Tiller, McCandless Headline 25/26 Berty Awards

The 2025-26 Berty Awards brought together Berkshire athletes, coaches, families, and supporters on June 2 to celebrate another successful year of school athletics. The evening honored outstanding achievements from across Berkshire's athletic programs, recognizing conference champions, state qualifiers, record-breakers, and the memorable moments that defined the year. Each year, coaches are asked to nominate their deserving athletes for the awards, and then coaches and administrators vote for the award winners. Leading the way among the night's top honorees were seniors Danny Tiller and Kelly McCandless. Tiller took home awards for male play of the year, senior male athlete of the year, and Mr. Badger, while McCandless took home awards for best record breaking performance, senior female athlete of the year, and Ms. Badger. A standout three-sport athlete in football, wrestling, and track & field, Tiller capped off an exceptional senior season by earning all state honors in football and becoming a district champion, state qualifier, and All-Ohio wrestler while helping lead Berkshire to a Chagrin Valley Conference wrestling championship. His Male Play of the Year honor recognized his dramatic comeback victory in the state tournament "blood round," where he rallied from a six-point deficit in the third period to earn an overtime victory and secure All-Ohio honors. McCandless completed one of the most decorated careers in Berkshire history this year. She became the first soccer All-American in school history while adding to an already impressive list of accomplishments that included CVC MVP honors, All-Ohio recognition, and numerous school records. She was also a member of the flag football team who made it to the Final Four in the OHSAA Championship Tournament. Her Female Record Breaking Performance award recognized a historic soccer career that saw her set program records in goals, assists, and points while establishing herself as one of the most accomplished athletes ever to wear a Berkshire uniform. The Mr. & Ms. Badger Awards recognize athletes whose leadership, character, integrity, and commitment to Berkshire Athletics extend beyond competition. Both Tiller's and McCandless' impact on the field, in the classroom, and throughout the school community made them deserving recipients of the honor. While Tiller and McCandless headlined the evening, the Berty Awards celebrated the accomplishments of dozens of student-athletes whose performances helped make the 2025-26 school year one to remember. From conference championships and district titles to state tournament appearances and record-breaking achievements, Berkshire athletes continued to raise the standard of excellence across every season. In addition to our Berty Awards, other departmental award winners were: NFHS Awards of Excellence - Patrick Brancel & Marissa Rish OHSAA Scholar Athlete Award - Alie Ruchalski & Nolan Morris OHSAA Archie Griffin Sportsmanship Award - Mallory Durosko & Brady Wadsworth OHSAA State Award - Adrienne Childs Badger Honor Awards - Alie Ruchalski, Kate Miller, Quin Sirl, Danny Tiller, Roman Percic, & Cameron Beam Clicking HERE will take you to a list with all nominees for all awards, with the bolded nomination signifying who won the award. The evening served as a reminder that the success of Berkshire Athletics is built not only on wins and championships, but also on the dedication, perseverance, leadership, and pride displayed by Badger student-athletes every day. As another memorable athletic year comes to a close, the accomplishments recognized at the Berty Awards will serve as lasting reminders of what was truly a historic year for Berkshire Athletics.