Athlete of the Week

Athlete of the Week Voting: April 29 – May 5

by
LebCoSports Staff
May 7, 2024

Presented in coordination with Froggy Valley 100.1/WiLBuR 99.7 & Lebanon Federal Credit Union, help us decide which male and female athlete should be honored for their outstanding efforts during last week’s local high school sports action. While you may have a favorite school or athlete already, we still encourage you to read through the lists below and then click on the link to vote.

The winners will be announced at the end of the week. Linked below are the articles about our most recent winners of the award.

Voting will remain open until Wednesday at 7 pm.

Only one vote per email address, per day will be allowed.

While athletes can be nominated multiple weeks, the winners will be removed and updates will be provided as the season progresses.

While this may be a vote and emotions can run high, this is intended to bring attention to some of the best performances from our local student-athletes.

Nominations, which are made working with the schools, are listed below in alphabetical order.

Please read about each nominee, celebrate their accomplishment, and then go vote who you feel is most deserving of this week’s honor.

If you like this type of coverage, please let us know by Following us on social media:

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For any questions, comments, or discrepancies, please reach out to dan@lebcosports.com.

Female Nominees

Brooke Beamesderfer (Northern Lebanon / Sr.) – Softball: The Vikings went 3-0 last week, aided by solid play from their center fielder. In the 19-1 rout of Pequea Valley, Beamesderfer hit a three-run home run. She added an RBI in the win over Columbia. Recently, she also eclipsed the 100-hit milestone.

Liliana Harrison (Lebanon / Jr.) – Track & Field: Against Hempfield, Harrison won the Shot Put (35’6.25”) and the Discus (110’8”).

Morgan Lantz (Palmyra / Sr.) – Lacrosse: The Cougars went 3-0 with wins over Mechanicsburg, Bishop McDevitt, and Cedar Crest. In those games, Lantz combined for twenty-five goals, including eleven against McDevitt. She also hit the 300-goal and 400-point milestones for her career. Lantz is the all-time Palmyra leader in both departments.

Meda Pulaski (Annville-Cleona / Sr.) – Softball: The senior pitcher finished the week with two wins in three outings. In a key win over Pequea Valley, she pitched all five innings, giving up one earned run and striking out nine. At the plate, Pulaski collected four hits, three RBI, and scored three times.

Eliana Schneider (Cedar Crest / So.) – Track & Field: The multi-talented Schneider continued her outstanding season and played pivotal role as the Falcons defeated Penn Manor. She ran on the winning 4x400m team (4:01.6) and provided impressive performances to win the High Jump (5’4”) and Javelin (127’8”). She also placed 2nd in the Long Jump (16’7”).

Chloe Shirk (ELCO / So.) – Softball: Last week, the Raiders went 3-1, with Shirk playing a large role in the team’s success. The sophomore went a combined 9-15 with nine RBI. She had four doubles, a triple, and a home run. Over the course of the season, she has also provided solid play at multiple positions, giving her team extra opportunities to win.

LebCo Female Athletes of the Week: Alivia Kline (Week Ending April 28, 2024)

Male Nominees

Sam Balsbaugh (New Covenant / Sr.) – Volleyball: The outside hitter led the Flames in kills as they defeated Dayspring Christian in an exciting five-set match and then Harrisburg Christian in three sets.

Adrian Gonzalez (Northern Lebanon / So.) – Baseball: In a 2-1 win over Pequea Valley, Gonzalez pitched the complete game and struck out eleven. The strikeout total allowed him to achieve the 100 strikeout total for his career. In three games at the plate, all Viking wins, Gonzalez was 4-7 with five RBI. He also drew two walks.

Luke Macchione (ELCO / Sr.) – Track & Field: Luke has competed in multiple events for the track team this spring wherever he is needed to help the team – he is mainly a jumper and hurdler and has transitioned into both of the successful 4×400 and 4×800 relays. The 4×800 relay took 2nd place at the prestigious West Chester Henderson Invitational last Friday night.

Tyler Mahaffey (Palmyra / Sr.) – Tennis: The senior won the Mid Penn Singles Tournament by outdueling his brother, Aidan, in the finals. The two then combined to win their fourth straight Mid Penn Doubles Championship.

Viseth Meng (Cedar Crest / Jr.) – Tennis: After helping to lead his team to a District 3 Quarterfinal win over Cumberland Valley, Meng appeared in the District 3 Singles Tournament. Though unseeded, he defeated the #2 & #3 ranked players on his way to finishing with a silver medal and an invitation to the State Tournament.

Colten Shaffer (Annville-Cleona / Jr.) – Baseball: After trailing 3-0, the Dutchmen rallied for a 6-3 win over Columbia. Shaffer ended the game with a three-run walk-off home run. In the game, he went 2-4 with three RBI and a stolen base. He also pitched 4.2 innings in a 3-2 loss to Pequea Valley, giving up one unearned run and striking out eight. At the plate, he was 1-2 with two walks.

Ramon Urena Batista (Lebanon / Sr.) – Track & Field: At the Henderson Invitational, Urena Batista ran a 9:30.16 in the 3200m to set a new Lebanon record in the event.

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