General SWC News

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 January the SWC recognizes the following student-athletes:

Scholar Athletes of the Month

Nha Tien Le
Senior
Avon High School
Girls Swimming

Nha Tien Le entered her seventh semester with a 4.68 cumulative grade point average. The National Merit Finalist and Governor’s Merit Award winner is also an AP Scholar with Distinction and Honor who earned College Board National Recognition.

Le is the founder and President of the UNICEF Club and Global Artisans Club and President of National Honors Society. She also runs an international English tutoring program in both Vietnam and the USA.

Ben Thompson
Senior
Amherst Steele High School
Boys Soccer / Boys Track & Field

Ben Thompson ranks atop his class with a 4.702 cumulative grade point average as of his seventh semester. The National Honor Society and Academic All-Ohio recipient in both soccer and track and field achieved a perfect score on the reading section of the ACT. He has LCCC Spanish, LCCC PLSC, LCCC Psychology, AP US History, AP Biology, AP Physics, AP Language & Composition, AP Literature & Composition, AP Human Geography and AP Calculus AB during his time as a Comet.

Thompson was a 2025 OHSAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field qualifier in both the 4x200m Relay and 400m Dash. He finished 12th in both events.

Outside of sports, Thompson serves as Student Council Vice President after acting as Secretary last year. His is also active in LEO Club, Unified Sports and the Marion Mentoring program.

Sportsmanship Athletes of the Month

Evelyn Ritt
Senior
Avon Lake High School
Girls Soccer / Girls Basketball

Evelyn Ritt is a key contributor on both the girls basketball team and girls soccer team. Her unselfish play has directly contributed to each team’s success. Evelyn has sacrificed individual success to better the team. The National English Honor Society member is active in Pep Club and Spanish Club while also writing sports stories for the Spectrum (ALHS newspaper).

Evelyn volunteers at youth basketball practices and youth basketball and soccer camps. She is also a tutor at Artemus Ward in Cleveland and Avon Lake elementary schools when not working at Jakes on the Lake.

John Birch
Senior
Olmsted Falls High School
Boys Bowling

“Johnny’s calm demeanor, smile, and consistency make him an exemplary bowling sportsman. He is kind and supports his teammates and JV bowlers, always willing to help and be a good example. He is a great leader and takes his role as Team Captain very seriously. He is responsible, as he is involved in many extra-curricular activities and is always in attendance for practices and matches.”

– Head Bowling Coach, Jessica Condosta

Birch is active member of the St. Clarence Youth Group and works at the Rocky River United Methodist Church. His is a involved in the Construction Management program at Polaris while also doing an internship with HJack Plumbing & Heating. He has committed to Ohio Northern University to continue his education in Construction Management and his athletic career in men’s bowling.

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

Carolina Reed
Senior
Avon High School
Track and Field / Cross Country

Carolina Reed carried a 4.517 cumulative grade point average into her final semester. The Academic All-Ohio recipient and Avon Top 5% member is currently enrolled in AP Calculus, AP English Literature, AP Economics, AP Physics and AP Statistics.

Aiden Workman
Senior
Amherst Steele High School
Boys Soccer / Boys Volleyball

Aiden Workman carries a 4.771 cumulative grade point average into his final semester and is ranked atop his class. The National Merit Finalist, National Honor Society member and Phi Beta Kappa Society inductee has taken AP Biology, AP Literature & Composition, AP Human Geography, AP Physics, LCCC Spanish, LCCC Government and LCCC History.

The Student Council President and Academic Team member is also active in LEO Club and Pickleball Club after previously playing football and being a member of the Comets’ track and field team. He was the school’s SWC Scholar-Athlete for both Boys Soccer and Boys Volleyball and earned Academic All-Ohio in Boys Soccer.

Sportsmanship Athletes of the Month

Sydney Busser
Senior
Olmsted Falls High School
Softball

Sydney Busser volunteers with the middle school softball program and has an internship with the Westpark Animal Hospital

“Buss’ has been a blessing to coach for the past four years. She has grown so much not only as a player but as a person. She is one of our captains and has been a true Bulldog.”

– Dan Largent, Head Softball Coach

Grady Pellegrini
Senior
Avon Lake High School
Boys Lacrosse / Boys Golf / Ice Hockey

Grady Pellegrini is a rare three-sport athlete that not only excels at all three sports but leads by setting a good example at practices and games. Playing three sports has not hindered Grady academically, as he carries a 4.1 GPA while taking CC+ classes.

When not playing a sport Pellegrini is active in Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) while also caddying at Westwood County Club. The National Honor Society member has volunteered with Angels of the Avenue, Ukraine Refugee Collection.