By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

Portage Sports is excited to announce an expansion of coverage with The PS Podcast.

The first episode was recorded last Friday at the WSTB Studio at Streetsboro High School.

A special thank you to WSTB General Manager Corey Teuton for his guidance and partnership.

Guests for the first episode included Garfield G-Men track and field standout and 12-time state champion Conner Hunt, Field softball head coach Beth Dyer, Garfield Superintendent Ted Lysiak and Ravenna athletic director Jim Lunardi.

The first episode has been edited, and we are scheduling a release date to share out with everyone within very soon.

The podcast will be able to be found on all of your favorite and familiar apps, as well as on our website.

Portions of the podcast will also air throughout the week on 88.9 WSTB.

On the episode, Hunt talks about his illustrious high-school career, Dyer discussed the fantastic ride to the state semifinal and Lysiak and Lunardi give an expanded look at the creation of the Greater Portage Athletic Conference.

The conversations were great, and we are excited to eventually share the episode with everyone!

FIRST PLACE FOR ROOSEVELT CHEER

The Kent Roosevelt High School cheerleading team earned first place for the Sideline category at the UCA Cheer Camp last week at the University of Akron.

The Rough Riders also placed second for Dance and third for Overall Spirit.

PS BASKETBALL PREVIEW NIGHTS

The High School Basketball Preview Nights have been set, and we are excited to announce that James A. Garfield High School will be the host sites for both nights!

The Girls Preview Night is scheduled for Nov. 5 and the Boys Preview Night is scheduled for Nov. 12.

We don’t want to rush summer, nor do we want to fast forward the upcoming fall season, but come November, we will see you there!

HANNAN NAMED ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

Former Streetsboro High School athletic secretary Jon Hannan has been hired to be the new athletic director at Holy Name High School in Parma.

Hannan had also served as the Rockets’ girls cross country coach, but has resigned from that position to make time for his new role leading the Green Wave’s athletic department.

The new boys cross country coach at Streetsboro will be Adam Miller, while Larry Hoffman has been hired to coach the girls.

BASKETBALL DIVISION CHANGES FOR TWO

The OHSAA recently announced its tournament divisions for high school boys and girls basketball for the 2026-27 season.

The 2026-27 school year will be the first of a new two-year enrollment cycle using data provided by the Ohio Department of Education.

In Portage County, Ravenna will move down from Division IV to Division V and Waterloo will move up from Division VII to Division VI.

PS PHOTOSHOOT SET FOR WEDNESDAY

We are excited to share that we have scheduled our 2026 High School Football and Cheerleading photoshoot at the historic Reed Memorial Library in downtown Ravenna on Wednesday (July 15).

The photoshoot will be part of our popular annual High School Football Magazine, which will have preorder options coming up soon!

MOGADORE PROMOTES RITCH

Jennifer Ritch was recently approved as the new athletic director at Mogadore High School during Wednesday’s Board of Education meeting.

Ritch takes over the position from Steve Lutz, who retired after the 2025-26 school year.

Ritch has also served as the Wildcats’ girls basketball head coach for the last 12 years.

CRESTWOOD SEEKS VOLLEYBALL COACH

Crestwood High School is currently seeking a JV coach for the upcoming volleyball season.

Interested candidates are asked to email head coach Wanda Hoffman at whoffman@crestwoodschools.org.