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2017 Spring Sports Preview 3

By Bryan [email protected]

MASON, W.Va. — Twice was nice. So how about thrice?

After winning back-to-back Class A state championships, the Wahama baseball team has its sights on a three-peat as it heads into the 2017 campaign.

The White Falcons also have good reason for optimism as the Red and White return 14 players from a squad that went 22-11 overall last year. WHS also clinched at least a share of its third straight Tri-Valley Conference Hocking Division crown with a 14-2 mark.

Wahama has to replace the services of six seniors lost to graduation, but with an experienced core to guide a 21-strong roster — 13th-year WHS coach Tom Cullen believes that this group is just as capable of having success as the previous two.

That is, as long as the newcomers can develop into contributors.

“Last year, we had some young kids come in and fill the shoes of some seniors that were lost from the first state title team … and it worked. We’re going to need more of the same this year,” Cullen said. “If the new guys can come in and get acclimated with the returnees at this level, then we should be a pretty solid baseball squad. We have some young arms that we think will develop this year and we still have Philip (Hoffman), so our offense and our defense will be the biggest things for us to focus on.”

Hoffman — a Marshall University baseball signee — enters his senior campaign as the reigning Class A Captain on the all-state team. His presence on the mound gives Wahama an ace in the hole that no other team possesses.

Also returning from last year’s squad are seniors Jared Oliver, Wyatt Edwards and Nyles Riggs, juniors Anthony Ortiz, Dalton Kearns, Bryton Grate and Colton Arrington, and sophomores Cooper Peters, Antonio Serevicz, Tyler Bumgarner, Jonathan Frye, David Hendrick and Jacob

Bryan Walters/OVP Sports Pictured are members of the 2017 Wahama varsity baseball team. Kneeling in front, from left, are Bryce Meadows, Dalton Duff, Gabe Roush, Trevor Hunt, Brayden Davenport, Cooper Peters, Tanner Smith, Antonio Serevicz and Tyler Bumgarner. Standing in back are Anthony Ortiz, Dalton Kearns, Bryton Grate, Jonathan Frye, Jared Oliver, Wyatt Edwards, Philip Hoffman, Nyles Riggs, David Hendrick, Jacob Fisher and Colton Arrington.

2017 WHSbaSeball ScHedule

MarcH 17 at Nitro 6 p.m. 21 vs Parkersburg Catholic 4:30 23 at oint Pleasant 4:30 27 at Waterford 5 p.m. 28 at Southern 5 p.m. 30 at Belpre 5 p.m. 31 vs Trimble 5 p.m. april 3 at Federal Hocking 5 p.m. 4 vs South Gallia 5 p.m. 6 vs Eastern 5 p.m. 7 at Miller 5 p.m. 8 vs Huntington St. Joe 1 p.m. 11 vs Waterford 5 p.m. 13 at Southern 5 p.m. 14 at Wirt County 4:30 17 vs Belpre 5 p.m. 18 at Trimble 5 p.m. 20 vs Federal Hocking 5 p.m. 21 at South Gallia 5 p.m. 22 vs Williamstown (DH) noon 24 at Eastern 5 p.m. 25 vs Point Pleasant 5 p.m. 26 vs Miller 5 p.m. 27 vs Huntington St. Joe 5:30 29 vs Nitro 1 p.m. May 1 at Ravenswood 5 p.m. 2 vs Wirt County 4:30 3 at Parkersburg Catholic 5 p.m.

White Falcons aiming for three-peat

Fisher.The newcomers to the varsity

squad include sophomores Bryce Meadows and Tanner Smith, as well as freshmen Dalton Duff, Gabe Roush, Trevor Hunt and Brayden Davenport.

Though the postseason is the ultimate goal, the White Falcons will have plenty of battles awaiting them in the regular season — most notably in league play. Wahama has shared the TVC Hocking title the last two seasons and won it outright in 2014.

Cullen credits the rigWWors of the small-school league for the program’s most recent successes. He also wants his troops to stay atop the final standings as in years past.

“Honestly, the quality of the TVC Hocking has been a big help to us when we get to the playoffs. That league is a competitive grind throughout the course of the year and it has really helped us for the postseason,” Cullen said. “We’ve had a good run in winning three straight league titles and the guys know it will be a battle to win another one this year. It’s just another test for our kids through the season.”

Given the makeup of this Wahama diamond club, Cullen is confident that his program is ready to make another run at state. And, given that most of this team experienced how

2017 WHSbaSeball roSter

1 Philip Hoffman* Sr 3 Bryton Grate* Jr 11 Colton Arrington* Jr 12 David Hendrick* So 15 Antonio Serevicz* So 17 Nyles Riggs* Sr 20 Tyler Bumgarner* So 21 Jacob Fisher* So 23 Dalton Kearns* Jr 24 Anthony Ortiz* Jr 26 Wyatt Edwards* Sr 28 Jared Oliver* Sr 32 Jonathan Frye* So _ Cooper Peters* So _ Bryce Meadows So _ Tanner Smith So _ Dalton Duff Fr _ Gabe Roush Fr _ Trevor Hunt Fr _ Brayden Davenport Fr

Head coacH: Tom Cullen (13th season) * — indicates varsity returnee.

tough it is to repeat as champs, he feels that they are more prepared than ever to make it a reality.

He also knows the third time around will be way more difficult than the previous two.

“Our goal has always been to do better than the year before,

See WHITE FALCONS | 38

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By Alex [email protected]

RACINE, Ohio — Simply put, the Tornadoes are hoping to pick up where you left off last spring.

The Southern baseball team improved its win total by three last season and with 14 players returning from that team, the upward swing could be just beginning.

“I think we all grew from last year,” said SHS head coach Kyle Wickline, who is entering his second year as Tornadoes’ skipper. “We have all of our starters back and our seniors should have very good leadership this year. We got better as the year went on, we finished 11-4 down the stretch, and we’re hoping that continues on. Hopefully our pitching is our strength.”

Southern — which will have just four seniors to replace off of last year’s 11-12 team — has four seniors, four juniors, seven

Tornadoes hoping for continued improvements

Alex Hawley/OVP Sports Pictured above are members of the 2017 Southern baseball team. Sitting in the front row, from left, are Blake Johnson, Clayton Wood, Trey Pickens, Haden Miller. Kneeling in the second row are Dakota Kowell, Dylan Smith, Logan Drummer, Billy Harmon, Jensen Anderson, Ryan Acree, Austin Colburn, and Joey Weaver. Standing in the back row are Garrett Wolfe, Logan Dunn, Coltin Parker, John Guinther, Cole Steele, Gage Schuler and Brody Dutton.

sophomores and five freshmen on its 2017 roster.

Of the four seniors, Blake Johnson, Trey Pickens and Clayton Wood are all entering their fourth varsity season for the Purple and Gold, while Haden Miller is beginning his third varsity campaign.

Juniors Dakota Kowell, Garrett Wolfe and Logan Dunn are also beginning their third year on varsity, while junior Dylan Smith, as well as sophomores Billy Harmon, Logan Drummer, Jensen Anderson, Ryan Acree, Brody Dutton and Trey Wood are all entering their second varsity seasons.

“We have some young kids that should be contributors on the varsity level, but we have players returning at every position,” Wickline said. “We’ve had a couple of good weeks of practice where kids are competing for spots.”

Pickens is a two-time Tri-Valley Conference Hocking

Division honoree and a two-time all-district second team selection. Smith was all-league as a freshman, while also earning an all-district first team spot. Johnson was an all-league performer last spring,

while Clayton Wood was on the all-conference team as a sophomore.

After a 4-12 league campaign in 2015, Southern went 10-6

See TORNADOES | 38


By Paul [email protected]

CENTENARY, Ohio — There is no question about it.

There are a lot of question marks for the Gallia Academy High School baseball club this season.

However, do these Blue Devils —the defending Ohio Valley Conference champions — have the answers?

Entering his 14th season as the Gallia Academy mentor, Rich Corvin is trying to replace eight seniors, seven of which were starters.

Of those seven starters, six are now playing college baseball — but only the hot corner and the corner outfielders return.

Indeed, it is quite the conundrum for Corvin, as he prepares his charges for their initial OVC championship defense.

“We are replacing every infield position except for third base, and we’re also replacing our centerfielder and our number-two pitching arm,” said Corvin. “There are a lot of question marks, a lot of holes to fill defensively, and a lot of uncertainty. We’re still trying to find middle infield guys and corner outfield guys.”

While each replacement is important, catcher Anthony Sipple and centerfielder Kole Carter — per postseason honors — are arguably the largest.

Sipple was a two-time first-team Division II all-Southeast District selection, while Carter captured second-team all-district accolades.

The Blue Devils won the OVC at 11-3, part of 16-10 overall.

By basically being gutted by graduation, that leaves senior third baseman Jeremy Brumfield as the only returning infielder.

Brumfield bats in the middle of the lineup, and is expected to be the number-two pitcher behind sophomore ace Josh Faro.

Faro, a left-hander, finished his freshman season at 6-1 on the mound.

Catching Faro will be Braden Simms, as John Stout takes over for Carter in center.

Both Simms and Stout,

Paul Boggs/OVP Sports Pictured are members of the 2017 Gallia Academy High School varsity baseball team. In front row, from left, are Cameron Self, Josh Davis, Tanner Allen, Brody Thomas, Matthew Moreaux, Cole Davis and Braden Thomas; back row, assistant coach Cory Camden, Josh Faro, Wyatt Sipple, Dylan Smith, Jeremy Brumfield, Gabe Peck, Adam Sickels, Kaden Thomas, Quinton Yarger, John Stout, assistant coach Ryan Chapman and head coach Rich Corvin.

Plenty of question marks for Blue Devils

both juniors, were the other outfielders last year.

“We’re going to start this season with a bunch of guys that do not have any varsity experience,” said Corvin. “We have about four guys that have true varsity experience. We’re going to be looking for guys that were junior varsity guys from last year and even some younger guys. We have a freshman move-in kid that is another arm that we think will help us out.”

That arm is right-hander Cameron Self, as Stout should also be in the top five of the rotation.

The new Ohio High School Athletic Association pitch count rule is basically ballooning the number of available pitchers on rosters.

“Our pitching should be alright. We won’t overpower people, but we’ll be able to throw strikes and get outs. With the new pitch count rule, everybody is going to have to throw. There will be more pitchers on rosters this year than you have ever seen before,” said Corvin.

The Blue Devils will try to chase opposing pitchers with their offense.

“Offensively, we’ll be okay. We’ll be a different type of offensive team than we’ve had in the past, but we have something special lined up for that,” said Corvin.

And, that includes against

2017 GaHSbaSeball roSter

1 Cole Davis So. 3 Braden Simms* Jr. 5 Kaden Thomas Jr. 6 Josh Faro* So. 7 John Stout* Jr. 9 Cameron Self Fr. 10 Quinton Yarger Sr. 11 Bailey Walker So. 12 Adam Sickels Jr. 13 Jeremy Brumfield* Sr. 14 Josh Davis* Sr. 15 Brody Thomas* Sr. 18 Gabe Peck* Sr. 21 Matthew Moreaux Jr. 24 Tanner Allen* Jr. 27 Garrett McGuire So. 28 Dylan Smith Jr. 34 Wyatt Sipple* So. 36 Morgan Stanley So. HEAD COACH: Rich Corvin (14th season) * — indicates varsity returnee

2017 GaHSbaSeball ScHedule

MARCH 25 vs. Washington Court House 7:30 p.m.(at Chillicothe VA Stadium) 27 at River Valley 5:30 p.m. 28 at Point Pleasant 5 p.m. 30 vs. Meigs 5 p.m. 31 vs. Ironton 5 p.m. APRIL 1 vs. Athens (DH) 11 a.m. 3 vs. South Point 5 p.m. 5 vs. Fairland 5 p.m. 6 at Wellston 5 p.m. 7 at Coal Grove 5 p.m. 8 at Portsmouth 5 p.m. 10 Chesapeake 5 p.m. 11 at Jackson 5 p.m. 12 at Portsmouth 5 p.m. 13 at Rock Hill 5 p.m. 15 at Piketon (DH), 12 p.m. 17 at Ironton 5 p.m. 19 at South Point 5 p.m. 20 Jackson 5 p.m. 21 at Fairland 5 p.m. 24 Coal Grove 5 p.m. 26 at Chesapeake 5 p.m. 27 at Meigs 5 p.m. 28 Portsmouth 5 p.m. MAY 1 Rock Hill 5 p.m. 4 Point Pleasant 5 p.m.

Gallia Academy’s non-league competition — in addition to its OVC slate.

The Blue and White will play Point Pleasant, Meigs and Jackson twice, along with Athens in a home doubleheader — with Wellston and a twinbill at Piketon on the road.

“Those non-league games are pretty solid,” said Corvin. “There are no off days there.”

But, by having few days off, perhaps the Blue Devils’ questions can quickly get

See BLUE DEVILS | 38

answered.“We have a lot of question

marks. I don’t know what else to say. This is probably one

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I think this group has that capability.”

The Big Blacks will play six of their first eight contests at home, which should aid them in the early part of the season before making a brutal run of 14 road games in their next 17 outings.

Bryan Walters can be reached at 740-446-2342, ext. 2101.

Despite inexperience, Point aiming for success


POINT PLEASANT, W.Va. — It’s more of a reload than a rebuild … or at least that is the hope.

Graduation was difficult on the Point Pleasant baseball program after losing 11 players from last spring’s 18-14 squad, but the Big Blacks are back with a bunch a talented fresh faces that are hoping to make the 2017 campaign another successful one on the diamond.

PPHS has only five players back from last year’s Class AAA regional qualifier as the Red and Black make their return to the double-A ranks. Point will also have 11 players from the lower two grades on the 17-man opening day roster, meaning a lot of first-hand experience will be learned on the job.

But, as fourth-year PPHS coach Andrew Blain noted, the overall youth of this group does not change what is expected in the program. He does acknowledge, however, that there may be a little bit of learning curve early in the year.

“Our expectations are the same as my other three years here at Point Pleasant. We expect to win and we expect to compete in every game we play in, regardless of who that is,” Blain said. “We are going to have to work extremely hard as a staff to make that happen. We have talent, but it is young talent that lacks varsity experience … so we are really going to have to put in the hard work to get where we want and where we expect to be.”

The Big Blacks won’t be completely empty-handed in the experience department, particularly with Potomac State signee Abe Stearns back as the team’s ace on the mound. Senior Tyler Mitchell, juniors Alec Smith and Tyler Mitchell, and sophomore Austin Richardson also bring some quality experience and leadership back from a year ago.

The newcomers to the PPHS

Bryan Walters/OVP SportsPictured are members of the 2017 Point Pleasant baseball program. Kneeling in front, from left, are Miles Williams, Sam Pinkerton, Carter Smith, Colton Fridley, Hunter Blain, Joseph Herdman, Zane Jeffers, Ian Tarbett, Austin Richardson, Josh Wamsley, Patrick Stanton, Bryce Casey and Andrew Flowers. Standing in back are PPHS coach Andrew Blain, assistant coach Brock McClung, Brody Jeffers, Sherman Hart, Bradley Koons, Alec Smith, Abe Stearns, Tyler Mitchell, Cory Dabney, Ian Fielder, Tucker Mayes, Levi Mitchell, PPHS trainer Gabe Roush, assistant coach Justin Cavender and assistant coach Stephen Martin.

roster will likely play the most important role to successes this spring, mainly in how well they adjust to the varsity game.

Joining the varsity squad are senior Cory Dabney, juniors Levi Mitchell and Bradley Koons, sophomores Miles Williams, Sam Pinkerton, Carter Smith, Colton Fridley, Josh Wamsley, Patrick Stanton and Brody Jeffers, and freshmen Hunter Blain and Joseph Herdman.

Though the experienced upperclassmen will take on the leadership role with this group, the development of the underclassmen will greatly dictate the final outcome of wins and losses.

For what it’s worth, Blain believes that the inexperience cloud hovering over his collective group could also come with a silver lining or two.

“We have a vocal group that really gets along well, which I see as a positive. We’ve put a lot of effort in during the offseason, and after losing 11 seniors to graduation we have a lot of kids that are really battling for playing time and spots on the field. That competitiveness is also a big plus for us headed into the year,” Blain said. “My biggest concern right now is a lack of experienced depth, especially on the mound. We really need to develop some arms this year and get some guys some quality varsity innings, but

2017 ppHSbaSeball roSter

3 Josh Wamsley So 5 Abe Stearns* Sr 6 Brody Jeffers So 8 Austin Richardson* So 9 Patrick Stanton So 10 Sam Pinkerton So 11 Levi Mitchell So 15 Tucker Mayes* Jr 16 Carter Smith So 17 Joseph Herdman Fr 20 Hunter Blain Fr 21 Bradley Koons Jr 22 Miles Williams So 23 Cory Dabney Sr 28 Tyler Mitchell* Sr 30 Alec Smith* Jr 33 Colton Fridley So HEAD COACH: Andrew Blain (4th season) * — indicates varsity returnee.

2017 ppHS baSeball ScHedule

MARCH 17 vs Buffalo 6 p.m. 18 at Hurricane 1 p.m. 20 at Nitro 7 p.m. 22 vs Wayne 7 p.m. 23 vs Wahama 7 p.m. 28 vs Gallia Academy 6 p.m. 29 vs Spring Valley 7 p.m. 30 vs Charleston Catholic 7 p.m.APRIL 1 at Greenbrier East 3 p.m. 3 vs Winfield 7 p.m. 4 at Buffalo 6 p.m. 5 at Charleston Catholic 6 p.m. 7 at Chapmanville Tournament TBA 8 at Chapmanville Tournament TBA 10 at Huntington 6 p.m. 12 vs Poca 7 p.m. 13 vs Nitro TBA 14 at Jack Cook Tournament TBA 15 at Jack Cook Tournament TBA 17 at Spring Valley 7 p.m. 18 at Sissonville 7 p.m. 20 at Ritchie County 7 p.m. 21 at Ed Carter Tournament TBA 22 at Ed Carter Tournament TBA 25 at Wahama 5 p.m. 27 vs Huntington 6 p.m. 28 at Winfield 7 p.m. MAY 1 vs Sissonville 7 p.m. 2 vs Ravenswood 6 p.m. 3 at Poca 7 p.m. 4 at Gallia Academy 5 p.m. 5 vs Ritchie County 6 p.m.


Meigs baseball geared up for another run

Alex Hawley/OVP Sports Pictured above are members of the 2017 Meigs baseball team. Sitting in the front row, from left, are Chase Whitlatch, Tyler Johnson, Briar Wolfe, Cory Cox, Michael Kesterson, Cole Arnott, Wesley Smith, Matt Gilkey and Tyler Bachtel. Kneeling in the middle row, are Isaiah Fish, Drake Hall, Ethan Watson, Tyler Williams, Christian Mattox, Brentten Young, Zach Helton, Bryce Swatzel and Jake Roush. Standing in the back row are Layne Acree, Luke Musser, Brandon Peterson, Cody Bartrum, Zayne Wolfe, Cameron Smith, Brandon Justis and K.J. Tracy.


ROCKSPRINGS, Ohio — The only thing harder than getting to the top, is staying at the top.

With back-to-back Tri-Valley Conference Ohio Division titles, the Meigs baseball team is looking to show its staying power and make it a three-peat in 2017.

“The beginning of the season might be like a couple of years ago, when we started out slow,” said Brent Bissell, who enters his seventh season as Marauders head coach. “Cody Bartrum and Layne Acree are out with season-ending injuries, but we still have a good core group of guys back with Chase Whitlatch, Luke Musser, Christian Mattox, Zach Helton and K.J. Tracy. Along with our bench players and jay-vee players from last year, I think we’ll be competitive.”

The loss of Bartrum and Acree will undoubtedly hurt Meigs, as both were three-year varsity players and both earned all-league honors last spring. In 2016, Bartrum was the TVC Ohio’s co-Offensive Player of the Year. Bartrum was a three-time all-conference honoree and a two-time all-district selection.

The Maroon and Gold will still have plenty of experience to rely on, as Whitlatch, Musser, Tracy and Tyler Bachtel are each entering their fourth varsity seasons, while Mattox, Helton, Tyler Williams and Brandon Peterson are all back for their third varsity campaign.

Last spring, Whitlatch — a University of Rio Grande signee —was named first team all-district. Whitlatch, Musser and Mattox each earned a spot on the TVC Ohio first team.

Also on the 2016 all-league team were seniors Alec Bissell and Kaileb Sheets, who Meigs will have to find a way to replace.

“Hopefully we can fill in the two spots from our seniors that graduated last year,” Coach Bissell said. “We have high hopes, but the younger kids are going to have to step in. It’s going to be a challenge.”

Meigs was 21-7 overall last

year, with a 9-3 league record. MHS — which shared the 2015 league crown with Athens and Alexander — was also a tri-champion last year, sharing with Alexander and Wellston.

“It’s going to probably be one of the top-tier leagues in the area from top-to-bottom,” Coach Bissell said. “Athens and Alexander are always right there and then Wellston finished tied for first last year. With those three along with Nelsonville-York, River Valley and Vinton County, it’s going to be tough. Pitching-wise the league is stacked. Everyone has their number one back from last year, so it’s going to be pretty competitive.”

After a district title in 2015, the Marauders had their postseason run cut short last spring. MHS won the sectional title with via shut out over Gallia Academy, but fell to Circleville by a 9-5 count in 11 innings in the district semifinal.

“Since I have been here, we hadn’t won a district game until two years ago,” said Coach Bissell. “Hopefully we can get a little consistency and the kids can feed off of that situation. With our district, Division II is a bear, there are a lot of good teams. In our sectional with Marietta, Warren, Athens, Jackson, Gallia Academy and Waverly, you have to have your ‘A’ game to play against those teams.”

2017 MHSbaSeball roSter

SENIORS Chase Whitlatch* Tyler Bachtel* Tyler Williams* Jake Roush Layne Acree* Luke Musser* Brandon Patterson* Cody Bartrum* Cameron Smith K. J. Tracy* JuNIORS Drake Hall Christian Mattox* Brentten Young Zach Helton* Bryce Swatzel Zayne Wolfe SOPHOMORES Tyler Johnson Wesley Smith Isaiah Fish Brandon Justis FRESHMEN Briar Wolfe Cory Cox Michael Kesterson Cole Arnott Matt Gilkey Ethan Watson HEAD COACH Brent Bissell (7th season) *— indicates varsity returnee

2017 MHSbaSeball ScHedule

MARCH 25 vs. Southern, noon 27 at Jackson, 5 p.m. 28 at Waterford, 5 p.m. 30 at Gallia Academy, 5 p.m.

APRIL 1 vs. Philo, noon 3 at Alexander, 5 p.m. 5 vs. Athens, 5 p.m. 6 at Marietta, 5 p.m. 7 vs. Nelsonville-York, 5 p.m. 10 vs. Parkersburg South, 5 p.m. 11 vs. Vinton County, 5 p.m. 12 at Wellston, 5 p.m. 15 at Parkersburg South, 1 p.m. 17 at River Valley, 5 p.m. 19 vs. Alexander, 5 p.m. 21 at Athens, 5 p.m. 22 vs. Warren (DH), 10 a.m. 24 at Vinton County, 5 p.m. 25 vs. Marietta, 5 p.m. 27 vs. Gallia Academy, 5 p.m. 28 vs. Wellston, 5 p.m.

MAY 1 vs. River Valley, 5 p.m. 2 at Eastern, 5 p.m. 3 at Nelsonville-York, 5 p.m. 4 vs. Jackson, 5 p.m.

In addition to its 12 league games, Meigs will face Southern, Eastern, Gallia Academy, Jackson, Waterford,

Marietta, Parkersburg South, Philo and Warren in non-league

See MEIGS | 38

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Raiders return experience, seek pitching arms


BIDWELL, Ohio — For the past four or five years, it’s been about small steps for the River Valley High School baseball team.

This year, the Raiders appear ready to take a giant leap.

Spearheaded by nine returnees, River Valley is primed for a strong season — which could include challenging for the Tri-Valley Conference Ohio Division championship.

“We’ve got a pretty good squad out this year. We have nine returnees that are back with us, and a few new kids that are really looking impressive,” said sixth-year River Valley coach Bobby Jeffers. “We’ve improved each of the last four or five years. It’s all been little steps, and we’re shooting for an over .500 season this year and our second sectional title.”

The Raiders — which went 11-14 last season and 3-9 in the league — return almost their entire infield, despite the key graduation loss of ace pitcher Dillon Ragan.

Ragan is a two-time all-Southeast District Division II second-teamer — along with a two-time all-TVC-Ohio selection.

The Raiders also graduated all-TVC-Ohio choice in catcher Jamie Bainter.

However, senior Austin Ragan returns as a primary pitcher and middle infielder.

He was an all-district Honorable Mention honoree last season, while fellow senior Bailey Rhodes — River Valley’s third all-TVC-Ohio pick — returns at second base and shortstop.

Brycen Brumfield and Devon McDonald, two other seniors, return in the infield —with Brumfield also pitching while McDonald mans the corners.

River Valley sports eight seniors on this campaign’s particular roster, six of which return — along with two juniors and one sophomore.

“Our infield is pretty much all returning, and we have some

Paul Boggs/OVP Sports Pictured are members of the 2017 River Valley High School varsity baseball team. In front row, from left, are Dakota Hunt, Andrew Mershon, Seth McDonald, Wyatt Halfhill, Devin McDonald, Colton Gilmore, Brycen Brumfield and Wyatt Newman; back row, Bailey Rhodes, Will Edgar, Brady Newsome, Evan Justus, Jack Farley, Ian Polcyn, Lannis Gilbert, Austin Ragan, Tre Craycraft, Dustin Barber, Ethan Cline and Zach Jones. Absent when the photo was taken were K.C. Collins and Cameron Potter.

pretty good pitchers,” said Jeffers.

Rhodes may pitch as well, as the new Ohio High School Athletic Association pitch-count rule takes effect.

“With the new pitching rule, everybody is going to be doing a little pitching,” said Jeffers.

Returning to the outfield are juniors Jack Farley and Dustin Barber, as Barber and Ragan will catch — along with Oak Hill transfer and junior Cameron Potter.

Other returnees include seniors Lannis Gilbert and Ian Polcyn, as the senior class will be the first for River Valley to play on its brand new field.

That facility is located at River Valley High School, as the Raiders no longer have to travel 20 miles to their field in Cheshire.

“We’re not traveling 20 miles to our field that is a field that has never kept up. We’re not playing at a cornfield anymore. We’re playing at a ballfield this year,” said Jeffers. “That’s huge for a morale boost. Guys are taking a lot of pride in being able to play on our new field here at the high school.”

And, with improved morale means — likely — an improved record, and another gigantic positive step for the River Valley program.

2017 rVHSbaSeball roSter

1 Wyatt Newman Sr. 2 Austin Ragan* Sr. 3 Brycen Brumfield* Sr. 4 Colton Gilmore Fr. 5 Lannis Gilbert* Sr. 6 Ian Polcyn* Sr. 7 Evan Justus Jr. 8 Will Edgar Jr. 9 K.C. Collins* Jr. 11 Tre Craycraft Sr. 12 Brady Newsome Fr. 13 Jack Farley* Jr. 15 Bailey Rhodes* Sr. 16 Dustin Barber* Jr. 21 Andrew Mershon Sr. 25 Wyatt Halfhill So. 31 Devin McDonald* Sr. 54 Cameron Potter Jr. HEAD COACH: Bobby Jeffers (6th season) * — indicates varsity returnee

2017 rVHSbaSeball ScHedule

MARCH 25 Hannan (DH) 12:30 p.m. 27 Gallia Academy 5 p.m. 28 Oak Hill 5 p.m. 31 at Wellston 5 p.m.

APRIL 1 at Eastern Brown 12 p.m. 4 at Ironton 5 p.m. 5 Vinton County 5 p.m. 7 at Alexander 5 p.m. 8 Southern 11 a.m. 8 Ironton St. Joseph 11 a.m. 10 at Nelsonville-York 5 p.m. 11 Federal Hocking 5 p.m. 12 Athens 5 p.m. 15 South Point 1 p.m. 17 Meigs 5 p.m. 18 at South Gallia 5 p.m. 21 at Vinton County 5 p.m. 24 Wellston 5 p.m. 26 Nelsonville-York 5 p.m. 28 at Athens 5 p.m.

MAY 1 at Meigs 5 p.m. 3 Alexander 5 p.m. 4 South Gallia 5 p.m. 6 Fairland 1 p.m.

“I really think that we are at the caliber of challenging for the TVC-Ohio championship. I really do. There are a lot of good baseball teams in the TVC-Ohio, but I think we are right there,” said Jeffers. “I believe we’ll be good. I’m excited about our returnees and the couple of new ones that we have.”

Paul Boggs can be reached at 740-446-2342, ext. 2106


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See CATS | 40


ASHTON, W.Va. — After taking a small step backwards last spring, the Wildcats are positioned to make a big leap forward in 2017.

The Hannan baseball team went from 9-9 in 2015 to 4-9-1 last season, but the Wildcats return nine players to a dozen-man squad that is aiming more for success levels from two years ago.

HHS — which has only four seniors on its current roster — possesses a nice blend of experience, youth and talent levels.

The Cats, however, are young in the fact that over half of their varsity lineup consists of sophomores and freshmen — though most have gone through the rigors at least once before.

Third-year Hannan coach Tad Greathouse notes that although this group is relatively young, he really believes that this group can play beyond its years — as well as accomplish some big things along the way.

“It’s nice coming into a season that we have most of our guys back and we’ve shown a lot of promise in our early practices, so we are very excited about the upcoming season,” Greathouse said. “We have a few promising newcomers, but we have nine varsity returnees on our 12-man roster … so these guys know what is expected of them. We are really looking to see what we can get accomplished this season.”

When asked about what his

Despite low numbers, Cats have high hopes

Bryan Walters/OVP Sports Pictured are members of the 2017 Hannan varsity baseball team. Sitting in front, from left, are Charles Gill, Sawyer Casto, James Bledsoe, Nick Hughes, Sid Ross, Corey Hudnall and Christian Holland. Sitting in back are HHS coach Tad Greathouse, Austin Chaffin, Caleb Gussler, Matthew Qualls, Kevin Morehart, Dalton Coleman and assistant coach Frank Hudnall.

main goals were with this team this season, Greathouse was relatively direct in what would make the 2017 campaign a success. Wins were mentioned, but it was another aspect to the game that he felt was most important for this group at this time.

“More than anything this season, I’m looking for work. I want to know how much we are willing to work for success. That’s my biggest goal with these guys right now,” Greathouse said. “I’m really interested to know how much better we can be this year, and that will come down to hard work given our numbers.”

Leadership will be a big part of Hannan’s season as the Blue and White have four letterwinning seniors returning to the squad in James Bledsoe, Nick Hughes, Corey Hudnall

and Sid Ross.Also returning to the Wildcats

from last year are junior Sawyer Casto, as well as sophomores Christian Holland, Matthew Qualls, Kevin Morehart and Dalton Coleman.

The newcomers to the varsity roster include sophomores Charles Gill and Caleb Gussler, as well as promising freshman Austin Chaffin.

Graduation took a toll on Hannan’s battery, most notably the loss of top starter Isaiah Burgess and catcher Cole Poore. Ryan Gerlach and Tristan McReynolds were also key parts of Hannan’s successes last spring.

And, like most baseball teams at any level, pitching is a concern headed into the season. Greathouse, however, is optimstic that he has enough talent to rectify that concern by

2017 HHSbaSeball roSter

1 Kevin Morehart* So 2 Dalton Coleman* So 3 Christian Holland* So 4 Matthew Qualls* So 5 Sawyer Casto* So 6 Caleb Gusser So 8 Sid Ross* Sr 9 Charles Gill So 10 Austin Chaffin Fr 11 James Bledsoe* Sr 25 Corey Hudnall* Sr 31 Nick Hughes* Sr HEAD COACH: Tad Greathouse (3rd season) * — indicates varsity returnee.

season’s end.“Probably my biggest concern

with this group this year is

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See EAGLES | 38

Eagles eyeing a return to regionals


TUPPERS PLAINS, Ohio — They may be young, but don’t let that fool you, these Eagles have plenty of experience.

The 2017 Eastern baseball team has just one senior on its roster, but with eight returnees from last season’s district title team, the Eagles aren’t to be taken lightly.

“We need some kids to step up and replace the leadership that we lost from our graduating seniors last year,” said EHS head coach Brian Bowen, who will lead the Eagles for the 17th straight season. “The kids just have to come to work everyday with a great attitude and give great effort. As long as they can do that and remember how hard they worked last year, then we should be in good shape.”

The Eagles have five seniors to replace from last year’s 17-10 team, most notably Cameron Richmond and Jesse Morris, who were both all-league and all-district honorees.

Eastern has two all-league performers back in juniors Austin Coleman and Ethen Richmond. Coleman is a two-time all-league selection and was named second team all-district, while Richmond was on the Tri-Valley Conference Hocking Division team for the first time and was an all-district honorable mention.

“All of our positions are always open,” said Bowen, who was named Coach of the Year in the district and in the league. “Last year doesn’t mean anything as far as this year goes. The kids know that, a lot of kids are working hard and pushing each other. This year, we have a little more depth than what we have had for three years or so. It’s nice to have kids competing in practice and pushing one another, helping them to improve.”

Eastern’s lone senior is John Little, while other returnees include juniors Josh Brewer, Brent Johnson, Kaleb Hill and Owen Arix, as well as sophomore Nate Durst.

The 2017 EHS rosters feature one senior, 10 juniors, five

Alex Hawley/OVP Sports Pictured above are members of the 2017 Eastern baseball team. Kneeling in the front row, from left, are Brayden Holter, Brent Johnson, Nick Browning, Ethen Richmond, John Little, Kaleb Honaker, John Little, Josh Brewer, Kaleb Honaker, Ryan Harbour, Michael Leston and Ryan Lauer. Standing in the back row are Wyatt Watson, Isaac Nottingham, Austin Coleman, Mason Dishong, Noah Browning, Owen Arix, Colton Reynolds, Nate Durst and Brandon Hart.

sophomores and five freshmen.Last year, Eastern finished at

11-5 in the TVC Hocking, good enough for fourth place. Four TVC Hocking schools made it to the round 32 last year, with two winning district titles.

“The great thing about our league is we’ve always done really well in the postseason,” Bowen said. “All of our league teams have always done really well come tournament time. It’s the iron sharpens iron thing, when we play day in and day out you have to get better.”

In the 2016 postseason, the Eagles shutout Southern in order to win the sectional, and then claimed a shutout victory over Notre Dame in the district semifinal. In the district final, EHS knocked off fellow TVC Hocking team Belpre by a 7-4 count.

Eastern’s 2016 season came to an end in the regional semifinal, at the hands of Sidney Lehman Catholic, which won by a 2-1 final.

In addition to Eastern’s 16 TVC Hocking games this season, the Eagles will face Wellston, Alexander, South Webster, Grove City Christian, Meigs and Parkersburg South in non-conference tilts.

“I don’t think there will be anything real special talent-wise or any performance that sets

2017 eHSbaSeball roSter

SENIORSJohn Little*

JuNIORSBrayden HolterBrent Johnson*Ethen Richmond*Kaleb HonakerRyan HarbourJosh Brewer*Isaac NottinghamAustin Coleman*Owen Arix*Kaleb Hill*

SOPHOMORESNick BrowningRyan HarbourRyan LauerNoah BrowningNate Durst*

FRESHMENMichael LestonWyatt WatsonMason DishongColton ReynoldsBrandon Hart

HEAD COACHBrian Bowen (17th season)* — indicates varsity returnee

2017 eHS baSeball ScHedule

MARCH 27 vs. Belpre, 5 p.m. 28 at South Gallia, 5 p.m. 30 vs. Wellston, 5 p.m. 31 vs. Federal Hocking, 5 p.m.

APRIL 1 at Alexander (DH), 10 a.m. 3 at Trimble, 5 p.m. 4 vs. Miller, 5 p.m. 6 at Wahama, 5 p.m. 7 at Southern, 5 p.m. 10 vs. Waterford, 5 p.m. 11 at Belpre, 5 p.m. 13 vs. South Gallia, 5 p.m. 15 at South Webster (DH), noon 18 at Federal Hocking, 5 p.m. 20 vs.Trimble, 5 p.m. 21 at Miller, 5 p.m. 22 vs. Grove City Christian (DH), 11 a.m. 24 vs. Wahama, 5 p.m. 26 vs. Southern, 5 p.m. 28 at Waterford, 5 p.m.

MAY 2 vs. Meigs, 5 p.m. 3 vs. Parkersburg South 5 p.m. 4 at Nelsonville-York, 5 p.m.


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See REBEL | 41

Rebel baseball aims to improve


MERCERVILLE, Ohio — Numbers are up for the South Gallia High School baseball program.

Now, the key is picking up wins.

After only one triumph all of last season, which was actually their first in three years, the Rebels try to combine an increased roster — and even their returnees — to equate to more victories on the diamond.

Matt Bess begins his second season as the South Gallia head coach — with a much more optimistic outlook.

“Everybody else that played last year is back, and we actually added about 10 more kids,” said Bess.

The Rebels’ lone win last season was against Federal Hocking, as South Gallia graduated its top player in Cuyler Mills.

Mills was the Red and Gold’s ace pitcher and main shortstop, and made all-Southeast District Division IV Honorable Mention.

“With Cuyler gone, we have to go through the process of finding that new kid that can take control of the field right now,” said Bess.

At least he has more to choose from this year.

The key returnees include senior centerfielder Cory Bryan, who will also be one of the Rebels’ primary pitchers.

Joining Bryan in the outfield is fellow senior Johnny Sheets, as junior Brandon Rutt replaces Mills at either shortstop or

Paul Boggs/OVP Sports Pictured are members of the 2017 South Gallia High School varsity baseball team. In front row, from left, are Hunter Sanders, Wade Luther, Jared Ward, Joey Woodall, Jacob Brumfield, David Kuhn, Virgil Watson, Lucas Chung, Levi Walters, Colton Coughenour and A.J. Woodall; back row, Brandon Rutt, Austin Stapleton, Trey Sanders, Austin Triplett, Colton Bowers, Johnny Sheets, Brody Bailey, Cory Bryan, Harley Lay, Austin Day, Izak Luther, Chase Kemper and Tyler Bryan. Absent when the photo was taken was Nick Klaiber.

second base.Another senior — Joey

Woodall — will be “pitching, catching, playing infield or outfield, or playing pretty much wherever I want him to play,” said Bess.

Austin Stapleton returnsat first base, and Jacob

Brumfield is back at third base.Colton Coughenour comes

back as either at catcher or in centerfield.

Stapleton is a junior, while both Brumfield and Coughenour are seniors.

Bess said the experience gained last season, despite only a single victory to show for it, was invaluable.

“From the beginning of last season to the end of last season, they completely improved ten-fold. Then, from what I’ve seen in practice

2017 SGHS baSeball roSter

1 Colton Coughenour* Sr. 2 Hunter Sanders Fr. 3 Austin Triplett* Sr. 4 Lucas Chung Jr. 5 Jared Ward Fr. 6 Wade Luther* Jr. 7 Johnny Sheets Sr. 8 A.J. Woodall So. 9 Chase Kemper So. 10 Virgil Watson* Sr. 11 Nick Klaiber Jr. 12 Austin Stapleton* Jr. 14 Joey Woodall* Sr. 15 Jacob Brumfield* Sr.

16 Harley Lay Sr. 17 Izak Luther* Sr. 18 Brandon Rutt* Jr. 19 Levi Walters Sr. 20 Tyler Bryan Jr. 21 Cory Bryan* Sr. 22 Brody Bailey Jr. 23 David Kuhn Sr. 24 Trey Sanders Jr. 26 Austin Day Fr. 30 Colton Bowers* Jr. HEAD COACH: Matt Bess (2nd season) * — indicates varsity returnee

already this year, I have much higher expectations than them winning one game.”

But Bess still has to get “the pitchers situated”, especially

given the graduation of Mills — and the new Ohio High School Athletic Association pitch count rule.

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BIDWELL, Ohio — On paper, the Lady Raiders are young.

Yet, this particular River Valley High School softball squad sports a plethora of experience.

In combining those two facts, first-year head coach Nick Roberts takes over a program that is trying to reach the upper echelon of the Tri-Valley Conference Ohio Division.

While there are only three seniors on the dozen-lady roster, nine Lady Raiders return from last season’s difficult campaign.

Roberts, with 18 years of softball coaching experience — and ranging anywhere from the high school level to travel ball —is seen as a stabilizing force.

There are only two juniors on the club, as the remaining seven feature four sophomores and three freshmen.

With the exception of those freshmen, the remaining Raiders

Paul Boggs/OVP Sports Pictured are members of the 2017 River Valley High School varsity softball team. In front row, from left, are Cierra Roberts, Baylee Hollanbaugh, Lexi Jeffers, Alex Wood, Arika Barr, Jessica Roush, Alexandra Sochaczewski, Tyler George and Chloe Gee; back row, assistant coach Dan Sizemore, assistant coach Chris Sommerville, Sam Burriss, Abby Justus, Kaylee Tucker, Kasey Birchfield, Skylar Jones, Kaylee Jones, Isabella Mershon, Natosha Rankin, Destiny Williams, head coach Nick Roberts and assistant coach Todd Kemper. Absent when the photo was taken were Savannah Halfhill and Sydney Little.

Lady Raiders young, but experienced

return.“We have a lot of freshmen

and sophomores that are going to start varsity,” said Roberts. “We are going to be young, but we have plenty of experience with these young ones. Most of the freshmen and sophomores, I coached them in middle school and some of them in travel ball.”

As the Lady Raiders struggled to a 3-9 TVC-Ohio mark last year, they graduated their two-time all-league pitcher in Ashley Gilmore.

Roberts said Meigs should be considered the league pitchers —Kasey Birchfield and Arika Barr.

Kaylee Tucker is the other

freshman on the team, and will play third base along with the outfield.

The sophomores include middle infielder Cierra Roberts, first baseman Chloe Gee, catcher/outfielder Baylee Hollanbaugh and outfielder Skylar Jones.

See LADY RAIDERS | 40


See MEIGS SOFTBALL | 41


ROCKSPRINGS, Ohio —After setting a program record for wins last spring, the Lady Marauders will see what they can do for an encore in 2017.

The Meigs softball team went 20-6 in 2016, lost just three seniors from that team and has eight players returning for this season. Of the eight returnees, seniors Alliyah Pullins, Bre Colburn, Morgan Lodwick, Devyn Oliver and Danielle Morris have the most experience, as they are all entering their fourth varsity season.

“We’re going to rely a lot on our seniors, some of them are four-year starters some are three-year starters,” said Bryan Swann, who is entering his third season as MHS head coach. “I hope the leadership is there, in the preseason they certainly have shown that.”

The time is now for Meigs softball

Alex Hawley/OVP Sports Pictured above are members of the 2017 Meigs varsity softball team. Standing in the front row, from left, are Ciera Older, Hannah Tackett and Shalynn Mitchell. Standing int he second row are Rachel Kesterson, Breanna Zirkle, Peyton Rowe and Taylor Swartz. Standing in the back row are Morgan Lodwick, Bre Colburn, Maddison Woodyard, Devyn Oliver, Alliyah Pullins and Danielle Morris.

2017 MHSSoftball roSter

1 Danielle Morris*, Sr. 1B 3 Rachel Kesterson, Jr. INF 4 Peyton Rowe*, Jr. OF 5 Hannah Tackett, So. INF-OF 7 Ciera Older, So. C 8 Taylor Swartz*, So. OF 9 Breanna Zirkle, Fr. IF 10 Devyn Oliver*, Sr. SS 11 Morgan Lodwick*, Sr. IF 14 Bre Colburn*, Sr. OF 21 Alliyah Pullins*, Sr. 3B 22 Maddison Woodyard*, Sr. P 23 Shalynn Mitchell, So. OF Head Coach Bryan Swann (3rd season) *— indicates varsity returnee

MHS junior Peyton Rowe is entering her third varsity campaign for the Maroon and Gold, while senior Maddison Woodyard and sophomore

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POINT PLEASANT, W.Va. — The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Or, at least, the Lady Knights are hoping.

The Point Pleasant softball team has some big shoes to fill in the circle and at the plate, but the Lady Knights also have a dozen letterwinners returning to a squad that finished 24-10 overall last spring while also competing in the program’s 11th consecutive regional tournament.

Gone from a year ago are Karissa Cochran, Makinley Higginbotham, Jocelynn Wilson and Leigh Musgrave, with Cochran and Higginbotham serving as all-state recipients in each of their final two years with the squad.

Cochran was the program’s four-year ace starter and Higginbotham was a versatile multi-positional fielder that also joined to form the heart of Point’s powerful offensive attack.

The Red and Black, however, will have a wealth of varsity experience to draw from during that replacement process … something that fourth-year PPHS coach James Higginbotham notes will be a positive headed into the year.

“We lost four players to graduation, including a pair of all-state performers, but we have a lot of experience coming back and the girls have been working really hard to make this year a success,” Higginbotham said. “Pitching takes you where you need to go, and we have a big hole to fill in replacing Karissa, but I do believe that our pitching will get better as the season goes along.

“We have four or five girls that are getting some work in as pitchers right now, and I think we will be fine in a few weeks. Hopefully our offense can carry us through the first couple of weeks until then.”

The Lady Knights — who have won 11 straight sectional titles — will make their return to the double-A ranks with a 15-man roster that has a solid

Bryan Walters/OVP Sports Pictured are members of the 2017 Point Pleasant softball program. Sitting in front, from left, are Adriane Sharp, Carlee Sang, Kassidy Jordan, Savannah Wroten, Amber Hatfield and Kauri Porter. Kneeling in middle are Kenzie Roush, Cammy Hesson, Karson Bonecutter, Victoria Allensworth, Megan Hammond, Michaela Cottrill and Vanessa Clark. Standing in back are PPHS coach James Higginbotham, Tanner King, Kelsie Byus, assistant coach Kent Price, Lila Beattie, Kelsey Price, Leah Cochran, Izabella King, Shala Swain, Rachael Grimm, assistant coach Rick Roberts, Peyton Jordan, Hannah Smith and assistant coach Brian King.

Lady Knights aiming for traditional success

blend of experience, leadership and talent.

Ten of the dozen returnees come from the upper two grade levels, while three promising freshmen round out the veteran roster.

Back from the senior class are Cammy Hesson, Karson Bonecutter, Michaela Cottrill, Megan Hammond and Victoria Allensworth, all of whom have played significant roles in the program over the last few seasons.

Also back for another varsity campaign are juniors Kelsie Byus, Rachael Grimm, Lila Beattie, Kelsey Price and Leah Cochran, as well as sophomores Hannah Smith and Tanner King.

Freshmen Peyton Jordan, Shala Swain and Isabella King have all come up through the junior high program and are expected to make contributions in their first full seasons at the varsity ranks.

With that, regardless of who is in the circle, Higginbotham is confident that this group can once again be in the hunt for a regional appearance or more. That said, the road is now a little harder than in year’s past.

“It’s the same old motto for

2017 ppHSSoftball roSter

1 Kelsie Byus* Jr 2 Peyton Jordan Fr 4 Cammy Hesson* Sr 5 Rachael Grimm* Jr 7 Lila Beattie* Jr 11 Shala Swain Fr 12 Karson Bonecutter* Sr 14 Hannah Smith* So 15 Kelsey Price* Jr 18 Michaela Cottrill* Sr 23 Megan Hammond* Sr 24 Tanner King* So 34 Victoria Allensworth* Sr 42 Leah Cochran* Jr 44 Isabella King Fr HEAD COACH: James Higginbotham (4th season) * — indicates varsity returnee.

2017 ppHS Softball ScHedule

MARCH 18 vs Sissonville 2 p.m. 21 at Wirt County 5:30 22 vs Wahama 5:30 23 vs Parkersburg South 5:30

24 vs Logan 5:30 25 vs Nitro, Lincoln County (DH) noon 28 vs Winfield 5:30 29 at Sissonville 5:30 31 at Chapmanville Tournament TBA APRIL 1 at Chapmanville Tournament TBA 3 at Parkersburg 5:30 4 vs Symmes Valley 6 p.m. 6 vs Independence 5:30 7 at Lincoln County 5:30 8 at Logan 1 p.m. 10 vs South Charleston 5:30 13 at Parkersburg South 5:30 15 at John Marshall (DH) noon 17 at Myrtle Beach Tournament TBA 18 at Myrtle Beach Tournament TBA 19 at Myrtle Beach Tournament TBA 20 at Myrtle Beach Tournament TBA 21 at Myrtle Beach Tournament TBA 24 vs Wirt County 5:30 25 at Winfield 5:30 27 at Wahama 5:30 28 vs Ripley 5:30

See LADY KNIGHTS | 38


Blue Angels’ experience to lead way


CENTENARY, Ohio — For the Blue Angels, this is their senior circuit.

With seven seniors leading the way, Gallia Academy aims for a better softball season, as there are 11 returnees for this season’s Blue and White.

In Scott Stanley’s fourth spring as the Blue Angel softball boss, he believes his squad will in fact be much improved over last year.

“We’re looking for a better season this year,” said Stanley. “We’re bringing back a lot of veterans. We got a lot of experience and playing time last year, so we’re already looking for an OVC championship. We want to put a ‘2017’ on our banner in the school gym.”

The Blue Angels’ only graduation loss was Makenzie Barr — who made first-team all-Ohio Valley Conference, earned all-Southeast District honors, and went on to play at Ohio University-Chillicothe.

Jenna Meadows — a senior — anchors this season’s club as the fourth-year starting catcher, as her battery mate is sophomore pitcher Hunter Copley.

Copley also earned all-OVC first team.

Returning at the corners are seniors Carly Shriver and Kimberly Edelmann, while the up-the-middle combination consists of freshman Bailey Meadows at second base and Alex Barnes at shortstop.

“The freshmen are going to be good and will pick things up quick, but they have to get experience in the middle at the varsity level,” said Stanley.

Bailey Meadows is Jenna Meadows’ younger sister, as the outfield consists of seniors Paxton Roberts and Ryliegh Caldwell.

The other outfield position is up for grabs — between juniors Cassidy Starnes and Allie Young and senior Allie Jo Clagg.

Rounding out the roster is senior Brooke Pasquale and sophomores Aubrey Unroe and

Paul Boggs/OVP Sports Pictured are members of the 2017 Gallia Academy High School varsity softball team. In front row, from left, are Ryliegh Caldwell, Kenedie Roush, Bailey Meadows, Paxton Roberts, Carly Shriver and Allie Jo Clagg; back row, Allie Young, Hunter Copley, Brooke Pasquale, Jenna Meadows, Aubrey unroe, Cassidy Starnes and Alex Barnes. Absent when the photo was taken was Kimberly Edelmann.

Kenedie Roush.Stanley said the Blue Angels’

“batting got better over the offseason, so I think our strength is going to be in our hitting this year.”

The Blue Angels also have to be better on defense than they were a year ago, especially against the OVC — and their non-league competition.

Gallia Academy played at Rock Hill against Huntington (W. Va.) and Symmes Valley to open the season, and also plays Jackson and Meigs twice — before hosting Winfield in a doubleheader at the end of April.

“We have a tough schedule in and out of the league this year,” said Stanley.

Stanley still, however, has high expectations for his senior-laden and experienced Angels.

“I really think we’re going to be in good shape and we’re itching to win that OVC championship,” he said. “I think we can do it.”


2017 GaHSSoftball roSter

2 Ryliegh Caldwell* Sr. 3 Alex Barnes Fr. 4 Aubrey unroe* So. 5 Brooke Pasquale Sr. 7 Paxton Roberts* Sr. 8 Kenedie Roush* So. 11 Allie Jo Clagg* Sr. 13 Jenna Meadows* Sr. 14 Cassidy Starnes* Jr. 15 Bailey Meadows Fr. 17 Kimberly Edelmann* Sr. 20 Allie Young* Jr. 23 Carly Shriver* Sr. 44 Hunter Copley* So. HEAD COACH: Scott Stanley (4th season) * — indicates varsity returnee

2017 GaHSSoftball ScHedule

continued

APRIL 1 vs. Athens (DH) 12 p.m. 3 vs. South Point 5 p.m. 5 vs. Fairland 5 p.m. 7 at Coal Grove 5 p.m. 8 at Portsmouth 5 p.m. 10 Chesapeake 5 p.m. 11 at Jackson 5 p.m. 13 at Rock Hill 5 p.m. 17 at Ironton 5 p.m. 19 at South Point 5 p.m. 20 Jackson 5 p.m. 21 at Fairland 5 p.m. 22 Gallia Academy Tournament 10 a.m. (Belpre, New Lexington and South Gallia) 24 Coal Grove 5 p.m. 26 at Chesapeake 5 p.m. 27 at Meigs 5 p.m. 28 Portsmouth 5 p.m. 29 Winfield (DH) 1 p.m. MAY 1 Rock Hill 5 p.m.

2017 GaHSSoftball ScHedule

MARCH 25 vs. Huntington (at Rock Hill) 25 vs. Symmes Valley (at Rock Hill) 27 at River Valley 5:30 p.m. 30 vs. Meigs 5 p.m. 3 1vs. Ironton 5 p.m.

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See LADY TORNADOES | 42

Lady Tornadoes hoping for bounce back year


RACINE, Ohio — It’s time to regroup, reload and get back in contention for the Lady Tornadoes.

After an uncharacteristic 2016 — missing the district tournament for the first time since 2012 and finishing outside of the top-three in the league for the first time since 2011 — the Southern softball team will look to get back on track this season.

The only problem is, just six Lady Tornadoes bring varsity experience into the year and SHS will have to find a way to fill the massive void that was left by graduation.

“We took a big hit from graduation, losing six seniors,” said SHS head coach Alan Crisp. “We have a few returning lettermen and I like the juniors that have come up from jay-vee last year in Jaiden Roberts, Josie Cundiff, Shelbi Daily and Lauren

Alex Hawley/OVP Sports Pictured above are members of the 2017 Southern softball team. Sitting in the front row, from left, are Katie Barton, Macie Michael, Sierra Cleland and Haley Musser. Kneeling in the second row are Kassie Barton, Baylee Grueser, Sydney Adams, Josie Cundiff, Emily Phillips, Jaiden Roberts, Avery King and Ciera Whitesell. Standing in the back row are Valerie Ritchhart, Paige VanMeter, Shelby Cleland, Shelbi Dailey, Sydney Cleland, Jolisha Ervin, Phoenix Cleland and Lauren Lavender.

2017 SHSSoftball roSter

1 Phoenix Cleland Fr. 2 Haley Musser* Sr. 3 Kassie Barton Fr. 5 Baylee Grueser So. 6 Avery King Fr. 7 Emily Phillips Jr. 10 Jaiden Roberts Jr. 11 Sydney Adams Fr. 12 Paige VanMeter* Jr. 13 Josie Cundiff Jr. 14 Katie Barton* Sr. 15 Shelbi Dailey Jr. 17 Macie Michael* Sr. 19 Shelby Cleland Fr. 20 Ciera Whitesell Fr. 22 Lauren Lavender Jr. 23 Sierra Cleland* Sr. 27 Sydney Cleland* Jr. 34 Jolisha Ervin Jr. 44 Valerie Ritchhart Fr. HEAD COACH Alan Crisp (6th season) * — indicates varsity returnee

Lavender. They’ve done really well in preseason, we’ll just see what we can build on from there. Then we have some kids that are going to be on varsity part time. Emily Phillips will be up and

splitting some of the catching duties for us. We have a good mix.”

All six of the seniors lost were starters. Ali Deem — a four-year


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See LADY CATS | 43

Lady Cats battling health, numbers in 2017


ASHTON, W.Va. — Most teams battle in games. The Lady Cats’ biggest fight will be having enough players for a game.

The Hannan softball team is facing a tough challenge this year as the program has only 11 players to go through the 2017 spring schedule.

The Lady Cats — who were 1-18 overall last year — have five varsity returnees coming back for this season, but only one of their 11 total players comes from the senior class.

After losing five seniors to graduation, the Blue and White are faced with a little bit of a youth movement this spring. But, as third-year HHS coach Glen Hodges noted, the experience this year will only make the Lady Cats better moving forward.

That is, as long as the group can keep nine players healthy for

competition.“We lost about half of our

team from last year between graduation and injuries, and we have had some trouble early on this year with just having nine girls healthy and ready to play,” Hodges said. “Our biggest goal right now is to get healthy and our goal from there is stay healthy. We only have one senior, so the experience this year will only benefit us in the years to come.”

Returning from a year ago are senior Kelsey DeVries, juniors Jessica Dalton and Kassidee Bush, and sophomores Olivia Norris and Josie McCoy.

The newcomers to the varsity roster include junior Emily Thevenin, sophomores Pamela Ochs and Kiera Smith, and freshmen Kaitlin Lloyd, Karria Hall and Alexis Lloyd.

Though those 11 will serve as the backbone of everything the HHS program accomplishes this season, the Lady Cats have

Bryan Walters/OVP Sports Pictured are members of the 2017 Hannan varsity softball team. Sitting in front, from left, are Pamela Ochs, Jessica Dalton, Kiera Smith and Kaitlin Lloyd. Standing in back are Karria Hall, Olivia Norris, Josie McCoy, Kassidee Bush and Emily Thevenin. Absent from photo were Alexis Lloyd and Kelsey DeVries.

something else in the works this year that should help move the program forward in the upcoming seasons.

“Our biggest boost this year is that we were able to start a junior high softball program,

and we have some pretty good numbers for a school our size,” Hodges said. “That should allow our varsity program to improve since we won’t have kids playing for the first time as freshmen.

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Lady Eagles have high hopes for 2017


TUPPERS PLAINS, Ohio — To be the man, you have to beat the man, and for the last half-decade, the Lady Eagles have been the team to beat.

The Eastern softball team has enjoyed a five-year reign atop the Tri-Valley Conference Hocking Division and after losing just one senior, EHS will look to make it six straight years on top this spring.

“We’ve been very fortunate to have a lot of good players and kids that are willing to work hard,” said fourth-year EHS head coach Bryan Durst. “Fundamentally they’ve really been strong. This year we come back with a lot of experience and that experience is going to be a big key to our season. We have a lot of kids that have played before and a lot of kids that play summer ball. I think the kids have the right attitude for this upcoming season.”

The 2017 EHS roster is made up of five seniors, four juniors, seven sophomores and two freshmen.

Of the seniors, Hannah Bailey, Katlyn Barber and Taylynn Rockhold are each entering their fourth varsity season, while Abbie Hawley and Hannah Sharp are both entering their third varsity campaign.

All four EHS juniors — Sidney Cook, Courtney Fitzgerald, Elaina Hensley and Sophie Carleton — have two previous years of varsity experience, while sophomores Ally Barber, Kelsey Casto, Emmalea Durst, Cera Grueser and Mollie Maxon are each back for their second varsity season.

“We have a lot of leaders,” Coach Durst said. “Sidney Cook has really taken a nice leadership role and all of our seniors are going to do a nice job making sure we’re doing the right things.

“All-in-all I think it’s a bond that they create,” added Coach Durst. “We’ll have to grow as the season goes along. Even though the season is condensed into about 5-or-6 weeks, we hope to grow week by week and keep getting better as the season

Alex Hawley/OVP Sports Pictured above are members of the 2017 Eastern softball team. Kneeling in the front row, from left, are Hannah Bailey, Abbie Hawley, Courtney Fitzgerald, Alexus Metheney, Haley Burton, Hannah Sharp, Ivy Adams and Lilly Marcinko. Standing in the back row are Kelsey Casto, Elaina Hensley, Mollie Maxon, Ally Barber, Cera Grueser, Taylynn Rockhold, Katlyn Barber, Emmalea Durst and Sophia Carleton.

goes on.”Of the EHS returnees, Katlyn

Barber and Cook are both two-time all-league performers, while Rockhold, Bailey, Maxon and Durst each have one all-league honor. Cook was an all-district first team selection last year, while Katlyn Barber and Maxon were both all-district special mention.

In his three years as EHS skipper, Durst has coached the Lady Eagles to a 62-13 record, including 46-2 in the Tri-Valley Conference Hocking Division.

“We have a few challenges that we have to meet,” said Coach Durst. “We’re going to come out and play one game at a time. I think the girls have put a good effort in so far this spring and I’m looking for a good season. We’re going to have to play really good defense this year. Our offense is strong and if we get a little bit of pitching to go along with that, I think we’ll be a very nice team.”

Eastern has won eight straight sectional titles but is looking for its first district title since 2003.

In the 2016 postseason, Eastern rolled over Waterford by a 19-1 count in the sectional final, but were ousted in the first game of the district round, as Paint Valley claimed a 3-1 victory at Minford High School.

The lone senior from last

2017 eHSSoftball roSter

00 Mollie Maxon* So. 2 Hannah Bailey* Sr. 3 Emmalea Durst* So. 5 Cera Grueser* So. 8 Ally Barber* So. 9 Taylynn Rockhold* Sr. 10 Abbie Hawley* Sr. 11 Alexus Metheney So. 13 Katlyn Barber* Sr. 14 Sidney Cook* Jr. 16 Courtney Fitzgerald* Jr. 17 Ivy Adams Fr. 18 Elaina Hensley* Jr. 19 Haley Burton Fr. 21 Sophia Carleton* Jr. 27 Hannah Sharp* Sr. 33 Kelsey Casto* So. 66 Lilly Marcinko So.

HEAD COACH: Bryan Durst (4th season) * — indicates varsity returnee

2017 eHS Softball ScHedule

MARCH 27 vs. Belpre, 5 p.m. 28 at South Gallia, 5 p.m. 31 vs. Federal Hocking, 5 p.m. APRIL 1 at Alexander (DH), 10 a.m. 3 at Trimble, 5 p.m. 4 vs. Miller, 5 p.m. 6 at Wahama, 5 p.m. 7 at Southern, 5 p.m. 10 vs. Waterford, 5 p.m. 11 at Belpre, 5 p.m. 13 vs. South Gallia, 5 p.m. 15 at Thunder in the Valley vs. Berea-Midpark and Lakota East, TBA 18 at Federal Hocking, 5 p.m. 20 vs.Trimble, 5 p.m. 21 at Miller, 5 p.m. 24 vs. Wahama, 5 p.m. 26 vs. Southern, 5 p.m. 28 at Waterford, 5 p.m. MAY 2 vs. Meigs, 5 p.m. 5 vs. Peebles, 5 p.m.

year’s squad that EHS has to replace is Kayla Tripp.

In addition to its 16 TVC Hocking contests this year, Eastern will play Alexander, Berea-Midpark, Lakota East, Meigs and Peebles in non-league games.

In school history, EHS has

13 league titles, 21 sectional championships, five district crowns and two regional titles.

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See LADY FALCONS | 40

Lady Falcons a blend of youth, experience


MASON, W.Va. — New coach. Similar expectations.

After putting together an 18-11 record and appearing in the program’s first-ever regional final last season, the Wahama softball team will be aiming for similar results this spring under first-year coach Mike Wolfe.

The Lady Falcons lost the services of eight seniors due to graduation, but the Red and White will be far from a bare cupboard as they return 11 players from last year’s varsity squad — including the top two pitchers from last spring.

And with a roster that goes only a dozen strong, Wolfe notes that this team will be less about quantity and more about quality — regardless of any concerns about the youth of this program.

“I know that we lost eight players to graduation from a regional finalist, so we do have some pieces to replace. Our numbers are lower than last year, but we have some quality experience and talent with the dozen players we do have,” Wolfe said. “I feel really comfortable that my three seniors can lead this group, which is heavy on sophomores. We have our top two pitchers back and a bunch of girls that are eager to get started, so we are excited about what we can do this upcoming year.”

Wahama — which went 10-6 in TVC Hocking play last year — will have a trio of seniors to provide veteran leadership to a squad that features just one

Bryan Walters/OVP Sports Pictured are members of the 2017 Wahama varsity softball team. Kneeling in front, from left, are Grace Haddox, Emily VanMatre, Ashtyn Russell, Autumn Baker, Maddy VanMatre, Hannah Rose and Hannah Billups. Standing in back are WHS coach Mike Wolfe, Alexis Mick, Amara Helton, Cynthia Hendrick, Taylor McGrew, Logan Eades and assistant coach Troy Stewart.

junior and one freshman to go along with seven sophomores.

That upperclass experience, however, consists of two four-year starters and another three-year starter — which should aid in the transition for both the younger players and the program’s new mentor.

And, with a full slate of games over the next two months, Wolfe believes that this eclectic bunch will get better with time — especially given the numbers he is working with.

“We have 32 games scheduled I think, so there isn’t going to be a lot of practice time. We’re young, so we may have to correct things as we go … but I also think we will get better as we go along while gaining experience,” Wolfe said. “The good thing with the small numbers is that we can work more with the kids individually, plus there are a dozen kids

2017 WHSSoftball roSter

1 Hannah Rose Fr 5 Amara Helton* Sr 6 Cynthia Hendrick* Sr 9 Ashtyn Russell* So 11 Hannah Billups* So 13 Logan Eades* So 14 Emily VanMatre* So 23 Maddy VanMatre* So 24 Taylor McGrew* Sr 27 Autumn Baker* Jr 28 Grace Haddox* So 31 Alexis Mick* So

HEAD COACH: Mike Wolfe (1st season) * — indicates varsity returnee.

competing for nine or 10 spots in the field or in the lineup. The more the kids work to get into those spots, the more competitive our group becomes.

“Honestly, I’ll take 12 good, hard-working players over 25 players anytime. That’s what we have, so I’m not concerned about the numbers as much as others might be in this situation.”

The biggest strength of this group will be in the circle with seniors Cynthia Hendrick and Taylor McGrew both returning, but the defense around them will be relatively new in ways.

Also returning from a year ago are senior Amara Helton, junior Autumn Baker, and sophomores Grace Haddox, Emily VanMatre, Ashtyn Russell, Maddy VanMatre, Hannah Billups, Alexis Mick and Logan Eades.

The lone newcomer to the

varsity squad is Hannah Rose, a promising freshman with all of the tools to make an immediate impact for the Lady Falcons.

When asked what will make the 2017 campaign a success, Wolfe noted that he wasn’t overly familiar with the other teams in the league — but he knew every night would be a difficult test. To him, the best answer was simply being better than the day before.

If the Lady Falcons can do that this spring, he believes that the program will be set for success.

“It’s easy to measure success in wins and losses, and we want to win games, but our biggest goal this year is to

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Paul Boggs/OVP Sports Pictured are members of the 2017 South Gallia High School varsity softball team. In front row, from left, are Nanako Yoshino, Mackenzie Martin, Madison Lucas, Bailey Walter, Maria Calhoun, Sydney St. Clair, Jess Luther, Savannah St. Clair and Keirsten Howell; back row, head coach Sarah Wright, Maddie Simpson, Irene Santos, Brooke Campbell, Destiny Johnson, Rachal Colburn, Mendy Swords, Mandy Swords, Olivia Hornsby and assistant coach Robert St. Clair.


MERCERVILLE, Ohio — For the South Gallia High School softball squad, the only way to go is up.

And, the belief is that this season will indeed be better.

The Lady Rebels return almost their entire roster, and aim to improve upon last season’s single-win campaign.

“I am humbled and eager to see how this season plays out for this team. In order for us to win more games, we must treat each other with respect, work hard every day, listen, focus on correctly carrying out the basics, and keep our heads up when adversity strikes,” said third-year SGHS coach Sarah Wright. “We had a rough year last year, but I anticipate this year being more productive and balanced in the win-loss category.”

South Gallia sports just one true senior in catcher Maddie Simpson, as there are 10 total returnees —along with four

freshmen.“We are still an extremely

young team, but there are a few that project themselves as leaders of this team,” said Wright.

Besides Simpson, Wright mentioned that the other leaders are juniors Olivia Hornsby and

Keirsten Howell.“I expect great things from this

group of girls. I have 10 returning players, two foreign exchange students, a first-year sophomore and four freshmen. I am anxious to see where this season leads us,” said Wright.

The other juniors include Irene Santos, Destiny Johnson, Mandy Swords, Mendy Swords, Nanako Yoshino and Brooke Campbell, while sophomores consist of Maria Calhoun, Bailey Walter,

See LADY REBELS | 44


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See EHS TRACK | 44

Expectations soaring for EHS track and field


TUPPERS PLAINS, Ohio — A tale of two teams.

The Eastern girls track and field team has built a legacy, winning seven straight Tri-Valley Conference Hocking Division titles and five of the last six district crowns. Meanwhile, the Eastern boys have struggled to keep numbers and haven’t won the league since 2010.

“On the girls side we have the numbers and we also have the people coming back,” said EHS head coach Josh Fogle, who enters his 14th season as leader of the Green and White. “We have three state qualifiers from last year returning, then you add the freshman class into that. We have a strong sophomore and junior class, so I think overall numbers will help.

“We’re a little low on the boys side, but the boys that we have will be strong in their events,” added Fogle. “We have a lot of experience on the boys side.”

The Lady Eagles have 26 athletes, half of whom return from last season. The most experienced Lady Eagles are seniors Laura Pullins and Sabrina Lauer, both of whom are entering their fourth varsity campaign.

Pullins has competed at the OHSAA state championships in all three previous chances, twice in the 4x800m relay, twice in the high jump and once in the 400m

Alex Hawley/OVP Sports Pictured above are members of the 2017 Eastern boys track and field team. Kneeling in the front row, from left, are Nick Little, Brandon Baer, Brayden Arix, Alex Legan and Issac Lopez. Standing in the back row are Matt Clingenpeel, Dalton Scott, Jeremiah Martindale, Tyler Davis, Clayton Ritchie, Corbett Catlett and Jett Facemyer.

Alex Hawley/OVP Sports Pictured above are members of the 2017 Eastern girls track and field team. Kneeling in the front row, from left, are Cierra Smeeks, Tressa Bartimus, Hannah Hill, Kylee Tolliver, Marta Mosquera, Ally Durst, Katie Fick, Taylor Parker, Jess Parker, Lexa Hayes and Rylee Haggy. Standing in the back row are Megan Ross, Katie Ridenour, Emily VanMeter, Teddi Casto, Rhiannon Morris, Jessica Cook, Morgain Little, Aubree Lyons, Laura Pullins, Alia Hayes, Jaymie Basham and Anna Bisgaurd Clausen.

dash. Last season, Pullins was a regional qualifier in four events.

Entering their third varsity seasons for the Lady Eagles as EHS seniors Alia Hayes and Taylor Parker, as well as juniors Jessica Cook, Morgain Little, and Kaitlyn Hawk.

Hayes is a three-time state qualifier, twice in the discus throw and once in the shot put, which is where her best finish of 10th in the state came last June. Cook has been at the state meet in three events, the 800m last year, and both the 1600m and the 4x800m in her freshman season.

Hawk and Parker were both regional qualifiers last spring.

Entering their second varsity seasons for EHS are sophomores Ally Durst, Cierra Smeeks, Kylee Tolliver, Katie Fick, Katie

2017 eHStrack ScHedule

MARCH 25 at Warren, 10 a.m. 28 at Meigs, 4:45 APRIL 1 at Nelsonville-York, 9:30 4 at Marietta Night Relays, 4:30 8 at Fairfield union, 10 a.m. 11 at Athens, 4:30 15 at Parkersburg, 10 a.m. 18 at Meigs, 4:45 20 at Chillicothe, 5 p.m. 27 at Vinton County, 4:30 28 at John Glenn/South Point, 3 p.m. MAY 3 at Athens (TVC Meet), 4:30 5 senior night, 4:30 9 at Meigs, 4:30

Ridenour and Rhiannon Morris. Durst, Smeeks and Morris each represented EHS at the regional tournament last season.

“On the girls side the freshman class is pretty strong,” Fogle said. “The last few years in junior high, I believe we’ve

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POINT PLEASANT, W.Va. — Another abnormal youth movement.

The Point Pleasant track and field team will have plenty of fresh faces during the 2017 campaign as both the boys and girls squads will have a combined 15 freshman to go along with 14 varsity returnees.

With 40 total athletes — 23 boys and 17 girls — to work with during the upcoming season, both the Black Knights and the Lady Knights have aspirations of reaching Laidley Field in a handful of events.

The question that PPHS coach Matt Cottrill is hoping for a positive answer to is how many?

“Our field events and our relays will definitely be our strengths on both sides, but we have a lot of talented newcomers and some quality veterans competing in the individual race events. We just need some time to get everyone in the right spots,” Cottrill said. “We’re young, especially on the boys side, but our goals will be about the same with both teams. We want to get better every day and have our best meet at regionals so that we can get as many people as possible to state.”

The Lady Knights have more of an experience factor coming into the 2017 campaign as the girls return 10 athletes to the current 17-person roster.

Among the returnees are seniors Aislyn Hayman and Morgan Roush, a pair of multi-year state qualifiers in a pair of throwing events. Sophomores Madison Hatfield, Sydnee Moore and Teagan Hay also qualified for state last year in at least one event.

Also back from a year ago are senior Ashlie Flory, as well as sophomores Lexi Watkins-Lovejoy, Ariat Rollins, Cierra Beatty and Allison Henderson.

The newcomers to the girls varsity team are senior Isabelle Wagelmans, juniors Kara Ebert and Cinthia Keefer, sophomore Olyvia Duncan, and freshmen Sami Saunders, Ashley Staats and Morgan Miller.

Bryan Walters/OVP Sports Pictured are members of the 2017 Point Pleasant varsity boys track and field team. Sitting in front, from left, are Cason Payne, Keshawn Stover, Jason Wamsley, Jake Matheny, Zack Forbush, Ethan Scott, Isaac Daniels and Kaydean Eta. Seated in second row are Roshawndala Craig, Brady Adkins, Cameon McCarty, Steven Trent, Justin Staats, Ryan Oliver and Daniel Continente. Seated in third row are Luke Wilson, Wyatt Pearson, Caleb Higg, Ryan Kinniard, Wyatt Dean and Alexander Foster. Seated in back are Trevon Franklin, Dalton Halfhill, Zach Rediger and Peyton Hughes.

Bryan Walters/OVP Sports Pictured are members of the 2017 Point Pleasant varsity girls track and field team. Sitting in front, from left, are Teagan Hay, Lexi Watkins-Lovejoy, Ariat Rollins, Sydnee Moore, Sami Saunders, Ashley Staats and Madison Hatfield. Seated in middle are Ashlie Flory, Kara Ebert, Olyvia Duncan, Cierra Beatty, Morgan Miller and Allison Henderson. Seated in back are Aislyn Hayman, Isabelle Wagelmans, Morgan Roush and Cinthia Keefer.

Point track a blend of experience, youth

On the boys side of things, the Black Knights have only four varsity returnees to a 23-man roster that includes only one senior and a dozen freshmen.

Returning from last year’s squad are senior Jason Wamsley and junior Ryan Oliver, as well as sophomores Cason Payne and Luke Wilson.

The newcomers to the boys varsity squad are juniors Keshawn Stover, Justin Staats, Daniel Continente, Wyatt Pearson, Wyatt Dean and

Alexander Foster, sophomore Ryan Kinniard, and freshmen Jake Matheny, Zack Forbush, Ethan Scott, Isaac Daniels, Kaydean Eta, Roshawndala Craig, Brady Adkins, Cameron McCarty, Steven Trent, Caleb Higg, Zach Rediger and Peyton Hughes.

Though the girls appear to have an easier chance of getting someone to state, Cottrill is expecting just as much and maybe more from his boys squad simply because he doesn’t

2017 ppHStrack roSterS

SENIORS Jason Wamsley* Ashlie Flory* Aislyn Hayman* Isabelle Wagelmans Morgan Roush* JuNIORS Keshawn Stover Justin Staats Ryan Oliver* Daniel Continente Wyatt Pearson Wyatt Dean Alexander Foster Kara Ebert Cinthia Keefer SOPHOMORES Cason Payne* Luke Wilson* Ryan Kinniard Teagan Hay* Lexi Watkins-Lovejoy* Ariat Rollins* Sydnee Moore* Madison Hatfield* Olyvia Duncan Cierra Beatty* Allison Henderson* FRESHMEN Jake Matheny Zack Forbush Ethan Scott Isaac Daniels Kaydean Eta Roshawndala Craig Brady Adkins Cameron McCarty Steven Trent Caleb Higg Zach Rediger Peyton Hughes Sami Saunders Ashley Staats Morgan Miller Head Coaches Matt Cottrill (Girls) Dave Darst (Boys) * — indicates varsity returnee.

want a drop off between the programs.

Cottrill also feels that his troops will have a little more of a competitive balance to get to state in moving back from Class AAA to Class AA. The second-year mentor, however, admits

See POINT TRACK | 43


High numbers, high hopes for GAHS track


CENTENARY, Ohio — The numbers are astonishing, and the talent level isn’t too shabby either.

Already, expectations and eagerness are high for the Gallia Academy High School track and field team, which features a staggering 64 individuals — 32 boys and 32 girls.

Among that list are multiple Division II regional meet and two state meet qualifiers — senior distance runner Isaiah Lester for the boys and senior hurdler Madi Oiler for the girls.

But, the focus on the Blue Devils and Blue Angels are their high numbers, which have been steadily growing for the past three seasons.

“We have 64 kids right now, and we seem to be retaining a lot of kids from the year prior,” said second-year GAHS girls coach Todd May. “Our middle school program is doing an amazing job of sending us kids. A lot of times in track, it’s a numbers game. And we have really good leadership on both teams. The kids come in here and they know what they have to do. They are just getting the job done and the system is working really well.”

For the girls, the top returnee is Oiler — a two-time state qualifier in the 300m hurdles.

Oiler ended up sixth in that event as a sophomore, and also qualified for the regionals as part of the 4x200m and 4x400m relay teams.

Another senior, Mary Watts, will be expected to place at or near the top in the distance events — which will be a strength for both boys and girls.

Oiler and Watts were also state placers in events at the indoor state meet earlier this month.

Lester is a two-time Division II 800m run state qualifier, as fellow senior Kaleb Crisenbery is expected to excel in distance — as are junior twins Caleb and Kyle Greenlee.

Crisenbery, in fact, is fresh off a state placement in the Division II state wrestling meet in the 145-pound weight class.

Paul Boggs/OVP Sports Pictured are members of the 2017 Gallia Academy High School boys varsity track and field team. In the front row, from left, are Cole Rose, Caleb Greenlee, Isaiah Lester, Dylan Nunn, Devon Barnes, Kaleb Crisenbery, Cade Mason, Kyle Greenlee, Ian Hill and Blake Woods. In the back row, Nathan Michell, Jonas McCreedy, Evan Rodgers, Grant Smith, Derek Henry, Ethan Rider, Zac Bokal, Ezra Blain, Cody Rodgers, Ryan Donovsky, Braden Jamora, Rylan Armstrong, Nicholas Sheets and Kaden Ehman. Absent when the photo was taken were Eiljah Blazer, Logan Blouir, Pedro Carrascal, Kobe Cochrane, Oliver Davies, Colton Fallon, Drew Hall and Isaiah Stinson.

Paul Boggs/OVP Sports Pictured are members of the 2017 Gallia Academy High School girls varsity track and field team. In the front row, from left, are Brooke Johnson, Abby VanSickle, Mary Watts, Kristen Hannon, Mesa Polcyn, Caitlin Caldwell, Sabrina Manygoats, Mckenzie Skidmore, Jamie Steger and Jayetta Newsome. In the back row, Gretchen McConnell, Abby Johnson, Karsyn Shamblin, Kati Queen, Maddie Wright, Bethany Purdum, Alexa Burnette, Taylor Burnette, Ashley Turley, Eliza Davies, Alyssa Marxen and Haylee Polinsky. Absent when the photo was taken were Alex Barnes, Rylee Caldwell, Abby Cremeans, Hailey Deem, Grace Martin, Trinity Eggers, Taylor Facemire, Peri Martin, Alexis Massie, and Madi Oiler.

Those four are expected to make up the Blue Devils’ 4x800m relay team — as all four are running between two minutes and two minutes and eight seconds for their 800m times.

Lester, Crisenbery, junior Zac Bokal and senior Dylan Nunn — which May said are all currently running below 55 seconds — are the 4x400m club.

Crisenbery can also high jump at least six feet and three inches.

For the girls, Watts, Oiler and Hailey Deem all return from the regional 4x400m unit.

“We’re going to be really solid in distance this year,” said May. “Our kids from cross country is almost 100-percent retention. Our boys 4x800m relay team is just going to be blasting people. They are a regional qualifying team right now by times. And

both of our 4x400m teams are really strong and we believe are going to win most meets.”

In addition, May said the Blue Devils can expect to “surprise some people in the sprints.”

“Our sprinters have been put to the test, and (GAHS boys) Coach (Paul) Close has been really impressed with them,” he said. “Coach Close tried to break the sprinters in practice last night and they wouldn’t break. He said that is the best reaction he has gotten in his coaching career.”

Close also believes that his talented freshmen boys group can — and will — “contribute a lot even early.”

However, it’s late in the season when the pressure is on — as May said the Blue Devils and Blue Angels are “coming after Fairland.”

The Dragons are the top program in the Ohio Valley Conference, as Gallia Academy is hosting the OVC meet on May 13.

“Fairland is the measuring stick in the OVC. And the years that we beat Fairland, we win the district,” said May. “Our main team goal this year is to win the OVC meet. We’re trying to dethrone Fairland. We know if we are successful there, it will lead right into district.”

Before that, though, the Blue and White will travel to invitationals at Nelsonville-York (April 1), Parkersburg (April 15), Fairland (April 21), South Point (April 28) and Coal Grove (May 2).

They host their own Saunders Relay Invitational on Thursday,

See GAHS TRACK | 50

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Marauders running toward the top of the league


ROCKSPRINGS, Ohio — With 40 boys and 21 girls, the Meigs track and field team will certainly have plenty of options for the 2017 season.

On the boys side, 24 athletes return from a year ago, including five regional qualifiers. Dillon Mahr, James Parsons and Zach Bartrum were a part of the Marauders 4x800m relay team that took 10th at regionals last spring, while Nate Hoover and Jared Kennedy both finished 15th in the 400m dash and long jump respectively. MHS junior Bailey Caruthers was a regional qualifier in the high jump as a freshman, but an injury kept him from the regionals last spring.

Of the 24 returning Marauders, seniors Mahr, Kennedy and Hoover bring the most experience, as all three are entering their fourth varsity season.

“Nate Hoover, Dillon Mahr, Jared Kennedy, those kids bring a ton of experience back,” said Coach Kennedy. “We have middle-distance, we have jumps there with Jared, and we have sprints covered with Nate Hoover. Dillon is strong, he can run any relay. Those guys being seniors will really be a big help to us.”

Entering their third varsity campaign for MHS are Parsons, Caruthers, Grant Adams, Trevor Smith, Brady Smith, Devon Hawley, Lane Cullums, Theo McElroy, Levi Chapman, Cole Hoffman and Brad Logan.

Back for their second season for the MHS boys are Bartrum, Williams Smith, Jake Roush, Andrew Monroe, Cole Betzing, Cole Durst, Riley Ogdin, Matthew Jackson and Jake Perry.

On the girls side, 15 athletes return, including seven with regional qualifiers from a year ago.

Meigs returns all four members of its 4x800m relay team — Gracie Hoffman, Caitlyn Rest, Madison Fields and Madison Cremeans — which finished 15th in the regional. MHS also brings back three of the four members of the

Alex Hawley/OVP Sports Pictured above are members of the 2017 Meigs boys track and field team. Sitting in the front row, from left, are William Smith, Brian Ackley, Jake Roush, Zach Bartrum, Chris Ward and Colton Heater. Sitting in the second row are Dillon Mahr, Garrett Buckley, Brock Roush, Jared Kennedy, Nate Hoover, Grant Adams, James Parsons, Joseph Billingsley and Alex Henson. Standing in the third row are Andrew Monroe, Trevor Smith, Brady Smith, Cole Adams, Cole Betzing, Cole Durst, Devon Hawley, Lane Cullums, Theo McElroy and Levi Chapman. Standing in the fourth row are Caleb Stanley, Riley Ogdin, Matthew Jackson, Christian Jones, Landon Acree, Trenton Durst, Bailey Caruthers, Marcel Funk and Weston Baer.

Alex Hawley/OVP Sports Pictured above are members of the 2017 Meigs girls track and field team. Sitting in the front row, from left, are Carlee Swartz, Hailey Marcum, Kati Brinker and Lydia Edwards. Sitting in the second row are Devyn Oliver, Gracie Hoffman, Jessie Donohue, Hannah Kennedy, Sky Brown and Keira McCourt. Standing in the back row are Taylor Swartz, Kassidy Betzing, Caitlyn Rest, Caroline Roush, Olivia Davis, Madison Cremeans and Ariann Sizemore.

4x100m relay team — Kassidy Betzing, Taylor Swartz and Sky Brown — that was 10th in the regional.

Betzing, Hoffman and Swartz each made individual appearances at the regional, Betzing in the 100m dash and the long jump, Hoffman in the 800m run and Swartz in the 200m dash. Betzing was the lone state qualifier for the Lady Marauders, and she took seventh in the long jump at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.

Of the 15 Lady Marauders returning, Hoffman, Brown, Jessie Donohue and Keira McCourt bring the most experience, as each are entering their fourth varsity season.

Back for their third season in the Maroon and Gold are Rest, Sydney Kennedy, Carmen Doherty, Olivia Davis and Ariann Sizemore. Entering their second varsity campaign are Swartz, Betzing, Cremeans, Caroline Roush, Allie Hanstine and Lydia Edwards.

“I’d say the same thing makes our season a success every year,” Coach Kennedy said. “If the kids get better and they dedicate themselves to getting better by practicing hard and making each other better, it’s a success. They

all start at different places, and even if they start at the bottom, if they work their way up, that’s success to me. We’ve had 12-13-14 kids at the regional in the past couple of years, if we can continue that and get some kids on to state, that’s a success, but only because they got better.”

The Meigs boys and girls

teams both finished fourth in the Tri-Valley Conference Ohio Division last year and both are looking to improve on that mark this season.

“There are so many good teams,” Coach Kennedy said of the league. “Vinton County

See MARAUDERS | 45


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Good Luck this Season!See HANNAN | 44

Numbers have Hannan track making strides


ASHTON, W.Va. — There is optimism surrounding the Hannan track and field program this season … and with good reason.

Actually, there are about 18 different reasons.

Numbers are up from 12 to 18 this spring, and the Wildcats are raising the bar on expectations with the sudden increase in interest.

In all, the girls team will have 10 competitors and the boys squad will consist of eight members. Of those 18, however, only three are varsity returnees from a year ago.

HHS is not as young as it appears though, as the Blue and White will also have about half-dozen athletes that have competed at the varsity level back in the program.

So, with roughly half of the program bringing experience into the 2017 campaign, HHS coach

Bryan Walters/OVP Sports Pictured are members of the 2017 Hannan varsity track and field teams. Sitting in front, from left, are Emily Deal, Julie Frazier, Amber Lee, Cassidy Duffer, Sydnee Holley, Bailey Harless, Kelsie Lee, Brittany Jenkins and Hannah Carroll. Sitting in back are HHS coach Mike Wallace, Dominic Burris, Hunter Carroll, Jordan Fitzwater, Derrick Burris, Wyatt Moffitt, Chandler Starkey, Josh McCoy, Riley Griffith and HHS assistant coach Kellie Thomas.

Mike Wallace is looking forward to what this spring can be for his troops. He’s also going to lean on that experience heading into the season.

“It’s a different kind of group in that we have returnees, we have kids that have competed previously in this program and we have a lot of newcomers to the sport,” Wallace said. “It helps to have experienced athletes to teach the new kids and it helps that everyone is committed to seeing how successful a season we can put together.”

Wallace also acknowledged that the extra participation can be a real-difference maker this year … and for a variety of reasons.

“It’s good to have the numbers because we can fill out more events and have a better chance of competing for points as a team,” Wallace said. “It helps when you have more to compete for as a team than individually, and that’s something that will be a little new to the program this year. We are really excited about the upcoming

season and what we can get accomplished.”

The biggest increase came on the girls side after having only two athletes at the start of last spring. Junior Cassidy Duffer is the only varsity returnee on the 10-person roster.

The Lady Cats, however, have two senior additions in Bailey Harless and Kelsie Lee. Josie

Cooper joins Duffer as the only other junior on the girls team.

Sophomores Brittany Jenkins and Hannah Carroll are both new to the varsity squad, as are freshmen Emily Deal, Julie Frazier, Amber Lee and Sydnee Holley.

Senior Josh McCoy and sophomore Dominic Burris are

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Numbers, expectations still high for Raider track


BIDWELL, Ohio — Not that March — or especially April — is discredited, but the month of May is what matters most for the River Valley High School track and field team.

That’s because the Raiders, spearheaded by high numbers and plenty of returning experience, are aiming for one of their best seasons in school history.

River Valley, with over 40 boys and 30 girls on the respective rosters, is already eyeing the Tri-Valley Conference Ohio Division (May 4) and Division II district meets.

However, that is almost six weeks away.

No worries, though, said fourth-year RVHS track and field coach Brent Smith.

“Our phrase for this year is ‘May matters’. We use everything else as a stepping stone to when we get to the TVC (Tri-Valley Conference) and district meet,” said Smith. “May is what matters, so that’s what we’re building on all year. This might be one of the better years in River Valley track history. Of course, if everybody stays healthy and if things play out the way we hope them to. We probably have the best balance, in my years of coaching, of great upperclassmen mixed with a fantastic freshmen group. The boys team and the girls team, because of that mix and our numbers, we should be pretty darn competitive.”

The numbers alone are staggering.

“We had to order new uniforms,” laughed Smith.

On the boys side, Smith said the Raiders are “happy” to return senior hurdler Isaiah Beach, senior sprinter Andrew Moffett, sophomore discus thrower Eric Weber and junior ace distance runner Nathaniel Abbott.

Beach qualified for the Division II regional meet in the 110m high hurdles and placed seventh, while Moffett made the regional in the 100m dash.

“We have a lot of our group

Paul Boggs/OVP Sports Pictured are members of the 2017 River Valley High School boys varsity track and field team. In front row, from left, are John Colwell, George Rickett, Ryan Snyder, Caleb McKnight, Layne Fitch, Ethan Browning, Rory Twyman, Myles Morrison, Gabriel Stapleton, Chase Johnson and Isaiah Beach; middle row, Jared Reese, Trevor Simpson, Cole Young, Cole Thaxton, Noah Patterson, Joel Brumfield, Garrett Young, Andrew Tucker, Wyatt Bragg, Chase Caldwell, Thomas Reese and Scottie Hughes; back row, Eric Weber, Josh Marcum, Brandon Call, Derek Reese, Cole Franklin, Jordon Burns, Jarret McCarley, Andrew Moffett, J.D. Dummitt, Colton Provens, Nathaniel Abbott, Ian Eblin, Austin Livingston, Ty Van Sickle, Alonzo Penick. Absent when the photo was taken were Chase Blankenship, Jacob Campbell, Ethan Cline, Kyle Coen, Brandon Cornell, Jake Edwards, Darian Peck, Tyson Still and Jack Swisher.

Paul Boggs/OVP Sports Pictured are members of the 2017 River Valley High School girls varsity track and field team. In front row, from left, are Hanna Davis, Beth Gillman, Jessica Sorbara, Jordan Garrison, Kaylee Gillman, Leanne Hively, Kenzie Baker, Jenna Burke and Andrea Green; middle row, Savannah Reese, Madi Burd, Leah Larson, Alyssa Lollathon, Yolanda Andre, Rakia Penick, Evalena Ehman, Bridgett Wray, Kabria Pleasant; back row, Kelsey Brown, Maggie Campbell, Julia Nutter, Brianna McGuire, Sarah Moffett, Madison Taber, Elisabeth Moffett, Caitlin Theiss, Hannah Hawks, Gabby Adkins and Destiny Dotson. Absent when the photo was taken were Abby Campbell, Gabrielle Gibson, Madison Hartley, Savannah McGraw, Isabella Moore, Ashley Morris and Hannah Thomas.

back from last year. Our boys team is really solid from top to bottom in most events,” said Smith.

Beach is also a jumper, as Smith did explain that the Raiders need to improve in the long jump and high jump.

Otherwise, the Raider men are strong, including in the relays.

J.D. Dummitt, another senior, is expected to compete with Beach in the hurdles.

For the Lady Raiders, they return three of four girls that qualified for the regional in the 4x800m relay — juniors Sarah Moffett and Kenzie Baker and

senior Leanne Hively.Moffett made it to the

regional in the 400m dash as well.

Smith spoke highly also of senior thrower Brianna McGuire and senior jumper Gabby Adkins.

Baker, Hively and Moffett all return in distance events, as does sophomore Beth Gillman.

The Lady Raiders also add freshman Elisabeth Moffett to the fray.

“Our girls distance and middle distance is really strong, Gabby Adkins gives us a threat in high jump and long jump and our girls throwing is very

competitive. We probably have three to five kids for the top two spots in throwing,” said the coach.

Smith said the Lady Raiders’ sprinting is “still rebuilding”, and its hurdling needs some work.

Prior to May’s major meets, River Valley will compete in nine April invitationals —after opening the season on Thursday (March 30) at Jackson.

But those invitationals are all about building towards May — when it matters most.

“It’s an optimistic year. You

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MERCERVILLE, Ohio — For the South Gallia High School track and field program, what a difference a year makes.

Last season, there was no shortage of uniforms —for only eight boys made up all of last year’s club.

This season, eh, that’s not the case.

Talk about a spike in numbers: the Rebel program has jumped to 30 individuals this spring.

“It’s really good to see all these kids out here. It’s great for building the program for such a small school like we have. We actually ran out of uniforms, which is pretty crazy. I didn’t think that would be happening, but that’s a pretty good problem to have,” said second-year SGHS coach Marcus Myers.

That’s correct.After a season of no seniors,

Paul Boggs/OVP Sports Pictured are members of the 2017 South Gallia High School boys varsity track and field team. In the front row, from left, are Matthew Taylor, Wyatt Rapp, Elijah Warner, Caleb Neal, Alex Peck, Jacob Bircher, Jacob Neal, Kyle Northup and Nolan Stanley. In the back row, Bryceton Folden, Chad Bostic, Gavin Bevan, Jeffery Sheets, Colton Bowers, Tristan Janey, Tanner Dennison, Johnny Sheets, Jared Burdette, Justin Butler and Sam Cudd. Absent when the photo was taken were Dakota Bettis and Brycen Caudill.

no girls and only eight boys with seven of them being freshmen, this season’s Rebels feature 23 men and seven ladies.

Of those 23 boys, exactly six sophomores —Wyatt Rapp, Chad Bostic, Bryceton Folden, Gavin Bevan, Tanner Dennison

and Tristan Janey — return.“I have all of my guys

returning from last year,” said Myers. “So those guys are the veterans of the team. It’s not very often that you see sophomores as the veterans of your team. But it’s a really solid

group of kids.”The seven girls which make

up the Lady Rebels include sophomore Jessica Luther, senior Autumn Norris, and freshmen Katie Bowling, Alyssa

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Tornadoes track and field aiming high in 2017


RACINE, Ohio — You don’t have to have big numbers to make a big impact.

The Southern track and field team features just 21 athletes — 11 boys and 10 girls — but with 12 returnees, the Purple and Gold will be looking for more success in 2017.

“The Southern High School track team has a strong foundation of athletes and leaders to take us through the season,” said fourth-year head coach Beth Bay.

On the boys side, Southern finished tied for fifth in the Tri-Valley Conference Hocking Division last year and the Tornadoes bring back a trio of regional qualifiers.

“We can’t wait to see what our boys team forms into with our strong group of junior boys, Conner Wolfe and Larry Dunn,” said Bay. “They form a great foundation for the 4x800m, especially adding athletes like Dylan Smith, Gage Barrett and Tyler Pavich into the mix.”

Wolfe and Dunn were both a part of Southern’s 4x800m relay team that finished 13th in the regional last year. Individually, Wolfe was seventh in the 1600m run at last year’s regional meet, while Tyler Pavich took 14th in the 400m dash at the event.

Southern will have four senior boys to replace from last year’s team, most notably Joe Beegle, who qualified for regionals in both the shot put and discus throw.

“Our boys team is small but mighty, and I’m looking forward to the great things they can accomplish this year,” said Bay. “Our throwers, Dameson Jenkins, David Dunfee, Chuck Stansberry and Sean Myers are excited about our new throwing pit that will help make us more successful in the competitive part of the season.”

Of Southern’s seven returning boys, Jacob Weddle brings the most experience, as he enters his fourth varsity season. Dunn and Wolfe are both entering their third season on varsity, while Jenkins, Dunfee, Myers and Pavich are all back for a

second varsity campaign.On the girls side, SHS was

sixth in the TVC Hocking last spring and has a trio of graduates to replace.

Five Lady Tornadoes return from last year, with the most experienced being junior Julia Montgomery with two previous years of varsity track and field. Senior Kamryn Smith and sophomores Mallory Johnson, Jackie Dailey and Kathryn Matson are each entering their second varsity campaign for the Purple and Gold.

“Kamryn Smith is probably one of the best athletes I’ve ever seen to lead the team by modeling what we look for in every athlete,” Bay said. “She models the pride, character and dedication that we would like to see in all of our athletes. With that said, we have strong underclassmen coming up that show excitement and energy, and take the extra steps to ensure success as a team. They take care of each other and we have the fun and laughter that we like to see in our tight-nit Southern family.”

The Purple and Gold will look to make an impact at the TVC Hocking meet on May 3, at Athens High School. SHS will begin its postseason at Southeastern High School, on May 17.


Alex Hawley/OVP Sports Pictured above are members of the Southern girls track and field team. Sitting in the front row, from left, are Sydney Roush, Kamryn Smith, Julia Montgomery and Baylee Wolfe. Standing in the back row are Kathryn Matson< Baylee Grueser, Addalynne Matson and Mallory Johnson.

Alex Hawley/OVP Sports Pictured above are members of the Southern boys track and field team. Sitting in the front row, from left, are Larry Dunn, Conner Wolfe, Sean Myers and Gage Barrett. Standing in the back row are Jacob Weddle, Dylan Smith, Dameson Jenkins, David Dunfee and William Clark.

2017 SHStrack ScHedule

MARCH 28 at Meigs, 4:45 APRIL 1 at Nelsonville-York, 9:30 5 at Logan, 4:30 11 at Nelsonville-York, 4:30 18 at Meigs Relays, 4:45 25 at River Valley, 4:30 29 at Marietta, 10 a.m. MAY 3 at Athens (TVC Meet), 4:30 10 at Nelsonville-York, 4:30

2017 SHS track roSter

SENIORSKamryn Smith*Jacob Weddle*JuniorsJulia Montgomery*Jaiden RobertsLarry Dunn*Conner Wolfe*William ClarkDameson Jenkins*Dylan Smith

SOPHOMORESMallory Johnson*Baylee GrueserJackie Dailey*Kathryn Matson*Sean Myers*Tyler Pavich*David Dunfee*

FRESHMENBaylee WolfeSydney Roush Addalynne MatsonChuck StansberryGage BarrettHead CoachBeth Bay(4th season)* — indicates varsity returnee


the team. It will be nice to have a boy in addition to Rachel to run in the same events that she will be doing,” said Handley.

Deckard also ran at River Valley last year.

So far, the Defenders are

scheduled to compete in six meets — which began last week with their participation at Point Pleasant’s Paul Wood Invitational.

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GALLIPOLIS, Ohio — For Rachel Sargent, it’s one final go-round with Ohio Valley Christian School track and field.

Entering her final season at OVCS, the sprinting and long jump standout headlines the Defender squad — which is five members strong this year.

Sargent and Noah Jenkins are the team’s two seniors, while the three sophomore newcomers are Chasity Deckard, Jay Case and Colton Cox.

In addition, as OVCS has offered track and field for only four years — the senior Sargent is the school’s only four-time participant.

Her head coach, four-year mentor Rick Handley, had high praise for her — as she has been recently offered a partial track scholarship to Ohio Christian University.

“Rachel has had a great career, and she is a very hard

worker and very dedicated,” said Handley. “I can tell her what to do, and she just goes and does it without me having to watch after her. She has won many high-point award trophies. Last year, I think she was high-point for the girls in four of the eight meets we went to. She is very well-known throughout our area, and now becoming known in West Virginia too.”

Just ask the folks from Doddridge County in West Virginia, where she set a new meet record in the girls 400m dash.

Sargent sprinted to a record time of 1:00.36, breaking the old mark which had been held for over two decades.

Once again, Sargent will compete in her four events — the 100m, 200m and 400m dashes and the long jump.

Jenkins joins her for the sprints, as the first-year OVCS student ran track last season at River Valley.

“Noah is a nice addition to

Paul Boggs/OVP Sports Pictured are members of the 2017 Ohio Valley Christian School varsity track and field team. From left are Chasity Deckard, Noah Jenkins, Jay Case, Colton Cox and Rachel Sargent.

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MASON, W.Va. — Some new faces, but the goal is still the same.

After a historic 2016 track and field campaign that saw the boys team win its first-ever TVC Hocking championship, the Wahama track and field program is aiming for a more-balanced level of success this spring.

Both the White Falcons and Lady Falcons have at least three state qualifiers returning to their respective groups, and the Red and White will have a total of 13 letterwinners coming back to the 28-person roster — which also includes 16 competitiors from the top two grade levels.

With a blend of proven experience and talented newcomers on both sides, third-year WHS track coach Dave Barr is optimistic that the program is still headed on the up-and-up.

It just might take a little time to get where he wants to be this spring.

“We graduated a solid class of boys that led us to our first TVC Hocking championship, but we do have some solid returnees and some good numbers that can hopefully allow us to have some more of that success this year,” Barr said. “We are inexperienced as a collective group, so it may take some time to find the right events for our athletes … but everything should start playing itself out by May.

“We may not have a lot of girls, but there is some talent and experience in what we do have with them. We’re expecting some really good things from them as well.”

The White Falcons have 19 athletes this spring, which includes 10 returnees and five state qualifiers from the last two seasons.

Seniors Travis Kearns and Mason Hildreth, junior Johnnie Board, and sophomores Brady Bumgarner and Brodee Howard have all competed at Laidley Field previously, and all are aiminig for return appearances.

Also returning to the varsity squad are seniors James McCormick and Wyatt Edwards, junior Garrett Snouffer, Isaiah Pauley and Critter Hesson.

The newcomers to the White Falcon squad are senior Colton Zuspan, juniors Trey Peters and Carson Eades, sophomore Shawn Taylor, and freshmen Kody Hollis, Zach Roush, Abram Pauley, Tyler Blain and Aaron Beard.

The Lady Falcons have nine competitors — including three state qualifiers and letterwinners — to work with this spring, and there is only one senior in that entire group.

Juniors Kaleigh Stewart and Elizabeth Mullins, as well as sophomore Skylar Riffle, all finished last season at Laidley Field … and the trio has high hopes for making another trip to Charleston in May.

New to the varsity squad is senior Lauren Bissell, juniors Pia Thomanek and Destiny Sayre, sophomore Camryn Tyree, and freshmen MacKenzie Barr and Sarah Hoffman.

The development of the first-time competitors will be pivotal to Wahama’s overall success as a group, but both teams have veteran pieces to work with in aiding that progression.

If the kids will continue to work through the learning curve, Barr believes the program will be at its best when it is most needed this season.

“We want to get better every single time that we compete and we have a hard-working group, so our goal is just to keep getting better as the year progresses,” Barr said. “If we can do that, the rest will take care of itself at regionals. I would be surprised if we didn’t have several kids at the state meet again this spring.”

Wahama will be attending 13 different road meets this season while preparing for the Class A postseason run.

Bryan Walters can be reached at 740-446-2342, ext. 2101

Wahama track has high hopes for 2017

Bryan Walters/OVP Sports Pictured are members of the 2017 Wahama varsity boys track and field team. Kneeling in front, from left, are Kody Hollis, Garrett Snouffer, Zach Roush, Johnnie Board, Brady Bumgarner, Brodee Howard, Colton Zuspan, Trey Peters and Shawn Taylor. Standing in back are Abram Pauley, Jacob Lloyd, Wyatt Edwards, Mason Hildreth, Travis Kearns, Isaiah Pauley, Tyler Blain, Carson Eades, Critter Hesson and Aaron Beard.

Bryan Walters/OVP Sports Pictured are members of the 2017 Wahama varsity girls track and field team. Standing, from left, are Pia Thomanek, MacKenzie Barr, Kaleigh Stewart, Elizabeth Mullins, Lauren Bissell, Destiny Sayre, Skylar Riffle, Sarah Hoffman and Camryn Tyree.

See WAHAMA TRACK | 42

SENIORS Lauren Bissell Colton Zuspan Travis Kearns* James McCormick* Mason Hildreth* Wyatt Edwards*

JuNIORS Pia Thomanek Kaleigh Stewart* Elizabeth Mullins* Destiny Sayre G arrett Snouffer* Johnnie Board* Trey Peters Isaiah Pauley* Carson Eades Critter Hesson*

SOPHOMORES Skylar Riffle* Camryn Tyree Brady Bumgarner* Brodee Howard* Shawn Taylor

FRESHMEN MacKenzie Barr Sarah Hoffman Kody Hollis Zach Roush Abram Pauley Tyler Blain Aaron Beard Head Coach Dave Barr (3rd season) * — indicates varsity returnee.

2017 WHS track roSter


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POINT PLEASANT, W.Va. — There are difference in the numbers, but there are numbers nonetheless.

After having only four players last spring, the Point Pleasant boys tennis program has more than doubled its numbers for the 2017 campaign as nine young men are going to give it a go on the courts.

Of those nine, a third are returning from last season — and all but one is an underclassman.

With experience, talent and some new blood in the program, 10th-year PPHS boys coach John Fields is optimistic about what the Black Knights can do this year.

“We have three of our top four players returning from last year and we have some talented newcomers as well, but the most important thing is that we have some numbers to work with

Bryan Walters/OVP Sports Pictured are members of the 2017 Point Pleasant varsity boys tennis team. Sitting in front, from left, are Carson Chambers, Dylan Tayengco, Andrew McComas and Bryce Tayengco. Seated in back are McKeehan Justus, Nick Smithm Hayden, Fetty, Nick Newell and Dawson Wilson.

throughout the course of the year,” Fields said. “I feel pretty good about some things and we have some guys that are new to the game, so we’ll just have to go out and hit the courts and see what happens.”

Fields acknowledges that some of the players are first-timers to the game, but a bulk of the hardest matches will be handled by his more-experienced players — which will allow them to progress in a more-comfortable environment.

Fields also thinks that this is the perfect group to return to the Class AA ranks with, given the numbers and talent levels of each of his troops.

“We think we can have a successful season this year, especially returning to the double-A level,” Fields said. “The thing with triple-A schools is that most of them have access to facilities to train all year round. This year, the playing level will be a little more even in double-A. That doesn’t mean it

will be any easier, it just means that our competition has to go through more similar struggles to stay competitive like we do.”

Senior Andrew McComas, junior Bryce Tayengco and sophomore Dawson Wilson are three returning players to this year’s roster. All three competed in singles and doubles a year

ago, so that experience will be valuable to the remaining half-dozen team members.

New to the varsity squad are juniors Hayden Fetty and Nick Newell, as well as freshmen Carson Chambers, Dylan Tayengco, McKeehan

See BLACK KNIGHTS | 45

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Experience key for Blue Devil tennis

See BLUE DEVIL | 46


CENTENARY, Ohio — In the final season for Southeastern Ohio Athletic League tennis, the Blue Devils do indeed want to go out on top.

In returning six players plus three newcomers, Gallia Academy is aiming for another successful campaign — perhaps punctuated again with one final SEOAL championship.

Of the nine on this season’s roster, all four seniors are beginning their fourth and final year.

In addition, junior Pierce Wilcoxon — along with his sister Ana —qualified for the Division II state tournament in doubles.

Indeed, these Blue Devils do sport experience — including two years worth of SEOAL titles.

“I’ve got four seniors this year that have all played for four years, so they are all veterans,” said fifth-year GAHS tennis coach Randy Christian. “We have experience in kids that have played tennis for several years. You don’t have to teach them the rules and the calls and all that. We also have a little more depth in our doubles teams. Last year, we lost a couple of close matches, and maybe would have won the league if we would have had more depth in that area. Hopefully, the girls can step it up a little bit more this year.”

One girl that did step it up was Ana Wilcoxon — a three-time Division II district qualifier

Paul Boggs/OVP Sports Pictured are members of the 2017 Gallia Academy High School varsity tennis team. From left are Kirsten Hesson, Jenelle Stevens, Pierce Wilcoxon, Miguel Velasco, Miles Cornwell, Thomas Hamilton, MiKayla Edelmann and Olivia Meadows. Absent when the photo was taken was Katie Carpenter.

in doubles.Last season, with Pierce

playing alongside, the siblings reached the coveted state tournament.

“Ana is a big graduation loss. Going to the state tournament with Pierce in doubles, she was obviously a big part of the team,” said Christian.

But Pierce Wilcoxon, who played first singles for the regular season, returns — along with this year’s team captain in senior Miles Cornwell.

The other three seniors are all girls —MiKayla Edelmann, Olivia Meadows and Jenelle Stevens.

Also returning is sophomore Katie Carpenter, with newcomers Miguel Velasco (junior), Thomas Hamilton (sophomore) and Kirsten Hesson (freshman).

With nine on the roster,

2017 GaHStenniS roSter

SENIORS Miles Cornwell* MiKayla Edelmann* Olivia Meadows* Jenelle Stevens*

JuNIORS Pierce Wilcoxon* Miguel Velasco

SOPHOMORES Thomas Hamilton Katie Carpenter*

FRESHMEN Kirsten Hesson Head Coach: Randy Christian (5th season)

Christian said two extras will play exhibition matches at each contest.

As for a starting lineup, the coach said he was still trying to figure out what works best.

“I expect for two of the boys to play first and second singles, maybe even third singles. I may have one of the boys play with one of the girls for a strong first doubles team,” said Christian. “Then rotate people in and out of the third singles and second doubles to give them all experience in both.”

If Gallia Academy is to win this season’s SEOAL title, it gives it its fourth league championship in five years.

In last season’s conference finale, Jackson completed a season sweep of Gallia Academy — preventing the Blue Devils


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Lady Knights aiming for success in 2017

See LADY KNIGHTS | 39


POINT PLEASANT, W.Va. — Been there, done that. Got the varsity pin to prove it.

The Point Pleasant girls tennis program will have a real familiarity about it as all eight members of this spring’s squad made up almost all but one person of the 2016 roster that compiled a 6-9 overall record.

More importantly, there isn’t a single senior between this year’s group of eight — which is divided evenly between juniors and sophomores at four apiece.

With another year to grow the program with experienced players, 11th-year girls coach Kim Napora believes that this season can be one of real progress.

“Last year, we were sophomores and freshman learning the varsity game. Now we have eight players with varsity experience. The girls

have worked in the offseason, so we are excited for the start of the season and what we think we can accomplish,” Napora said. “I’ve seen growth and improvement in all of them from last year, and I also think our depth will be a real positive with this group.

“We’ve beefed up the schedule a bit this year with 20 matches, so we will really have opportunities to show just how much improvement we’ve made since last year. Again, we’re really eager for the season to get started.”

Not all, however, is perfect in this group as junior McKenna Bronosky will not be able to play until at least late April due to a previous injury before the season. As the team’s No. 1 singles player last spring, that is a considerable hit to the program.

All of the girls are going to be asked to step up and play larger roles in the team’s success

Bryan Walters/OVP Sports Pictured are members of the 2017 Point Pleasant varsity girls tennis team. Sitting in front, from left, are Caroline Foreman, Kenlee Bonecutter, Sarah Deem and Olivia Martin. Seated in back are Daniell Marcum, Bailey Barnett, Olivia Pyles and McKenna Bronosky.

this spring, which is something that an experienced group can handle.

“We’ve lost McKenna — our

number one from last season — to a wrist injury until at least

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WHITE FALCONS from page 3

BLuE DEVILS from page 5

TORNADOES from page 4

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and it is going to be very hard to top last year,” Cullen said with a chuckle. “It’s been a cool thing around here the last two years, and these guys have worked really hard in the offseason to make another run at a third title. That’s our goal, to get back there.”

Wahama opens the 2017 camapign with five of its first eight games on the road and also finishes the year with five of their seven contests at home.


2017 SHSbaSeball ScHedule

MARCH 25 at Meigs, noon 27 vs. South Gallia, 5 p.m. 28 at Wahama, 5 p.m. 30 vs. Miller, 5 p.m. 31 at Waterford, 5 p.m.

APRIL 1 at Oak Hill, 11 a.m. 3 at Belpre, 5 p.m. 4 vs. Federal Hocking, 5 p.m. 6 at Vinton County, 5 p.m. 7 vs. Eastern, 5 p.m. 8 at River Valley, 11 a.m. 10 at Trimble, 5 p.m. 11 at South Gallia, 5 p.m. 13 vs. Wahama, 5 p.m. 17 at Miller, 5 p.m. 18 vs. Waterford, 5 p.m. 2 0vs. Belpre, 5 p.m. 21 at Federal Hocking, 5 p.m. 26 at Eastern, 5 p.m. 28 vs. Trimble, 5 p.m.

MAY 5 vs. Nelsonville-York, 5 p.m.

2017 SHSbaSeball roSter

SENIORS Blake Johnson* Clayton Wood* Trey Pickens* Haden Miller*

JuNIORS Dakota Kowell* Dylan Smith* Garrett Wolfe* Logan Dunn*

SOPHOMORES Logan Drummer* Billy Harmon* Jensen Anderson* Ryan Acree* Austin Colburn Brody Dutton* Trey Wood*

FRESHMEN Joey Weaver Coltin Parker John Guinther Cole Steele Gage Schuler Head Coach Kyle Wickline (2nd season) * — indicates varsity returnee

to finish fifth in the TVC Hocking last spring.

“The league is going to be toughagain this year,” said Wickline. “Eastern is going to be really good, Wahama is going to be really good, and Waterford of course has everyone back, so they’re going to be loaded again. We’re hoping to get involved in the mix with all of them and hopefully we’re right there at the end. Being competitive in the league and having a good tournament run will make this a successful season.”

In addition to its 16 league tilts, Southern will face Nelsonville-York, Oak Hill, Meigs, Vinton County and River Valley in non-league play. The lone SHS non-conference victory last season was over NYHS.

The Tornadoes are just 1-3 in their last four postseason games — all at the sectional level — including a 3-0 loss to Eastern in last spring’s sectional final. In school history, Southern has won 10 conference titles, 20 sectional crowns and 12 district championships.


of the few years in 14 that I really don’t know what I have until we roll out there,” said Corvin. “But the great thing about these question marks is that we have quality guys. This team, from top to bottom, is fun individuals to coach and be around. They get after it and do what they need to do. Hopefully, they can put it onto the field and make it work. It should be fun to watch.”


MEIGS from page 7

play.In his previous six seasons

as Meigs skipper, Bissell has a 105-46 coaching record with three league titles. Meigs has never finished lower than third in the league in Bissell’s tenure.

In school history, Meigs has nine league titles, three district crowns and two regional championships.


EAGLES from page 10

us apart,” Bowen said. “Just a great attitude, great effort and being very fundamental. It’s a pretty basic and simple approach, but it’s worked well for us before and hopefully it we’ll get some results this year too.”

Eastern has won 11 sectional titles in the last 12 seasons and 19 total. Eastern now has nine district titles in school history. In Bowen’s tenure as EHS skipper, the Eagles are 235-146.


LADY KNIGHTSfrom page 14

us this year, and that is 21 outs. We can’t give any outs away and we really have to play defense behind our young pitchers,” Higginbotham said. “The key for us this year is to just be fundamentally sound. If we do that, we should be all right.

“Our goal this year is the same is always. We want to make it to regionals and see how things go from there. It’s a little tougher this year with new regions and double elimination, so the road definitely won’t be any easier just because we are back at the double-A level.”

Point Pleasant will play seven of its first eight contests of the season at home, which should also aid in the growing process. The Lady Knights will also have only two home games over the final three weeks of the regular season — which includes the annual four-day tournament in Myrtle Beach.




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LADY KNIGHTS from page 37

spring break, which is most of the regular season,” Napora said. “That means that all of the girls have to step up into higher positions and play at levels that they haven’t previously gone against. It’s tough in a way, but that’s what we have to do and these girls can handle it.”

Juniors Danielle Marcum, Bailey Barnett and Olivia Pyles join Bronosky in their third full season with the program, while sophomores Caroline Foreman, Kenlee Bonecutter, Sarah Deem and Olivia Martin are back for their second year at the varsity level.

Napora is confident that her girls can have a smooth transition back into the Class AA ranks this year, but the venerable mentor does not want her girls to think that they don’t have to work because they are no longer at the triple-A ranks.

“Just because we are moving down to double-A doesn’t mean that things are going to be any easier. There are just as many good single-A and triple-A teams out there as we have learned over the years, so the best approach for us is to just stay on our toes regardless of who we are playing,”

Napora said. “If we take each match seriously and focus on what we need to do to be successful, the rest will take care of itself … regardless who the opponent is.”

Seven of Point’s first 10 matches will be at home, held at The Courts behind PPJSHS.


2017 ppHS GirlS tenniS ScHedule

MARCH 20 at Winfield 4:30 21 vs Spring Valley 4:30 23 vs Lincoln County 4:30 24 vs Ravenswood 4:30 25 at Scott 11 a.m. 27 vs Nitro 4:30 28 at Sissonville 4:30 29 vs Poca 4:30 30 vs Scott 4:30 31 vs Logan 4:30 APRIL 1 at Logan 11 a.m. 3 vs Sissonville 4:30 4 at Nitro 4:30 10 at Ravenswood 4:30 13 at Poca 4:30 24 vs Huntington St. Joe 4:30 25 vs Chapmanville 4:30 27 at HSJ (Ritter Park) 4:30 MAY 2 at Spring Valley (Ritter Park) 4:30

2017 ppHSGirlS tenniS roSter

Danielle Marcum* Jr Bailey Barnett* Jr Olivia Pyles* Jr McKenna Bronosky* Jr Caroline Foreman* So Kenlee Bonecutter* So Sarah Deem* So Olivia Martin* So Head Coach Kim Napora (11th season) * — indicates varsity returnee.

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2017 rVHSSoftball ScHedule

MARCH 25 at Belpre 11 a.m. 27 Gallia Academy 5 p.m. 28 Oak Hill 5 p.m. 31 at Wellston 5 p.m. APRIL 1 at Eastern Brown 12 p.m. 4 at Ironton 5 p.m. 5 Vinton County 5 p.m. 7 at Alexander 5 p.m. 8 at Southern (DH) 11 a.m. 10 at Nelsonville-York 5 p.m. 11 Federal Hocking 5 p.m. 12 Athens 5 p.m. 15 South Point 1 p.m. 17 Meigs 5 p.m. 18 at South Gallia 5 p.m. 21 at Vinton County 5 p.m. 22 Coal Grove (DH) 12 p.m. 24 Wellston 5 p.m. 26 Nelsonville-York 5 p.m. 28 at Athens 5 p.m. MAY 1 at Meigs 5 p.m. 3 Alexander 5 p.m. 4 South Gallia 5 p.m. 6 Fairland 1 p.m.

2017 rVHSSoftball roSter

00 Chloe Gee* So. 1 Cierra Roberts* So. 7 Savannah Halfhill* Sr. 9 Baylee Hollanbaugh* So. 11 Isabella Mershon* Jr. 12 Kasey Birchfield Fr. 14 Jessica Roush* Jr. 20 Destiny Williams* Sr. 23 Sydney Little* Sr. 27 Skylar Jones* So. 31 Arika Barr Fr. 45 Kaylee Tucker Fr.

HEAD COACH: Nick Roberts (1st season) * — indicates varsity returnee

“They have played middle school ball together, and three or four of them are on the same travel team. The freshmen and sophomore class is pretty talented here,” raved Roberts.

The two juniors are Isabella Mershon and Jessica Roush —both outfielders.

The seniors are third baseman and outfielder Destiny Williams, catcher and outfielder Sydney Little, and outfielder Savannah Halfhill.

“Our strengths are going to be our hitting and fielding, even though our pitching is going to be a little slow, because we have two freshmen pitchers. Pitching is going to be kind of rough this year, but our hitting is going to make up for it,” said Roberts.

The real question will be, though, can River Valley crack into the top four in the TVC-Ohio?

Roberts said Meigs should be considered the league favorite, with Wellston and the Lady Raiders fighting for second-place.

At any rate, it’s a new era in River Valley softball —as a youthful yet experienced team takes the new field.

The Silver and Black’s new softball facility is located at River Valley High School.

“We get to play on our new field this year, so that will help these girls out,” said Roberts.


LADY RAIDERS from page 12 LADY FALCONS from page 21

2017 WHSSoftball ScHedule

MARCH 16 vs Williamstown 5 p.m. 17 at Buffalo 5:30 18 at Wirt County (DH) noon 20 at Roane County 5 p.m. 22 at Point Pleasant 5:30 23 vs Roane County 5 p.m. 27 at Waterford 5 p.m. 28 at Southern 5 p.m. 30 at Belpre 5 p.m. 31 vs Trimble 5 p.m.

APRIL 3 at Federal Hocking 5 p.m. 4 vs South Gallia 5 p.m. 6 vs Eastern 5 p.m. 7 at Miller 5 p.m. 8 vs Ravenswood 11 a.m. 8 vs Warren 3 p.m. 10 vs Buffalo 5:30 11 vs Waterford 5 p.m. 13 at Southern 5 p.m. 14 at Buffalo (DH) 3 p.m. 15 at Buffalo TBA 17 vs Belpre 5 p.m. 18 at Trimble 5 p.m. 20 vs Federal Hocking 5 p.m. 21 at South Gallia 5 p.m. 24 at Eastern 5 p.m. 26 vs Miller 5 p.m. 27 vs Point Pleasant 5 p.m.

have everyone in the program get better with each day of the season,” Wolfe said. “We have the talent to win now and in the years to come, but that process has to begin now if we want to achieve more as a program.”

Wahama will play six of its first eight contests on the road this season and also end the year with 8-of-12 games away from the friendly confines in Hartford.


CATS from page 9

2017 HHSbaSeball ScHedule

MARCH 17 vs Rose Hill Christian 5:30 20 vs Fairview 5:30 21 vs Sherman 5:30 24 vs Tolsia 5:30 27 vs Grace Christian 5:30 28 at Teays Valley Christian 5 p.m. 31 at Buffalo 6 p.m. APRIL 1 at Fairview noon 3 at Huntington St. Joe 5 p.m. 4 at Sherman 5:30 6 vs Wood County Chrsitian 5:30 7 at Tolsia 5:30 10 vs Teays Valley Christian 5:30 13 vs Buffalo 5:30 17 vs Wirt County 5:30 18 at Wood County Christian 5:30 21 at Rose Hill Christian 5:30 25 at Grace Christian 5:30 28 Mingo Central at Tolsia 7:30 29 at Tolsia 1:30 MAY 2 vs Huntington St. Joe 5:30 5 vs Tug Valley (DH) 5:30

pitching. We really need to develop a few more arms this year outside of the two that we know we have,” Greathouse said. “I will say that I’m starting to worry less and less about some of that in seeing how quick some of these guys are progressing, but that will still be a big key to our season.”

The Wildcats will open the 2017 campaign with five consecutive home games at the Oshel B. Craigo Athletic Complex, then play five straight road games before finishing the year with three straight at home.




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Taylor Swartz are both back for their second varsity season.

“Our younger kids need to continue to step up,” Swann said. “Taylor Swartz is a sophomore that started as a freshman, she’ll just be huge in centerfield. She’s a very good catcher, but she’s so good in centerfield that it’s hard to not keep her our there. Right now, if Swartz is in centerfield, Ciera Older, who is a sophomore, will be our catcher and I expect her to step up.

“We do have a freshman that came in, Breanna Zirkle, who pitching-wise looks a lot better than I thought she was going to look,” Swann added. “She’ll certainly be in the mix with our other pitchers. Maddison Woodyard is probably our ace at this point, but Breanna is doing so well in the preseason that she may develop into our ace.”

Along with Zirkle and Woodyard, Lodwick — a

Washington & Jefferson College signee — and Pullins will likely see time in the circle for Meigs.

“I don’t think we have a truly dominant pitcher,” Swann said. “We do have a luxury that most high schools do not have, in that we can throw four pitchers at you and really not miss a beat.”

Meigs is still in search of its first league title since 2011, but the Lady Marauders were second in the Tri-Valley Conference Ohio Division in each of the last four seasons.

“I believe that the league championship runs through Meigs and Wellston,” Swann said. “Last year against Alexander we had a three-run lead in the bottom of the sixth and we had some issues. We weren’t able to get our split there, which would have given us the chance for at least a share of the league championship.”

In Swann’s first two seasons as MHS skipper, the Lady

Marauders have gone 39-11, including 20-4 in league. All four of the Lady Marauders league losses have come to Alexander.

“Our goals are a league championship, a sectional championship and a district championship,” Swann said. “If we can get to regionals, we’ll see what happens from there. These kids all come in with a pretty high level swing and I think that’s beginning to pay off. At this point, I don’t want to jinx ourselves, but we’re hitting the ball better than we’ve ever hit the ball.”

In school history, Meigs has 14 conference titles. In addition to its 12 league games, Meigs will face Southern, Eastern, Gallia Academy, Jackson, Ripley, Marietta, Sheridan and Warren in non-league action.


MEIGS SOFTBALL from page 13

2017 MHS Softball ScHedule

MARCH 25 at Southern, noon 27 at Jackson, 5 p.m. 30 at Gallia Academy, 5 p.m. APRIL 3 at Alexander, 5 p.m. 5 vs. Athens, 5 p.m. 6 at Marietta, 5 p.m. 7 vs. Nelsonville-York, 5 p.m. 1 1vs. Vinton County, 5 p.m. 12 at Wellston, 5 p.m. 14 at Ripley (DH), 5 p.m. 17 at River Valley, 5 p.m. 19 vs. Alexander, 5 p.m. 21 at Athens, 5 p.m. 22 vs. Warren, Sheridan, 10 a.m. 24 at Vinton County, 5 p.m. 25 vs. Marietta, 5 p.m. 27 vs. Gallia Academy, 5 p.m. 28 vs. Wellston, 5 p.m. MAY 1 vs. River Valley, 5 p.m. 2 at Eastern, 5 p.m. 3 at Nelsonville-York, 5 p.m. 4 vs. Jackson, 5 p.m.

MARCH 25 at Symmes Valley (DH) 11 a.m. 27 at Southern 5 p.m. 28 Eastern 5 p.m. APRIL 1 Waterford (DH) 12 p.m. 4 at Wahama 5 p.m. 6 Sciotoville East 5 p.m. 7 at Federal Hocking 5 p.m. 8 at Belpre (DH) 12 p.m. 11 Southern 5 p.m.

REBEL from page 11

12 at Green 5 p.m. 13 at Eastern 5 p.m. 15 at Miller (DH) 12 p.m. 18 River Valley 5 p.m. 20 Green 5 p.m. 21 Wahama 5 p.m. 24 at Manchester 5:30 p.m. 26 Federal Hocking 5 p.m. 28 at Sciotoville East 5 p.m. MAY 4 at River Valley 5 p.m.

2017 SGHS BASEBALL SCHEDuLE

“Instead of being able to use innings, we need more kids that can pitch. Our biggest improvement area is getting kids in to be able to pitch and being able to trust that they can pitch one or two good innings without wasting a whole lot of pitches,” said the coach.

But Bess believes that

reaching that point is absolutely possible with this club.

“This group really puts the work in so far,” he said. “Instead of one win, looking at our schedule, I think we can win eight or nine games and even a sectional title this year.”


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LADY TORNADOES from page 18

2017 SHSSoftball ScHedule

MARCH 25 vs. Meigs, noon 27 vs. South Gallia, 5 p.m. 28 at Wahama, 5 p.m. 30 vs. Miller, 5 p.m. 31 at Waterford, 5 p.m.

APRIL 3 at Belpre, 5 p.m. 4 vs. Federal Hocking, 5 p.m. 5 vs. Roane County, 5 p.m. 7 vs. Eastern, 5 p.m. 8 vs. River Valley, 11 a.m. 10 at Trimble, 5 p.m. 1 1at South Gallia, 5 p.m. 13 vs. Wahama, 5 p.m. 17 at Miller, 5 p.m. 18 vs. Waterford, 5 p.m. 20 vs. Belpre, 5 p.m. 21 at Federal Hocking, 5 p.m. 24 at Ravenswood, 5 p.m. 2 6at Eastern, 5 p.m. 28 vs. Trimble, 5 p.m.

MAY 5 vs. Nelsonville-York, 5 p.m.


starter and a three-time all-league performer — was a first team all-district selection as a senior. Hannah Hill and Brandy Porter were both named all-league last spring, while Porter and Haley Hill were both special mention on the all-district list.

Of the six returnees, senior Sierra Cleland, as well as juniors Paige VanMeter and Sydney Cleland are each embarking on their third varsity season. Seniors Macie Michael, Katie Barton and Haley Musser are all entering their second varsity season.

“We have four seniors, Sierra Cleland, Katie Barton, Haley Musser and Macie Michael,” Crisp said. “Macie didn’t play last year, she’s coming off of a knee injury, but she’s looked good so far this year, hitting in the cage. We’ll see how it comes along, but she’s looked good in the preseason.”

“Our pitching should be pretty good,” added Crisp. “Sydney (Cleland) pitched for us last year and she’s coming back for another year at the varsity level.”

VanMeter is a two-time all-league selection and was a second team all-district player last spring. As a freshman, VanMeter was an all-district honorable mention.

Southern was 11-4 in the league last year and finished

fourth, but was the only TVC Hocking team to claim victory over league champion Eastern.

“Like last year, it’s going to be Belpre and Eastern and if you want a shot at the league, you’re going to have to go through them,” Crisp said. “I think we can be right there behind them and if things go right in a certain game and we could pull a split out here-or-there, maybe we could be in the middle of it. We managed to split with Eastern last year, so Belpre is going to be the one we have to go up and handle. Trimble swept us last year, I know they took a hit from graduation also, but we’re going to have to take care of them this year.”

To add insult to injury, not only did the Lady Tomcats sweep SHS in the regular season, but THS also bounced Southern from the postseason in the sectional final.

Crisp — who coached SHS in 2006 and 2007 then returned to the team in 2012 — has a 96-64 softball coaching record and has led the Purple and Gold to four sectional titles, one district crown and one league championship. The Tornadoes have posted five straight winning seasons under Crisp.


WAHAMA TRACKfrom page 34

2017 WHStrack ScHedule

MARCH 22 at Point Pleasant 4:30 24 at Capitol INV 4:30 29 at Meigs 4:30

APRIL 2 at Doc Hale INV 4:30 5 at Ripley Viking INV 4:30 8 at St. Marys 4 p.m. 12 at Nelsonville-York 4:30 14 at Paul Wood Memorial 4:30 16 at Russ Parsons INV 4:30 19 at Meigs Marauder Relays 4:30 22 at West union 4 p.m. 29 at Gazette Relays 4 p.m. 30 at Gazette Relays 4 p.m.

MAY 5 TVC Meet at NYHS 4:30



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POINT TRACKfrom page 24

2017 ppHS track ScHedule

MARCH 24 Paul Wood INV 4:30 31 vs TBA 4:30 APRIL 1 vs Wahama TBA 3 vs Poca 4:30 6 at Ripley 4:30 14 at Winfield 4:30 25 Battle for the Anchor 4:30 28 at St. Marys 4:30 MAY 11 at Winfield 4:30

The addition should really help the program here in the next few years.”

As for this year, Hodges is hoping that the girls can win more games than last season. More importantly, he just wants the kids to get as many games in as possible — because that experience will be beneficial to such a young group of players.

“We’re just trying to build up a decent softball program here at Hannan and we feel this year will be a big step in that direction, as long as we can stay healthy and get some games in,” Hodges said. “Our numbers don’t help us much with injuries, but get some experience in with this young group is really key for us this spring.”

Hannan has 11 doubleheaders scheduled for the 2017 campaign and seven of its first 10 contests will be on the road.

The Lady Cats will play their home games at the diamond behind the Ashton Elementary School.


2017 HHSSoftball ScHedule

MARCH 21 at Calvary Baptist (DH) 5 p.m. 23 vs Sherman (DH) 5 p.m. 24 at Chas. Catholic (DH) 6 p.m. 25 at Cross Lanes Christian (DH) 1 p.m. 28 vs Teays Valley Christian 5:30 30 at Buffalo 5:30

APRIL 6 vs Calvary Baptist (DH) 5 p.m. 8 at Ironton St. Joe (DH) noon 10 vs Teays Valley Christian 5:30 11 vs Cross Lanes Christian 5 p.m. 12 at Huntington St. Joe (DH) 5 p.m. 21 vs Ironton St. Joe 5:30 22 vs South Gallia (DH) noon

2017 HHSSoftball roSter

2 Josie McCoy* So 9 Jessica Dalton* Jr 10 Kaitlin Lloyd Fr 11 Olivia Norris* So 13 Alexis Lloyd Fr 15 Emily Thevenin Jr 16 Kiera Smith So 17 Kassidee Bush* Jr 22 Karria Hall Fr 23 Pamela Ochs So 31 Kelsey DeVries* Sr HEAD COACH Glen Hodges (3rd season) * — indicates varsity returnee.

APRIL continued 24 vs Charleston Catholic (DH) 5 p.m. 26 vs Huntington St. Joe (DH) 5 p.m. 29 vs Van (DH) noon

2017 HHSSoftball ScHedule

that it won’t be any easier to get to the state level just because of the loss of a letter.

“Just because we are dropping back down to double-A doesn’t mean it will be an easier. We have to keep working hard like we have been at the triple-A level,” Cottrill said. “If we put in the work and improve our efforts, the results will take care of themselves at the state meet.”

Point Pleasant will host five of its 11 meets at home this spring, which includes the Paul Wood Invitational and a handful of dual, tri and quad matches.


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Rachal Colburn and Jessica Luther.

The four freshmen are Mackenzie Martin, Madison Lucas, and Sydney and Savannah St. Clair.


LADY REBELS from page 22

EHS TRACK from page 23 HANNANfrom page 29

won six or seven TVC Championships in a row. You’re getting those girls bumped up to high school now and just getting those kids added to the ones we have should make the team stronger.”

The Eastern girls lost just three seniors to graduation, including regional qualifiers Kelsey Johnson and Brittney Leach.

On the boys side seniors Clayton Ritchie, Jett Facemyer and Corbett Catlett are each back for their fourth season, while junior Tyler Davis is entering his third varsity campaign.

Facemyer has competed in the 800m run in back-to-back seasons at the state meet, earning 12th as a junior and 14th as a sophomore. Ritchie was a regional qualifier in the 300m hurdles last spring.

“On the boys side, team goals might be out of the question due to our numbers,” Fogle said. “On the girls side, we’d like to keep that TVC and district streaks going, make a run toward the regional and see how many kids we can get to the state meet.”

EHS will undoubtedly make an impact at the Tri-Valley Conference Hocking Division meet on May 3, at Athens High School. Eastern will begin its postseason on May 17, at Southeastern High School.


2017 eHStrack roSter

GIRLS Cierra Smeeks* Tressa Bartimus Hannah Hill Kylee Tolliver* Marta Mosquera Ally Durst* Katie Fick* Taylor Parker* Jess Parker Lexa Hayes Rylee Haggy Megan Ross Katie Ridenour* Emily VanMeter Teddi Casto Rhiannon Morris* Jessica Cook* Morgain Little* Aubree Lyons Laura Pullins* Alia Hayes* Jaymie Basham Anna Bisgaurd Clausen Sabrina Lauer* Emma Causey Kaitlyn Hawk*

BOYS Nick Little Brandon Baer Brayden Arix Alex Legan Issac Lopez Matt Clingenpeel Dalton Scott Jeremiah Martindale Tyler Davis* Clayton Ritchie* Corbett Catlett* Jett Facemyer* Head Coach Josh Fogle (14th season) * — indicates varsity returnee

2017 SGHSSoftball roSter

1 Maria Calhoun* So. 2 Destiny Johnson* Jr. 3 Mandy Swords* Jr. 4 Mackenzie Martin Fr. 5 Olivia Hornsby* Jr. 7 Nanako Yoshino Jr. 10 Bailey Walter* So. 16 Rachal Colburn So. 17 Madison Lucas Fr. 21 Maddie Simpson* Sr. 22 Irene Santos Sr. 23 Mendy Swords* Jr. 31 Keirsten Howell* Jr. 33 Jessica Luther* So. 34 Sydney St. Clair Fr. 53 Brooke Campbell* Jr. 00 Savannah St. Clair Fr. Head Coach: Sarah Wright (3rd season) * — indicates varsity returnee

2017 SGHSSOFTBALL SCHEDuLE

MARCH 25 at Ironton St. Joseph, 2 p.m. 27 at Southern 5 p.m. 28 Eastern 5 p.m. 31 Ironton St. Joseph, 5 p.m. APRIL 1 Waterford (DH) 12 p.m. 4 at Wahama 5 p.m. 6 Sciotoville East 5 p.m. 7 at Federal Hocking 5 p.m. 8 at Belpre (DH) 12 p.m. 11 Southern 5 p.m. 13 at Eastern 5 p.m. 15 at Miller (DH) 12 p.m. 18 River Valley 5 p.m. 21 Wahama 5 p.m. 22 at GAHS Tournament 10 a.m. 26 Federal Hocking 5 p.m. 28 at Sciotoville East 5 p.m. MAY 2 Nelsonville-York 5 p.m. 4 at River Valley 5 p.m.

2017 HHS TRACK SCHEDuLE

MARCH 22 at Point Pleasant 4 p.m. APRIL 7 at Hurricane 4 p.m. 14 at Point Pleasant 4 p.m. 19 at Poca 5 p.m. 22 at Winfield 5 p.m. 26 at Huntington 4 p.m.

2017 HHS TRACK ROSTER

the lone varsity returnees to the boys program, with McCoy serving as the lone upperclassmen in the eight-person group. Riley Griffith is also the only junior participating this year for the Cats.

Hunter Carroll joins Burris as the only members of the sophomore class, while Jordan Fitzwater, Derrick Burris, Wyatt Moffitt and Chandler Starkey complete the varsity roster as freshmen.

Hannan — which does not have a track facility — is currently scheduled for six meets in the regular season, which includes a pair of outings at Point Pleasant on March 22 and April 14.

The Wildcats are also scheduled to compete at Hurricane, Poca. Winfield and Huntington before the Class A postseason.


SENIORSBailey Harless • Kelsie Lee

Josh McCoy*JuNIORS

Cassidy Duffer* Josie Cooper • Riley Griffith

SOPHOMORESBrittany JenkinsHannah CarrollDominic Burris*Hunter Carroll

FRESHMENEmily Deal • Julie Frazier

Amber Lee • Sydnee HolleyJordan Fitzwater

Derrick Burris • Wyatt MoffittChandler Starkey

HEAD COACH:Mike Wallace

* — indicates varsity returnee.


Good LuckOVER

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1/4 Mile North PomeroyMason Bridge

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2400 Eastern Ave.(Across from KMart)

Gallipolis, Ohio(740) 446-1711

60709419

McCoy MooreFuneral Homes, Inc.

(740) 446-0852Weatherholt Chapel

420 First AvenueGallipolis, Ohio 45631

740-388-8321Vinton Chapel21 Main Street

Vinton, Ohio 45686

Jared A. MooreDirector www.mccoymoore.com

60708141

MARAuDERS from page 28

was a little down last year and I think they’re going to come back strong. River Valley surprised me last year and I think they’re going to be strong again. Athens is of course going to be strong, and Nelsonville-York looked awesome. If we put it all together we can be right up there.”

The TVC Ohio meet will take place on May 4, at Vinton County High School. MHS will begin its postseason on its home track on May 16.


2017 MHStrack ScHedule

MARCH 28 Meigs Open, 4:45 30 at Jackson, 4:30 April 1 at Nelsonville-York, 9:30 4 at Chesapeake, 4:30 7 at Logan Mingo Relays, 4:30 11 at Jackson, 4:45 15 at Warren, 10 a.m. 18 Meigs Relays, 4:45 25 at Alexander, 4:30 27 at Vinton County, 4:30

MAY 4 at Vinton County (TVC Meet), 4:30 9 Meigs Invitational 4:45

BOYSDillon Mahr*Garrett BuckleyBrock RoushJared Kennedy*Nate Hoover*Grant Adams*James Parsons*Joseph BillingsleyAlex HensonWilliam Smith*Brian AckleyJake Roush*Zach Bartrum*Chris WardColton HeaterAndrew Monroe*Trevor Smith*Brady Smith*Cole AdamsCole Betzing*Cole Durst*Devon Hawley*

2017 MHS track roSter

Lane Cullums* Theo McElroy* Levi Chapman* Caleb Stanley Riley Ogdin* Matthew Jackson* Christian Jones Landon Acree Trenton Durst Bailey Caruthers* Marcel Funk Weston Baer Cole Hoffman* Brad Logan* Magnus McDaniel Harley McDonald Jake Perry* HEAD COACH Mike Kennedy (23rd season) * — indicates varsity returnee

2017 MHS track roSter

GIRLSDevyn OliverGracie Hoffman*Jessie Donohue*Hannah KennedySky Brown*Keira McCourt*Carlee SwartzHailey MarcumKati BrinkerLydia Edwards*

Taylor Swartz*Kassidy Betzing*Caitlyn Rest*Caroline Roush*Olivia Davis*Madison Cremeans*Ariann Sizemore*Carmen Doherty*Allie Hanstine*Sydney Kennedy*Tiffani Jacks

BLACK KNIGHTS from page 35

Andrew McComas* SrBryce Tayengco* JrHayden Fetty JrNick Newell JrDawson Wilson* SoCarson Chambers FrDylan Tayengco Fr

McKeehan Justus FrNick Smith FrHEAD COACHJohn Fields(10th season)* — indicates varsity returnee.

2017 ppHS boyStenniS ScHedule

MARCH 20 at Winfield 4:30 21 vs Spring Valley 4:30 23 vs Lincoln County 4:30 24 vs Ravenswood 4:30 25 at Scott 11 a.m. 27 vs Nitro 4:30 28 at Sissonville 4:30 29 vs Poca 4:30 30 vs Scott 4:30 31 vs Logan 4:30 APRIL 1 at Logan 11 a.m. 3 vs Sissonville 4:30 4 at Nitro 4:30 10 at Ravenswood 4:30 13 at Poca 4:30 24 vs Huntington St. Joe 4:30 25 vs Chapmanville 4:30 27 at HSJ (Ritter Park) 4:30 MAY 2 at Spring Valley (Ritter Park) 4:30

Justus and Nick Smith. Of the newcomers, Fields is expecting the most immediately from the two juniors and the younger Tayengco.

Fields is ultimately looking for improvement from each of his players, but the venerable mentor is also hoping for a little bit more from this group than just personal improvement.

“I think we can be competitive and I’m hoping a few of these guys can get through regionals and on to the state tournament,” Fields said. “To me, that would be a successful season for this group.”

Seven of Point’s first 10 matches will be at home, held at The Courts behind PPJSHS.

Senior Douglas Workman was unable to join the tennis team this year due to a knee injury suffered duing basketball season.


2017 ppHS boyS tenniS roSter

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RAIDER from page 30

never know what will actually unfold, but as of now, all of the coaching staff is really excited. So we will see,” said Smith. “But May is what matters.”


2017 rVHStrack ScHedule

MARCH 30 at Jackson 5 p.m. APRIL 1 at Ironton Invitational 6 at Southeastern Invitational 8 at South Gallia Invitational 11 at Gallia County meet (at South Gallia) 15 at Warren Invitational 10 a.m. 18 at Meigs Relays 4:45 p.m. 21 at Fairland Invitational 5:30 p.m. 25 River Valley quadrangular MAY 4 at Tri-Valley Conference meet (at Vinton County) 9 at Meigs meet

SENIORS Isaiah Beach J.D. Dummitt Scottie Hughes Josh Marcum Andrew Moffett Colton Provens Garrett Young

JuNIORS Nathaniel Abbott Kyle Coen Ian Eblin Chase Johnson Jarret McCarley George Rickett Gab Stapleton Tyson Still

SOPHOMORES Ethan Browning Jacob Campbell Jake Edwards Layne Fitch Cole Franklin Caleb McKnight Myles Morrison Alonzo Peck

Thomas Reese Trevor Simpson Rory Twyman Ty VanSickle Eric Weber

FRESHMEN Caleb Blankenship Joel Brumfield Jordon Burns Chase Caldwell Brandon Call Ethan Cline John Colwell Austin Livingston Noah Patterson Darian Peck Derek Reese Jared Reese Ryan Snyder Jack Swisher Cole Thaxton Cole Young

HEAD COACH Brent Smith (4th season)

from a share of the crown.The loss marked the

official end of the Blue Devils’ dominance of the SEOAL, as they had rolled through the league the previous three years.

Logan and Athens are the other two teams in the final-year four-team league.

In addition to Jackson, Logan and Athens, Gallia Academy is twice playing non-league foes Ironton, Portsmouth Notre Dame, Wheelersburg and Unioto.

“It should be a good year and we should be able to compete,” said Christian.


2017 GaHStenniS ScHedule

MARCH 29 Portsmouth Clay, 4:30 p.m. 30 at unioto 4:30 p.m.

APRIL 3 Athens 4:30 p.m. 4 at Logan 4:30 p.m. 5 at Wheelersburg 4:30 p.m. 6 Ironton 4:30 p.m. 7 Portsmouth Notre Dame 4:30 p.m. 17 at Athens 4:30 p.m. 19 unioto 4:30 p.m. 20 Chillicothe 4:30 p.m. 21 at Portsmouth Notre Dame 4:30 p.m. 24 at Jackson 4:30 p.m. 25 at Marietta 4:30 p.m. 26 Wheelersburg 4:30 p.m. 27 Logan 4:30 p.m. MAY 1 at Ironton 4:30 p.m. 3 Marietta 4:30 p.m. 4 Jackson 4:30 p.m. 8/9 at Division II sectional meet (at Portsmouth) 15/20 at Division II district meet (at Athens)


SENIORS Gabby Adkins Abby Campbell Maggie Campbell Madison Hartley Leanne Hively Brianna McGuire Bridgett Wray

JuNIORS Yolanda Andre Kenzie Baker Jenna Burke Hannah Hawks Alyssa Lollathon Sarah Moffett Kabria Pleasant Jessica Sorbara Madison Taber Caitlin Theiss SOPHOMORES Kelsey Brown Madi Burd

Destiny Dotson Jordan Garrison Beth Gillman Leah Larson Savannah McGraw Isabella Moore Ashley Morris Julia Nutter Rakia Penick Hannah Thomas

FRESHMEN Hanna Davis Evalena Ehman Gabrielle Gibson Kaylee Gillman Andrea Green Elisabeth Moffett Savannah Reese

HEAD COACH Brent Smith (4th season)

2017 rVHS GirlS track roSter

2017 rVHS boyS track roSter


REBEL from page 31

Paul Boggs/OVP Sports Pictured are members of the 2017 South Gallia High School girls varsity track and field team. From left, Olivia Harrison, Autumn Norris, Katie Bowling, Jaslyn Bowers, Jessica Luther, Alyssa Cremeans and head coach Marcus Myers. Absent when the photo was taken was Allison Lockhart.

Cremeens, Jaslyn Bowers, Olivia Harrison and Alison Lockhart.

“We’ve got a good group. We have a large variety of freshmen, sophomores, junior and seniors. It’s pretty nice and spread out. I am liking the numbers this year. We have 30 kids out here,” said Myers.

Bevan and Folden will compete in the sprint events, as Janey returns in the one-mile and two-mile runs.

Brycen Caudill, a senior newcomer, caught Myers’ eye for middle distance —particularly the 400m dash.

Norris and Luther — cross country runners at South Gallia — look to lead the Lady Rebels.

Luther likely will run distance, but Norris — a foreign-exchange student from Scotland who is planning on running at the University of Rio Grande — is focusing on sprints.

“Both of those girls are very good leaders and hard workers, and I can’t think of two better people to lead a group of freshmen girls,” said Myers. “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it as long as I’m here, but I’ve never had anyone work as hard as Jessica Luther has. She is the heart and soul of any team that she is on. I’m hoping some of that rubs off on some of those freshmen girls.”

Speaking of the five freshmen, Myers said he “expects really good things” from them.

Myers coached them in junior high when they were in the seventh grade.

“This is the first chance I’ve had to re-unite with them,” he said.

Cremeens competes in the three sprints (100m, 200m and 400m), while Olivia Harrison

hurdles (100m and 300m).This season, South Gallia

gets two host meets — the annual Gallia County meet on Tuesday, April 11, which is preceded three days earlier by the South Gallia Invitational (Saturday, April 8).

The Rebels will travel to five invitationals: at Ironton (April 1), Warren (April 15), Fairland (April 21), South Point (April 28) and Rock Hill (May 5).

“We’re actually going away from the TVC this year prior to the TVC meet,” said Myers. “Just trying to prevent a mental block when we get further into the season. When we get to the TVC meet and districts, it’s going to be fresh minds, clean slates.”

But rather than a mental block, how about the building block at South Gallia with an explosion in numbers.

“I’m expecting pretty good things this year. I’m just happy that the program is growing,”

2017 SGHStrack ScHedule

MARCH 28 at Vinton County

APRIL 1 at Ironton Invitational 8 South Gallia Invitational 11 Gallia County meet (at South Gallia) 15 at Warren Invitational 21 at Fairland Invitational 25 at River Valley quadrangular 28 at South Point Invitational

MAY 5 at Rock Hill Invitational

2017 SGHStrack roSterS

2017 SGHStrack roSterS

SENIORS Brycen Caudill Autumn Norris Johnny Sheets Elijah Warner JuNIORS Dakota Bettis Colton Bowers Alex Peck SOPHOMORES Gavin Bevan Chad Bostic Sam Cudd Tanner Dennison Bryceton Folden Tristan Janey Jessica Luther Wyatt Rapp

FRESHMEN Jacob Bircher Jaslyn Bowers Katie Bowling Jared Burdette Justin Butler Alyssa Cremeens Olivia Harrison Alison Lockhart Caleb Neal Jacob Neal Kyle Northup Jeffery Sheets Nolan Stanley HEAD COACH Marcus Myers (2nd season)

said Myers. “Every kid that is out here wants to be out here and they are excited about it. All you can ask for as a coach is having a big group of kids who

are dedicated and committed with positive attitudes.”


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TVC Ohio Baseball

ALEXANDER (9-3): Chace Harris Jr; Lukas Thompson Sr; Mason Chapman Sr; Aric Russell Sr; Shea Grigsby Sr; Kyle Howard Sr; Cory Chapman Sr

MEIGS (9-3): Cody Bartrum Jr; Chase Whitlatch Jr; Kaileb Sheets Sr; Layne Acree Jr; Luke Musser Jr; Christian Mattox So; Alec Bissell Sr

WELLSTON (9-3): Noah Henry Jr; Connor Bates So; Levi Rafferty Sr; Braydon Womeldorf Sr; Nick Cox Jr; Hunter Whalen Jr; Michael Graham So

ATHENS (7-5): Brendan Sato Jr; Brody Rodgers Jr; Brock Stewart Jr

RIVER VALLEY (3-9): Dillon Ragan Sr; Bailey Rhodes Jr; Jamie Bainter Sr

VINTON COUNTY (3-9): Austin Ward Sr; Noah Waddell So; Jeffrey Harper So

NELSONVILLE-YORK (2-10): Garrett Maiden So; Reece Robson Fr

Co-Offensive MVP:Brendan Sato (Athens) and Cody

Bartrum (Meigs)Defensive MVP:Chace Harris, AlexanderCoach of the Year:Morgan Stevens, Wellston

tVc oHio Softball

ALEXANDER (12-0): Kendall Meeks Sr; Hannah Howery Sr; Shyla Johnson Jr; Nicole Hudnall Jr; Abby Howard So; Meghan Trout Sr; Hunter Markins Jr

MEIGS (10-2): Sadie Fox Sr; Katie Gilkey Sr; Aaliyah Pullins Jr; Devyn Oliver Jr; Danielle Morris Jr

WELLSTON (8-4): Katelyn Stewart Sr; Brittany Downard Jr; Ashley Compston Fr; Erica Scott Fr

RIVER VALLEY (5-7): Ashley Gilmore Sr; Reilly Barcus Sr; Erin Morgan Sr

ATHENS (4-8): Kaylee Stewart Fr; Kat Kroutel Jr; Grace Pratt So

VINTON COUNTY (3-9): Cayla Allen Sr; Brianna Hunt Jr; Darian Radabaugh So

NELSONVILLE-YORK (0-12): Alisa Kelly Sr; Emma Frazier Jr

Offensive MVP:Hannah Howery, AlexanderDefensive MVP:Kendall Meeks, AlexanderCoach of the Year:Dave McLaughlin, Alexander

tVc HockinG baSeball

WAHAMA (13-3): Philip Hoffman Jr; Mason Hicks Sr; Jared Nutter Sr; Ricky Kearns Sr; Tyler Grimm Sr; Jared Oliver Jr; Colton Arrington So

WATERFORD (13-3): Devyn Farley Sr; Clay Hayes Jr; Braden Bellville Fr; Isaac Huffman Jr; Riley Burns Jr; Cameron Bosner Sr; Noah Huffman So

TRIMBLE (13-3): Andrew Losey Sr; Dante Brammer Sr; Kamron Curry Jr; Cody Jones Sr; Ryan Richards Jr; Brandon Layton Sr; Justin Barnhart Sr

EASTERN (11-5): Cameron Richmond Sr; Jesse Morris Sr; Austin Coleman So; Ethen Richmond So

SOUTHERN (10-6): Dylan Smith So; Trey Pickens Jr; Blake Johnson Jr

BELPRE (6-10): Kole Counts Sr; Tavian Miller Sr; Bailey Sprague So

MILLER (4-12): Garrett Bartley Sr; Taylor Newman Sr; Cole Geil Jr

FEDERAL HOCKING (1-15): Davon Maxey Sr; Chase Reed So; Dillon Wilfong Jr

SOUTH GALLIA (1-15): Cuyler Mills Sr; Coleton Coughenour Jr; Corey Bryan Jr

Co-Offensive MVP:Dante Brammer (Trimble) and Philip

Hoffman (Wahama)Defensive MVP:Cameron Richmond, EasternCoach of the Year:Brian Bowen, Eastern

tVc HockinG Softball

EASTERN (15-1): Jessica Coleman Jr; Katlyn Barber Jr; Sidney Cook So; Mollie Maxon Fr; Emmalea Durst Fr; Taylynn Rockhold Jr; Hannah Bailey Jr

BELPRE (12-4): Katie Osburn So; Lauryn Simmons So; Madison Harman So; Bri Elkins Jr; Olivia Shutts Fr

TRIMBLE (12-4): Nikki Kish Sr; Alyssa Turley So; Kaitlyn Spears So; Emily Ward Jr; Hannah Warren Sr

SOUTHERN (11-5): Ali Deem Sr; Brandy Porter Sr; Paige VanMater So; Hannah Hill Sr

WAHAMA (10-6): Rachel Roque Sr; Morgan Harrison Sr; Emmalee Broyles Sr

FEDERAL HOCKING (5-11): Skylar Hatfield Jr; Chelsea Washburn Sr; Tyra Mayle So

WATERFORD (5-11): Paige McCutcheon Sr; Denise Young Fr; Madison Ohse Jr

MILLER (1-15): Hannah Dishon Sr; Chloe Rine So; Chelsea Spergin Sr

SOUTH GALLIA (1-15): Allyssa Stapleton Sr; Maddie Simpson Jr; Olivia Hornsby So

Offensive MVP:Alyssa Turley, TrimbleDefensive MVP:Jessica Coleman, EasternCoach of the Year:Char Richards, Trimble

2016 ALL-TVC BASEBALL/SOFTBALL TEAMS


7 Blue Devils named All-OVC baseball

4 Blue Angels earn all-OVC honors

CENTENARY, Ohio — They were the new kids on the block, but these veteran Blue Devils definitely did their jobs.

That’s because seven Gallia Academy High School baseball members — including four first-teamers and two Honorable Mention selections — are the first to be recognized as all-Ohio Valley Conference baseball honorees.

At long last, the all-OVC list was publicly released on Saturday (July 30), as Gallia Academy completed its initial season (2016) in the OVC.

The all-OVC baseball squad is selected by the league’s coaches, and league champion Gallia Academy had four players named to the first team.

Indeed, the Blue Devils captured the outright conference championship with an 11-3 record, as all four first-teamers were seniors — followed by a senior and a freshman for Honorable Mention.

There are no Players of the Year selected, but Gallia Academy head coach Rich Corvin garnered Coach of the Year.

Corvin completed his 13th season this spring as the Blue Devils’ head coach.

League runners-up Portsmouth and

South Point amounted three first-team picks, followed by two first-teamers apiece from Ironton, Chesapeake, Fairland and Coal Grove.

Rock Hill had one first-team choice.All eight OVC schools are allotted two

automatic Honorable Mention selections.For Gallia Academy, seniors Anthony

Sipple, Kole Carter, Marcus Moore and Matt Bailey boasted first-team honors, while fellow senior Ryan Terry was named Honorable Mention.

The final Blue Devil honoree, and also Honorable Mention, was freshman ace

pitcher Josh Faro.The first-team Portsmouth picks were

Ryan Williams, Zach Delotel and Reese Johnson, while South Point’s picks for first team were Chris Woodard, Logan Wade and Douglas Shaffer.

Jake Isaac and Kyle Kleinman made first team for Ironton, while Dakota Blankenship and Kolten Webb were the first-team selections for Chesapeake.

Collin Damron and Hayden James joined the first-team list from Fairland, while Daniel Rutherford and Chase McKnight made first team from Coal Grove.

Sean McFann was Rock Hill’s only first-teamer.

Besides Terry and Faro, the Honorable Mention honorees included Dylan Mullins and Ty Oliver of Portsmouth; Tanner Hall and Christian Pritchard of South Point; Hunter Klaiber and Larry Morris of Ironton; Casey McComas and Blake Ashworth of Chesapeake; Tyler George and Seth Clay from Fairland; Jake Clark and Jeb Jones of Coal Grove; and Brandon Schob and Heath Carpenter of Rock Hill.



CENTENARY, Ohio — Four Blue Angels are officially in the history books.

That’s because four Gallia Academy High School softball players — two first-teamers and two Honorable Mention selections — are the first to be recognized as all-Ohio Valley Conference softball honorees.

At long last, the all-OVC list was publicly released on Sunday, as Gallia Academy completed its initial season in the OVC.

The all-OVC softball squad is selected by the league’s coaches, as league champion Rock Hill had four players named to the first team.

League runners-up Coal Grove and Ironton amounted

three first-team picks, followed by Gallia Academy, South Point and Portsmouth with two first-teamers apiece.

Chesapeake and Fairland finished with one first-team choice.

All eight OVC schools are allotted two automatic Honorable Mention selections.

There are no Players of the Year selected, but Rock Hill head coach Sam Gue garnered Coach of the Year.

For the Blue Angels, the club’s only senior Makenzie Barr made the first team — along with the Blue and White’s only freshman in pitcher Hunter Copley.

Gallia Academy catcher Jenna Meadows made Honorable Mention, along with infielder Kimberly Edelmann.

Rock Hill’s first-team choices

included Jenna Lane, Makenzi Harrah, Kaci Russell and Jill Hairston, while Kasey Murphy, Lauren Crum and Lauren Meyer mustered first team for Coal Grove.

Ironton’s honorees on first team were Aley Carmon, McKenzie Cremeens and Kylie Barcus.

Haley Rawlins and Abby Hannah were South Point’s first-team picks, as were Portsmouth’s Sharia Kearns and Andi Queen.

Kelsey Huff of Chesapeake and Mollie Morris for Fairland rounded out the first-team squad.

In addition to Meadows and Edelmann, the Honorable Mention list featured Riann Keating and Anna Darby of Rock Hill, Gracie Riley and

Mckenzie Moore of Coal Grove, Katie Burcham and Ruthie Pahlosky of Ironton, Emilee Powell and Keiana Conwell of South Point, Semajah Parker and Wesleigh Jackson of Portsmouth, Melanie Noble and Brooke Webb of Chesapeake, and Morgan Fridley and Madison Kazee for Fairland.


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GAHS TRACK from page 25 OVCS TRACK from page 33

2017 GAHSGIRLS TRACK ROSTER

SENIORS Caitlin Caldwell Rylee Caldwell Kristen Hannon Sabrina Manygoats Madi Oiler Mesa Polcyn Mary Watts JuNIORS Hailey Deem Grace Martin Bethany Purdum SOPHOMORES Taylor Burnette Abby Cremeans Trinity Eggers Alyssa Marxen Gretchen McConnell Haylee Polinsky Mckenzie Skidmore Jamie Steger Ashley Turley FRESHMEN Alex Barnes Alexia Burnette Eliza Davies Taylor Facemire Abby Johnson Brooke Johnson Peri Martin Alexis Massie Jayetta Newsome Kati Queen Karsyn Shamblin Abby VanSickle Maddie Wright HEAD COACH Todd May (2nd season)

2017 GAHS TRACK SCHEDuLE

APRIL 1 at Nelsonville-York Invitational 6 Gallia Academy Saunders Relays 11 Gallia County meet (at South Gallia) 15 at Parkersburg (W. Va.) Invitational 21 at Fairland Invitational 25 vs. Point Pleasant (Battle for The Anchor) 28 at South Point Invitational MAY 2 at Coal Grove Invitational 13 Ohio Valley Conference meet (at Gallia Academy) 16/20 Division II district meet (at Meigs) 25/27 Division II regional meet (at Athens)

SENIORS Devon Barnes Kaleb Crisenbery Colton Fallon Drew Hall Isaiah Lester Cade Mason Dylan Nunn Garrett Rodgers JuNIORS Ezra Blain Zac Bokal Pedro Carrascal Kobe Cochran Oliver Davies Caleb Greenlee Kyle Greenlee Braden Jamora Jonas McCreedy Nathan Michell Ethan Rider Cody Rodgers Blake Woods SOPHOMORES Kaden Ehman Derek Henry Nicholas Sheets FRESHMEN Rylan Armstrong Elijah Blazer Logan Blouir Ryan Donovsky Ian Hill Cole Rose Grant Smith Isaiah Stinson Head Coach Paul Close (15th season)

2017 GAHSBOYS TRACK ROSTER

2017 oVcStrack ScHedule

MARCH 24 at Point Pleasant Invitational APRIL 11 Gallia County meet (at South Gallia) 14 at Winfield (W. Va.) Invitational 21 at Doddridge County (W. Va.) Invitational 25 at River Valley quadrangular 28/29 at Charleston (W. Va.) Gazette Relays

annual Gallia County meet, while West Virginia-heavy meets at Winfield (April 14) and Doddridge County (April 21) are also on the docket.

Finally, just three days after competing at River Valley’s quadrangular, the Defenders will take part in the two-day Charleston Gazette Relays.

That prominent meet features clubs from West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio.

Handley said he is excited about the upcoming campaign.

“I’m looking forward to the season, and it’s been a lot of fun working with these kids the last four years,” he said.


April 6.Hopefully for Gallia Academy,

those astonishing numbers can stay at — or near — 64 all year.

“That is a lot of kids. And we don’t have a lot of senior-itis right now like we did last year,” said May. “Last season, we didn’t have kids 100-percent committed. Our start to this season has been really stress-free.”



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Good Luck to All Area Teams!

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