It’s time to take a look at the standout high school performers from Stark County for the past week.
Your vote will determine who will be the Stark County High School Athlete of the Week for May 18-24. 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 CantonRep.com.
Now, let’s meet the candidates, who were selected by the Repository sports staff based on results submitted to the Rep.
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Here’s a look at the girls nominees for Stark County Athlete of the Week, in alphabetical order:
Kendall Adams, Jackson softball
Hit a walk-off grand slam on a 3-2 pitch with two outs to cap an eight-run seventh inning in a 14-11 win over Medina in a Division I district final.
Irelyn Johnson, Marlington track and field
Won the 1,600 (5:05.87) and 3,200 (10:44.15) at the Austintown Division III district meet and helped lead Marlington’s 3,200 relay to a runner-up finish.
Kariyas Kauffman, Tuslaw softball
Delivered a two-strike, RBI single in the bottom of the seventh for a 3-2 walk-off win over Manchester in the Division V, Northeast 4 district final in addition to a two-run double earlier in the game.
Kylah Meyer, Louisville track and field
Won the 1,600 (5:05.81) and 3,200 (10:58.70) at the Austintown Division III district meet and also helped lead Louisville’s 3,200 relay to a win.
Katelynn Miller, Louisville softball
Struck out 16 in a one-hitter in a 7-0 win over Medina Buckeye in the district finals, throwing 82 strikes among her 111 pitches.
Ariana Nelson, St. Thomas Aquinas softball
Drove in five runs on two singles, one double and one triple in addition to stealing a base and scoring four runs in a win over Steubenville Catholic Central.
Kim Otte, North Canton Hoover lacrosse
Scored six goals in a 20-7 win over St. Joseph Academy to win the Division I Region 2 district title after totaling five goals and two assists in a 20-2 win over Mentor in the semifinals.
Kaitlin Twinem, Louisville softball
Hit a grand slam in a 7-0 win over Medina Buckeye in the district finals after going 3-for-4 with a double, a triple, four RBIs and a run in a 6-1 in over STVM in the semis.
Here’s a look at the boys nominees for Stark County Athlete of the Week, in alphabetical order:
Brice Fuller, Fairless track and field
Won the 1,600 (4:17.70) and 3,200 (9:23.64) and ran on Fairless’ winning 3,200 relay to help lead the Falcons to the team title at the Newcomerstown Division IV district meet.
Rowen Hoffee, Minerva track and field
Won the 800 (2:00.70) and 1,600 (4:24.13), ran on Minerva’s winning 3,200 relay and helped the 1,600 relay to a runner-up finish at the St. Clairsville Division III district meet, leading the Lions to the team title.
Gavin McCune, Canton Central Catholic baseball
Struck out 17 batters during a complete game in a 6-2 win over Coventry to win a Division IV sectional title, as he allowed two runs on five hits while walking one.
Aaron Mitchell, Lake baseball
Hit three home runs in a win over Massillon (off three different pitchers), giving him five homers for the season, before going 3-for-5 with a double and triple in a loss to Green.
Mikey Ritterbeck, Fairless baseball
Pitched a complete-game, three-hit shutout in a 3-0 win over Garway, as 14th-seed Fairless upset No. 4 Garaway to win its first sectional title since 2004, as Ritterbeck struck out six and walked none, while also adding an RBI on offense.
Rocco Stefanick, East Canton track and field
Helped lead the Hornets to the team title at the New Middletown Division V district meet, winning the 800 (2:02.99) and running on the winning 3,200 relay.
Tommy Strain, GlenOak baseball
Pitched a shutout in a rout of Boardman, striking out four and allowing just four hits, while also going 3-for-4 with two RBIs at the plate.
Jack Streb, North Canton Hoover track and field
Won the 800 (1:55.54) and helped lead Hoover’s 3,200 relay to a win and the 1,600 relay to a runner-up finish at the Austintown Division II district meet.
A look at the 2025-26 Stark County High School Athlete of the Week winners
The Canton Repository sports department can be contacted via email at sports@cantonrep.com.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Vote for the Stark County High School Athlete of the Week for May 18-24
Reporting by Chris Beaven, Canton Repository / The Repository
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