Honored April 20

Kaitlin Morse
Senior
Our Lady of the Elms
Softball
GPA:  4.3

Kaitlin is a four year starter at the catching position for the Panther softball team and has hit over .700 three straight years.  Already this season she has 6 Home Runs.

Kaitlin recently signed to continue her softball career at Northern Kentucky and major in Nursing.
"I have loved my experience here as a player and such but mostly my relationship with my teammates" Morse said.

Kaitlin had 8 RBI in a win over CVCA last week that raised the Panthers record to 7-1.
"The experience of playing here has been great, the school is one big family" Morse said.

Honored on March 23rd

Essence Bell.

Senior
Kenmore High School
4.2 GPA

Essence was first team All-City this year for Kenmore and also first team All-Academic in the City Series.

"She is a good persona and player" said Kenmore coach Yontami Jones.
This week our WAKR Student Athlete of the Week is senior guard from the Kenmore High School girls basketball team,
"I loved playing for coach Jones as she is not only a great coach but she is my aunt as well" Bell said.

Essence is a three sport athlete at Kenmore as she was outstanding on the volleyball team in the fall and will run track this spring.

Essence is much more than an athlete as she is an accomplished musician as well as she performs on the Concert Jazz group, and the Pep /Marching bands at Kenmore.

Essence is going to Tiffin University to play basketball and run track in the fall and studying criminal justice.

March 23rd

Nick Tavanello
Wadsworth High School
Senior
Wrestling
GPA:  3.7

Nick recently won his third state wrestling championship for Wadsworth, the first wrestler to accomplish that mark.  Nick also became the all time leader in wins in Medina county during his senior year.  As a senior Nick was 42-1.

Nick is heading to Ohio State University to wrestle and major in Business.

Nick was also a football all Suburban League choice in the fall.

Student Athlete of the Week C.J. Chatman.

C.J Chatman
Senior
Copley High School
Basketball
GPS:  3.4

C.J. is a two year starter for the Indians and in the team's recent win over Cloverleaf he poured in 22 points  and then in the team's win over Highland he came back with 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists.
Chatman has accepted a scholarship for football to play at Walsh University to play cornerback.

"C.J. has been key to our improvement, the guys all play hard and I think he sets the table" Dent said.
"He is the best coach, he has inspired us to work on and off the court" Chatman said.

Kagan Squire
Senior
Wadsworth High School
Wrestler
GPA:  3.5


Kagan is a four year member of the Grizzly wrestling team and has put together 159 wins and just 18 losses in his career at Wadsworth.  Kagan has claimed back-to-back district titles and this year hopes to make it three in a row.

Kagan will continue his wrestling career at the University of Ohio where is older brother Brad is currently wrestling. "He got me involved in the sport so it was natural for me to go there" Kagan said.

Kagan is not only a solid student but also cares about  the youth as he is a youth wrestling coach in the Wadsworth system. "He has been outstanding for us for four years, he will be missed" said John Grumaglia, Wadsworth wrestling coach.

Kagan is going to get into Bio/Science in college

Honored on February 3, 2012

Andrew Pratt

Senior
Green High School
Football/Basketball/Track
GPA  3.1

Andrew is an outstanding student athlete how is a high performer in three high school sports.  Andrew was first team All-District in football at the wide receiver position and All-Suburban League as well.

Andrew is currently having an outstanding basketball season once again for the Bulldogs, he is a three year starter on the basketball team.  Andrew is also a state performer in track/field.  A state qualifier in the long jump.

Andrew recently signed a letter of intent to play football next season at the University of Akron.  

Riley Grant
Junior
Copley High School
Soccer
GPA:  3.1

Riley recently named All-District and All-State performer in boys soccer.

Riley scored 16 goals this season, he now has 18 for his career.

Riley's father was a former college soccer player.

The Copley team made it to the final four in the state this past season.

Michelle Noble
Senior
Manchester High School
Basketball
GPA:  3.5


Michelle averages 9.0 ppg, 13.0 rpg and 5.5 spg for the unbeaten Manchester girls basketball team.

Michelle is involved in many organizations at Manchester as she is a member of the school's Track team and is also a school Cheerleader.

Noble is a Pole Vaulter and runs the 800 on the spring track team.

Michelle is a three year starter for Manchester on the basketball team.

"I've never had a better all around player" said Manchester girls basketball coach Tucker Pappas.

Kyle Scelza

Senior
Stow High School
Basketball

GPA:  3.3

Kyle is a four year member of both the basketball and baseball teams at Stow High School.  He was first team All-NOC in basketball last year.

This year Kyle hit 11 3-pointers in one game for Stow.

Kyle is involved in a mentoring program at Stow High School as well as Student Council and the Athletic Leadership Council.

Kyle plans on going to college and play basketball and major in business Management.

Brittany Wright

Garfield High School
Basketball
GPA:  3.86

Senior

Four year member of the Garfield girls basketball team.

First team All-City as a junior.

Looks to get into the medical field in college.

Joshmere Dawson

East High School
Senior
Football

GPA:  4.0

Joshmere was first team All-City football in 2011 playing defense for the East Dragons.  Joshmere was 2nd team All-City as a junior First team All-Academic in 2011. Will play football at College.

De'Shawn Dowdy

North High School
Senior
Football

GPA:  3.7

Dowdy was first team All-City this year as a Wide Receiver/Defensive end.
Dowdy was also All-City Academics with a 3.7 gpa.
Dowdy is a three sport athlete at North as he participates in football, basketball and track.
Dowdy is also a Eddie George Scholar Athlete and is on the Honor Roll at North.

Amy Feher

Senior
Revere High School
Girls Soccer

GPA:  4.04

Amy has been a four year starter for the Revere team being named first team All-Suburban League two times and two times second team All-Suburban League.

Amy is in the National Honor Society and Revere Spirit club.  Amy loves art and is involved in the school's Art Club.

Amy hopes to get into the medical field in college and play soccer.

Abbie Lawson

Stow High School

Junior

Girls Soccer

GPA:  4.0

Abbie is a three sport star at Stow. Meeting the challenges of giving her all in soccer, basketball and track, she also aces her classes with the highest academic marks. This exceptional student athlete was All-NOC in track as a Sophomore and Freshman. Abbie is a member of Student Council at Stow High school. Scoring a rare hat-trick, Abbie had three goals in one game this year against a tough Barberton opponent.

Abbie is already looking into soccer programs at universities that would be lucky to have her.

Tucker Linder

Tallmadge High School

Senior

Football/Baseball/Basketball

GPA:  3.8

Tucker is an outstanding athlete at Tallmadge High School participating in three sports.  This fall he is the leading receiver on the football team.
Tucker is also involved in many programs at Tallmadge High School as well as being a leader in the classroom.
This 1590 WAKR Student Athlete of the Week says he will take his baseball and athletic talents to Kent State University next fall.
"He is a very impressive young man and I'm pleased that I had the chance to coach him" said Tallmdage Football Coach Joe Vassalotti.
"The Kent State decision was not difficult, I liked what they stand for and the fact that I will be near family" said Linder.

Aubrey Kozer

Senior

Our Lady of the Elms

Volleyball

GPA:  4.16

Aubrey is a three year starter for the Panthers, who got off to an impressive 17-2 start this season. Aubrey  had 15 kills and 15 digs in a Panther win earlier this season.
For the season Aubrey is averaged 7.9 kills and 5.4 digs per match.
“She is a coaches dream, she is what every coach would love to have on the court” said Panther Coach Joanna Patterson. “She has the talent to go as far as she wants in the sport”.
“I love the mental and physical aspect of the sport, I’m hooked” Aubrey came to the Elms from Norton and loved track and field, basketball and volleyball but once she made her way to the “Panther Court” she decided this was the sport for her. Aubrey also works at the CHOPS camp which help out terminilly ill children. Aubrey is also an accomplished piano player with five years experience.

Nicole Thacker

Senior

Barberton High School

Soccer

GPA:  3.7

Nicole is a four year member of the Magic girls soccer team and has been a past All-Suburban League selection. Nicole also won the Will To Win award from the team for her emotion that she brings to the field. This outstanding Student Athlete led the much improved Maigc team this year and recently had two goals in a key win for Barberton. Nicole plans on a college career in soccer. She is in the Business Management Program through the school.

Arnita Johnson
Senior
Buchtel High School
Volleyball
GPA:  3.8


Arnita is a prize at Buchtel High School as she has been busy in school leadership groups and volleyball.

Arnita tried other sports but really took a liking to volleyball and this year made All-City in girls volleyball.

Arnita plans on a medical career in college and hopes to play volleyball.

“I love the team aspect of the sport, we were like a close family” Johnson said.

Arnita also ran track at Buchtel High School.

Arnita is involved in the Principal’s Program at Buchtel.

Julia Robinson

Kenmore High School
Senior

Volleyball

GPA:  3.5

Julia was recently honored, for the second time, first team All-City in girls volleyball.
Julia is also a four year member of the Cardinal basketball team.
Julia is also a school leader as she is involved in the Respect Program, Upper Bound Student Group, and in the Senior Leaders program.
Julia is also an All-City selection in basketball.

Jasmine Jones

Firestone High School

Senior

Volleyball

GPA:  3.5

Jasmine plays volleyball and track at Firestone High and has been a big part of those programs for all four years of her high school career.  Jasmine had already achieved All-City honors as a junior and is clearly in track to gain more scholastic and athletic awards at the end of this season.

Jasmine is an All-City Setter for the volleyball team under the direction of Stacey Myers.

Jasmine plans to work with children in a variety of capacities after college.

Petek earns WAKR award as Student Athlete of the Week.

Olivia Petek

Highland High School

Senior

Soccer

GPA: 3.8

Through 5 games this season Petek has scored nine goals and is now closing in on the single season record at Highland for girls soccer which is 14 goals.
“That has been my personal goal since the season started and I just hope I can keep it going” Petek said.
“Her confidence and composure are outstanding right now as she is just feeling the game” said Highland Head Coach Gina Fox. “The talent has always been there, but now she is a true leader on the field and off”. Petek is also a starting forward on the Hornet girls basketball team as she averaged 12.5 ppg last season as basketball is very important to the young Hornet.
“I’ve always loved sports, especially soccer but now I have really taken to basketball as there seems to be more opportunities to score” Petek said. Petek began playing soccer at the age of five. Olivia and her family have lived in the Medina County area all their lives as her three older siblings (Nick, Elizabeth, and Danielle) all graduated from Highland High School.

Wadsworth High School

Junior

Soccer

GPA:  3.9

Luis is a scoring machine on the boys soccer team at Wadsworth and is also the football team’s starting kicker.

Luis is also involved in Student Council at Wadsworth and was Honorable Mention All-Suburban League last season in soccer.  Earlier this season Luis had two goals and two assists in a win over Tallmadge in soccer.

Nikki Meyer

Copley High School

Volleyball

GPA:  3.7

Nikki is an outstanding athlete and student at Copley as she not only is a four year player on the volleyball team but is also a horn player in the school’s marching band.  Nikki has been on the National circuit for girls volleyball for two years and hopes to have a college career in the sport.  Nikki had 14 kills in one win last week for the Indians.

Drew Gardner

Cuyahoga Falls

Senior

Football

GPA: 3.4

Drew is a three sport athlete at Cuyahoga Falls as he starts a guard for the basketball team, centerfielder on the baseball team, and quarterback for the football team.

In the Black Tigers opening week win over Barberton, Drew threw for over 200 yards and 2 touchdowns, ran for a touchdown of 42 yards, and returned a punt 80 yards for another score.

Drew is an All-NOC performer for the baseball team as he hit .373 last season.

Drew is looking to get into the Medical field in college.

Hunter Niswander

Junior
Woodridge High School
Football/Soccer
GPA: 3.2

Hunter is involved in the Spanish and Youth Clubs at school and plans on a career as an Engineer in College. Hunter had field goals for 37, 37, and 53 yards in the Woodridge's week 1 win in high school football. The 53 yarder was a career long.

Hunter is also a starting center fielder on the boy's soccer team for Woodridge.

Hunter was first team All-PTC last year as a kicker and punter. His punting average was 35.5.