Editor’s Note: This is the fourth installment of a series.
CRESTLINE – Let’s take a look at the Bulldogs this week!
If there’s a name you don’t see, stay tuned because they just might be featured next week.
Kody Lawhorn, junior
Stepping into the limelight as a sophomore under center for a Bulldogs team with everything to prove, Lawhorn was electric throughout the season (1,096 yards, 11 touchdowns) helping guide them to their best record since 2017 and first postseason appearance in 19 years. Week 1 notably saw a 29-game losing streak come to an end before the momentum started rolling. He carried that momentum into the winter where he was a bright spot for the Bulldogs earning honorable mention All-Ohio after averaging 14.4 points per game. In the springtime he was a distance runner for the track program, competing the half-mile and mile at districts. With two years to go, Lawhorn is trending in the same direction as the athletics programs at Crestline — upward.
Quentin Kapp, junior
Operating primarily as the third back in the rushing game, Kapp logged 15 carries for 122 yards and a touchdown. He was a key starter in the middle of the defense for the Bulldogs, who halved the number of points allowed from the previous year. He was a staple on the varsity basketball team before moving to the spring where he got to truly shine. Coming off a stellar freshman year, Kapp got even better on the diamond carrying a .394 average with 28 hits, 12 doubles, one home run, 22 runs, 13 RBIs, 16 stolen bases and struck out just six times all season. On the mound he made 13 appearances, throwing 39 innings with a 3.77 ERA and 76 strikeouts being named second team All-Ohio in Division VII by Prep Baseball Report — a much more impartial selection process than the OHSBCA All-Ohio teams.
Kieran Barnett, senior
One of multiple options in the passing game, Barnett caught seven passes for 133 yards and two touchdowns to help the football team to heights it hadn’t seen in many years. Basketball saw him be part of a one-two punch with Lawhorn on the court as the team’s top scorers. Entering his final year, Barnett will look to go out strong.
Kori Nechovski, senior
Featuring in 48 of the team’s 61 sets played, Nechovski had 31 kills, 12 aces, 63 digs and 108 receptions for the Bulldogs as they won five games, two of which in conference play. During basketball season she was the team’s second leading scorer, averaging 4.9 points. The Bulldogs will return everyone on the court this winter. Keep an eye out for her name a lot this fall and winter for two teams that should take a big step forward.
Nevaeh Hill, junior
A four-sport athlete who opened sophomore year by guiding the Bulldogs to their first ever cross country conference title, placing fifth at the Mid-Buckeye Conference championships and earning first team all-league. She balanced that with volleyball, featuring in 28 sets and contributing 18 assists. The winter saw her focus on indoor track and she qualified for the OATCCC indoor state meet in the two-mile where she placed 12th. In the springtime she earned all-league honors in the 4×800 and all-district honors in the 3200. This summer she ran in the Shelby 5K, placing second in her age group. The sky is the limit for Hill!
Colten Keller, junior
What a spring Keller had as a sophomore! He took runner-up honors in the half-mile and mile at the County Meet and carried that momentum into the Mid-Buckeye Conference meet, sweeping all three distance races for track MVP honors. He really hit his stride when the postseason rolled around by shattering the school record in the mile by seven seconds and qualifying for regionals in that and the half-mile. At regionals he became the first Bulldog to break two minutes in the half-mile, but saw his season end there. Having already seen what he has done as a sophomore, it’s crazy to think what his potential might be.
Laura Quail, senior
A standout bowler for the Bulldogs, Quail rolled a 438 at sectionals to nab an individual qualifying spot for districts and went on to place 37th with a 461. Entering her final year with the team, she could be one that makes a deep run in the postseason.
Brett Cheney, senior
A staple on the offensive and defensive line for the Bulldogs the last few years, Cheney returns as one of the veteran leaders on the gridiron for coach Hastings Robinette as they look to string together another stellar season. He then was the big man on the court for the Bulldogs, utilizing his size and strength in the paint and earning honorable mention all-league and all-district. Expect big things out of the Bulldogs big man this year.
Adam Burton, senior
A three-sport athlete for the Bulldogs, baseball is where Burton got to shine, batting .255 with 14 hits, 13 runs, eight RBIs and six stolen bases as the team’s catcher. There’s a lot of talent returning in the dugout for the Bulldogs this coming fall and having a reliable body behind home plate is an immediate advantage.
Bridget Belcik, junior
In the fall she was second on the volleyball team with 36 kills, eight assists, three blocks, 18 digs and 103 receptions before heading into the winter as a rotational player on the basketball court. She appeared in 14 games and averaged 2.6 points per game. In the spring she was crowned Crawford County champion in the discus with a throw of 89-06 and was third in shot put. Still two years to go and a lot of room still to grow, Belcik should play a pivotal role in the success of multiple teams.
Honorable Mentions
Brysen Winemiller, Brayden Winemiller (sr.) are twins who have been part of the athletics teams since they were freshman and look to go out in their final year with a bang … Ky Taylor, Jayden Lozier (jr.) are two talented juniors on the football team, they bring athleticism and experience … Addison Hill (jr.) is the twin of Nevaeh Hill and an equally impressive runner, she was huge in guiding cross country to a league title; also was the setter for volleyball … Addysen Giesige (jr.) was the defensive specialist on the volleyball court and sprinter in the spring … Addisyn Lavene, Kylie Kelly (jr.) are a pair of reliable bats in the spring who will bring experience back to the diamond … Natalie Guiler (sr.) is another standout bowler who just missed districts last year … Crew Gaskill, Dawson Hefner (jr.) are a pair of talented athletes on the diamond both capable of hitting and pitching … Weston Clark (jr.) is a dynamic three-sport athlete who transferred back to his home school after two years at Galion, he has the potential to contribute immediately in football, basketball, and baseball.
zholden@gannett.com | 419-617-6018 | Twitter/X: @Zachary_Holden
This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Crawford 100 : Crestline athletics are small, but mighty
Reporting by Zachary Holden, Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum / Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
