The Grapevine

by Martin McConnell

Cuyahoga Valley Career Center recently named Independence High School senior Chase Manelski in its “Student Spotlight of the Month” for the Independence district. Manelski is currently enrolled in CVCC’s heating and air conditioning program.

“Chase has always been mechanically inclined, and wanted to learn skills that would always be useful in an ever-changing world,” CVCC said in a press release. “Chase has enjoyed the troubleshooting element of the program, as it provides skills that he can use universally in other areas like the electronics or mechanics of a vehicle.”

Outside of the program, Manelski is involved in the football and wrestling programs with the Blue Devils. According to CVCC, he hopes to carve out a career for himself in the heating and cooling industry.

Independence cross country runner Kyle McGovern recently secured a spot in the Elyria district regional cross country meet. McGovern finished 13th with a time of 17:58, and a qualification cutoff of the top 16 runners. Independence came in 8th place as a team, with a team cutoff of only the top four.

“Finishing in the top 16 was very exciting,” McGovern told OhioVarsity.com. “The competition was much tougher than last year, so I knew it was going to be a challenge to make it back to regionals this year.”

The lady Blue Devils golf team competed in the Girls Division II State Championship at the end of October, finishing in third place overall, with a team score of 691. Boys golf team member Mark Pillar finished fourth in the state at the OHSAA State Golf Tournament.

The Independence girls varsity volleyball team became district champions after a win over Chippewa High School on Oct. 29.Chris Pasek, of Independence, graduated with a BSN majoring in Baccalaureate Nursing from Ohio University’s College of Health Sciences and Professions.