Richland 200: Countdown inching closer to halfway point with Nos. 111-120
MANSFIELD — The midway point of the Richland 200 is inching closer and closer.
We are officially 90 athletes deep into the countdown and we are starting to meet some future superstars in their sports. That is the case for many ranked Nos. 111-120.
Let's meet them.
111. Markale Martin, Lexington
Martin is a three-sport future superstar for the Minutemen. As a sophomore, he ran for 540 yards and seven touchdowns in football, earning honorable mention All-Northwest District and honorable mention All-Ohio Cardinal Conference as a starting running back. He also caught five passes for 107 yards and completed two passes for 103 yards and a TD. In basketball, he was the go-to junior varsity player and will find himself in the varsity rotation this year. In baseball, he hit .280 with 21 hits, six doubles, a home run, 11 RBIs and 14 runs scored as he led the Minutemen on a special postseason run to the district semifinals. Back for his junior year, Martin is about to break out in all three sports and really make a name for himself.
112. Noah Robinson, Plymouth
Robinson was a two-way lineman for the Big Red football team last year. On defense, he collected 43 tackles with one going for a loss. On offense, he paved the way for the Big Red to run for 2,333 yards and earned honorable mention All-Firelands Conference. In the winter, he was a state qualifying wrestler as he ended the season 48-9 and went 1-2 during the state meet in the 215 Division III weight class. Back for his senior year, Robinson will look to grab an All-Ohio spot in wrestling and help the Big Red build something sustainable on the gridiron.
113. Katya Prykhodko, Lexington
Prykhodko qualified for the district swim meet in three events last season as a sophomore. She was part of the 200 yard medley relay with freshman Kayla Caldwell and juniors Julia Wyant and Emma Caldwell as the quartet took fifth at the district meet. She also competed in the 500 yard freestyle taking 17th and the 100 breaststroke taking 11th. She is the younger sister of an individual state champion so the pedigree is there for Prykhodko to have a special career and her junior season will be a major stepping stone.
114. Layna Chase, Mansfield Christian
Chase was the leading scorer for the Flames last year scoring four goals and handing out two assists as she was named first team All-District and first team All-Mid-Buckeye Conference for her efforts. The Flames went 4-11-2 last season but return a majority of the roster and with Chase leading the way, they are expected to have a bounce back season and compete on a regular basis.
115. Elyse Belcher, Crestview
Belcher was a first team All-District and second team All-Mid-Buckeye Conference girls soccer player last year for the Cougars. She scored four goals and handed out three assists as the Cougars went 5-13 on the season. With Belcher, and pretty much the entire lineup, back from last season, the Cougars have what it takes to flip that record around.
116. Lily Cline, Crestview
Cline was a two-sport standout for the Cougars last year. She earned second team All-District and first team All-MBC in soccer as she scored a goal and handed out as assists but was more of a field general for her team. In basketball, she was an honorable mention All-Northwest District and honorable mention All-Firelands Conference player after putting together one of the best defensive seasons of anyone in Richland County. She will be back for her senior year and expects to lead both teams to bigger and better things in 2024-25.
117. Kaylei Chandler, Ontario
Chandler had a great freshman season for the Warriors soccer team as she started on defense and even scored four goals and handed out three assists. She earned second team All-District and second team All-Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference after helping the Warriors win yet another league championship and post eight shutouts on the season. With three more years left to play, Chandler will help usher in the next wave of standout players for the Warriors. With her selflessness and willingness to play defense, the Warriors will have a great shot at more MOAC championship glory and possibly beyond.
118. Braelyn Llewelyn, Ontario
Llewelyn was part of a great freshman class for the Warriors soccer team as she split time between forward and defense. She scored 12 goals and added seven assists to earn herself second team All-District and second team All-MOAC honors. The Warriors have enough balance to have success in the present and the future and Llewelyn will be the leader of those future teams with three more years left.
119. Sara Wharton, Ontario
Wharton had a breakout sophomore year in volleyball for the Warriors. She collected 263 kills, 56 aces, eight blocks, 278 digs, and 159 serve receptions which was enough to earn her second team All-District 6 and second team All-MOAC honors. She was part of a special year for the Warriors as they won their first sectional championship in 20 years and with Wharton back this season, there isn't expected to be that long of a drought between titles again.
120. Olivia Brown, Lucas
Brown stood out in two sports for the Cubs last year. First, she was a second team All-MBC volleyball player after leading the team with 159 kills while also recording 19 aces, 19 blocks, 132 digs and 128 serve receptions. In basketball, she was an honorable mention All-MBC player as a veteran leader of the team. Now, she will return for her senior year and there are few kids in Richland County who seem to have more fun and are more positive than Brown. She is a real joy to watch.
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This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Richland 200: Countdown inching closer to halfway point with Nos. 111-120
