CLEVELAND — We know Northeast Ohio loves its sports, and even with three major league teams in Cleveland, we know how important it is to give love to the region's great high school stars.
It was yet another banner year for the OHSAA, especially with so many getting back to the grind after COVID-19 brought an abrupt end to things in 2020. State championship tournaments returned year-round, and kids across the area once again got to shine in their respective competitions.
Here are 3News' picks for Northeast Ohio's top 10 high school athletes of 2021:
10. Andrew McBride - Mentor ice hockey
Ohio's 2020-21 Offensive Player of the Year, McBride finished his career as Mentor's all-time leading scorer with 85 goals and 130 assists. As a senior, the First-team All-State selection led the Cardinals to the district finals, where they lost in overtime to Walsh Jesuit.
9. Peyton Gellin - Chagrin Falls soccer
A first-team All-Ohio goalie as well as All-American, Gellin shut out Wyoming to give the Tigers their first girls state soccer championship in 25 years. She is also an accomplished lacrosse player, and will be headed to Kent State next fall to compete in that sport.
8. Topher Reed - St. Ignatius golf
Besides helping the Wildcats set a record-low score at the OHSAA Division I state championships, Reed also won a share of the individual title. He will take his on-course talents to Ohio State next fall.
7. Madi Herrington - Keystone softball
Herrington followed in her older sister Carleigh's footsteps by winning Ohio's Miss Softball Award and leading the Wildcats to a Division III state title. The senior hit .608 with seven home runs, 62 RBIs, 47 runs scored and 17 stolen bases before graduating and heading to Oakland University in Michigan.
6. Tyler Hong - St. Ignatius swimming
A National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association All-American and three-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-American, Hong won his second straight state championship in the boys 200m individual medley last winter. He was named Male High School Athlete of the Year at the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards and is now continuing his career at Princeton University.
5. Kathryn Randorf - Gilmour volleyball
After taking home Ohio's Gatorade Volleyball Player of the Year in 2020, Randorf dominated as a senior and helped the Lancers to a second straight Division II state title. The Northwestern commit had 33 kills in the decisive victory over Roger Bacon.
4. Malaki Branham - St. Vincent-St. Mary basketball
Branham averaged 21.3 points and 5.7 rebounds per game to lead the Irish to the Division II boy state championship, scoring a career-high 37 in the state title game against Toledo St. Francis de Sales. The guard became the first Northeast Ohioan since 2012 to win the state's Mr. Basketball award, and is currently in Columbus playing for Ohio State.
3. Luciano Pechota - St. Ignatius soccer
Although he was hampered by injuries at times, Pechota capped off a stellar career by earning All-America honors and leading the Wildcats to state and national championships with 14 goals. The OSCCA boys Division I Player of the Year will also be headed to Ohio State.
2. Drew Allar - Medina football
After coming out of nowhere during the 2020 playoffs, Allar and the Battling Bees were even better in 2021, starting 13-0 before finally falling to eventual state champion St. Edward in the Division I regional finals. During the historic run, the Penn State commit set Medina County records with 4,444 passing yards and 48 touchdown throws to take home Ohio's prestigious Mr. Football Award.
1. Paige Floriea - Mentor track and field
Floriea wrapped up her stellar high school career by leading the Cardinals to the OHSAA girls team state championship, winning four individual events by herself -- the 100m, 200m, and 400m dashes as well as the long jump. Besides winning Female High School Athlete of the Year at the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards, she also earned Gatorade Girls Track & Field Player of the Year honors for the state of Ohio, and is currently taking part in competition at the University of North Carolina.