It’s time to take a look at the standout high school performers from the Akron area last week.
Your vote will determine who will be the Akron-Area High School Athlete of the Week for May 25-31. 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, June 4. The winners will be announced Friday morning, June 5, on BeaconJournal.com.
Now, let’s meet the candidates, who were selected by the Beacon Journal sports staff based on results submitted to the Beacon Journal and nominations from coaches and athletic directors.
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Here’s a look at the girls nominees, in alphabetical order:
Tali Bartholomew, Mogadore softball
Struck out 12 and allowed just two earned runs in a 6-4 win over Columbia in a Division VI regional semifinal.
Katie Lippencott, Walsh Jesuit softball
Earned two Division regional victories, pitching a no-hitter with 10 strikeouts in a 12-0 semifinal win over Perry and a four-hitter with five strikeouts in a 6-2 final win over Amherst Steele. She is 14-1 this season and hasn’t lost a game in Ohio.
Miniya Mitchell, Buchtel track and field
Won 400 meters (57.33), placed second in 200 (25.2) and anchored the winning 800 relay (1:40.72 — the fastest time in Ohio this year) at the Division III regional meet in Austintown.
Nicole Smith, Twinsburg track and field
Won the 300 hurdles (44.02) and anchored the winning 1,600 relay (3:54.13) at Division II regional meet in North Royalton.
Elli Weigand, Hoban softball
Went 3-for-3 with a triple and three RBIs in a 5-4 comeback win over Revere in a Division III regional semifinal.
Brooklyn Wood, Green softball
Led off the top of the 11th inning with a home run off ace Jocelyn Scarbury — who struck out 22 and allowed just four hits — for the game-winning run in a 3-1 victory over Mount Vernon in a Division II regional semifinal.
Here’s a look at the boys nominees, in alphabetical order:
Jackson Battaglia, Hudson volleyball
Had 21 assists, four digs and three assists in a three-set loss to Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller in the Division I state final after compiling 34 assists in a three-set win over Olentangy Berlin in the semifinals.
Anthony Bontempo, Tallmadge track and field
Cleared 6 feet, 8 inches to win the high jump at the Division II regional meet in North Royalton.
Trey Carter, Ellet track and field
Won the 100 meters (10.74), was second in 200 (21.47) and eighth in long jump (21-8¾) at the Division II regional meet in North Royalton.
Finn Keenan, Revere tennis
Placed third in singles at the Division I state tournament in Mason. He won his first-round match 6-1, 6-1 and his second-round match 6-2, 6-2, lost 6-1, 6-3 in the semifinals and then won 6-2, 6-2 in the third-place match.
Ben LeBay, Woodridge track and field
Won the 800 meters (1:56.23) and was second in the 1,600 (4:18.05) at the Division III regional meet in Austintown.
Nate Sparhawk, St. Vincent-St. Mary volleyball
Had 14 kills, three assists, three digs and two service aces — including the game-winning point in the third game — in a three-set win over Independence in a Division II state semifinal.
A look at the 2025-26 Akron-Area High School Athlete of the Week winners
Editor’s note: Winners of the Akron-Area Athlete of the Week in the spring are not eligible to win it again until the fall sports season begins. Coaches and athletic directors: Submit nominees for Akron-Area High School Athlete of the Week at bjsports@thebeaconjournal.com
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Who are the Akron-Area High School Athletes of the Week for May 25-31? Vote now
Reporting by Richard Stallsmith, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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