Each month, the Southwestern Conference will recognize student-athletes who are excelling in the classroom as well as those who have demonstrated the highest levels of integrity and sportsmanship. For March the SWC recognizes the following student-athletes:
Scholar Athletes of the Month
Kayla Bussard
Senior
Amherst Steele High School
Girls Tennis
Kayla Bussard entered her final semester with a 4.486 cumulative grade point average and ranked 11th in her class. The National Honor Society and National Society of High School Scholars member is also a Governor’s Merit Scholarship and BGSU Merit Scholarship recipient. She has taken multiple honors classes as well as AP US History, AP Government and Politics, CCP English, CCP Anatomy and Physiology, CCP Civilizations and CCP Statistics during her Comet academic career.
Bussard was a 2025 OHSAA State Qualifier and collected a school record 91 career wins. She also plays the viola every weekend in her church orchestra.
Cole Odon
Senior
Olmsted Falls High School
Boys Golf / Boys Basketball
Cole Odon carries 4.48 cumulative grade point average as of his seventh semester. The National Honor Society has enrolled into AP Computer Science, AP Calculus, Accounting, Sociology and Marketing this year. Odon will study Finance and Accounting at The Ohio State University in the fal.
“Cole is a young man that is committed to doing what is needed and what is right. His attention to detail and desire for excellence is what made him such an important part of our team and program for many years. It is no surprise that Cole exhibits these same characteristics as a student in the classroom. He is a student-athlete that is bound for success because of those characteristics.”
– Chris DeLisio, Head Boys Basketball Coach
Sportsmanship Athletes of the Month
Avery Kish
Senior
Avon High School
Girls Lacrosse
Avery Kish consistently demonstrates kindness and genuine care for those around her, always bringing a positive attitude toward both her teammates and her opponents. She is one of the hardest workers on the team, leading by example with her dedication and effort. Avery is truly a great kid, making her an absolute pleasure to coach.
Avery volunteers as a scorekeeper for the boys basketball program and works for the athletic department as a gate worker in the fall. In addition, she helps coach various youth lacrosse teams. Avery also helps raise money for the American Heart Association, which is near and dear to her heart.
Avery also balances multiple jobs outside of Avon athletics. She is employed by Peace Love and Little Donuts and Title Boxing while also participating in the Eagles Nest program, which is an after school program for elementary students.
Ian Fababe
Senior
Avon Lake High School
Boys Cross Country / Boys Swimming & Diving / Boys Track & Field
Ian Fababe is a key contributor in all three of his sports. He is a very unselfish player and puts the team’s goal and needs ahead of his own. Ian is always present to cheer on teammates and offering congratulations to all competitors.
Outside of sports, Ian is active in Academic Challenge, Model UN, National Honor Society and Pre-Med Club. He is also as an athletic event workers and volunteers at cross country and track meets. In addition, Ian participate in a medical mission trip to the Philippines. Off campus, he works at Graeter’s Ice Cream.
