As another great year of Beaver Area High School athletics comes to an end, many athletes across all sports have had standout seasons. Looking back on the year, the varsity head coaches of every Beaver Area sport as well as administrators and athletic department staffers were polled to see who they believe deserves the title of male and female athlete of the year.

After a tight race, it was decided that seniors Isaac Burtt earned the title Male Athlete of the Year and Kailyn Connelly earned the title Female Athlete of the Year.

Connelly starred on the varsity volleyball team all four years of high school. Throughout these years, Connelly stacked one achievement after another.

Connelly currently holds the school record of 2,026 kills throughout her four-year varsity tenure, as well as being named All-State twice, All-WPIAL three times, and All-Section all four years of her career.

Connelly also helped lead the Bobcats to the WPIAL Championship three times and won it twice.

“My favorite achievement would be winning the WPIAL championship twice as a team,” she shared

Connelly’s impressive resumé has earned her the opportunity to continue her volleyball career at Fairmont State University.

Connelly added, “I picked [Fairmont’s] program because it felt like my second home and I have very strong relationships with the returning players there.”

Connelly’s leadership on the team extended beyond just her physical skills and production she added to the team’s success.

Connelly shared, “As a three-year captain, I used my leadership experience to keep the team loud, connected, and focused. I led by example, encouraging my teammates and made sure everyone stayed motivated and trusted each other.”

About Connelly’s impact, Beaver Area ead volleyball Coach Susan Pollins added, “Kailyn has not only been one of our best players—she’s been the heartbeat of this team. Her leadership sets the standard for everyone else.”

“When things get tough, the team would look to Kailyn first and all the girls looked up to her on and off the court. She is an athlete who would always make everyone around her better. She will be missed on and off the court and I am excited to see what she does at the next level,” Coach Pollins said.

Throughout high school, Burtt starred in cross country, track, and swimming. Though Burtt excelled in swimming as a two-time state qualifier and three-time WPIAL qualifier, Burtt’s main sports of focus have been cross country and track, both of which he will pursue collegiately at Grove City College.

Burtt said, “During my sophomore year, I switched from basketball to swimming mainly just to keep my conditioning up during the winter.”

Burtt’s success in the pool is even more impressive considering it was mainly used for conditioning to stay in running shape. This dedication during the winter certainly paid off as Burtt made himself into a three-time state qualifier and a two-time WPIAL qualifier in cross country as well as a two-time state qualifier and three-time WPIAL qualifier in track.

Being a three-season athlete does not come without immense sacrifice, especially when maintaining a high GPA as well. At times, the seasons would overlap, leaving Burtt having to train for multiple sports at the same time or having to pick one or the other to focus on.

Burtt added, “Balancing three sports as a year-round varsity athlete was extremely challenging, especially during my sophomore and junior years when I spent late nights studying and finishing schoolwork after long days of classes and competitions.”

Though balancing three sports and schoolwork was a grind, as Burtt moves on to the next chapter of his athletic career, many good memories have come rushing back.

“My favorite memory is going to Hershey Park with my teammates after the state cross country meet,” Burtt recalled.

Beaver Area track coach Allison Churovia added, “Isaac exemplifies the ideal student-athlete through his unwavering discipline, intense drive to improve, and exceptional leadership on and off the track.

The BASD ECHO congratulates these outstanding Bobcats and wishes them the best in their coming years.