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GREATER CLEVELAND SPORTS COMMISSION ANNOUNCES COLLEGIATE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

Posted December 04, 2025 in Press Releases

CLEVELAND, OH – Dec. 4, 2025 – Greater Cleveland Sports Commission has announced the finalists for Male and Female Collegiate Athlete of the Year, presented by H. Jack’s Plumbing & Heating Co. “The Super Plumber!” The community can vote online until Jan. 9, 2026. Winners will be announced live at the 26th Greater Cleveland Sports Awards, which will take place on Feb. 5, 2026, at Rocket Arena.

The Greater Cleveland Sports Awards, presented by Ancora and Minutemen Workforce Solutions, is the premier annual sports fundraising event in Northeast Ohio, celebrating the best in local sports and benefiting the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission.

MALE COLLEGIATE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Presented by H. Jack’s Plumbing & Heating Co. “The Super Plumber!”

  • Eric Colaco, Denison University (Revere High School), Baseball

    • A star outfielder for the Big Red, Colaco capped off an incredible career by being named NCAC Player of the Year for the third consecutive year, as well as 2025 ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Div. III All-America Third Team while guiding Denison to its first-ever DIII College World Series appearance. Colaco finished with a .355 BA, 72 hits, 68 runs, 15 doubles, 9 HR, two triples, 47 RBIs, 118 total bases, and 31 stolen bases. Colaco broke the NCAA DIII career runs record and set 11 career Denison records along with 5 NCAC career records.

    • Digital toolkit here.

  • Giovanni Kennedy, University of Mount Union (St. Edward High School), Football

    • An exceptional leader on and off the field, Kennedy was named captain of the Mount Union football team and is ranked as the #1 offensive lineman in NCAA Division III by the National Scouting Combine and voted a Preseason DIII First-Team All-American. In 2025, he was nominated for the AFCA All-State Good Works Team for his volunteer efforts with the National Marrow Donor Program and Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, supporting causes for cancer awareness and the fight against sexual and domestic violence. The Purple Raiders are currently ranked #2 in Division 3 football by D3football.com and have advanced to the Division III NCAA Third Round.

    • Digital toolkit here.

  • Arvell Reese, The Ohio State University (Glenville High School), Football

    • The leader of the Buckeyes' defense, Reese ranks second on the team in total tackles (61), second in sacks (6.5), and tackles for loss (10). Reese has also recorded 2 passes broken up and 2 quarterback hurries this season for the #1 ranked 12-0 Ohio State Buckeyes. Reese is currently a finalist for The Butkus Award and finished as a semifinalist for the Lombardi Award, which awards the most impactful linebacker in college football and honors college football’s top linemen and linebackers, respectively. Reese was also awarded the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week and Chuck Bednarik National Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against Penn State.

    • Digital toolkit here.

FEMALE COLLEGIATE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Presented by H. Jack’s Plumbing & Heating Co. “The Super Plumber!”

  • Katie Clark, University of Mount Union (Walsh Jesuit High School), Lacrosse

    • Clark completed her historic career at Mount Union by being named USA Lacrosse Honorable Mention All-American, the first in Mount Union history, and was named Great Lakes First Team All-Region and OAC Offensive Player of the Year for the third straight year. She led the team with 43 goals, 77 assists, and 120 points and finished as the career leader in points (459), assists (233), and goals (226), as well as holding the single-season and single-game assists records. Clark ranked second in Division III in assists per game (4.0) and was voted First Team All-OAC.

    • Digital toolkit here.

  • Grace Kelsheimer, Marshall University (Westlake High School), Swimming & Diving

    • Kelsheimer earned First Team All-Sun Belt honors after claiming gold in the 1M Springboard Championship and finishing runner-up in the 3M at the Sun Belt Conference Championships. A seven-time Sun Belt Diver of the Week, she set school records on both the 1M (318 points) and 3M (346 points) boards and holds the second-highest platform score in Marshall history. Kelsheimer also captured titles at the West Virginia Games and the House of Champions Invitational, qualifying for the NCAA Zone Meet at both. A two-time team captain, she has been recognized as a CSCAA Scholar All-American and CSC Academic All-District honoree.

    • Digital toolkit here.

  • Shyanne Sellers, University of Maryland (Aurora High School), Basketball

    • A three-time First-Team All-Big Ten selection and AP All-America Honorable Mention, Sellers finished her senior season at Maryland, averaging 14.4 points, 4.1 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game, becoming the first player in program history to record 1,500 points, 500 rebounds, and 500 assists. She finished second all-time in school history with an 83% free-throw percentage and earned Academic All-Big Ten honors. Shyanne was drafted 17th overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft and is currently playing in Israel’s Women’s Basketball League.

    • Digital toolkit here.

Recipients of additional awards for 26th Greater Cleveland Sports Awards are as follows:

Finalists were selected from a list of public nominations by local sports and media outlets as well as an awards committee that chose outstanding athletes from the following counties in Northeast Ohio: Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage, Stark and Summit.

The 26th Greater Cleveland Sports Awards will feature appearances by local and national sports figures, live entertainment and celebrate a year of athletic achievements in Northeast Ohio from high school stars to professional athletes. More information will be announced soon.

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