Tag Archive for: Ohio State

AN EAGLE IN GERMANY

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Photo Credit Bastian Frank (Frankphoto.de) Shot for InSuedthueringen.de 

SUHL GER-  In the heart of Hubbard, Ohio, a volleyball prodigy emerged, setting the courts ablaze with her talent. Adria Powell, a former Hubbard Eagle, transitioned seamlessly from high school sensation to collegiate star, and now, she’s making waves in the professional volleyball scene in Europe.

Powell’s journey began amidst the fervor of high school volleyball, where she quickly garnered attention with college offers before even stepping onto the high school floor. Throughout her three seasons at Hubbard, Powell showcased her prowess, tallying an impressive 1172 kills and 211 blocks. Her dominance on the court earned her recognition as the OHSVCA Player of the Year during her junior season, solidifying her status as a rising star.

With her sights set on Ohio State University, Powell made her verbal commitment during her junior year, eager to embark on her collegiate journey as a Buckeye. Opting to graduate early, Powell seized the opportunity to join Ohio State ahead of schedule, kicking off her collegiate career with a bang. In her freshman season, she notched over 100 kills, laying the groundwork for a stellar collegiate tenure.

Throughout her time at Ohio State, Powell not only excelled on the court but also in the classroom, earning Academic All-Big Ten honors from 2019 to 2022. Her dedication and drive propelled her through each season, culminating in a standout senior year where she played a pivotal role in leading the Buckeyes to the Elite Eight. Setting career highs in blocks, points, and kills, Powell left an indelible mark on the program, cementing her legacy as one of Ohio State’s finest.

After completing her collegiate career, Powell embarked on a new chapter as a grad-transfer at Clemson University, seeking to further hone her skills and pursue her dream of playing professionally. Under the guidance of head coach Jackie Simpson-Kirr, Powell flourished at Clemson, preparing herself for the rigors of the professional volleyball circuit.

The opportunity to play professionally in Germany beckoned, and Powell seized it without hesitation. Joining VFB Suhl LOTTO in Suhl, Germany, Powell embraced the challenge of adapting to a new culture and style of play. With determination and resilience reminiscent of her days as an Eagle in Hubbard, Powell continues to thrive on the court, poised to make her mark on the international stage.

As she navigates the intricacies of professional volleyball in Europe, Powell remains steadfast in her commitment to growth and excellence. Her journey from Hubbard to Ohio State to the professional leagues stands as a testament to her unwavering determination and relentless pursuit of success. With each serve, spike, and block, Adria Powell proves that she is a force to be reckoned with, both on and off the court.

Presented By:

HEEEEEEEEEATH!

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CANFIELD, OH-  South Range Raiders’ junior tight end, Heath Crouse, opened up about his experience playing for the esteemed high school football team and the impact of having a successful older brother, JD Crouse, who also excelled in the same position.

Crouse humbly expressed his admiration for his brother, stating that being in JD’s shadow is an honor as he has been an invaluable mentor and role model. He credits JD for helping him improve as a player and as a person. The tight-knit Crouse family has instilled in him a sense of greatness and the drive to always give his best, whether on the field or in his daily life.

The interview also highlighted Heath Crouse’s dedication to his craft. He emphasized the importance of hitting the weight room, improving his footwork and hand-eye coordination, and always pushing himself to the limit. Taking inspiration from his brother’s work ethic, Crouse aims to surpass JD’s accomplishments, continually striving to be better.

When asked about the differences between him and his brother on the field, Crouse acknowledged JD’s superior catching ability but emphasized his own strengths in terms of footwork. Additionally, Heath claimed to have better academic grades, while JD’s humor and storytelling skills took the crown.

The South Range Raider expressed his gratitude for the close-knit community and the strong bonds formed within the team. He attributes their success to the chemistry they share, branding it as a key factor that sets them apart.

Off the field, Heath looks up to his parents and JD as his role models. Their unwavering support and guidance have shaped him into the person he is today. Among his parents’ and brother’s qualities, he admires their knowledge and their ability to push him to become a better individual.

Heath Crouse also delved into his personal life, revealing his interest in cooking. He mentioned that being more like his father in terms of his strong work ethic, and his mother in terms of culinary skills, has played a significant role in shaping his character.

The YSN podcast interview provided insight into the life of Heath Crouse and shed light on his journey as a South Range Raider. With his dedication and the support of his family, teammates, and community, Heath Crouse is poised for continued success on the football field and beyond.

 

PRESENTED BY

ALL ABOARD THE E TRAIN

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CANFIELD, OH-  In this episode, we have the pleasure of sitting down with the talented senior player from South Range, Blake Ewert.

Known as the “E Train” and “Spike”, Blake has been a standout on the field for years, gaining the admiration of his teammates and younger brothers alike.

We dive deep as we discuss Blake’s last ride as a senior, the electrifying moments on the football field, and the goals he has set for himself.

Join us as we get to know Blake Ewert, the running back sensation. Tune in to this captivating episode of YSN!

PRESENTED BY

HUBBARD ALUM TO COMPETE IN NCAA ELITE EIGHT

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COLUMBUS OH- The high school volleyball season is over in the state of Ohio. However, Hubbard fans still have a pretty good reason to be in the volleyball spirit. Former Eagle stand out Adria Powell is a senior at Ohio State and has advanced to the Elite Eight.

As an Eagle Powell led the Eagles in blocks, and kills in each of the seasons she played.  She helped Hubbard win a AAC Red Tier title. In 2017 Adria was named the OHSVCA Player of the Year.  She finished that season with 540 kills, and 62 blocks. To put that in perspective, this season’s YSN Player of the Year Jocelyn Jourdan finished with 495 kills which was by far the most in the area. Add about 50 more to that in just as many games to get an idea of how dominant Powell was in the area.

This season at Ohio State after missing her junior season Powell is having the best statistical season of her career as a Buckeye.  So far Powell has 133 kills on the season.  That brings her career total at Ohio State to 401.  She also has had 132 total blocks this season.  In the Buckeyes Sweet 16 win against Minnesota in 4 sets (22-25 25-21 25-21 25-19) Powell was tied for a team lead with 4 blocks.

Ohio State moves on to play top seeded Texas in the Elite Eight on Saturday at 6:00. Be sure tune in and support one of the best volleyball players to come out of the area!

EXLINE HONORED WITH OHSAA SCHOLARSHIP

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SALEM OH-  2022 Salem High School graduate Blaize Exline was chosen as one of the recipients of the 2022 OHSAA Scholar Athlete Scholarship for his academic and athletic accomplishments.  During his athletic career at Salem, he was a member of the football, baseball and track teams.  Salem is part of the Northeast District, one of six districts within the OHSAA.  To read further information on OHSAA Scholarships and their requirements, please click on the link below.  Blaize is currently on campus at The Ohio State University as a member of the Buckeye football team.

Congratulations Blaize on a great career at Salem High School!  Go Quakers!

*Contributed By Matt Freeman at salemathletics.org

THE NATURAL IS BACK IN FULL FORCE

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COLUMBUS, OH- Everyone wants their moment in life, for some, it’s a story that’s well written with no antagonists, little drama, and bright shiny skies each day of the way.

For others, it’s a story full of obstacles, trials and tribulations, and adversity around each corner- but we watch and hope and pray for success to come the way of “the underdog.”  This is the way of South Range alum, Jacob Gehring.  A young man that was able to capture the hearts of the local baseball fans in 2018 after helping lead his team to a state championship, and maintained humility the entire way.

In the 1on1 interview, Jake talks about what he’s learned along the way, and what he’s still looking to accomplish.  The Natural also talks about all the people that have given him the opportunity in one fashion or another to launch to where he’s worked to get to today.

Sit back, and enjoy this version of 1on1 because THE NATURAL IS BACK IN FULL FORCE.

 

HOT CORNER: WITH SPECIAL GUEST LEXI ZAPPITELLI

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Welcome back to the Hot Corner! We had to deal with some chilly weather this week, but the softball was hot. Things are starting to really take form as teams dive into their conference schedules. Some teams made some big strides towards a conference championship this week.

High School Recap:

We opened up the week with the highly anticipated South Range vs Poland matchup. Both teams came in to this series undefeated and knew that these games would give the winners a huge leg up. It was Poland that came away with the season sweep. They used power in both games to lift past the Raiders. The Bulldogs hit 4 home runs in 2 games. The most impressive thing about their wins though, was that they did it by getting production from the bottom half of their lineup. The Bulldogs looked much deeper in their lineup than in weeks past, and that makes them a very dangerous team. With Hubbard splitting their series with Girard, Poland is now sitting all alone atop the NE8. Hubbard and South Range meet this week and that series is a must win for both if they want to try and keep pace with Poland.

Ursuline continues to impress. They are still undefeated, and I had a chance to see them live again against Champion. The Irish lineup is lethal. It is quite honestly as close to a college lineup as I’ve seen in high school. 1-9 everyone can hit and put together quality at bats. The Irish have hit 18 HRs as a team in 12 games played. The power is spread out too, seven different hitters have hit a long ball this year. To add to the offensive productivity, Emily Holland and Paige Ogden have looked solid in the circle. They aren’t just winning slugfests, they’re run ruling teams by blasting on offense, and shutting people down on defense. Holland has a sub 1 ERA of 0.80 and Ogden has an ERA of 1.59.

One of the biggest wins of the seasons so far was LaBrae’s 6-0 win over McDonald on Friday night. Desi Allen was the pitcher that shined in this matchup, and the Vikings offense figured out the puzzle that is Bri Callow in the circle. Like most teams with a dominant ace, in times when she struggles the offense tends to tighten up. Unfortunately McDonald fell in to that trap and Allen took complete advantage of it, and shut them down. Allen threw all 7 innings, only giving up 4 hits and struck out 7. Allen might be one of those pitchers that sits under the radar and shocks some people come tournament time.

I broadcasted two extra inning games this week, and both were very exciting games that were cleanly played. Mooney walked off Mineral Ridge in 9 innings with a walk off infield single by Alaina Francis. This particular game was so fun to watch. Both defenses were locked in. Even the walk off hit was a great defensive play by Rams third baseman Maddy Ylonen who just couldn’t make the throw across the diamond in time. Haleigh Taylor for Ridge and Alaina Scavina for Mooney both pitched extremely well. Taylor got out of a couple of big jams proving that she could throw in high pressure situations. This will come up huge in tournaments for the Rams. Despite the loss I think Mineral Ridge can use this game as momentum as the season goes on.

i also broadcasted the extra inning game in Boardman as Champion beat Boardman 4-3 in 9 innings. Cassidy Shaffer led the Flashes to the big bounce back win. They lost to Ursuline 13-6 the night before. This game included a big seventh inning rally by Boardman. Madison Lester came to the plate with 2 on and 2 outs trailing 3-1 and hit a clutch 2 RBI double to send the game into extras. Cassidy Shaffer hit in the winning run for Champion, and got the win inside the circle. Champion’s record may be a little surprising based on their past resume, but don’t forget that they are scheduling way up. If Shaffer stays down in the zone and pitches to contact, Champion will go far. Their infield is way above average and perfectly suited to field the many ground balls that Shaffer tends to induce.

YSN Alums: 

YSU has 3 former YSN players on their roster and the Penguins had a huge sweep of second place Oakland to further strengthen their stance in first place in the Horizon League. Sophie Howell from Champion pitched 6 innings on Saturday and only gave up 1 run on 5 hits. She struck out 6. She continues to make the most out of opportunities given. The Penguins staff is very deep this year, but these innings that Howell is getting now will pay dividends in the years to come when the Penguins rely on her more. Former Mooney Cardinal Conchetta Rinaldi got in the RBI party over the weekend for the Penguins. Since YSU is without a pitching coach, Rinaldi pretty much calls the whole game herself. This is so rare in the sport these days. Rinaldi does a fantastic job understanding the pitching staff, and studying up on opposing hitters. In my opinion Rinaldi  has a hand in every single impressive pitching stat the Penguins gather this season. Former South Range Raider Caragyn Yanek picked up her 7th win of her senior season as Findlay split a double header with Tiffin. Yanek now has an ERA of 2.40 with a great strike out to walk ratio of 64 K and 13 BB. Allison Smith from Champion continues to get consistent starts for Ohio State. She pitched well on Sunday in the Buckeyes season finale against Indiana. The Buckeyes lost 3-0, but Smith did an excellent job keeping the Buckeyes in the game. Smith’s ERA is still an impressive 3.18. She leads the team in strike outs with 87 K in 88.0 IP.

Special Guest: Lexi Zappitelli 

(Courtesy YSU Athletics)

Lexi spent four years as a YSU Penguin from 2016-2019. Before YSU Zappitelli was an First team All-State senior at Conneaut High School. She finished her senior season with a .574 batting average. She also pitched well in high school and finished her senior season with a 20-4 record and an ERA of 1.25. Lexi became a staple in the Penguins lineup during her junior season. Zappitelli started 41 games in 2018 and hit .413 with 30 R and 22 RBI.  Now that her playing career is over, Lexi has taken a job on staff at Conneaut. Going through a division 1 career, and coming back to her old high school Zappitelli is sure to bring a lot to the staff at Conneaut. And who knows? Some YSN teams might just run into Zappitelli down the road in the tournaments.

 

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ALL-AMERICAN BUCKEYE LOOKS TO TEACH NEW GENERATION

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COLUMBUS, OH- The jump from one level of competition to the next is often one of the biggest challenges one can make.  To spring from one side of the state border to another and become one of the most recognized in your sport?

That’s a whole different level.

Ohio State Wrestler, Luke Pletcher made his name in Latrobe, PA where he was a three-time Pennsylvania state champion and four-time finalist.  Pletcher also won the PIAA state title as a freshman at 106 lbs. and then knocked off the defending champion in the 2014 state finals at 120 lbs.  When he made the jump to the NCAA, he was able to earn an impressive resume in Scarlet and Gray as well:

• All-American (2018, 2019)
• Big Ten Champion (2020)
• Big Ten Finalist (2018, 2019, 2020)
• Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational Champion (2017, 2020)
• NCAA qualifier (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)
• TheOpenMat.com Freshman All-American team (2017)
• NWCA Scholar All-American (2018, 2019)
• Academic All-Big Ten (2018, 2019)
• OSU Scholar-Athlete (2017, 2018, 2019)

Was there anything on Luke’s List that was left off?  What does the future hold?  Find out the answer to those question, as well as so much more in our Player Profile.