HIGH-SCHOOL

Vote: Who are the Summit County High School Athletes of the Week for April 29-May 5?

Akron Beacon Journal

It's time to take a look at the standout high school performers from Summit County for last week.

Your vote will determine who will be the Summit County High School Athlete of the Week for April 29-May 5. We will pick one girl and one boy. Each athlete's credentials are listed above the poll — which will be live until 5 p.m. Thursday. The winners will be announced Friday morning on BeaconJournal.com.

Now, let's meet the candidates. And if the poll at the bottom of each group of nominees doesn't load, please click here for the girls and click here for the boys.

Akron High School Athlete of the Week

Here's a look at the girls nominees, in alphabetical order:

Rachel Baker, Manchester softball

Another week, another slate of outstanding performances by the Panthers standout. She capped her week by pitching a two-hit shutout with 17 strikeouts and hitting a home run Friday in a 10-0 win over Northwest. She also had a double and an RBI Thursday in a 5-4 loss to Dalton; pitched a one-hitter with seven strikeouts and had a home run, scored two runs and drove in two more Wednesday in a 10-0 win over Canton South; and pitched a two-hitter with 18 strikeouts, surpassing 500 in her career, and went 3 for 3 with a double and drew a walk Monday in a 6-2 win over Canton South.

Stella Kaplack, Copley softball

Won twice to improve to 9-3 in the circle, beating Ellet 13-2 on Thursday and Revere 12-9 on Monday. Also had two hits against the Minutemen.

Anna Morrow, Firestone softball

Went 4 for 4 with a home run, three doubles, five runs, a walk and two RBIs Thursday in an 18-4 win over Lake Center Christian, and also went 4 for 4 with a home run, a triple, a walk, two RBIs and three runs Monday in a 6-5 loss in nine innings to Ellet.

Reese Reaman, Woodridge track and field

Won the 800 meters in 2:10.16 and the 1,600 meters in 4:58.27 and ran the anchor leg on the winning 3,200 relay (9:38.2) Saturday at the Woodridge Wrap Up.

Natalie Susa, Walsh Jesuit softball

Started two games last week and allowed two hits — combined. She struck out 14 of the 15 batters she faced while pitching a perfect game Monday in a 10-0 win over Beaumont, and pitched a a two-hitter with 11 strikeouts Thursday to improve to 9-0 in a 5-0 win over Perry.

Here's a look at the boys nominees, in alphabetical order:

Evan Chmielewski, Copley baseball

Capped a big week with two doubles Saturday in a 6-2 loss to Green. Also had two hits, three runs and an RBI Wednesday in a 9-7 win over Cuyahoga Falls and improved to 4-1 on the mound Tuesday in a 17-4 win over Falls.

John Harabedian, CVCA baseball

Had a double, three RBIs and two runs Friday in a 10-3 win over Perry; had a home run, double two runs and three RBIs Wednesday in a 17-6 win over Orrville; and improved to 4-1 on the mound with a complete game, striking out nine, and had a hit and an RBI Monday in a 6-1 win over Orrville.

CJ Heller, Firestone baseball

Powered the Falcons to 31 runs in two victories last week. Had a double in three hits with five RBIs, a run scored and two stolen bases Saturday in a 10-4 victory over Coventry, after collecting four hits, two RBIs and two runs Thursday in a 21-1 win over East.

Keagan Gilbride, Tallmadge baseball

Had a home run, a single, three RBIs and scored a run Thursday in a 10-4 win over Cuyahoga Falls. Also had a single and an RBI Wednesday in a 3-2 win over Aurora, and improved to 5-0 on the mound with an 11-1 win over Aurora on Tuesday.

Sam Su, Woodridge track and field

Swept the individual distance races at the Woodridge Wrap Up Saturday, winning the 1,600 meters in 4:21.8 and the 3,200 meters in 9:18.56.

A look at the previous 2023-24 Summit County High School Athlete of the Week winners 

  • Date - girls winner | boys winner 
  • Jan. 22 - Andie Osolin, Norton basketball | De'Arion Holley, Barberton basketball
  • Jan. 29 - Cam Hoover, Woodridge basketball | Jonas Nichols, Hoban basketball
  • Feb. 5 - Hailey Janke, Revere basketball | Trent Wininger, Copley basketball
  • Feb. 12 - Taylor Angielski, Walsh Jesuit basketball | Brady Rollyson, Green basketball
  • Feb. 19 - Rylee Jackson, Hoban swimming | Brock Sherman, Walsh Jesuit wrestling
  • Feb. 26 - Reese Genet, Green gymnastics | Conner Groce, Revere basketball
  • March 4 - Jaydyn McKinney, Manchester wrestling | James McCarthy, Hoban basketball
  • April 1 - McKayla McGee, Walsh Jesuit softball | Devon Lehman, STVM baseball
  • April 8 - Jayce Collins, Copley softball | Carter Oschman, Copley lacrosse
  • April 15 - Adeline Herstich, Hoban softball | Liam O'Farrell, Green tennis
  • April 22 - Alexis Walker, Copley softball | Connor Christie, STVM baseball

Editor's note: Winners of the Summit County Athlete of the Week in the winter are not eligible to win it again until the spring sports season begins.