Sports

Lady Panther spikers down Triad Cardinals in three sets
Sports
Triad’s Reagyn Welty (2) sends the ball past Avery Gallmeyer and Gracie Boyer of Fairbanks. FHS downed the Cardinals in three sets. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
By Tim Miller 
September 2, 2025
When Fairbanks High School head volleyball coach Allison Gorton was asked what she liked during a recent match against Ohio Heritage Conference neighbor Triad, she said it was everything. Her assessme...
Triad Cardinals drop grid contest at Bucyrus
Sports
By Aleksei Pavloff 
August 30, 2025
Triad’s football team suffered its second straight loss to Bucyrus, 42-21, during Friday’s gridiron matchup. Inconsistency and setbacks were the main thing Cardinal coach Mike Braun saw from his team....
Jonathan Alder hangs on for win over Columbus Academy
Sports
Trey Bentley (3) of Jonathan Alder watches the ball drop into his hands for a touchdown pass against Columbus Academy. The Pioneers improved to 2-0 with a 14-12 victory. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
By Tim Miller 
August 30, 2025
Some people might think the second week of any football season is much too early for a “statement” type of game. That may or may not have been the case with Jonathan Alder’s 14-12 victory over Columbu...
Wildcats pummel Liberty Union
Sports
North Union’s Wyatt Arver (21) takes advantage of his blockers and picks up yardage against Liberty Union. The Wildcats rolled to their first victory of the season. (Photo submitted)
By Bob Putman 
August 30, 2025
There was one word the North Union coaches wanted to get to their football players following last week’s three-point loss to Pleasant. “I thought the word of the week was respond and I think they did ...
Lack of ground game spells setback for Fairbanks Panthers
Sports
Fairbanks’ Evan Wiedmann (14) intercepts a pass during the second quarter of Friday’s 31-8 loss at Indian Lake. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Aleksei Pavloff 
August 30, 2025
Fairbanks struggled to get offensive drives together Friday in what turned into a 31-8 loss at Indian Lake. “We thought that perhaps we could run the ball way better than what we did and we just could...
Line play leads charge; Monarch gridders club KIPP Columbus
Sports
Marysville’s Mitchell Evans, right, comes up with a first-half sack against KIPP Columbus. The Monarchs won, 37-6. (Journal-Tribune photo by Chad Williamson)
By Chad Williamson 
August 30, 2025
When a team comes off a tough loss and looks to re-establish its identity on the gridiron, there is only one place to start. Line play. “I tell them all the time, you win the trenches on both sides of...
Journal-Tribune names football players of week
Sports
The Journal-Tribune has named the local players of the week for the opening contest of the 2025 football season. They are from left, Cashton Wheeler, Jonathan Alder; Brady Carper, Marysville; Nickolas Hajjar, North Union; Caleb Jordan, Triad; and Carson Shope, Fairbanks. (Journal-Tribune file photos)
By Aleksei Pavloff 
August 29, 2025
The Journal-Tribune has named the players of the game for the first week of the 2025 high school football season. The Pioneers of Jonathan Alder turned in the lone victory for area schools with their ...
Triad, Bucyrus gridders looking for first victory
Sports
Triad’s Duncan Funderburgh (54) and De’Von Minor (4) close in on Mount Gilead’s Carson Barnum (32) during the fourth quarter of last Friday’s home opener. The Cardinals will be on the road tonight at Bucyrus. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Aleksei Pavloff 
August 29, 2025
A week one loss is not quelling the spirits of Triad’s football program this week. The Cardinals are back on the gridiron tonight, this time traveling to Bucyrus. Triad faced off against the Redmen la...
Monarch boys capture Pickerington North event
Sports
Pictured from left, Bode Cline, Colton Sulllivan and Noah Schweinfurth of Marysville compete during the Pickerington North Classic. (Submitted photo)
By Tim Miller 
August 29, 2025
Marysville’s boys cross country team took first place honors in its division at the Pickerington North Classic. The Monarchs captured top accolades in the Silver Division with 69 points. Rounding out ...
Marysville girls golfers compete during OCC match at Blacklick
Sports
Kaitlyn Stover of MHS prepares to drive the ball during a recent OCC match. (Photo submitted)
By Tim Miller 
August 29, 2025
Marysville’s girls golf team competed in an Ohio Capital Conference match at Blacklick. Olentangy earned the top team finish with a score of 292. Dublin Jerome carded a 296, followed by Olentangy Berl...
North Union gridders hope to rebound against Liberty Union
Sports
By Bob Putman 
August 29, 2025
Week one of the high school football season was not a success for North Union as it suffered a 16-13 loss to Pleasant. There was a chance at the end to pull out a victory, but it was not to be for the...
MHS gridders must maintain positive consistency to get into victory column
Sports
Marysville’s Brady Carper (11) and Kale Strickland (31) stop an Olentangy Orange ball carrier. The Monarchs will host KIPP Columbus this evening at 7 p.m. (Journal-Tribune photo by Chad Williamson)
By Tim Miller 
August 29, 2025
“Consistency, consistency and consistency.” That one word, repeated three times, is what Mike Young and his Marysville football coaching staff  preached this week. The Monarchs need to produce and mai...
Panther defense has to be ready for anything against Indian Lake
Sports
Collin Bailey of Fairbanks catches a pass during the Panthers’ opening game of the season against Colonel Crawford. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Tim Miller 
August 29, 2025
Indian Lake’s offensive football unit may try to throw everything but the kitchen sink at Fairbanks tonight. The Lakers (0-1) will employ multiple offensive formations during a game that will feature ...
FHS spikers earn pair of victories
Sports
By Tim Miller 
August 29, 2025
Fairbanks’ volleyball team recently defeated West Jefferson 25-8, 25-10, 25-16 and turned back West Liberty-Salem 25-16, 25-21, 25-10. Avery Gallmeyer, who was the player of the game for FHS against W...
MHS netters fall to Worthington Christian
Sports
By Tim Miller 
August 29, 2025
Worthington Christian handed Marysville’s girls tennis squad a recent 4-0 setback. Singles -Piper (WC) topped Natalie Fair (M) 6-3, 6-4; -El. Bourgeois (WC) beat Nyla Baumbarger (M) 6-0, 6-1; -Woodruf...
NU volleyball squad wins match in four sets
Sports
By Bob Putman 
August 29, 2025
North Union evened its volleyball record to 2-2 following a 25-18, 25-21, 21-25, 28-26 victory over Fredericktown. Amy Eastman was 27-of-27 serving with seven aces, while Kennedy Harrah was 22-of-22. ...
JA netters introduced
Sports
Jonathan Alder’s tennis team is pictured from left, front row, Estrella Flores-Villanueva, Katie Sloat, Ashlyn Gall, Sarah Green, Audrey Manring, Kenlee Thomas, Gabby Elias and Caitlyn Yates; second row, Katy Talik, Ella VanBuren, Ava Schellhammer, Natalie Wiltshire, Madison Reed, Layla Ruth, Owyn Johnson and Dakotah Thomas; third row, assistant coach Missy Grether and head coach Karla Detweiler. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Aleksei Pavloff 
August 28, 2025
JA soccer teams look to build on success
Sports
Jonathan Alder’s boys soccer team is pictured from left, front row, Phil Chin, Walker Martini, Logan Ahner, Cristian Ventura-Lopez, Will Ventura-Lopez, Chaz Stocksdale, Gavin Johnson, Grayson Adams and Will Hamill; second row, Alhassan Kpana, Carson Gordon, Dylan Kimbleton, Ben Buckley, Zander Bauerle, Carter Kusek, John Schimmoeller, Tommy Voice and Josh Yaich; third row, athletic trainer Caitlin Craig, Assistant coach Chad Studebaker, assistant coach Rocky Cane II, assistant coach Tim Owens, head coach Jordan McMurray, assistant coach Matt Schertzer, strength and conditioning coach Jonathan Raymond, strength and conditioning coach Michael Yoder and athletic crainer Ashton Scott (Athletic Trainer). Not pictured, Alex Mijangos and team manager and statistician Dennis Rosales. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavlof)
By Aleksei Pavloff 
August 28, 2025
Both of Jonathan Alder’s boys and girls soccer programs look to build off of the talent from last season. The boys posted a 17-2-1 record with a undefeated (9-0-1) standing in the Central Buckeye Conf...
Cardinal golfers introduced
Sports
Members of Triad’s boys golf team are pictured from left, front row, Carson Jackson, Colton Mullin and Cohen Millice; back row, assistant coach Bill Narramore, Jayden Blackburn, Andrew Nott, Landon Hall and Garret Bollack. Not pictured, head coach Travis Rinehart. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Aleksei Pavloff 
August 28, 2025
Triad’s girls golfers are from left, Amira Gonzales, Carma Cauley, Adyson Feasel and head coach Jessica Black. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
New Triad volleyball coach hopes to change culture of program
Sports
Members of Triad’s varsity volleyball team are from left, front row, Jaylee Cook, Sara Pratt, Adisyn Welty, Riley Haser, Kimber Instine, Elley Dorn, Jenna Jones and Haven Cantrell; second row, assistant Coach Justin Staten, Reagyn Welty, Kaitlyn Herron, Haley Sterling, Avery Eaton, manager Aubrie Johnson and head Coach Kim Staten. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Aleksei Pavloff 
August 28, 2025
With a new head coach at the helm, Triad’s volleyball program seeks to change the culture from within. Triad struggled to get wins last season, going 2-20 overall and 1-15 in the Ohio Heritage Confere...
Cardinals hope couple of runners advance past regional meet
Sports
Triad’s cross country runners are pictured from left, front row, Aubrey Johnson, Henry Beaverson, Brooklynn Melidor and Rory Strickland; second row, Daniel Ishida-Garwood, Hayden Sheppeard, Connor Copley and Noah Humphrey. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Aleksei Pavloff 
August 28, 2025
Triad’s boys and girls cross country program hopes to see a pair of athletes make it past the regional meet this season. In her fourth year as the head coach, Niki Smiles hopes that Henry Beaverson an...
Williamson holds slight Pickers edge
Sports
By Tim Miller 
August 28, 2025
Managing editor Chad Williamson posted the best record during the first week of the 2025 Pigskin Pickers season. Williamson got all the high school games correct and missed the Iowa State-Kansas State...
Jonathan Alder golfers previewed
Sports
Members of Jonathan Alder’s girls golf team are from left, front row, Hailey Duke, Lucy Donohue, Allison Funk, Natalie Hess, Ava Middendorf, Isabella Wolf and Regan Mitchell; back row, assistant coach Ryan Swinehart and head coach Matt Carpenter. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Tim Miller 
August 28, 2025
Jonathan Alder’s girls golf team is led by juniors Natalie Hess and Allison Funk. The team expects strong support from sophomore Hailey Duke and junior Isabella Wolf. Freshmen who are looking to contr...
Some cross country rivals will be different with divisional realignment
Sports
Jonathan Alder’s boys cross country team is pictured from left, front row are Noah Thompson, Mark Goode, Ian Odell and Lincoln Wilson; second row, Brendan Martt, Brandon Engle, Neil Odell, Cole Miller and Garrett Martt, third row, Jake Goode, Jaxson Schmall, Calvin Beatty, Jack Greulich, Gideon Yoder and Matthew Cooper. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Aleksei Pavloff 
August 28, 2025
Jonathan Alder’s cross country program does want ambitions to slow down. The goals and aspirations of Pioneer runners have consistently led to state meet appearances. This time around, programs across...
Veterans will lead JA spikers
Sports
Members of Jonathan Alder’s varsity volleyball team are from left, front row, Raegan Tremayne, Addison Garman, Tori Yoder, Ali Hayes, Lily Boeckl and Erica Brown; second row, Charlotte Kuhns, Alana Troyer, Anna Hayes, Kacey Anderson and Kylie Trout; third row, Peyton Hanna, Audrey Lange and Cailyn Glick. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Tim Miller 
August 28, 2025
A solid group of lettermen returns for Jonathan Alder’s volleyball team for the 2025 season. The Lady Pioneers are led by senior Ali Hayes, who has earned All-Ohio and All-Central Buckeye Conference h...
North Union golfers previewed
Sports
Members of North Union’s boys golf team are from left, front row, Austin McMahon, Reese Spriggs, Braylen Riffle, Hudsyn Wilson and Will Jones; middle row, Alex Jolliff, Wyatt Stacklin, Jenson Stover and Keegan Donohue; back row, assistant coach Garret Andrews, Josiah Stover, Ethan Monroe, Jaxon Jolliff and head coach Aric Brown. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Bob Putman 
August 27, 2025
Boys The NU boys golf team has gotten off to a good start this season, winning four of five dual matches and finishing second in the Bellefontaine Invitational. Head coach Aric Brown welcomed four let...
North Union volleyball roster filled with proven talent
Sports
North Union’s volleyball letter winners are from left, front row, Kennedy Harrah, Lexi Willis and Emma McElroy; back row, Avery Poling, Katelyn Zimmerman and Glory Blevins. The varsity team picture was not available at presstime. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Bob Putman 
August 27, 2025
A pretty seasoned group of athletes has taken to the court for the North Union volleyball team. The Lady Cats finished with a 15-10 record in 2024 and reached the Division V Central District final. He...
Wildcat cross country teams will be limited by smaller rosters
Sports
Athletes in North Union’s cross country program are from left, front row, Colton Smith, Wyatt Roby, Mack Marlette and Drew Chadwell; middle row, Kailin McElroy, Jack Hoover, Ben Bonnell, Josie Held and Allana Smith; back row, assistant coach Emma Hayward, assistant coach Josie Cunningham, Felix Plouck, Max Leavitt, Philip Ardrey and head coach Penny Cunningham. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Bob Putman 
August 27, 2025
Low numbers in both the boys and girls cross country teams will limit what North Union can do as a program. But those who are competing have the experience as they look to compete during the season. T...
NU girls soccer culture appears to be on uptick
Sports
Members of North Union’s girls soccer team are from left, front row, Emma Justice, Jessanie Pfister, Kinley Balzer, Paisley Jordan, Kylee Balzer and Addy Lowe; middle row, Lyra Wigglesworth, Meah Bango, Hallie Young, Kailyn Colegrove, Olivia Ehrick, Kendall Wamsley and Rylee Horne; back row, head coach Bill Leroy, Katie Converse, Kale Keigley, Sam Price, Peyton Engle and assistant coach Sarah Hoffer. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
By Bob Putman 
August 27, 2025
The North Union girls soccer team may have a different look in 2025 than it did in 2024. The difference may very well be the culture of the team. There were some key players who graduated, including L...