These youngsters recently participated in the Marysville youth volleyball camp. It was the largest turnout for the camp in the past decade. (Photo submitted) It would appear the number of girls interested in playing volleyball at Marysville continues to grow and grow. Lady Monarch head coach Bethany Bentz recently conducted a youth camp that attracted 75 girls who will be entering grades 4-8 for the 2021-22 academic year. The coach told me that’s the highest number of participants in the past decade she has been associated with the MHS program. As a matter of fact, it’s nearly more than double…
Author: Tim Miller
Marysville High School’s Richard Neeson punts the ball during a drill this morning. The Monarchs, along with high school football teams throughout the state, opened the first day of preseason practice. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller) Preseason practices began today for high school football teams throughout the state of Ohio. The Marysville Monarchs hit the field at 7 a.m. and went through to 12:30 p.m. It’s a schedule the team will adhere to for the next few weeks. “We just go all the way through with one session,” said Monarch head coach Brent Johnson. “We don’t conduct two-a-day practices per…
Marysville High School pitcher Jacob Dutter fires toward the plate during a 2021 game. A new rule from the national high school sports federation states pitchers must at least simulate receiving signs from the catcher, starting with the 2022 season. Some high schools have not done that in the past, but MHS pitchers have always received signs from their catcher before each pitch. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller) The National Federation of State High School Associations has implemented a new rule for the 2022 baseball season. It’s a mandate, however, that won’t impact the Monarchs of Marysville High School. The…
Marysville High School student Jaxon Watson, above, recently competed in the national trapshooting tournament in Lincoln, Neb. He finished just outside of the top 20 and is now ranked 21st in the nation. He ended with the highest ranking in the competition for Ohio high school shooters. (Photo submitted) Marysville High School student Jaxon Watson finished just outside the top 20 during the recent national trap shooting tournament. The event, which falls under the guidelines of the National High School Federation of Rodeos, was held at the Izaak Walton Range in Lincoln, Neb. Watson finished with a score of 92,…
Members of the Marysville High School cross country program run through American Legion Park Monday morning. The Monarchs conduct summer workouts six days a week during the morning hours. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller) Although preseason practices don’t officially start until Monday, the Marysville High School cross-country program has already been working hard toward the 2021 campaign. The Monarchs have been running six days a week since the beginning of June. That comes under the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s guidelines for unlimited off-season workouts. “We’ve been running as part of our summer conditioning program,” said Marysville head coach Luke…
Danielle Robbins of Jonathan Alder puts down a bunt during a 2021 game. The Lady Pioneers have conducted weekly workouts to erase the memories of a Division II district runner-up finish this past season. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller) A Division II district runner-up finish didn’t mean anything to the 2021 Jonathan Alder High School softball team. As a matter of fact, it left a sour taste in the Lady Pioneers’ mouths. “No disrespect for our trophy, but it’s still locked in the dugout,” said JA head coach Dave McGrew. “Nobody really wants to look at it.” That’s because the…
Alex Crowe of Fairbanks putts during a 2021 Heart of Ohio Junior Golf Association tournament. Crowe finished the campaign with the low-scoring average (73) in the 16-18 age bracket. (Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon) Fairbanks High School’s Alex Crowe has earned honors for the Heart of Ohio Junior Golf Association. Crowe was named the association’s top scholar for the recently-completed 2021 campaign. As such, Crowe has earned the annual David J. Wensinger Player of the Year $2,000 scholarship. Crowe earned the most points for the season and finished with the low-scoring average of 73 in the 16-18 age bracket. One…
Marysville High School varsity volleyball coach Bethany Bentz gives instructions during a recent youth camp. Bentz coached her club team to a second-place finish during this summer’s national tournament. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller) Marysville High School volleyball coach Bethany Bentz got an additonal leg up on her craft prior to the start of the 2021 preseason. Bentz, who is also a club coach for the Elite Volleyball Center of Plain City, coached in the USA Volleyball Nationals earlier this summer. The tournament was held in Orlando, Fla. “Our club team from Plain City was entered into the nationals by…
Participants in the recent Marysville youth volleyball camp dive for possession of the ball during a drill. The camp was held Monday through Thursday of this week. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller) Marysville High School volleyball coach Bethany Bentz feels the sport is growing in Marysville. If the attendance at this week’s Lady Monarch youth camp is any indication, she’s right. A total of 75 girls in grades 4-8 (incoming) began the camp on Monday and concluded on Thursday. “That’s the most participants we’ve had in the 10 years I’ve been at Marysville as an assistant or the head coach,”…
MHS junior running back Braden Deere looks for open space during a drill earlier this week. The Monarchs completed their two-week camp session today. Preseason practices begin on Monday, Aug. 2. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller) Marysville High School’s football team put the finishing touches on its work before the start of the 2021 preseason. The Monarchs wrapped up their second week of camp this morning and will now take off next week. “We’ve been taking the week of the Union County Fair off for a number of years,” said Marysville High School head coach Brent Johnson. “A lot of…
Former Florida State University football coach Bobby Bowden speaks to associates of the Scotts Company in this file photo. Bowden spoke during a luncheon several years ago at the Union County Family YMCA. On Wednesday, the 91-year-old Hall of Fame coach revealed he has a terminal medical condition. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller) Some very sad news from the world of college football was revealed on Wednesday. The legendary Bobby Bowden, the Hall of Fame coach from Florida State University, revealed he has a terminal medical condition. He did not reveal the nature of his illness. It’s been a number…
Marysville’s Tristan Burns slides into second base during a 2021 game. The Monarchs will resume full team activities in September. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller) Many high school athletic programs are taking advantage of the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s unlimited workout regulation. The rule was implemented a year ago due to the coronavirus pandemic and continues at the present time. One organization, however, that really hasn’t done that is the Marysville High School baseball program. “We’re not doing anything structured this summer,” said Monarch head coach Nick Blake. The reason for that? “We’ve got so many of our guys…
Marysville High School student Jaxon Watson is pictured during shooting practice. Watson is in Lincoln, Neb., where he is competing in shooting events. The events are part of the National High School Rodeo Championships. (File photo) A local high school student will once again represent the state of Ohio in a national sporting event. Jaxon Watson, who will be a senior this fall at Marysville High School, is competing this week in the National High School Rodeo championships. It is the second consecutive year in which Watson will compete in shooting events during the national event. He is the reigning…
MHS’ Abby Gindlesberger watches her fly ball during a 2021 game. She hit more than .500 during a season in which the Lady Monarchs finished as Division I district runner-up. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller) A season away from the high school softball diamond didn’t have an adverse impact on Marysville High School junior Abby Gindlesberger. The 2020 campaign, which would have been her sophomore season, was wiped out due to the coronavirus pandemic. Gindlesberger, however, showed Monarch coaches and fans what she was capable of during her 2019 freshman season. She pitched well for Marysville that season as the…
Audrey Spooner (top photo) clears the high jump bar Wednesday evening. In the bottom photo, Mason Lamb (center) races toward the finish line of the kids fun dash. The events were held during the inaugural Community Track and Field meet at Marysville High School. (Journal-Tribune photos by Tim Miller) The weather was hot and sticky. That, however, didn’t keep a number of track and field enthusiasts away from the Marysville High School facility on Wednesday. The temperature hovered slightly above 90 and the humidity was thick as athletes of various ages participated during the inaugural Community Track Meet. Competition began…