Richland 200: Top 150 kicks off with elite talent, future leaders at 141-150

MANSFIELD — We have officially reached the Top 150 in the annual summer series known as the Richland 200.

From here, rankings are like splitting hairs as every athlete is approaching elite level.

Let's meet those who came in at 141-150.

191-200: Richland 200: Kicking things off with Nos. 191-200 and 70 honorable mentions

181-190: Richland 200: Team-first athletes highlight Nos. 181-190 of top returners in 2024-25

171-180: Richland 200: Meet some future superstars in Nos. 171-180 of top returners of 2024-25

161-170: Richland 200: Athletes ranked 161-170 set for big fall sports seasons

151-160: Richland 200: Countdown of top returning athletes in 2024-25 hits the 50 mark with 151-160

141. Kendra Walp, Shelby

Walp was one of the top liberos in Richland County last year when she collected 516 digs as Shelby volleyball's defensive specialist. She currently sits at 987 so she is due to go over the 1,000-dig mark this year as the Whippets go hunting for a league championship and a second consecutive sectional title. She earned second team All-District 6 and second team All-Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference honors a year ago and is in line for more during her senior year.

142. Baylie Hoffbauer, Shelby

Hoffbauer was a key reason why Shelby volleyball won its first sectional championship since 2012 and posted the first winning season since 2017. A senior setter, Hoffbauer handed out 783 last year as a junior when she earned second team All-District 6 and recorded a season-best 52 assists in a 3-1 win over Ontario. With a bunch of strong hitters around her, Hoffbauer could post another big year and maybe even reach 800 assists this season.

143. Ally Shoemaker, Mansfield Christian

Staying with volleyball setters, Shoemaker had a huge junior season handing out 588 assists and helping the Flames win the first league championship in program history. She earned first team All-Mid-Buckeye Conference honors after eclipsing the 1,000 career assists mark. She has 1,088 and has her sights set on 1,500. The Flames went 16-6 with Shoemaker running the offense and will try to top that mark in 2024.

144. Myah Midkiff, Lucas

As a sophomore, Midkiff was a standout two-sport athlete for the Cubs. First, she earned honorable mention All-District 6 and second team All-MBC honors in volleyball when she recorded 138 kills, 17 aces, 17 blocks, 264 digs, 18 assists and 228 serve receptions. In softball, she earned second team All-MBC when she led the Cubs with a .500 batting average. She had 23 hits, three doubles, two triples, eight RBIs and 16 runs scored. With her junior year approaching, it will be interesting to watch Midkiff's progression as she grows into a leader in both sports.

145. Kylie Thornton, Lexington

Remember, circle and highlight this name. Kylie Thornton is about to explode. Last year in volleyball, she earned honorable mention All-Ohio Cardinal Conference after she recorded 64 kills, 26 aces, 57 blocks and 39 digs for a solid all-around kind of season helping Lady Lex reach the district championship game for the first time since 2017. Then, in softball, she went off. She hit .374 with 37 hits, eight doubles, one triple and three home runs. She collected 42 RBIs and 20 runs scored as the starting first baseman on the OCC and district championship team. She was a second team All-OCC player and now, the team is hers. She will be the undeniable leader for Lady Lex and with Thornton leading the way offensively, another great year is ahead.

146. Jarrett Burrer, Plymouth

Burrer was an exciting sophomore last season for the Big Red. In basketball, he earned honorable mention All-Northwest District, honorable mention All-District 6 and honorable mention All-Firelands Conference after he averaged 12.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists. In baseball, he earned honorable mention All-District 9 and first team All-FC when he hit .314 with 22 hits, five doubles, two home runs, 20 RBIs and 21 runs scored. He also went 2-3 on the mound with a 1.51 earned run average and 60 strikeouts in 46 innings of work. With two more years, Burrer is going to be a kid to keep an eye on for quite some time as the Big Red look to get some things rolling.

147. Gavin Husty, Lexington

Husty had a nice junior basketball season averaging 8.2 points and 2.9 rebounds while making 33% of his 3-pointers, which was enough to earn him honorable mention All-OCC honors. He played his role perfectly last year as a spot-up 3-point shooter who could also slash to the rim and finish. Now, as a senior, he will be the leader on a team that was itching for player leadership and if he can be that guy, the sky is the limit for himself and his teammates.

148. Rashad Reed Jr., Mansfield Senior

There may not be a single young basketball player in Richland County with more upside than Reed. He averaged 8.8 points and shot 36% from 3 for the Tygers last season as a sophomore. He earned honorable mention All-OCC honors, but now, the team is his and as a junior, there won't be a single player who makes a bigger leap than Reed. He has the Tygers pedigree and the right attitude to take the Tygers to the next level in 2024-25.

149. Kendyll Tolbert, Plymouth

As a freshman, Tolbert was sensational earning honorable mention honors in the Northwest District, District 6 and Firelands Conference as she grew into the No. 2 option for the Big Red. Now, she will be the No. 1 option and a great one at that as the Big Red look to build a sustainable program moving forward. As a sophomore, look for Tolbert to really take off.

150. Emma Stankovich, Madison

It seems like Madison softball is always chalk full of underrated players and Stankovich is the latest. She earned honorable mention All-OCC honors after hitting .296 with 24 hits, a home run, 14 RBIs and a run scored while handling the catching duties for the first time in her high school career. She only allowed eight passed balls and picked off four runners in 173 innings of work. Heading into her senior year, Stankovich is going to have the best year of her career in the spring.

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This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Richland 200: Top 150 kicks off with elite talent, future leaders at 141-150