By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

The Aurora football program has produced many special players during the 20-year coaching career of Bob Mihalik.

Two of the most special, Bubba Arslanian and AJ Barner, are now playing at the professional level.

Barner at the highest level, in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks, and recently made a return visit to Aurora, where he spent time walking the halls of his alma mater.

While back in the 44202, Barner gifted Mihalik and the school two signed Seahawks jerseys.

One was personalized to Mihalik, saying, “To Coach Mihalik, you have built a legacy at Aurora. Thank you for being there for every stop along my journey.”

A second jersey, which was hung in the Aurora weight training room, is signed with “Any dream can be accomplished in Aurora, OH.”

Meanwhile, Arslanian has emerged as a standout linebacker for the Quad City Steamwheelers, which are members of the Indoor Football League.

He was named the IFL’s Defensive Player of the Week by totaling eight tackles, two pass breakups and returning an interception for a touchdown during the team’s win over Iowa.

ANOTHER FUTURE PRO FROM AURORA

Aurora High School graduate Shyanne Sellers had a historic career at the University of Maryland.

She is the only player in Terrapins history to score 1,500 points, grab 500 rebounds and dish out 500 assists.

She was named First Team All-Big Ten and helped lead her team to the Sweet 16.

She even threw out the First Pitch at the Baltimore Orioles’ Opening Day on March 31.

Next up, the WNBA!

Sellers declared herself eligible for the 2025 WNBA Draft, which will be held on Monday, April 14, in New York City.

Most mock drafts have Sellers being selected in the top 10.

SHOCKLEY ENDS CAREER AS NO. 1

Waterloo High School’s career scoring leader is now the all-time leading scorer for Kent State Tuscarawas.

Kyle Shockley, who recently played his final game for the Golden Eagles, finished his career with 1,970 points to set a new program record.

While at Waterloo, Shockley scored 1,443 points, which is the 13th-most in Portage County history.

At KSU Tusc., Shockley’s season-by-season scoring totals included 362 as a freshman, 414 as a sophomore, 654 during his junior campaign and 540 this season as a senior.

Shockley broke the scoring record that was previously held by Gunnar Tharp.

NEW SOCCER COACHES

Crestwood and Streetsboro both recently announced new varsity head coaches for its soccer programs.

At Crestwood, pending approval by its Board of Education following a recommendation by athletic director Troy Spiker, Amanda Parsons will become the new leader of the Red Devils’ program.

Parsons is the former director of the Mantua Soccer Association and most recently was the Crestwood Middle School soccer coach.

The district’s announcement said, “Coach Parsons brings passion, commitment and continuity within her promotion.”

At Streetsboro, it recently announced the hiring of Jason Gasbarre as the Rockets’ new varsity boys soccer head coach.

Gasbarre takes over for Paul Krzeminski, who resigned after a 16-year career leading the program. Gasbarre spent the previous three seasons as Krzeminski’s assistant and is also the President of the city’s youth soccer program Streetsboro United.

CHEERLEADERS PREP FOR ALL-STAR GAME

Cheerleaders from throughout Portage County came together last Sunday afternoon at Rootstown High School to practice for the upcoming Portage Sports High School Basketball All-Star Games, which are scheduled for April 18 at Ravenna High School.

It is so great to see these schools all come together!

The group will practice once again this Sunday.

The list of cheerleaders that will participate in the All-Star Games includes:

Aurora: Vanessa Zembala, Katelyn Paczak

Crestwood: Audrey Julian, Sarah Lame

Field: Gianna Barbetta, Morgan Barber

Garfield: Jocelyn Sommer, Sammie Whitlow

Kent Roosevelt: Maddie Booher, Katelyn Gumm

Mogadore: Haylie Stuart, Sophia DeWitt

Ravenna: Hannah Stepic, Kaitlynne Arus

Rootstown: Anna Burke, Kayla Nicholas

Southeast: Julia Frick, Genevieve Brown

Streetsboro: Harmony Brown, Mia Perez

Waterloo: Allie Loar, Olivia Newkirk

CENTURY MARK FOR AURORA’S PETRASH

Aurora High School softball senior standout Sophie Petrash collected the 100th hit of her career over the weekend.

Petrash, who is a returning All-Suburban League player, is already off to a fast start this season.

Last year, during a spectacular junior season, she hit .493, had 36 hits, 9 doubles, 14 RBI and 35 runs scored.

STREETSBORO HOSTS STATE MEETING

Superintendents, principals and athletic directors from all over Northeast Ohio all visited Streetsboro High School on Tuesday for the OHSAA Regional Update that Streetsboro hosted.

The OHSAA’s Executive Director, Doug Ute, was also in attendance to announce administration updates to the group.

The meeting was the first of six for the OHSAA this month, with the other five scheduled for Thursday at the Clayton Northmont Community Auditorium, April 22 at Logan High School, April 24 at Pritchard Laughlin Civic Center in Cambridge, April 28 at the Westerville Quest Conference Center and April 30 at the Tiffin Camden Falls Reception and Conference Center.