MVP Staff Report

Avery Zerkle has been named the new head wrestling coach at Cincinnati La Salle.

Zerkle, who coached Springboro the past two seasons, is a former standout wrestler at St. Paris Graham. Zerkle was a four-time state placer, state champion and an All-American while at Graham.

Zerkle, a 1997 graduate of Graham, was a two-time NCAA Division I national qualifier at Lock Haven University.

After college, Zerkle was an assistant at Graham for five years before arriving at Springboro.

By Eric Frantz

Above the computer in my home office is a bulletin board my grandfather made. He passed away this past December.

On it I have a picture of my other grandfather. He was buried in November.

I also have pictures from my senior football and basketball seasons at Bellbrook High School. They too serve as a memorial.

I also have lost teammates, classmates and friends.

Not at once. Not all together. Not even in the same year.

But they’re gone. I know the hurt. I know the sting. I know… Read the rest of this entry »

By Eric Frantz

Welcome to the Miami Valley’s premier high school sports publication – the Miami Valley Sports Magazine.

Dedicated to covering high school sports in the Dayton-area like no other medium, MVP is the region’s only hard copy prep publication that covers every school district in 16 west central and southwest Ohio counties. We take a different approach to bringing you the news and one that we know you’ll enjoy.

Unique by nature, MVP is defined by its standout content, the likes of which is produced by credentialed and decorated members of a region-wide media pool. We have writers throughout the region because we know your team, your school and your community is important.

Focused on bringing you in depth material that ranges past the ordinary game story, MVP features articles that go beyond the playing surface.

High school sports are popular in every part of the Buckeye State, but in the Miami Valley they take on an added importance. We understand that. And that’s why we bring you MVP.

In This Issue… Read the rest of this entry »

By Dean Eversole

Emily Bohman of Versailles has a wall of awards and medals proclaiming her personal success. Now as her career comes to a close Bohman is on the verge of a 12th varsity letter.

It all began as a starter on the volleyball team as a freshman and just grew from there.
She was a three year starter on the basketball team and a four year starter in both volleyball and softball, adding up to the twelve letters.

Despite all the personal goals, Bohman has never been about individual achievements, instead thinking team all the way.

“Emily is a girl that every coach wishes they had on their team,” said Versailles basketball coach Jacki Stonebraker. “Emily didn’t get all the publicity because she wasn’t the leading scorer or rebounder, but she accepted her role and played it perfectly.”

No matter the sport or the coach, Stonebraker’s response t is the typical one given when Emily Bohman’s name comes up. She truly doesn’t care about the awards, she is all about winning. Read the rest of this entry »

By Ohio High Staff

Jason Krause has been named the new head football coach at Middletown, pending Board of Education approval Monday.

Krause, who has coached Monroe since 2004, succeeds former Middletown coach Ron Johnson, who was named the Canton McKinley coach in late February.

“We are extremely pleased to announce that Jason Krause has been offered the Middletown High School head football coaching position, pending board approval at Monday’s Board meeting,” Middletown principal Dennis Newell said in a statement Thursday night. “His long-term commitment to youth and deep understanding of football will serve our program well. He has high expectations for all student-athletes both academically and athletically.”

Krause, 36, led Monroe to three consecutive playoff appearances, including state semifinal appearances in 2007 (Division III) and 2005 (Division IV).

That success came after Monroe was 2-8 during his first year, 2004. Read the rest of this entry »

By MVP Staff

New Bremen senior Bryce Bergman continues to have a spring of note. Bergman committed to the Air Force Academy in March and has since then added to his credentials.

Bergman, who finished second in the 300 hurdles and third in the 110 hurdles at last year’s Division III state meet, recently broke the meet records in both events at the Anna Invitational on April 12.

Bergman followed that performance by claiming for firsts at the Minster Memorial Track Meet on April 19. At Minster, Bergman won the 110 hurdles (15.22), 300 hurdles (40.42), long jump (21- 1.75) and ran a leg on the winning 1,600 relay team (3:32.11).

The Cardinal senior isn’t the only New Bremen athlete tearing up the track.

On the girls side, Taylor Jones won the 400 meter dash (61.90), long jump (15′ 6″) and ran the anchor leg of the winning 1,600 relay team (4:16.55) at the Minster Memorial.

Renee Dicke won the 100 meter hurdles (17.36) and 300 hurdles (52.32) at the Anna Invite.

By MVP Staff

Coldwater will be honoring their first ever State Championship team in any sport on Saturday during the baseball double-header with Elida to be held at Coldwater. The ceremony is for the 1983 State Championship Baseball team in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the feat.

The ceremony will take place immediately following the 1st game of  the double-header weather permitting. There will also be a reception held at McSobers at 6:00 p.m. that evening and anyone is welcome to attend rain or shine.

If you were a part of the 1983 State Championship team and have not been contacted yet, please call the High School Office at 419-678-4821 as soon as possible or email Athletic Director Eric Goodwin at goodwie@cw.noacsc.org.

By Matt Natali (JJHuddle.com)

CENTERVILLE – Several of the NFL’s biggest stars with Ohio roots will be in back in the Buckeye State Wednesday for Centerville High School’s Annual Sonny Unger Memorial Scholarship Banquet.

The scholarship fund honors the memory of Lester Sonny Unger, a 1963 Centerville graduate who was a standout on the football field for the Elks and was the only Centerville resident killed in the Vietnam War.

Guest speakers set to appear include former Ohio State Buckeyes Mike Vrabel, Anthony Gonzales and Centerville natives and OSU standouts Kirk Herbstreit, A.J. Hawk and Mike Nugent.

This year’s award recipients are seniors David Fleming and Ryan Donnini. Read the rest of this entry »

By MVP Staff

Bellbrook High School offensive lineman Sam Longo has picked up an offer from Florida State University. Longo’s offer was extended on Friday. Interest from Purdue and North Carolina State is also said to be picking up.

Longo now has offers from FSU, Miami (Oh), Bowling Green and Cincinnati.

Below is what Bucknuts Media Network recruiting specialists, Bill Kurelic and Duane Long have to say about Longo: Read the rest of this entry »

By Dean Eversole

When people think of Darke County and fast pitch softball, their first thought is undoubtedly Greenville and the defending Division II state champion Green Wave. But, Floyd Jenkins and his Ansonia Lady Tigers are trying to change that.

Since he took over, Jenkins has increased the Tigers’ win total each year and currently has his team at 11-0. Last season Ansonia went 22-6.

It has been an impressive turn around for Ansonia and according to Jenkins all the credit goes to the girls.

“I have been working with this group of girls since they were seven-years old,” said Jenkins. “The one thing they learned is that softball is a year round sport. All of them have played or worked on their game during the off-season.”

It is just not the players that have learned new tricks over the years. Jenkins and his staff have made adjustment, with some outstanding results. Read the rest of this entry »