The 2024-25 Greater Akron-Canton High School Sports Awards were on Friday night at the John S. Knight Center. The show was produced with the support of Meijer.

More than 300 athletes from the area were honored, including Players of the Year in 29 sports and the area’s overall winners for boys athlete of the year, girls athlete of the year, boys coach of the year, girls coach of the year, boys team of the year, girls team of the year, courage award, lifetime achievement award and USA TODAY Studio IX Trailblazer Award.

Cleveland Browns Hall of Fame offensive tackle Joe Thomas was the guest speaker.

Here’s a list of all the winners:

Boys Athlete of the Year, Presented by Meijer – Conner Hunt, Garrettsville Garfield

Conner is a US Paralympics Track and Field High School All-American who is 9-for-9 in winning state track seated races. He swept state championships in the 100, 400 and 800 meters earlier this month, the third straight year he’s done that. He owns the state record in the 400. Conner also plays basketball with Adaptive Sports Ohio.

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Girls Athlete of the Year, Presented by Meijer – Daniela Scheffler, Lake

Daniela ended her high school running career in both cross country and track by winning her final race at the state championship meet. She won the Division I cross country state title last fall and followed that by winning the Division I 3,200 meters state championship earlier this month. Daniela also was the Division I state runner-up in the 1,600 at the state track meet this month. The North Carolina State recruit is Stark County’s all-time record holder in the 3,200 meters, a high school All-American in cross country and a two-time gymnastics team captain at Lake. She was the Gatorade Ohio Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year last fall after winning all 9 of her races, giving her 16 cross country wins the last 2 seasons.

USA TODAY Studio IX Trailblazer – Joey Arrietta

Joey Arrietta has made an impact on women’s sports and the community for more than five decades. She is largely known for her success as the University of Akron women’s softball coach and then as the founder and former general manager of the Akron Racers, the first Midwest franchise to play in the Women’s Pro Softball League. And her numerous philanthropic efforts include her work with her Joey Arrietta Foundation, as well as Racers Charities. She was the head coach of the Akron Zips women’s softball team from 1978-89. She won a school-record 384 games during that time, as her teams won nearly 72% of their games. She coached the Zips to consecutive NCAA Division II national runner-up finishes in 1984 and 1985, routinely defeating Division I programs in that time, including Ohio State. And she did it with players almost entirely from the Greater Akron area. Her work with the Zips resulted in her 2002 induction into the University of Akron’s Sports Hall of Fame. By the late 1990s, her focus was on pro softball in Akron and the Racers, who won a championship in 2005 and made historic Firestone Stadium one of the sport’s showcase stadiums. She remains active in charitable work and does Community Outreach for Stewart’s Caring Place Cancer Wellness Centers.

Lifetime Achievement Award – Doug Miller, Central Catholic/East Canton

Miller retired as the winningest high school baseball coach in Stark County history, and one of the most successful in Ohio history, last year. He was a head baseball coach for 42 seasons — the first 35 at Central Catholic and the last seven at East Canton. He compiled a lifetime record OF 790-355, winning 3 state championships. His teams also won 6 regional titles and 13 district titles. He ranks 3rd all-time in Ohio, at the time of his retirement, with 790 wins. Coach Miller was inducted into the Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2006 and the National High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2023. But he was more than a baseball coach. He coached the Central Catholic girls basketball team throughout the 1980s, finishing as a state runner-up in 1981. He was the boys coach throughout the 1990s, stepping aside in 2002 after 13 seasons. He also spent 17 years as an assistant football coach for another Central Catholic legend, Lowell Klinefelter, helping the Crusaders win a state title in that sport. All the while, he taught world history, sociology and health/physical education before later becoming assistant athletic director and then head AD. A 1970 Canton Lincoln High School graduate, Coach Miller said last year he didn’t begin his coaching journey with state titles and halls of fame in mind. “I thought I could make an impact on (kids). That was my total reasoning for staying in education, teaching, coaching and athletic administration for all of these years.” Jeff Lindesmith, who coached alongside Coach Miller for many years, said last year “His legacy to me is he was always there for the kids. He always was there to bring the best out of the kids and make them good adults. He was excited for their success, and he built them back up when things didn’t go their way. He was always true that way. That’s a fabulous attribute to be known for.” And Coach Miller continues to add to his legacy, as he couldn’t stay retired for too long. Now 73, he spent this past season working as an assistant baseball coach at Muskingum University, helping out one of his former Central Catholic players. “This is an extraordinary person,” said Kevin Finefrock, the superintendent of Osnaburg Local Schools who starred in basketball for Coach Miller at Central. “For me personally, he was like this positive voice that just believed in me so much, so much more than I could ever believe in myself at that age. It was really one of the greatest lessons of life, of how powerful that is when someone truly believes in you that much and what special things can happen.”

Courage Award – Olivia Pfahler, Manchester

Olivia Pfahler faced long odds to play soccer at Manchester High School. She was born with a femeral deficiency, meaning everything from her pelvic bone down on the left side is underdeveloped. Olivia does not have an ACL in her left knee. She also does not have all the bones in her left foot and ankle. Starting as an infant, she used braces on her leg. And at one point in elementary school, she spent 12 months in a body cast. In all, Olivia went through 14 total surgeries on her leg. Despite that, she remained determined to play soccer. She played at the youth level and dreamed of playing in high school for the Panthers. Her final surgery, on her tibia, forced her to miss her entire freshman year of playing soccer. She returned to soccer the next year and played for the Panthers. She was on their state semifinalist team her junior season. By her senior season, Olivia was a team captain and selected team MVP. She finished her Manchester career with two goals. In nominating her, Manchester Athletics Director Brody Jackson wrote, “Olivia has a heart of gold and always has a smile on her face. … Courage is going through everything she has gone through and coming out of it with as much confidence as she has. … She can light up a room as soon as she enters, and will be sorely missed when she graduates from Manchester.”

Boys Team of the Year – Louisville basketball

The Leopards won their first state championship, winning the Division III title. Louisville went 24-5 this season, playing one of the state’s most challenging schedules. The Leopards went 3-0 during the season against reigning Ohio state champs, including the Division I and Division II winners. Louisville did it with a roster featuring eight seniors. Those seniors were a part of 86 wins the last four seasons.

Girls Team of the Year – Minerva cross country

The Lions won their second straight Division II state championship last November and their third team title in four years. Minerva seniors Katie and Hannah Ison and Kayla and Annabelle Crissman ran on all three of the state championship teams. Minerva entered the postseason as the No. 1-ranked team in the state.

Boys Coach of the Year – Tom Siegfried, Louisville

Coach Siegfried guided Louisville to the school’s first boys basketball state championship this past season, as the Leopards won the Division III title. The Leopards won a school-record 24 games. The winningest basketball coach in Louisville history, Coach Siegfried retired following the season with a career record of 270-155 and a run of 12 straight winning seasons. His program developed the last four Canton Repository Stark County Players of the Year and he coached the top five scorers in Louisville history.

Girls Coach of the Year – Olivia Scott, Minerva

Coach Scott has built a cross country dynasty at Minerva in her six seasons as head coach. She guided the Lions to their second straight state championship in Division II last fall and third in the last four years. Minerva High School had never won a team sport state championship before Scott’s cross country program delivered three the last four years.

Baseball, Presented by the Akron Rubber Ducks – Matthew Mansbery, Walsh Jesuit

Matthew entered the postseason hitting .476 with an .875 slugging percentage. The junior shortstop had made just two errors defensively while taking part in eight double plays. Through 19 games, 14 of his 30 hits had been for extra bases, including eight doubles and three home runs. He’d scored 15 runs and struck out just three times in 71 plate appearances. Matthew is a Michigan commit who helped Walsh reach the state tournament.

Softball, Presented by the Akron Rubber Ducks – Olivia Brown, Lake

Olivia hit .609 this season with 44 runs and 27 steals. She had 56 hits in 92 at-bats. Over the last three seasons, the senior totaled 147 hits and 60 steals, hitting .533 since her sophomore year. She helped Lake to a 20-win season and a share of the Federal League title this season. Olivia is a University of Akron softball recruit.

Boys Basketball, Presented by The Middlefield Banking Company – Brayden Gross, Louisville

Brayden is a first-team Division III All-Ohio pick after leading the Leopards to their first state championship in program history. He averaged team highs of 18 points and 9 rebounds to lead Louisville to a 24-5 record. The Walsh University recruit was the Division III Northeast Inland District Player of the Year and Repository Stark County Player of the Year. Brayden ranks third in Louisville history with 1,167 career points.

Girls Basketball, Presented by The Middlefield Banking Company – Naomi Benson, Streetsboro

Naomi was selected as the Ohio Division IV Player of the Year by the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association after averaging a double-double of 19.1 points and 11.4 rebounds. An Illinois recruit, she led the Rockets to a second consecutive district title and regional final appearance, the program’s first two district championships. Naomi finished her career with more than 1,600 points and more than 1,200 rebounds.

Football (Offense) – Keller Moten, Walsh Jesuit

Moten led Walsh to its first undefeated regular season since 1998, earning first-team All-Ohio in Division II. Keller was a finalist for Ohio’s Mr. Football Award. His coach said Keller has “an exceptional blend of athleticism, football IQ, and leadership.” His coach added, “He is the absolute best competitor/leader I have ever been around. He has the ‘It’ factor. We do not go undefeated without him.”

Football (Defense) – Eli Lee, Archbishop Hoban

Eli was the Ohio Defensive Player of the Year last fall and the Greater Akron Defensive Player of the Year. The Ohio State recruit totaled 122 tackles. He made 23 tackles for loss, 12 sacks and 3 interceptions. He anchored a Hoban defense that limited 11 of its 15 opponents to two touchdowns or less. Eli helped the Knights win their fifth regional title in a row.

Boys Track & Field – Conner Hunt, Garrettsville Garfield

Conner won three seated state titles for the third consecutive year, again sweeping the 100, 400 and 800 meters. He set a state record of 57.47 seconds in winning the 400 and took more than seven seconds off last year’s state championship time to win the 800 in 2:03.18. He faced a strong challenge from Perry’s Christopher Good in the 100 but prevailed.

Girls Track & Field – Daniela Scheffler, Lake

Daniela won the Division I state title in the 3,200 meters earlier this month and was the state runner-up in the 1,600. The North Carolina State recruit swept the distance races throughout the season, including at the district and regional meets. She is Stark County’s all-time record holder in the 3,200 meters, and a three-time All-Ohio performer in that event.

Boys Soccer – Brady Catanzarite, Walsh Jesuit

Brady scored 22 goals to go with 23 assists to earn All-Ohio honors. He helped Walsh finish as the Division II state runner-up. He was the Greater Akron Division II District Player of the Year. He graduates as Walsh’s all-time leader in assists and points. Brady was named an All-American by the United Soccer Coaches Association.

Girls Soccer – Reagan Pentz, Walsh Jesuit

Reagan is Ohio’s Division I state player of the year. She led Walsh to a state runner-up finish a year after winning a state title. The senior is a three-time All-Ohioan and is a Vanderbilt recruit. She scored 15 goals and added 23 assists. Reagan was named an All-American by the United Soccer Coaches Association.

Boys Volleyball – EJ Sopata, Nordonia

EJ was the Division II Region 7 Player of the Year this past spring. He led the Knights to the Division II state tournament and a 20-win season. EJ totaled 446 kills, 131 digs and 69 service aces during the season.

Girls Volleyball – Layne Graffice, Marlington

Layne is a repeat pick as our volleyball player of the year. The two-time All-Ohioan helped lead the Dukes to their second straight state tournament appearance, the only two trips to state in program history. This year, she helped Marlington reach its first state final, as the Dukes finished as the Division IV state runner-up. She was a county and district player of the year for the second straight year. Layne owns Marlington single-season and career records for kills, totaling more than 1,000 kills during her career.

Boys Golf – Chris Pollak, Archbishop Hoban

Chris won the Division I state championship last fall, winning by two shots. His victory led Hoban to its second team championship within the last four seasons. The Florida Southern College recruit finished in the top 16 at the state tournament in each of his three previous trips before his victory this season. He began this postseason by finishing as the sectional runner-up in helping Hoban win a sectional team title.

Girls Golf – Elizabeth Coleman, Highland

Elizabeth finished in a tie as the Division I state runner-up last fall, helping her Hornets finish fourth as a team. The Ball State recruit helped Highland win its fifth straight Suburban League American Conference team title. Elizabeth began the postseason by shooting a high school career-best 4-under-par to win the sectional championship at Fox Den and lead the Hornets to the team title. She added a fourth-place finish in the district tournament.

Boys Tennis – Dylan Wiles, GlenOak

Dylan is a two-time Stark County boys tennis player of the year. The senior went undefeated at first singles in 2025 before teaming up with Jack Slay to compete in doubles in the postseason. They won Division I sectional and district championships before finishing third at the state tournament. Dylan was a three-time state qualifier during his career.

Girls Tennis – Emma Liu, Hudson

Emma qualified for the state tournament in her first year of high school tennis. She won the first singles title in the Suburban League National Conference, leading Hudson to the tournament championship. Emma began her postseason by winning the Division I sectional singles championship before placing third at the district tournament.

Boys Swimming & Diving – George Marshall, St. Vincent-St. Mary

George became the first St. Vincent-St. Mary swimmer to qualify for the state meet and the first to earn All-Ohio status. He finished eighth in the 500-yard freestyle to become a First Team All-Ohioan, and was the lone Greater Akron swimmer to reach the podium at the state meet. He also earned All-Ohio honors in the 200 freestyle.

Girls Swimming & Diving – Sophie Baker, Perry

Sophie finished as the Division I state runner-up in the 50 freestyle, the highest finish ever by a Perry High School swimmer. She later added a third-place finish in the 100 backstroke at the state meet. She won sectional and district championships in each of those events. Sophie will swim in college at St. Bonaventure after qualifying for state all four years at Perry.

Boys Wrestling – Joseph Sanderfer, Perry

Joseph won the state title in Division I at 144 pounds. He finished his season 39-5 and was a two-time state placer. He won the Brecksville Holiday Tournament, Rieman Invitational, Perry Sectional and Hoover District. Joseph also placed fourth in the Ironman at Walsh Jesuit. He is being recruited by North Carolina State and Ohio State.

Girls Wrestling – Abigail Mozden, Alliance

Abigail walked out of Alliance as a state champion and three-time state placer after winning the 135-pound weight class by major decision. The nationally-ranked Mozden finished her senior season 48-2. She won the Lady Longhorn Holiday Tournament, Top Gun, Iron Maiden, United Girls Wrestling Tournament, Findlay District and Avon Lake Sectional. Abigail was the Eastern Buckeye Conference Wrestler of the Year.

Boys Cross Country – Eli Ilg, Jackson

The Butler University recruit won Stark County, Federal League, district and regional championships for the second straight year on his way to a third-place finish at the state meet. Eli also was named Stark County Runner of the Year in Division I for a second straight year. He set a school and meet record in winning the Federal League title. Eli led the Polar Bears to their first Division I state championship as a team a year ago as a junior by finishing as the individual state runner-up.

Girls Cross Countrty – Daniela Scheffler, Lake

Daniela won the Division I state championship last fall after spending the season ranked No. 1 in Ohio and being ranked as high as No. 7 in the nation. The North Carolina State recruit won her third straight Federal League title, winning the race by more than two minutes and beat her own school record by 28 seconds. She also won county, district and regional titles during her dominant senior season. Daniela ended her season by earning a spot at the Nike Cross Country Nationals in Portland, Oregon. She finished 10th to become an All-American.

Boys Lacrosse – Bryce Roach, Hoover

Bryce is a USA Lacrosse All-American defender for the second straight season. The University of Utah recruit is the Northern Ohio Player of the Year and Region 2 Player of the Year. The senior helped the Vikings reach the regional finals this season after helping them make their first OHSAA state tournament appearance last season.

Girls Lacrosse – Mackie Stickler, Hudson

Mackie is a repeat pick as our girls lacrosse player of the year after leading Hudson back to the state semifinals for the third straight year. The senior is an Ohio State recruit. She scored more than 100 goals and won more than 200 draws during her career. Mackie helped Hudson go 21-1 this season.

Boys Bowling – Wade Allen, Coventry

Wade set a school record with his 225.4 season average. He was named the Metro Athletic Conference Bowler of the Year after leading the Comets to a second straight league title. He also helped Coventry finish as the state runner-up in 2024 and return to the state tournament this past season. Wade had top-5 finishes at sectionals and districts before placing 15th at state.

Girls Bowling – Madison Perrine, Green

Madison won a sectional championship on her way to finishing fourth at districts and 17th at the state tournament. She led the Stark County High School Bowling League’s Federal Division with a 204.5 average to earn its player of the year honors.

Girls Gymnast – Mckenna Shane, Walsh Jesuit

Mckenna won the state championship in the uneven parallel bars this past March with a score of 9.525. She finished eighth all-around and also placed 10th in the floor exercise. Mckenna won a district title in the uneven parallel bars to qualify for the state tournament.

Hockey – Josh Ellenberger, Walsh Jesuit

Josh helped lead Walsh Jesuit to a Great Lakes Hockey League title with a perfect 8-0 record. He earned first-team all-league honors as a goalie and was the Great Lakes Hockey League Player of the Year. A second-team All-Ohio pick, Josh recorded 7 shutouts in 31 games this season, saving 93.6 percent of the shots he faced.

Field Hockey – Lexie St. Pierre, Hudson

Lexie is a two-time first-team All-Ohio selection and was named the Northeast Ohio Field Hockey League Player of the Year last fall as a senior. She also was the North Region Player of the Year. She led Hudson to a regional runner-up finish, highlighted by an 11-1 league record. She helped Hudson knock off eventual state champ Thomas Worthington during the regular season. Lexie finished this season with seven goals and six assists.

Best Band Fan Favorite Award, Presented by Magnetic Springs – Fairless

Best Mascot Fan Favorite Award, Presented by Magnetic Springs – ‘Freddie’ the falcon, Fairless

Best Cheerleading Team Fan Favorite Award, Presented by Magnetic Springs – Fairless