Sports

Monarch head football coach Mike Young talks to his team after a 2025 game. Young feels the Monarchs grew and improved a great deal as the season progressed. (Journal-Tribune photo by Chad Williamson)

North Union’s Griffin Osborne (14) looks for open space against Greeneview’s defense. The Wildcats will travel to Williamsburg on Friday for their next playoff game. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

Fairbanks’ Emily Vance (31) gears up for a shot attempt after getting a short pass from Mollie Thrush (1) during a free kick in the second half of play. Vance scored the only goal for the Lady Panthers in the Division V state semifinal. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

Jonathan Alder’s Cashton Wheeler (1) extends his hand for a stiff arm against Kenton Ridge’s Bryndyn Parsons (6) during a regular season road game earlier in the fall. The senior claimed Co-Offensive Player of the Year in the Central Buckeye Conference’s Kenton Trail Division for his work during the 2025 campaign. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

Fairbanks’ Kaden Procuniar (14) takes a wide-angled shot during the second half of the Division V boys soccer regional finals. The junior Panther accounted for two goals in the team’s win over North Adams. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

Mariel Arend, left, of Fairbanks advances the ball during the Division V regional championship match. The Lady Panthers won their first-ever regional soccer crown. (Journal-Tribune photo by Bob Putman)

In the photo to the left, Jonathan Alder’s Ella Luker (6321) competes during the Division II girls state cross country meet. Lincoln Wilson (right) is shown in the D-II boys meet. Luker and Wilson earned All-Ohio honors in their respective races. (Journal-Tribune photos by Aleksei Pavloff)

Jonathan Alder’s Ali Hayes (17) sends the ball past a potential Bloom Carroll blocker Saturday afternoon at Hilliard Davidson. The Lady Pioneers lost the Division III regional championship match 3-2. Hayes became Jonathan Alder’s all-time leader in kills, surpassing her sister Ava Francis. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)

Springfield’s Timothy Thompson (12) shoves Marysville’s Talan Wolford (9) as the Monarch tries to bring the Wildcat ball carrier down. The Monarchs fell to Springfield, 35-6, in the opening round of the Division I playoffs. (Journal-Tribune photo by Chad Williamson)

North Union’s Griffin Osborne (14) breaks up a pass while teammate Blaine Ware (7) shields the Greeneview receiver from the incoming pass during a fourth down stop in the fourth quarter. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

Sydney Nicol of Fairbanks (5) prepares to send the ball past potential Versailles blockers Thursday evening. The Lady Panthers fell to the Tigers in four sets during the Division V regional semifinals at Kettering Fairmont. Also pictured for FHS is Lexie Grant (7). (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

Peyton Hanna (11) of Jonathan Alder sends a kill over the net against Dover. Also pictured for JA are Anna Hayes (background) and Addison Garman (10). The Lady Pioneers won the Division III regional semifinal that was held at Hilliard Darby in four sets. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)

Fairbanks players on the pitch rush to celebrate with senior Alek Orders after scoring the team’s first goal of the night. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

Marysville High School will be represented by three runners during the Division I state cross country races on Saturday. They are, from left, Cameron Cave, Paxton Herring and Lyla Channell. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)

Marysville’s Kale Strickland (center) intercepts a Hilliard Darby pass in the end zone. Also pictured for MHS at the right is Brady Carper. The Monarchs will travel to Springfield for their opening Division I playoff game on Friday. (Journal-Tribune photo by Chad Williamson)

North Union’s Nickolas Hajjar (11) prepares to throw a pass from earlier this season. The Wildcats will host Greeneview on Friday in the Division V state playoffs. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

Fairbanks’ Hailey Hall (25) and Mara Vicari (6) battle for a corner kick during the first half with several teammates filling in behind. Vicari scored the winning goal during the second overtime period, giving the Lady Panthers the win. For more photos, go to marysvillejt.com. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

Fairbanks girls soccer head coach Sam Warye holds the team’s Division V district championship trophy while surrounded by his team. The Lady Panthers won the title by beating Grandview at Whitehall High School. For more photos, go to marysvillejt.com. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

Members of Fairbanks’ volleyball squad are from left, front row, Stephanie Headings, Lailynn Burns, Sara Lynch, Lexie Grant, Adalyn Castle, Sophie Bostwick and Autumn Wiedmann; back row, assistant coach Josie Duncan, head coach Allison Gorton, Gracie Boyer, Maddi Sines, Avery Gallmeyer, Livian Maine, Sydney Nicol, Hannah Boehm, Mallereigh Rankin and assistant coach Deb Boyd. (Journal-Tribune photo by Bob Putman)

Jonathan Alder’s Peyton Hanna (11) sends the ball over the net during a tournamnt match against Columbus South. The Lady Pioneers topped Bishop Hartley Saturday evening in Mount Vernon for the Division III district championship. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)

Marysville senior goalkeeper Rylee Drope (1) clears the ball from the cage during the second half of action in the Division I district finals. The Lady Monarch accounted for 10 saves in the team’s loss to the Lady Celtics. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

Ben McCain of Jonathan Alder hauls in a pass reception against Bellefontaine. The Pioneers will have a first-round bye in the Division IV playoffs. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)