The Mount Vernon News sports department is in its third year of the MVN ATHLETE of the WEEK, a school-year weekly feature that spotlights local student-athletes and their schools.
To fuel it, we encourage every area high school coach to send us nominations, but if they don’t, we'll find our own. We also encourage community members to send us their nominations. We take all nominations seriously and will consider all that we receive. An athlete can be nominated more than once, as a worthy student-athlete can gain recognition as often as he or she earns it.
Based on their performances, we will select an ATHLETE of the WEEK and recognize other outstanding athletic accomplishments. We will run a picture of the winner and their weekly stats or other information provided. We believe this program will help local student-athletes secure scholarships while gaining additional recognition for school athletic programs. If we do not receive a boy and a girl in some weeks, we will spotlight only the winner from the group of nominations. These student-athletes should be commended for their accomplishments. Help us do that and please send us your nominations.
This week’s ATHLETES of the WEEK are Kameron Stover (Highland volleyball) and Jonnie Askew (Mount Vernon football).
FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Kameron Stover
Highland’s Kameron Stover was an Honorable Mention selection last week and she won the top honor last year for both volleyball and basketball. She earned ATHLETE of the WEEK honors this week for her record-setting volleyball performance against Jonathon Alder.
In the Lady Scots’ 2.5-hour five-set thriller victory over the Pioneers, in which Highland pulled away in the fifth after four close sets, junior outside hitter Stover scored 48 kills to set a new Highland record, eclipsing the previous mark of 44 set by Raina Terry against Northmor in 2017. The 48 kills in a match also ranks as the third highest total in Ohio HS volleyball history regardless of division. The 48 kills dominated Highland’s total of 64 for the match and no one on the court had more than 20. When she wasn’t killing at the net, Stover made her presence felt elsewhere in the court. Stover also had 20 digs, 29 service receptions and four blocks.
Highland volleyball coach Rob Terrill said Stover is a team leader on and off the court. “Kameron had an outstanding game and we needed all of it to defeat Jonathan Alder in five sets,” Coach Terrill said. “She got stronger as the match progressed. She is a true teammate and leader. We are very blessed to have her as a Scot.”
Honorable Mention
Stover’s teammate, junior setter Larsen Terrill had a solid all-around game as well, recording a game-high 46 assists, 12 kills, five service aces, 16 serving points, 21 digs and a block and teammate senior libero Camryn Miller had 31 digs, 31 service receptions, and four aces.
In Loudonville’s 3-0 win over Mount Gilead, Payton VanSickle finished with 25 assists, seven digs, five aces and nine serving points and Olyvia Fenton had 37 digs, 20 serve receptions, four aces and 14 serving points.
In Cardington-Lincoln’s three-games of tournament play at the Pirate Invite last week, Lily Clark of the Pirates (2-3, 0-1) put up 35 kills over the course of a pair of wins to go with a loss. Clark has 13 kills and 13 digs in two sets vs. Eastmoor Academy and recorded 13 kills and five aces in wo sets vs. Worthington Christian.
On the golf course, Highland lost to Centerburg 192-210 on Aug. 23, but Highland’s Ceci Grassbaugh set a new school record by coming in with a 36, to lower her own mark of 37 she set last season.
MALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Jonny Askew
Even in defeat, some student-athletes rise to the top. In Newark’s 35-28 win over Mount Vernon last week, Yellow Jacket running back Jonny Askew put on a dominating football performance. Askew, who won ATHLETE of the WEEK honors in 2021 for a 251-total yards game (89 rushing, 122 on returns and 40 yards receiving) vs. Ashland, and was an Honorable mention last year, earned the top honor for delivering a super performance in a game that went down to the final quarter.
The Yellow Jackets were led and inspired by Askew, who carried 21 times and gained 211 yards rushing, including a pair of touchdowns. He also had a long a long reception-and-run for 73 yards and 30 yards in returns for a performance of 314 all-purpose yards.
Mount Vernon football coach Jay Campbell said Askew is a great choice (for ATHLETE of the WEEK). “Jonny carried much of the load for us offensively, as he averaged over 10 yards per carry,” Coach Campbell said. “Jonny is a phenomenal athlete and is a captain because of his leadership and strong character. Jonny regularly volunteers to help make Mount Vernon a better place and holds himself and his teammates to an incredibly high standard. Jonny not only makes himself a better athlete but improves those around him.
Honorable Mention
In East Knox’s 20-14 loss to Crestview, the Bulldogs’ defense hung tough, led by Blake Elliott, who was in on 21 tackles – nine solos and 12 assists – and blocked a field goal. On offense, he carried the ball seven times and gained 80 yards. Elliott is now tied for first in tackles among all Ohio high school football players. East Knox football coach Andrew Beatty said, “Blake Elliott is everything a coach would want a football player to be. His talent, physicality and instincts are phenomenal on the football field. However, what really sets Blake apart are the little things that not many outside of the program get to see. He is a dedicated teammate who pushes himself to the brink in every practice and leads others to do the same thing. Whether it is a chilly Tuesday morning in February in the weightroom, a tedious warm afternoon in July during camp, or a fun and crowded Friday night under the lights, I never have any doubt that Blake will bring his best and inspire others to do the same. Blake has a simple mentality of doing whatever needs done with fire and vigor, and cultivating excellence in each and every person around him at the same time.
”Northmor demolished South Central Taylor 60-0, behind the pin-point passing of quarterback AJ Bower, who connected on 10 of 14 passes for 186 yards and four touchdowns. Carson Campbell had 19 carries for 136 yards rushing and three TDs and Hunter Fulk caught seven passes for 121 yards and a pair of scores, as well as returning a kickoff 34 yards.
In Utica’s 49-7 win over Loudonville, Indians quarterback Hayden Piper was 9-for-10 passing with 169 yards and three touchdowns. His go-to target was wide receiver Gavin Chinn, who had eight receptions for 131 yards and two TDs. Utica running back Justin Giffin sprinted 80 yards for a touchdown and finished with 11 carries for 171 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
In Highland’s 26-7 win over TriWay, Scots running back Dane Nauman gained 191 yards on 2 carries, scored twice and made eight tackles on defense.
We congratulate all these local student-athletes on their great character and performances as well as the many who did not make this week’s feature, but who will be recognized in weeks to come.
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.
