Special to 1808Delaware
Westerville North High School senior Max Thomas was named Ohio Capital Conference Player of the Year for the Capital division in boys soccer — the first time in nearly 20 years a WNHS boys soccer player has received the honor.
In addition, WNHS boys soccer coach Nate Hartnell and WNHS girls soccer coach Nick Wheeler earned OCC Coach of the Year honors while Westerville Central High School’s Brad Baker received the OCC Coach of the Year for girls tennis.
Hartnell said Thomas has been an incredible player during his four years on the WNHS soccer team and an even better leader.
“Being named OCC Player of the Year means so much to me,” Thomas said. “Knowing that all the work you put in while others aren’t watching shows that it all paid off.”
The Warrior boys soccer team won their second consecutive OCC title, making it the first time winning back-to-back league championships since the 2004-05 season. Their final season record was 7-4-7.
Thomas, who scored the two goals in the OCC championship game, called this year one of the best of his life — especially with his teammates.
“The guys I gotta do it with were the best part,” he said. “They would always show up to practice in a good mood. That makes me want to give my best when at practice.”
Hartnell also credited the team and assistant coaches Ed Mueller, Drew Buttermore and Trent Gray for receiving the OCC Coach of the Year for the second straight year.
“It’s a tremendous honor and one that is even more special as a former Warrior soccer player,” he said. “But It’s truly a program award. A head coach is only as good as their players and assistant coaches. I am so lucky to have such great players who stepped on the field and played with such emotion and fought all year to win back-to-back OCC Championships.”
Wheeler said he is honored to be recognized by his peers with the Coach of the Year award.
“Fellow coaches are oftentimes the only ones that can truly empathize with everything that we go through on a daily basis so this is an honor that I don’t take for granted,” he said.
He is also grateful for his assistant coaches, parent volunteers and student-athletes.
“We have an extremely committed, hard working, inclusive, and encouraging group that I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to work with daily,” he said.
After starting 1-4-1, Wheeler led the girls soccer team to a 9-4 run and finished as district runners-up.
Baker said it meant a great deal to be recognized by his peers as the girls tennis Coach of the Year. After eight seasons as head coach, he said he is proud of building a program known for its consistency and sportsmanship.
“We are a no cut team, but no cut does not mean not competitive,” he said. “It’s hard to make varsity at Central and our numbers mean that you need to work hard in the off-season to have a chance. It’s why we’ve been able to field a competitive team year after year.”
He also appreciates the culture at WCHS and has received compliments from opposing coaches and parents complimenting Warhawk student-athletes for their behavior.
“Each season, we have three goals: Finish with a winning record, be a top quartile team in the coaches poll and have fun doing it,” Baker said.
This year, the girls tennis team finished 12-6, winning a couple of doubles tournaments. The team ranked 12 out of the 50 schools in the Central district.
Source, Image: Westerville City Schools
