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.
Baseball, softball and track events dominated the local high school sports calendar, and while two track stars brought home double-gold, baseball and softball student-athletes earned the top spots with a hitting cycle and a brilliant mound performance – and both came from Bulldogs. Our Athletes of the Week are Natalie Smith (East Knox softball) and Landon Spearman (East Knox baseball).
Female Athlete of the Week
Natalie Smith
Last season, East Knox slugger Natalie Smith had a two-homer, seven-RBI day and in 2022, she led the KMAC in batting at .600, slugging at 1.067, home runs with seven, RBIs with 41, on-base percentage at .638 and a staggering OPS of 1.705. This season, Smith currently sits in the KMAC top two in batting, top three in slugging, hits and doubles and top five in RBIs. On the mound, she has the lowest ERA. Her 2023 season just shined even brighter with her huge day for the Lady Bulldogs in an 18-2 win over Mount Gilead. She hit for the cycle – a single, double, triple and homerun – going 4-for-4 with four RBIs and four runs scored.
East Knox softball coach Jake Ulrey said Smith is one of the best hitters to go through EK in the past 10 years. “Natalie is the kind of player that every coach wants to have on their team, and the one that opposing coaches hate to face," Ulrey said. "Watching her game improve and get better throughout her high school career has been fun to watch and be a part of."
Honorable mention goes to a double-gold performance. Winning two events at the Fredericktown Invitational track meet was Fredericktown’s Elsa Hoam, who won on the track and in the field. Hoam won the 1600M run by a 10.27-second margin in 5:29.74, and also won the long jump gold medal with a leap of 14’8.75”.
Other notable performances include a team no-hitter by Mount Vernon against Mansfield on April 27. Grace Bates, Addi Parker and Miranda Oswalt shut down the Tygers, combining for a no-hitter, walking one and striking out six. Offensively for the Lady Jackets in that game, McKenzie Krownapple went 2-for-2 and drove in four with a grand slam. Earlier in the week, MV’s Brooke Dovenbarger led the Jackets' 7-5 win over West Holmes with a homer, a double, 3 RBIs and a 3-for-3 day at the plate.
Grace Gronberg threw a gem for Danville against River Valley on April 25, with the pitcher firing a 13-strikeout complete game two-hitter to lead the Blue Devils to a 7-0 win.
Male Athlete of the Week
Landon Spearman
East Knox pitcher Landon Spearman was nearly perfect on April 27 against the Lucas Cubs. The Bulldog ace tossed a complete game one-hitter to lead EK to a 3-0 win. Spearman needed only 88 pitches over seven innings, throwing 58 for strikes, including 17 first-pitch strikes, on the 25 batters he faced. Spearman struck out five Cubs and did not walk a batter. He also made his presence felt in the batter’s box, as he connected for a hit.
East Knox baseball coach Randy Baugher said Spearman has worked hard and has led the ’Dogs for three years. “Landon Spearman has been a Bulldog mainstay the past three years, both at first base and on the mound,” Baugher said. “He is enjoying a good senior season, as he is currently batting .404 with a team-leading seven doubles. The right-hander has won his last two starts, striking out seven with no walks in his last 11 innings pitched. Landon is an A-and-B student who also finds time to work at Kroger when he's not playing baseball."
Honorable mention goes to another two-time gold medalist, Nathan Streby of East Knox, who struck gold twice at the Fredericktown Invitational. Streby won the 800M run in 1:54.44, by a margin of 6.56 seconds, and stretched out to win the 1600M run in 4:23.28, winning by 11.86 seconds.
Back on the diamond, honorable mention goes Kayden Packard, who carried a big bat for Mount Vernon on April 27 in a 17-6 win over Gahanna Lincoln. Packard drove in five runs on two hits and a walk. Additionally, Nick Garvey was productive for the Mount Gilead Indians in a 9-2 win over Granville Christian Academy on April 29. Garvey went 2-for-5 and drove in three runs.
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.
