Sports

New NU baseball coach striving for successful season
Sports
North Union’s varsity baseball team is pictured from left, front row, Blaine Ware, Jaxon Mabery, Braylen Riffle, Peyton Davis, Hudsyn Wilson and Tyler Krebehenne; second row, Jason Cremeans, Austin McMahon, Brooks Wills, Dylan Beard and Owen Wills; back row, head coach Chris Roseburrough, Evan Berry, Alex Dexter, Miles Marlette, Ashtin Haubiel and assistant coach Aaron Krebehenne. (Journal-Tribune photo by Bob Putman)
By Bob Putman 
March 25, 2025
North Union had a special baseball season in 2024. The Wildcats, who finished with a 16-10 record, won their first-ever Central Buckeye Conference Mad River Division title and any kind of league champ...
NU girls track team strong in numbers, short on experience; boys squad also on young side
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North Union’s boys track and field team is pictured from left, front row, Sam Hancock, Wyatt Stacklin, Brady Staley, Ryan Staley, Landon Long, Peyton Wood, Caiden Carey, Collin Welch and Tim Collier; second row: Ethan Miller, Kory Ransome, Eddie Blair, Ben Bonnell, Mack Marlette, Trace Huff, Brock Smith, Kadrin Riffle, Brycen Delawder and Tristan Granlee; third row, Wyatt Davis, Landry Dible, Nick VanHoose, Wyatt Arver, Jaxon Heminger, Easton Duvall, Jackson Kemp, Luke Brown, Jacob Weigand, Braedon Scowden and Trenor Kyte; fourth row, assistant coaches Penny Cunningham and Ivan Leavitt, Mason Andrews, Ethan Gorman, Dainon Lindsey, Max Leavitt, Broden O’Reilly, Zaim Habib, Felix Plouck, Zach Meyer, Noah Lewis, Xavier Gruber, assistant coach Syd Bacon and head coach Cole Krawczyk. (Journal-Tribune photo by Bob Putman)
By Bob Putman 
March 25, 2025
The number of athletes on the North Union girls track and field team stands at 47, a good number to be able to spread out in all of the events. The downside for the Lady Cats is they are lacking some ...
Price out as MHS girls varsity basketball coach
Sports
By Tim Miller 
March 24, 2025
“I was in shock.” That was Justin Price’s reaction when he learned he would not be returning as the girls varsity basketball coach at Marysville High School. The newspaper was informed of the news lat...
Lady Panthers open season with win
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Jenna Dee of Fairbanks smacks a homer in this file photo. Dee homered during the Lady Panthers’ 2025 opening game in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
By Tim Miller 
March 24, 2025
Fairbanks’ softball team plated three runs in the top of the fifth inning and defeated Grant Community (Illinois) High School 7-4. The game came during the Lady Panthers’ spring break trip to Pigeon F...
Lady Monarch senior will continue basketball career
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Marysville High School senior Allison Price goes up for a basket against defensive pressure during a 2024-2025 game. Price will continue her roundball career at Huntington University in Indiana. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
By Tim Miller 
March 24, 2025
Marysville High School senior Allison Price ended her high school basketball career with a Division I district runner-up finish with the team. Now, she will concentrate on playing the sport at the nex...
Jonathan Alder had magical boys basketball season 60 years ago
Sports
This is a photo of the 1964-65 Jonathan Alder boys basketball team that won what was then the Class A district championship. Like the 2024-2025 Pioneers, that Alder squad also fell in the regional championship game and missed going to the state tournament. Members of the 1964-65 team are pictured from left, front row, Dave Lowry, Bob Beach, Bob Jeffers, Bill Leftwich, Roger Pinney and head coach Cliff Rose; second row, Larry Cooke, Carl Troyer, Dave Raber, Pat Boyhan, John Crager, George Hostetler, assistant coach Ray Russell, manager Phil White and Tim Converse. Not pictured, Ken Greene. (Photo submitted)
By Tim Miller 
March 22, 2025
The recently-completed high school boys basketball season brought a lot of joy to folks in the Plain City area. Jonathan Alder won the Kenton Trail Division of the Central Buckeye Conference, captured...
Monarch grapplers honored
Sports
These Marysville High School boys wrestlers earned special awards for the 2024-2025 season. They are from left, front row, Brian Waller, first-team OCC, 20-plus victories; Berkley Behrens, state qualifier, varsity most improved, most escapes, second-team OCC, Marine Corps academic award (highest individual GPA-4.063), 30-plus wins; Oliver Fox, state qualifier, 20-plus victories; Carter Shank, 30-plus victories, team accountability award, Marine Corps academic award, second-team OCC; Jack Williams, 20-plus victories, Marine Corps academic award, second-team OCC; Michael Bates, most reversals, team gratitude award, third-team OCC; Logan Shaw, second-team OCC, 20-plus victories, Marine Corps academic award; Kaylor Niemi, team best effort award, Marine Corps academic award; and Vinny Holt Goodman, JV most improved; back row, Carson Mize, state placer, MVP, OCC wrestler of the year, first-team OCC, Marine Corps academic award, academic All-Ohio, most victories, best winning percentage, most takedowns, most falls, 40-plus victories; Cam Taylor, second-team OCC; Keegan Andrews, most near-falls, Marine Corps academic award, 30-plus victories; Boston Burkhardt, state qualifier, academic All-Ohio, team legacy award, 40-plus victories, second-team OCC; James Lowe, third-team OCC, Marine Corps academic award; Trent Sharp, state qualifier, team best attitude award, second-team OCC, 30-plus victories; Logan Adlesberger, 20-plus victories; Griffin Beery, JV MVP, Marine Corps academic award, 20-plus victories; and Gage Counts, state qualifier, team committment award, academic All-Ohio, Marine Corps academic award; third-team OCC and 30-plus victories. (Journal-Tribune photo by Kevin Behrens)
By Tim Miller 
March 22, 2025
Fairbanks High School student wins state powerlifting title
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Fairbanks High School junior Phoebe Allison prepares for the dead lift. (Photos submitted)
By Tim Miller 
March 21, 2025
If you were to look at Fairbanks High School junior Phoebe Allison, you’d see a typical teenager. She goes to school, does her home work and hangs out with her friends. The difference would be that no...
Maine named OHC player of year; local squads represented on North Division hoop teams
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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...