Rec Sports
Dublin Jerome and Olentangy Scholar Athletes Recognized 2025
One more week until the end of Friday Night Rivals! Here are this week’s Donatos Scholar Athletes.
Meadow Ahijevych
Balancing academics and athletics is no easy feat—but Dublin Jerome’s Meadow Ahijevych makes it look effortless. Carrying a 4.2 GPA while tackling a schedule filled with AP and Honors courses, Meadow embodies what it means to be a true scholar-athlete.
A four-year participant in Cross Country, Basketball, and Track & Field, Meadow’s leadership and consistency stand out. She’s a three-year letter-winner in both Cross Country and Basketball, serving as Team Captain in Cross Country and earning Second Team All-OCC honors during the 2024–2025 season.
Beyond sports, Meadow contributes to her school community through Student Council, showing that her dedication extends well beyond competition.
On paper, she’s the model student-athlete. But it’s her attitude on the court, track, and course that truly defines her—team-focused, hard-working, and gritty, the kind of player every coach dreams of leading their team.
Congratulations to Meadow Ahijevych for her outstanding accomplishments as a student-athlete at Dublin Jerome High School!
Here is what Meadow said in her interview:
Q: What does it mean to receive this award?
Meadow: Receiving this award demonstrates how far you can come when you’re determined and have the right people to support you. Many of my teachers and coaches are the reason behind this award as I wouldn’t be the student or athlete I am without them. Throughout my time at Jerome, my teachers have encouraged me to take challenging classes—although I often doubted myself—, and because of such classes, I’ve grown into a hardworking student. Also, this award resembles the support of my coaches who have taught me how to be confident in myself and give 110% in all I do.
Q: What’s a saying or quote you live by?
Meadow: “How you do anything is how you do everything.” This quote has been a guide post for me in all aspects of my life. It reminds me to focus on the little things because even the little things matter and can, overtime, define you as a person. Specifically in sports, this quote motivates me to finish a workout all the way through the line and put forth my best effort in every drill. Because if you practice hard, you will be better prepared.
Q: Why should others get involved in their community?
Meadow: Everyone should get involved in their community because it can help you form connections beyond those at school and in sports. Some of my closest relationships have come from involvement in my community and getting to know new people. Specifically, I enjoy participating in activities through my church, and have been blessed with the chance to participate on several mission trips, even one on the other side of the world. Opportunities like these become possible by branching out into your community and finding people who will help you grow as a person.
Q: What does it mean to be a Celtic Warrior?
Meadow: Being a Celtic Warrior means being a part of a family—one where we uplift each other in all that we do. Through being a Celt in the academic and athletic setting, I’ve learned the importance of embracing a positive mindset and how it can impact not only my life but those around me. During my time at Jerome, I’ve developed a “get to” mindset over a “have to” mindset, enabling me to see everything as an opportunity to grow rather than an unconquerable obstacle. It’s this mindset that makes being a Celtic Warrior different from others, and it’s this mindset that has transformed my approach to life.
Q: What do you want to pursue in college? Have you picked a school yet?
Meadow: I haven’t chosen a college yet, but I have decided to pursue a career in math, specifically math education. Math lies behind everything in our world, so through my math courses, I’ve developed a better understanding of how the world works. And this understanding inspires me each day to learn. Pursuing math education over other math-related careers reflects my desire to help others develop a love for learning, just as my teachers at Jerome have done for me. When students find that love, their motivation and passion can carry them to great accomplishments.
Evan Byers
Few student-athletes demonstrate balance and excellence quite like Evan Byers. A standout both in the classroom and on the soccer field, Evan has built an impressive record defined by hard work, leadership, and community service.
Academically, Evan maintains a 4.24 GPA while excelling in a rigorous course load that includes AP U.S. History, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Calculus, and Composition I & II at Columbus State. He is a two-year member of the National Honor Society and achieved an outstanding 35 ACT score—showcasing his commitment to academic excellence.
On the field, Evan’s impact is just as remarkable. A two-time District and Regional Champion and three-time Scholar-Athlete, he’s earned recognition as a two-time Defensive Player of the Year. In club play, he’s helped lead his team to three State Cup Finals and earned selection to the All-ECNL Regional Team twice, proving himself among the best in elite competition.
Outside of sports, Evan dedicates his time to serving others, with 80–100 volunteer hours through programs like Meals on Wheels, the Jewish Community youth initiatives, park cleanups, and Olentangy Youth Athletic Association events.
Evan Byers exemplifies the true meaning of a scholar-athlete—driven, selfless, and inspiring. His excellence in academics, athletics, and service make him a model representative of Olentangy High School.
I sat down with Evan. Here’s what he had to say:
Q: What does it mean to receive this award?
Evan: Receiving this award is something that I am very thankful for and very proud of. It feels good to be recognized for your hard work, both academically and athletically. More than anything, I am grateful that someone noticed my efforts and felt they were worth acknowledging.
Q: What’s a saying or quote you live by?
Evan: I try to remember a quote from one of my favorite movies ever, Kung Fu Panda. It goes “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift: that’s why we call it the present.” It’s simple, but helps me realize I should value each day as a gift.
Q: Why should others get involved in their community?
Evan: People should become involved in the community because being able to impact those in need and those around you in a positive way is one of the most fulfilling things that you can do. Along with benefiting others, you benefit yourself and can form great connections.
Q: What does it mean to be a Brave?
Evan: To me, being a Brave is like being a part of a family. In soccer, our coaches often emphasize that our actions, both on and off the field, are representative of not only ourselves, but the program and school as a whole. Having that standard, as well as just being close as a community, is being a Brave to me.
Q: What do you want to pursue in college? have you picked a school yet?
Evan: In college, I would like to pursue a degree in either Biology or Chemistry on a pre-med track, and hopefully attend med school in the future. I have not picked a school yet.