The Mount Vernon News sports department’s 36th ATHLETE OF THE WEEK nominations continues 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 two hard-working and skillful student-athletes who led their teams to play off wins.
Female Athlete of the Week
Ari Simpson
Cardington-Lincoln softball player Ari Simpson is not a stranger to this feature. Simpson was nominated in April for an eight-RBI game versus Northmor in which she went 3-for-5 at the plate and was also stellar on the slab, with a five-inning performance in the circle five innings, allowing two unearned runs while striking out 11. She also hit a grand slam in that game.
For Simpson, grand lightning struck again. In the May 27 OHSAA Division 3 Regional final vs. Van Buren, Simpson blasted down the Black Knights and their 25-1 record (coming in) with a game-changing grand slam in the third inning to turn a 2-1 game into a 6-1 rout on the way to a 14-4 final to propel the Lady Pirates to the state semifinals. She finished with five RBIs on the night. She also pitched five innings in relief, striking out four with no walks.
Cardington-Lincoln softball coach Tod Brininger praised Simpson’s abilities, saying she quietly takes charge on the field with her skills and is quiet off the field. “She is a hard worker and is a pure hitter. She is a grinder and does what it takes to be successful, all with a great sense of humor.”
Male Athlete of the Week
Brady Lester
Fredericktown’s Brady Lester has been here before as well. The lead-off hitter has bombed eight round-trippers this season and in April was recognized for belting a lead-off home run and a grand slam in the first inning to lead the Freddies to a big win over Columbus Academy. He followed that up with two more blasts from the lead-off spot in the third game of the year.
In the OHSAA Division 3 District final May 25 against Amanda-Clearcreek, Lester led more softly to help Fredericktown gain a berth in the regionals. In the bottom of the first, down 1-0, Lester led off with a single and later scored the tying run. Lester showed his speed and daring later to put the game on ice, when he singled in the fourth and stole home with two outs. Lester finished with three steals in the Freddies’ win.
Fredericktown baseball coach Ryan Hathaway said Lester leads off and leads by example with his hard work. “He works hard at everything, from sports to studies, where his 3.9 GPA speaks to his work ethic and skill level.”
Congratulations on a great week by our ATHLETES of the WEEK Ari Simpson 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.
