By Tom Nader

Portage Sports

Jim Hunt, founder of Sports Xpress, Portage County’s premier sporting goods and team apparel shop, has transferred ownership to brothers Ron, Craig and Eric Lewis and Tom and Travis Nader. The new team plans to continue the strong customer service and community ties built by Hunt over his 33 years of ownership.

Moving forward, Hunt will remain part of the staff, as will all current employees. Craig Lewis will assume a daily role on site and the rest of the new team will continue to expand into new roles at Sports Xpress.

“We are all very excited for this new opportunity,” the new ownership team said. “We grew up with Sports Xpress and now we get to be part of the team that has always been a part of our lives. We have a very deep and sincere respect for Jim (Hunt) and the reputation his name and company stand for. We are thrilled to carry it forward in the same way he always has.”

Hunt opened Sports Xpress in 1992 at its original storefront on West Main Street. Eventually, the demand led to the expansion to its current 5,200-square foot location at 956 E. Main St. in Ravenna.

Sports Xpress has long established itself as Portage County’s leader in athletic apparel and superior customization services to Northeast Ohio’s schools, teams, leagues, coaches, fans, businesses, religious organizations, nonprofit groups, government entities and individuals.

As Hunt passes ownership to a fresh group, he is grateful for the contributions throughout a decades-long journey.

“I want to thank all of my family for their support over the years,” Hunt said. “Their help, advice and care have always been an instrumental part of Sports Xpress’ success. Every person who has worked here, past and present, has been and continues to be integral in serving our community.

“I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the coaches, school athletic directors, moms and dads, athletes, local businesses and civic and religious organizations that have put their trust in us,” Hunt added. “When a parent, or even grandparent, comes in with their young athlete looking for their first baseball mitt or soccer cleats, I am always thrilled to hear them say THEIR first equipment was purchased here. I am excited for Sports Xpress will continue under the Lewis and Nader families’ stewardship. I love that they grew up in Portage County and are raising their families in our communities. I wish them success as they take Sports Xpress into the future.”

All members of the new ownership team are graduates of Rootstown High School and all are residents of or have direct connections to Portage County. Additionally, all are active in their respective communities in a variety of volunteer roles.

Craig Lewis will serve as the Sports Xpress store manager, along with Brandon Hunt, and is also a youth baseball, softball, soccer and basketball coach for Rootstown. He is also a realtor for Jack Kohl Realty. He lives in Rootstown with his family.

Eric Lewis is currently a field trustee and head coach for Rootstown youth baseball, football and basketball. He works in equipment sales for the Columbus Equipment Company. He lives in Rootstown with his family.

Ron Lewis is a partner at Jack Kohl Realty and currently coaches youth football and softball at Waterloo. He is also a board member of the Viking Youth Football and Cheer, as well as a board member for the Portage County Port Authority. He has previously coached high school and youth baseball at Rootstown and served as its youth baseball commissioner. He lives in Atwater with his family.

Tom Nader is the owner of Portage Sports, President of Field Youth Soccer, Field High School girls soccer assistant coach, Field Middle School girls basketball head coach, a coach of four other youth teams and also is a substitute teacher in all buildings at the Field Local School District. He lives in Suffield with his family.

Travis Nader has been an assistant coach for youth soccer, football and basketball with both Rootstown and Field. He is a CNC machinist at Top Advantage Surfaces in Hartville. He lives in Lake.

GOLF SEASON TEES OFF

The 2025 high school boys and girls golf seasons are officially underway.

Rootstown’s Ava Miller

The Rootstown girls were the first team in Portage County to tee off the season, splitting a pair of matches on Wednesday.

The Rovers defeated Carrollton and lost to Minerva, playing at the Great Trail Golf Course.

Leading the Rovers were Chloe Gardner (45) and Ava Miller (46) on the Par 36 fairways of Great Trail.

The Rovers were down several starters due to other activities and injury.

Rootstown turned around and played in the Minerva Invitational one day later.

On Thursday, the Rovers placed second at the invitational and paced two girls within the top seven of the leaderboard.

Miller’s 86 was the team’s best score and gave her a third-place finish. Gardner’s 92 placed her seventh.

The Rovers also received a 96 from sophomore Morgan Giebel and a 114 from senior Ella Derr.

In other first-week golf action, the Mogadore boys topped Streetsboro by eight strokes (153-161).

Mogadore brothers Jude and Brock Thiry were co-match medalists, each firing 36, just 2-over-par at their home course of Paradise Lake Golf Club.

Tyler Pendergast added a 38 and Max Simone a 43 for the Wildcats to put up a solid match total.

The Rockets’ Brett Epple missed sharing match medalist by one stroke, carding a 37 as the best on the fairway for Streetsboro. Dom Marcini added a 39, Bryce Pacek, a 42 and Evan Reger a 43 for the consistent scoring of the Rockets.

In one other match, Waterloo lost to McDonald (180-193), despite the Vikings’ Jayden Eichler earning medalist with his 6-over 41.

Waterloo’s other scores included Mason Long and Blade Ascarrunz, each with a 50, and Trevor Flarida with a 52.