Central Ohio High School Sports Awards: Top fall athletes shined on postseason stage
ThisWeek’s Fall Athletes of the Year didn’t shy away from the postseason spotlight.
Their 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 Fall Athletes of the Year:
Connor Ackley, Hilliard Davidson
Boys cross country
This junior paced the Wildcats through another successful postseason.
Ackley, who was named Super 12 Captain as a sophomore and to the Super 12 team as a freshman, led the Wildcats in the Division I state meet, placing second (program-record 14 minutes, 58.1 seconds) as Davidson finished third (145) behind Mason (106) and Dublin Coffman (144).
He also finished first at the regional (16:26.0), district (15:27.4) and OCC-Central Division (15:03.1) meets to help the Wildcats win all three.
“Connor had an outstanding junior cross country season,” coach Pat Schlecht said. “He is a three-time all-Ohio runner and broke his school record this year with a time of 14:58.1. Connor is an outstanding student and captain who always puts his teammates before himself.”
Ackley also finished first at the OHSAA Early Season Invitational, the Hot Summer Bash and the McQuaid (New York) Invitational.
He also was named to the Super 12 boys track and field team as a junior and sophomore.
Past honorees:
2020: Ackley; 2019: Matt Duvall, Pickerington North; 2018: Duvall; 2017: Matt Scrape, Pickerington Central; 2016: Hunter Moore, Olentangy Orange; 2015: Andrew Jordan, Watkins Memorial; 2014: Dennis Maloney, New Albany; 2013: Toby Hardwick, Newark; 2012: Jacob Brumford, Westerville North
Will DeVere, Grandview Heights
Boys soccer
DeVere was the leading scorer for the Bobcats as they won the school’s first state team championship.
The junior midfielder/forward had 20 goals and 14 assists to earn first-team all-state and all-MSL-Ohio honors and district Player of the Year.
“Will has all of the talent and natural ability, but he plays with such tenacity,” said coach James Gerdes, whose team defeated Columbiana Crestview 4-2 for the Division III title to finish 17-4-2. “The guy takes on two or three defenders by himself throughout games and is kicked around all over the place but keeps coming back for more. He has that ability to take hit after hit after hit and still find ways to score.”
DeVere assisted teammate Danny Claypool’s third goal, which gave the Bobcats the lead for good in the title game.
He had three goals to lead his team past Berlin Hiland 6-1 to win a regional championship, and Grandview also won its eighth consecutive district title.
“Will is a quiet leader,” Gerdes said. “He maintains his focus and doesn’t let things distract him. He’s a very level-headed young man, and it shows in his game.”
Past honorees:
2020: Parker Cameron, Olentangy Liberty; 2019: Jaggar Brooker, Liberty; 2018: Manny Day, Grandview; 2017: Luke Kiley, Dublin Coffman; 2016: Kristo Strickler, St. Charles; 2015: Ian Black, Dublin Jerome; 2014: Donny Deep, Liberty; 2013: Ben Kinney, Coffman; 2012: Sam DeRoy, Liberty; 2011: Brett Elder, Worthington Christian; 2010: Wil Trapp, Gahanna Lincoln; 2009: Trapp; 2008: Matt Wiet, Worthington Kilbourne; 2007: Colby Catlett, Hilliard Davidson; 2006: Michael Lavric, Gahanna; 2005: Braden Fleak, Big Walnut; 2004: Jeff Rusch, Kilbourne; 2003: Jeff Lenix, Westerville North; 2002: Tony Labudovski, Reynoldsburg; 2001: Chris Wolever, Kilbourne; 2000: Danny O'Rourke, Kilbourne; 1999: Troy Perkins, Thomas Worthington; 1998: Andy Rutledge, Thomas; 1997: Matt Salmon, Kilbourne
Sam Evans, Worthington Christian
Boys golf
Worthington Christian hasn’t made it to the Division III state tournament as a team since 2017, but this senior became the second individual from the program since that time to earn state medalist honors after Tyler Jones also did so in 2018.
Evans won a sectional championship when he shot a 69 and followed with a 73 at the district tournament to finish first and earn the only state-qualifying spot from the event.
At state, Evans shot a 70 in the opening round to build a three-stroke lead and followed with a 73 for a two-day 143 total that was the second-best all-time for any boys golfer in his division on Ohio State’s Scarlet Course.
He has committed to compete with his brothers, 2019 graduate Will Evans and 2021 graduate Ben Evans, on the Cedarville men’s team.
“Sam doesn’t get nervous,” coach Tom Burns said. “If he does, he doesn’t let on. He just hits the ball really well. ... He could have put up the best score any of the last three years (at state). He’s been that good. He swept sectionals, district and state and just had four really good rounds of golf.”
Past honorees:
2020: Stephen Ma, Columbus Academy; 2019: Tyler Groomes, Dublin Jerome; 2018: Trevor Binau, Bexley; 2017: Trey Rath, Olentangy Liberty; 2016: Evan Yakubov, St. Charles; 2015: Cameron Karmia, Bexley; 2014: Eddie O’Brien, St. Charles; 2013: Nick Sparling, Dublin Coffman; 2012: Sparling
Ella Franz, Olentangy Berlin
Girls tennis
Franz set the bar high for future Berlin players.
After starting at first singles all four years, she capped her senior season by defeating North Canton Hoover’s Tess Bucher 2-6, 6-2, 6-0 in the Division I consolation final to finish third in her second state appearance. She went 26-1 last fall and is the program’s only state qualifier.
“I said at our banquet that she was the foundation for this program, and she helped in building the future of the program,” coach Richard Hunt said. “She came in as a freshman and was captain, and played first singles as a freshman. She played well and kept getting better. She just set the tone for our program forever.”
Franz also was a Super 12 honoree the past two seasons, also winning district titles in those campaigns. She will play at Cleveland State.
“Once Ella gets into her match and learns what her opponent is doing, she’s able to settle down and hit her shots better,” Hunt said. “She had good endurance, and that really helps.”
The Bears were 10-6 overall and 4-1 in the OCC-Cardinal last fall as they tied for the program’s first league championship.
Past honorees:
2020: Sydni Ratliff, Columbus Academy; 2019: Ratliff; 2018: Ratliff; 2017: Cassie Alcala, Pickerington North; 2016: Zoey Weil, Centennial; 2015: Ellee Bullock, Dublin Jerome; 2014: Bullock; 2013: Lauren Ghidotti, Watterson; 2012: Rachael Morales, Hartley
Molly Griffith, Watterson
Field hockey
With the state championship game against host Thomas Worthington tied with 5:29 left in overtime, Griffith was given the opportunity to take a penalty shot after Molly Cantwell was tripped in the box.
“She’s the only person I would have had take it,” coach Janet Baird said. “She’s very experienced at that. ... She practices them a lot. She practices them at the end of every practice.”
The decision paid off as the Eagles beat Thomas 2-1 to capture their second consecutive title.
Griffith, a senior midfielder, was a first-team all-state honoree for the second consecutive season.
After finishing with eight goals and 19 assists as a junior – when the Eagles won their first state title since 2009 – Griffith’s creative abilities were on display again last fall as she had nine goals and 13 assists as her team went 20-0-1.
She also had a goal in a 3-0 win over Toledo Notre Dame Academy in a state semifinal.
“Molly (was) the heartbeat of the team,” Baird said. “She does so, so much offensively and defensively.”
Past honorees:
2020: Regan Cornelius, Columbus Academy; 2019: Kiersten Thomassey, Columbus Academy; 2018: Sarah Charley, Thomas Worthington; 2017: Charley; 2016: Isabelle Perese, Thomas; 2015: Hanna Sinno, Thomas; 2014: Grace Geiger, Columbus Academy; 2013: Nina Devin, Thomas; 2012: Courtney Deena, Columbus Academy
Gabi Moulton, Olentangy Liberty
Girls volleyball
Moulton had some big shoes to fill as the next in a long line of great setters at Liberty. In 2021, the junior outdid them all, setting a program record with 939 assists.
“She stepped into some big shoes this year with Logan (Flaugh) graduating,” coach Jen Chapman said. “I’ve always seen the potential in Gabi and I knew that she had the potential to do it. It was just did Gabi know Gabi had the potential to do it.”
Moulton was first-team all-state, district co-Player of the Year and OCC-Central Player of the Year as a key piece on the Patriots’ first state finalist team. She also recorded 249 digs, 56 blocks and 22 aces.
But beyond her playing accomplishments, Moulton was a steadying presence for Liberty, which finished 27-2 overall and 10-0 in the OCC-Central. The Patriots lost to Rocky River Magnificat 25-21, 24-26, 25-14, 25-19 in the Division I state final.
“I think the team has rallied around her and she’s just a good, physical presence on the court,” Chapman said. “But she’s good mentally as well. She doesn’t get super high and she doesn’t get super low. She’s just that even-keeled (player) that you want.”
Past honorees:
2020: Sydney Taylor, Watterson; 2019: Bella D’Amico, DeSales; 2018: Riley Waggoner, Dublin Coffman; 2017: Waggoner; 2016: Kendyl Paris, Hilliard Davidson; 2015: Hunter Atherton, Coffman; 2014: Emily Rahe, Hartley; 2013: Kenya Cason, DeSales; 2012: Megan Giardina, Pickerington North
Caroline Porterfield, Upper Arlington
Girls water polo
Porterfield became the Golden Bears’ top offensive threat as a senior, as her 117 goals and 85 steals paced UA to its second consecutive state championship.
The Georgia Tech swimming recruit and two-time Super 6 honoree, who also had 48 goals, 34 assists and 67 steals last spring as a junior, was state Field Player of the Year.
Combined with the 50-yard freestyle championship she shared with teammate Riley Huddleston in last year’s Division I state swimming meet and a first-place finish in the 200 free relay, Porterfield was part of four state titles in eight months.
“She is an athlete full of tenacity. She works hard and enjoys the results of her work. It is certainly a result of the hours she puts in,” coach Caitlain Judy said. “She is an incredible athlete and she takes things in. She has always been an incredible swimmer, which has shown, so this certainly wasn’t unexpected at all. And it was very much appreciated.
“She is extremely well liked and well respected. Her words and actions have a lot of clout with the team. That leadership role is something she took on this year without question. She understood what her role would be.”
Past honorees:
2021 (spring): Caroline Colombo, Upper Arlington; 2019: Colombo; 2018: Colombo; 2017: Kendra Sheehan, UA; 2016: Julie Trace, UA; 2015: Chloe Magyari, UA; 2014: Gracie Long, UA; 2013: Betsy Trace, UA; 2012: Betsy Trace
Gabe Powers, Marysville
Football
As Powers continued the extensive recruiting process as one of the highly sought-after players in the country, coach Brent Johnson said the senior never lost connection with his football family at Marysville.
The 6-foot-4, 220-pound linebacker eventually decided to stay close to home at Ohio State, choosing the Buckeyes over programs such as Arkansas, Michigan State, Minnesota, Penn State, Southern California, Stanford and Wisconsin.
“What was really unique about him is he stayed really level and he was all about our team,” Johnson said. “He led that way and played that way. He was my first player to hit the big time and it was really pleasant to be around him and kids really respected him for that.”
Powers capped his prep career by being named Division I Defensive Player of the Year in the state for the second consecutive season. He was second on Marysville in tackles with 90 and rushed for 877 yards and a team-high 14 touchdowns on 102 carries.
Powers also was named Defensive Player of the Year in the district, and he shared Player of the Year honors in the OCC-Cardinal with Hilliard Darby’s Blake Horvath.
He helped lead the Monarchs to the Region 2 final, which they lost to Springfield 27-0 to finish 12-1.
Past honorees:
2020: Peter Pedrozo, Westerville South; 2019: Demeatric Crenshaw, Pickerington Central; 2018: Raymell Byrd, Whitehall-Yearling; 2017: Daniel Bangura, Harvest Prep; 2016: Aaron Latiolais, Heath; 2015: Deeb Haber, Olentangy; 2014: Gunnar Hoak, Dublin Coffman; 2013: Jared Drake, Westerville Central; 2012: Ja’Wuan Woodley, Hartley; 2011: Ross Franklin, Johnstown; 2010: Jayshon Jackson, Westerville South; 2009: Matt Ferguson, Pickerington North; 2008: Josh Kusan, DeSales; 2007: Jeremy Ebert, Hilliard Darby; 2006: Kasey Wendal, Westland; 2005: Jordan Gafford, Worthington Kilbourne; 2004: Christen Haywood, Hilliard Davidson; 2003: Jack Rafferty, Coffman; 2002: Brady Quinn, Coffman; 2001: Erick Phillips, Davidson; 2000: Maurice Hall, Brookhaven; 1999: Nathan Poole, Grove City; 1998: Kyle Slager, Upper Arlington; 1997: Jesse Kline, UA; 1996: Derek Combs, Grove City; 1995: Nick Goings, Dublin Scioto and Andy Katzenmoyer, Westerville South; 1994: Goings, Dublin; 1993: Steve Baird, Hilliard
Patrick Ray, Upper Arlington
Boys water polo
The junior’s well-rounded game helped pace the Bears to a 25-3-1 record and their first state championship since 2012.
Ray finished with 82 goals, 48 assists and 69 steals, all team bests, and was named state Field Player of the Year. He also had a team-high 226 shots on goal and eight blocks and drew 40 kickout fouls, all statistics co-coach Dave McGraw attributed to Ray’s passion for the game.
“That’s why he is as valuable as he is. His biggest attribute is the passion he has for the sport. It’s unbelievable,” McGraw said. “He is so invested in water polo. He cares to a point where sometimes I have to rein in his emotions because he is so into it. ...
“He comes back to the huddle and he’s yelling, good or bad. He wants to make sure everyone is on the same page. He is a leader who has the heart and desire to get the job, that’s for sure. We’ve had players in the past who are pure scorers, and (Ray) is one of those guys who before he looks to score, he wants to make sure his shot is the best. If not, he’ll find somebody else.”
Ray also stopped four or six shots in one appearance at goalie.
Past honorees:
2021 (spring): Avery Voss, Upper Arlington; 2019: Thomas Lennox, St. Charles; 2018: Jon Sugar, St. Charles; 2017: Jack King, Thomas Worthington; 2016: Drew Wilson, UA; 2015: Alex Rabe, UA; 2014: Brady Roesch, Thomas; 2013: Andrew Hoffman, St. Charles; 2012: Thomas Trace, UA
Abby Reisz, Upper Arlington
Girls soccer
Reisz graduated as one of the Bears’ greats, becoming the first player in state history to earn all-state honors as both a goalie and a field player.
After scoring 37 goals in three seasons, Reisz moved into goal – where she will play at Tennessee – and recorded 14 shutouts while stopping 62 of 70 shots to earn first-team all-state. She was to be goalie as a junior before a wrist injury kept her in the field, where she helped lead UA to a Division I district championship.
Last season, the Bears went 15-2-3 and were ranked as high as fourth in the state before losing to New Albany 2-1 in a district final.
Reisz was selected to the High School All-America game in December as well as the player pool for the U18 Women’s National Team.
“She is a once-in-a-generation kind of player,” coach Andrew Kessinger said. “Our other goalkeepers and all the players in the program got to see what her greatness was. She is a great kid as well, very respectful and always wanting to be pushed. She did all the right things on and off the field.
“I wish I had more time with her. She left a mark at Upper Arlington for sure.”
Past honorees:
2020: Brooklyn Harris, New Albany; 2019: Simone Rivard-Roberts, Dublin Coffman; 2018: Alicia Donley, Pickerington North; 2017: Donley; 2016: Kaylee Hensley, Gahanna Lincoln; 2015: Haley Rees, Grandview Heights; 2014: Emma Ranalli, Olentangy Liberty; 2013: Sam Edwards, Coffman; 2012: Edwards; 2011: Lindsay Agnew, Dublin Jerome; 2010: Michela Paradiso, Upper Arlington; 2009: Paradiso; 2008: Paradiso; 2007: Tahnai Annis, Pickerington North; 2006: Annis; 2005: Molly Cornwell, Pickerington North; 2004: Kelly Quinn, Coffman; 2003: Quinn; 2002: Megan Brake, Bexley; 2001: Ashley Schillig, DeSales; 2000: Tesia Kozlowski, DeSales; 1999: Kozlowski; 1998: Ashley Swinehart, Thomas Worthington; 1997: Mindy Hammond, DeSales
Audrey Ryu, Dublin Jerome
Girls golf
Ryu capped her junior season by winning the Division I individual state title with a 138, edging Aurora’s Brooklyn Millard by one shot.
She was OCC-Cardinal Player of the Year with a 67.67 average as the Celtics won the title at 28-0. She finished second (71) at district and second (74) at the Raymond Memorial sectional behind her sister, Ellie Ryu (72), who also was named to the Super 12 team.
Ryu became the program’s second individual state champion. Abby Kiefer shared medalist honors in 2016.
Ryu helped the Celtics (595) finish third at state behind champion New Albany (588). Jerome shot a program-record 294 on the second day.
“When Audrey does something, she is all in and finds a way to be the best – her ability to focus in on her music, her classwork, her attention to details in her swing and course management, it does not matter,” coach C.D. Butcher said. “She just pushes out the distractions and does what she has to do.
“Above all, Audrey is humble about her success. The scary part is she is just scratching the surface of her talent. The best is yet to come.”
She also was named to the Super 12 team as a sophomore.
Past honorees:
2020: Madison Spiess, New Albany; 2019: Anna Ritter, New Albany; 2018: Leila Raines, Olentangy Berlin; 2017: Spiess; 2016: Ashley Au, Olentangy Orange; 2015: Liza Weisman, Bexley; 2014: Lexie Long, Dublin Coffman; 2013: Erin Harper, Watterson; 2012: Lexie Toth, Dublin Jerome
Alyssa Shope, Gahanna Lincoln
Girls cross country
After being named the Girls Cross Country Athlete of the Year in 2020 despite missing most of the regular season with injury, Shope was even better as she earned the honor as a senior.
Shope, who lost just three races all season, won the OCC-Ohio meet in 17:38.9, the Division I, district 3 meet in 17:26.3 and the regional in 18:56.3. She also won titles in each of those meets as a junior.
An Indiana recruit, Shope ran 17:32.1 at the state meet to capture the program’s first championship after placing fifth as a junior.
Shope also won the state title in the 3,200 meters as a junior in girls track and field.
“She was 31st at the regional (as a sophomore) and then two years in a row won the regional championship,” coach Ryan Callihan said. “(Last fall) she won conference, district, regional and state, and she’s just getting stronger. ... I look forward to the future because she’s special.”
Past honorees:
2020: Shope; 2019: Lindsay Stull, Hilliard Davidson; 2018: Gracie Sprankle, Olentangy Liberty; 2017: Sprankle; 2016: India Johnson, Davidson; 2015: Johnson; 2014: Claire Wiles, Liberty; 2013: Julia Rizk, Columbus Academy; 2012: Leah Wallace, Reynoldsburg
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This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: ThisWeek's top fall athletes shined on postseason stage
