ESPN RISE

BOYS' ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

COLLIN PALMER
St. Edward / Wrestling
For Palmer, good things have come in fours during his tenure with the wrestling squad. In four years, he has suffered defeat only four times and won four Division I state titles across four different weight classes. Palmer finished his career with 147 wins after going 39-2 as a senior. He was named The Plain Dealer's Wrestler of the Year and will move on to wrestle at Ohio State next year with his older brother, Lance, who was also a four-time state champ. The duo became the third set of brothers to graduate with four championships apiece.

OTHER FINALISTS

STORM KLEIN
Licking Valley / Football
After losing one of the top running backs in the country in Chris "Beanie" Wells, Ohio State will welcome the state's best high school back in Klein. In the fall, Klein scored 24 touchdowns and piled up 1,797 rushing yards.

MATT MASON
Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy / Soccer
Opposing defenses had the arduous task of trying to keep Mason from scoring. They didn't have much success. The University of Akron-bound senior striker netted 29 goals and seven assists for the Division II runners-up.

C.J. McCOLLUM
GlenOak / Basketball
While Jared Sullinger, the state's top recruit, took the Mr. Basketball award in Ohio, McCollum nabbed Gatorade State Player of the Year honors. The school's all-time leading scorer averaged 29.3 points and 7.8 rebounds as a senior.

GIRLS' ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

MAHOGANY JONES
Rhodes / Track
After committing to Penn State in the winter, Jones turned her attention to adding to her hefty athletic resume at the Division I state meet. The speedy senior captured three individual titles  the first indoor athlete to accomplish the feat  and helped Rhodes place fourth in the overall team standings. Jones secured victories in the 60, 200 and 400, setting three personal records in the process. The ESPN RISE All-Area selection broke the meet record in the 60 with a time of 7.49 seconds.

OTHER FINALISTS

KAITLYN LEARY
Padua / Volleyball
She is only a junior, but Leary has already set herself apart as a top-notch talent on the volleyball court. The Ohio State recruit and outside hitter was named a Prepvolleyball.com All-American after totaling 217 digs and 400 kills.

RACHAEL MELENDEZ
Firelands / Soccer
Melendez struck fear in opposing defenders as she scored with ease this season. She led the state in scoring, ripping 60 goals with 22 assists. Melendez, a senior midfielder, was a first team All-Ohio Division II selection.

KARISMA PENN
Shaker Heights / Basketball
Penn was a first team All-Ohio selection and a formidable presence in the frontcourt for the Raiders. The Illinois recruit overcame a knee injury as a sophomore to average 19.9 points, 12.6 boards and 3.8 blocks in her senior season.