Elise Champagne
Columbia>>Girls basketball
Senior>>Point guard
On the court: Champagne, who will play basketball at Baldwin Wallace next year, recorded back-to-back double-doubles and was an assist shy of a triple-double against Northwestern on Dec. 16
Off the court: Nicknamed ‘E’, Champagne enjoys lifting and spending time with her family outside of basketball. Her favorite food is Thai, favorite movie “The Batman” and favorite music artist is Sza.
Alex Downing
Avon>>Girls Swimming and Diving
Senior
In the pool: Won several events at the Dec. 16 Northwest Classic, including the 50-plus in the 200 freestyle to tie the school record (1:54.39), the 100 freestyle breaking the school record (51.81), and 200 free relay. She finished second in one other event.
Out of the pool: Committed to San Diego State University, Downing’s favorite sports memory is winning the district championship with the Avon team last year. Her favorite school subject is AP psychology, where she might be chowing down on some sushi while studying. Her favorite movie is the “Hunger Games,” her favorite show is “Stranger Things,” and favorite sports team is Ohio State football.
Kristen Kelley
Amherst>>Girls Basketball
Senior>>Guard
On the court: The future Merrimack College hoops player averaged 23 points per game, 10 rebounds per game and 2.5 assists per contest in a loss to North Ridgeville (24-8-1) and a win over Midview (22-12-4).
Off the court: Nicknamed “KKelley10,” Kelley’s favorite sports memory is beating Avon in overtime this year on a half-court shot by Natalie Pleban. She loves to lift in her free time and Coach Reichert’s gym class is the course she enjoys the most. Her favorite food is tacos, which might be her go-to move when watching a movie like “Gnomeo and Juliet” or the TV show “Survivor.” Kelley’s favorite music comes from Frank Ocean and her favorite sports team is the Savannah Bananas.
Chris Egger
Avon>>Boys bowling
Senior
On the alley: Egger led Avon to its highest score of the season, contributing to a 2,418 performance against a tough competitor in Amherst. Egger had games of 203 and 267 (470 series) in a narrow defeat.
Off the alley: Nicknamed “Chrimph.” Egger hopes to attend either Alabama or Florida State, where he would like to continue bowling. In Egger’s own words, “One of my favorite sports memories was when I bowled 299. Being so close to a perfect game was really cool. I also play varsity baseball. My favorite food is cheeseburgers. Favorite movie is Shutter island. Some of my favorite artists are Rex Orange County, Bruno Mars, Jordan Ward, and Adele. My favorite sports teams are the Browns, Cavaliers and the Guardians.”
Brooklyn Barber
Keystone>>Girls Basketball
Junior>>Shooting guard
On the court: In victories over Oberlin and Lakewood, respectively, Barber was the game-leading scorer against the Phoenix with 20 points, three rebounds and two assists, going 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. Against the Rangers of Lakewood, Barber chipped in a team-high 15 points with four boards and four steals.
Off the court: Nicknamed “Brookie,” Barber’s favorite sports memories are the back-to-back LC8 conference title Keystone won her first two years. One of her hobbies is bird watching and she says her unique talent is slow-motion walking. Barber’s favorite food is cottage cheese and her go-to gameday song is “Hello” by Adele. Her favorite player is Caitlin Clark.
Margaret Dicken
North Olmsted>>Girls swimming and diving
Junior
In the pool: On Dec. 16, Dicken competed in the Northwest Ohio Classic in Fremont and Bowling Green. In the prelims, she dropped 15.36 seconds off her lifetime best time in the 500 free. This qualified her for the A Final in Bowling Green, where she finished ninth.
Out of the pool: Going by the nickname “Maggie,” in Dicken’s own words; “My favorite memory is getting to meet all of my friends I have from swimming. They are probably one of the best parts about swimming. I do archery, and love art and physics. My favorite food is sushi. My favorite show is New Girl. I also swim for the CLE club swim team.”
Gabrielle Burz
North Ridgeville>>Girls Bowling
Freshman
On the alley: The young bowler shot a 296 series Dec. 11 and posted a 288 Dec. 13 for 41 pins above average for the week.
Off the alley: Nicknamed “Gabby,” Burz was excited to make the bowling team and run track this year. She is a proud member of the marching band’s Rangerette dance team. Her favorite foods are pizzas and tacos. Burz likes Marvel movies and also happens to be a Girl Scout.
Thomas Ngure
Vermilion>>Boys basketball
Senior>>Shooting guard
On the court: In a 64-60 double overtime win over Edison, Ngure led the Sailors with 16 points, six rebounds and two assists. The senior sank 11 of his 16 in the fourth quarter and both overtimes to seal the win after early foul trouble kept him off the court for a long stretch.
Off the court: Ngure’s post-high school plans include continuing to play basketball at a community college. His favorite sports moment was when he was informed he made the seventh-grade basketball team. Ngure’s favorite music artist is Drake and “I like all kinds of artists. Basketball has been my favorite hobby/sport since I was 6, and I enjoy being able to play every day. My favorite sports team is the Cleveland Cavaliers and my favorite player is Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies.”
