By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

When Aurora High School volleyball coach Katie Cicione described the 2025 season, she appropriately said that the team’s regional tournament berth “completely changed the landscape” of the program.

It is a program absolutely on an upswing.

The Greenmen won the school’s second-ever league championship this season, won its first-ever district championship and finished with a sparkling 20-6 record.

The most decorated team season in school history was created by a team filled with a collection of talented players, but none more individually decorated than defensive specialist Emerson Spiesz.

The four-year standout, who will continue her career at Division I USC Upstate (Spartanburg, S.C.) and was also recently named Honorable Mention All-Ohio in Division III, elevated Aurora to new heights with her play.

She set a new career record for digs with 1,508, while also finishing her career with 150 aces, in what was described by the coaching staff as “four unforgettable years.”

On the team’s X page, the coaches posted this in celebration of Spiesz:

“Emerson Speisz will forever be written in our program’s story. She was named the Suburban League Player of the Year, District 3 Division III Player of the Year, and earned All-Ohio Honorable Mention. Emerson also set a new school record for the most digs in a career — surpassing 1,500 digs, 150 aces, and averaging 15.5 digs per match over four unforgettable seasons.

“But behind every stat is an athlete who embodies what it means to leave your mark — dedicated, humble, and relentless. Emerson represents everything that defines Aurora Volleyball. She stands up for our culture and holds everyone around her to a higher standard.

“We are the program we are today because of the bar she set.

“Em, you’ve left your mark from Rec League to Middle School to now being one of the greatest to wear our jersey. The foundation you built will carry this program forward for years to come. Your next chapter is going to be something truly special and we’re so proud to call you an Aurora Volleyball alum.”

NORTHEAST OHIO ALL-DISTRICT GOLF

The Northeast Ohio Golf Coaches recently announced the All-District girls and boys golfers for the 2025 golf season.

Voted on by the coaches, the honorees are part of both the exciting future and the best memories of this golf season.

Earning First-Team honors for Northeast Ohio from Portage County were:

BOYS GOLF

FIRST TEAM

DIVISION II

James Morgan, Southeast

DIVISION III

Tyler Pendergast, Mogadore

Jude Thiry, Mogadore

Jacob Rainieri, Lake Center Christian

SECOND TEAM

DIVISION II

Brett Epple, Streetsboro

Dom Marcini, Streetsboro

GIRLS GOLF

FIRST TEAM

DIVISION II

Sammy Morgan, Southeast

SECOND TEAM

DIVISION I

Adrianna Mineo, Kent Roosevelt

DIVISION II

Ava Miller, Rootstown

Jessi Mix, Southeast

Aubree Varga, Southeast

SPECIAL SEASON FOR ROOSEVELT’S PEEPS

Kent Roosevelt High School senior quarterback Gavin Peeps finished the 2025 season with 2,068 yards passing.

The total ranks as the 17th-best single-season by a QB in Portage County history.

It also places him into the top 10 of the school’s all-time single-season passing list.

The Roosevelt list includes:

1. Tra’Von Chapman, 2,901 yards (2012)
2. Tra’Von Chapman, 2,835 (2011)
3. Riley Larkin, 2,524 (2014)
4. David Rogers, 2,485 (2005)
5. Christian Mehlmann, 2,356 (2015)
6. David Rogers, 2,272 (2006)
7. Gavin Peeps, 2,068 (2025)

For the season, Peeps completed 152-of-257 passes (59 percent). He also threw 21 touchdowns against only nine interceptions. He was also active in the ground game, rushing for 537 yards and six touchdowns.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RICHIE!

Mogadore’s playoff football game last Friday ended in fitting fashion: With the team, cheerleaders and community members all singing Happy Birthday, while the pep band provided the music, to longtime Superfan Richie Stefan.

Roger Stefan, Richie’s brother, said: “My big bro loves his birthday more than anyone I know and to get the village to sing to him just absolutely warms my heart. Small town awesomeness at its finest.”

Roger Stefan also offered an appreciative shoutout to band director Noah Whetstone, as well as the Mogadore cheerleading program for “always being so kind to my brother.”

“I’m forever grateful for all of your kindness,” Roger said.

MORE FROM MOGADORE

Mogadore running back Conner Lehner had a historic night on Friday leading the Wildcats to a dominating 54-7 Division VII Regional Quarterfinal playoff win over East Palestine.

Lehner rushed for 242 yards on only eight carries and scored four touchdowns. He now has 1,476 yards rushing on the season.

The Wildcats (10-1) will face East Canton (10-2) on Friday in a Regional Semifinal playoff game. The Hornets defeated Fairport Harding 46-26 on Friday.

The trusted and well run “Mogadore Football” Facebook page, coordinated by Eric Guthier, who also oversees mogadorefootball.com, posted that Lehner’s incredible effort was only the second time in program history that a back rushed for more than 240 yards with a yards per carry over 25.

The other was done by Mike Raddish during the 1963 season. Raddish ran for 354 yards on 14 carries, and scored six touchdowns, in a victory over Lake.