By Garth Shanklin
Sports Editor
Several local athletes earned Southern Buckeye Athletic and Academic Conference honors for their performances on the pitch this season.
In the American Division, New Richmond senior Anna Heiden earned conference player of the year honors. Her coach, Rebecca Heine, earned co-coach of the year honors, sharing the award with Amelia’s Amy Kemmer.
Five of Kemmer’s Lady Barons were named to the first-team all-conference squad. Senior goalkeeper Shelby Elder along with fellow seniors Abby Brown, Ally Brown and Lindsay Buten joined junior Lauren Gilbert on the first-team squad.
Batavia had two players, juniors Maggie Mehlman and Chloe Ducker, named to the first-team while Goshen senior Brandy Rahm was the Lady Warriors’ lone representative.
Five New Richmond Lady Lions earned first-team honors. Seniors Alexis Forsee and Anna Heiden joined junior Jazmyn Hinkston and sophomores Savannah Matlock and Julie Harrison.
Four more Lady Barons picked up second-team honors: seniors Kylie Smith and Kaylee Simmons joined junior Ashley Heppner and sophomore Kendall Simpson on the second-team squad. Batavia junior Cati Hatfield and sophomore Danielle Kulbe also earned second-team honors, as did Goshen sophomore Erin Ashley.
New Richmond seniors Kaley Fagen and Maggie Smith joined juniors Keirah Matlock and Colbi Simpson on the second-team squad.
In the National Division, Williamsburg junior Hailey Beesten earned player of the year honors. The Lady Wildcats’ coach, Brian Hart, shared the coach of the year award with Blanchester’s Kurt Ballinger. Williamsburg finished the 2016 campaign at 9-5-4 after going just 4-13 in 2015.
In addition to Hailey Beesten, senior Hope Schaljo, junior Megan Fisher and freshmen Emily Hart and Emma Beesten also earned first-team honors.
Bethel-Tate senior Sam Gardner and freshman Abby Hill joined Felicity seniors Haley Belt and Cassie Johns on the first-team squad. Clermont Northeastern junior Kassi Billow, sophomore Kayla Nichols and freshman Alyssa Williams were also awarded first-team honors.
A total of 10 Clermont County athletes were named to the second team. Bethel-Tate sophomores Reagan Leonard and Brooke Stiles joined CNE senior Andrea Johnson and sophomore Kylie Cooper as second-team honorees. Felicity senior Lauren Fragassi and junior Sydney Jowers were awarded spots on the second team, as were four Williamsburg Lady Wildcats: senior Mackenzie Loudermilk, sophomore Belle Middendorf and freshmen Chole Durham and Camille McManus.
Three Amelia Barons were named to the boys’ first-team all-conference squad: senior Beau Hoffman, junior Brendan Shank and sophomore Bradyn Riffle. Batavia seniors Austin King and Garrett Kraus also earned first-team honors, as did Goshen senior Phillip Cline.
Four New Richmond Lions earned first-team awards. Seniors Grant Anderson, Clayton Farmer, A.J. Hobbs and Luke Smiddy were named to the first-team squad as members of the Lions.
The second-team squad consisted of Amelia senior Nick Huber and junior Brady Pfeiffer, Batavia senior Jake Knechtly and junior Braxton Burke and Goshen junior Nick Bennett and freshman Gunnar Bryant.
New Richmond junior Brett Benzinger and sophomores Jonathan Lang and Aaron Prescott also earned second-team honors.
In the National Division, Bethel-Tate head coach Dave Schellenberger was named the coach of the year after leading the Tigers to an undefeated record in their division. Senior Zack Boston earned conference player of the year honors for his performance for the Tigers.
Several teammates joined Boston on the first-team all-conference squad. Seniors Jake Clift and Trenton Weeks, junior Christian Veve and sophomore Robby Perkins also were named to the first-team all-National Division for their play. Two CNE Rockets, seniors Chris Coleman and Jacob Carlier, joined Felicity senior Kevin Arkenau and junior Scott Lindsey on the first-team squad. Williamsburg senior Steve Strubbe and junior Blake Miller rounded out the first-team squad.
On the second-team, four Bethel-Tate Tigers were awarded: juniors Tyler Barker and Jonah Blankenship were joined by sophomore Zane Royer and freshman Casey Fischer. CNE sophomores Kyle Dean and Eric Sheperd also were awarded second-team spots, as were Williamsburg seniors Bailey Bach and Mathew Barry.