The best of the best among Milford High School student-athletes gathered on May 21 for the third annual Aerie Awards. The awards are named for the large nest of a bird of prey, especially an Eagle. The awards were voted on by Milford student-athletes and coaches. If you couldn’t attend in person or want to catch a replay, including red carpet interviews, click here for ESP Sports’ presentation.

Winners are noted in BOLD below.

Award #1: Eagle Service Award
This award is given to a student, student-athletes, or volunteer who poured countless hours of service and dedication to making Milford Athletics a better place.
Recipient: Mackenzie Bruce

Award #2: Female Athlete Career Milestone
A female athlete with an accumulative career milestone or record set during their high school career at Milford.
Nominees: Ana Manning, Caitlin Evans, Jesslyn Roberts, Violet Shuluga, Mandy Schneider

Award #3: Male Athlete Career Milestone
A male athlete with an accumulative career milestone or record set during their high school career at Milford.
Nominees: Luke Barkimer, Reece Davis, Adam Clayton, Austin Holman, Emmett Fentress, Brady Campbell, Luke Brand, Mason Cooper

Award #4: Breakthrough Team of the Year
A male or female sports team has improved dramatically from the previous year and on the cusp of greatness.
Nominees: Girls Lacrosse, Girls Cross Country, Girls Track & Field, Girls Bowling, Boys Bowling, Boys Golf

Award #5: Freshman/JV Team of the Year
This award goes to a freshman or JV male or female sports team that shows great strides for their program both on and off the field and has experienced overwhelming team success.
Nominees: JV Boys Soccer, JV Girls Soccer, JV Girls Tennis, JVB Girls Volleyball, JV Baseball, JV Girls Lacrosse

Award #6: Freshman/JV Coach of the Year
The Freshman/JV Coach of the Year goes to a Milford coach that has shown passion and dedication for their team and has created an everlasting impact.
Nominees: Billy Rohlfs, Connor Stickleman, Megan Jones, Tim Disbennett, Geoff Wahl, Mike Jackson

Award #7: Male Multi-Sport Athlete of the Year
This award is given to a male athlete who has competed and excelled in two or more sports during 2023-24.
Nominees: Luke Eminger, Michael Kirk, Caden Bailey, Toto Luani, JP Naylor, Daniel Walker, Luke Brand

Award #8: Female Multi-Sport Athlete of the Year
This award is given to a female athlete who has competed and excelled in two or more sports during 2023-24.
Nominees: Kelsey McKenney, Caitlin Evans, Maddie Bunker, Kaitlyn Flynn, Lindsay Brown, Camille Hutzel

Award #9: Female Sports Team of the Year
This award goes to a female sports team that shows great strides for their program both on and off the field and has experienced overwhelming team success.
Nominees: Girls Soccer, Softball, Girls XC, Girls Lacrosse, Dance Team

Award #10: Male Sports Team of the Year
This award goes to a male sports team that shows great strides for their program both on and off the field and has experienced overwhelming team success.
Nominees: Football, Boys Lacrosse, Boys Cross Country, Boys Tennis, Boys Swimming

Award #11: Flock Leader of the Year
This award is given to a student who displays exemplary leadership within the Flock and promotes positive sportsmanship and school spirit.
Nominees: Nate Frye, Luke Barkimer, Brendan Worthington

Award #12: Moment/Highlight of the Year
An athlete or team who has had the most outstanding and memorable moment in a game, match, meet, or competition in the 2023-24 school year.
Nominees: Jay Brossart (Baseball - bases loaded no outs and gets 3k's to strike out side), Football game vs. Winton Woods 3-0 nailbiter win, Softball vs. Kings double play win, Girls Lacrosse comeback win vs. Lebanon, Girls Basketball OT win vs. Kings, Girls Soccer beating Loveland, Boys Basketball OT win vs. Lebanon, Boys Soccer last minute goal by Asher Tomsic to beat Loveland 1-0, Girls Lacrosse upsets top-seeded Sycamore in OHSAA Tournament

Awards #13 & 14: The Tough as Nails Grit Award
This award goes to a male or female athlete who has displayed exemplary toughness and grit through their respective athletic season and off-season.
Nominees: Tofa Luani, Wyatt Simones, Natalie Chiapelli, Megan Hawkins, Marlee Scanlon, Carter Ings

Award #15 Courageous Student-Athlete Award
The Courageous student-athlete award goes to a student-athlete who has dealt with serious injury, illness, or adversity in their personal life and/or by a family member and overcame a difficult situation.
Recipient: Miah O'Toole

Award #16: Rookie Coach of the Year
The male or female Rookie Coach of the Year goes to a Milford coach that is in his/her first or second year at Milford and has made an immediate impact on the success, culture, and direction of their respective program.
Nominees: Rebecca McLouth, Kennedy Fails, Courtney Walls, Brandon Baker, Asif Shah, Kate Schaeffer

Award #17: Varsity Assistant Coach of the Year
The male or female Varsity Assistant Coach of the Year goes to a coach who has made significant contributions to their respective program.
Nominees: Tad Smith, Jimmy Grippa, Tim Gregory, Larry Hutzel, Jared Minderman

Award #18: Sportsman of the Year
This award is given to an individual male athlete who shows great involvement and positive leadership in their community and school. The Sportsman of the Year is a model example of all the qualities and characteristics we should strive to be as student-athletes at Milford High School.
Nominees: Tofa Luani, Jonathan Campbell, Jake McCoy, JP Naylor, Andrew Littrell, Troy Watkins, Jacob Wagner, Cameron Barclay

Award #19: Sportswoman of the Year
This award is given to an individual female athlete who shows great involvement and positive leadership in their community and school. The Sportswoman of the Year is a model example of all the qualities and characteristics we should strive to be as student-athletes at Milford High School.
Nominees: Peyton Smith, Kelsey McKenney, Whitney Sluder, Lanie McCoy, Karis Pepin, Annabelle Wagner, Jasmin Mu

Award #20: Male Rising Star Award
This award goes to a rising male athlete who is a freshman or sophomore who has made a significant contribution to a varsity team.
Nominees: Brady Campbell, Charlie Gehringer, Clay Barkimer, Henry Newman, Aiden Gooch, Paul Dumont, Andrew Ray

Award #21: Female Rising Star Award
This award goes to a rising female athlete who is a freshman or sophomore who has made a significant contribution to a varsity team.
Nominees: Gabby Chadwell, Gabi Navas, Elle Campbell, Jesslyn Roberts, Lanie McCoy, Audrey Fox, Meghan McClellan

Award #22: Male Athlete of the Year
The Male Athlete of the Year goes to a male student-athlete who had the most outstanding season and/or year in their respective sport or sports. This includes having a profound impact on their team and notable reputation as a fierce competitor and impact athlete by their team, schools in our league, and around Southwest Ohio.
Nominees: Gavin Dalen, Luke Brand, Nathan Webster, Reece Davis, Brady Campbell, Austin Holman, Tofa Luani, Toto Luani

Award #23: Female Athlete of the Year
The Female Athlete of the Year goes to a female student-athlete who had the most outstanding season and/or year in their respective sport or sports. This includes having a profound impact on their team and notable reputation as a fierce competitor and impact athlete by their team, schools in our league, and around Southwest Ohio.
Nominees: Ana Manning, Caitlin Evans, Kelsey McKenney, Violet Shuluga, Meghan McClellan, Claire McFarland, Lily Wright, Maris Gooch

Award #24: Female Coach of the Year
The female Coach of the Year goes to a Milford coach that has shown passion and dedication for their team and has created an everlasting impact.
Nominees: Christy Gregory, Jill Helms, Megan Stilwell, Katie O'Bryan, Amy Gill

Award #25: Male Coach of the Year
The male Coach of the Year goes to a Milford coach that has shown passion and dedication for his team and has created an everlasting impact.
Nominees: Tom Grippa, Nick Haller, Matt Jorden, Conor Peck, Michael Neverman, Matt Tolliver