The Mount Vernon News sports department’s 32nd 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 we have a track star who ran away from the field in a record-breaking performance and a softball phenom who does it game after game at bat and in the circle.
Female Athlete of the Week
Highland’s Stevie Asher was honored here three few weeks ago for her 17-strikeout showcase in a no-hitter against Mount Pleasant. That show set a Highland school record for Ks in a game that was last set in 2015. She followed that up a week later with another no-hitter. This time, she is recognized for her pitching again and for her bat.
Asher could have been nominated for another no-hitter she threw against Big Walnut on April 30. She struck out seven and didn’t walk a batter. She got two hits and drove in the game’s first run. Or Asher could have earned the honors for her April 27 display against Galion in which she blasted three home runs to propel the Lady Scots to their 10th straight win. Asher drove in six runs that game and on the slab, she threw 131 pitches in the win.
Highland softball coach Abby Steele said Asher is having a great season. “Stevie is not only pitching great, but she is also hitting in the top of our team as well (.465 batting average),” said Steele. “Stevie really has focused on the details to perfect her game, and that is showing in her results. Three home runs in a game vs. Galion was just awesome to see. Stevie has a strong team backing her up both offensively and defensively. They all continue to hit well and have her back on defense. I am extremely proud of how well the girls have become a true team and work together.”
Male Athlete of the Week
East Knox also has a record-setter in long-distance runner Nathan Streby. At the April 30 Fredericktown Invitational track meet, Streby knocked 7.62 seconds off his time from last year and won by nearly nine seconds. He also helped his team win the 4x800 relay.
Streby was nominated by EK school board member Lindsay Bush, who presented some of the Bulldogs records Streby has broken this season, including:
April 16th at Loudonville's Cowen Invitational, Streby ran the 1600M in 4:28.87, breaking the EK of 4:34 set in 2000.
April 29th at Fredericktown's Invitational, Streby ran the 800M in 1:55.19 and broke the EK and meet records. The EK record was 1:59.07 set in 2003.
East Knox track coach Jason Ewalt said Streby also ranks fourth all time for 400 meters at EK at 52.38 seconds, is fourth all time with his 4x400 relay team in 3:31.96, and is fourth all time at EK with his 4x800 relay mates in 8:23.96.
Ewalt said Streby is all about the team. “Nathan is always willing to help others on the team with events, and pacing athletes to achieve their individual goals,” said Ewalt.
Ewalt and EK distance coach Ran Jones are also quick to point out that Streby has been added to the NTHS (National Technical Honors Society), named to the National Honors Society, carries a 4.0+ GPA and was a state qualifier in track and cross in the 2021 calendar year.
Congratulations on a great week by our ATHLETES of the WEEK Stevie Asher and Nathan Streby, 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.
