The Mount Vernon News sports department’s MVN Athlete of the Week is a weekly feature that spotlights local student-athletes and their schools. Based on their performances, we will select an Athlete of the Week and recognize other outstanding athletic accomplishments.
Our Athlete of the Week winners for this week are Elsa Hoam and Tyler Johnson.
Female Athlete of the Week
Elsa Hoam
Fredericktown senior Elsa Hoam is on a tear. She won the Newark Catholic Invitational two weeks ago and won the Highland Invitational last weekend. Hoam placed first with a time of 19:55, 7.1 seconds ahead of Loudonville’s Tess Shultz.
Bob Geiger, Fredericktown’s cross country coach, praised Hoam’s drive. “Elsa has had a great start to her senior year," Geiger said. “Her goals are set really high, and as a returning all-Ohio athlete, she knows what hard work she needs to put in to achieve them. Last Saturday, she beat the only girl who has beaten her this year, and she is looking forward to racing again.”
Honorable mention goes to Audrey Brininger for her third 17-kill match of the season Aug. 30, in C-L’s win over Danville. The performance total pushed Brininger past 1,000 kills for her Lady Pirates career. Kameron Stover of Highland is recognized for her 18-kill, 12-dig match vs. Pleasant, and Utica’s Carlie Parsons recorded four kills, eight digs and 23 receptions vs. East Knox, and five kills, 13 digs and 19 receptions vs. Johnstown-Monroe.
Male Athlete of the Week
Tyler Johnson
In Centerburg’s 34-28 win over Worthington Christian on Sept. 2, Trojan QB Tyler Johnson’s 15-yard touchdown pass to Jesse Rings, was the game-winner with 2:56 left – it was his third TD pass to go with two TD runs. Johnson was 10-for-13 in the air for 170 yards with three bombs and carried 14 times for a game-leading 118 yards for the Trojans. Centerburg went up 7-0 on a 69-yard touchdown run by Johnson in the first, then struck again with 2:42 left in the quarter from four yards out to make it a 14-0 game,
“Tyler is a complete student-athlete, which is something you don't come across very often,” Centerburg football coach Andy Colella said. “He excels in the classroom, as a leader and on the field due to his willingness to get better every day, the sacrifices he makes and his uncanny work ethic. His leadership is what I've been most proud of thus far. He has stepped out of his comfort zone and has taken ownership in his role as a leader.”
Honorable mention goes to Teegan Ruhl, who won AotW last week and returned with 198 yards on 18 carries for the Freddies vs. Utica. Mount Gilead’s Matt Bland went 6-for-10 passing with 115 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions and was a force on the ground with 17 carries for 151 yards vs. Elgin. In a tough defeat for Danville vs. North Union, Byer Boeshart was in on 15 tackles (six solos), had an interception and returned three kickoffs for 53 yards. In golf on Aug. 30, Highland’s Emerson Grassbaugh was the medalist with a 36 against Clear Fork.
We congratulate all of these local student-athletes on great character and performances as well as the many who did not make this week’s feature but who will be recognized in weeks to come.
To coaches and community members, join us in our award process. Send us your choices for MVN Athlete of the Week, a recap of their prowess in competition and a photo of them and give them the community recognition they deserve. Encourage your community members and coaches to contact us each week. Send your selections to mike.blake@mountvernonnews.com.
