By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

The Field baseball program’s Teacher Appreciation Game is a longstanding tradition.

Under head coach Joe Peterson, the Falcons once again celebrated educators during the team’s game against CVCA.

Prior to the game, seniors were recognized with a teacher they selected — choosing an educator who had made a profound and positive impact on their lives — and gifted them a personalized baseball.

The list of teachers honored at the game included:

•     George Wetzel, high school social studies, selected by Drexal McAmis
•     Shawn Bookman, Suffield Elementary principal, selected by Landon Homan
•     Austin Williams, high school science, selected by Logan Roberts
•     Chris Burke, high school English, selected by Chip Wagner
•     Jon Lynch, Brimfield Elementary principal, selected by Grady Eader
•     Dave Irland, Brimfield Elementary, selected by Alec Grimm
•     Wendy Hackim, Brimfield Elementary, selected by Caleb Brastine

SICILIANO TO LEAD ROVERS

Joe Siciliano was approved as the next Rootstown varsity boys basketball coach at Wednesday night’s Board of Education meeting.

He coached at the MS & JV level under former head coach Cody Calhoun (now at Aurora) and was most recently the JV coach for the Rovers this past season.

“I am excited and honored to be in the position that I’m in,” Siciliano said. “I have been watching Rootstown basketball my entire life and just to be in the position to lead the program forward is truly a blessing.”

The Rovers will begin summer league play, along with many other programs in Portage County, the first week of June.

BIG STAGE CALLS FOR BRIMFIELD’S AMOS

Brimfield’s Sloane Amos was recently selected to the USA Softball Region 2 12U All-American Team.

She was one of only 15 players selected for the team following a tryout session.

Amos will play in a series of games in Oklahoma in August against some of the best teams in the country.

Just two years ago, Sloane’s older sister Sydney, earned the same prestigious honor.

GROSS STEPS DOWN AT WINDHAM

Windham’s D.J. Gross has officially announced his resignation as the high school and junior high athletic director.

Gross held the position for 11 years and was well respected throughout Portage County and Northeast Ohio for his professionalism and positive attitude.

Dougle Hankins has been named his replacement, and he will begin in the role for the 2025-26 school year.

SOUTHEAST’S BEST

Southeast senior girls lacrosse standout Alex Hrkach finished the season with a single-season record 50 goals scored and graduates as the program’s career points leader with 86 (73 goals and 13 assists).

SPECIAL SPRING IN MOGADORE

The spring 2025 season has include many big moments for the Wildcats.

Last week, girls track and field team won its second consecutive district championship, while the Wildcats’ softball team advance to the district final before losing to McDonald.

It wasn’t before a series of milestones for the Cats’ softball team, though.

Lilly Hotchkiss and Addie Christy reached the 100 career hits milestone, while Christy also set a single-season record with 18 wins.

The previous record was shared by A. Kot (2018) and K. Kurchev (2003).

For the girls track and field team, they bested the field in Division III at Ravenna.

The program won its first-ever district title last year and now have doubled up.

FASTEST FALCON

Field junior sprinter Cedric Martin set a new school record in the 100 meters on Saturday at the Metro Athletic Conference Championships.

Martin’s new program-best time is 10.93.

Martin was also part of helping the Falcons win a district championship this past weekend.

COLLEGE SIGNINGS

Ivan Trent, Garfield football, Washington & Jefferson (Pa.)

Harper Troyer, Garfield football, Washington & Jefferson (Pa.)

Dylan Miller, Southeast boys lacrosse, Walsh University

10TH ANNUAL BAILEY SIMONS TOURNAMENT

The 10th annual Bailey Simons Memorial Alumni Basketball Tournament is set for Saturday, June 21, at Rootstown High School.

The event will begin at 3 p.m. and will include alumni basketball teams from Crestwood, Field, Mogadore, Rootstown, Streetsboro and Waterloo.

Save the date to come support a special event that exists to remember and celebrate Bailey Simons, who was a Rootstown High School cheerleader who died in an automobile accident on Feb. 14, 2014.

Portage Sports will release team rosters in the coming weeks.