Sports

Maine named OHC player of year; local squads represented on North Division hoop teams
Sports
Fairbanks seniors Holtz Maine (44-left) and Ryker Green (5-right) have been named to the Ohio Heritage Conference North Division first team for the 2024-2025 season. Maine was also named the division’s player of the year. (Journal-Tribune photos by Tim Miller)
By Tim Miller 
March 20, 2025
Union County is the home of the Ohio Heritage Conference’s North Division boys basketball player of the year. Panther senior Holtz Maine has earned that honor through voting by the division’s coaches ...
Fairbanks High School senior Baker will continue volleyball career at Otterbein University
Sports
Fairbanks High School senior Claire Baker (18) blasts the ball over the net. Baker will continue her volleyball career at Otterbein University. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
By Tim Miller 
March 18, 2025
For the past two fall seasons, Fairbanks High School’s Claire Baker established herself among the top volleyball players in the Ohio Heritage Conference. Now, she will put her skills to use on the col...
Monarch cagers earn honors in Ohio Capital Conference
Sports
Marysville’s CJ Collins, left, and Allison Price, right, go up for baskets during the 2024-2025 season. Collins and Price have been named to first teams in the Cardinal Division of the Ohio Capital Conference. (Journal-Tribune photos by Tim Miller)
By Tim Miller 
March 17, 2025
Despite the fact both teams had to replace solid players who graduated last spring, the Marysville High School boys and girls basketball teams came through with decent seasons. The MHS boys finished w...
Jonathan Alder cagers reached goals, still fell short in their eyes during successful campaign
Sports
Jonathan Alder senior Noah Hess goes up for a basket during a Division IV regional game at Bowling Green State University. ThePioneers finished as the regional runner-up. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Tim Miller 
March 15, 2025
  Editor’s note: the Journal-Tribune, in order to commenorate the best season in Jonathan Alder boys basketball history, compiled a PDF flip book recap of the campaign. The flip book, which is being s...
Local lady hoopsters earn CBC honors
Sports
These local girls high school basketball players have earned Central Buckeye Conference honors for the 2024-25 season. They are from left, Kennedy Harrah and Glory Blevins of North Union, both first-team honorees, and Natalie Walker of Jonathan Alder, who was named to the second team. (Journal-Tribune file photos)
By Tim Miller 
March 14, 2025
Several local girls basketball players earned Central Buckeye Conference honors for the 2024-25 campaign. North Union, which won its fourth consecutive Mad River Division title, has two players on the...
North Union wrestling programs continue to grow with experience
Sports
North Union’s Cameron Ludwig (top) sprawls on an opponent during a junior varsity tournament at Marysville High School earlier in the regular season. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Aleksei Pavloff 
March 13, 2025
North Union’s boys and girls wrestling programs grew together in unique ways during the 2024-25 season. “I would say for a lot of kids it was growth in a couple of different ways,” NU head coach Garre...
North Union, Jonathan Alder hoopsters earn Central Buckeye Conference honors
Sports
Jonathan Alder senior Noah Hess, left, and North Union senior Miles Hall (23 to the right) both drive toward the basket during 2024-25 season games. Hess and Hall were named to the respective first teams in the Central Buckeye Conference’s Kenton Trail and Mad River divisions. Hall was named the Mad River player of the year. (Journal-Tribune file photos)
By Tim Miller 
March 13, 2025
North Union senior Miles Hall was recently named the Central Buckeye Conference’s boys basketball player of the year in the circuit’s Mad River Division. Hall was the second-leading scorer in the enti...
Spooner named All-Ohioan; Monarch athletes place during state indoor track and field meet
Sports
Marysville’s Audrey Spooner, second from left, stands on the awards podium at the Division I state indoor track and field meet. Spooner finished fourth in both the high jump and the triple jump. (Photo submitted)
By Tim Miller 
March 12, 2025
The 2024-25 high school indoor track and field season concluded on Saturday. A number of Marysville athletes competed in the Division I meet that was held at the Spire Institute in Geneva. Audrey Spoo...
Grapplers finish as runners-up during state tournament
Sports
Triad’s Awsom Mitchell (back) levitates Barnesville’s Hines Ford (front) during the Division III semifinals. The Triad senior advanced to the Parade of Champions following a 12-2 major decision. The Cardinal cemented his career with his second straight runner-up medal after falling short to Edison’s Luke James, 7-5. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Tim Miller 
March 11, 2025
Sunday evening’s Parade of Champions at The Ohio State University’s Schottenstein Center presented an opportunity for the Union County area wrestling world to see a trio of state champions crowned. As...
Hawken seals victory at charity stripe; Jonathan Alder cagers finish as D-IV regional runner-up
Sports
JA senior Noah Hess (13) holds up the Division IV regional runner-up trophy. Also pictured for the Pioneers is senior Sam Cramer (32). (Journal-Tribune photo by Bob Putman)
By Bob Putman 
March 10, 2025
Faced with having to overcome a double-digit deficit, Jonathan Alder did not back down on Saturday during its Division IV regional final against Gates Mills Hawken at Bowling Green State University. T...
Local wrestlers earn places during state tournament
Sports
In the photo to the left, Marysville’s Addy Lyon (left) hooks up against Olentangy Orange’s Chloe Tompkins in the match for third place in the girls 135-pound weight division. Lyon won the bout, 4-0. In the photo to the right, Monarch Carson Mize defends a single against Colin Wooldridge of Cincinnati LaSalle. Mize lost the match by a 5-4 count and went on to finish fourth in the boys Division I 175-pound weight class at the state tournament. (Journal-Tribune photos by Aleksei Pavloff and Kevin Behrens)
By Tim Miller 
March 10, 2025
A handful of local high school wrestlers placed third-through-seventh during the 2025 Ohio High School Athletic Association state tournament that concluded on Sunday. Marysville garnered a third-place...
JA Pioneers overcome anemic first-half shooting; top Napoleon in D-IV regional semifinal game
Sports
Jonathan Alder’s Chase Muetzel, right, collides with a Napoleon opponent on a drive to the basket. Muetzel led JA with 12 points during a 56-45 victory during the Division IV regional semifinals at Bowling Green State University. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Tim Miller 
March 8, 2025
Rough shooting by members of Jonathan Alder’s boys basketball team during the first half  did not impact them once play resumed after the 10-minute halftime break. The Pioneers shot an abysmal 16.7% f...
Pioneers advance to regional title hoop game
Sports
By Aleksei Pavloff 
March 7, 2025
Jonathan Alder senior Ryan Mark celebrates the team’s 56-45 victory over Napoleon during Thursday’s Division IV regional semifinal game. Mark was one of three JA players in double-figure scoring with ...
Marysville track and field athletes will compete during annual state indoor meet
Sports
Marysville High School track and field athletes who will compete in the upcoming state indoor meet are from left, front row, Lyla Channell, Bailey Gross, Maggie Foust and Audrey Spooner; back row, Evan Donahue, Adam DeSutter, Paxton Herring and Mack Weithman. Nøt pictured, Caylee MacAdow. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
By Tim Miller 
March 7, 2025
Several Marysville High School track and field athletes are preparing for the state indoor meet. Championship competition will be held Saturday for Division I at the Spire Institute in Geneva (northea...
Trio of Pioneers will take to state wrestling mats
Sports
Jonathan Alder’s Ethan Kuhns secures a double leg takedown on an opponent during the first round of championship matches at the Division II district tournament. The senior is being accompanied by two more grapplers representing the Scarlet and Black this weekend at the OHSAA state wrestling tournament. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Aleksei Pavloff 
March 7, 2025
Jonathan Alder’s boys wrestling team will have three representatives this weekend during the Division II state tournament. Seniors Ethan Kuhns (150) and Trenton Moodispaugh (126) will accompany sophom...
Mitchell, Smith will represent Triad during annual Division III state wrestling tournament
Sports
Triad’s Wyatt Smith (right) ties up with an opponent from North Union during a regular-season dual meet. The sophomore Cardinal will compete at 132 pounds at the Division III state tournament this weekend. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Aleksei Pavloff 
March 7, 2025
Triad’s boys wrestling team will double its state tournament participation this weekend. Last season, the Cardinals had only one grappler competing in the boys Division III state tournament. Senior Aw...
JA senior will continue baseball career at Wright State University
Sports
Jonathan Alder’s Ashton Martin slides into home during a 2024 contest. A pitcher-infielder, Martin will continue his career at Wright State University. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
By Tim Miller 
March 6, 2025
Preseason practice is underway for high school baseball teams. Most squads will begin their 2025 regular season toward the end of the month. The Jonathan Alder Pioneers hope they can take a step up fr...
Experienced leaders will guide Lady Monarchs onto final stage of 2025 wrestling competition
Sports
Marysville’s Katie Hammersmith (right) tries to secure a takedown on Gahanna-Lincoln’s Jordan Mills (left) during the championship semifinals at the district tournament. The junior 170-pounder is among five Lady Monarchs set to take the stage at this year’s state tournament. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Aleksei Pavloff 
March 6, 2025
Experience and veteran leadership are strong points for Marysville’s girls wrestling program. That culminated in five Lady Monarchs punching their tickets to the third edition of the Ohio High School ...
Monarch boys grapplers will compete in D-I state tourney
Sports
Marysville’s Oliver Fox (right) celebrates, along with assistant coach Curtis Thompson (background), after defeating Olentangy Orange’s Tyler Della Rocco during the consolation quarterfinals at the Division I district tournament last weekend. The 120-pounder is slated to compete in the Division I state tournament this weekend, along with five of his teammates. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Aleksei Pavloff 
March 6, 2025
Newcomers and veterans of Marysville’s boys wrestling program have lofty goals heading into the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division I state tournament. Out of the six qualifiers, half of th...
North Union’s Donohue places in state bowling tourney
Sports
By Bob Putman 
March 5, 2025
North Union’s Montana Donohue concluded a stellar senior season this past weekend as she finished 35th overall in the Division II state bowling championships at HP Lanes. Donohue got off to a good sta...
JA hoop coach: Napoleon’s sub-.500 record deceiving
Sports
Jonathan Alder’s Blake Atkins (14) looks to pass the ball to teammate Sam Cramer (far right) during a 2024-25 game. The Pioneers will travel to Bowling Green State University on Thursday to face Napoleon in the Division IV regional semifinals. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
By Tim Miller 
March 5, 2025
Napoleon High School’s boys basketball team will take a somewhat puzzling won-loss record into Thursday’s Division IV regional semifinal contest. The Wildcats stand at 11-13 as they prepare to take on...
Hoopsters earn Central District accolades
Sports
Marysville’s CJ Collins (3) puts up a shot between a pair of Dublin Jerome defenders. Collins has been named to the Division I Central District first team. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
By Bob Putman 
March 5, 2025
Led by North Union’s Miles Hall, several area basketball players earned first-team honors as the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association announced its 2025 All-Central District high school boys and girls b...
Mitchell claims top weight class accolades during D-III district event; one of two Triad wrestlers moving on to sport’s highest stage
Sports
Awsom Mitchell of Triad, right, hooks up with an opponent during a match at North Union during the 2024-25 season. Mitchell repeated as the Division III district champion at 175 pounds during action at Hobart Arena in Troy. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Tim Miller 
March 4, 2025
A pair of Triad High School boys wrestlers kept their 2024-2025 seasons alive following Division III district competition at Troy’s Hobart Arena. Awsom Mitchell, the Cardinals’ 175-pounder, has once a...
Jonathan Alder’s Watson wins D-II district title; trio of Pioneers advance to state tournament at Ohio State University
Sports
Jonathan Alder’s Rayce Watson (top) breaks down opponent Ethan Lewis of Roger Bacon High School during a 106-pound Division II district bout. Watson captured championship honors in the weight bracket at Wimington High School. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Tim Miller 
March 4, 2025
Rayce Watson of Jonathan Alder brought home a Division II individual district wrestling championship from Wilmington High School over the weekend. Watson claimed top honors in the 106-pound division. ...
Lady Monarch grapplers earn district titles; several Marysville athletes advance to state event
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Marysville’s Lori Grimes (top) watches the clock while scoring back points against Licking Heights’ Lily Seeman (bottom) during the semifinals at 155 pounds. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Aleksei Pavloff 
March 4, 2025
Several grapplers from three local programs competed during the girls district tournament at Big Walnut School last weekend. A total of five girls, all from Marysville’s program, qualified for this ye...
Mize takes third district title; six Monarch wrestlers preparing for Division I state tournament
Sports
Marysville’s Carson Mize (bottom) takes a shot on Dublin Coffman’s Michael Feeney during the 175-pound finals match at the Division I Central District boys tournament. The senior will be accompanied by five other teammates who are slated to compete in the OHSAA Division I Boys State Tournament this weekend. (Journal-Tribune by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Aleksei Pavloff 
March 4, 2025
Marysville boasted 13 district qualifiers after claiming a sectional title the weekend prior to the Diviosion I district tournament at Hilliard Darby High School. The Monarchs were able to place third...
JA cagers capture second consecutive district crown; to play in regional Thursday
Sports
Jonathan Alder senior Ryan Mark (1) holds up the Division IV district championship trophy while his teammates celebrate. The Pioneers have advanced to the regional tournament after their 57-54 victory over the Bulldogs on Sunday. (Journal-Tribune photos by Bob Putman)
By Tim Miller 
March 3, 2025
At the beginning of each basketball season, coaches and players discuss the goals and aspirations of what they would like to have happen during the year. The Jonathan Alder boys basketball team set so...
Fairbanks boys hoopsters finish as D-V district runners-up
Sports
Panther Holtz Maine (44) is fouled on a drive to the basket at Mount Vernon Nazarene College. Maine reached the 1,000-point milestone during FHS’ loss during the Divison IV district championship game. (Journal-Tribune photos by Tim Miller)
By Tim Miller 
March 3, 2025
The Fairbanks boys basketball team put together one of its best seasons in school history during the 2024-2025 campaign. “We set a lot of school records, including the mosts wins in any season (23),” ...