Milford Athletics

The best of the best among Milford High School student-athletes gathered on May 27 for the fourth annual Aerie Awards. The awards are named for the large nest of a bird of prey, especially an Eagle. The awards were voted on by Milford student-athletes and coaches. If you couldn’t attend in person or want to catch a replay, including red carpet interviews, click here for ESP Sports’ presentation.

Winners are noted in BOLD below.

Award #1: Eagle Service Award
This award is given to a student, student-athletes, or volunteer who poured countless hours of service and dedication to making Milford Athletics a better place.
Recipient: Olivia Zaya

Award #2: Female Athlete Career Milestone
A female athlete with an accumulative career milestone or record set during their high school career at Milford.
Nominees: Violet Shuluga, Rachel Morgan, Madeline House, Elle Campbell, Meghan McClellan

Award #3: Male Athlete Career Milestone
A male athlete with an accumulative career milestone or record set during their high school career at Milford.
Nominees: Brady Campbell, DJ Chadwell, Mason Cooper, Nick Henke, Patrick Eminger, Trey Wagner

Award #4: Best Picture Captured by a Student Photographer
This award goes to a MHS student photographer who captured the best picture/moment in Milford Athletics in the 2024-2025 School Year.
Nominees: Delaney Glynn, Aiden Josephson

Award #5: Breakthrough Team of the Year
A male or female sports team has improved dramatically from the previous year and on the cusp of greatness.
Nominees: Boys Golf, Boys Volleyball, Girls Lacrosse, Girls Basketball, Girls Cross Country, Boys Track & Field, Boys Soccer

Award #6: Freshman/JV Team of the Year
This award goes to a freshman or JV male or female sports team that shows great strides for their program both on and off the field and has experienced overwhelming team success.
Nominees: Freshman Boys Basketball, JV Boys Golf, Freshman Football, JV B Girls Basketball, JV Girls Basketball, JV A Girls Volleyball, JV B Girls Volleyball, JV Girls Cross Country, JV Girls Track & Field

Award #7: Freshman/JV Coach of the Year
The Freshman/JV Coach of the Year goes to a Milford coach that has shown passion and dedication for his/her team & has created an everlasting impact.
Nominees: Alexis Montalvo, Austin Rieck, Billy Rohlfs, Chip Long, Angie Laux, Jacalyn Parsley, Michael Bossart, Connor Stickleman, Geoff Wahl, Hannah Witte, Juan Lewis, Miah O'Toole, Paolo Dominguez

Award #8: Male Multi-Sport Athlete of the Year
This award is given to a male athlete who has competed and excelled in 2 or more sports during 2024-2025.
Nominees: Carter Haun, Carter Ings, DJ Chadwell, Luke Brand, Daniel Walker, EJ Davis, Grayson Hardoerfer, Henry Newman, RJ Smith, Tyler McQueen, Charlie Gehringer, Joey Dahmer

Award #9: Female Multi-Sport Athlete of the Year
This award is given to a female athlete who has competed and excelled in 2 or more sports during 2024-2025.
Nominees: Elle Campbell, Claire McFarland, Emmie Bell, Lizzie Fight, Jesslyn Roberts, Rachel Morgan, Maddie Bunker, Maddie Rockey, Madeline House, Lauren Johnson, Gabby Chadwell

Award #10: Male Flock Leader of the Year
This award is given to a male student who displays exemplary leadership within the Flock and promotes positive sportsmanship and school spirit.
Nominees: Hank Appel, Ian Schildmeyer, Joey Buchanan, RJ Smith, Sloan Gormley

Award #11: Female Flock Leader of the Year
This award is given to a female student who displays exemplary leadership within the Flock and promotes positive sportsmanship and school spirit.
Nominees: Abby Smith, Hayden Gilliland, Maddie Bunker, Richel Patel, Whitney Sluder

Award #12: Biggest Upset of the Year
An athlete or team who had the most shocking, unpredictable, and/or thrilling upset win in a game, match, meet, or competition in the 2024-2025 school year.
Nominees: Boys Swimming vs. St. X, Boys Basketball vs. CHCA, Boys Lacrosse vs. Spire, Boys Basketball vs. Loveland, Girls Volleyball vs. Kings, Girls Volleyball vs. Oak Hills, Girls Lacrosse vs. CHCA

Award #13: Moment/Highlight of the Year
An athlete or team who has had the most outstanding and memorable moment in a game, match, meet, or competition in the 2024-2025 school year.
Nominees: Boys Swimming ECC Champs, Carter Ings buzzer beater vs. Loveland, Brady Campbell wins State Championship, Violet Shuluga scores 1000 Points at Game of Hope, Girls Cross Country dethrones Loveland for ECC title, Girls Volleyball wins 1st District Championship since 1991, Dance wins 5th straight ECC title, Kennedy Schneider scores GW goal to beat Loveland as time expires

Award #14: Blooper of the Year
An athlete, coach, or staff member who had a memorable blooper, outtake, or blunder in the 24-25 school year.
Nominees: Karis Pepin eats the bleachers, Lizze Fight's cleatless clearance, Coach Wahl's clipboard smash, Girls Cross Country mud run

Awards #15 & 16: The Tough as Nails Grit Award
This award goes to a male or female athlete who has displayed exemplary toughness and grit through their respective athletic season and off-season
Nominees: Male - Avery Pence, Carter Ings, Cole Huffer, Daniel Walker, RJ Smith, Tyler McQueen
Female - Paige Kincaid, Ava Pappas, Sophie Steward, Molly Shiveley, Natalie Chiapelli, Makayla Chadwell, Lindsay Bruce, Kristen Bruce, Kate Lavin, Jesslyn Roberts, Gabi Navas, Brylie Gold

Award #17: Courageous Student-Athlete Award
The Courageous student-athlete award goes to a student-athlete who has dealt with serious injury, illness, or adversity in their personal life and/or by a family member and overcame a difficult situation.
Recipient: Colin Smith

Award #18: Rookie Coach of the Year
The male or female Rookie Coach of the Year goes to a Milford coach that is in his/her 1st or 2nd year at Milford and has made an immediate impact on the success, culture, and direction of their respective program.
Nominees: Ali Kirk, Bryce Dugan, Connor Stickleman, Jared Minderman, Kennedy Fails, LaRon Morley, Rebecca McLouth, Rob Rude

Award #19: Varsity Assistant Coach of the Year
The male or female Varsity Assistant Coach of the Year goes to a coach who has made significant contributions to their respective program.
Nominees: Brandon Oney, Chase Easterling, Connor Stickleman, Dan Chadwell, Kirsten Groh, Larry Hutzel, Megan Jones, Nancy Cedillo, Nick Haller, Pat Fagan, Tad Smith, Kaitlyn Bibb

Award #20: Sportswoman of the Year
This award is given to an individual female athlete who shows great involvement and positive leadership in their community & school. The Sportsman of the Year is a model example of all the qualities and characteristics we should strive to be as student-athletes at Milford High School.
Nominees: Abby Hoevener, Brenna Lavin, Claire McFarland, Ella Crompton, Grace Hamm, Hadley Robinson, Josi Stickle, Kristen Bruce, Lilly Braun, Lizzie Fight, Natalie Chiapelli, Rylee Hotchkiss, Whitney Sluder

Award #21: Sportsman of the Year
This award is given to an individual male athlete who shows great involvement and positive leadership in their community & school. The Sportswoman of the Year is a model example of all the qualities and characteristics we should strive to be as student-athletes at Milford High School.
Nominees: Cameron Barclay, Cole Huffer, DJ Chadwell, Daniel Walker, Ethan Melgard, Henry Newman, Jake Dixon, Jonathan Campbell, Malcolm Evans, Sloan Gormley

Award #22: Best Hype Woman of the Year
This award is given to an individual female athlete who is the leader of the team in getting the squad hyped before, during, and/or after the game/match/meet .
Nominees: Abby Smith, Ali Maglecic, Caroline Willson, Emmie Bell, Hayden Gilliland, Kristen Bruce, Lanie McCoy, Rylee Hotchess, Vannah Kirk, Zari Pepin, Naomi Rheude

Award #23: Best Hype Man of the Year
This award is given to an individual male athlete who is the leader of the team in getting the squad hyped before, during, and/or after the game/match/meet.
Nominees: Brendan MacRae, EJ Davis, Ethan Melgard, Grayson Hardoerfer, Isaiah Smith, Logan Roley, RJ Smith, Sloan Gormley

Award #24: MAAF Young Female Alumnus of the Year
This award is sponsored by the MAAF and given to an individual female Milford alumnus who is currently competing and excelling in athletics at the collegiate level.
Recipient: Jade Avance

Award #25 MAAF Young Male Alumnus of the Year
This award is sponsored by the MAAF and given to an individual male Milford alumnus who is currently competing and excelling in athletics at the collegiate level.
Recipient: Jacob Smith

Award #26 MAAF Distinguished Female Alumnus of the Year
This award is sponsored by the MAAF and given to an individual female Milford alumnus who has had a distinguished athletic career collegiate or professionally, and/or made significant contributions in the general athletic field.
Recipient: Hannah (Thierauf) Witte

Award #27 MAAF Distinguished Male Alumnus of the Year
This award is sponsored by the MAAF and given to an individual male Milford alumnus who has had a distinguished athletic career collegiate or professionally, and/or made significant contributions in the general athletic field.
Recipient: Jack Hannah

Award #28: Male Rising Star Award
This award goes to a rising male athlete who is a freshman or sophomore who has made a significant contribution to a varsity team.
Nominees: AJ Scanlon, Andrew Morgan, Brock Shuluga, Bryce Fielman, Charlie Gehringer, Chase Vincent, Clay Barkimer, Diego Gonzales, Henry Newman, Jacob Eminger, Jake Losee, Joey Dahmer, Nolan Burch, Alden Gooch, Zyon Randall

Award #29: Female Rising Star Award
This award goes to a rising female athlete who is a freshman or sophomore who has made a significant contribution to a varsity team.
Nominees: Ellie Fight, Gabby Chadwell, Maddie Rockey, Grace Miracle, Gabi Navas, Hannah Western, Jesslyn Roberts, Kennedy Schneider, Lindsay Bruce, Liz Fadden, Madeline House, Maren Barnett, Mikayla Chadwell, Baechle Mathes

Award #30: Male Athlete of the Year
The Male Athlete of the Year goes to a male student-athlete who had the most outstanding season and/or year in their respective sport or sports. This includes having a profound impact on their team and notable reputation as a fierce competitor and impact athlete by their team, schools in our league, and around SW Ohio.
Nominees: Brady Campbell, Bryce Fielman, Daniel Walker, Jonathan Campbell, Nick Henke, Carter Haun, Clay Barkimer, Colin Smith, Patrick Eminger, Joey Buchanan, Emmett Fentress

Award #31: Female Athlete of the Year
The Female Athlete of the Year goes to a female student-athlete who had the most outstanding season and/or year in their respective sport or sports. This includes having a profound impact on their team and notable reputation as a fierce competitor and impact athlete by their team, schools in our league, and around SW Ohio.
Nominees: Mandy Schneider, Brylie Gold, Elle Campbell, Gabby Chadwell, Kennedy Schneider, Lizzie Fight, Meghan McClellan, Rachel Morgan, Violet Shuluga

Award #32: Female Coach of the Year
The female Coach of the Year goes to a Milford coach that has shown passion and dedication for his team and has created an everlasting impact.
Nominees: Rebecca McLouth, Jill Helms, Kennedy Fails, Megan Stilwell, Stacie Vorhees, Emma Meinking

Award #33: Male Coach of the Year
The male Coach of the Year goes to a Milford coach that has shown passion and dedication for his team and has created an everlasting impact.
Nominees: Asif Shah, Conor Peck, Matt Jorden, Jim Sicilano, Matt Jorden, Joe Dumont, Matt Tolliver, Nick Haller, Tom Grippa

Award #34: Male Sports Team of the Year (Small Team)
This award goes to a male sports team that shows great strides for their program both on and off the field and has experienced overwhelming team success.
Nominees: Boys Volleyball, Boys Swimming & Diving, Boys Golf, Boys Bowling

Award #35: Female Sports Team of the Year (Small Team)
This award goes to a female sports team that shows great strides for their program both on and off the field and has experienced overwhelming team success.
Nominees: Girls Bowling, Dance Team, Girls Wrestling, Girls Water Polo, Softball, Girls Tennis

Award #36: Male Sports Team of the Year (Large Team)
This award goes to a male sports team that shows great strides for their program both on and off the field and has experienced overwhelming team success.
Nominees: Baseball, Boys Lacrosse, Boys Track & Field, Boys Soccer, Boys Cross Country

Award #37: Female Sports Team of the Year (Large Team)
This award goes to a female sports team that shows great strides for their program both on and off the field and has experienced overwhelming team success.
Nominees: Girls Basketball, Girls Cross Country, Girls Lacrosse, Girls Volleyball, Girls Track & Field