Sports

Leo Winner (36) of Fairbanks defends as Triad’s Awsom Mitchell catches a pass during a 2024 contest. The Panthers will open their 2025 campaign on Thursday, Aug. 21 with a 7 p.m. kickoff. They will play Colonel Crawford at Ohio Wesleyan University. (Journal-Tribune photo by Chad Williamson)

North Union co-defensive coordinator Jessie Miller instructs players during a run-fit period at the team’s first official practice of the 2025 season. Miller formerly served as the Wildcats’ head coach. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

Jonathan Alder’s Cashton Wheeler latches on to a pass during a recent 7-on-7 passing scrimmages. High school football teams across Ohio began their official preseason practices today. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

North Union’s Alex Jolliff follows through on his shot during a match at Blues Creek. The Wildcats opened their 2025 season with a convincing 164-236 win over Benjamin Logan on Tuesday at Liberty Hills. Jaxon Jolliff was the match medalist with a 39, while his brother, Alex, posted a round of 40. Ethan Monroe and Jenson Stover each shot a 43, while Reese Spriggs had a 48 and Brylon Riffle carded a 51. (Journal-Tribune file photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

Fairbanks’ Leo Winner reels in an incoming pass from Bryson Griffith during a 7-on-7 scrimmage at Marysville. Friday is the start of fall sports practices as coaches locally and around the state begin their instruction periods for their respective sports. Boys and girls golf teams are already beginning their competitions with most starting their 2024 campaigns today. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

Jonathan Alder’s Carson Gordon (8) takes the ball past midfield during a regular season game against Grandview Heights during the 2024 campaign. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

Fairbanks graduate Ryker Green (7) picks up yardage in a game during his senior season. Green will continue his football and academic careers at The College of Wooster. (Journal-Trikbune photo by Tim Miller)

Marysville’s Mitchell Evans (right) holds on to a pass during a 7-on-7 scrimmage against Urbana. Preseason practice for the Monarchs will officially begin Friday, Aug. 1. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

Marysville alumna Shannon Cordle, a 2024 graduate, clears the ball from the goal area during the Lady Monarchs’ annual alumni game at Impact Stadium. The former Lady Monarch is currently a member of MIT’s women’s soccer and track and field programs. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)