By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

The Kent Roosevelt girls field hockey team has had plenty to celebrate recently.

On Youth Night, the Rough Riders defeated Laurel 3-1 in front of the Kent Parks and Recreation’s newly coordinated middle-school team, as well as the KPR’s 5th and 6th grade team that is in its second season.

Finding the back of the cage in the win over Laurel were senior Kacee Arus, senior Lily Robb and senior Kylee Huff.

Senior Claire Satola assisted Robb’s goal, while senior Sydney McKim set up Huff’s goal with the assist.

Senior goalie Lilly Karpinecz had eight saves to keep the Rough Riders in front.

The Rough Riders followed up that win with another, besting Western Reserve Academy 4-2.

In that victory, McKim had a pair of goals, while Huff and Satola had one each. Assists were delivered by Huff, senior Peyton Davis, Satola and McKim.

The game was controlled defensively by Roosevelt’s senior Lily Hill, senior Chloe Bivens and Robb.

“We have a great group of seniors, who lead by example, communicate on the field, work hard and are helping us grow our program by being involved with the youth teams and our fall Kent Parks and Rec clinic,” assistant coach Hannah Grant said.

GIRLS TENNIS MAC TOURNAMENT

The Norton Panthers captured the team championship at last week’s Metro Athletic Conference Tournament.

The Panthers finished with 48 team points, with Tallmadge finishing as runners-up with 35 points. Cuyahoga Falls was third (32 points), Cloverleaf fourth (29), Kent Roosevelt fifth (22), Woodridge sixth (21), Ravenna seventh (19) and Field was eighth (9).

Individual champions at the MAC Tournament included:

   First Singles: Sophie Watkins, Ravenna

   Second Singles: Ava Perry, Norton

   Third Singles: Justice Kitzmiller, Norton

   First Doubles: Addison Calo/Bella Saffel, Norton

   Second Doubles: Bella Dutton/Natalie Klaehn, Norton

SOUTHEAST’S JENNA CANALE HONORED

The Portage Sports and Bonsky Heating and Cooling September 2026 Student-Athlete of the Month is Southeast High School senior Jenna Canale.

Canale has a 3.857 grade-point average, has nine varsity letters in cross country, basketball and track and field, is the senior class Treasurer, is a member of the National Honor Society and is also involved in Family and Consumer Science, Leo’s Club, Link Crew and the Danceline.

Portage Sports recognized Canale before the start of Friday’s football game in a presentation that also included Southeast athletic director Patrick Youel.

The award is new for 2026, with Canale being the first to be recognized with the honor.

MOGADORE VOLLEYBALL RANKED

The Mogadore volleyball team is ranked No. 14 in this week’s newest Ohio High School Volleyball Coaches Association Division VII poll.

The Wildcats are 12-4 overall and are playing the 2026 season as independents before joining the Greater Portage Athletic Conference in 2027.

PORTAGE SPORTS BASKETBALL PREVIEW NIGHTS

Portage Sports is excited to announce that our High School Basketball Preview Nights will return for the third straight year.

This year’s events are scheduled for Nov. 5 (girls basketball) and Nov. 12 (boys basketball) — and both nights will be hosted at James A. Garfield High School in Garrettsville.

We are excited to have 20 total teams participating!

Mark your calendars!

We look forward to showcasing all of the teams!

The schedules include—

BOYS SCHEDULE

5:30 p.m.

Garfield vs. Windham

6:15 p.m.

Kent Roosevelt vs. Aurora

7 p.m.

Rootstown vs. Streetsboro

7:45 p.m.

Mogadore vs. Field

8:30 p.m.

Crestwood vs. Southeast

GIRLS SCHEDULE

5:30 p.m.

Kent Roosevelt vs. Streetsboro

6:15 p.m.

Mogadore vs. Southeast

7 p.m.

Garfield vs. Windham

7:45 p.m.

Rootstown vs. Field

8:30 p.m.

Waterloo vs. Crestwood

HANKINS TO LEAD WINDHAM GIRLS BASKETBALL

Windham High School recently hired Dougle Hankins to be its new varsity girls basketball head coach.

Hankins replaces Jimie Collins, who spent eight years guiding the Bombers’ program.

YOUTH CHEER COMPETITION

The Northeast Ohio Youth Football League’s annual cheerleading competition was hosted at Rootstown High School on Saturday.

Congratulations to the overall winners:

   • Mighty Mites: Coventry

   • Junior Varsity: Mogadore

   • Varsity: Field 

Also, many individuals and cheer teams won awards throughout Saturday’s competition.

Congratulations to Rootstown Youth Football & Cheerleading for coordinating the event. To host an event of this size requires endless days (probably more like weeks) of preparation and follow through.