Thomas Rossi
Rocky River>>Baseball
Senior>>Pitcher/Outfielder
On the diamond: The uncommitted two-way dynamo earned a win on the mound against Holy Name, firing six innings of three-hit ball with no earned runs, three walks and eight strikeouts. He also had three hits in seven plate appearances with a double, a run, walk, stolen base and two sacrifice flyouts.
Off the diamond: Nicknamed ‘T,’ Rossi’s favorite class is broadcasting. His favorite team is the Guardians and his favorite food is steak and potatoes. He’ll be attending Ohio State University, and he also enjoys hanging out with his friends.
AJ Sidoti
Avon>>Boys Tennis
Junior>>First singles
On the court: Sidoti took first place in the SWC tournament, only losing a total of three games in his bracket. He led his team to its fifth straight SWC title and boasts a 15-2 record.
Off the court: Sidoti’s favorite sports teams are the Browns, Cavs and Guardians. His favorite memories are the bus rides to and from matches and when the team gets food afterward.
Natalie Pleban
Amherst>>Girls Track and Field
Senior>>Jumps, hurdles, sprint relays
On the track: The future Cleveland State track and field athlete set a meet record in long jump April 26 at the Avon Invitational at 16 feet, 10 3/4 inches, and took third place in the high jump. She also scored first-place finishes in both jumping events against Elyria on April 24.
Off the track: Nicknamed “Nazz,” Pleban’s favorite memory was the game-winning half-court buzzer-beater in overtime during the home opener against Avon this winter. She likes art, and math is her favorite subject. She listens to all kinds of music and her favorite food is mac and cheese.
Grace DeWitt
Rocky River>>Girls Lacrosse
Junior>>Midfield
On the field: DeWitt had nine goals, three assists, eight ground balls, eight draw controls and three caused turnovers in wins over Walsh Jesuit, Strongsville and Chagrin Falls. She reached her 100th career goal in the 7-6 win over Walsh. DeWitt is committed to St. Leo’s University in Florida.
Off the field: Nicknamed “Dubbs,” DeWitt says, “My favorite sports memory is my freshman year when we went to the fInal four, and this year I loved our Columbus trip when we played DeSales and senior night. We had a lot of fun. In school, I enjoy Spanish and chemistry due to my great teachers. My favorite food is mac and cheese and my favorite restaurant is Condado. My favorite movies are ‘Mamma Mia,’ ‘Ten Things I Hate About You,’ and ‘How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days.’ Overall, in lacrosse this year, I feel like we have come together as a team well. We all enjoy being around each other.”
Joyce Stallard
Wellington>>Girls track and field
Senior>>Jumps and sprints
On the track: At the Josh Olin Night Invitational on April 26 in Mapleton, The Ashland track and field commit took home gold in the 100 (12.75 seconds) and 200 (26.82), second place in the high jump (4-10) and was third as the anchor for the 4×400 relay.
Off the track: Nicknamed ‘Jojo’, Stallard said her favorite sports memory was earning a district runner-up finish for high jump her sophomore year. Her hobbies include reading, painting and hanging out with friends when she’s not studying her favorite subjects — science and English. She loves butter chicken and chicken tikka masala and her favorite movie is “Coraline.” For television, Stallard likes “Gilmore Girls” and “Bridgerton.” She’s into the Indie Pop and folk music genres.
Severin Kretchmar
Vermilion>>Boys Tennis
Junior>>First singles
On the court: Kretchmar earned the SBC Bay Division’s most outstanding performer award by winning the first singles championship. Kretchmar won, 6-0, 6-0, in the first round, went three sets in the semifinals and won by injury default during the second set, becoming the first Vermilion boys tennis player to win a conference championship since Chaz Hensen in 2012.
Off the court: Nicknamed “Sevie,” Kretchmar’s favorite sports memory “is qualifying for state last year and the feeling of hitting the winner to win that match. It was the best feeling ever. My favorite hobbies are hanging out at the beach with my friends and playing video games.” His favorite subject in school is history, favorite food is steak and mac and cheese, favorite TV show is “The Office” and his favorite movie is “Happy Gilmore.” Kretchmar’s favorite team is the Browns.
Anthony Hutter
Elyria Catholic>>Baseball
Senior>>Outfielder
On the diamond: The Avon resident and Eastern Michigan baseball commit went 9-for-17 at the plate for a .529 batting average, smacking four doubles, notching three RBI, 10 runs scored and three stolen bases, with two three-hit games last week. He also pitched a clean inning with a strikeout.
Off the diamond: Nicknamed “Hutt,” Hutter said his favorite sports memory was swinging on the swing set at Holy Name after beating them. His hobbies outside of baseball are playing basketball and pickleball. His favorite school subject is math and chowing down on Five Guys burgers when studying. For cinema, Hutter said his favorite movie is “Marvel” and on television, “The Simpsons.” Hutter wants to shout out his CYO basketball team, his favorite sports team. For music, the senior listens to Drake or Morgan Wallen.
Lexi Schrader
Firelands>>Softball
Sophomore>>Second baseman
On the diamond: Schrader went 12-for-24 at the plate, with two doubles, a triple and seven RBI. She added six stolen bases as well.
Off the diamond: Among some of Schrader’s favorite memories from softball “would have to be beating Keystone this year, having some huge hits and scoring in a comeback win against Wellington and all the friendships I have made from travel ball over the past eight years. I have spent a lot of summers playing ball and goofing around with kids from other schools. Off the diamond, I love playing volleyball and basketball, working with friends at Krieg’s and playing sand volleyball in the summer. I can’t forget making runs to Crumbl and Starbucks. My favorite softball team is the Oklahoma Sooners.”
