his week our 1590 WAKR Female Student Athlete of the Week is Emily Andrassy, a senior basketball player from Stow-Munroe Falls High School.

Emily says she started playing basketball from an early age, and has enjoyed the game ever since.

“My parents are very athletic, but I’ve always been athletic and I enjoyed playing outside with my neighbors,” she said.

As a four-year letterwinner and two-time captain both junior and senior year, Emily said that even though she can motivate her teammates vocally, she mostly leads by example on the practice floor, and on game day.

"I probably lead more by example, but I try to be more vocal, but it’s all about coming to practice and working hard.”

 Her head coach Bob Podges had some great words for Andrassy and what she brings to the court.

"Emily is the heart and soul of our team," he said. "She's our best defender with an oustanding competive spirt."

The leadership qualities that she displays on the court also are on display off the court as Andrassy participates in the Freshman Mentorship program, something she takes a great deal of pride in.

Upon graduation in the spring, Emily plans on attending Kent State University.

Our next Male Student Athlete is Jackson Carlson, a senior basketball player from Stow High School.

He said he too fell in love with the game of basketball from an early age.

"My dad put a basketball in my hand since I before I can remember, and I’ve always been around the sport and loved it,” he said. 

As a two-sport athlete for Stow (basketball and baseball), Carlson says he enjoys being with his teammates and working with them towards a common goal.

Coach Dave Close, the longtime coach of the Bulldogs, said that Jackson has grown as a player and as a person.

"He is a young man who has worked very hard to improve as a player and as a junior, he did not receive a lot of playing time. But he rolled up his sleeves and worked hard 
the entire off-season to become a better and more well-rounded player," he said. 

He also works hard off the court as well to become a more well-rounded person as well.

"He too has volunteered at Open M and has volunteered in the summer helping to teach youngsters 
the game of basketball," Close said.

 Carlson plans on majoring in education when he attends college in the spring, He says helping youngsters is something he's really interested in.

"I always liked being around students and want to coach as well,” he explained.

We wish Emily and Jackson the best in all of their future endeavors.