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 April 13-19. 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, April 16. The winners will be announced Friday morning, April 17, 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:
Makenna Bode, Hudson track and field
Set a school record by clearing 12 feet, 5 inches in the pole vault at the Mentor Cardinals Relays.
Caitlyn Carter, Tallmadge softball
Pitched a five-inning no-hitter with 11 strikeouts in a 14-0 win over Barberton.
Hayden Hart, Green softball
Went 3-for-4 with two singles, a double, an RBI and a run in a 7-5 win over Hoban.
Addy Lipply, Ellet softball
Pitched a five-inning one-hitter with 10 strikeouts and contributed a single and three runs in a 12-0 win over Firestone.
Saige Rankin, Manchester softball
Went 2-for-2 with two doubles, four RBIs and four runs in a 23-0 win over Chippewa, and 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBIs and two runs in an 8-2 win over Field.
Gracelyn Schultz, Archbishop Hoban softball
Went 3-for-3 with a triple and two singles, scored two runs and had three RBIs in a 12-0 win over Highland.
Here’s a look at the boys nominees, in alphabetical order:
Harrison Drvenkar, Revere track and field
Set a school record in the long jump by leaping 22 feet, 9½ inches at the Walsh Jesuit John Hasenstab Warrior Relays.
Lincoln Gates, Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy tennis
Won twice at first singles in team victories over St. Vincent-St. Mary (6-1, 6-0) and Kidron Central Christian (6-0, 6-1).
Connor McGough, Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy baseball
Hit a double, walked twice and scored two runs in a 5-0 win over Berea-Midpark, and then had a home run, a single, a walk and four RBIs in an 11-0 win over Copley.
Elijah Myers, Firestone volleyball
Totaled 21 kills, 19 digs, 17 service points and two aces in a three-set win over St. Vincent-St. Mary, and also had 16 kills in a three-set win over Shaker Heights
Jake Szczecinski, Streetsboro baseball
Pitched a three-hitter and went 2-for-4 with a single, a double and three RBIs in an 11-1 win over Ravenna, and also earned a save in a 13-9 win over Ravenna later in the week.
Carson Wilhoit, Stow volleyball
Logged 24 assists and set the state record for career assists in a three-set loss to Hudson.
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 April 13-19? Vote now
Reporting by Richard Stallsmith, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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