wonderful award,” said Katie Kaucheck, a 2022 graduate who will play at Ohio State.

The Grandview Heights boys soccer team and the Reynoldsburg girls basketball team were the other finalists.

The New Albany girls lacrosse team poses for a photo with former Ohio State and NFL player Malcolm Jenkins at the Central Ohio High School Sports Awards on June 15 at the Ohio Theatre. The Eagles earned Team of the Year honors for winning the Division I state championship. Jenkins was the guest speaker at the show.
The New Albany girls lacrosse team poses for a photo with former Ohio State and NFL player Malcolm Jenkins at the Central Ohio High School Sports Awards on June 15 at the Ohio Theatre. The Eagles earned Team of the Year honors for winning the Division I state championship. Jenkins was the guest speaker at the show.

Heilman was named Female Scholar Athlete of the Year. She graduated with a 4.47 GPA and won a combined 13 letters in soccer, basketball, lacrosse and track and field. Heilman also volunteered at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Make-A-Wish and youth basketball.

“It’s been such an amazing journey,” Heilman said. “I will forever remember every single sport I have played and kind of the memories built into this and my teammates. I will miss them so much.”

Bexley's Grace Heilman receives the Female Scholar Athlete of the Year award from John Kessler, Encova Insurance executive vice president and chief strategy officer, and Archie Griffin, two-time Heisman Trophy winner and Encova Insurance representative.
Bexley's Grace Heilman receives the Female Scholar Athlete of the Year award from John Kessler, Encova Insurance executive vice president and chief strategy officer, and Archie Griffin, two-time Heisman Trophy winner and Encova Insurance representative.

Liu was named Male Scholar Athlete of the Year. He graduated with a 4.474 GPA and had dual enrollment at the Ohio State University Academy program. A four-year letterwinner for the tennis team and a two-year captain, Liu is a lead volunteer at COSI and an Eagle Scout.

“It’s definitely a huge honor,” Liu said. “It’s a huge reflection of all the hard work over the years, and I want to thank everyone who has helped me along the way. It really paid off.”

Dublin Jerome's Kevin Liu receives the Male Scholar Athlete of the Year award from John Kessler, Encova Insurance executive vice president and chief strategy officer, and Archie Griffin, two-time Heisman Trophy winner and Encova Insurance representative.
Dublin Jerome's Kevin Liu receives the Male Scholar Athlete of the Year award from John Kessler, Encova Insurance executive vice president and chief strategy officer, and Archie Griffin, two-time Heisman Trophy winner and Encova Insurance representative.

Person and Addison were named winners of the John J. Bishop Awards.

Person helped the Africentric girls basketball team finish 20-5 and win its seventh consecutive City League championship. She ranked first in her class with a 4.051 GPA and also has been on the dean’s list at Columbus State.

“It definitely feels nice to be recognized and all of the hard work is definitely paying off,” Person said. “I’m so excited. Sitting throughout the whole program and seeing everybody get rewarded, it felt nice to be surrounded by people who have the same ambitions that I have and who are just as goal-oriented.”

Africentric's Jaydn Person, winner of a John J. Bishop Award, takes a photo with two-time Super Bowl champion and former Ohio State player Malcolm Jenkins at the Central Ohio High School Sports Awards on June 15 at the Ohio Theatre.
Africentric's Jaydn Person, winner of a John J. Bishop Award, takes a photo with two-time Super Bowl champion and former Ohio State player Malcolm Jenkins at the Central Ohio High School Sports Awards on June 15 at the Ohio Theatre.

Ranked No. 1 in his class with a 4.1 GPA, Addison played soccer for four years. He also was Gahanna Lincoln’s Bill Withrow Blue & Gold Award winner, which is given to athletes based on their show of school spirit, team support and moral character.

“It’s just another opportunity for me to study what I love and what I want to do for the rest of my life,” Addison said. “Medical school costs hundreds of thousands of dollars, and I’m pursuing a pre-med track (at the University of Cincinnati).”

Gahanna Lincoln's Adolphus Addison receives his John J. Bishop Award from John Kessler, Encova Insurance executive vice president and chief strategy officer, and Archie Griffin, two-time Heisman Trophy winner and Encova Insurance representative.
Gahanna Lincoln's Adolphus Addison receives his John J. Bishop Award from John Kessler, Encova Insurance executive vice president and chief strategy officer, and Archie Griffin, two-time Heisman Trophy winner and Encova Insurance representative.

Other awards presented were:

Nationwide Children's Hospital Sports Medicine Courage Award: Gavin Braden, London

Raising Cane’s Community Engagement Award female winner: Brenna Todd, Pickerington Central

Raising Cane’s Community Engagement Award male winner: Angel Rivera-Martinez, Ready

The Athletes of the Year were:

Baseball: Jacob Miller, Liberty Union

Boys basketball: Sean Jones, Gahanna Lincoln

Girls basketball: Imarianah Russell, Reynoldsburg

Boys bowling: Carter Street, Olentangy Liberty

Girls bowling: Hannah Halstead, Delaware Hayes

Boys cross country: Connor Ackley, Hilliard Davidson

Girls cross country: Alyssa Shope, Gahanna Lincoln

Gymnastics: Raegan Ernst, Dublin Jerome

Hockey: Sam Burns, Upper Arlington

Field hockey: Molly Griffith, Watterson

Football: Gabe Powers, Marysville

Boys golf: Sam Evans, Worthington Christian

Girls golf: Audrey Ryu, Dublin Jerome

Boys lacrosse: Sam Burns, Upper Arlington

Girls lacrosse: Camryn Callaghan, Upper Arlington

Boys soccer: Will DeVere, Grandview Heights

Girls soccer: Abby Reisz, Upper Arlington

Softball: Marlee Jacobs, Jonathan Alder

Boys swimming and diving: Spencer Aurnou-Rhees, St. Charles

Girls swimming and diving: Martina Peroni, Olentangy

Boys tennis: Brandon Carpico, Gahanna Lincoln

Girls tennis: Ella Franz, Olentangy Berlin

Boys track and field: Troy Lane, Pickerington Central

Girls track and field: Camden Bentley, Gahanna Lincoln

Boys volleyball: Nick Bennison, St. Charles

Girls volleyball: Gabi Moulton, Olentangy Liberty

Boys water polo: Patrick Ray, Upper Arlington

Girls water polo: Caroline Porterfield, Upper Arlington

Boys wrestling: Connor Euton, Westerville North

Girls wrestling: Cali Leng, Marysville

ThisWeek began naming Captains, our version of Athletes of the Year, in football in 1993, basketball in 1994, soccer in 1997, wrestling in 1998 and in other sports, except girls wrestling, starting in 2012. This is the third season for girls wrestling.

The scholarship recipients were:

Female Scholar Athlete ($7,000): Grace Heilman, Bexley

Male Scholar Athlete ($7,000): Kevin Liu, Dublin Jerome

John J. Bishop  Female ($7,000): Jaydn Person, Africentric

John J. Bishop Male ($7,000):  Adolphus Addison, Gahanna Lincoln

First runner-up female ($5,000): Allison Bair, Ready

First runner-up male ($5,000): Maxwell Latshaw, Watterson

Second runner-up female ($4,000): Emma Spangler, Columbus School for Girls

Second runner-up male ($4,000): Christopher Lee, Big Walnut

Third runner-up female ($2,000): Brenna Reed, Fairfield Union

Third runner-up male ($2,000): Andrew Dean, Teays Valley

Capt. Warren B. Sneed Memorial Scholarship ($3,000): Alissa Schiff, Grove City

Honorable mention female ($1,000): Molly Griffith, Watterson; *Ashley Hayward, North Union; Elizabeth Lombardi, Jonathan Alder; Alexandria Magers, East Knox; Mia Martinez, Hilliard Davidson; Avery Samms, Dublin Scioto; and *Lauren Scott, Worthington Kilbourne

Honorable mention male ($1,000): Braden Abele, Hilliard Davidson; Russell Ahmed, Columbus Academy; Caden Feller, Fairbanks; Angel Rivera-Martinez, Ready; and Jonathan Weaver, Amanda-Clearcreek

(*Receiving full college scholarship and not eligible for scholarship money.)

This is the 41st year for the scholarship program.

WBNS-10TV will broadcast the scholarship portion of the awards show at 7 p.m. June 25.

The Central Ohio High School Sports Awards is part of the USA Today High School Sports Awards program, the largest high school sports recognition program in the country.

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This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: ThisWeek names top high school sports performers for 2021-22