HILLIARD, Ohio — Hilliard Darby High School student athletes Braden Bower and Mackenzie Hessick are the Central Ohio Scholar Athletes of the week.

 

What You Need To Know

  • Hilliard Darby High School Seniors Braden Bower and Mackenzie Hessick are Central Ohio's Scholar Athletes this week

  • Bower is a three-sport athlete in cross country, swimming and track and field, holds a 3.59 GPA

  • Hessick plays defense and midfield for the Panthers and has been playing soccer since she was four; she holds a 4.66 GPA

 

Senior Braden Bower is a three-sport student athlete, participating in cross country, swimming and track and field. He says if he continues a sport in college, it will be swimming. He is still in the process of talking with different schools.

On top of juggling his sports, Bower holds a 3.59 GPA he attributes this to time management skills. Bower says his favorite thing about his sports are the people he gets to practice and compete with.

“Definitely the community and the fellowship from being a part of that team especially in cross country these boys are like my family. I wouldn’t want to spend this much time with anyone else, and I really love coming every day to be around them,” said Bower.

Senior Mackenzie Hessick is a versatile soccer player for the Panthers playing both midfield and defense. She’s been playing soccer since she was 4 years old. She is also a member of the Ohio Premiere ENCL Travel Club.

Hessick also has plans of continuing her sport in college—she is still deciding on where. she holds an impressive 4.66 GPA which she attributes to the great people around her, and her dedication.

“I think a lot of that came from me just wanting to work hard and be the best I can at everything I do. and it’s a lot of time management of course but I have a lot of really good friends and a lot of good teachers and coaches that are willing to work with me and help me succeed as not only a player but in the classroom and as a person,”  said Hessick.