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 Zoya Winkelfoos (Highland volleyball) and Kaiden Colopy (Danville football).
Female Athlete of the Week
Zoya Winkelfoos
In OHSAA volleyball playoffs, Highland reached the Division II regional semifinals, and despite losing in four sets to Hamilton Badin, the Lady Scots saw stellar leadership and play from a number of their players.
Leading the offense in the match was Zoya Winkelfoos with 15 kills, three aces and three blocks. Highland volleyball coach Rob Terrill praised Winkelfoos as a team leader. “Zoya is our captain and leader on and off the court,” said Terrill. “Her ability to play multiple positions benefits us in many ways.”
Terrill was impressed with Winkelfoos’ growth this season and the way she stepped up in the playoffs. “This was her first year ever as a hitter,” Terrill said, “and she grew tremendously during the season. Over the last three playoff games (all vs. 20+ win teams), she collected 40 kills, 8 aces, 36 digs, 13 assists and 79 serves received, which speaks to her versatility. In the last two matches, she had 14 and 15 kills, respectively, which were career highs for her, and during the season, she was so dependable at the service line, and led the MOAC conference with 71 service aces.”
Honorable mention goes to Winkelfoos’ teammates Brooke Schott, who had 10 kills, four aces and five blocks vs. Hamilton Badin; Larsen Terrill had 32 assists and seven kills to set the Highland school record for single-season assists with 803; and Kameron Stover posted five kills and three blocks.
Also earning honorable mention were Cardington-Lincoln players who saw their season end in the Division III regional semifinals with a loss to top-seeded Versailles. The Lady Pirates were led by Audrey Brininger, with 11 kills, one block and seven digs. Setter Jadine Mills had 26 assists and five digs. Izzy Wickline had five kills, three blocks and six digs, and Cadie Long had 14 digs.
Male Athlete of the Week
Kaiden Colopy
Danville moved on to the OHSAA football District VII, Region 25 semifinals with a thrilling 42-41 win over Hillsdale, and the acrobatic, athletic and clutch-performing leader of the game was Kaiden Colopy. In the first half, Danville faced a fourth-and-seven at the Hillsdale 29, and the Blue Devils converted on a bullet pass from quarterback Walker Weckesser to Colopy, who made an athletic grab as he fell out of bounds. Then, an end-around run by Colopy gave him his second touchdown of the half. In the second quarter, Colopy threw his body into a crushing block that freed teammate Max Payne for a 50-yard run. On the next play, Colopy took a handoff around the outside for another touchdown, his third of the half, putting Danville up 28-7. Then, in the waning minutes of the game, as Hillsdale had a comeback win in their grasp, a clutch, athletic pass breakup by Colopy in the end zone kept the game in Danville’s control.
For the game, Colopy had three carries for 29 yards and two TDs and caught five receptions for 101 yards, including a 47-yard TD.
Danville football coach Matthew Blum said Colopy completely took over in the first half of the game. “We got Kaiden the ball in multiple ways, and this showed with his 130 total yards of offense and three TDs,” Blum said. “He was double-covered in the second half, which opened up other opportunities for his teammates.”
Blum is impressed with Colopy’s temperament and dedication. “Kaiden is an excellent teammate, a true leader, and a senior captain for our program,” Blum said. “He does everything right, never complains, and is always positive. He is a coach's dream.”
Receiving honorable mention are Colopy’s teammates Walker Weckesser, who completed 10 of 18 passes for 166 yards and a touchdown and caught a TD pass for nine yards; and Max Payne, who was 2-for-3 in the air for 17 yards and the scoring throw to Weckesser, as well as gaining 138 yards rushing on 17 carries. On defense, Levi Lyons was dominant with nine solo tackles and nine assists for 18 tackles, including three for a loss, and Weckesser was in on 12 tackles.
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.
