Medina athletes dominate final All-GCC honors before league move

Medina players dominated the All-Greater Cleveland Conference soccer team lists in the Bees’ final year in the league. They are moving to the Suburban League next season after capping their GCC membership with a pair of outright titles.

For the girls team, Emma McTigue earned conference Player of the Year honors, with Jason Rutkowski taking home Coach of the Year. Joining McTigue on the first-team all-conference unit were senior Sydney Atkinson, freshman Naomi Sundermeier, freshman Annaliese Ebert, senior Caitlyn Taylor and senior Ella Wilgor. Senior Becca Keserich and freshman Avery Atkinson each received an honorable mention.

The Bees finished their final GCC season as outright champions, going 6-0-1 in conference play. Runner-up Strongsville was 5-0-2.

Senior Bennett Werthmuller earned Player of the Year honors for the boys team, with Doug Coreno being named Coach of the Year. Werthmuller was joined on the all-conference first team by senior Brody Gannon, senior Gavin Williams, senior Cooper Korduba, sophomore Chase Wilbur and junior Jackson Harvey. Receiving All-GCC honorable mentions were senior Cooper Fuller and junior Jack Piatak.

The Bees finished 13-3-3 overall and were Division I regional qualifiers. They leave the GCC as defending champions, posting a spotless 7-0 record in their final time out.

The following is a look at all the All-GCC recognition received by Medina athletes this fall.

Football Landing on the first team was a trio of seniors: defensive lineman Cliff Nicholson, linebacker Jack Fletcher and offensive lineman Clint Kasmarcak. Offensive lineman Tyler Johnson, a junior, received an All-GCC honorable mention along with senior wide receiver Sydney Lloyd.

Earning first-team nods on the All-Northeast Ohio Inland District in Division I were Nicholson and Fletcher. Kasmarcak received an honorable mention.

Volleyball The Bees landed a pair on the first-team All-Conference squad, with senior libero Leah McKinley and senior middle blocker/right side Olivia Fedor earning the nod. Receiving all-conference honorable mentions were versatile senior Elaina Sabol and freshman outside hitter/defensive specialist Kate Schellenberger.

Medina overcame a 1-7 start to finish 12-11 overall and 5-5 in the talent-rich GCC. That was good for fourth place.

Cross country Brian Dudek was named girls Coach of the Year, getting honored alongside first-team All-Conference runners senior Alexis Warnement, freshman Addison Joffre, junior Alanya Yanmaz, sophomore Julia Black and senior Julia Dietrich. Juniors Leah Bugner and Ella James each received an honorable mention. That group led the Bees to the GCC championship in their final season.

For the boys, seniors Riley Dworznik and Joey D’Aurelio earned first-team nods. Earning honorable mentions were senior Peyton Davis and junior Trent Schirmer. The Bees placed third in their final year of conference play.

Girls tennis Junior M.J. Pimpo and freshman Emma Morse each earned first-team all-conference selections. No honorable mentions were made on the All-GCC squad.

Golf Freshman Trent Riedel was named All-GCC Player of the Year in boys golf, which exits the GCC with a string of seven conference championships. Mike Mozingo earned Coach of the Year honors. Senior Cam Stafford, junior Elliot Morgan and sophomore Declan West each joined Riedel on the all-conference first team.

For the girls team, Lily Zimmerman and Corrine Christeon each earned a spot on the All-GCC first team. No honorable mentions were included on the All-GCC golf teams.