HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

MALE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

PRESENTED BY UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS SPORTS MEDICINE

Male High School Athlete of the Year Award is presented to one male high school athlete who has most distinguished himself through athletic excellence during the past year or athletic season and is in good academic standing.

TYLER HONG

Saint Ignatius, Swimming Tyler Hong is a three-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-American and National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association All-American swimmer. Hong became a Division I State Champion in the 200 M Individual Medley in 2020. USA Swimming named him as one of the Top 100 swimmers in the world under 18 in the 200 IM. He has announced his verbal commitment to the application process at Princeton University and will suit up for the Tigers in the fall of 2021.

JOE LABAS

Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School, Football Joe Labas was named Suburban League National Offensive Player of the Year following an outstanding 2020 season where he passed for 2,349 yards with 16 touchdowns while completing 68% of his passes. Additionally, he was named First-Team AllLakes and All-District and was a finalist for the FOX 8 Friday Night Touchdown 2020 Player of the Year. He has committed to play football for University of Iowa.

KENTRELL MARKS

Valley Forge High School, Football Kentrell Marks, a First-Team All-Ohio Running Back,finished his Junior season rushing for 1,481 yards on 140 carries, averaging over 10 yards per carry. He also added 22 touchdowns on the season and was named the Great Lakes Conference Player of the Year. Marks rushed for 251 yards and four TDs in a victory of Elyria Catholic.

FEMALE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

PRESENTED BY UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS SPORTS MEDICINE

Female High School Athlete of the Year Award is presented to one female high school athlete who has most distinguished herself through athletic excellence during the past year or athletic season and is in good academic standing.

PAIGE FLORIEA

Mentor High School, Track & Field Paige Floriea was named a finalist during the 2019 Sports Awards Female High School Athlete of the Year after she broke Jesse Owens Stadium’s long jump record. She placed 1st in long jump, 2nd in 200M and 2nd in 60M at the 2020 Indoor State Meet. Floriea was named 2020 News-Herald Girl’s Track & Field Athlete of the Decade. Ohio MileSplit ranks Floriea #1 in Top 50 returning long jumpers in the state across all divisions for 2020 and 2021. She is a 3-time Long Jump State Champion and a 15-time All-State Finisher. She will run track for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

ELLA GILSON

Hawken School, Cross Country, Track & Field and Swimming Ella Gilson is a six-time State Champion across cross country, swimming and both indoor and outdoor track. She only lost one race during her 2020 cross country season where she placed 2nd at the State Championship, trailing by only 0.1 second. She had previously won the cross-country State Championship two times as a sophomore and junior. Gilson received All-Ohio Honors and will run track for Harvard University.

SHELBY SALLEE

Strongsville High School, Soccer Shelby Sallee is a two-time First-Team All-Ohio Selection and a two-time All-Region athlete and was named to the United Soccer Association’s All America team this past season. During her 2020 season, Sallee became the all-time leading scorer in Strongsville High School history, recording 76 goals. She finished her senior year as a Division I State Champion, leading her team to an undefeated 20-0 season and Strongville’s fifth State Championship. Sallee will join Xavier University’s soccer team next season.