Circleville’s Kamale Magagi-Ali captured last week’s Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Boys Athlete of the Week title, but readers of Dispatch.com have until 4 p.m. Friday, October 23, to vote for this week’s top high school boys athlete across the state.
Voting takes place on Dispatch.com’s desktop site, mobile web, or app, with readers allowed one vote per hour by scrolling to the ballots listed below the relevant stories. There is no subscription requirement to participate. Voting by email will not be counted, and nominations differ from votes, so only official online votes will impact the results. The Dispatch staff monitors ballots closely and may remove entries if voting irregularities arise.
This weekly accolade celebrates standout performances from athletes across all high school sports during the season, with nominations collected over the past week. Once an athlete wins during the regular season, they are ineligible to reappear on the ballot until postseason. However, athletes who have not yet won can be nominated multiple times.
This week’s candidates include football players and a cross-country runner who have each made significant contributions to their teams in recent matches or meets.
Cooper Ailes of Olentangy Berlin football made a notable impact by returning an interception 50 yards for a touchdown and following that with a 90-yard kickoff return for another score in a 28-6 victory over Marysville.
Austin Benedict from New Albany cross-country won the OCC-Ohio meet in 15 minutes 38.5 seconds, helping his team to a second-place finish behind Gahanna Lincoln.
Bradley Binion of West football returned a punt 75 yards for a touchdown, contributing to the undefeated Cowboys’ 14-0 win over previously unbeaten South.
Nolan Buirley of Big Walnut football had a dominant game, rushing for 215 yards and five touchdowns on just eight carries and catching an 83-yard touchdown pass in a 54-0 rout over Dublin Scioto.
Preston Carey from Johnstown football showed versatility by returning a punt 76 yards and a kickoff 75 yards for touchdowns in a 54-11 win against Lakewood, a victory that secured a share of the LCL-Cardinal championship.
Berne Union football’s Dillan Cornell scored on interception returns on consecutive plays, returning the ball 56 and 80 yards for touchdowns in a 32-0 win over Fairfield Christian.
Gio Cotton of Grove City Christian football rushed for 232 yards and four touchdowns on 32 carries in a 35-14 win against Fairfield Christian.
Olentangy’s Tommy Hartings threw touchdown passes of 2, 8, 25, and 47 yards during a 27-21 victory over Dublin Jerome.
Reynoldsburg football quarterback Justin Heckman completed 12 of 20 passes for 219 yards and three touchdowns and added 103 rushing yards and a touchdown on 14 carries in a 33-6 win over Newark.
Watkins Memorial’s Graham Smith rushed for 158 yards on 22 carries and scored five touchdowns in a 38-27 victory against Zanesville.
Jackson Szabo of Worthington Kilbourne rushed for 227 yards and three touchdowns on 28 carries and passed for 187 yards in a 22-12 win over Westerville North.
Independence football’s Darnell Young collected 248 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 27 carries and returned an interception for a score in a 50-26 victory over Eastmoor Academy.
Readers interested in following weekly high school sports news or receiving updates can subscribe to the Columbus High School Sports newsletter. Questions about the voting process can be directed to sports editor Brian White at bwhite1@dispatch.com.
The ballot remains open through Friday afternoon, with results to follow based on the votes cast online.
According to Yahoo Sports.
