By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

You know you are doing special things when you are given the nickname “The Beast.”

Aurora’s Nathan Eminian (back row, third from left) will run in the Division I district meet on Saturday in Boardman.

That nickname belongs to Aurora senior Nathan Eminian.

He has had a sensational season, including setting a new personal record time of 15:46.30 earlier this season, will run for possible regional qualification at the Division-II race in Boardman on Saturday and is described by his coach Laura Bell-Peters as a “phenomenal young man.”

Which is absolutely true, but when it is race time, you won’t find a more fierce competitor.

“Don’t underestimate or mistake his kindness for a weakness. He is goal oriented and driven,” Bell-Peters said. “He has big goals for this season and is checking them off the list.

“Nathan leads by example. He is humble, kind hearted and loves to run,” Bell-Peters added. “He has true sportsmanship, supports his teammates and fellow athletes. He is never boastful or brags.”

On race day, when he crosses the finish line 2 minutes ahead of his teammates, his race is not over.

Not until his teammates join him.

“You will always see him at the finish line waiting on his teammates, congratulating them and other runners,” Bell-Peters said.

Eminian further connects himself to his teammates by offering them “words of wisdom,” according to Bell-Peters, every Thursday at practices.

It further showcases his light-hearted side.

When it is time to race, though, Bell-Peters said that you see Eminian change his demeanor as locks into race mode.

Also known as Beast Mode.

ROACH REACHES CENTURY

Photo: Benjamin Coll

Garfield volleyball head coach Ali Roach celebrated the 100th win of her career back on Sept. 24 during the G-Men’s victory over Lake Center Christian.

Roach is in her seventh season leading the program and currently has 108 wins.

Her Garfield team is set for a Division V district semifinal tournament match on Tuesday vs. Triway. The postseason matchup is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. at Berkshire High School.

The G-Men are 18-5 overall this season and finished 12-2 in the Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference — one game back of Crestview for the chance to share the Gray Division title.

Roach’s season-by-season records:

• 2019: 10-11
• 2020: 9-9
• 2021: 20-5
• 2022: 19-6
• 2023: 16-8
• 2024: 16-8
• 2025: 18-5

STREETSBORO GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL

Streetsboro High School is the first school in Portage County to formally announce that it will have a girls flag football team.

The Rockets’ team will begin in the spring of 2026.

Streetsboro athletic director Randy Tevepaugh made the announcement on Tuesday morning and reported that the district had 44 girls attend the first meeting and that the district has begun the on-boarding process after receiving approval from Superintendent Cynthia Deevers.

The Ohio High School Athletic Association announced back in July that it would sponsor a state tournament for girls flag football for the first time in spring 2026.