Sports

Jonathan Alder’s Ashton Martin slides into home during a 2024 contest. A pitcher-infielder, Martin will continue his career at Wright State University. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)

Marysville’s Katie Hammersmith (right) tries to secure a takedown on Gahanna-Lincoln’s Jordan Mills (left) during the championship semifinals at the district tournament. The junior 170-pounder is among five Lady Monarchs set to take the stage at this year’s state tournament. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

Marysville’s Oliver Fox (right) celebrates, along with assistant coach Curtis Thompson (background), after defeating Olentangy Orange’s Tyler Della Rocco during the consolation quarterfinals at the Division I district tournament last weekend. The 120-pounder is slated to compete in the Division I state tournament this weekend, along with five of his teammates. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

Jonathan Alder’s Blake Atkins (14) looks to pass the ball to teammate Sam Cramer (far right) during a 2024-25 game. The Pioneers will travel to Bowling Green State University on Thursday to face Napoleon in the Division IV regional semifinals. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)

Marysville’s CJ Collins (3) puts up a shot between a pair of Dublin Jerome defenders. Collins has been named to the Division I Central District first team. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)

Awsom Mitchell of Triad, right, hooks up with an opponent during a match at North Union during the 2024-25 season. Mitchell repeated as the Division III district champion at 175 pounds during action at Hobart Arena in Troy. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

Jonathan Alder’s Rayce Watson (top) breaks down opponent Ethan Lewis of Roger Bacon High School during a 106-pound Division II district bout. Watson captured championship honors in the weight bracket at Wimington High School. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

Marysville’s Lori Grimes (top) watches the clock while scoring back points against Licking Heights’ Lily Seeman (bottom) during the semifinals at 155 pounds. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

Marysville’s Carson Mize (bottom) takes a shot on Dublin Coffman’s Michael Feeney during the 175-pound finals match at the Division I Central District boys tournament. The senior will be accompanied by five other teammates who are slated to compete in the OHSAA Division I Boys State Tournament this weekend. (Journal-Tribune by Aleksei Pavloff)

Jonathan Alder senior Ryan Mark (1) holds up the Division IV district championship trophy while his teammates celebrate. The Pioneers have advanced to the regional tournament after their 57-54 victory over the Bulldogs on Sunday. (Journal-Tribune photos by Bob Putman)

Panther Holtz Maine (44) is fouled on a drive to the basket at Mount Vernon Nazarene College. Maine reached the 1,000-point milestone during FHS’ loss during the Divison IV district championship game. (Journal-Tribune photos by Tim Miller)

Marysville’s Makayla Hanes (top) pins her opponent during a consolation match at Marysville’s girls sectional tournament last Sunday. She will be among the 14 Lady Monarchs eyeing a chance at the OHSAA girls state tournament. MHS will compete at Big Walnut on Sunday during the district tournament. Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

Marysville’s Carson Mize (left) makes a single leg takedown on a Hilliard Darby opponent during a regular-season dual meet this season. The senior Monarch re-opened his college recruitment after discovering Cleveland State University has plans to drop its Division I program. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

Members of the Monarch boys bowling team are from left, front row, Kyle Teters, Carson Blevins, Braiden McMahan, Lucas Hoffman and Thomas Dam; middle row, Ben Bankes, Hayden Cotterell, Grayson Young and Quinn Peterson; back row, head coach Greg Ray, Kai Kozlik and assistant coach Carl Lowe. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)

In the photo to the left, Fairbanks’ Braydon Wiedmann goes up for a layup, while Jonathan Alder’s Noah Hess (right) does the same. Both the Pioneers and Panthers will play this weekend for district championships. Fairbanks will take its No. 4 seed into the Division V district title game against unbeaten and second-seeded Columbus Academy. The contest will tip off at 4:30 p.m. today at Mount Vernon Nazarene. The Pioneers, who are the No. 2 seed in Division IV, will play No. 7 Bloom-Carroll Sunday at 2 p.m. The game to decide the district championship will be played at Otterbein University. (Journal-Tribune photos by Tim Miller)

Triad’s Garret Bollack (left) sinks a cradle lock on North Union’s Ben Bonnell (right) during a dual meet earlier this season. Bollack is slated to compete in the Division III district tournament alongside two other teammates at the Hobart Arena in Troy. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

Marysville’s Keegen Andrews (left) is rolling through a tilt against Derek Deichert of Westerville South during last weekend’s sectional tournament. The 165-pounder, along with 12 teammates, will compete in the Division I district tournament at Hilliard Darby, starting today. (Journal-Tribune photo by Kevin Behrens)

Marysville’s Cole Brewer (24) takes a sideline three-pointer while being guarded by Hilliard Bradley’s Murphy Spears (2) during the second half of action. The junior Monarch tallied 19 points in the team’s postseason loss to the Jaguars. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

Fairbanks’ Holtz Maine (44) looks to advance the ball against a Harvest Prep defender. The Panthers moved on in tournament action with a victory on their home floor. (Journal-Tribune photo by Bob Putman)

Danny Bentley (11) of Jonathan Alder flips the ball toward the basket against London. The Pioneers claimed a 60-47 victory to advance in tournament competition. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)

Fairbanks’ Abby Gardini, left, and Kaylee Rensel of North Union compete on the uneven parallel bars during a 2024-25 meet at the Marysville Early College High School. Rensel and a few FHS gymnasts competed with the Marysville girls during meets this past season. (Journal-Tribune photos by Tim Miller)

Jonathan Alder’s Danny Bentley (white jersey) attempts to shoot over a Hilliard Davidson opponent during a game from earlier in the 2024-25 campaign. The Pioneers will take the second seed into this evening’s Division IV home tournament basketball contest. JA will host fourth-seeded and arch-rival London in the district semifinals. The winner will advance to Sunday’s district title game against either No. 3 Heath or No. 7 Bloom-Carroll. The championship game will be played at Otterbein University. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)

North Union bowler Montana Donohue practices her craft at Dragon Lanes in Marysville. The NU senior will compete on Friday during the state tournament. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

Jonathan Alder’s Victoria Bobrova (right) takes a shot on her opponent during JA’s girls sectional tournament last weekend. She was the highest placing member of the team, taking first at 120 pounds. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

Triad’s Awsom Mitchell gets his hand raised following a dual match win against North Union in this file photo. The Cardinal took first place in this season’s sectional tournament at Versailles and is advancing to the district tournament. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

In the top photo, Marysville’s Cole Brewer (24) takes a shot during a game against Olentangy. In the bottom photo, Fairbanks’ Alek Orders (right) defends against a Northeastern opponent. The Monarchs will host Hilliard Bradley, while the Panthers host Harvest Prep, in tournament action this evening. (Journal-Tribune photos by Tim Miller)

Jonathan Alder’s Trenton Moodispaugh (top) secures a pinning combination on his opponent during JA’s Division II sectional tournament last weekend. The grappler advanced to the district tournament after taking second at 126 pounds. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)