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.
As few teams continue to climb the playoff mountain, two familiar faces claim top spots on the honors list. Our Athletes of the Week are Madilyn Elson (Mount Gilead basketball) and Grant Bentley (Northmor basketball).
Female Athlete of the Week
Madilyn Elson
Madilyn Elson becomes a repeater (she won last week) for her playoff performance for the No. 4-seed Mount Gilead Indians.
Elson, the KMAC Player of the Year, led the Indians with 20 points in the final round playoff loss to Lancaster Fisher Catholic. Even in defeat, Elson played like a champion.
Mount Gilead Athletic Director Jack Bault said Elson continued to lead the team on and off the court and gave it all she had in the arena. "She scored 20 points despite being double-teamed, face-guarded, over-guarded and denied the ball," Bault said. "She was a force at both ends of the court and kept the Indians in the game until the end, working harder than anyone on the court until the final horn."
Male Athlete of the Week
Grant Bentley
Northmor's Grant Bentley, a frequent nominee, gained his second top honor this season. Northmor is the only local basketball team still alive in the OHSAA playoffs, and Bentley helped lead the Golden Knights to a 61-44 semifinal victory over Delaware Christian.
Bentley, the KMAC’s second-leading scorer, netted 27 points on a night in which he hit five threes. In Northmor’s pace-setting 25-9 first quarter, Bentley connected for 15 points.
Northmor basketball coach Blade Tackett said Bentley works hard on everything.
"He is a 4.0 student, he works hard at all three sports that he plays and he works hard at being a great teammate and friend," Tackett said.
Honorable mention goes to gold-medal-winning wrestlers who were champions of their weight class at the OHSAA sectionals. Mount Vernon saw six Jackets win gold at D-I: Brock Blankenhorn, 106 lbs.; Preston Hempfield, 113 lbs.; Rylan Firebaugh, 132 lbs.; Jake Taylor, 150 lbs.; Luke Mullins, 190 lbs. and Alex Taylor, 215 lbs. In D-II, Highland’s Konner Blaney, 106 lbs.; Caleb Wetzel, 132 lbs. and Landon Pedigo, 285 lbs. won championships. Utica’s Clayton Smith won at 144 lbs. in D-III. Also in DIII, winners included Northmor's Ethan Amens, 113 lbs.; Cowin Becker,120 lbs. and Carson Campbell, 138 lbs. Centerburg's Caylan LeMaster won at 157 and Mason Lanthorn won at 285 lbs.
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.
