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Magis Athletes of the Week: McLellan, Spear, Gazdak, Virant, Richmond

By Joe Ginley '12 , 12/11/19, 10:15AM EST

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McLellan earned a 4-2 record on the weekend.

For the first time of the season, all five winter sports teams were active. So, it was a busy few days.

With that, the Wildcats had plenty of standout performances, especially the ones below. Here are your Magis Athletes of the Week, presented by the Carfagna Family Magis Athletic Center:

Basketball – Tommy Spear '20

The season is young and the weather is cold, but Tommy Spear is red-hot.

The senior has been a lights-out shooter for the Wildcats. Given open looks in the first three games, Spear delivered in spades.

Against John Marshall, Spear made the visitors pay for giving him space to work behind the arc. Spear tabbed two clutch 3-pointers in the second quarter. Spear also drove the lane with authority, drawing a foul and hitting a free throw. 

On Monday, Spear received the Zion Williamson jersey, given to the team's top player that week. Beyond just his basketball skills, Spear is an excellent leader for the Wildcats. 

Bowling – Noah Virant '20

One of two seniors on the Alley Cats, Virant is an important member of the team.

As a team captain, Virant is a great leader and a Man for Others. He's always there to talk with his teammates, provide a kind work, and do anything needed to help the team.

Virant is also a great bowler. He showed off his skills on Saturday in a Greater Cleveland Interscholastic Bowling League (GCIBL)  matchup vs. Padua. The Bruins managed to topple the Wildcats, but that didn't stop Virant from doing great.

In the second game, Virant rolled a 199. Virant knocked down strikes with authority and showcased his great talent on the lanes. Virant will be a key cog in the machine all season for the Wildcats.

Hockey – Clay Gazdak '20

Defense wins championships, just ask the Wildcats. Clay Gazdak is a big part of why Saint Ignatius hockey is so strong on defense.

Gazdak is an athletic, quick defender who thwarts opposing attacks with ease. Working with Charlie Erbs, Gazdak is a force to be reckoned with on the ice.

Gazdak excelled this weekend for the Wildcats. The senior found the back of the net in the second game of the weekend. Gazdak scored a goal in the 5-1 win over the Pittsburgh Predators on Sunday. The tally marked Gazdak's first of the season and the fourth of his career. It was his 3rd point of the year, as Gazdak has 2 assists in 7 games.

Beyond his skills on the ice, Gazdak is a great leader. The senior is a humble and kind leader, always there for his teammates. 

Swimming – Joe Richmond '21

Just like last year, Joe Richmond will be a key contributor for the Wildcats.

Richmond contributed plenty for the Wildcats this past week. The junior helped the Wildcats tally a huge defeat over the 55-time District Champion Toledo St. Francis. 

Richmond made the most of his four events. For starters, Richmond won the 200 IM. In impressive fashion, the speedster shaved two seconds off of his seed time, winning the race with a time of 2:00.70. Richmond squeaked by his foe from St. Francis by .14 seconds, winning 8 points for the Wildcats.

Richmond then swam the 100 butterfly. Richmond tallied a time of 55.21, placing him third for 5 points in the event.

He then did great work in the 200 free relay. The anchor of the squad, working with Cormac Nolan, Kian Carmichael, and Cam Marcie, Richmond did great work. Richmond swam a 22.20 in his leg of the race, the best of any anchor in the contest. Only Will Van de Walle had a better time of any swimmer in the race (21.82). 

Richmond rounded out his day in the 400 freestyle relay. Together with Micah Murtha, John Soeder, and Tyler Hong, Richmond helped to win the race. The junior tallied times of 23.01 and 49.20, helping to extend the lead long enough for Hong to close it out in the final leg.

Richmond will continue to be a clutch performer for the Wildcats the rest of the way.

Wrestling – Grayson McLellan '21

The sky is the limit for Grayson McLellan. 

The junior will be a key grappler for the Wildcats at 120 pound. McLellan has heaps of talent, and the work ethic to make his dreams a reality.

His 2019-20 campaign began on a high note this weekend. 

McLellan enjoyed a nice weekend at the Solon Comet Classic. The junior pinned his opening opponent in the first opponent in impressive fashion. McLellan won his next two matches as well, winning by smart 6-3 and 7-6 decisions.

The eventual champ at 120, Jacob Moon of Clay, bested McLellan in the semifinal. McLellan also lost his opening consolation match, but rebounded with style in the 5th place contest. McLellan earned a hard-fought 4-3 decision in his final bout, showcasing his strength and athleticism. 

Look out for McLellan for the rest of the year. He's going to be a great one.