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 top honorees were both Honorable Mentions each of the first two weeks of the season, both earned the No.1 spots this time, and both are from Highland High School.

This week’s ATHLETES of the WEEK are Larsen Terrill (Highland volleyball) and Dane Nauman (Highland football).

FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Larsen Terrill

For the third week in a row, Highland’s Larsen Terrill was a force on the volleyball court. In week 1, Terrill had six kills along with 48 assists and four aces in Highland’s 3-2 win over Big Walnut. In week 2, 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 in a five-set victory over Jonathon Alder.  Both earned her Honorable Mention status. Terrill earned the top honor this time, for two matches last week – Highland’s sweeps over Shelby and Loudonville.

Against Shelby, Terrill had 27 assists, 10 kills and 12 digs. Against Loudonville, she finished with 35 assists, 11 kills and three aces, and in the second set, she dominated a stretch in which she scored five times in six points, with three kills and two aces.

Highland volleyball coach Rob Terrill said, “Larsen had a great week, all around. Not only with her setting, but her defense and attacking were on point as we won two difficult road matches. Larsen is one of our captains as a junior and continues to lead on and off the court.”

Honorable Mention:

In Highland’s sweeps last week, Terrill’s teammate Kameron Stover put up seven kills in the second set against Shelby and finished with a match-high 20 kills, four aces and 21 digs. Lady Scot Camryn Miller delivered defensively with a match-high 27 digs to go with seven assists.  Against Loudonville, Stover scored 11 points in an 11-point sequence, which included six kills and two aces. And she finished the match with 23 kills and four aces.

Fredericktown’s Julia Partington continued a strong senior season setting up kills for Fredericktown in a 3-0 sweep of Danville. Partington recorded 28 assists out of the team’s 30 total kills to go with six digs.

In cross-country, Loudonville’s Tess Schultz finished second among 54 runners in the Ashland CC Invitational.

MALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Dane Nauman

Last year’s MVN ATHLETE of the YEAR, Highland’s Dane Nauman cracked the top spot after earning Honorable Mentions the last two weeks. In week 1, Nauman caught a 60-yard TD bomb and also gained 120 yards on 15 carries, with a ground touchdown in Highland’s 35-0 win over Fredericktown. In Highland’s 26-7 win over TriWay, week 2, Nauman gained 191 yards on 25 carries, scored twice and made eight tackles on defense. Nauman earned the top honor for this week in a huge way. In Highland’s 50-26 win over Crestview,  Nauman gained 309 yards rushing on only 16 carries, scored four touchdowns, caught a four-yard pass and was in on 3.5 tackles on defense. Among his highlights was a 79-yard touchdown run.

Highland football coach Ty Stover said, “Dane's success on the field is something that reflects his hard work and dedication outside of Friday nights. His ability to continuously drive to better his physical nature, build strong relationships with teammates, and embrace the challenge of competition makes him an ‘11’ in our program."

Coach Stover praised Nauman’s work on the defensive side as well. "Many people strictly look at Dane's offensive success, but our staff embraces his ability to dominate on the defensive side of the football,” Stover said. “With Dane's skill level as an athlete, we are able to do so many things with him on defense that it allows others to play more freely. Dane just loves to fly around, hit, and be aggressive, all traits of a great defensive player. Those are key to getting after it on Friday nights."

Honorable Mention:

Even in defeat, leadership rises to the top.  AJ Bower drove his team on again and again, as Northmor was trimmed by Mapleton 40-35. Bower completed seven passes for 120 yards and instilled confidence in his offense and put the team in a position to win. Northmor coach Scott Armose said, “AJ has been off to an excellent start to the season completing 28 of 52 passes for 571 yards and eight TD passes. He's one of the hardest working kids on the team and an excellent leader.”

Also for Northmor against Mapleton, Carson Campbell ran for 213 yards on 17 carries

In Utica’s 34-20 win over Fredericktown, Utica’s Justin Giffin had 25 carries for 181 yards and the Freddies’ Blake Sipes carried 21 times for 141  yards. On defense, the Freddies’ Cirk Parker was in on 15 tackles.

In Danville’s 41-7 win over Fairfield Christian, Walker Weckesser was efficient behind center going 7-for-9 with 84 yards and three touchdowns. He also had an interception and a pair of tackles on defense.  Blue Devil teammate Cole Delaughder ran the ball 19 times for 171 yards and a touchdown, while adding a passing touchdown

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.