By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

The Rootstown softball family extends beyond the diamond.

And the team’s recent annual spring trip to Destin, Fla., help sparked the memory of that fact.

Three years ago, assistant coach Taylor Shepherd announced to the team that she was expecting her first child.

“It was my first year coaching, and I was only about six weeks along with my first baby when we were down there. I was contemplating if I should tell the girls, because I had only know them a few months and because it was still early, but I got really sick at one of our games and had to leave to get out of the heat,” Shepherd remembered. “I was super embarrassed because the girls didn’t know what was wrong with me, and I looked like a wimp because I wasn’t even playing and the heat took me out. So that night, I met the team out for ice cream and announced to them that I was pregnant and that’s why I had to leave their game. I just remember them ll being really happy for me and checking on me during the remainder of the week down there.”

This year, Shepherd’s husband, parents and her daughters all joined the Rovers in Destin.

“The softball girls were so excited this year in Destin getting to see Lena, and my 8 month old Maeve, there at a couple of the games,” Shepherd said. “Lena definitely keeps the girls entertained. I love my baby girls getting to watch me coach the sport I’ve always loved so much.”

Another Rootstown softball fan is on the way.

Assistant coach Aleena Laney is currently 32 weeks pregnant and has remained with the team full time.

“It’s been very exciting to be able to share the news with the girls,” Laney said. “Last year, the softball season started shortly after I got married. This year, returning was awesome to share the news of the baby with them ask well. We have grown close as a team and watching them be equally excited for my milestones as I am for theirs is amazing.”

Laney is a first grade teacher at Rootstown Elementary and Shepherd is a counselor at Rootstown Elementary.

“I absolutely love that the team sees successful women coach with families that are so supportive,” said Brenda Giebel, whose daughters Madison (senior) and Morgan (sophomore) are on the team this spring.

OPEN COACHING POSITIONS

There are a number of open coaching positions in Portage County. Here is a list:

CRESTWOOD (Contact athletic director Brittany Dye at bdye@crestwoodschools.org)

   • Cheerleading head coach

FIELD (Contact athletic director Aaron Male at aaron.male@fieldlocalschools.org)

   • Girls tennis head coach

GARFIELD (Contact athletic director Jim Pfleger at jpfleger@jagschools.org)

   • Boys basketball assistant coach

ROOTSTOWN (Contact athletic director Keith Waesch at waesch@roversk12.org)

   • Cheerleading head coach

   • Cheerleading assistant coach

   • Girls soccer head coach

   • Girls soccer assistant coach

SOUTHEAST (Contact athletic director Patrick Youel at pyouel@sepirates.org)

   • Football assistant coach

   • Football defensive coordinator

   • Girls tennis head coach

WATERLOO (Contact athletic director kdennison@waterloovikings.org)

   • Football assistant coach

NIGHT FOR THE STARS COMING

We are only a few days away from the Portage Sports High School Basketball All-Star Games!

   • Friday, April 17

   • at Ravenna High School

   • Girls game at 5:45 p.m.

   • Boys game at 7 p.m.

We can’t wait to spotlight 46 of the county’s best student-athletes, and we can’t wait to see everyone there for the action!

SOUTHEAST GIRLS WRESTLERS PLACE AT STATES

Southeast Middle School girls wrestling standouts Savannah Lakia (7th grade) and Grace Nelson (8th grade) recently finished as runners-up in their respective weight classes at the Ohio Athletic Committee’s Junior High State Championships in Youngstown.

HELP NEEDED AT SOUTHEAST

The major storms that hit Portage County last week caused Southeast High School to lose part of its roof, which then led to water leaks.

The result was damage to the gymnasium floor that will require a completely new court to be installed.

The tear out and replacement process has already started.

The emergency action was obviously unexpected and is not the positive part, but your opportunity to help may be what helps turn things a little more positive.

Physical Education teacher Melinda Furr uses the gymnasium as her classroom.

Suddenly, she is now seeking help.

“I am attempting to create a rec game room,” Furr posted on Facebook. “I am currently looking for a football table, air hockey, plastic darts, etc., if anyone has anything taking up space, I’d be happy to put them to good use.”

If you have something that you may be able to donate for short-time use, email me at tomnader@portagesports, and I can help connect you with Furr.