By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

Saturday was full of celebrations for the Waterloo girls soccer team.

First, the team dominated Newton Falls for a 9-1 win.

Secondly, it was head coach Bill Jackson’s 50th win of his career. An accomplishment he achieved in just four years.

Thirdly, and most notably, the Vikings celebrated a clinch of at least a share of the Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference championship. It was the program’s second title in four years.

“I think one of the most exciting things to watch has been the growth of the team, not just on the field, but off,” Jackson said. “The bond that has developed has been deep, and they truly have become a family.

“This is a group that never stops, continually asks questions and wants to challenge their limits daily. It has been amazing to watch and it’s been a blessing to be around this group every day. It really is a team that loves each other and plays with passion.

“I think my favorite thing about this team is that they appreciate moments and live where their feet are,” Jackson added. “They are a special team.”

RAVENNA STANDOUT MALLORY STERBA

Ravenna senior girls tennis standout Mallory Sterba recently finished her season with a 14-3 overall record and was also 7-3 in singles competition.

After a little uncertainty of taking over the First Singles position for the Ravens this season, Sterba worked diligently and produced a special season that recently included placing second overall at the Metro Athletic Conference Tournament.

“Mallory has a very positive attitude and is a great leader on our team,” Ravenna head coach Brittany Kohanski said. “She has gone from playing Second Doubles her freshman year and moving to Third Singles to Second Singles to First.

“She is very coachable and tries to put into her game what she has learned from practices and matches,” Kohanski said. “She has a lot of grit and competitiveness, which helps her persevere in matches when they get tough. She was nervous about moving to First Singles this year, but, overall, she had a great season.”

AURORA STANDOUT KAMY MILANO

Aurora senior girls tennis standout Kamy Milano made it a perfect four for four by recently qualifying for the district tournament for the fourth consecutive year.

She is also a four-time First Team All-Suburban League honoree and qualified for the state tournament during her sophomore season in 2023.

Overall, her career record is 61-22 and she has posted a 16-6 record this fall, improving from her 10-12 record from a year ago.

“No one works harder than Kamy,” Aurora head coach Vince Cannata said. “She does more drills and lessons than any player, outside of my son, that I have coached. She has been a great player to coach and her politeness on the court is second to none.

“I will miss coaching her,” Cannata said. “She was like having another coach out there with me.”

GIRLS TENNIS: MAC TOURNAMENT

The Woodridge Bulldogs were crowned champions of the Metro Athletic Conference Tournament, while also placing first overall during the regular season, to capture the outright title of the league.

At the tournament, Woodridge edged runner-up Norton, 45-41.

Finishing in third place was Ravenna, Field placed fourth and Coventry was fifth.

The mach championships were:

   • First Singles: Addison Hovey, Norton

   • Second Singles: Ava Perry, Norton

   • Third Singles: Giavanna Farley, Woodridge

   • First Doubles: Claire Gregory and Bella Smole, Woodridge

   • Second Doubles: Bella Saffel and Maeve Mattei, Norton

HANNAN’S COACHING MILESTONE

In one of the most unique milestones you will find in the state of Ohio…

On Friday, following Rootstown’s 21-12 victory over Crestwood, Rovers football head coach Tom Hannan accomplished the feat of defeating every school in Portage County during his career.

Hannan spent 16 years as the head coach of Crestwood, and after a few stops elsewhere, he is now leading Rootstown.

The uniqueness of the record transcends just the fact that he has beat every county team. The interesting layer becomes that it is an accomplishment that likely will never be duplicated.

Take into consideration that Crestwood spent years as a Division II school when Hannan was coaching the Devils, which placed opponents like Aurora and Kent Roosevelt on his schedule. Additionally, as members of the Portage County League, Crestwood regularly played county opponents.

With the current league status, many schools don’t play each other anymore. Furthermore, school enrollment and football roster sizes have shrunk to the point that Portage’s smaller schools do not schedule against the larger schools as part of their non-conference games.

GARFIELD’S FOOTBALL TAILGATE

The Garrettsville community has scheduled a tailgate for Oct. 17 to celebrate the Garfield G-Men football team’s big Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference showdown with Crestview.

The game has a 7 p.m. kickoff at JAG Field.

Before kickoff, though, the community is invited onto the school’s front lawn for a 5 p.m. tailgate, which will include a DJ, Kona Ice truck, free hot dogs, games, face painting and more.

CRESTWOOD SCARLET GUARD

The Crestwood Scarlet Guard Marching Band won the Class A championship at the Bands of America in Toledo.

The group took first place for Best Music and Best General Effect.

The accomplishment advances the Scarlet Guard to the Buckeye Invitational at Ohio State University’s Ohio Stadium on Oct. 11 for the first time ever.

Only 33 bands were invited to the event.