Sports

FHS girls move to district final after win over L. Union
Sports
Fairbanks’ Audrey Lahmers (15) dribbles near the midfield line while being guarded by a Liberty Union defender. The freshman Lady Panther was credited with one goal on a penalty kick and an assist during the team’s win over the Lions. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Aleksei Pavloff 
October 23, 2025
Fairbanks’ girls soccer team is heading back to a district final following a 3-1 win over Liberty Union. “I think, in this match, we found our momentum to play together,” senior Mara Vicari said after...
Jon Alder Pioneers will host playoff game, could earn first-round bye; NU battling for home turf in post-season
Sports
Jonathan Alder’s Braylon Kauffman (58) draws a bead on a Columbus Academy ball carrier during a game earlier this season. The Pioneers will host Bellefontaine on Friday and then prepare for the Division IV playoffs. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
By Tim Miller 
October 23, 2025
This week’s computer football ratings show that two local high school teams have maintained their paths to the upcoming state playoffs. The Ohio High School Athletic Association releases the computer ...
FHS spikers rebound from opening set loss; top NU during district semifinal
Sports
In the photo to the left, North Union’s Lexi Wills (8) sends the ball past Avery Gallmeyer of Fairbanks. Emma McElroy of North Union is pictured in the background. In the photo to the right, Livian Maine of FHS does the same to NU’s Kellyn Ufferman (8) and Glory Blevins (1). Also pictured for Fairbanks are Lexie Grant (7) and Hanna Boehm (red jersey). The Lady Panthers beat NU in four sets during a Division V district semifinal match. (Journal-Tribune photos by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Bob Putman 
October 23, 2025
Fairbanks had not played a volleyball match for nearly two weeks. That factor may have played a role in the first set of the Lady Panthers’ Central District Division V semifinal on Tuesday at home aga...
Monarchs still have playoff shot as they host Darby
Sports
Marysville’s JJ Henry attempts to avoid an Olentangy Berlin tackler. The Monarchs will wrap up the regular season by hosting Hilliard Darby on Friday. (Journal-Tribune photo by Chad Williamson)
By Tim Miller 
October 22, 2025
While Marysville’s football team is coming off a 41-7 loss at Olentangy Berlin, there is still something within its reach. The Monarchs will take a 4-5 record into Friday’s Senior Night contest agains...
Lady Pioneer spikers advance to D-III district final with sweep over Columbus Bishop Watterson
Sports
Jonathan Alder’s Peyton Hanna (11) goes up for a block against Columbus Bishop Watterson. Also pictured for the Lady Pioneers are Ali Hayes (17) and Cailyn Glick (right). JA won the Division III district semifinal match in three sets. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Tim Miller 
October 22, 2025
Jonathan Alder’s volleyball match against Columbus Bishop Watterson was far more competitive than the previous tournament contest against Columbus South. The outcome, however, was the same. Coming on ...
Football players of week named
Sports
By Tim Miller 
October 22, 2025
Jonathan Alder, North Union and Fairbanks turned in victories as the 2025 high school football season reached its ninth week. The Pioneers improved their record to 8-1 as they held on for a 35-33 vict...
FMS runners compete in event
Sports
By Tim Miller 
October 22, 2025
Fairbanks’ middle school cross country teams competed during the recent OHSAA post-season invitational. The Panther boys placed 44th as a team during the event that was held at Fortress Obetz near Col...
Panther gridders will face standout WJ quarterback
Sports
By Tim Miller 
October 22, 2025
Fairbanks’ football team will wrap up the 2025 season on Friday. The Panthers (3-6) will host West Jefferson (8-1) for Senior Night. The Roughriders will show multiple offensive formations, but there ...
Fairbanks girls soccer squad holds off Johnstown Northridge during tourney
Sports
Fairbanks’ Mollie Thrush (1) sprints to corral a free ball while trying to out-pace opposing defender Cora Hill (32) of Northridge. Thrush was the lone scorer for Fairbanks during a 1-0 tournament victory. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Aleksei Pavloff 
October 21, 2025
Fairbanks’ girls soccer team narrowly overtook visiting Northridge, 1-0, to advance to the Division V district semifinal match. While soccer is a team sport, the second-seeded Lady Panthers (13-3-2) b...
Local high school runners advance to regional CC races
Sports
Fairbanks’ Sadie Miller is pictured competing during a cross country race in this file photo. Miller captured an individual district championshp for the 2025 campaign. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Bob Putman 
October 21, 2025
Fairbanks, Jonathan Alder and North Union will be well represented on Saturday at the regional cross country championships at Pickerington North High School. All three schools competed this past Satur...
MHS athletes hold special event at high school track
Sports
By Tim Miller 
October 21, 2025
Marysville High School’s boys and girls cross country teams did not compete in a district meet this year. That is due to the fact of regional realignment by the Ohio High School Athletic Assocation. T...
Jonathan Alder advances
Sports
By Aleksei Pavloff 
October 21, 2025
Jonathan Alder’s boys soccer team is now one step closer to another district final appearance. Only Bexley (12-2-4) stands in the way of that. The fourth-seeded Pioneers (14-1-2) will take on the thir...
Bunsold Middle School girls and boys runners place well during state CC competition
Sports
Cross country runners from Bunsold Middle School are from left, Ryan Krueger, Nathan McDonald, Braden Dove, Harrison Schacht, Silas Streng, Matthew Bochkor, Ryker Rawlings, Ella McDonie, Arya Sullivan, Clara Mordhorst, coach Jon Weithman, Reagan Bremer, Semira Slabach, Tayler Rowland, Claire Eley, coach Robert Bentz and Gwyneth Henderson. (Photo submitted)
By Tim Miller 
October 21, 2025
The cross country runners from Bunsold Middle School placed well during the Ohio Middle School state meet. The event was held at Dublin Jerome. The Lady Monarchs placed fourth overall and finished as ...
Alder spikers sweep Columbus South during opening tournament match
Sports
Jonathan Alder’s Cailyn Glick (22) delivers one of her career-high 11 kills against Columbus South. Also pictured for the Lady Pioneers is Lily Boeckl (15). JA won the match with a three-set sweep. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
By Tim Miller 
October 20, 2025
Jonathan Alder senior Raegan Tremayne set the tone for the Lady Pioneers’ opening match of the 2025 Division III district volleyball tournament. Tremayne toed the serving line to begin the match and d...
Panther gridders roll past neighboring Triad
Sports
Collin Bailey (4) of Fairbanks brings down Triad’s Brody Hess (5) on this play. The Cardinals had a difficult time running the football during a 64-12 loss to the Panthers. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
By Tim Miller 
October 18, 2025
There are a pair of local high school football teams that won’t be playing Week No. 11 in the state playoffs. Still, they tangled against each other Friday evening with neighborhood bragging rights on...
Wildcats pummel Shawnee; NU can still contend for share of CBC Mad River title
Sports
North Union quarterback Nickolas Hajjar warms up prior to Friday’s game against Springfield Shawnee. The Wildcats upped their record to 6-3 with a victory. (Journal-Tribune photo by Bob Putman)
By Bob Putman 
October 18, 2025
North Union knew going into the game the pressure would be on the Wildcats as they hosted Springfield Shawnee on Friday in a Central Buckeye Conference contest. NU needed a win against Shawnee to keep...
Monarch gridders fall on road at Olentangy Berlin
Sports
Colin Wimmers (28) of Marysville catches a 65-yard pass Friday evening. The reception set up the team’s only touchdown against Olentangy Berlin. Also pictured for MHS is Keefer Stackhouse (15). The Monarchs fell to the Bears, 41-7. (Journal-Tribune photo by Chad Williamson)
By Chad Williamson 
October 18, 2025
Olentangy Berlin dropped 21 points on Marysville over a 39-second span early in the first quarter Friday and cruised to a 41-7 victory. The Bears needed just three offensive plays, and one big defensi...
JA escapes with win at Kenton Ridge
Sports
Jonathan Alder’s Trey Bentley (left) defends an incoming pass attempt while covering Kenton Ridge’s Caleb Hall during the final minute of Friday’s road win. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Aleksei Pavloff 
October 18, 2025
Jonathan Alder managed to rebound against Kenton Ridge, 35-33, after suffering its first loss of the season a week ago. Scoring was aplenty in Alder’s conference road matchup against the Cougars, who ...
Lady Monarchs top Hilliard Bradley in final seconds of district semifinal
Sports
Marysville’s Myranda Streng (5), Mckenna Schwartzengraber (15) and Madi Cook (4) battle to get the ball out of the team’s goal, while Hilliard Bradley’s Avery Zwilling (13) inserts herself into the fun. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Aleksei Pavloff 
October 17, 2025
Playoffs are full of heartbreak and jubilation. Marysville’s 16th seeded girls soccer program (6-11-1) experienced the latter after scoring in the final seconds to advance to the Division I district f...
North Union coach says team can’t look past winless Springfield Shawnee
Sports
North Union’s Wyatt Arver picks up yardage during a game from earlier this season. The Wildcats will host Springfield Shawnee this evening. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Bob Putman 
October 17, 2025
Over the past few weeks the North Union football team has faced some tough competition and posted three wins in its last four games. Each week, head coach Nick Hajjar has said how equal the teams in t...
Marysville boys soccer team concludes season with loss to Hilliard Davidson
Sports
Marysville’s Caden Jude (7) takes a shot after being awarded a penalty kick during the second half of action against Hilliard Davidson. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Aleksei Pavloff 
October 17, 2025
Marysville’s boys soccer season ended Wednesday evening with a 4-2 loss to Hilliard Davidson (10-4-2). The 15th-seeded Monarchs concluded their 2025 fall campaign with a 4-10-4 overall record after fa...
Panther boys soccer team blanks Springfield Catholic Central
Sports
By Tim Miller 
October 17, 2025
Fairbanks’ boys soccer team upped its record to 12-3-2 with a 9-0 verdict over Springfield Catholic Central. Ty Schroeder put four goals in the net, while Kaden Procuniar finished with four assists. N...
Cardinal coach expects to see various formations from FHS
Sports
Triad’s Wyatt Smith (1) takes the edge on a quarterback run during a home game against Mount Gilead earlier this season. The Cardinals will host Fairbanks tonight for their final regular season home game. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Aleksei Pavloff 
October 17, 2025
Triad’s football program is seeking to take care of business against a neighboring conference opponent. The Cardinals (0-8) will welcome fellow Ohio Heritage Conference North Division affiliate Fairba...
FHS gridders hope to get back on “W” side of the ledger when they play Triad
Sports
Fairbanks’ Daniel Bailey (54) and Reid Phelps (18) go after Northeastern’s quarterback. The Panthers will play at Triad tonight. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
By Tim Miller 
October 17, 2025
A pair of local high school football teams that have struggled this fall will battle each other this evening. Fairbanks will make the short trip to Triad for a Week No. 9 game in which the two teams c...
Miller, Williamson, Behrens have solid Pickers week
Sports
October 16, 2025
A trio of Pigskin Pickers posted 9-1 records last week. Sports editor Tim Miller, managing editor Chad Williamson and publisher Kevin Behrens each correctly picked nine of the 10 games that were on th...
Lady Cat spikers advance in tourney; will play next match at Fairbanks
Sports
North Union’s Emmy Eastman leaps for a spike while Columbus Academy’s Lily Tostevin (left) and Ellie Chapman (right) come up to meet her. The Lady Cats are slated to take on Fairbanks in a Division V district semifinal next week. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Aleksei Pavloff 
October 16, 2025
Playoff matchups often mean two things... survive and advance. That is what North Union’s volleyball program accomplished Tuesday night against Columbus Academy (12-11) during the first round of Divis...
NU Lady Cats drop soccer tourney opener to Bishop Ready
Sports
North Union senior Kale Keigley (13) advances the ball on Bishop Ready’s side of the field. The Lady Cats fell to Ready 5-1 in tournament action. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Bob Putman 
October 16, 2025
The history-making season of the North Union girls soccer team came to an end on Tuesday. The Lady Cats lost 5-1 to Bishop Ready in a Division IV sectional semifinal at NU. They finished the season wi...
Jonathan Alder looks to rebound with game at Kenton Ridge
Sports
Jonathan Alder’s Braxton Overmyer (2) escapes a would-be tackler from London during the team’s recent road game against the Red Raiders. The Pioneers are on the road again this week, venturing to Kenton Ridge. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Aleksei Pavloff 
October 16, 2025
A loss is not the end of the world, but it can be a vital learning opportunity and a motivator. Jonathan Alder’s football program suffered its first loss of the regular season last week at London, 38-...