North Union’s Kennedy Harrah goes up for a shot against River Valley. Harrah tallied a team-high 19 points during NU’s victory. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

Emma Gilbert (13) of Marysville goes up for a basket against Westerville Central. The Lady Monarchs opened the 2024-25 campaign with a 59-42 victory. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)

Marysville’s Lori Grimes (top) tries to secure a pinning combination on her opponent during her match at 155 pounds. The Lady Monarch competed for the second straight year at the CDWCA All-Star Meet at Dublin Jerome High School last weekend. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

In the photo on the left, North Union’s new girls basketball coach Mitchell Loomis strategizes with his team during a home scrimmage against Riverdale. In the photo on the right North Union’s newly-appointed head coach Austin Terrill (left) instructs senior Miles Hall (right). (Journal-Tribune photos by Aleksei Pavloff)

Colin Richards of Marysville is pictured playing junior hockey with the Vermont Lumberjacks. The local youngster takes classes online to work within his hockey schedule. (Photo submitted)

Fairbanks High School running back Ryker Green (top) has been named the 2024 Union County football player of the year. (Journal-Tribune photos by Aleksei Pavloff)

North Union High School senior Kailee Rife is pictured during competition on her horse Biker Chic Dream. Rife has committed to join the equestrian program at Auburn University. (Photo submitted)

Mia LeMay (left) and Abbey Overfield both scored in double figures as Triad’s girls hoopsters opened the 2024-25 season with a victory over Springfield Shawnee. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

Fairbanks’ Mara Vicari goes up for a basket against Elgin on Friday. Vicari tallied 25 points during the Lady Panthers’ 67-48 victory. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)

Macy Miller (45) steps back for a shot attempt against Muskingum University’s Claudia Harrington (14) during OWU’s home opener. The sophomore contributed eight points in the team’s 91-58 win, keeping the Bishops undefeated at 4-0. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

Macy Kise of Fairbanks is pictured pitching at Triad during the 2024 season. Kise will continue her softball career after her 2025 graduation at Rio Grande University. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)

Jonathan Alder High School senior Natalie Neumeier recently signed a letter of intent to play softball at Tiffin University. Seated in the front row are her brother Luke, mother Hayley, Neumeier and father Matthew; back row, Jonathan Alder assistant coaches Tom Russell and Heather Colvin and head coach Dave McGrew. (Photo submitted)

Marysville’s Carson Mize signs during a ceremony at MHS to continue his academic and wrestling careerd at Cleveland State University. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

Jonathan Alder High School senior Ben Jackson recently signed to compete in track and field for Ashland University. Pictured from left, front row are, Jackson’s brother Reed, mother Bethany, Jackson and his father Dave; back row, Jonathan Alder assistant track and field coaches Gastin Green and Alicia Tremayne and Pioneer head coach Justin Creps. (Photo submitted)

Fairbanks High School senior Nate Russell displays one of his bowling balls that looks like a soccer ball. Along with bowling, Russell has played soccer and kicked for the football team during his high school career. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)

Marysville’s Allee Forrider (left) and Ava Jackson (right) sign their names to Cedarville University and Ashland University, respectively, during a recentcollege signing day at the high school. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

Members of North Union’s girls bowling team are from left, front row, Olyvia Frisco, Lexi Bahan and Leila Hamilton; back row, assistant coach Mike Donohue, Alyssa Frisco, Emma McCaul, Montana Donohue and head coach Matt Donohue. (Journal-Tribune photo by Bob Putman)

Marysville senior Allison Price goes up for a basket during Saturday’s scrimmage against Lancaster. Price and Emma Gilbert are the only two seniors and lettermen on the roster. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)

Fairbanks High School softball player Jenna Dee is pictured blasting a home run at Triad during the 2024 season. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)

Macy Miller, left, drives to the basket during a Fairbanks High School game. Miller, who plays for Ohio Wesleyan University, was recently named MVP of an early-season tournament. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)

Sophie Little (31) tips the ball over the net during her 2022 senior season at Fairbanks High School. Little and the rest of the Washington & Jefferson team fell during their conference tournament on Tuesday. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)

These local high school football players have earned first-team honors for their respective divisions in the Central District. They are from left, Nate Russell, Holtz Maine and Ryker Green, Fairbanks; Tyler Krebehenne, North Union; and Zach Gantz and Grant Horne, Jonathan Alder. (Journal-Tribune file photos)

Fairbanks High School graduate Sophie Little blasts the ball over the net in this file photo. Little is a sophomore at Washington & Jefferson University. She was named the Presidents’ Athletic Conference offensive player of the week three times during the 2024 campaign. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)