Sports

Marysville’s Kelsey Strahm (left) applies defensive pressure to a New Albany ball handler. The Lady Monarchs’ season came to an end with a loss in the Division I regional semifinals. The game was played at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus on Wednesday. (Journal-Tribune photo by Bob Putman)

Alek Orders of Fairbanks goes up for a shot at Fredericktown Wednesday evening. The Panthers handed the Freddies their only loss of the 2025-2026 season during the Division V tournament game. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)

Brian Waller, left, is in his stance in order to defend a shot during a 113-pound match at the Division I sectional tournament. Waller will compete in the Division I district tournament Friday and Saturday at Hilliard Darby. (Journal-Tribune photo by Kevin Behrens)

Danny Bentley (left) of Jonathon Alder draws a foul on a layup during Tuesday's game against Marion-Franklin. Bentley poured in 35 points during JA's tournament victory. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)

Marysville’s boys bowling team has qualified for the Division I state tournament for the second straight year. Members of the team are from left, Hayden Cotterell, Grayson Young, Lucas Hoffman, Kyle Teters, Carson Blevins and Corbin Levings. (Photo submitted)

These local high school basketball players earned Central District first-team honors for the 2025-2026 season. They are from left, Dainon Lindsey, North Union; Evan Wiedmann, Fairbanks; and Danny Bentley, Jonathan Alder. (Journal-Tribune file photos by Bob Putman, Tim Miller and Aleksei Pavloff)

Marysville High School’s state swimmers are from left, Patrick Filbert, Carter Pancallo, Rylan Brown, coach Michael Waun and Brady Cordonnier. (Photo submitted)

Marysville’s Cara Leng, right, is tied up with an opponent during Sunday’s sectional tournament on the MHS mats. Marysville claimed a sectional title. (Journal-Tribune photo by Jack Christian)

Monarch Griffen Beery applies a single-leg takedown against Dublin Coffman’s Xander Maas. Beery captured the sectional semifinals match by a 9-2 score. (Journal-Tribune photo by Kevin Behrens)

Ainsley Rogan of Marysville (15) prepares to release one of her eight three-pointers Saturday morning against Gahanna-Lincoln. Rogan tallied 26 points as the Lady Monarchs beat the Lions for the Division I district championship. The game was played at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)

North Union’s Jaxon Jolliff positions himself between two Bishop Ready players during Saturday’s sectional final at Bishop Ready. (Journal-Tribune photo by Bob Putman)

Ty Schroeder of Fairbanks goes in for a layup Saturday afternoon against Mt. Gilead. Schroeder scored 14 points during the Panthers’ 78-44 tournament victory. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)

The turf is being installed at the new Fairbanks High School softball diamond. The facility is expected to be ready for use by the middle of April for the remainder of the 2026 season. (Photo Submitted)

In the photo to the left, Marysville’s 215-pounder Logan Adelsberger has a headlock on an Indian Lake opponent. In the photo at the right, Brennan Hoffer, MHS’ 120-pounder, is applying a cross-face to his opponent. The Monarchs will host a Division I sectional tournament today. (Journal-Tribune photos by Kevin Behrens)

Marysville’s Cami Leng battles an opponent during the recent state duals wrestling tournament that was held at MHS. Marysville will host a sectional tournament on Sunday. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)

Despite the presence of Cristo Rey defenders, Jonathan Alder’s Byron Byerly (32) goes up for a basket on Thursday. The 6-8 sophomore tallied 12 points during the Pioneers’ Division IV tournament victory. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)

Marysville High School’s boys bowling team has advanced to the Division I state tournament. The state tournament will be held March 6-7 at HP Lanes in Columbus. Members of the team are from left, front row, Ethan Brown, Corbin Levings, Lucas Hoffman and Chris Cantleberry; second row, assistant coach James Young, Carson Blevins, Maison Ray, Kyle Teters and head coach Greg Ray; third row, assistant coach Jonathan Cusack, Hayden Cotterell, Kai Kozlik and Grayson Young. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

Marysville’s Jenna Hackworth (left) looks at an official for a call after a loose ball against Groveport-Madison. Also pictured for MHS are Kaidi Strahm (1) and Jovie Traucht (3). The Lady Monarchs advanced in the D-I tournament with a 53-38 victory. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)

Marysville native Chase Blackburn is pictured as a member of the Los Angeles Rams coaching staff. Blackburn has joined the coaching staff of the Atlanta Falcons. (File photo)

Local basketball players from left, Nickolas Hajjar (11) and Dainon Lindsey (10) of North Union and Jonathan Alder’s Danny Bentley (11) have been named to first-team honors in the Central Buckeye Conference. Bentley is the player of the year in the CBC’s Kenton Trail Division. (Journal-Tribune photos by Aleksei Pavloff)

Fairbanks’ Hannah Boehm follows through on a shot during Tuesday’s tournament game at Madison Plains. The Lady Panthers fell, 50-49, in overtime. (Journal-Tribune photo by Eva Paspalis Case)

North Union’s Gabby Lindsey (left photo) and Glory Blevins (right) have earned first-team honors in the Central Buckeye Conference’s Mad River Division for the 2025-2026 season. (Journal-Tribune photos by Aleksei Pavloff)

Jonathan Alder’s Danny Bentley (11) attempts a shot during a recent game. The No. 1-seeded Pioneers’ tournament opener has been moved up a day. The contest against No. 18 Cristo Rey Columbus was originally scheduled to be played on Friday at 7 p.m. on the Pioneers’ court. The Division IV post-season game has been moved to this Thursday at 7 p.m. The reason for the change is that Jonathan Alder officials on Friday will be setting up the gym for boys and girls sectional wrestling tournaments that will be held Saturday and Sunday. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

 These Marysville High School swimmers from left, Carter Pancallo, Patrick Filbert, Brady Cordonnier and Rylan Brown qualified for the Division I state meet in both the 200 and 400 yard freestyle relays. The state meet will begin on Friday in Canton. (Photo submitted)

North Union’s Alex Jolliff (4) drives toward the basket against Graham. The Wildcats wrapped up their regular season with a victory. (Photo submitted)