Tag Archive for: high school GPA

THAT’S CHECKMATE

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CORTLAMD OH- Maplewood High School’s Claire Urchek keeps piling up the accolades. After being named YSN’s Basketball Freshman of the Year, Urchek has seamlessly brought her competitive edge to varsity softball, where she’s quickly become a pivotal player—while maintaining straight A’s in the classroom.

In a recent interview with Anthony Hartwig on YSN, Urchek detailed her journey from basketball to softball, crediting her multi-sport experience and off-season hitting lessons for a quick adjustment. “Basketball was a lot, but I got through it pretty well,” she explained. “During basketball season, I was taking hitting lessons, so that helped with softball too.” Juggling academics with a packed athletic schedule is no easy feat, but Urchek takes it in stride. “Balancing schoolwork with everything else [has been the hardest part],” she admitted. “Softball games are long and take up the whole night.” Even so, she reports all A’s and is focused on finishing the school year strong despite a wave of essays and her first finals.

Urchek also spoke about the close-knit bond of the Maplewood softball team, where many players have years of experience together. “It’s pretty cool, actually, to be a part of and we’ve been playing for a long time, a lot of us have,” she said, emphasizing how this chemistry fuels the team’s recent success. Being coached by her mother has proven to be both familiar and motivating for Urchek, who says, “She knows her stuff, so I get to talk to her about a lot of things… Sometimes we have disagreements, but I think that’s good, to learn from each other.” Sports are truly a family affair in the Urchek household—her father coaches her brother’s baseball team, and sibling rivalry keeps things competitive at home.

With three more years of high school ahead, Urchek’s goals are as ambitious as her work ethic. “I want to go far, bring my team far. I want to go to state. That’s probably my end goal for any sport,” she declared. Claire Urchek’s determination and composure, whether balancing the demands of two varsity sports or navigating a challenging academic schedule, make her a name Maplewood fans will be cheering for well into the future.

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FINDING CARTER

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Boardman, OH –  As the leaves turn and fall approaches, Boardman High School’s golf team bids farewell to one of its stalwarts, Carter Fick-Mills, whose senior year has been marked by reflection, leadership, and an unyielding passion for the sport. Carter’s journey with the Boardman Golf Team began at a tender age, influenced heavily by a family tradition of golf. “I’ve been around it my whole life,” Carter reminisced about his early days on the course, often playing alongside his parents and grandparents.

Entering his final year, the pressures of leadership were not lost on Carter. “I was aware a lot of the younger guys on the team were looking up to me as a leader and a role model,” he shared. His focus was on maintaining a positive demeanor, ensuring his teammates could look to him for guidance on and off the course.  The mental aspect of golf has been a significant area of growth for Carter, who emphasizes the importance of staying positive even after a tough shot. This mindset, combined with his preference for a conservative approach on the course, underscores his thoughtful and strategic playstyle.

Academically, Carter has also been a standout, boasting a 4.0 GPA. His dedication to his studies remains unwavering as he prepares for the next chapter of his life, though he admits to finding AP Chemistry particularly challenging. Still, his interests in chemistry and business hint at a promising future.

As the curtain falls on his high school golf career, Carter’s reflections are tinged with nostalgia. “It really is special just thinking about. I now have one or two more matches left, ever,” he confessed. The realization that competitive golf might end after graduation has made each round more meaningful. Despite the challenges ahead, Carter is optimistic and grateful for his experience as a Spartan. “I’m really proud to say that I’m a Spartan and part of this great group of people,” he stated, expressing his appreciation for the coaches, teammates, and friends who have supported him along the way. As he prepares to leave the greens of Boardman High, Carter extends heartfelt thanks to his parents, grandmother, and coach for their unwavering support. His journey stands as a testament to the values of hard work, leadership, and passion, leaving a lasting legacy for future Boardman golfers to follow.

For those who wish to catch Carter in action one last time, Boardman High School’s golf team has a couple of matches remaining this season. Don’t miss the opportunity to see this remarkable young athlete in his element.

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THE SCOOP ON COOP

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Boardman, OH – In the heart of Boardman, Ohio, a young athlete is making waves on the high school golf scene. Cooper Mraz, a standout player for Boardman High School’s golf team, recently shared his journey and insights in a candid interview with YSN in the latest Boardman Golf Player Profile.

Mraz’s introduction to golf came at an early age, thanks to his father. Recalling his father’s influence, Mraz shared, “My dad introduced me to golf when I was, like, eight or nine. I played at Mill Creek short holes, and I just fell in love with it.” From these humble beginnings, Mraz’s love for the sport grew, leading him to join his high school golf team as a freshman.

The road to success in golf is often paved with mental challenges, and Mraz acknowledges this aspect of the game. He discussed how he developed the mental resilience needed to excel in golf, stating, “I just try not to get frustrated at anything. I just keep a positive mindset by just being happy with everything I’m doing and trying not to get mad at anything I’m doing at all.”

Mraz’s dedication to the sport is matched by his impressive academic achievements. Holding a 3.8 GPA, he excels in subjects like science and math, despite acknowledging that English poses more of a challenge. When asked about his academic interests, Mraz expressed a particular affinity for algebra.

Beyond his golf and academic pursuits, Mraz is also a member of the tennis team. He appreciates how both sports demand mental toughness and how skills from one sport can benefit the other. “For golf, I would say something I bring from golf to tennis is just, like, my work ethic, practicing every day, and just getting better and better as the season goes,” he explained. Mraz’s leadership on the golf team has not gone unnoticed. Inspired by former teammates like Carter Thick Mills, Mraz now finds himself in a mentor role, helping younger teammates improve their game. Reflecting on this transition, he said, “Being a leader now is amazing. I mean, I just get to help around and better my teammates, and it’s always fun.”

A memorable highlight of Mraz’s season was achieving his goal of shooting in the seventies at the Canfield Invitational, where he scored a 79. He described the experience with pride, emphasizing how setting and attaining goals motivates him.
As he contemplates his future, Mraz intends to pursue further education in a field related to science and math, although he remains undecided about his exact career path.

Supported by a competitive and encouraging family, Mraz finds motivation and inspiration close to home. He gratefully acknowledged his dad, coach, teammates, and the game of golf itself for their roles in his journey. As Cooper Mraz continues to thrive both on and off the golf course, Boardman High School and the local community have much to be proud of and look forward to from this young talent.

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