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.
With winter sports nearing the halfway mark, local student-athletes have stepped up in big ways. This week, we have a basketball player who creates her own opportunities and a wrestler who stepped back to his regular weight class and won a championship. Our Athletes of the Week are Kayla Larimore (Centerburg basketball) and Cael Gilmore (Highland wrestling).
Female Athlete of the Week
Kayla Larimore
Kayla Larimore rose to a double-double performance to lead the Centerburg Lady Trojans to a 48-45 victory over Northridge, Dec. 29. Larimore scored 17 points on 7-for-12 shooting, and also hit all three of her free throws, while pulling down 11 rebounds and playing tough defense to grab three steals.
Centerburg girls basketball coach Bo Glenn said Larimore dictates the action that his team needs on offense.
“Our team is so young that we struggle to attack the hoop,” Coach Glenn said. “We do not score as much in the paint as we want, and Kayla is the one who goes into the paint to score. She gets into the paint off the dribble to create her own shots, and she is our top free-throw shooter, so when she gets fouled, it is as good as if she drove to the hoop unimpeded.”
Coach Glenn said Larimore’s devotion to the game is readily apparent.
“I have tried to get her playing golf, but her passion is basketball. She stays to take extra shots and often, I need to get the keys to get her into the gym. Her work ethic is fantastic and she takes her game on her own shoulders. We are trying to get her to rely more on her teammates to help her take her game to the next level and she is learning that the team can be greater than the sum of its parts. She is a coach’s joy to have lead the team,” he said.
Honorable mention goes to Ella Bouton of Fredericktown. In the Freddies’ 44-24 win over Delaware Christian, Jan. 2, Bouton also double-doubled with 16 points, 10 rebounds, four steals, four assists and a block, achieving her third double-double this season. Fredericktown girls basketball coach Tim Maceyko said he has never coached a player quite like Bouton.
“Ella has a really bright future,” Coach Maceyko said. “She has size, can bring the ball up the floor, post you up or step outside and hit the three. Sometimes you forget she’s only a freshman with how versatile she is. I’ve coached some good freshmen over the years, but I’m not sure I’ve ever had one who can do all the things Ella can at this stage. She’s a good kid, very coachable, and the sky is the limit for her. She’s just going to keep getting better and better.”
Also earning honors is Mount Gilead’s Madilyn Elson, who led the Indians to a 54-24 win over Elgin, Dec. 29. Elson scored 17 points, and added seven boards, three assists and two steals to lead the charge. Also recognized is Utica’s Bella Coulter, who scored 17 points including five threes in the Redskins’ 56-41 win over Centerburg, Dec. 28.
Male Athlete of the Week
Cael Gilmore
At the Marion Harding Classic wrestling invitational Dec. 28-29, Highland’s Cael Gilmore won the championship at 138 lbs., defeating Michael Fister of Northridge, 3-0. Gilmore, who won at 144 lbs. in the Tom Ellis Invitational, Dec. 3, moved up a weight class in that one, as kids were coming off Thanksgiving break and most wrestlers needed the class jump.
Highland wrestling coach Adam Gilmore said Cael Gilmore got a bye in the round of 32 and then went to work.
“He was determined, and he pinned Dylan Zearly of Licking Heights in :44 in the round of 16. Then, he pinned Ethan Morgan of Shawnee in 1:18 in the quarterfinals, and pinned district qualifier Carson Barrows of Upper Sandusky in 3:55 in the semifinals. To win it all, he stayed on focus and beat state qualifier Michael Fister of Northridge 3-0 in the finals,” Adam Gilmore said.
Coach Gilmore said the wrestler is a competitor who is a solid teammate.
“Cael enjoys having fun with his teammates and friends outside of practice and enjoys competing alongside them in tournaments,” he said.
Honorable mention goes to Hudson Rohler of Mount Vernon, who continues his strong season. This time, he receives recognition in the Yellow Jackets’ 66-55 loss to Lexington, Dec. 30, as he poured in 38 points and was an energetic inspiration all over the court.
Also earning honors: Northmor’s Grant Bentley scored 22 points in the Knights’ 69-63 double-OT win over Clear Fork, Dec. 30, and teammate Jax Wenger scored 20 in that one and 18 in Northmor’s 59-57 squeaker over Loudonville, Dec. 28. Bentley had 15 in that game. Mount Gilead’s Carter Kennon put up 28 in Mount Gilead’s 74-73 heartbreaker loss to Ridgemont, Dec. 28.
A nod also goes to Caylan LeMaster of Centerburg, who finished second at 157 lbs. at the Marion Harding Classic. LeMaster lost a tough 9-4 decision to Ahmad Deifallah of Dublin Scioto.
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.
