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.
Track championships saw a motherlode of gold mined by several track stars, and baseball leaders played with gemlike consistency. Our Athletes of the Week are Juliette Laracuente (Highland track) and Kaid Carpenter (Fredericktown baseball).
Female Athlete of the Week
Juliette Laracuente
Highland’s Juliette Laracuente won four gold medals, set a meet record and tied her own mark in another event at the MOAC track championships. Quadruple gold medalist Laracuente, who will continue her academic and athletic careers at the University of Cincinnati, won her first OCC championship of the meet in the 200-meter dash, in 25.18 seconds, by a margin of 0.89 seconds. The run broke the meet record set in 2018 by North Union’s Abby Davis, in 25.24. Laracuente also won the 100-meter hurdles championship, with a run of 14.27 to win by 2.12 seconds. In her preliminary heat, Laracuente set a meet record of 14.12. Also golden in field events, Laracuente won the high jump at 5’3” to win by 5 inches, and she won the long jump championship at 18’2.25” to win by 1’8.25”.
Highland track coach Chip Wendt said Laracuente’s dedication is also golden.
“Juliette simply is the hardest working athlete I have ever seen,” Wendt said. “She helps other teammates in their events as well. She exhibits great sportsmanship at all times.”
Highland athletic director Mike DeLaney said Laracuente excels on and off the track.
“She is not only great on the track, she is great in the classroom as well, as shown by her 4.0 GPA, and she has earned 33 college credits,” he said.
Honorable mention goes to a triple gold medalist, Mount Vernon’s Marissa Rutter, who was our runner-up last week, for sweeping the hurdle events at the Jackets Invitational. After the dual win, she swept hurdles again, this time at the OCC Championships, May 12. In this sweep, Rutter lowered her times in both events, winning OCC championships in the 100-meter hurdles in 15.82 and in the 300 in 47.81. She was also part of the Yellow Jackets’ championship winning 4x100m relay (49.83) and the second-place 4x400m relay team (4:12.81). The winning 4x100m relay time is a new school record that was last broken in 2009.
Mount Vernon track coach Kathy Thayer said she couldn't be happier for Rutter.
“Marissa is a great competitor and excels with a heavy workload and in a competitive environment,” Coach Thayer said. “Her mindset is something that allows her to separate herself from others. She has worked hard and I couldn't be more proud of her success.”
Other notable performances of the week include Northmor’s Shelby Cooper, who threw a no-hitter in leading the Golden Knights to a 14-1 win over Mansfield, May 12. Cooper got the win, allowing one unearned run over six innings, while striking out eight batters. At the dish, Cooper went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Teammate Maddie Simpson was the top Lady Knight on offense, going 3-for-4 with a grand slam, a double, four RBIs, four runs scored and a pair of steals.
Highland’s Kate Clements and Stevie Asher were RBI machines for eighth-seed Highland, in beating London 12-7 in the playoffs, May 9. Clements was 3-for-5 with three RBIs, two runs and a triple to lead Highland. Asher was 2-for-5 with three RBIs, and Asher picked up the win in the pitching circle, going seven innings, allowing only three earned runs.
In Mount Vernon’s 12-3 playoff win over Dublin Coffman, May 10, Hailey Rudrick had a perfect day and belted a homer, a double, three runs scored, a hit by pitch and a steal of home.
Male Athlete of the Week
Kaid Carpenter
Multisport student-athlete Kaid Carpenter has earned honors in this feature before, and this time he earned the honor for his body of work last week on the diamond for Fredericktown. The Freddies entered the playoffs at 23-1 and won four games last week.
On May 9, they beat Mount Gilead 15-1, and the shortstop went 2-for-5, scored three runs, doubled and stole a base.
On May 10, the Freddies defeated Centerburg 18-8, and Carpenter was 2-for-3 and scored five runs. He walked twice, doubled and stole a base.
On May 11, in a 7-4 win over River Valley, Carpenter went 2-for-2 with two walks, two runs scored, two stolen bases, an RBI and a double.
On May 12, in another 7-4 win, this time over Clear Fork, Carpenter went 1-for-3 with an RBI and pitched four innings, allowing one hit, striking out eight and getting the win.
That is a week of 7-for-13 with five walks to reach base 12 times in 18 at-bats; 10 runs scored, three RBIs, three doubles and four stolen bases.
And for good measure, earlier this week, on May 18, Fredericktown beat Wynford 8-2 and Carpenter went 3-for-4 with three RBIs, a home run and a double.
Fredericktown athletic director Adam Brown said Carpenter’s leadership is counted on.
“Kaid has been a key part of the baseball program during his career at Fredericktown,” Brown said. “He has worked really hard to have a successful senior season as an individual and as a teammate within the team's success. He is one of our leaders on the team and brings big-game experience as we head into the tournament.”
Fredericktown baseball coach Ryan Hathaway also praised Carpenter’s leadership.
“Kaid has had a great senior season,” Hathaway said. “His leadership and work ethic have been big factors in our team success and his personal success. Kaid is self-motivated and constantly is looking for ways to improve his game. He has a bright future ahead at MVNU."
Honorable mention goes to Carpenter’s teammate Brady Lester, who also had a huge week, going 8-for-16, with nine runs scored, five RBIs, a home run, two doubles and five stolen bases.
Also earning honorable mention are Carson Steinmetz and Bryer Householder of East Knox, who were a solid one-two punch for the Bulldogs in their 13-2 win over Ridgewood. The pair combined to go 7-for-10 with six RBIs. Steinmetz went 4-for-5 with a double, three RBIs, two runs and a steal. Householder was 3-for-5 with two runs, three RBIs and a homer.
Drew Hammond was a beast on the mound for Northmor, throwing a complete game shutout in which he allowed only one infield hit in their 10-0 win over Galion on May 9. Hammond also went 1-for-2 at the plate, with a double, three RBIs and a walk.
Mount Vernon won its 10th straight game in a 2-1 win over previously undefeated Jonathan Alder, and Yellow Jacket Konnor Daughriety was dominant on the mound, allowing only two hits in the win. He gave up one unearned run and two walks, while striking out six batters.
And MV’s Jack Craigo won gold again in the 110-meter hurdles at the OCC championship in 15.55, following up his Jackets Invitational win a week earlier.
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.
