By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

Brimfield’s Amelia Lovett, 8, recently competed at the prestigious AAU Gymnastics Nationals in Knoxville, Tenn., where she landed a perfect 10 score on the balance beam to be crowned the event’s National All-Around Champion.

AMELIA LOVETT

Lovett’s performance included first-place efforts on the beam, uneven bars and floor exercise. She also placed fifth overall on the vault.

As a result of her championship, Lovett, who has earned the nickname “Beam Queen” and in her first year of competitive gymnastics, qualified for the AAU Junior Olympics, which are scheduled for August. She advanced in four of her five scores and will compete in all of the events at the Junior Olympics.

Lovett trains at World Elite Kids Gymnastics in Tallmadge, which had nine qualify for the Junior Olympics. It was the first time in the gym’s history to have athletes qualify.

SWARTZ RETURNS TO COACH MOGADORE

A familiar face has returned to Mogadore.

Russ Swartz will return to the sideline as the Wildcats’ boys basketball coach for the 2026-27 season.

Swartz was approved for the position at Wednesday’s Board of Education meeting.

Swartz resigned in May 2025 and spent last season as an assistant coach for the Lake boys basketball program.

Swartz has 510 career wins, which ranks second in Portage County history behind Windham’s Marty Hill (694 wins).

BRIMFIELD DINGERS WIN SILVER TITLE

The Dingers Baseball team, which is based out of Brimfield, competed at the 5 Tool Ohio State Tournament in Columbus last weekend and placed third overall (out of 34 teams).

The team went 5-2 over a four-day period and posted a 5-2 record to win the Silver State Championship, defeating Columbus Springfield Junior Blue Devils, 16-4, for the title.

The team is coached by Justin Greene and assisted by Justin Mulheim, Cain Rock and Eric Boston. The team roster includes…

Zak Kelling (Kent), Jayden Boston (Springfield), Grant Mulheim (Kent), Aleutian Taylor (Field), Benson Manchester (Field), Cain Rock II (Springfield), Joel Ellis (Tallmadge), Owen Kiser (Springfield), Dominic Maksim (Hudson), Ashton Greene (Field), Bryce Harris (Coventry), Max Bailey (Kent).

ANGELS TAKE GOLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Seven Portage County youth baseball standouts helped lead the Akron Angels 13U travel team to the Gold Bracket tournament championship last weekend at the Daddy’s on the Diamond Tournament.

The Angels defeated Aurora, 9-2, to finish a perfect 4-0 on the weekend. The previous weekend, the Angels finished as runners-up at the Grand Park Frenzy in Indiana.

Included on the Angels’ team roster are: Rootstown’s Luke Ball and Mason Brown, Crestwood’s Braxton Moore and Landon Korby, Field’s Caleb Hunsche and Ryan Dunfee, and Kent’s Lucas Foguth. 

ALL-OHIO BASEBALL

Six high school baseball standouts from Portage County were named to the Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association’s All-Ohio team.

The group included:

   • Elijah Shim, Aurora, junior second baseman, Division III First Team

   • Caden Kolesar, Field, senior outfielder, Division IV First Team

   • Sam Confer, Field, senior utility, Division IV Second Team

   • Jayden Coffie, Streetsboro, senior third baseman, Division IV First Team

   • Scott Wilson, Streetsboro, senior outfielder, Division IV Second Team

   • Brandyn Bogucki, Garfield, senior shortstop, Division V Second Team

ROOTSTOWN SEEKS COACHES

Rootstown is currently seeking new coaches for the following positions:

   • Middle school assistant cheerleading

   • 8th grade volleyball head coach

Interested candidates are encouraged to email a resume to athletic director Keith Waesch (waesch@roversk12.org) by July 3.