SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
The Ohio High School Athletic Association Board of Directors approved the 2024 football divisional breakdowns and regional assignments during this week’s April board meeting and the results show Van Wert is staying put in Division IV, Region 14, but Crestview is on the move to a different division and a different region.
While there’s no change for Van Wert, there are some notable changes for Region 14, which remains one of the most widespread regions in all of Ohio, regardless of division. New to Region 14 this year: Bay Village Bay, Lodi Cloverleaf , Clyde, Ontario and Rossford, (previously all Division III, Region 10); Brookside Sheffield, Lorain Clearview, Otsego, and Ottawa-Glandorf, (previously all Division V, Region 18); Elida, (previously Division III, Region 12), and Orville, (previously Division V, Region 17).
Other notable changes in Region 14 include St. Marys Memorial moving to Division III, Region 12, and two-time Division IV state champion Glenville’s move to Region 13.
Crestview is moving from Division VII, Region 26, to Division VI, Region 22, along with several other area schools, including Spencerville and Patrick Henry. Perennial power Huron, who competed in Division IV as recently as 2018, is now in Region 22 as well.
Area schools remaining in Region 22 include Allen East, Bluffton, Hicksville, Parkway, Paulding, Tinora and Wayne Trace. One notable depature from Region 22 is Columbus Grove – the Bulldogs are moving down to Division VII, Region 26. In effect, Crestview and Columbus Grove are swapping spots, as those are the only changes in Region 26.
Other area schools remaining in Region 26 include Antwerp, Ayersville, Edgerton, Delphos Jefferson, Lima Central Catholic and Delphos St. John’s.
Here is a breakdown of the WBL, NWC, GMC and MAC by 2024 divisions. The GMC is the only area conference not affected by the changes.
WBL
Division III, Region 10: Defiance, Shawnee (previously in Region 12)
Division III, Region 12: Celina, St. Marys Memorial (previously Region 14), Wapakoneta
Division IV, Region 14: Elida (previously Region 12), Kenton, Ottawa-Glandorf (previously Region 18), Van Wert
Division V, Region 20: Bath (previously Region 14)
NWC (including new members Lima Central Catholic and Fort Loramie)
(more…)POSTED: 04/26/24 at 9:13 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
VW independent sports
Softball
Van Wert 23 Ottawa-Glandorf 6 (five innings)
OTTAWA — Emma West had an eye-popping day for Van Wert with four hits, including two home runs, a possible school-record nine RBI and two runs scored and the Cougars pulled away from Ottawa-Glandorf, 21-6 on Friday.
In addition, West earned the complete game win, stricking out three and walking two.
Van Wert led 8-6 after two innings, but the Cougars put up seven runs in the third, then three more in the fourth and fifth innings.
Audrey Wollet had two hits and three RBI and Alexis Pangle, Emma Haines and Katie DeAmicis each had two hits, including a home run by Pangle and a triple by DeAmicis.
Van Wert (2-10) is scheduled to play at Paulding on Monday.
Lincolnview 23 Kalida 0 (five innings)
KALIDA — Lincolnview scored nine runs in the first inning and never looked back on the way to a five inning, 24-0 win over Kalida on Friday. The Lancers have won their last two games by a combined margin of 52-2.
Addysen Stevens led Lincolnview with three hits, four RBI and three runs scored. Ashlyn Price had two hits, including a home run, three RBI and three runs scored, and Lainey Spear finished with a pair of hits, two RBI and two runs scored. Taylor Post hit a home run and drove in two runs.
Sydney Fackler, Post and Emma Bowersock teamed up to allow just two Kalida hits while fanning 10.
The Lancers (12-1) are scheduled to play at Liberty-Benton today.
Baseball
Van Wert 4 Ottawa-Glandorf 1
Van Wert scored three runs in the sixth inning, including a two-out, two-RBI single by Kristian Akerman, and the Cougars won their fourth straight game, 4-1 over Ottawa-Glandorf on Friday.
Sam Houg and Case Stegaman also drove in runs for Van Wert and Hayden Davis notched a pair of hits. Briston Wise allowed six hits, struck out 12 and walked just two to get the complete game win.
Van Wert (7-6, 4-1 WBL) will play at Shawnee on Tuesday.
Crestview 7 Spencerville 0
SPENCERVILLE — Crestview scored six runs in the first inning and the Knights went on to defeat Spencerville 7-0 on Friday.
The two teams combined for just nine hits, and Hunter Jones and Ayden Hyitt each drove in two runs Crestview (10-1, 5-0 NWC). Preston Kreischer picked up the win by allowing just two hits and striking out three in four innings of work.
The Knights will host Ada on Monday.
Tennis
Shawnee 4 Van Wert 1
WBL leader Shawnee defeated Van Wert 4-1 on Friday.
The lone win for the Cougars came at second doubles, where Fletcher Smith and Kaedyn Swander defeated Cale Adams and Daniel Koh 6-2, 2-6, 6-3.
Van Wert (6-6, 3-4 WBL) will host Elida on Monday.
POSTED: 04/26/24 at 9:11 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
VW independent sports
Baseball
Van Wert 2 Kenton 1
At Russell Fisher Field, Kaydin Donner’s pinch hit RBI single in the seventh inning scored Spencer Clay and gave Van Wert a 2-1 walk-off win over Kenton on Thursday. Prior to that, Kristian Akerman had a big pinch hit single that started the final inning rally.
Van Wert’s only other run came in the third when McCracken scored on a fielder’s choice by Briston Wise. Sam Houg had two of Van Wert’s six hits and Hayden Davis earned the complete game victory by allowing just three hits, while striking out two and walking two.
Van Wert 6-6 (3-1 WBL) is scheduled to host Ottawa-Glandorf today.
Crestview 3 Delphos Jefferson 2
DELPHOS — Crestview scored a pair of runs in the top of the sixth inning and that proved to be the difference in a 3-2 win over Delphos Jefferson on Thursday.
The two runs came on a two-RBI single by Evan Hart and it scored Hayden Buuck and pinch runner DJ Yinger. Crestview’s other run was scored in the first inning when Hunter Jones crossed home plate on a single by Zaine Cerigan.
Owen Heckler and Bryson Penix combined to strike out nine Wildcat batters.
Crestview (9-1, 4-0 NWC) is scheduled to play at Spencerville today.
Lincolnview 3 Bluffton 2
BLUFFTON — Lincolnview improved to 11-4 (3-0 NWC) with a 3-2 win over Bluffton at Bluffton University on Thursday.
The Lancers snapped a 1-1 tie in the fifth, when Holden Price scored on an error and Austin Brockrath scored on a grounder by Myles Moody. Price finished with a team high two hits and Luke Bollenbacher picked up the win on the mound after allowing eight hits with nine strikeouts and just one walk.
Lincolnview will host Allen East on Monday.
Softball
Lincolnview 29 Bluffton 2 (five innings)
BLUFFTON — Hits and runs were plentiful for Lincolnview on Thursday, as the Lancers rolled to a five inning, 29-2 win over Bluffton at Bluffton University.
(more…)POSTED: 04/26/24 at 3:37 am. FILED UNDER: Sports
VW independent sports
In a home non-conference match, Van Wert defeated Ada 4-1 on Thursday.
The Cougars picked up wins at second singles, where Aaron Reichert defeated Justin Bowden 6-3, 6-0, and third singles, with Jaymison Moynihan topping Bradon Prater 6-3, 6-0. Van Wert also won at both singles spots – Caleb Bledsoe and Devon Story defeated Luke Archer and Josh Thaxton 6-3, 6-2 at first singles, and Fletcher Smith and Kaedyn Swander blanked Jesse Okuly and Lawson Klingler 6-0, 6-0.
“We’ve had a successful run of matches recently, I’m really proud of our guy’s efforts the past few nights,” head coach Eli Alvarez said. “We’ve accomplished a lot of the preseason goals we set for ourselves. But we also know there’s still work to be done, and there are many areas left for us to improve. Our toughest matches are still to come, and we are excited for the challenges they’ll bring.”
The Cougars also picked up JV wins from Keaton Sudduth, JeJe Rilometo, Nash Pugsley, Kole Swander, Jonas Rollins, and Cole Story.
Van Wert (6-5) is scheduled to host Shawnee today.
POSTED: 04/26/24 at 3:36 am. FILED UNDER: Sports
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
After a five-year break from the top spot, it felt like a good time for former Crestview coach Jeremy Best to get back in the game as a head coach. He’s not going to have to go far to once again lead a program.
Best was officially named as Van Wert’s new boys basketball coach during Wednesday’s school board meeting. He’s replacing Ben Laudick, who resigned after five seasons as head coach.
“The opportunity presented itself and coaching was something I had done for 21 years as a head coach,” Best said. “The five years away (from being a head coach) changed some perspective and made me put some things at the forefront that were more important and maybe some things I wanted to do better outside of coaching, but I think having the full support of my family to jump back into something like this, it just fit the situation.”
“The itch is part of it but I miss kids, I missed relationships, I missed leading a group of young men and building a culture within a program that I always enjoyed doing during my time as a coach,” he added. “I’m excited to do that again.”
In 17 years as head coach at Crestview, Best compiled a record of 291-110, two state championships (2014 and 2019), a state runner-up trophy in 2003, six Northwest Conference titles, as well as 10 sectional, four district, and three regional championships. He was also named NWC Coach of the Year five times, District 8 Coach of the Year twice, and State Basketball Coaches Association Coach of the Year twice. Prior to Crestview, Best spent four years as head coach at his alma mater, Edon, and has 314 career wins.
After sitting out for two years, Best spent three seasons as girls’ varsity assistant basketball coach at Crestview and noted that gave him a different perspective.
“It probably made me respect that position a lot more maybe than what I did,” Best said. “I always had great assistants when I was a head coach and the assistants are important for what you do in your program. It allowed me to build a different relationship with players…it allowed me to watch the game a little bit differently sometimes.”
As he takes over Van Wert’s program, which enjoyed a Division II regional runner-up finish in 2022-2023 and is coming off a 4-19 season, Best said his top priority is to start establishing relationships.
“That’s where it all starts,” he stated. “I have to get to know the guys and the parents and I’m in the process of starting to put together a staff, so that’s all part of that process too and that’s what’s most exciting, is getting back into the culture of building relationships and moving toward a goal of putting a good product on the floor. We know that takes time and I’m excited about that journey.”
(more…)POSTED: 04/25/24 at 3:41 am. FILED UNDER: Sports
VW independent sports
Baseball
Van Wert 12 St. Marys Memorial 2 (six innings)
ST. MARYS — Sam Houg and Case Stegaman each drove in three runs and Van Wert defeated St. Marys Memorial 12-2 in six innings on Wednesday.
Stegaman singled in a pair of runs in the first inning and Houg doubled in three runs in the fourth. Griff McCracken finished with two RBI and Brylen Parker and Briston Wise each had three hits, while Kaden Shaffer recorded a pair of hits. Houg earned the complete game victory by allowing six hits and striking out four Roughrider batters.
The Cougars (5-6, 2-1 WBL) are scheduled to host Ottawa-Glandorf on Friday.
Delphos St. John’s 3 Lincolnview 0
Cam Elwer held Lincolnview to just four hits over seven innings and the Blue Jays defeated No. 10 Lincolnview 3-0 on Wednesday. Elwer struck out seven and walked just one.
Aiden Hardesty had two of Lincolnview’s hits. Austin Moenter, Aaron Moenter and Grant Ulm each had an RBI for St. John’s. The Blue Jays scored all three of their runs on three successive at-bats in the fifth inning.
Both teams are back in action today. Delphos St. John’s (5-7) will host St. Henry and Lincolnview will travel to Bluffton.
Softball
Bath 13 Crestview 4
CONVOY — Bath scored nine runs in the final three innings and the Wildkittens pulled away from Crestview 13-4 on Wednesday.
Three of Crestview’s four runs came on Bath errors. Kayley Mollenkopf had two of Crestview’s seven hits.
The Lady Knights will play at Delphos Jefferson today.
POSTED: 04/25/24 at 3:41 am. FILED UNDER: Sports
Crestview’s Connor Sheets has signed a letter of intent to play baseball at Wright State University-Lake Campus in Celina. The Lakers compete in the USCAA (United States Collegiate Athletic Association). Photo submitted
POSTED: 04/25/24 at 3:40 am. FILED UNDER: Sports
VW independent sports/submitted information
DELPHOS — The Lancer track teams competed at the Delphos St. John’s Invitational on Saturday and both teams came away with championship trophies. The boys scored 183 points with Delphos St. John’s nearly 100 points behind them. The girls scored 172 points, beating host St John;s by nearly 40 points.
“It was great meet for us, especially given that it was our 4th meet in 6 days,” Lincolnview head coach Matt Langdon said. “The kids really responded despite being a bit worn down from the week. We have a couple of meets this week and then we get to take a breath before NWC and state tournament arrives.”
“I love the focus and fight of this team and their attention to detail,” he added. “They have been a joy to coach.”
Top 2 finishers for the boys:
Steven Smith second in both the shot put and the discus
Cody Ricker second in the long jump, 110 hurdles, and 300 hurdles
Kaleb Denman first in the pole vault
Alex Hefner second in the pole vault
Kordane Thomas second in the 100m dash
Conner Baldauf first in the 400 and second in the 800m run
Kreston Tow first in both the 800m run and the 1600m run
Maddox Norton first in the 3200m run
Trace Klausing second in the 400m dash
Evan Johns second in the 1600m run
4×200 relay first (Tyler Spray, Kaleb Denman, Trace Klausing, and Kordane Thomas)
4×400 relay first (Kreston Tow, Evan Johns, Trace Klausing, and Conner Baldauf)
4×800 relay first (Maddox Norton, Zander Coil, Kale Kundert, and Evan Johns)
Mixed relay first (Lindsey Hatcher, Harper Reindel, Cody Ricker, and Conner Baldauf)
Top 2 finishers for the girls:
Beth Hughes first in the shot put
Ella Elling first in the discus and second in the shot put
Jayden Bragg second In the discus
Kara Suever second in the high jump
Sydney King first in the pole vault
Saige Menke second in the pole vault
Brynleigh Moody first in the 800m run and 400m dash, second in the 1600m run
Kendall Hoffman first in the 1600m run
Brooklyn Byrne second in the 800m run
4×800 relay first (Brooklyn Byrne, Ava Milligan, Kendall Hoffman, and Brynleigh Moody)
POSTED: 04/23/24 at 12:41 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
VW independent sports
Softball
Van Wert 15 Ottoville 1 (five innings)
Kaitlyn Beair had quite a day for Van Wert. Beair had three hits, including two doubles, four RBI, scored a run and on the mound, held Ottoville to just three hits with seven strikeouts, as the Cougars defeated Ottoville 15-1 in five innings on Monday. It was the first win for Van Wert this season.
Emma Haines had three hits, an RBI and scored four runs and Emma Kennedy finished with a pair of hits and three runs scored. Katie DeAmicis had two hits and an RBI in the win. Van Wert set the tone early by scoring three runs in the first inning, then five more in the second and five in the third.
Van Wert is scheduled to host St. Marys Memorial today.
Lincolnview 7 Columbus Grove 2
Ashlyn Price homered and tripled and drove in two runs to lead No. 8 Lincolnview to a 7-2 home win over Columbus Grove on Monday. Taylor Post pitched all seven innings and allowed five hits while striking out 11.
Lincolnview (10-1) will play at Bluffton on Thursday.
Baseball
Lincolnview 11 Columbus Grove 1 (five innings)
Freshman Seth Brant went 3-3 at the plate and Austin Bockrath added two hits to help Lincolnview to a five inning, 11-1 win over Columbus Grove yesterday.
The Lancers are scheduled to host Lima Central Catholic today.
Crestview 5 Allen East 4 (eight innings)
CONVOY – The Knights improved to 8-1 with an eight inning, 5-4 win over Allen East on Monday.
Zaine Cereghin had two hits and two RBI, including the game winner.
Crestview will host Delphos Jefferson on Thursday.
Tennis
Van Wert 5 Defiance 0
The Cougars enjoyed their second straight 5-0 victory, this time over Defiance on Monday. The victory evened Van Wert’s record at 5-5 (3-3 WBL).
At first singles, Keaton Foster defeated Jackson Honsberger 6-2, 6-4, while Aaron Reichert won at second singles, 6-0, 6-3 over Carmine Castaneda. At third singles, Jaymison Moynihan cruised to a 6-0, 6-0 win over Reese Fredrick. The first doubles team of Caleb Bledsoe and Devon Story topped Nate Herod and Aden Hill 6-2, 6-3, and the second doubles team of Fletcher Smith and Kaedyn Swander beat Darwing Chavez and Noah Hohenbrink 6-0, 6-3.
“Another 5-0 win feels great, especially against a league opponent,” head coach Eli Alvarez said. “We have a busy week ahead of us and this is a great start to it.”
Van Wert is scheduled to play at Ottawa-Glandorf today.
POSTED: 04/23/24 at 5:24 am. FILED UNDER: Sports
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
The latest installment of Random Thoughts centers around a record setting performance, a new hoops coach, several new hoops coaches, Lincolnview softball and UM football.
Owen Scott
Congratulations to Van Wert High School distance runner Owen Scott for setting a new school record in the 3200 meter run.
Scott s time of 9:37.79 at last week’s Ottawa-Glandorf Gold Medal Meet broke the previous record held by Jared Fleming. Something tells me Scott may top his own record before the season is over and since he’s just a junior, it won t be at all surprising if it tops it more than once next season.
Best
Excitement is high over the announcement that former Crestview basketball coach Jeremy Best will take over Van Wert’s boys basketball program. It still needs approval by the school board but that s just a formality. A vote is expected at tomorrow’s meeting.
WBL hoops
The hiring of Best fills one of five WBL boys basketball vacancies, so literally, half of the league will have new head coaches next year.
Dre White has been hired at Bath. I believe there are still openings at Elida, St. Marys Memorial and Kenton. You may need a program just to keep the new coaches straight this winter.
Softball
Don’t look now, but Lincolnview is 10-1 and the Lancers appear to have picked up right where they left off the previous couple of seasons. There’s no shortage of hitters and pitching is becoming a strength as well. This could be a very fun team to watch at tournament time.
Michigan
For those who thought Michigan s football program would receive more severe sanctions from the NCAA, here’s some food for thought.
(more…)POSTED: 04/23/24 at 5:23 am. FILED UNDER: Sports
