The Mount Vernon News sports department’s 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 Madi Rohler (Mount Vernon) and Nathan Streby (East Knox).
Female Athlete of the Week
Madi Rohler
Mount Vernon’s Lady Jackets volleyball team jumped above .500 in its first nine contests, thanks in part to the strong middle play of Madi Rohler. Rohler was a force as a libero against powerhouse New Philadelphia on Sept. 6, with an ace and 24 digs. Two days later, in a 3-0 win over Madison Comprehensive, Rohler had 15 digs, and two days later, in a 3-1 win over New Albany, Rohler finished with an ace, 18 digs and 4 assists.
Lady Jackets coach Lauren Townley praised her team captain as a leader. “Madi has been a solid leader for us throughout the season and has taken on the captain role very well,” Townley said. “She worked hard during the offseason to earn the libero position on varsity. This year, Madi is striving to be the top digger in the OCC, and she pushes herself and her teammates hard. Madi is a great kid with so much potential, and she makes the coaching staff extremely proud.”
Honorable mention this week goes to Lady Pirates backliner Maddie Linkous with three aces, 10 kills and eight digs vs. EK. C-L setter Jadine Mills kept the Lady Pirates moving vs. Colonel Crawford with 52 assists, 11 digs, a block and five aces. Utica’s Emilee Ellis recorded three aces, 11 assists and 11 digs vs. Newark Catholic. Centerburg’s Avery Glenn won the KMAC golf tournament with a 33-37 – 70.
Male Athlete of the Week
Nathan Streby
At Seneca East's "Stars, Stripes and Lights" night cross country run on Sept. 10, Nathan Streby of East Knox won the D-III event in a time of 15:59.62, winning by nearly 15 seconds. Last year, Streby was nominated twice for setting EK records in track in the 800M and 1600M.
This year, Streby won the Northmor Invitational on Aug. 22, finished third at the Hux Invitational on Aug. 30, won the Newcomerstown Invitational on Sept. 3 and won the Seneca East Stars, Stripes and Lights on Sept 10.
EK cross country and track coach Ran Jones is impressed with Streby’s work ethic. “Nathan is having a remarkable career and has worked really hard to earn it,” Jones said. “He ran a very aggressive race from the front, setting a new PR and school record in the process. His workouts have shown that that breakthrough was coming and Saturday's perfect conditions, course and competition set him up well. He took advantage of it and ran great. Nathan continues to maintain perfect grades and is sorting through his plans for the future.”
EK Athletic Director Scott Brickner added, “As an athletic director, I have been blessed to be around multiple top distance runners in my career, and Nathan Streby is as good as any of them. He has put in a tremendous amount of work in the offseason to get to where he is today. In addition, he is an outstanding student and a great person, someone the entire East Knox community can be proud of.”
Honorable mention goes to Dane Nauman of Highland for another huge gridiron day – 244 yards rushing and four touchdowns on 31 carries, two catches for 9 yards, a 16-yard kick return, three tackles, two fumbles caused and an interception vs. Ontario. Danville’s Kaiden Colopy carried five times for 62 yards and a TD, caught five passes for 74 yards and a TD, had a 24-yard kickoff return and had three tackles and two interceptions vs. Fredericktown. Caylan LeMaster of Centerburg carried 21 times for 187 yards, returned two kicks for 51 yards, and made five solo tackles, including a sack, vs. East Knox
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.
