Tag Archive for: Chagrin Falls

ORANGE SWIMMING AND DIVING COACH’S CORNER (EP 1) WITH WALLY LUTKUS

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PEPPER PIKE, OH- In the first episode of the podcast series “Orange Swimming and Diving Coach’s Corner,” host DJ Yokley sat down with Wally Lutkus, the esteemed head swimming coach at Orange. With over five decades of coaching experience, Lutkus shared his insights on the evolution of swimming and the joys of coaching young athletes.

When asked about the changes he has witnessed in swimming over the last 60 years, Lutkus observed that today’s young swimmers seem less inclined to work hard compared to past generations. He attributed this change to the myriad of distractions and responsibilities that young individuals face in their daily lives.

One of the highlights of the conversation was Lutkus’s mention of his wife, who serves as his assistant coach. With an impressive swimming background, including being part of the American record-holding Cleveland Swim Club and the Pan Am team, she provides invaluable tips and guidance to the coaching duo. Their dedication to each individual swimmer, both in and out of the pool, ensures a holistic approach to training and development.

The interviewer asked what keeps Lutkus motivated after all these years. He simply stated that he genuinely enjoys coaching. Lutkus shared an anecdote about competing against former swimmers who now represent a rival team, highlighting the satisfaction that comes from preparing his team to overcome challenges and succeed. The commitment and hard work displayed by his current team is a testament to their determination and passion.

The conversation also touched on Lutkus’s diverse interests beyond coaching. He revealed that he played rugby for many years, even earning an award in his name as a freshman at Dartmouth College. His involvement with various individuals, including working with the son of renowned coach Frank Ryan, quarterback of the Cleveland Browns, has enriched his life and kept him engaged with the sports community.

Throughout the discussion, Lutkus emphasized the rewarding aspects of coaching young swimmers. Witnessing their improvement and seeing them excel in their chosen events brings him great fulfillment. One of his swimmers mentioned that Lutkis often impresses upon them the simple mantra “If it’s going to be, it’s up to me,” reminding them of their own responsibility in achieving success.

The first episode of “Orange Swimming and Diving Coach’s Corner” promises an engaging and insightful series featuring the experiences and wisdom of seasoned coach Wally Lutkus. Listeners can look forward to future episodes delving deeper into the world of swimming and diving in Orange.

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WARRIORS WEAR OUT TIGERS

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East Ashtabula, OH- Coming off a tough loss in week 4, the Edgewood Warriors secured a resounding victory over the Chagrin Falls Tigers with a final score of 40-0.

The game kicked off with a touchdown by Edgewood’s Zeke Lucas, who powered through for a 1-yard run, setting the tone early on. The extra point was successful, giving Edgewood a 7-0 lead. Edgewood continued to steamroll through the first quarter when Tony Hall added another 1-yard touchdown run, followed by a successful extra point, extending their lead to 14-0.

The second quarter saw no respite for Chagrin Falls, as Anthony Hunt found the end zone with an 11-yard rushing touchdown, and Seth Enos contributed a 16-yard touchdown run. Both extra points were good, leaving the Tigers trailing significantly at 28-0 going into halftime.

Edgewood showed no signs of letting up in the third quarter. Tony Hall connected with Riley Baldwin on a 38-yard pass for yet another touchdown, although the extra point was missed. The Warriors continued to dominate with Seth Enos’s 11-yard touchdown run, though the extra point again went wide.

With a commanding 40-0 lead, Edgewood sealed the game in the fourth quarter. Tony Hall emerged as the standout player, accumulating 155 passing yards and a touchdown, 101 rushing yards and another touchdown, while also making an interception on defense.

This impressive win improved the Edgewood Warriors’ record to 4-1, setting the stage for an eagerly anticipated clash with the undefeated Geneva Eagles in week 6. Meanwhile, the Chagrin Falls Tigers, now standing at 2-3, will face off against the Orange Lions in their next matchup. The Edgewood Warriors have surely left their mark on the field, demonstrating their strength and determination in this commanding victory.

WARRIORS FORCE ANOTHER TIE

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CHAGRIN FALLS OH-  West Branch forced another tie in their tough schedule on Monday night as they drew even with Chagrin Falls late in the season prepping for tournament time.  The score ended knotted at 1-1.

The Warriors goal was netted by Daphnis Snyder who was assisted by Chloe Dennison.  Zoe Sanders kept her team in the game with a lock down performance in the goal. She finished with 8 saves on the night.

Warriors close out the season on Wednesday as they host Carrollton. A win will clinch a share of the EBC title. It will also be the Warriors senior night.  That senior night ceremony will begin before the 6:00 kickoff.

FITCH WINS DRAMATIC EIGHT INNING AFFAIR

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AUSTINTOWN OH-

The opening day of baseball has finally arrived for The Austintown Fitch Falcons. After multiple weather cancellations and postponements, Fitch finally got clearance to play on Wednesday night.  Their opponent? The Chagrin Falls TIgers, looking to make an early season road statement to start the season.  This season sees The Falcons bring back six seniors, with a good mix of underclassmen to round things out.

The pitching matchup was between Jake Corll of Fitch and Leo Fornara of Chagrin Falls. Both of which were trusted to take the opening day rock.  Fitch grabbed an unearned run off Fornara in the bottom of the 1st, off an RBI single by Brandon Popio to plate Joe Roth. Then the stalemate began.

With both pitchers trading scoreless frames until the top of the 6th, where Jake Corll gave up an unearned run, when Andrew Kirkpatrick slapped an RBI single up the middle, scoring Donny Hardy and evening the game up 1-1.  The pitchers duel continued, with Fornara going 6 solid innings and Corll going the full 7 before extras.

Pitching-

Leo Fornara vs. Fitch 3/30: 6 IP, 10 K, 3 H, 1 BB, 1 R, 0 ER. 

Jake Corll vs. Chagrin F. 3/30: 7 IP, 9 K, 4 H, 0 BB, 1 R, 0 ER. 

Joe Roth pitched an inning of relief in the top of the 8th, which ended up earning him win number one on the season, with Brandon Popio getting hit with the bags full to bring home the winning run 2-1. 

Jake Corll wins Player of The Game honors with his opening day gem to help push his team to 1-0 on the season.

Fitch (1-0) will have little time to enjoy this victory, as they welcome The Poland Bulldogs (1-0) to town on Thursday, March 31st. First pitch at 5 p.m. and live on YSN!

*Contributed By YSN’s Ty Bartell

Postgame Interview With Jake Corll:

COWBOYS BULLY THEIR WAY TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP

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BOARDMAN, Ohio –

Rolling through their opening round matchups against Field and East, the Chaney Cowboys (17-8) came into the night looking for their fourth straight district final bid. Their opponent, Chagrin Falls Tigers (12-11), were fighting for their first final appearance since 2015 when they won the Ashtabula District crown.

The Tigers jumped all over the Cowboys, scoring the first five points of the night, and forcing Chaney turnovers on their first three possessions to start the ballgame. Nicholas Vinci would provide two makes from beyond the arc and another two from inside to pace Chagrin’s fourteen-point first quarter effort.

After struggling through the first quarter of action, the Chaney Cowboys finally showed up to play in the second quarter with a strong seventeen-points to take the lead just a few minutes into the second and end the half ahead by double digits.

Chagrin came out of the halftime locker room poised to make a run and did so to start the half thanks to Henry Nowell’s back-to-back buckets to open the third. Unfortunately for the Tigers, Chaney would respond with a 9-0 run, and wouldn’t let up there.

The second half was filled with Showtime Cowboy action, seeing Josiah Gonzalez finish two alley-oops, Clive Wilson throw down two rim shaking dunks, and DaVinci McDowell punch one in with the right, all contributing to a Chaney victory, 60-47.

CHANEY:

Clive Wilson – 16 points, 10 rebounds, 4 blocks

DJ Waller – 15 points, 2 rebounds

Jason Hewlett – 6 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals

CHAGRIN FALLS:

James Kosmides – 13 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks

Nicholas Vinci – 13 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists

Chaney – Securing their fourth straight district final appearance, the Cowboys will vie for the district crown with a familiar opponent, the Poland Bulldogs (17-8). The Chaney – Poland matchup has now accounted for three of the last four district title games. The Bulldogs and Cowboys have already faced off once this season, resulting in a 57-46 victory in favor of Chaney.

Chagrin Falls – Taking a step forward from an opening round exit in last season’s tournament, the Chagrin Falls Tigers have a lot to look forward to next season, as they will return the likes of James Kosmides, Nicholas Vinci, and Max Crandall.

*Contributed By YSN’s Jamie Thomson