Richland 200: Breaking into the Top 150 with exciting athletes
Who doesn't love high school athletes who makes you get out of your seat just to see what they are going to do next?
That is exactly what this batch of Richland 200 athletes does every time they step on the field or court.
Let's check out Nos. 141-150 as we crack into the Top 150 returning players of the Richland 200.
150: Marissa Caugherty, Lucas
It is tough not to get excited about Marissa Caugherty. The first-team All-Mid-Buckeye Conference softball player batted .373 with 22 hits, 12 RBIs, 15 runs scored and two home runs. She has everything it takes to have a huge year on the diamond next year but, first, she will take to the hardwood for the Cubs in volleyball and basketball. She is an impact player in both and could have a dynamite senior season.
149: Brayden Spitler, Lucas
From fall to spring, there isn't a single athlete in all of Richland County who transformed as much as Spitler, who went from undersized in football to a brick house in baseball as his time in the weight room over the winter turned him into an honorable mention All-Mid-Buckeye Conference baseball player. He will likely be one of the Cubs' starting tight ends this fall, and with him leading the way for the running backs, pads will be cracking.
148: Bobby Grover, Lucas
When it comes to athletes with exciting futures, not mentioning Bobby Grover would be a crime. As a freshman, Grover earned honorable mention All-District 9 and second-team All-Mid-Buckeye Conference honors on the baseball field. As he continues to develop as an overall athlete, he will make some noise in football and basketball, where he already looks like a quality point guard. With three more years left in his high school career, Grover is poised to leave a lasting legacy.
147: Alyssa Shay, Lucas
Shay is a nice, young two-way softball player for the Cubs. She earned first-team All-MBC after she boasted a 4.77 ERA and hit .229 with 11 hits, 13 RBIs and 10 runs scored. She has the Cubs feeling good about their future on the softball diamond, and why not? With players like Shay, there is reason to feel optimistic.
146: Terrance Corbin, Lexington
As a sophomore last season, Corbin arrived for the state final four Lexington boys soccer team as his defense was crucial during its long tournament run. He earned honorable mention All-Ohio Cardinal Conference for his efforts, but had the voting taken place after the tournament he would have been an easy first-teamer. Now, the defense is his with the main defenders graduating, and it has never been in better hands.
145: Skyler Winters, Shelby
The Shelby football offense will likely look a lot different than last season with the departure of All-Ohio quarterback Marshall Shepherd. And the one player who might set off the most fireworks with more carries is running back Skyler Winters. Last season, Winters ran for 505 yards and two touchdowns on 43 carries. He earned honorable mention All-Mansfield News Journal after his 11.7 yards per carry average led the entire Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference. Excitement is an understatement with Winters.
144: Bralen Boone, Ontario
Boone might be one of the top returning defensive football players in all of Richland County. Last season, he recorded 44 total tackles with an amazing 16 of those going for a loss. He piled up seven sacks, the sixth-highest total in the MOAC. No wonder why he earned honorable mention All-Mansfield News Journal honors. With every snap, excitement follows when Boone is on the field, and the Warriors hope he can build off the 2021 season in a major way.
143: Gavin Cains, Crestview
Speaking of exciting players on the defensive side of the football, Cains is right there in the conversation with the best of the best. Last season, Cains collected 49 total tackles with five going for a loss, three sacks and six QB pressures on his way to earning honorable mention All-MNJ honors. Again, with every snap, excitement is bound to follow with Cains.
142: Luke Roberts, Lexington
Roberts provided possibly the most exciting moment of the entire 2021-22 athletic season when his header golden goal in overtime against Lima Shawnee gave the Minutemen a regional championship and a state final four berth. Roberts scored five goals last season but none was bigger than that golden goal. He earned honorable mention all-district and second-team All-Ohio Cardinal Conference honors as he spent time all over the pitch for the Minutemen. He will have an even bigger role as a senior this year.
141: Renee Anders, Clear Fork
Anders is one of the most exciting softball players in Richland County. Last season, she batted .320 with 24 hits, including five doubles, two triples and two home runs. So, most of her hits are going for extra bases, and who doesn't love a good triple? She drove in 16 runs and scored 14 times on her way to second-team all-district and All-MOAC honors. The Colts went all the way to the district championship game and, with Anders back, they might go even further next season.
jfurr@gannett.com
740-244-9934
Twitter: @JakeFurr11
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Richland 200: Breaking into the Top 150 with exciting athletes
