It was a list that took the TR sports staff months to compile.
The Muskingum Valley’s top female athletes this century is a deep and talented list from the 11 schools within our coverage area – Morgan, Muskingum and Perry counties.
To be eligible, athletes must not have graduated earlier than 2001, which means the fall season of 2000 got the ball rolling.
Emphasis was placed on individuals who earned Division I scholarships, excelled in multiple sports and won state championships. They weren’t the end-all, be-all factors, however.
Most importantly, the “eye test” still carried plenty of weight. Some players you simply don’t need statistics or postseason awards to know they belong.
To do this, we consulted longtime area coaches, former athletes and local media personalities to cross check and collect insight. It helped us fortify our own opinions.
In the end, it left us with a highly difficult task. Inevitably, deserving players would be left out. This list is truly the best of the best.
Without further ado, here are our Top 10 female athletes on our list.
10. Stevi Large, Sheridan, 2004
Large was also part of a strong faction of area throwers, making four appearances at the state meet. It led to three All-Ohio honors in the shot put, highlighted by a state runner-up finish her senior season.
Large was also a key contributor on the basketball court, helping the Generals reach the state final four. Her presence highlighted a talented group that put Sheridan among the best, not only in the MVL, but in the district and region.
Her throwing ability opened college opportunities for Large. She had several universities in pursuit before choosing the University of Akron where she won a national title in the weight throw.
9. Kayla Herron, John Glenn, 2003
Herron's throwing exploits were the area standard for years. The Muskie standout was a six-time All-Ohioan, highlighted by a state runner-up in the shot as a junior. The program's record-setting thrower was a four-time state qualifier in the shot and discus, capturing All-Ohio honors in both events from 2001-03.
The competition she faced in the Muskingum Valley League prepared her to excel at the district and regional level, collecting multiple titles and honors on her way to standing with the state's best on the podium.
Herron, who also contributed in basketball for the Muskies, competed for the University of Tennessee before transferring to Saint Francis. She was an All-American at both places.
8. Jamisyn Stinson, Sheridan, 2024
Jamisyn, like her sister Faith, graduated as one of the most decorated Generals in basketball and volleyball. She helped the Generals reach three regional basketball tournaments in four years, including a state runner-up finish in 2022.
Jamisyn, a two-time First Team All-Ohioan and four-time state selection, was known for her sharp-shooting skills. She is the school's all-time leading scorer and set several 3-point records in program history. While she was known as one of the top 3-point shooting threats in the state, her development on the defensive end helped the Generals continue their streak of eight straight MVL titles.
She also excelled on the volleyball court, being named second-team All-Ohio as a senior and a third-teamer as a junior. Her hitting ability aided Sheridan to three straight regional tournament appearances during her career.
Stinson will take her long-range shooting south, playing for Division I North Florida this upcoming season.
7. Faith Stinson, Sheridan, 2022
Height was one part of what made Faith a dominant force during her basketball and volleyball careers.
Faith was the Division II State Co-Basketball Player of the Year and Southeast District Player of the Year as a senior, averaging a double-double of 19.7 points and 12.2 rebounds. She was twice named First Team All-Ohio and also received numerous league and district accolades in basketball. She finished with nearly 1,300 career points with more than 700 rebounds and 200 blocks.
The Generals qualified for every regional tournament in basketball and volleyball during Faith's four years. The basketball team reached a pair of Final Fours during her tenure, and Faith was a two-time All-Ohioan for the volleyball team.
Her accolades landed her at Akron University before she transferred to IUPUI entering her sophomore season.
6. Abby Rhodes, Sheridan, 2009
There were few hitters as feared as Rhodes during her time with the Generals. During an era where pitchers dominated, Rhodes set the state career home run record with 35 upon her graduation.
Opponents respected Rhodes and avoided her bat with walks, limiting her chances to affect the outcome with her power. Yet, the Sheridan shortstop was recognized for her efforts, being a three-time All-Ohioan, including First Team as a junior.
Rhodes also excelled in volleyball and basketball, earning MVL honors in all three sports and collecting 11 letters. She went on to play softball for Kent State University.
5. Abby Walker, John Glenn, 2021
Walker's talents were visible on the volleyball court and track. The 6-1 middle hitter truly excelled at the net for the Muskies, collecting more than 1,000 kills in her career on her way to being a two-time MVL and District 12 Player of the Year.
Walker, who also had more than 630 career digs and 260 career blocks, displayed her all-around talents in making John Glenn a formidable opponent each time out. She made First Team All-Ohio as a senior after being Second Team All-Ohio her junior season. She led John Glenn to the regional tournament her junior year and a district finals appearance as a senior.
Walker had potential on the track, reaching the state meet as a freshman and sophomore before focusing on her volleyball career. She earned a scholarship with the University of Cincinnati.
4. Karlie Zumbro, John Glenn, 2018
The John Glenn product was one of the area's best on the track, earning four All-Ohio honors in the 300 hurdles, including three third-place finishes at the state meet.
She was a four-time district and regional champion in the event and won the 300 hurdles three times at the MVL Meet, still holding the league record in that event.
Her versatility allowed her to thrive in any event. She was an OATCCC Indoor State Champion in the 800 as a senior, while becoming a three-time All-Ohioan in the 100 hurdles at the outdoor state meet. She captured the MVL and District title twice in that event and won the 400 twice at the MVL meet.
She also shined in the jumps, highlighted by being a two-time OATCCC Indoor State Champion in the triple jump. She earned All-Ohio twice in the long jump and won the event three times in the MVL and twice at the regional meet.
Her all-around talent led her to a strong track career at Ball State University.
3. Jessica McKenzie, West Muskingum, 2005
McKenzie dominated the post in the Muskingum Valley League, making the Tornadoes a formidable foe every time they took the court.
Her ability to develop an all-around game made West Muskingum a consistent league and district title contender during her four years. The two-time All-Ohio First Team selection finished with a school-record 1,794 points, including a senior campaign where she averaged 25.8 points and 12 rebounds. Those numbers led her to being named the state's Division III Co-Player of the Year.
McKenzie was named the Player of the Year in the East District, District 12 and Muskingum Valley League twice. She was also a four-year volleyball standout at West M, earning District 12 and MVL all-star recognition, and went into the District 12 Hall of Fame in 2023.
McKenzie earned a scholarship for basketball with Bowling Green before transferring back to Muskingum University.
2. Jessie Slack, Sheridan, 2005
Slack was one of the top forces on the basketball court, especially in an era where the Muskingum Valley League was littered with talent.
Slack, who also competed in volleyball and softball, finished with 1,255 points and owned numerous school records when she graduated. She led the Generals to three MVL titles and a 2004 State Final Four appearance. Her awards included being tabbed the Southeast District Player of the Year twice and being a two-time All-Ohioan and a three-time MVL selection.
The Generals had plenty of talent, but her skillset was a driving force that made Sheridan one of the top teams in the district and region.
Slack went on to play for East Carolina University and helped then Division II Northern Kentucky win a national title in 2008.
1. Kaylee Antill, Tri-Valley, 2015
It was a difficult decision for the top spot, but the accolades Antill collected during her throwing career put her in our top spot.
Antill, who was Tri-Valley's first female individual state champion, won the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division I state discus title as a senior. She followed up by winning the 2015 national discus championship, leading to All-American accolades at the New Balance Nationals.
She still owns school and MVL records for the discus and shot to go with being a four-time All-Ohioan in discus and two-time All-Ohioan in the shot. Her accomplishments also include being a four-time MVL and District discus champion and three-time MVL and District shot champion.
Antill, who was a three-year letter winner in volleyball, also excelled during the indoor season. She earned All-Ohio accolades five times with two indoor state shot titles.
Her achievements led to a scholarship with Arizona State University.
bhannahs@gannett.com; X: @brandonhannahs
This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: The Best of the Best: Times Recorder names its Top 10 female athletes of the past 25 years
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