This week our 1590 WAKR Male Student Athlete of the Week is junior basketball player Lukas Swartz of Mogadore High School.
Lukas says the love of basketball came from his family growing up.
“My dad and my uncle played in college and I always grew up with a ball in my hands, and I've played ever since I was little," he said.
He says playing for his dad, Russ Swartz is a interesting and fun dynamic.
“I enjoy it a lot because he'll help me a lot, and at home, we talk basketball a lot."
The head coach had this to say about Lukas as a player and a person.
“Lukas is a hard worker both in the classroom and on the court,” Swartz said. “He wants to be the one best player and more importantly be the best person he can possibly be, and with that he is very team oriented and always puts the success of the team first.”
In addition to being a member of the basketball team, Lukas plays baseball, and is a member of the National Honor Society.
Our next 1590 WAKR Female Student Athlete of the Week is Hope Murphy, a junior basketball player from Mogadore High School.
She says that working with her coaches and teammates is a true joy as they get ready to compete on the hardwood.
“We have come a long way from where we started this year," Murphy said. "We're a young team."
Her head coach Jennifer Ritch said she is a true leader on and off the court.
“Hope is a fantastic student athlete that always gives 100% whether on the basketball court, cross country course or track,” she explains.
“She is a great leader and she brings tenacity and toughness to our team, always putting her teammates first and is a perfect representative of what a Mogadore Wildcat is all about.”
In addition to being a three sport athlete, Murphy is a member of the National Honor Society and Junior Akron Leadership.
“It's opened me up to a lot of different professions and situations that have been very eye-opening to me."
We wish Lukas and Hope the best in all of their future endeavors.