Sports serve as a platform for student-athletes to excel both athletically and personally, from setting records to being recognized as role models in their community

By Mimi Vanderhaven

Anyone who’s ever been in the stands of a high school athletic event knows the passion is obvious. But the impact goes beyond the cheers of the crowd at any game, meet or tournament. For student athletes within Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools, sports can be transformative, shaping their high school years in positive and lasting ways by fostering discipline, time management, goalsetting and social skills.

As we near the end of the school year, Mimi would like to take pause and recognize all of our athletes. Of course, there are a few standout performances that merit mention:

• Football: North High School senior Danny Tadic etched his name into the record books by kicking a 50-yard field goal against Madison.

• Basketball: North High School boys basketball team won the Western Reserve Conference (WRC) Championship, its first in 10 years, and senior Sean Register, Jr., broke the school’s single-game scoring record with 51 points against Mayfield High School. He’s the school’s all-time leading scorer.

• Soccer: South High School senior Connor Heramb was named WRC Player of the Year, and the North High School girls soccer team charted a winning season for the first time in a decade.

• Golf: Lauren Iannetta, North High School junior, set the school’s 18-hole scoring record in winning the WRC tournament at Erie Shores Golf Course and was named News-Herald’s Player of the Year. The South High School boys golf team won the WRC Championship.

• Swimming: Joris Boeman, from South High School, qualified for state in the 100-yard butterfly and 100-yard backstroke.

• Gymnastics: North High School freshman Ava Mitchell is the first gymnast in school history to place at every meet in a season.

Not only do our athletes perform and succeed in their respective sports, but the high school students also learn how to pay it forward, acting as role models to younger students. North and South High School athletes regularly visit the preschool and elementary schools to read with students, and they volunteer their time for special events throughout the district.

Two words: Well. Done.

Look for these monthly stories to cover topics from grades K-12 in the Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools System. Find out more at WESchools.org.