Meet The Vindicator's 2018 winter athletes for 2018

Mahoning Valley athletes were busy on the courts, at the lanes, on the mats and in the water this winter.

Some made it to state, the ultimate destination. One of our top winter athletes — Girard wrestler Jack DelGarbino — won a state crown. Another — Boardman swimmer Kyle Kimerer — finished on the podium at Canton’s C.T. Branin Natatorium.

Bowlers Seth Dunn (Lakeview) and Jenny Reebel (Hubbard) also competed at state. Dunn won an individual title. Fitch swimmer Gia DiRenzo barely missed out on an invitation to state. Basketball players Braeden O’Shaughnessy (Poland) and Dayshanette Harris (Ursuline) produced strong numbers. O’Shaughnessy averaged 18.3 points, leading the Bulldogs to a 21-1 regular season. Harris averaged 24.6 points, 6.4 assists, five rebounds and four steals, a major reason why she was selected the Division II All-Inland Player of the Year and first team all-Ohio.

No one had a better season than DelGarbino, Girard’s first wrestling state champion. The heavyweight needed just 38 seconds to pin Steubenville’s Tyler Ely in the state title match. The junior posted an amazing 49-0 record.

Kimerer made his third trip to state. He and teammates Callen Aulizia, Noah Basista and Matthew DunLany finished seventh in the 200 medley. Out of the pool, his GPA is a sizzling 4.00.

Read their profiles in today's Vindicator and on Vindy.com.