Sports

Rodeo comes to Union County
Sports
Jason Cremeans of Richwood rides out one of several bulls during the A Bar Rodeo at the Union County Fairgrounds grandstands Thursday evening. The fair runs through Saturday evening. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Aleksei Pavloff 
July 26, 2025
Pioneers preparing for season
Sports
Jonathan Alder’s Holdon Glick (6) throws on the run during a 7-on-7 scrimmage against Buckeye Valley. The Pioneers are putting on their shoulder pads this week as the program sets up another gear for the start of the 2025 fall season. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Aleksei Pavloff 
July 26, 2025
Lady Pioneer spikers focusing good portion of summer work on strength, conditioning prior to start of 2025 campaign
Sports
Jonathan Alder senior Raegan Tremayne sends the ball back toward the net. The Lady Pioneers are conducting summer volleyball workouts prior to beginning preseason practice late next week. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
Preseason practice begins Aug. 1
By Tim Miller 
July 26, 2025
Members of Jonathan Alder High School’s volleyball program are putting a lot of emphasis on conditioning this summer. “We’ve spent a lot of time in the weight room,” said head coach Allison Reule. “We...
With school year rapidly approaching, Triad officials still have coaching positions to fill
Sports
Triad senior Sara Pratt sets the ball during a 2024 volleyball match. The Lady Cardinals have a new head coach for the 2025 campaign, while school officials must fill additional coaching positions as soon as they can. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
By Tim Miller 
July 25, 2025
When it came to coaching hires, Triad athletic director Jason Malone had it pretty easy prior to the 2024-2025 academic year. Fast forward the calendar 12 months and it’s an entirely different situati...
Jonathan Alder gridders feel positive about team after 7-on-7 scrimmages
Sports
Jonathan Alder’s Trey Bentley (3) runs a route during a 7-on-7 scrimmage against Buckeye Valley at Volunteer field. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Aleksei Pavloff 
July 25, 2025
The dog days of summer scrimmages can be a hard thing to overcome, but they have their purpose. Jonathan Alder football newcomers are itching to earn their place in the program, while veterans look to...
NU conducts youth volleyball camp
Sports
Sixth grader Haven Martino gets a dig during a group drill at North Union High School during the Lady Cats’ youth volleyball camp being held this week. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Aleksei Pavloff 
July 24, 2025
OHSAA executive director Ute named to national board
Sports
By Tim Miller 
July 23, 2025
Doug Ute, the executive director of the Ohio High School Athletic Association, has been named to a four-year term on the National Federation of High Schools board of directors. He is one of four new d...
NUAC continues to raise funds for Wildcat athletics since 1977
Sports
North Union Athletic Committee president Reddy Brown welcomes those attending the NUAC Reverse Raffle at All Occasions in Waldo. (Journal-Tribune photo by Bob Putman)
By Bob Putman 
July 23, 2025
It was a night of fun and excitement, but throughout the annual North Union Athletic Committee Reverse Raffle, the goal of helping the athletes within the North Union program was never pushed into the...
Local wrestlers reflect on mat time during national tourney
Sports
Marysville’s Berkley Behrens (left) ties up with Noah Brown of Missouri during a Greco Roman match at 132 pounds. The Monarch went on to win the match 5-2. The incoming sophomore Monarch went 0-2 in the 16U freestyle and 2-2 in the 16U Greco Roman brackets. (Journal-Tribune photo by Kevin Behrens)
By Aleksei Pavloff 
July 23, 2025
A group of local grapplers recently ventured to Fargo, North Dakota to compete in what is considered high school wrestling’s biggest off-season tournament. Four members of Marysville’s wrestling progr...
Long-time coach Gebhart joins Monarch varsity gridiron staff
Sports
Marysville High School assistant football coach Dave Gebhart watches the action from the sidelines during a recent 7-on-7 passing scrimmage. The former Fairbanks High School head coach will coach in MHS’ defensive secondary this fall. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Tim Miller 
July 22, 2025
A name very familiar within Union County high school football coaching circles has joined the Marysville High School staff. Dave Gebhart, who previously served as the head gridiron boss at Fairbanks H...
Grappler competes in national tourney
Sports
Marysville’s Ben Jones (left) ties up with Grayson Manning of Iowa in a Greco Roman match at 132 pounds. The Monarch went 1-2 during the 16U Greco Roman national tournament in Fargo, ND. A full recap of results from the 2025 USMC 16U and Junior National Championships will be published in Wednesday’s edition of the Journal-Tribune. (Journal-Tribune photo by Kevin Behrens)
By Aleksei Pavloff 
July 22, 2025
Glass hopes to replicate past success in return as JA head football coach
Sports
Jonathan Alder head football coach Brett Glass watches the action during a recent 7-on-7 passing scrimmage. Glass has returned to the top of the Pioneer program after serving as the head coach at Dublin Jerome the past four seasons. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Tim Miller 
July 21, 2025
Brett Glass served a successful seven-season run as Jonathan Alder’s head football coach from 2014-2020. During that time, he led the Pioneers to a 58-17 record and several appearances in the state pl...
MHS gridiron coach happy with work at Ohio Northern University camp and 7-on-7 scrimmage; not pleased about confrontations with opponent
Sports
Marysville’s Brady Carper goes up for a touchdown pass against Urbana during a 7-on-7 scrimmage Friday morning. The Monarchs ended their off-season summer work prior to taking next week off for the Union County Fair. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Tim Miller 
July 19, 2025
A week that included an annual trip to the Ohio Northern University football camp concluded Friday when the Marysville Monarchs hosted Urbana for a 7-on-7 passing scrimmage. First-year MHS head coach ...
Wildcat gridders work on craft during passing scrimmage
Sports
North Union’s Nickolas Hajjar (orange) cuts off Fairbanks’ Cooper Phelps on a route leading to a Wildcat interception. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Aleksei Pavloff 
July 18, 2025
Off-season scrimmages of any kind offer opportunities for individual players to work on their craft. For two players on North Union’s football team, one is gearing up for his second season starting at...
Pioneer graduate earns 2025 Johnny Bench Award for top Ohio prep baseball catcher
Sports
Jonathan Alder’s Jace Schrock blasts a grand slam home run in this file photo. Schrock has earned the 2025 Johnny Bench Award for the best high school baseball catcher in the state of Ohio. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
By Tim Miller 
July 18, 2025
Cincinnati Reds Hall of Famer Johnny Bench has gone down in history as the greatest catcher ever to play Major League baseball. His career was such that the franchise named an award after him to be pr...
Jonathan Alder gridders open 7-on-7 schedule with trip to Olentangy Orange
Sports
Jonathan Alder’s Chase Muetzel (white) secures a pass at the start of the Pioneers’ 7-on-7 scrimmage against Olentangy Orange High School. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Aleksei Pavloff 
July 17, 2025
As the summer heats up, so does the preparation for the 2025 high school football season. Programs across the state are taking advantage of the clear weather to conduct passing scrimmages. As such, Jo...
Lady Monarch grappler earns All-America honor during national tourney competition
Sports
Marysville High School wrestler Cami Leng is pictured in action during a match at the national Freestyle/Greco tournament in Fargo, North Dakota. Leng placed eighth in her weight class and earned All-America honors. (Photo submitted)
By Tim Miller 
July 17, 2025
The Marysville High School girls wrestling program is the home of its second Fargo All-America athlete. Cami Leng placed eighth during the national freestyle and Greco tournament held in Fargo, North ...
Grapplers compete at Fargo
Sports
Jonathan Alder’s Rayce Watson (left) sinks in underhooks against an opponent during a freestyle match at 120 pounds. The Pioneer went an even 2-2 in the freestyle national tournament, defeating Aaryan Sharma of Virginia (12-2) and Wyatt Zeller of Arkansas (pin at 1:13) while losing to Crason Blum of Michigan (5-1) and Eddie Figuero of New Jersey (10-0). The tournament is being held in Fargo, North Dakota. (Journal-Tribune photo by Kevin Behrens)
By Aleksei Pavloff 
July 16, 2025
Marysville’s Berkley Behrens (top) holds down his opponent during the 16U Freestyle tournament. The Monarch went 0-2 during his time competing at 138 pounds. He lost to Caden Woodall of Arizona, 11-0,...
Youngsters learning fundamentals at Lady Monarch tennis camp
Sports
Marysville High School senior Ada Burhanna (background) directs a drill while young tennis players scramble to try and gain control of their tennis ball during the opening evening of the Lady Monarch youth camp. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
By Tim Miller 
July 16, 2025
The sun was bright and the temperature was high for the first evening of the annual Marysville Lady Monarch youth tennis camp. Approximately 60 campers (40 girls and 20 boys) in incoming grades 3-8 pa...
Linemen get rolling
Sports
North Union’s Trenor Kyte, Landry Dible and Gavin Potts participate in a tire flipping competition at Bucyrus High School during a linemen competition separate from the recent passing scrimmage. The Wildcats’ specialists did not compete in the 7-on-7 scrimmage over the weekend, but met up with Johnstown Monday for a passing scrimmage at Ohio Wesleyan University. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Aleksei Pavloff 
July 16, 2025
Wildcat gridders look strong during 7-on-7 scrimmage
Sports
North Union defensive back and wide receiver Griffin Osborne (left) runs back an interception during a 7-on-7 scrimmage at Ohio Wesleyan University. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Aleksei Pavloff 
July 16, 2025
In its first passing scrimmage of the summer season, North Union’s gridiron squad found ways to make plays. The Wildcats ventured to Ohio Wesleyan University Monday afternoon for a 7-on-7 scrimmage ag...
National tourney underway
Sports
Marysville High School wrestler Trent Sharp is pictured in action during Monday’s opening day of the United States Marine Corps National Freestyle and Greco tournament. The event is being held this week in Fargo, North Dakota. Sharp won his opening-round match by pinning Zachary Capps of Virginia in 3:33. Sharp then dropped a 10-0 verdict in the second round to Valentin Popaduic of New Mexico. (Journal-Tribune photo by Kevin Behrens)
By Tim Miller 
July 15, 2025
Former FHS cager will have collegiate jersey displayed in women’s Hall of Fame for year
Sports
Former Fairbanks High School hoopster Macy Miller goes up for a shot as a member of the Ohio Wesleyan University women’s team. Miller will have her collegiate jersey displayed for one year at the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tenn. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Tim Miller 
July 15, 2025
A former local high school basketball standout has been honored on a national level. Macy Miller, a 2023 graduate of Fairbanks High School, will be a part of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. Mille...
Off-season scrimmages help FHS frosh adapt to high school football
Sports
Fairbanks’ Collin Bailey (red) looks at an incoming pass attempt from quarterback Bryson Griffith during the team’s first 7-on-7 pool session against Colonel Crawford. The Panthers attended a group passing scrimmage in Bucyrus. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Aleksei Pavloff 
July 15, 2025
The offseason going into a freshman year of sports can sometimes be mysterious. Both Max Winner and Collin Bailey of Fairbanks, though, are willing to embrace the grit and grind of summer workouts and...
JA’s Mason Curtis will play lacrosse at Taylor University
Sports
Jonathan Alder’s Mason Curtis (33) sprints to the opposing goal following a face-off victory during a playoff matchup against Kettering Archbishop Alter. The former Pioneer is slated to be a part of Taylor University’s men’s lacrosse team starting next spring. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Aleksei Pavloff 
July 14, 2025
For much of his career, Mason Curtis was a main part of Jonathan Alder’s success on the lacrosse field. Now the current program leader in face-offs will take his talents to Upland, Indiana as a member...
MHS gridders at ONU
Sports
Marysville’s Kale Strickland goes up for a touchdown pass against a Fairbanks defender during a recent 7-on-7 scrimmage at MHS. The Monarchs are conducting workouts from today through Wednesday at the Ohio Northern University camp. They will host Urbana for another 7-on-7 event Friday at 10 a.m. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Tim Miller 
July 14, 2025
Continued growth of softball camp has provided players for Lady Monarch program
Sports
Marysville High School second baseman Jillian Rausch, right, helps her sister, Jessa, 12, with a fielding drill at the annual youth softball camp. The younger Rausch is a third baseman who will be entering the seventh grade in a few weeks. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
By Tim Miller 
July 14, 2025
The recently-completed Marysville High School girls youth softball camp is proof a strong program continues to grow. MHS head coach Jennifer Segner-Maxwel, her coaching staff and players greeted 85 yo...
FHS gridders more than happy with effort shown during summer work
Sports
Fairbanks’ Brennan Peffer (right) breaks up a pass against a Benjamin Logan receiver during a passing scrimmage session against the Raiders. The scrimmage was hosted by Marysville High School. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Aleksei Pavloff 
July 12, 2025
Effort is hard, sometimes impossible, to teach when the heat is turned up. Luckily Dave Carroll and the rest of the Fairbanks High School football coaching staff did not have to remind players about t...
Heart of Ohio golf event held
Sports
Jaxon Jolliff of North Union drives the ball during a Heart of Ohio Junior Golf Association event. Jolliff placed third in the 16-to-18 age bracket during a tournament in Waldo. (Journal-Tribune photo by Bob Putman)
By Tim Miller 
July 12, 2025
The latest Heart of Ohio Junior Golf Association event was held earlier this week at Kings Mill in Waldo. North Union’s Jaxon Jolliff placed third in the 16-18 age bracket by shooting a 73. Dawson Hal...