The Star Press 2017 Spring Athletes of the Year

David Polaski

The Star Press

Baseball

Athlete: Alec Summers, Wapahani

Year: Senior

The performance: Summers took the role of Wapahani's ace and led the Raiders through a postseason tear that included four straight wins over top-10 teams. Summers defeated Whitko and Hebron and started the state championship game against Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter. He finished the season with a 2.02 ERA and 72 strikeouts.

Quick notes: Summers is continuing his education at the University of Northwestern Ohio.

Favorite memory from Wapahani baseball: Going to state his freshman and senior years.

Favorite restaurant: Chili's

Favorite athlete: Derek Jeter

Favorite junk food: Cosmic Brownies

Favorite movie: The Sandlot

Softball

Athlete: Skyler Davis, Yorktown

Year: Sophomore

The performance: On a team that had no shortage of talent, Davis was one of the best. In her second season, she had team-bests in both batting average (.521) and RBIs (36) while also hitting 12 doubles and five home runs. She struck out just twice in 101 plate appearances. She also picked up three RBIs in six different games.

Quick notes: Davis wants to go to Ball State to play softball.

Favorite memory from Yorktown softball: Winning county both years.

Favorite restaurant: Olive Garden

Favorite athlete: Sierra Romero

Favorite junk food: Cosmic Brownies

Favorite movie: Remember the Titans

Boys Track and Field

Athlete: Eliseus Young, Central

Year: Junior

The performance: Young won the 200 (22.04) and was second in the 100 at the Delta Sectional. While competing at the North Central Regional, his second place finish in the 200 was enough to qualify for state. Racing at the biggest stage, Young finished 24th with a time of 22.84.

Quick notes: He still has another year to decide where to go to college, but Young would ideally like to attend Michigan or North Carolina.

Favorite memory from Central track: Competing at state as a junior.

Favorite restaurant: Young wasn't sure, but named french fries as his favorite food.

Favorite athlete: Cam Newton or Odell Beckham Jr.

Favorite junk food: Cheesecake

Favorite movie: Young did not have a favorite movie

Girls Track and Field

Athlete: Aaliyah Barnes, Central

Year: Junior

The performance: For the third time, Barnes reached state in the 100 hurdles. At the Delta Sectional, she finished third with a time of 17.40, despite clipping her heel on a hurdle halfway through the race that threw off her timing. At the Ben Davis Regional, she ran a 15.58, which placed her third.

Quick notes: Barnes is still deciding if she wants to run track in college. She's considering Arkansas and Texas A&M is she leaves the state, and Indiana if she stays in-state.

Favorite memory from Central track: Central's senior day when she was a freshman, where activities are centered around seniors, but all can participate.

Favorite restaurant: Amazing Joe's or Texas Roadhouse

Favorite athlete: Wilma Rudolph

Favorite junk food: Barbecue Lay's chips

Favorite movie: The Heat or Ace Ventura: Pet Detective

Girls Tennis

Athlete: Ellie Snider, Delta

Year: Sophomore

The performance: After being homeschooled all her life, Snider took over the No. 1 singles position after coming to Delta this year. She finished 20-5 and competed in the IHSAA state singles finals and was named All-State Singles Second-Team. Her final match of the season was in the state quarterfinals.

Quick notes: Snider knew she wanted to play tennis in college after watching the Ball State team practice at the YMCA. She's undecided on where she wants to go, but still has two years to make that decision.

Favorite memory from Delta tennis: Defeating Marion's Kayla Dubuque in the Marion Regional championship after falling to her earlier in the season.

Favorite restaurant: Shipp's Harbour Grill in Florida

Favorite athlete: Serena Williams or Roger Federer

Favorite junk food: Sprinkle doughnuts

Favorite movie: Lord of the Rings Trilogy

Boys Golf

Athlete: Tyler Jobe, Delta

Year: Junior

The performance: While competing at the Muncie Central Regional, Jobe shot an 81 to lead the Eagles. He was part of a Delta squad that found plenty of success in 2017, going undefeated in dual meets while also winning the Delaware County Tournament, becoming Hoosier Heritage Conference champion and winning the Monroe Central Sectional. He shot an 81 in the sectional victory.

Quick notes: Jobe is undecided at where to attend college, but is interested in Taylor because of its golf program.