COLUMBUS, OH – The Central Buckeye League is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025–26 Scholar Athlete of the Year Award for the junior class. This year’s honorees are Mitch Hahn of Grandview Heights High School and Katie Neviaser of Columbus Academy.

Male Scholar Athlete of the Year

Mitch Hahn – Grandview Heights High School

Mitch Hahn has distinguished himself as an outstanding student-athlete through his achievements in the classroom, on the field, and within the community.

A two-sport athlete in baseball and basketball, Hahn has earned Academic Honor All-League recognition twice in both sports. On the baseball field, he has also been recognized with All-League Honorable Mention honors, Second Team All-League honors, and Second Team All-District honors.

Beyond athletics, Hahn serves on the basketball program’s leadership council and is actively involved in community service initiatives. His volunteer efforts include serving with the Mid-Ohio Food Collective, the Columbus Marathon, Green Communities, and Bobcat Boosters.

“Mitch is a great example of what a true student-athlete should be,” Grandview Heights basketball head coach Bob Ghiloni wrote. “He is a leader, great teammate, and conscientious about everything he does. He values achievement, but more than that, cares about learning and doing things the right way.”

Female Scholar Athlete of the Year

Katie Neviaser – Columbus Academy

Katie Neviaser has excelled as a three-sport athlete at Columbus Academy, lettering in field hockey, basketball, and lacrosse throughout her high school career.

Neviaser has committed to continue her field hockey career at Georgetown University.

Her academic accomplishments include earning a Gold Medal on the 2025 National Spanish Exam and a Silver Medal on the 2024 National Spanish Exam. She has also served as an intern with CAApS and the Ohio State University Biomedical Engineering Lab.

Athletically, Neviaser has compiled an impressive list of honors, including:

• • Central Buckeye League Field Hockey Player of the Year (2025)

• • First Team All-State Field Hockey (2025)

• • First Team All-Central Ohio East Conference Field Hockey (2025)

• • Dispatch All-Metro Field Hockey Team (2025)

• • Eight-time CBL Academic All-League honoree (Fall, Winter, and Spring seasons from 2023–2025)

• • Two-time First Team CBL All-League selection Field Hockey

• • One-time Second Team CBL All-League selection Field Hockey

• • CBL Second Team All-League Lacrosse honoree

• • Second Team Central Independent League Conference Lacrosse (2025)

• • CBL Honorable Mention Lacrosse

• • Columbus Academy Most Improved Player Award in Lacrosse (2025)

• • Lacrosse team captain for Spring 2026

• • Columbus Academy Athletic Performance Athlete of the Month (April 2025)

• • Nominee for Central Ohio Field Hockey Player of the Year (2025)

In addition to her athletic and academic success, Neviaser has demonstrated exceptional leadership and service. She has served as a Service Board Shaper for two years and a Service Board member for three years. She was selected by Columbus Academy to attend the LeaderShape leadership camp in the summer of 2024 and is an active member of Women in STEM and Women of Columbus Academy. She also participates in the Feed the Need program.

“Katie is a highly skilled and hardworking athlete who has established herself as a leader on our field hockey team,” Columbus Academy’s field hockey head coach Jacque DeMarco said. “She competes at a high level and consistently pushes both herself and her teammates to improve. Her commitment to excellence elevates the standard of everyone around her.”