Enquirer names Greater Cincinnati high school athletes of the week, Oct. 17
Alright, let's huddle up and break down this week's Cincinnati high school sports scene, because the energy is absolutely electric. The first 2025-2026 Cincinnati Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Athletes of the Week are in, voted by you, the fans, and man, the stories are popping off harder than a game-winning buzzer-beater.Starting on the gridiron, Kings' big-school squad decided to put on an offensive clinic, dropping 49 points on Milford to match their season high—that’s the kind of statement win that gets everyone talking in the hallways on Monday. Not to be outdone, Cincinnati Country Day’s Nighthawks are officially that team you don’t want to see on your schedule, racking up their sixth straight W with a dominant 33-0 shutout against Norwood.And shoutout to Newport Central Catholic for keeping the Firemen’s Bell trophy in the family for the 26th year running—that’s not just a streak, that’s a dynasty, folks, with Jack Stevie balling out by snagging two touchdown catches and a pick in that rivalry dub over Newport. Over in cross country, it’s all about the relentless grind, and Dom Ellis from St.Xavier is setting the pace, leading the Bombers to their 15th consecutive GCL-South title with an individual win in 15:39. 5—that’s legacy stuff right there.Meanwhile, freshman Rian Helton from Western Brown is already making waves, grabbing the Southern Buckeye conference title with a time of 20:36. 1, proving that age is just a number when you’ve got heart.On the pitch, Dixie Heights’ boys soccer squad clinched the 34th District title in a nail-biter against St. Henry, with Logan Thoss dropping goals like it’s nothing, while on the girls’ side, Tessa Schmidt became an instant legend by netting the OT winner for Dixie Heights in their own district final—talk about clutch.Volleyball’s heating up too, with Princeton’s Timaya Crooks putting up numbers that look like a video game stat line: 11 kills, four aces, and then backing it up with 12 kills and eight digs in another win. And we can’t forget the individual brilliance, like Mamie Maringer from Summit Country Day, who on Senior Night literally played everywhere from defense to attacker, tying the game with 28 seconds left to force double OT—that’s the kind of all-in effort that defines high school sports.From the golf course, where Ellie Hartung from Madeira nearly stole the state title, tying for second by just one shot, to the tennis courts where Mason’s doubles team of Saanvi Reddy and Adriana Moreno knocked off the defending champs, this week was a reminder that Greater Cincinnati is stacked with talent that’s not just playing for wins, but building memories. It’s more than just stats; it’s about communities rallying, underdogs breaking streaks—like Fenwick’s Hannah Thompson ending a brutal 25-game losing skid with a crucial goal—and sophomores like Mason Fields from St.Henry already stepping up big in cross country. This isn’t just a list; it’s a snapshot of futures being forged, one game at a time, and if this opening week is any indication, the 2025-2026 season is going to be an absolute ride.
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