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 May the SWC recognizes the following student-athletes:
Scholar Athletes of the Month
Mia Russell
Senior
Olmsted Falls High School
Girls Track and Field / Girls Tennis / Girls Cross Country
Mia Russell entered her final semester with a 4.6 cumulative grade point average. The National Honors Society, Science Honors Society, English Honors Society, National Technical Honors Society and Rho Kappa member has focused on Bio Tech Health and Disease, AP Calculus, CCP Biology and CCP Body Structure and Function this semester.
When not competing in athletics, Russell is active in Key Club and Lean Six Sigma, as an Olmsted Falls and Polaris Ambassador and on the Student Principal Advisory Council. She will attend the Ohio State University and study Chemical Engineering.
“Mia’s innate desire to excel in all facets of her life has enabled her to be a standout in both the classroom and on the track!”
– John Novotny, Head Track and Field Coach
Vivian Vu
Senior
Berea-Midpark High School
Girls Track and Field / Girls Cross Country
Vivian Vu entered her final semester with a 4.5 cumulative grade point average and was ranked atop her class of 451 students. She has challenged herself this semester with AP Calculus, AP Chemistry, Biomedical Innovations, Introductory Sociology and Spanish V. Vu will soon earn the following seals at graduation: Ohio College Ready, Ohio Honors Diploma, Ohio Means Jobs Readiness, Ohio Citizenship, Ohio Science, Local Student Engagement and Local Community Service.
Senior
North Ridgeville High School
Boys Track and Field / Boys Cross Country
Quinn Vrba carries 4.8 cumulative grade point average into his final semester. The Distinguished Scholar Award recipient is currently in AP Calculus, AP Literature, AP Psychology and AP Research. Outside of sports, Vrba is active in Model UN, Student Counsel and Key Club.
Sportsmanship Athletes of the Month
Dejaney Julien
Senior
Elyria High School
Girls Track and Field / Girls Soccer
Dejaney Julien has shown exceptional leadership as one of the Elyria Track and Field captains. Excelling in the classroom as well as the track, she is a graduating senior going to Prairie View University in fall. The National Honor Society member attends Early College and has been active in both the Urban League and Read and Rise programs while a high school student.
Alaina Alflen
Senior
Amherst Steele High School
Girls Cross Country / Girls Soccer / Girls Basketball / Girls Track and Field / Girls Flag Football
Alaina Alflen has competed in Cross Country and Soccer during the fall, Basketball in the winter and Track & Field in the spring. This spring, in addition to Track & Field, she added a fifth sport by participating in Flag Football during the inaugural season. By the conclusion of this spring season, Alaina will have earned an impressive 12 varsity letters, including four each in Cross Country and Track & Field, along with two each in Basketball and Soccer.
In addition to her athletic commitments, Alflen has excelled in the classroom. She was recognized as the Girls Basketball Southwestern Conference Scholar-Athlete. She has volunteer at various Comet Youth Camps and community service activities, including Special Olympics. The Senior Class Vice President, National Honors Society, Student Counsel and Leo Club member will continue her academic career at Miami University, where she plans to major in Psychology.
Bryce Schubert
Senior
Midview High School
Baseball
Bryce Schubert sets a great example for how an interscholastic student-athlete should carry himself. He is always on time, plays the game the right way and is supportive of his teammates.
Schubert will attend Lorain County Community College where he plans to study Business Accounting.
Finn Jerdonak
Junior
Avon Lake High School
Boys Lacrosse / Football
Fin Jerdonak consistently leads by example in both lacrosse and football and represents everything this award stands for. He is one of the hardest-working students in the school, always giving maximum effort while encouraging those around him to do the same. What truly sets Finn apart is the way he treats others. He shows respect to everyone; teammates, opponents, teachers, and coaches alike. He is always uplifting and positive, and he puts the success of the team ahead of himself. Finn is the ultimate team player, someone others naturally look up to because of his attitude, work ethic, and character. Finn’s peers respect him not only for his athletic ability, but for the kind of person he is every day. He demonstrates leadership through his actions, maintains a positive presence on and off the field, and consistently represents his school with class and integrity.
When not competing for Eagles Jerdonak is working youth camps and reading at the elementary schools.
