With the Stark County OHSAA sports season over for the 2024-25, we’re going to spend the next few weeks looking back at the best of the school year.
Your vote will determine Stark County Best of the School Year for teams, coaches and athletes.
This week: who you think was the best girls high school athlete of 2024-25. Each athlete’s credentials are listed above the poll — which will be live until 5 p.m. July 3. The winner will be announced the following morning on CantonRep.com.
Now, let’s meet the candidates, who were selected by the Repository sports staff.
Here’s a look at the nominees for Stark County Girls Athlete of the Year, in alphabetical order:
Ashley Helle, Jackson
Qualified for state in tennis and helped Jackson’s girls basketball team reach the state’s elite eight for the second straight season. Reached the Division I state tennis tournament in doubles after helping lead Jackson to its first regular-season overall Federal League title since 2016. Went 20-10 in her first year at first singles. Emerged as an elite shooter in girls basketball, scoring 11.2 points per game while leading Stark County in foul shooting (.917) and 3-point shooting (.383) percentage to earn second-team all-county.
Avery Horning, Alliance
Stood out in soccer and wrestling. Earned Division III All-Ohio honors in soccer for the second straight season and was instrumental in Alliance winning its first district title in that sport in 2023. Won championships at the Lady Longhorn and Top Gun tournaments to highlight her wrestling season.
Abby LaPole, Jackson
Starred in both wheelchair basketball and track and field. Won her second straight girls seated shot put state title with a meet-record throw of 19-11 last month. Set an all-time state record with a throw of 20-10.5 earlier this past season. Led Jackson to a state runner-up finish in wheelchair basketball, averaging 16 points per game, including a 19-point performance in a state semifinal win over GlenOak.
Kyleigh Lippincott, Minerva
Earned Stark County High School Girls Athlete of the Week in each season this past school year as a standout in soccer, basketball and track. Set a Minerva single-game record by scoring seven goals in a match last fall. Made her first Division II state meet appearance in track in the 400 and as a member of Minerva’s 1,600 relay, while being a three-time regional qualifier in the 100 and 200.
Peyton Nicholson, Sandy Valley
Excelled as a three-sport star in softball, basketball and cross country. Earned first-team all-county honors in softball, where she hit .419 with 46 runs and 21 steals. Earned second-team all-county in basketball, as well as first-team All-IVC South and special mention All-Ohio after averaging 14.1 points and 5.5 assists per game. Helped the Cardinals advance to state in cross country, earning second-team all-county honors.
Daniela Scheffler, Lake
Selected the Greater Akron-Canton Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year and Cross Country Runner of the Year on her way to being name the overall Girls Athlete of the Year. Won a Division I state championship in cross country last fall. Won a Division I state title in the 3,200 meters in 10:21.82 last month. Finished as the state runner-up in the 1,600. Ran an all-time county-record 10:13.82 in the 3,200 earlier in the season.
Sydney Stepanovich, GlenOak
Earned first-team All-Stark County in volleyball and track this past school year. Emerged as the county’s top girls sprinter in track. Ran county-best times of 11.84 in the 100, 24.80 in the 200 and 57.03 in the 400. Won Federal League championships in the 100 and 400 and district titles in the 100 and 200.
A look at the Best of 2024-25 Stark County High School winners
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Vote for the 2024-25 Stark County High School Girls Athlete of the Year
Reporting by Chris Beaven, Canton Repository / The Repository
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