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.
Voting will remain open until Thursday at 10 pm.
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.
The winners will be announced at the end of the week.
The link to vote is below the nominations.
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.
The Newest Nominees
Review the nominees. Celebrate their efforts. Then vote using the link below.
Female Nominees
Allie Fink (Palmyra / So.) – Field Hockey: The sophomore contributed to another perfect week as Palmyra went 3-0 without allowing a goal. Fink scored in a 4-0 victory over Seneca and added an assist in a 3-0 win over Shore Regional as the Cougars went 2-0 at the MAX Field Hockey National Invitational. Palmyra carried that momentum into Monday’s win over Hershey to improve to 11-0.
Claire Francis (Annville-Cleona / Jr.) – Field Hockey: The junior erupted for 10 goals while helping Annville-Cleona go 3-0 in section play. Francis scored 5 goals, including a 1st-quarter hat trick, in Monday’s 6-3 win over Lancaster Mennonite, scored again in Wednesday’s 3-2 victory over ELCO, and finished the week with another hat trick in Friday’s 7-1 win over Octorara.
Zoey Gonzalez (Lebanon / Fr.) – Soccer: The freshman continued to emerge as one of Lebanon’s leading offensive threats during an unbeaten week for the Cedars. Gonzalez helped Lebanon battle Annville-Cleona to a 0-0 draw before scoring twice in Saturday’s 7-0 victory over Reading. The midfielder now has 4 goals and 1 assist this season while helping Lebanon to a 3-5-1 record.
Caroline Heller (Cedar Crest / Sr.) – Volleyball: The senior middle blocker totaled 39 kills across 2 matches during the week. Heller put down 15 kills in Monday’s 3-0 sweep of ELCO before producing 24 kills as the Falcons battled Conestoga Valley through a tight 5-set match that ended 15-13 in the deciding set.
Kaley Ruhl (Cedar Crest / Sr.) – Soccer: The senior forward scored in both of Cedar Crest’s matches during an unbeaten week, finding the net in a 2-0 victory over Ephrata and again in a 1-1 draw with Manheim Township. Ruhl’s production was complemented by junior goalkeeper Lily Harchuska, who made 14 saves across the 2 matches while allowing just 1 goal, helping the Falcons improve to 5-2-1.
Hope Shaffer (Northern Lebanon / Sr.) – Soccer: The senior midfielder has provided consistent production for Northern Lebanon, totaling 5 goals and 3 assists this season. Shaffer’s play in the midfield has helped guide the Vikings to a 5-3-2 record.
Ava Seifert (ELCO / Sr.) – Soccer: The senior continued to provide ELCO with versatility and leadership during an unbeaten week, helping the Raiders earn a 1-1 draw with Donegal before defeating Northern Lebanon 3-0. Seifert has answered the call at both defender and goalkeeper as injuries have forced ELCO to adjust its lineup, helping steady a Raiders team that now stands at 3-3-3.
Male Nominees
Anthony Frederick (Northern Lebanon / Jr.) – Cross Country: The junior placed 19th out of 222 runners in the AA race at Saturday’s Ben Bloser Invitational at Big Spring, crossing the line in 17:02. Frederick’s performance represented a 40-second improvement from his time on the same course at the meet a year ago.
Yamaliel Navarro (Annville-Cleona / New Covenant / Sr.) – Football: The senior put together a huge rushing performance for Annville-Cleona in Friday’s 35-20 victory over Lancaster Catholic. Navarro, a New Covenant student who competes for A-C, carried 24 times for 253 yards and 1 touchdown, breaking loose for a 95-yard score in the 4th quarter to help the Dutchmen secure the Section 5 victory.
Danny Shay (Annville-Cleona / Jr.) – Football: The junior was a force defensively as Annville-Cleona defeated Lancaster Catholic 35-20 on Friday. Shay piled up 19 total tackles, including 3 tackles for loss, and recovered a fumble as the Dutchmen picked up the Section 5 victory.
Garrett Starry (Cedar Crest / Sr.) – Football: The senior 2-year captain delivered on both sides of the ball as Cedar Crest defeated Hempfield 28-19 on Friday to remain unbeaten. Starry recorded 12 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 quarterback hurry, and 1 fumble recovery while also catching a 14-yard touchdown pass and contributing as a blocker from the fullback position.
Aaron Villafane (Palmyra / Sr.) – Football: The senior turned 10 carries into 137 yards and 1 touchdown against Hershey on Friday. Villafane averaged 13.7 yards per carry and broke a scoreless tie with a 70-yard touchdown run in the 2nd quarter.
Gavin Yeiser (ELCO / Jr.) – Football: The junior provided the big-play spark as ELCO knocked off previously unbeaten Conrad Weiser 21-12 on Friday. Yeiser rushed 7 times for 117 yards and 2 touchdowns, breaking loose for scoring runs of 35 and 52 yards while averaging 16.7 yards per carry. The victory moved the Raiders to 1-0 in Section 4 play.
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