Tag Archive for: Photography

WRESTLING WEDNESDAYS WITH GARY ALTHISER (EP 10) FEATURING REGHAN KOCH

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AUSTINTOWN OH- Reghan Koch, a formidable freshman wrestler at Austintown Fitch, has quickly made a name for herself in Ohio’s wrestling circuit. Recently interviewed on the YSN Live podcast, Reghan discussed her exceptional performance at the district tournament and her preparation for the state tournament.

Winning as a freshman can be daunting, but Reghan’s resolve and talent shone brightly. She achieved district champion status, marking Fitch’s dramatic improvement from 34th place last year to a top contender this season. Koch attributes much of this success to the unity and intrinsic drive among her teammates, propelled by their coaches’ motivating spirit. Reghan’s journey began in the sixth grade, inspired by her younger brother’s wrestling. Despite initial doubts about the sport, she found herself thriving on the mat, eventually overcoming knee surgery to return stronger than ever. Her resilience has not only been a personal milestone but has also set a high bar for her freshmen peers.

When discussing her preparation and mindset for the state tournament, Reghan emphasized staying grounded. She approaches each match ready to give her all, setting ambitious goals without losing sight of the basics. Her experiences on the Green Machine team provided a solid foundation that she continues to build upon. Reghan also spoke about her passion for capturing moments with her camera. Her keen eye for photography allows her to document the raw emotions and intensity of wrestling, providing a unique lens through which her teammates and the sport itself can be appreciated. Looking forward, Reghan remains focused on seizing opportunities to compete at higher levels, including ambitions to wrestle at national tournaments like Fargo. As she stands ready to represent Austintown Fitch at the state level, Reghan Koch embodies the spirit of determination and excellence, marking the beginning of what promises to be a stellar wrestling career.

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BEHIND PAZEL’S EYES

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Lowellville, OH – YSN had the pleasure of sitting down with Josh Pazel, Lowellville’s stellar wide receiver, at Bedford Trails to discuss his journey in football and beyond. Starting his football career in third grade with flag football and transitioning to tackle football by fifth grade, Pazel has become a cornerstone of the Lowellville Rockets football team.

In the interview, Pazel explained his early inspiration came from watching YouTube videos, igniting a passion for the sport. Playing for a smaller school like Lowellville, Pazel values the close-knit community feeling, stating, “You just want to go out and show everyone all your skills.”

Known for forming one-half of a formidable receiving duo with Bruce, Pazel elaborated on the dynamic between them: “The only way you can stop either of us is through a double team. You can’t double team both of us.” Their synergy has significantly contributed to the Rockets’ strong passing game this season, bolstered by sophomore quarterback Ricky Woolwich. “I even worked with him last year, preparing for this year, and everything’s just really clicking,” Pazel remarked. Beyond football, Pazel is an all-around athlete, participating in basketball and track. While he loves basketball the most, he acknowledges the success he’s had in track. Commenting on his basketball skills, particularly his jumping abilities, Pazel humorously noted his varied success with dunks last season but affirmed, “I can get up there.”

Pazel credits his success and development to coaches like Coach Career and, of course, his parents, who have been his steadfast supporters. Drawing inspiration from NFL greats like Odell Beckham Jr. and Julio Jones, Pazel strives to emulate their explosive play styles. As for his pre-game rituals, Pazel prefers to mentally lock in, listening to music and preparing himself visually. Despite being a junior, Pazel already has clear aspirations for his future. He plans on pursuing a career in photography, an art form he finds “the coolest thing ever” for its ability to showcase creativity.

CAPTURING EXCELLENCE

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COLUMBIANA, OH- Photography is an art that freezes moments, allowing us to revisit the tenderness, the ecstasy, and the triumph of times past. In this week’s podcast episode, we are thrilled to introduce a man who has harnessed this art to celebrate the athletic feats and passionate endeavors of young sports talents. Charles Marsh, the visionary behind Mahoning Valley Sports, joined DJ Yokley on YSN Profile to discuss his journey, his mission, and his unwavering commitment to capturing and uplifting the local sports scene.

It all began with family, as Charles explained, “- it really came down to my kids. You know, I was following my kids around, they’re playing sports, and I really wanted to capture some of those cool, awesome sports action pictures of them as they’re growing up.” This parental impulse resonated with others in the community, who began seeking Charles’s unique talent to immortalize their own children’s achievements.

2018 marked a pivotal year for Charles with the start of his LLC, an enterprise born from necessity and ambition. The entrepreneurial photographer observed a clear gap, “- a lot of bad photography out there, and I felt like that was an opportunity to kind of maybe help highlight, you know, our student athletes being awesome.” Little did he know, a global pandemic would serve as the unexpected catalyst for his budding business. When COVID-19 restrictions limited access to the sidelines, it was a partnership with YSN that propelled Mahoning Valley Sports forward.

During the podcast, Charles recounted a pivotal moment, drawing from the echoes of resilience, “- I’m the guy you want on the sidelines. I shouldn’t be the guy that you want that you’re trying to, you know, keep out.” His tenacity paid off, as his venture began to thrive, amassing a team that shared his vision for excellence.

Apart from his own expertise, Charles has cultivated a remarkable team, remarkable for their shared conviction in their craft. He spoke highly of his colleagues, but remained humble about his central role in the success of Mahoning Valley Sports, “- It’s more than just me. It’s way bigger than just one guy.”
With a focus that stretches beyond the mainstream sports, Charles and his team aim to shine a light on the lesser-covered, yet equally deserving, athletic activities, “- those student-athletes in every single sport working just as hard and doing just…have just as many accomplishments on the field as football players do.”

One can’t discuss Charles Marsh’s work without appreciating the near-insta­ntaneous speed with which his team delivers these visual treasures, “- the turnaround has been phenomenal.” It’s part of the impeccable process Charles has developed, which he believes gives schools, parents, and children a superior service that is unmatched in the industry.

Looking ahead, Charles envisions a bright future, full of aspirations and horizon-stretching goals. His ten-year plan speaks volumes about his enduring ambition: “- to be the number one school photographer in Mahoning County, Trumbull County.” Yet, the essence of his advice remains timeless and clear, a call to …keep fighting it for what you believe in. Others will follow.”

For those eager to embrace the excellence that Mahoning Valley Sports provides, Charles warmly invites them to connect, “- Check out our website at mahoneyvalleysports.com,” or shoot an email directly to [email protected]. Whether it’s immortalizing a game night victory or creating masterful memories of athletic endeavors, one thing is for certain – the team at Mahoning Valley Sports is ready to frame your moments of glory, one snapshot at a time.