Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor

BIRMINGHAM – Four of the area’s best athletes were named the top stars of their respective sports by the Kiwanis Club of Birmingham.

The Kiwanis Club recognized Oak Mountain’s John Shoemaker and Luke Jovanovich, Chelsea’s Lauren Buchanan and Spain Park’s Charlee Bennett as the 2025 Player of the Year for boys cross-country, boys soccer, volleyball and softball, respectively on Tuesday, May 20 at a club meeting.

Shoemaker was named the Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year after finishing in third at the 2024 Class 7A state championship with a time of 15:26.52. The Ole Miss signee won six different races during the 2024 season, including the Class 7A, Section 3 championship in October.

Jovanovich earned Boys Soccer Player of the Year honors, giving Oak Mountain two winners from the Kiwanis Club. In the 2025 soccer season for the Eagles, Jovanovich recorded 13 goals and 25 assists from the left wingback position. He also racked up 58 tackles and 37 interceptions.

His contributions helped Oak Mountain finish the season with a 30-1 record and as Class 7A runners-up after amassing a 60-match unbeaten streak across both the 2024 and 2025 seasons. He is signed to play at West Alabama.

In volleyball, Buchanan represented Chelsea as the Volleyball Player of the Year, adding to her accolades as Shelby County Player of the Year and MVP of the North-South All-Star Game.

The AVCA All-American earned 764 kills, 346 digs, 35 blocks and 95 aces to help the Hornets reach the Class 6A Final Four and win the Area 8 and South Super Regional championships. Buchanan heads to Texas Tech as Chelsea’s all-time kill and ace leader with 1,942 and 336, respectively.

Bennett represented Spain Park as the Kiwanis Club’s Softball Player of the Year. The Jags senior shortstop and third baseman had 41 hits, 21 RBI and 42 runs along with 32 stolen bases and 12 doubles. The UAB signee finished the year with a .287 average, .411 on-base percentage and .420 slugging percentage along with a .832 OPS.