Cam Blair of Sandy Valley and Leena Patibandla of Jackson were named Male and Female Athletes of the Year at Wednesday night’s Stark County High School Sports Awards.
Blair rewrote the county’s football achievement records, won Ohio wrestling honors and played baseball in Sandy Valley.
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In football, Blair ended his career number one in the county with 9,181 passing yards and 116 touchdown passes. He helped the Cardinals reach the third round of the playoffs for the first time in school history last fall when he scored 41 touchdowns. He will continue his athletic career with a football scholarship to Ashland University.
Blair finished third in Division III at 195 pounds at this year’s state wrestling tournament. The state double qualifier also helped Sandy Valley reach the quarterfinals of the state duel tournament.
In baseball, Blair has ranked among the county’s offensive leaders on average, walks and runs and pitching leaders in the ERA and strikeouts.
Patibandla is also a three sports athlete in Jackson. In her sophomore year, she helped lead the Polar Bear volleyball team to a Division I district championship and a place in the regional finals. In basketball, she placed fourth in the county in assists while also ranking among the top rebounders in the county.
In the spring, Patibandla’s success continued in athletics. She won Federal League titles in the high jump and the discus, while placing fourth in the long jump. She qualified for the Division I state competition in the high jump and discus, winning All-Ohio honors in both. She finished second in the regional high jump and discus after winning district titles in both events.
Here’s a look at this year’s top winners and players of the year in each sport. A replay of the awards ceremony is available online at https://sportsawards.usatoday.com/starkcounty/.
Stark County High School Sports Awards
Football Player of the Year: Joshua Lemon, Perry
Volleyball Player of the Year: Aly Stanislawski, Jackson
Female Tennis Player of the Year: Tess Bucher, Hoover
Male Cross Country Rider of the Year: Nathan Moore, Lake
Female Cross Country Runner of the Year: Alex Bauer, Lake
Male Golf Player of the Year: Kyle Freudeman, Central Catholic
Female Golf Player of the Year: Avery Wright, Jackson
Male Soccer Player of the Year: Evan Wilson, Jackson
Female Soccer Player of the Year: Caitlin Bruni, Jackson
Male Basketball Player of the Year: Kobe Johnson, McKinley
Female Basketball Player of the Year: Nakyah Terrell, McKinley
Bowler of the Year: Chase Barstow, Louisville
Bowler of the Year: Brooke Tucker, McKinley
Gymnast of the year: Kiara Hockman, Jackson
Swimming and diving athlete of the year: Karl Helmuth, Hoover
Female Swimming and Diving Athlete of the Year: Reagan St. Clair, Hoover
Wrestler of the Year: Davin Rhoads, Louisville
Male Track and Field Athlete of the Year: Luke Laubacher, Perry
Female Athlete of the Year in Track and Field: Alex Bauer, Lake
Baseball Player of the Year: Eric Baum, Central Catholic.
Female Lacrosse Player of the Year: Allie Hartnett, Jackson
Male Lacrosse Player of the Year: Drew Robinson, Hoover
Softball Player of the Year: Missy Holzopfel, Perry
Male Tennis Player of the Year: Alvin Altman, Jackson
Special prices
Male Athlete of the Year: Cameron Blair, Sandy Valley Football, Wrestling, Baseball
Female Athlete of the Year: Leena Patibandla, Jackson volleyball, basketball, track and field
Coach of the Year: Rick Morrison, Hoover Swimming and Diving
Team of the Year: Boys from the Eastern Township
Excellence in Action Award: Mary Mason, Marlington
Courage Award: Davin Rhoads, Louisville
I am the sport award: Sarianne Baum, Marlington
Best Group Fan Award: Vacuum
