By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

Streetsboro High School hosted a Student-Athlete Mental Health Summit last week as an initiative to raise awareness to the significant pressures and challenges faced by student-athletes.

Cloverleaf, Coventry, Crestwood, Field, Kent Roosevelt, Ravenna, Springfield, Streetsboro, Tallmadge and Woodridge all attended.

Streetsboro High School athletic director Randy Tevepaugh, who helped coordinate the event, said that the event was initiated to help student-athletes understand, balance and handle the challenges they face on a daily basis.

“The challenges often include balancing academics, sports and personal life, leading to mental-health concerns like anxiety, depression and burnout,” Tevepaugh said. “I have had the privilege of being a member of the Ohio State University’s Coach Beyond State team and worked collaboratively with some of the top mental-health professionals in Ohio. This effort is now expanding on a national level to address these concerns.

“The goal is to raise awareness, provide support and create a sustainable platform for mental health discussions and solutions specifically designed for student-athletes,” Tevepaugh added. “The summit was created as a response to the increasing demand for resources and education around mental health, especially considering the intense and unique pressures that student-athletes experience.”

It is the event’s second year and Tevepaugh said it is his plan to continue it annually and wants to work to expand its reach.

“This initiative is critical in ensuring that student-athletes have the resources, knowledge and support systems in place to address mental health challenges effectively,” Tevepaugh said.

In relation to the summit, the Streetsboro Board of Education recently approved the district’s first-ever Student-Athlete Mental Health Emergency Action Plan.

“The purpose of this plan is to ensure that student-athletes receive prompt and appropriate mental-health support when experiencing mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, stress, suicidal thoughts or other disclosures,” Tevepaugh said. “It includes a clear process for communication between coaches, guidance counselors, parents and other involved parties, as well as prevention measures to create a supportive and proactive environment for the well-being of student-athletes.”

TAPED-UP WRISTS HAVE A MESSAGE IN ROOTSTOWN

If you have watched the Rootstown High School girls basketball team this season, you may have noticed that it is common for Cloe Bengston and Colbie Curall to have both of their wrists taped.

It is common for basketball players to tape their wrists for additional support and the Rovers’ pair of juniors decided that if they were going to tape theirs, they would do it with a positive message.

Purchased online, Bengston and Curall use an athletic tape that has a cross printed on it, along with the Proverbs 3:5 verse: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.”

Shannon Eldreth/Special to Portage Sports

BRENDA RICHMOND RETIRES

Longtime Field High School athletic secretary Brenda Richmond has officially retired.

Richmond has worked alongside many athletic directors and was a trusted, accurate and critical member of the Falcons’ athletic department and district, handling and coordinating a wide variety of tasks.

Raechel Gardner has been hired to take over as the new athletic secretary.

COLLEGE SIGNINGS

     • James Durham, Crestwood, track and field, Ohio Northern

     • Elijah Jurisch, Crestwood, boys soccer, Geneva

AURORA HIRES NEW BOYS SOCCER COACH

The Aurora Board of Education recently officially approved Louis Kastelic as the high school boys soccer program’s new head coach.

Kastelic’s coaching resume includes time as an assistant at John Carroll University, as well as the Cleveland Crunch.

HISTORIC CAREERS FOR NAOMI BENSON AND DEKOTA JOHNSON

     • Streetsboro High School girls basketball standout Naomi Benson finished her historic career with nine school records.

Congratulations on an amazing career and all the best to you at the University of Illinois next season!

     • Crestwood boys basketball’s Dekota Johnson finished his career with three school records and five more top-five rankings in program history. Congratulations on a special career!