By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

Welcome to the “Positive in Portage” sports column.

The idea of this new weekly series is to specifically highlight and spotlight all of the positive actions and events by Portage County’s student-athletes, coaches and athletic departments.

Items featured will be the stories that seem smaller in comparison to a feature story or game coverage, but are still worth attention.

FRIENDS, FAMILY AND LOVE

The Kent Roosevelt girls basketball team’s connection with Hattie Larlham reaches back many years.

The Rough Riders hosted their friends from Hattie Larlham on Jan. 2 for the team’s home matchup against Crestwood.

Roosevelt delivered a win, defeating the Red Devils 52-37.

COLLEGE SIGNINGS

• Kent Roosevelt boys soccer’s Alexios Avouris signed with Wittenberg University.
• Field softball’s Maddie Burge announced that she will play at Walsh University.
• Crestwood softball’s Kayleigh Helm signed to continue her career at the University of Northwestern Ohio, which is located in Lima.
• Field baseball’s Landon Homan announced that he will play at Malone University.
• Aurora’s Matt Copley announced his commitment to play football at the University of Findlay.
• Southeast football’s Jack Muldowney has committed to continue his career at Tiffin University.
• Aaron Rumschlag, of Mogadore’s football team, announced he will play in college at Walsh University.

FROM MOGADORE TO ATHENS

Mogadore graduate and current Ohio University football standout tight end Mason Williams was named to the Football Writers Association of America 2024 Freshman All-America Team on Tuesday.

Williams played in all 14 games this season for the Bobcats and totaled 19 receptions for 211 yards and scored two touchdowns.

SO MUCH HAPPENING IN STREETSBORO

The Rockets closed 2024 and opened 2025 with a lot of activity at Streetsboro. The boys basketball team played with their friends from Empowered Sports in Solon.

The school’s Captains Council helped prepare Thanksgiving meals in Kent and the group also played chair volleyball and had lunch with community members at the local Senior Center.

The girls golf team wrapped presents and delivered them to a family in need who had been adopted by the athletic department.

TEACHERS ON ICE

The Roosevelt ice hockey team held its annual Teacher Appreciation Game on Thursday, Jan. 16.

Teachers recognized included:

Mr. Haney, Mr. King, Mr. Phillips, Mr. Hibbs, Mr. Jackson, Ms. Swango, Mrs. Frank, Mr. Spicer, Mrs. Foreman, Mr. Adair, Mrs. Hammer, Mr. Pfeiffer, Mr. Bish, Mrs. Golden, Mr. Langjahr, Mrs. Cammel, Ms. Sepi.

The Rough Riders celebrated the night with a thrilling 2-0 victory over Elyria Catholic to take over sole possession of first place in the White South Division.

Brooke Binder had 38 saves for the impressive shutout, while goals were scored by Alex Simms (Max Ucadze) and Teddy Maccarone.

MARCINI COLLECTS 200TH WIN

Streetsboro’s Nick Marcini became the ninth boys basketball coach in Portage County history to reach the 200-win milestone.

Marcini reached the mark with the Rockets’ victory over Springfield on Friday, Jan. 17.

The current list of Portage County career wins:

• Marty Hill, Windham (1975-2022), 694
• Russ Swartz, Southeast, Norton, Mogadore (Southeast 1988-94; Mogadore 2009-present), 506 (active)
• John Herchek, Waterloo (1979-2012), 391
• Richard Doughman, Aurora (1979-2012), 335
• Josh Jakacki, Crestwood (2001-06), Kenston (2007-2015), Crestwood (2016-present), 316
• Tom McClary, Mogadore, 272
• Fred Brookover, Atwater/Waterloo (1961-78), 221
• Craig Nettleton, Field (1990-2005), 200
• Nick Marcini, Streetsboro (2010-present), 200 (active)
• Bob Dunn, Southeast (2000-2016), 180
• Fred George, Kent Roosevelt (1979-93), 178
• Andrew Olesky, Garfield (2011-present), 156 (active)
• Jack Cordier, Atwater (1954-62), 132

WINDHAM BOMBERS SUPERFAN

I got to meet Windham Bombers superfan and ballboy Xavier Goodwin at the boys basketball game in Windham on Friday, Jan. 17.

He was there in full flight suit attire to support the Bombers!

Goodwin is a familiar face at athletic events.

Football head coach Jake Eye mentioned that the superfan is also part of the football team as a supporter and volunteers to do whatever the team needs.

A SPECIAL ANTHEM

The Aurora High School ice hockey team’s “Youth Night” matchup on Sunday, Jan. 19, featured a live performance of the National Anthem sung by 13-year-old Charlotte.

FROM KENT TO COLUMBUS TO FOXBOROUGH

It’s hard to imagine a seven-day period better than what Riley Larkin recently experienced.
The 2015 Kent Roosevelt High School graduate won a National Championship with the Ohio State Buckeyes on Monday. By Friday, it was reported by ESPN College Football Senior Writer Pete Thamels that Larkin was set to be hired by the New England Patriots.

Wow.
For those unfamiliar with Larkin, Portage Sports caught up with him in February 2023 when he was hired by the Buckeyes.
For the 2024 season, Larkin was the assistant quarterbacks coach for Ohio State. If you watched the Buckeyes this season, especially during the national championship game against Notre Dame, Larkin could be seen active in the gameplans on the sideline wearing a “Carolina Blue” long-sleeve Buckeyes shirt.
Larkin’s entire family was in Atlanta for the title game. The inset picture shows (left to right) Riley’s brother Luke, mother Amy, Riley, father Tom and sister Shannon.
Just four days later, Thamels was the first to report that Larkin would join the Patriots as an offensive assistant coach. Specifically, Larkin will work in the quarterbacks room for newly hired head coach Mike Vrabel.

DOMINATION IN THE POOL

The Kent Roosevelt boys and girls swimming teams achieved perfection again! For the second straight season, both Rough Riders teams finished as undefeated league champions.

23 straight victories for both teams!

Incredible!

“We are so proud of our kids for putting in the effort to keep the streak alive this season,” Roosevelt swim coach Corey Spicer said. “Before the season, they set out goals to be league champions again and just kept that momentum going through all of their dual-meet schedule.

“We are blessed with a great group of seniors this year who have been able to lead our teams to a winning culture and set the stepping stones for our substantially young roster,” Spicer added. “The sizable sophomore and freshman classes have been a huge part in us finding success during dual meets, as they give us depth across multiple events. That, mixed with our experienced juniors and seniors, has made for the perfect match to keep our winning streak going.

“We are going to have to get into the pool and the weight room this off-season to help replace this senior class for next year, but the culture we have continued to build leaves me no doubt we are in the right direction already,. The kids are excited to take on the postseason and swim fast in February.”

ROOTSTOWN HONORS A LEGEND

Rootstown formally announced on Tuesday that it is naming the Rovers’ softball field in honor of legendary coach Dave Mullenix (“Coach Mo”).

Mullenix, who is now 73, was the first coach in program history and led the Rovers for 29 years, retiring in 2012. His career record was 382-309, which is the second-most wins in Portage County history (Southeast’s Dave Dubinsky had 458 from 1982-2014) and the 43rd-most in Ohio history.

Mullenix will be in attendance for Tuesday’s Field at Rootstown boys basketball game and when the school will publicly honor him at halftime of the boys varsity game. Mullenix was also on the Rovers’ boys basketball coaching staff for two decades.

Mullenix led the Rovers to two league championships (1984 and 1997), four district titles (1995, 1996, 1997 and 2003). His 1995 team reached the regional championship game and his 2003 team reached the state semifinals.