The Mount Vernon News sports department’s 28th ATHLETE OF THE WEEK nominations continue the established procedure of spotlighting student-athletes’ skills and performances on the fields and courts of action.
Based on performances, we ask ADs, coaches and the community to nominate one boy and one girl from their athletic programs to compete against other schools’ nominations. We ask for a recap of their worthy performances and a picture. Please send your nominations to me, Mike Blake, MVN Sports Editor, at mike.blake@mountvernonnews.com. Make sure YOUR school is represented.
This week belongs to softball and baseball players. Two softball stars hit and pitched in stellar fashion, and a baseball player blasted two homers in an inning get this week’s recognition. All of their exploits resulted in wins for their schools
FEMALE ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
Mount Vernon High School’s softball team went to Florida to play five games during spring break. Emma Calkins was an offense machine to lead the Lady Jackets to a 5-0 record.
For the week, Calkins bashed out 10 hits, scored eight runs, belted two homers and recorded six RBIs. Mount Vernon softball coach Ryan Pentz said the week was a session of growth for the team and that growth was led by one of the team leaders, Calkins. “Emma had a phenomenal week at the plate in Destin, Fla., batting over .600,” said Pentz. “Emma was one of the team leaders in most offensive categories. Emma brings great leadership to the dugout with her personality and skill sets, but she also finds ways to keep the dugout loose. Emma is an Otterbein commit, and we anticipate her having a big year this season.”
On the defensive side of the diamond, the Danville Lady Bulldogs got off to a 3-0 start and were led by pitcher Grace Gronberg, who tied a school record. In the March 30, 12-3 victory over Lucas, Gronberg was a story in the circle. She pitched seven innings, allowed two earned runs, didn’t walk a batter and tied a school record with 16 strikeouts. She also went 2-for-3 with a double, a sacrifice fly and two RBIs at the plate. Danville softball coach Charlie Duncan has high praise for the sophomore’s tenacity and … grace. “Grace is a hard-working young lady, and it shows in her play on the field. She is a leader with a solid skill set. She believes in team first and has been a cornerstone of our team already as a sophomore.”
MALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
In the season opener March 30 against Columbus Academy, Brady Lester broke the game open with two home runs in the second inning to lead the Freddies to a 14-1 victory. Lester drove in five runs with a solo shot and a grand slam for five RBIs in the inning, and he crushed another hit during the game as well. In the second game of the season against Wynford, Lester doubled and drove in another run, and in the third game vs. Danville, Lester continued his early-season Babe Ruth impression by blasting two more homers and driving in two more runs … all from the leadoff spot.
Fredericktown baseball coach Ryan Hathaway spoke of Lester’s hard work on and off the field. “Brady has worked hard on his game this offseason, and it was good to see him get off to great start. Brady is a great example of student-athlete with a 3.9 GPA.”
Congratulations on a great week by our ATHLETES of the WEEK, Emma Calkins, Grace Gronberg and Brady Lester, and congratulations to all local athletes for solid efforts.
To all local schools: Send us your athlete nominations for next week and show them and the community how much they mean to their schools.
