The Student Athlete of the Week segment is powered by NECA-IBEW and Akron Children’s Hospital.
This week’s athletes are from Ellet High School.
Senior, Lulu Russell, is a starting defender for the Ellet Lady Orange soccer team. Her defense in the middle of the pitch has played an integral part in this season’s success as the girls soccer team currently has 9 wins, 1 loss, and 3 ties. Lulu is a talented multi-sport athlete with letters in 5 different sports: soccer, tennis, cross country, basketball, and softball. She has played a major role in three Ellet teams winning City Series championships and received honorable mention her sophomore year for softball.
“Lulu joining the soccer team this season has been huge for the program’s success and positive culture,” said Ellet girls soccer coach, Justin Dimengo. “She plays with so much heart and effort. The team feeds off of her energy and hustle. She would run through a brick wall if it meant helping her team. It’s been such a joy and honor being her coach. She’s a remarkable person too. Lulu will be very successful in whatever she decides to do after high school.”
Lulu also shines in the classroom with an accumulative GPA of 3.2 and has earned an academic letter. Lulu has plans of attending the fire academy after high school and is currently in the fire safety pathway.
Senior, Samwel Matendo, is the captain and leader on and off the field for the Ellet boys soccer team. He currently leads the team with 15 goals and 8 assists. The 2025 team has vastly improved as he played a major role in the team’s success. The boys soccer team has won or tied 7 of their past 8 games. Over the last three seasons, Samwel has a total of 39 goals. His soccer play has earned him multiple recognitions, including First Team honors in both his sophomore and junior years, Akron City First Team Midfielder, and Ellet Player of the Year.
Ellet boys soccer coach, Jeremy Hissner, had a lot of great things to say about Samwel. “Samwel is a two year captain who leads the team on and off the field,” said Jeremy. “He is an extension of the head coach, and always sets the tone through integrity, inspiration, motivation, work ethic, and outstanding play. The team has steadily improved winning five games and tying three. These positive results are more wins than the previous three years combined.”
Samwel also shines in the classroom as he has been able to maintain a 3.4 GPA.
