No matter what happens these next few days/weeks/months, I couldn't have asked for a better way to spend the last 10 years. It's been a pleasure telling your stories. I hope to add a few more chapters, at least.
A photographer friend snapped this photo at a girls' wrestling tournament. That's the coach holding the baby.
The times are a-changin'...and super moms are getting the job done!
Of the 500+ pictures I took today, this one is one of my favorites. These two men ARE Kirtland soccer. To see them celebrate together was pretty special. Make no mistake, it wasn't easy to develop 2 powerhouse programs in the shadow of the football program.
Five schools in Ohio have advanced their football, boys soccer, girls soccer, and volleyball teams to the regional tournament.
• Massillon Jackson
• Watterson
• Columbus Bishop Hartley
• Cincinnati Wyoming
• Kirtland
Less than 12 hours after winning their second straight title, 42 Kirtland football players were in the weight room this morning at 10:00 a.m. Their 2020 season started this morning. How is yours going?
Thanks to everyone for the support and words of encouragement. The procedure itself was pretty simple... and then we ate cake. Now we wait. I've got about two more weeks in the hospital but I expect to be back on the sidelines this fall.
And the there were two....Wyoming and Kirtland are the only schools in Ohio with their boys & girls soccer teams, football, and volleyball teams still in the hunt for a state title.
Parents, if you're getting a police escort away from a high school softball game (or any sport for that matter), you really need to re-evaluate your priorities.
I love the passion. I love the support. But, that's it...draw the line there.
The Ohio Varsity All-Star Classic softball game makes its return on June 15 at Mentor.
It's a throwback them to A League of Their Own.
Meet the teams...
Coach X visited me in the hospital...during his own treatment...and gave me this medal from his 2010 district championship. Last time I saw him but I'll never forget him. Live better. Treat others well. He led by example. Follow his lead.
Sad face aside,
@aavila_12
closed out her career with 283 assists in eight state Final Four appearances including a Division III record 59 in a five-set match in 2019.
Four state runner-up finishes. A state record. A legacy.
#GOAT
Sorry, what? Perry's Brayden Richards was SECOND-team All-Ohio?
That's shocking. Player of the Year is probably more appropriate.
I mean, did you see that state championship game? He did it all year.
Photo credit:
@PaulADiCicco_
Tragedy struck a member of the Northeast Ohio coaching community.
Having worked with Ryan for several years, this hits terribly hard.
Please consider supporting the Looman family.
There is no blueprint for coaches to follow...but there's a lot to be learned from Shawn Dodd...and I'm not talking about what he does on Friday nights.
How about the CVC this fall? 1. State champ in Girls Golf (Independence); 2. 3 football teams in regional finals (Perry, Kirtland, Cuyahoga Hts); 3. State runner-up in girls soccer (Kirtland); 4. One team in volleyball final four (Independence)
I've covered a lot of great teams/athletes but this trio has been rather remarkable. All 3 are playing in a 4th straight Final 4. Common traits: The coaches work as hard as the kids, the players are selfless and there has been widespread buy-in.
#ALLIN
isn't just a hashtag.
One thing that never gets old is to see these displays of sportsmanship.
Wickliffe's Eliza Wills could have celebrated with her teammates, but first, she consoled her Kirtland rival.
Well done.
@ladydevilssocc1
My tweets yesterday were to thank you all for the inspiration you had already provided me...and then you gave me so much more. I'm eternally grateful to be have met so many wonderful people.
Congrats to Liberty-Benton's girls soccer team on becoming the first public school to score a goal in the championship game since 2012 and the second since a third division was added in 2011.
I know I brought up Al Michaels earlier...but miracles don't just happen. North's win took every player on the floor rising up and making the most of each moment.
@abbyycarter3
was one of them.
#MakeItCount
Very cool moment. Both teams allowed Conneaut’s Hannah Clark, who hasn’t been able to play all season, to score the first basket of the game. Then Seneca player Olivia Sooner did the same.
"If you didn't get your players from Mentor you wouldn't be $hit." Sorry, idiot, Kirtland is not open enrollment. Not a good look for the South Range community.
Love to see this....10 of the 12 Marion Local players who won a state basketball title also played football. No hired guns...small school kids doing big things!
Step 4 is in a few hours. I've been so inspired by the athletes and coaches I have come to know. This is my 2nd transplant in 10 years and I couldn't ask for a better group from which to draw strength and courage.
#MoreTomorrows
#Day8
Tonight, I covered a 30-point game...could it have been worse? Probably. Coach played 15 different kids...JVs in the 4th quarter. He didn't tell them to hand the ball to the other team...they played hard. They didn't shoot 43 3-pointers. They weren't trying to set records.
Schools are the front porch of every community. High School sports are the block parties that bring neighbors together. Strong schools = strong communities = families staying for generations to come. It's all worth it.
Looking ahead--because that keeps me optimistic--let's say this shutdown lasts 8 weeks per the CDC recommendation. That puts us into May. Let's not scrap the season. Let's host a conference tournament/meet then go right into the playoffs. Let's play, we're going to need it.
Today's player of the game is
@amanda_10k
for her leadoff triple that helped spark Riverside's 2-run rally to take the lead. Plus...it's a cool picture.
@RHSFastpitchOH
Eight years ago, the first
@KHSWomenSoccer
player I interviewed was then senior captain
@adkmentt16
Today, she watched as the girls she helped to inspired received their state championship medals.
I've covered hundreds upon hundreds of high school games and it always bothers me when teams leave their bench area a mess. It isn't someone else's job to clean up after you. Set the example for your teammates.
That's one way to ignore being called out for a lack of sportsmanship. Another way would be not to chuck up 43 3-pointers in a 100-point win. Sad representation of
@tecumseh_arrows
Might be time for a new Twitter profile quote.
Ouch. Seems like I have to say this every season. We do NOT hate your school. The coverage on Ohio Varsity goes to the schools & teams we contract with. We do not play favorites. We'd be happy to cover your kid's team...write a check.
To recap my week, I covered a game wearing long johns, a winter coat, gloves and a hat; another wearing shorts and a t-shirt; another where I had to use my camera's rain cover and another dressed in long pants and a hoodie with gloves. What will next week bring?
You'd have to go back to Meghann Wright a decade ago to match what Lydia Kastor has accomplished at Berkshire over the last four years.
Joined the 1,000-point club last week.