Versailles’ Jonathan Moorman, Kami McEldowney named athletes of the week

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DARKE COUNTY – Two Versailles athletes who have made deep runs in their Ohio High School Athletic Association tournaments are this week’s Daily Advocate athletes of the week.

This week’s Daily Advocate athletes of the week are Versailles girls basketball player Kami McEldowney and Versailles wrestler Jonathan Moorman.

Moorman has advanced all the way to the OHSAA state wrestling meet. The Versailles senior finished third in the 170 pound class at last week’s Division III district tournament to qualify for state.

“It just proves that the hard work that you put in is what you get out of it,” Versailles wrestling coach A.J. Bey said.

The previous week in the OHSAA sectional tournament Moorman finished as the runner up in his weight class behind Mechanicsburg’s Kaleb Romero, who is a three-time state champion.

“Jonny’s just been solid, great work ethic, and it shows in what he’s doing,” Bey said.

Moorman is among the Darke County wrestling leaders in almost every statistical category this season including wins (36), pins (17), technical falls (3), takedowns (156), reversals (24) and escapes (38).

“I think he actually set the takedowns record in a season; he beat Matt Mangen’s record,” Bey said.

Moorman is a four-year lettermen for the Versailles wrestling team and has been a strong competitor for the Tigers throughout his career.

“Jonny just goes out and does what Jonny does,” Bey said.

McEldowney also has been a key contributor for Versailles since her freshman year when she helped the Lady Tigers win the OHSAA Division III state championship.

“She’s had to take more of a leadership role,” Versailles girls Jacki Stonebraker said of McEldowney, who is now a junior. “As a freshman she kind of just hid behind our other players and was kind of that role player. Now she’s one of the players that has to control the game.”

McEldowney has become one of Versailles’ go-to players, leading the Tigers with 13.6 points per game this season. In addition to being one of Darke County’s top scorers, she’s also among the leaders with 3.3 assists per game.

“And just the ball handling that she has and ability to control the offense like she does,” Stonebraker said. “You never know if she’s going to take wide-open 3 or if she’s going to drive right around you. So to have that versatility in one girl is a very blessed thing for us to have.”

With McEldowney’s leadership the Versailles has reached the regional finals of the OHSAA tournament and is looking to make it back to state.

“She’s playing with a great head on her shoulders,” Stonebraker said. “I tell her before every game, ‘Play within yourself. Don’t try to do too much. Let the game come to you.’ And she’s really taken heart to that and played very consistently.”

Versailles wrestler Jonathan Moorman and Versailles girls basketball player Kami McEldowney have been named this week’s Daily Advocate athletes of the week. To nominate a Darke County athlete for athlete of the week, contact Sports Editor Kyle Shaner at 937-569-4316 or [email protected].
https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_Moorman-and-McEldowney-WEB.jpgVersailles wrestler Jonathan Moorman and Versailles girls basketball player Kami McEldowney have been named this week’s Daily Advocate athletes of the week. To nominate a Darke County athlete for athlete of the week, contact Sports Editor Kyle Shaner at 937-569-4316 or [email protected]. Kyle Shaner|The Daily Advocate

By Kyle Shaner

[email protected]

Kyle Shaner may be reached at 937-569-4316. Follow me on Twitter @KShanerAdvocate or get updates on Facebook by searching Darke County Sports or Advocate 360. For more features online go to dailyadvocate.com.

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