Displaying items by tag: Student Athlete of the Week

This week our 1590 WAKR Male Student Athlete of the Week is Calvin Alexander, a senior football player from Ellet High School. 

This week our 1590 WAKR  Female Student Athlete of the Week is Leah Ungashick, a senior volleyball player from Coventry High School.

This week our 1590 WAKR Female Student Athlete of the Week is Alison Zupancic, a junior volleyball player from Firestone.

This week our 1590 WAKR Female Student Athlete of the Week is Ellie McCoy a junior golfer from Stow-Munroe Falls High School.

This week our 1590 WAKR Female Student Athlete of the Week is Allison Spears, a senior soccer player from Norton High School.

She says that being a Norton Student Athlete is something truly special.

“Going to practice every day and just smiling and laughing and walking through the halls and seeing my teammates every day.”

In 2019, she was named a team captain and was also a recipient of the PTC Scholar Athlete Award. She says that leadership is a dual role for her as she leads by example and vocally out on the pitch.

“It just depends on how the game is going,” she said.

Her coach Dan DiPasquale says that Spears exemplifies what you’re looking for in a student athlete.

“Allison is a soccer player that I first noticed when she was in the 8th grade! “ he says.

“Her dedication & hard work has made her into the amazing soccer player, leader & mentor that she is today, and I am very proud of everything she has accomplished!"

Away from the pitch, Spears is a member of the National Honor Society as well as the National Technical Honor Society and does some great work in the community as a Safety Town Volunteer for the past six years.

Upon graduation in the spring, Allison plans on attending the University of Akron to study Pre-Med.

 

 Our next Male Student Athlete of the Week from Norton High School is Tim Jervis, a senior football player.

Tim says the atmosphere for Norton and their student athletes is second to none.

“It’s nice because it’s a small community and everyone supports you,” he said

His coach Kevin Pollock said he’s a great young man both on and off the field.

“Great kid, Great grades, and huge impact for us on both sides of the ball,” Pollock explained.

Tim is a two sport athlete for the Panthers playing along the offensive and defensive line in football and throwing shot and discus on the track and field team during the spring.

When not studying or playing sports, Tim is a member of the Spanish Club and a member of Superintendent Advisory Group. In addition to those activities, he also works at the Wadsworth YMCA.

He is currently undecided on where he will attend college in the fall of 2020, but he says he wants to get into the medical field.

We wish Allison and Tim the best in all of their future endeavors.

This week our 1590 WAKR Female Student Athlete of the Week is Jenna Stout, a senior softball player from Stow-Munroe Falls High School. 

This week our 1590 WAKR Female Student Athlete of the Week is Kylee Beaty a senior basketball player from Wadsworth High School.

This week our 1590 WAKR Male Student Athlete of the Week is Samuel Lord, a junior wrestler from Ellet High School. 

 He started wrestling at an early age, but now as a junior in high school, the grind and the discipline of the sport drives him and his teammates.

“The coaches push us to be our best and the athletes in there all really push each other to be better every day,” he said.

His coach Brian Biel said that the junior captain knows the meaning of working hard and staying focused.

"He leads by example and has earned the respect of his teammates and coaches through his hard work, positive attitude, and pursuit of personal and team growth," he said,

Lord said that school always comes first and the coaches and his fellow teammates are always cognizant of that.

“Sometimes practices have to be short so we can get our work done, but it’s all about balance,” he said.

As always, the goal is States, but last year in just his sophomore season, Samuel was 6th in sectionals and 7th in the North Coast Classic. 

 As a team leader, he says leadership by example is more his style, but he’s not afraid to motivate a teammate when he knows they can do better.

Our next 1590 WAKR Female Student Athlete of the Week is Sarah Mason, a senior basketball player from Ellet High School.

 She learned the sport of basketball growing up with 6 brothers and grew to appreciate the game that way. 

“I just grew up around basketball,” she said.

She also appreciates her head coach Tina Wallace, who is a tough coach, but looks out for her team day in and day out. 

“She’s always there for us and always there to support us and teach us what we need to know,” she explained. 

 

 

Coach Wallace talked about Mason’s hard work on and off the court 

“She’s a relentless defender, first one in the gym, last one to leave, I call her the rock in your shoe” Wallace said.  

“But the most impressive quality is her character, Sarah has Great Parents and she truly exemplifies Student-Athlete.”

 Sarah is a four year starter and letter winner for Ellet and says it’s great playing basketball with people she’s grown up with and enjoys being around.

“It’s just a great feeling,” Mason said with a smile. 

Upon graduation in the spring, Sarah says she plans on attending the University of Akron to study art. 

We wish Samuel and Sarah the best in all of their future endeavors. 

This week our 1590 WAKR Male Student Athlete of the Week is Tyris Dickerson, junior football player from Archbishop Hoban High School.

This week our 1590 WAKR Male Student Athlete of the Week is Maxwell Moldovan a junior golfer from Green High School.

This week our 1590 WAKR Female Student Athlete of the Week is Emily Dente, a junior soccer player from Copley High School.

As a team captain, Dente says her leadership on the pitch is both vocal and by example.

“I’m very vocal on the field,” she says. I play center back, so I can see everything.”

  

 Her head soccer coach Wally Senk echoed that sentiment.

"Emily is a bonafide competitor with an innate ability to lead. She doesn't have an off-switch, embracing the grind and paying attention to the little things that make her and her teammates better,” he said.

Dente is a multi-sport athlete playing soccer, basketball, and track for the Indians.

Away from the field, Senk said she maintains that focus and intensity in the classroom as well.

“Emmy's determination, perseverance, and self-motivation are contagious and evident on the field as well as in the classroom, where she keeps her GPA above 4.0."

Emily comes from an athletic family as her dad Mark, is the boys and girls basketball coach at Copley High, and also has two brothers in sports.

“I really like it (being in an athletic family)because we all support each other,” she said.

Upon graduation in the spring of 2020, Emily plans on studying pediatric nursing.

We wish Emily the best in all of her future endeavors.

This week our 1590 WAKR Male Student Athlete of the Week is senior football player Tyler Lenke of Copley High School.

Lenke said he got into football at an early age, and says it’s a lot of fun getting to work with his coaches and teammates day in and day out.

“There’s times, but there’s a lot of good times, and you just make the best of it,” he said. Tyler’s head coach Scott Chouinard, talked about his work ethic on the field. “Tyler Lenke is a three year starter and captain of our 2018 football team,” Chouinard explained. “He has played Offensive Line and Defensive Line and has been one of our most consistent players for the past three years.”

Away from the gridiron, Lenke also exhibits leadership, according to Coach Chouinard. “Off the field he is a kind and thoughtful individual who is always willing to help teachers and fellow students and he represents the best of Copley High School in his actions and his performance on the football field and in the hallways.”

 

 Tyler has played every position along the offensive line during his time at Copley, and as a captain, that versatility gives him insight and credibility with his teammates, especially his mates along the line. “When you’ve played every position along the line, you get to know what everyone’s supposed to do, and if someone needs help, you know exactly what to do, and you help them.”

Upon graduation in the spring, Tyler plans on attending college and mechanical engineering could be a possible course of study. We wish Tyler the best in all of his future endeavors.

This week our 1590 WAKR Female Student Athlete of the Week is Madison Bennett, a junior soccer player from Norton High School.

Madison says the great thing about competing for Norton is the relationships between her teammates and the coaching staff.

She says this year’s team has a good group of freshmen and as an experienced player, it’s up to her to lead them on the pitch.

“We've just been playing hard and we're trying to adjust on the field, we're a quality team and we've learned a lot in the past season,'' she says.

"I try to lead the freshmen vocally, I try to stay positive and build relationships."

 

 Bennett is a 3-year letter winner for the Panthers and plays attacking midfield.

She says she likes it because of the opportunity to keep her teammates involved.

 Her coach Daniel DiPasquale says her versatility on the pitch is what makes her a great player.

“Madison is a complete soccer player!” he explained.

“She plays wherever is needed for what’s best for her team.”

“As good as she is as a soccer player, she’s also an even better person,” said DiPasquale.

Away from soccer, Madison works just as hard in the classroom, maintaining her grades and also staying active in her school community.

She’s a member of the Key Club, Pep Club, Spanish Club, Homecoming/Prom Committee, and serves as a Student Council Class Officer.
In the community, she’s participated in a family missions trip to Cambodia.

We wish Madison all the best in her future endeavors.

This week our 1590 WAKR Male Student Athlete of the Week is Tyler Scott, a junior football player from Norton High School.

This week our 1590 WAKR Female Student Athlete of the Week is Sicilia Ho, a senior golfer for Wadsworth High School.

This week our 1590 WAKR Male Student Athlete of the Week is Nick Plucinski, a junior football player for Barberton High School.

This week's 1590 WAKR male Student Athlete of the Week is Zane Patterson from Woodridge High School.

Zane is a three-sport athlete for the Bulldogs, and with it being the spring sports season, he is currently on the baseball team. He is known for his skills on the pitcher's mound, but also plays first base when he is not pitching. However, Mother Nature has not been too kind to baseball teams in Northeast Ohio, and many teams have not been able to get on the field much.

Outside of baseball, Zane is also a member of the golf and bowling teams at Woodridge.

Patterson is all set as far as college goes, as he will be attending The Ohio State University to study economics. For the remainder of high school, he is a member of the National Honors Society and the Academic Challenge team.

Zane is a big Cleveland Indians fan, and his favorite player is Francisco Lindor.

This week our 1590 WAKR Female Student Athlete of the Week is Kaitlyn Hill, a senior softball player from East Community Learning Center.

She's been a starting pitcher for the Dragons since freshman year, earning three varsity letters.

Her coach Sarah Kramer says Kaitlyn is a leader both on and off the field

“I rely on her to get messages out and just be a role model for the new players that have come out,” Kramer explains.

“She's a 3.9/4/0 student, and she leads by example both on and off the field.”

Kaitlyn is a member of the National Honor Society, a commanding officer in the ROTC, in addition to both participating in bowling and softball for East.

Hill says she enjoys being a part of the Dragons softball team and working with her coaches and teammates, especially some of the younger players.

“Half of these girls are first year players,” Hill explained. “You just have to be patient and work with them a lot, and keep reminding them to have positive attitudes.”

Among some of Hill's honors include being named Akron Beacon Journal Player of the Week and was also a team MVP during her career.

Upon graduation this spring, Hill plans on attending the University of Akron to study accounting.

We wish Kaitlyn the best in all of her future endeavors.

Mackenzie Hance of Lake High School is this week's 1590 WAKR Female Student Athlete of the Week.

Mackenzie is a member of the Blue Streaks girls basketball team who just wrapped up their regular season 5-10, and are getting ready to start tournament play Saturday against Louisville. Mackenzie who is a junior has lettered in basketball all three years of high school and was the leading scorer in 2016 and 2017.

Even as an Junior Mackenzie knows the importance of leadership. " Being a junior I just really want to be a leader for the younger girls on the team." Mackenzie is also a leader off the court as part of the mentor program at Lake where she volunteers her time to help younger students at the school.

Health Tech is Mackenzie's favorite subject in school but wants to learn more about the medical field before fully committing to studying it in college.

Tyler Hays from Copley High School is the 1590 WAKR male Student Athlete of the Week for April 13th-20th.

While he may not look like baseball hall of famer Randy Johnson, his tall presence on the mound for the Copley Indians would remind one of the Big Unit.

Baseball has been in Tyler’s blood from a young age, and he added pitching to his repitour when he was ten. When he’s not on the mound, Tyler is in right field or a large target at first base.

Spring baseball in Ohio is not always cooperative due to inclement weather, but Tyler is not deterred. "I’m just always trying to stick to my routine no matter what,” he says. "If I’m supposed to start and my game gets canceled, I just push everything back a day to maintain my focus."

Tyler has lettered varsity in all four years at Copley. He has been named first-team All-Suburban League twice, looking to make it a third, and was named to the All-District team his junior year.

A resident of Copley from a young age, Tyler has enjoyed his time at both the school and the town.

"I love it, it’s been great to me all thirteen years I’ve been here,” says Tyler. "The school system, I love it here. If someone asked me if I could go anywhere else, I’d say nowhere. Copley is the place for me."

After graduation, Tyler will take the Ohio Turnpike out west to Bowling Green State University, where he will be a member of the Falcons’ baseball team next spring. He plans on majoring in criminal justice.

Grace Hete is this week's 1590 WAKR Student Athlete of the Week.

Grace is a junior at Revere Highs School, and is a member of the girls basketball team. Grace first tried her hand at basketball in the fourth she was encouraged to play by her father and friends due to her height. It wasn't long before grace was hooked on the game and the relationships that were built while playing it.

"Playing over the years, I love the people I got to know and got to be friends with," says Grace. "That's why I've stuck with it."

Grace also works very hard in the classroom. She wants to continue to play basketball in college and wants to study dermatology. Being only a junior, she is still keeping her options open for college.

This week's 1590 WAKR Female Student of the Week is Kendal Miller from St. Vincent-St Mary High School.

Kendal is standout senior basketball player for Coach Carley Whitney and the Fighting Irish. St. V had another tremendous season, as they made it to the regional championship game in Division II, before falling to Gilmour Academy.

Kendal is already set to continue her academic and athletic career, which will ocurr at The University of Akron. She actually committed to the Zips during her junior year at St. Vincent-St Mary.

Miller really is a big fan of the tight-knit community at St. V. She says you can always count on the student body and teachers to be there when you need them the most, on or off the court. Kendal is also a really big fan of LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. When she isn't playing ball or studying, Kendal enjoys catching up on her sleep.

Best of luck to you, Kendal!

This week, our 1590 WAKR Male Student Athlete of the Week is Alex Cramer, a senior baseball player for Stow-Munroe Falls High School.

Alex said he got into the sport in the third grade and played a variety of sports growing up.

As a team captain for the Bulldogs, he leads more by example than vocally, although he says both are necessary at different times.

As a Stow baseball player, Alex knows the expectations and tradition of being a Bulldog.

“It’s such an honor,” Cramer said. “We have very high expectations and I’m very proud to be a part of that.”

In addition to playing baseball, Alex is a member of the National Honor Society and volunteers at the Akron Food Bank.

Upon graduation in the spring, Alex plans on attending the University of Akron to study mechanical engineering.

We at 1590 WAKR wish Alex the best in all of his future endeavors.

Erika Johnson from Springfield High School is this week’s 1590 WAKR Female Student Athlete of the Week.

Ericka is four-year letter winner in softball for the Spartans. She was also recognized as first team all-PTC in the outfield, as well as an all-state honorable mention.

Erika loves playing for the Lady Spartans because the team is very close and great friends "Whether we are winning or losing, we are always having fun in the dug out,” she says.

Staying focused is one of the more challenging things when it comes to playing softball. Erika makes it a point to stay mentally prepared.

"Sometimes during a seven inning game, you can get tired and lose focus."

Focus is also important in the classroom, where Erika enjoys studying marketing. After high school, Malone University is her next stop, where she plans to study child psychology.

Hayden Murphy from Barberton High School is the male 1590 WAKR Student Athlete of the Week for March 30th-April 6th.

A senior at Barberton, Hayden is a member of the Magics baseball team. When this interview was recorded, the baseball team has yet to play for 2018 due to the time of year and the inclement weather, but Hayden looks to finish his career strong.

Through his senior guidance, Hayden looks to help lead the Magics to an improved record in 2018. To beat the wintertime blues, the coaches had the players in the weight room, sometimes as early as 5:30 in the morning.

Baseball has been passion and main sport for Hayden since he was four years old. Like many teenage athletes, they participate in other sports until they fall in love with one in particular, and baseball grabbed Hayden’s attention early on.

"I played soccer my freshman and sophomore year,” Hayden says. "But I ended up getting hurt and I thought I’d just play baseball after that."

As for college, Hayden is still undecided. However, he looks to stay local, taking a glance at smaller neighborhood schools such as Walsh and Malone. Biomedical engineering

Hayden is a Barberton lifer, spending his 17+ years in the Magic City.

"I think growing up in Barberton allows you to be different,” says Hayden. As for the school, he says "It’s amazing. I love it here."

This week's 1590 WAKR Male Student Athlete of the Week is Garrett Mellon from Archbishop Hoban High School.

Garrett is a member of the Knights' lacrosse team. Hoban's season is already underway, and they are looking forward to a very competitive year.

Garrett settled on lacrosse as his full-time sport just one year ago, after years of playing football and basketball. But it wasn't the first time he picked up a lacrosse stick, as he has been dabbling in the sport since he was six.

The family atmosphere at Hoban has been attractive to Garrett. He says the support is great across the board, whether it is in the classroom or on the athletic fields.

Garrett hopes to attend The Ohio State University and play lacrosse in the future.

This week, our 1590 WAKR Female Student Athlete of the Week is Lexi Shultz, a senior softball player from Ellet High School.

Lexi has been interested in softball from an early age and grew to love the sport.

“I've been playing ever since I was in T-ball, since I was six years old, and I've just loved it ever since then.”

Shultz is a two-sport athlete at Ellet, playing both volleyball and softball, garnering honors in both sports as a 1st team all city softball player and a 2nd team selection in volleyball.

She says working with her coaches, including head coach Chuck Shuman and her Ellet teammates has been a great experience.

“Our goal is to not only win the city championship, but to go further in the districts as well,” she said.

Aside from the team goals, she said the mark of a successful season would be the ladies coming together as one and working hard on and away from the diamond.

“I think if we're all working hard, working together, and putting in as much effort as we can, I think we'll be successful.”

After graduation, Lexi plans on attending the University of Akron, where she is already taking classes, and majoring in exercise science.

We wish Lexi the best in all of her future endeavors.

Zach Larue from Manchester High School is the male 1590 WAKR Student Athlete of the Week.

Zach is a member of the Panthers wrestling team, and has recently made a run to states, finishing fourth in his weight class as a junior.

Zach weighhs in a 126 pounds, and he understands the work one must put in to compete at this level, even if it means early or late practices.

"I just want to win states," Zach says. "That's all I think about when I'm training."

Zach loves being apart of the team for Manchester, which coached by Josh Cintron. "We don't have a ton of guys on the team, but we are all very close."

Being only a junior, Zach has an eye on Cleveland State University for college.

Wadsworth senior Sophia Fortner is the female 1590 WAKR Student Athlete of the Week for March 16th-23rd.

Sophia is the point guard for the Grizzlies’ basketball team, who, at the time of this writing and recording, were headed to Columbus for the state tournament. An ACL injury hurt not only Sophia’s season last year, but the team’s as well, but they have bounced back in a big way.

"We’re a young team,” says Sophia. “But we’ve grown a lot, so it’s been an exciting season."

During her sophomore year, Sophia traveled with the team to states the first time, with the Grizzlies coming back to Wadsworth with a title. She looks to have that happen again in her final season.

“[It was] definitely a great experience to have gone there before and get a feel for the atmosphere,” Sophia says of her first trip to states. "The experience is very rewarding."

In addition to her point guard duties, Sophia is very active at school. She is a member of the National Honor Society and student council, and even works inside the athletic office.

Sophia has enjoyed her time at Wadsworth. "It’s amazing,” she says of the support the students and teams receive. "I’m so blessed to be a part of this school and community."

In the fall, Sophia will head westward to the University of Toledo, where she will play for the Rockets basketball team. She plans to major in exercise science.

This week's 1590 WAKR Male Student Athlete of the Week is Drew Williams from Kenmore-Garfield High School.

Drew is a senior guard on the basketball team for the Golden Rams. He also runs cross country so he can stay in top shape during basketball season. He says it really helps out during fast-paced games throughout the year.

Being a huge basketball fan, Drew enjoys watching Trey Young from Oklahoma and Karl Anthony-Townes from the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Drew has not settled on a college yet, but has a few schools in mind. He is looking forward to studying criminal justice next year.

He really enjoys being around his family and friends when he has a little down time. He says it's hard to believe that high school career is almost coming to an end.

This week, our 1590 WAKR Female Student Athlete of the Week is Marissa Bowers, a senior swimmer from Cuyahoga Falls High School.

Marissa has been swimming from a young age and grew to enjoy the sport from early on.

"I started swimming when I was 5 years old," she said. "My mom was a swimmer when she was young and I loved the water as a child."

Bowers says she carries lots of memories with her from the four years she spent in the pool with the Black Tigers.

Among those was setting the school record in the 100 meter backstroke in her senior season, as well as cannonballing into the water for the final time as a senior class.

Bowers is also a member of the Marching Band and the National Honor Society, so she understands the importance of time management when balancing her studies with extracurricular activities.

Upon graduation in the spring, Marissa plans on attending Westminster College in the fall to study education.

"I've always been interested in helping people, and I plan to be a swim coach down the line," she says.

We at 1590 WAKR wish Marissa the best in all of her future endeavors.

Emerson Zahab is this week's 1590 WAKR Female Student Athlete of the Week.

A senior at Green High school, Emerson is a key member of the girls swim team. She began swimming at age 5 and has been a part of the swimming team the last thirteen years.

According to Emerson, the most challenging thing about being on the swim team is waking up early. However, having the team around really helps.

"Nobody likes waking up at 4:45 in the morning,” says Emerson. “But knowing your friends will be there makes it better."

As a Bulldog, Emerson has accomplished a lot in the pool. She is a four-year letter recipient, three-year first team, and made it to states her freshmen year.

When she is not in the pool, Emerson volunteers with the swim team at the Special Olympics, and also donates her time at One of a Kind Pets.

Emerson is very excited to be attending Arizona State University, where she plans to study Biomedical Engineering.

Firestone CLC senior Jacob Stephens is the male Student Athlete of the Week for March 2nd-9th.

Jacob was a diver for the Firestone Falcons. The reason he was a diver is his season has completed after finishing 13th at states.

He overcame many obstacles to get down to states, including a bout with kidney stones his junior year. For Jacob, it was not always an easy dip in the pool, and he is thankful of what he accomplished.

"It was more general enjoyment that got me through,” Jacob says of his diving tenure. "The last two years were a bit monotonous, but I just went through it with the goal in mind to go to states, and just used that to keep pushing through."

No stranger to the swimming pool, his diving career began in eighth grade while swimming at Fairlawn Country Club.

"My dad wanted me to play a sport, and he said it’s either swimming or diving,” says Jacob. “[But] to be honest, I [wasn’t] a fan of swimming anymore, so I decided to go with diving.”

Now that his diving career is through, Jacob wants to explore other sports on the club level, such as boxing or fencing.

After high school, Jacob plans on heading to Embry-Riddle in Daytona Beach, Florida for college, majoring in computer science. Coding computers is definitely up Jacob’s alley, but he would also entertain aeronautics as a minor, which is what Embry-Riddle prides itself on.

This week, our 1590 WAKR Female Student Athlete of the Week is Kiah Jenkins, a junior bowler from North High School.

Kiah said she has been bowling from a young age and she’s credited her mother for her interest in the sport.

“Ever since my mom had me walking, she had me throwing a ball down the lane,” she said.

“She taught me specifically how to roll the ball, where I should stand, what each pin was, and she’s played a big role in both bowling and softball and just who I am as a person.”

A two-sport athlete in both bowling and softball, Jenkins keeps busy with athletics and academics, sporting a 3.2 GPA.

A leader both vocally and by example, Kiah says being an encouraging teammate is something she prides herself on.

One of her most memorable highlights was winning the City Championship in bowling for the Vikings recently. It was a nerve racking experience, as they won by three points.

“I almost started to cry,” Jenkins said laughing.

She says her coaches make sure that academics come before athletics and preparing for the future is of the utmost importance.

In her spare time, Kiah enjoys bowling, of course, spending time with family and friends, and running.

We at 1590 WAKR wish Kiah the best in all of her future endeavors.

This week's 1590 WAKR male student athlete is Jonathan Gabriel from Walsh Jesuit High School.

Jonathan is a standout senior hockey player for the Warriors. He has been playing hockey since he was a youngster, and picked up the sport not long after he first tied his skates.

Jonathan is a huge NHL hockey fan, with his favorite team being the Washington Capitals. His favorite player is Alexander Ovechkin, and he watches as many games on television as he can. Jonathan has also been enjoying the Winter Olympics as well, and has been pulling for the United States teams on the ice.

He says he enjoys the close knit community at Walsh. Jonathan believes the students feel welcomed at all times. It has been a fast moving four years, but he says is looking forward to the future.

Jonathan will be attending Kent State University and plans on studying business.

This week's 1590 WAKR Female Student Athlete of the Week is Bella Pieri from Coventry High School.

Bella is a senior and a standout on the Comets’ basketball team. She is a four-year player in the program, and has been playing basketball for as long as she can remember.

Bella has already made her decision for college, as she will attend the University of Akron and study Business Administration. In addition to her basketball duties at Coventry, Bella also is involved with Key Club and Safety City.

Bella enjoys attending Coventry, and has made a lot of friends in part because of the close-knit community and the welcoming atmosphere.

This week, our 1590 WAKR Male Student Athlete of the Week is Jonathan King, a junior basketball player from Buchtel CLC.

Jonathan says he got into the sport at a young age and he’s grown to love the game.

“I always liked basketball since I was little,” he said.

He enjoys the tradition of playing at Buchtel, and he enjoys the competition aspect of the game.

“When teams play Buchtel, they play their best, “ he said. “They always go hard when they play against us.”

Jonathan has a 3.6 GPA and lists Akron’s own LeBron James as his his favorite NBA player.

We at 1590 WAKR wish Jonathan the best in all of his future endeavors.

Lauren Lucas from Norton High School is the female Student Athlete of the Week for February 2nd-9th.

Lauren is a senior at Norton, and is a member of the Panther basketball team. Brian Miller’s girls are having a terrific season, going on a terror in their conference, and Lauren is a key player for Norton.

However, it has not been all smiles for Lauren, as she spent much of 2017 rehabbing from an ACL injury. That injury also affected her time on the softball field, as she is the catcher for the Panthers. In fact, Lauren says she enjoys basketball, but her passion is softball.

After high school, Lauren won’t stray too far from home, as she will head to the University of Akron. Thanks to her preparation at Norton, she looks to major in special education. "The teachers and staff are great,” she says of Norton High School. “They prepare us to look ahead.”

However, because of her injury, she does not plan to pursue softball in college.

A lifer in Norton, Lauren has enjoyed her time in the school district. "We’re like a big family, and we all support each other.”

When she is not on the court or the diamond, Lauren has her hands full around the school. She is a member of student council, the pep club, peer mentoring, and a part of the prom committee.

Connor Kerr of Mogadore High School is this week's 1590 WAKR Male Student Athlete of the Week.

Connor is a soft-spoken junior who lets his play do the talking on the court, as he along with his teammates have the Wildcats 8-0 in PTC play.

“It's all about hard work," says Connor on playing sports for Mogadore. He has definitely put in that work as a member of the basketball team, as well as the track and football teams. Connor has been a two-year letter winner in both sports and a one-year letter winner in basketball.

​Connor also puts in that same workmen like mentality ​into his studies. He plans on studying Computer Engineering and hopes to attend the University of Akron.

This week, our 1590 WAKR Male Student Athlete of the Week is Matt Waskey, a junior bowler from East CLC.

Matt says it was family that got him into the sport of bowling and gave him the foundation to enjoy the sport in high school.

“My father got me into it at a young age,” Waskey said. “I started bowling at the elementary school level and it was a fun program to get into.”

A captain on the bowling team,Matt says he enjoys working with his coaches and teammates day in and day out, saying the team is like a family.

Waskey is a member of the 3.0 club and a student ambassador at East. In addition to his love of bowling, Matt also enjoys music and is a member of both the Jazz Band and Concert Band.

Matt plays the saxophone, and plans on studying music at either the University of Akron, Kent State University or The Ohio State University upon graduation in 2019.

We here at 1590 WAKR wish Matt the very best in all of his future endeavors.

Tyler Dawson of Springfield High School is this week’s 1590 WAKR Male Student Athlete of the Week.

Tyler is in his senior year at Springfield, and is a key member of the football and basketball teams. H recently knocked down two clutch free throws late to push the Spartans over the Kent Roosevelt Rough Riders, 41-40, and give Springfield their first win of the season.

"Make sure you act like we have been here before,” Tyler told his teammates after the win. “It's the first one, but it wont be the last."

If Tyler isn't on the football field or the court, he is a member of the National Honor Society and CCP.

Tyler plans to continue his education at the University of Akron. He is currently taking classes and looks to study accounting, with the hopes of getting his CBA.

Madison Haywood from Barberton High School is the female 1590 WAKR Student Athlete of the Week for January 19th-26th.

Madison is a swimmer for the Magics, and is currently in her senior season. Though the team is not large, the Magics are competing at their highest level, and Madison is part of the heart and soul.

Though she played other sports such as basketball growing up, Madison fell in love with swimming at a young age. When the local YMCA came to town, she jumped into the pool, and for the last decade, has not looked back.

"I’ve dropped a lot of time this year, and I’ve been placing first, which is really about dropping times and your accomplishments,” says Madison about her senior season.

Some of the events she participates in are the 50 freestyle, the 100 backstroke, and the 200 relay because she enjoys the teamwork.

Madison has won swimming awards in the Suburban League, but she takes great pride in her schoolwork. All four years of high school, she has had a grade point average at or above 3.5.

A Barberton lifer, Madison enjoys her time in the Magic City. "I love it here,” she says. "Obviously, I’ve been here for a long time, so it’s small and we all know each other. And we have a lot of lifelong friends here."

When she is not in the pool, Madison is all over the place in the community. She is a member of the ski club, student council, and National Honor Society, and on the day of this interview, she volunteered her time at the blood drive at Barberton High School. She is also active in her church and has been seen helping out at a local soup kitchen for Thanksgiving.

After high school, Madison plans to head a half hour to the east and attend Kent State University. She says she will hang up her swimsuit in favor of the books, and she is currently undecided on a major, though she is intrigued by Kent’s exploratory program.

This week's 1590 WAKR Student Athlete of the Week is David Heath from St. Vincent-St. Mary High School.

David is a standout wrestler for the Irish, and he is having a spectacular senior season thus far. Wrestling won’t stop for David in high school, as he plans on donning the leotard next year at Brown University.

A solid athlete and just as strong in the classroom, David is a member of the National Honors Society, and is involved in Senior Service at St. V.

The family atmosphere at St. Vincent-St. Mary really appeals to David, and he is appreciative of his teachers and peers.

When he has some free time, David enjoys being around his family and spending time with friends.

Continued success, David, and congratulations!

This week, our 1590 WAKR Female Student Athlete of the Week is Lexi Petit, a junor basketball player for Stow-Munroe Falls High School.

Lexi says that team chemistry is one of her favorite things about playing basketball for coach Bob Podges at Stow, but also a key to success for the Lady Bulldogs on the practice floor and on game nights.

“My teammates are my best friends,” Petit said. “Our whole team dynamic gets along very well, and we're like a huge, big family.”

As of this writing, the Bulldogs are 11-1 on the season.

Lexi is a team captain for the Lady Bulldogs, in addition to being a 3rd year letter-winner, and 2nd team All-Suburban League.

Petit is a two sport athlete playing both basketball and golf. She said one of her memorable moments was setting a school record with 11 assists in one game against Brecksville last week.

In her spare time, Lexi likes to play basketball, spend time with her family, and read.

We here at 1590 WAKR wish Lexi the best in all of her future endeavors.

This week's 1590 WAKR Male Student Athlete of the Week is Isaiah Johnson from Tallmadge High School.

Isaiah is a sophomore and plays wheelchair basketball for both the Blue Devils and the Junior Cavaliers wheelchair basketball team.

Isaiah enjoys attending Tallmadge, and he attributes a lot of his mental toughness to his mother. He says she has helped him overcome adversity, as well as the overall life challenges on a daily basis.

A long-time fan of LeBron James, Isaiah attends as many Cavalier games as he can.

Best of luck to Isaiah and his career at Tallmadge and in the future!

The 1590 WAKR Female Student Athlete of the Week is Lauren Davis, a junior basketball player from CVCA High School.

Lauren says she got into basketball at an early age and how the camaraderie of her coaches and teammates is something special.

“It started in second grade and I played because all of my friends were playing so I decided to join in,” she said.

“I stuck with it because I like the team aspect of it and how we work together for a common goal.”

With the girls and new coach Andy O'Keefe, it's been a positive experience both on and off the court, despite the day to day grind of competing, winning, and losing.

“We're all kind of like a huge family,” Davis said. “We all pick each other up and we work together really well.”

As the team's point guard, she directs the action on the floor and helps put her teammates in position to make plays scoring the basketball.

Lauren says that her team goal is for her teammates including her to get better each and every day on the court.

In her spare time, Lauren says spending time with family is one of her favorite things to do.

We here at 1590 WAKR wish Lauren the best in all of her future endeavors.

This week, the 1590 WAKR Female Student Athlete of the Week is Ashley Forret of Manchester High School.

Ashley is a member of the Panthers basketball team, and will alternate between playing guard and forward on the floor. However, her bread and butter is defense.

"I like to hustle on defense and get rebounds," Ashley says.

Her love of sports is not just sequestered to basketball. During the fall season, Ashley is the water girl for the Manchester football team.

When she is not on the court or football sidelines, Ashley is a member of the Spanish Club, and is also the treasurer of the National Honors Society at Manchester.

After high school, Ashley is looking to stick around the state of Ohio. As of this writing, it is a toss-up between Tiffin University and the University of Cincinnati. No matter which school she chooses, Ashley wants to major in criminal justice.

Wadsworth senior Jordan Earnest is the male 1590 WAKR Student Athlete of the Week for December 22nd-29th.

Jordan is a member of the famed Wadsworth wrestling program, and has his share of accolades to take home. He is a team captain for the Grizzlies, and in his junior year, he was named first-team All-Medina County.

He may not appear to be an intimidating presence in the heavyweight division, but Jordan is more than holding his own against opponents who tip the scales about fifty pounds heavier. Jordan has a solid training method, and though he eats what he pleases, he points to his agility for his success.

first place in North Canton Hoover, coincidentally where he spent his early years

What makes Jordan different from other high school athletes is his focus and passion is on wrestling and wrestling only. “I played football, and that’s how I got into wrestling,” he says. "I played football all the way up to my freshman year, but I just wanted to focus on wrestling, and getting better [at the sport].”

Recently, Jordan took home first place at a tournament at North Canton-Hoover, which just so happens to be the area in which he spent his early years. Since he is not a lifelong resident of Wadsworth, Jordan may have a different perspective on the school than his peers. On Wadsworth, he says he enjoys “the togetherness [of the student body], and how everyone helps each other.

When he is not on the mats, Jordan is studying hard in the classroom, and he is also a student ambassador. He will be making his way to Ohio University in the fall of 2018, and plans on wrestling for the Bobcats.

This week's 1590 WAKR Male Student Athlete of the Week is Garrison Keeslar of Green High School.

Garrison is a shooting guard on the basketball team, and has had a passion for the game since he was quite young. He started shooting hoops back in second grade, and still plays with many of his second grade classmates at this current level.

"Both of my brothers and my parents played basketball, so I was always around it," says Garrison.

When he is not on the court, Garrison is also a member of the Key Club, student council, and The Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Math is his favorite subject in school, and he plans on continuing his studies and find a job in the future where he can lean on his strong skills.