Warner’s case combines team success, defensive consistency and individual recognition. Summit finished 12-6-6, conceded 25 goals and recorded 11 shutouts. Warner also contributed four goals and five assists, while earning All-Ohio, all-district player of the year and Miami Valley Conference-Scarlet co-player of the year honours.
Viltro was part of the same title-winning defence and added three goals, giving Summit two nominees who influenced matches beyond their primary defensive duties.
Mariemont has two players on the ballot after a 17-3-1 campaign in which the Warriors conceded only 13 goals in 21 matches and kept 13 shutouts.
The defensive numbers make Mariemont’s nominees a major threat to Summit’s leading pair, particularly for voters prioritising team records.
The wider list includes defenders with championship experience, elite defensive records and attacking contributions:
The next storyline is whether Warner’s awards and Summit’s title can outweigh Mariemont’s exceptional clean-sheet record when the voting closes.