Area athletes earn all-conference honors

While Indian Valley’s football team chases a second consecutive state championship, a different group of Braves flirted with one a month ago. The IV boys golf team was in contention after the first day of the state tournament but never got to finish that chase as Day 2 of the tourney was washed out.

Still, it was a heck of a season for the Braves, who started their postseason by winning the Inter-Valley Conference South Division, capturing all three conference tournaments. The Braves then had their names all over the conference awards.

Sophomore Hayden Beaber and seniors Deagan Beaber and Brody Meade all earned first-team all-conference honors. Junior Cam Enema and Phil Rangel both were on the second team. Receiving an honorable mention was senior Logan McPeek. Athletes from both divisions were honored on the All-IVC team. The Braves’ Phil Rangel was named Coach of the Year.

Others in the mix were Claymont junior Owen Lindsay, a first-team All-IVC choice, and his senior teammate Jaxton Crawshaw, who received an honorable mention.

On the girls side, Indian Valley juniors Payton Beaber and Aubrey Elliot were second-team all-conference honorees. Senior Cambria Edwards of Claymont, and juniors Riley Mullins of Indian Valley and Jaide Miller of Newcomerstown each received an all-conference honorable mention.

Here is a look at other area all-conference selections:

Volleyball

Junior Gionna Miles, who led Indian Valley to a runner-up finish in the IVC South, was the lone first-team all-conference selection from the area. Her classmate Brooklyn Abbuhl received second-team all-conference honors. And yet another IV junior, Lily Lewis, received an honorable mention.

Claymont sophomore Quinn Schwarts was named to the all-conference second team, one of just three tenth graders named to the top two squads. Her senior teammate Ava Edwards received an honorable mention.

In the IVC North, Newcomerstown junior Briley Little earned a second-team selection. Her sophomore teammate Diane Raber received an honorable mention.

Cross country

Claymont junior All-Ohioan Kali Wallace was the most decorated area cross country runner after placing eighth at the state meet. Wallace also was named IVC Runner of the Year. Wallace’s junior teammate Grace McPherson earned a second-team all-conference selection. Freshman Emma McPherson received an All-IVC honorable mention.

Indian Valley’s girls squad was IVC runner-up behind Tusky Valley. The Braves were led by freshman Rowan Harshey, who earned a first-team All-Conference berth and was next in line for Runner of the Year. Junior Jillian Welch joined Harshey on the All-IVC team, earning an honorable mention along with Newcomerstown freshman Clara Allen.

In boys cross country, Claymont junior Braxtyn Myers and Indian Valley junior Nolan Pattaca each earned a first-team spot on the all-conference team, while Newcomerstown senior Trenton Wright grabbed a second-team honor. Earning honorable mentions were Claymont junior Korbin Burkholder, Indian Valley sophomore Ayden Colaner, and Newcomerstown senior Jacoby Tedrow. Claymont was the lone local team in the conference standings, placing third.

Football

More than 30 area athletes were named to the respective IVC all-conference teams. These will be featured next week along with all-district selections.