Central Ohio High School Sports Awards: Burns, Bentley lead Spring Athletes of the Year
Upper Arlington’s Sam Burns and Gahanna Lincoln’s Camden Bentley lead ThisWeek’s Spring Athletes of the Year.
Burns was named Boys Athlete of the Year after being named Captain of both the lacrosse and hockey teams.
Bentley was a finalist for Girls Athlete of the Year after being named Super 12 track and field Captain. Raegan Ernst, a senior gymnast from Dublin Jerome, won the award.
The honors were among dozens announced during the Central Ohio High School Sports Awards on June 15 at the Ohio Theatre. The show was presented by Encova Insurance and in partnership with Nationwide Children’s Hospital Sports Medicine and Raising Cane’s.
Here are the Spring Athletes of the Year:
Nick Bennison
St. Charles
Boys volleyball
Bennison was a force at the net for the Cardinals, who finished 19-8 after losing to DeSales 25-15, 25-20, 21-25, 25-15 in their fourth consecutive Division II, East Region final.
The 6-foot-6 senior outside hitter averaged 6.2 kills and 4.1 digs per game as he earned state and regional Player of the Year honors.
“Nick just has a lot of gifts physically,” coach Ned Gruber said. “At 6-6, he’s a tall guy, and he just hits well.
“He plays all over the court and was our best player in serve-receive. Everyone on the court knew we were going to him, and he was still able to put the ball away when we needed it.”
Bennison, a two-time Super team honoree, helped the Cardinals win their fifth consecutive CCL title.
Last season, he was first-team all-state and all-region with a team-high 412 kills.
Bennison had a 3.8 GPA and will attend Colorado. He will not compete in athletics, focusing on ROTC and his civil engineering studies.
“Nick has great character and he works hard,” Gruber said. “He’s a good example for the other players to follow. He has gotten a lot better not just hitting but passing. He has worked hard to be a great player.”
Past honorees:
2021: Jonah Gilbert, Hilliard Bradley; 2020: No season; 2019: Noah Platfoot, Hilliard Darby; 2018: Aaric Gossett, Olentangy; 2017: Brad Brinkerhoff, Darby; 2016: Dejon Clark, Pickerington North; 2015: Evan Feltz, DeSales; 2014: Feltz; 2013: Jared Kelso, Darby
Camden Bentley
Gahanna Lincoln
Girls track and field
Bentley was the Super 12 Captain in 2021 after she won the 300-meter hurdles and was runner-up in the 100 hurdles at the Division I state meet, and she was even more impressive this year.
After setting the regional record in the 100 hurdles when she ran 13.66 seconds, Bentley, a junior, topped that finish by running 13.45 during a preliminary race at state.
The next day, Bentley captured the 100 hurdles title in 13.25, which would have been a state record had it not been wind-aided.
Bentley also ran a 42.82 to win the 300 hurdles and ran on the 800 relay that won the title in 1:38.32.
She helped the Lions win their third state team title and place in the top three at state for the eighth consecutive season.
“Camden is special,” coach Roger Whittaker said. “Not only is she one of the top hurdlers in the nation, but she is a ‘team first’ kid in every sense of the phrase. When I told her I’d need her in different spots, her response was simply, ‘Wherever you need me coach, I’m ready.’ I treasure every race she is in because I’ve been around long enough to recognize and admire special kids along the way instead of talking about how great they were after they’re gone.”
Past honorees:
2021: Bentley; 2020: No season; 2019: Madison Martinez, Gahanna; 2018: Abby Steiner, Dublin Coffman; 2017: Steiner; 2016: Steiner; 2015: Steiner; 2014: Sade Olatoye, Coffman; 2013: Aaliyah Barnes, Eastmoor Academy
Sam Burns
Upper Arlington
Boys lacrosse
After leading the Golden Bears hockey team to its second consecutive state tournament, Burns dominated on the lacrosse field as UA won its first state championship since 2016 and 17th in program history.
The senior midfielder and Ohio State recruit tallied 42 goals and 16 assists, won 68 percent of his faceoffs and scooped up 62 ground balls as the Bears went 22-1, defeating Dublin Jerome 12-10 in the state final.
Burns was named OCC-Central Division and Region 3 Player of the Year, regional Midfielder of the Year and state Player of the Year.
Burns had 53 goals and 48 assists last winter for the hockey team.
“Just his tenacity to not stop and never give up is the thing that stands out to me,” coach Kyle Olson said. “It’s one of those things you can’t really coach. He wants to run through a brick wall to the point where sometimes you have to tell him to run around it. He is a competitor in every sense of the word.
“The fact that several of our guys play multiple sports is a huge advantage. They get those pressure situations from everything else they do year-round.”
Past honorees:
2021: Shea Keethler, Upper Arlington; 2020: No season; 2019: Evan James, Dublin Coffman 2018: Jack DeSantis, DeSales; 2017: Jack Dolan, UA; 2016: Danny Logan, UA; 2015: Justin Wick, UA; 2014: Brandon Jones, UA; 2013: Jack Warmolts, UA
Camryn Callaghan
Upper Arlington
Girls lacrosse
The senior attacker/midfielder, two-time All-American and two-time Super 12 honoree finished her career with more than 200 goals and three program records, helping the Golden Bears to 63 wins.
Callaghan had 98 goals and 32 assists this season as UA went 22-1, falling to New Albany 13-12 in overtime in the Division I state final. Her goals set a program record, as did her 130 points and shot percentage of 81%.
The Cincinnati recruit was named OCC-Central Player of the Year and Region 3 and state Attacker of the Year. She had 204 goals and 42 assists in three seasons, during which time UA went 63-4-2.
“She not only holds herself to a high standard but holds everyone on the team accountable,” coach Morgan Fee Maldovan said. “She is truly and authentically herself. She is not afraid to ask the tough questions or be vulnerable with her teammates and coaches. I believe that really sets her apart from other players in the state.
“She is so incredibly hard-working and always pushes herself to grow and become a better student of the game. She’s doing to do great things at Cincinnati, and I believe she’s going to be an impact player.”
Past honorees:
2021: Mary Carson, New Albany; 2020: No season; 2019: Emily Rezabek, New Albany; 2018: Lauren Farber, Upper Arlington; 2017: Olivia Schildmeyer, UA; 2016: Liza Hernandez, New Albany; 2015: Molly Plasket, UA; 2014: Miriam Bassani, Worthington Kilbourne; 2013: Elaina Enich, New Albany
Brandon Carpico
Gahanna Lincoln
Boys tennis
Carpico won the Division I state singles championship in his first prep season in 2021 when he also was named to the Super 12 team, but he was even more dominant locally this spring.
After losing three matches last season, the Gahanna junior didn’t lose a set until he got to the state final, where he lost to Mason’s Vignesh Gogineni 6-3, 6-2 after beating Gogineni for the championship last year.
“His net game has improved tremendously,” coach Chris Schwinnen said. “His serve has gotten a lot better. He’s coachable, works hard and has all of those intangibles that you want.”
Carpico beat Upper Arlington’s Ethan Samore 6-2, 6-2 for the district championship and then faced four opponents from the traditionally strong Southwest District at state.
After edging Springboro’s Sai Dore 7-6 (9-7), 6-0 in a quarterfinal, Carpico beat Southwest District champion Chad Miller from Cincinnati Sycamore 6-3, 6-3 in a state semifinal.
Carpico finished 36-1.
“One of the things I’m most proud of, there’s obviously the individual accomplishments, but it’s for the teammate that he is,” Schwinnen said. “Three or four of his teammates came down (to state) and that’s because of the teammate that he. He’s a class kid.”
Past honorees:
2021: Ryan Mudre, New Albany; 2020: No season; 2019: Robert Cash, New Albany; 2018: Cash; 2017: Cash; 2016: Jacob Wareti, Columbus Academy; 2015: Wareti; 2014: Chuck Shewalter, Upper Arlington; 2013: Stu Little, UA
Marlee Jacobs
Jonathan Alder
Softball
The Player of the Year in both the Central Buckeye Conference and the district in Division II and a first-team all-state honoree, Jacobs has been a part of a renaissance for the Pioneers.
Jonathan Alder has made five state tournament appearances in the last eight seasons, including this spring when it lost 2-1 to Wooster Triway in the state final.
Jacobs went 23-2 this season as the Pioneers were 26-2. She struck out 209 in 153 1/3 innings, walking 23 and hitting two batters for a 0.73 WHIP and a 0.96 ERA.
In addition, she batted .429 with 27 RBI and three triples and struck out only three times.
The senior finished her career with a 68-5 record.
Jacobs pitched the Pioneers to the state championship in 2019 and to a district runner-up finish last spring.
“She’s just very consistent,” coach Dave McGrew said. “She hits all four quadrants and has worked her tail off since she was a little thing. She’s the real deal. She probably throws about 60 (mph) and mixes her speed on her curve. Her drop curve is a good pitch, but in the playoffs, her riseball (was) making that jump. She throws it very well.”
Past honorees:
2021: Gabby Adams, Grove City; 2020: No season; 2019: Emily Ruck, Westerville Central; 2018: Emily Gant, Central Crossing; 2017: Gant; 2016: Madi Huck, Delaware Hayes; 2015: Kallie Boren, Pickerington Central; 2014: Mikayla Cooper, Delaware; 2013: Emma Cornell, Grove City
Troy Lane
Pickerington Central
Boys track and field
The junior began the season by unofficially breaking the state record in the 100 and ended it by smashing the same mark.
Lane won the Division I state title in the 100 in a state- and state meet-record 10.25, then followed that with the 200 championship in 21.09 and anchored the 400 relay that won in 41.22. Those points led the Tigers to their third team championship in four seasons.
Central also won state in 2018 and 2019.
“The very first meet we went to (this season), he kind of opened some eyes,” coach Jason Roach said. “Troy Lane is for real.”
Lane ran a 10.37 in the 100 on March 30 at Watkins Memorial, but the time did not count because too few teams were competing. The previous state record of 10.38 was set in 2006 by Piqua’s Brandon Saine, who later played football at Ohio State.
Also a defensive back for the Central football team, Lane was second in both the 100 and 200 in the district 1 meet before winning the 100 at regional and placing fourth in the 200. He was third in the 100 at state last year.
Past honorees:
2021: Justin Braun, Westerville Central; 2020: No season; 2019: Evan Matthews, Pickerington Central; 2018: Daevon Anderson, Hilliard Bradley; 2017: Lonzell Feagin, Canal Winchester; 2016: Andrew Jordan, Watkins Memorial; 2015: Nick Gray, Pickerington North; 2014: Gray; 2013: Desmond Palmer, Pickerington North
Jacob Miller
Liberty Union
Baseball
With a pitching arsenal that includes a fastball that consistently hits 94-97 mph along with a curveball, slider and changeup, this 6-foot-2, 180-pound right-hander led Liberty Union to its first state tournament since 1964.
Miller finished 8-1 with one save and 133 strikeouts in 57 1/3 innings.
While helping the Lions to a 24-6 record that included a 4-2 loss to Apple Creek Waynedale in a Division III state semifinal, Miller gave up just four earned runs, 18 hits and walked 11 with a 0.49 ERA.
He also contributed four home runs and 29 RBI.
According to Prospects1500.com, Miller is the 29th-ranked prospect heading into this year’s Major League Baseball draft, which begins July 17.
“Jacob has been incredible on and off the mound this season,” said coach Justin Miller, who is not related to Jacob. “He’s been a leader in the community and with our baseball program. He’s been up to 99 this season. He has a four-pitch arsenal that is the best I have ever seen in a high school pitcher. ... His curveball, slider and changeup are all plus pitches and one of the big reasons he’s a top-30 prospect in this year’s MLB draft.”
Past honorees:
2021: Josh Laisure, Olentangy Orange; 2020: No season; 2019: Jack Sokol, New Albany; 2018: Mitch Milheim, Olentangy Liberty; 2017: Cael Baker, Gahanna; 2016: Baker; 2015: Cameron Comer, Liberty; 2014: Jacob Niggemeyer, Liberty; 2013: Alec Tuohy, Gahanna
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This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: Burns, Bentley lead ThisWeek Spring Athletes of the Year for 2022
