Fulton County Ohio Media

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On Wednesday evening, at Swanton High School, the National Honor Society (NHS), held its 2024 Induction Ceremony to welcome in new members and recognize graduating senior members.  Membership in the NHS is based on Character, Leadership, Scholarship (GPA), and Service.  Following opening remarks by Principal Mr. Jason Longbrake, outgoing NHS Officers began the induction by announcing the students who will be taking over the NHS leadership.

Treasurer Makaila Levin introduced new Treasure Ben Heckert, Secretary Marlee Purdy introduced new Secretary Jessica Finfera, Vice-President Faith Butler introduced new Vice-President Makenna Mortimore, President Sydney Ruiz introduced and passed the gavel to new President Keagan Young.  Also introduced were 15 members from the Class of 2025 and 28 new members.

Click on the link above to access photos from the ceremony. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

Photo: (L to R) Incoming NHS Officers – Ben Heckert (Treasurer), Jessica Finfera (Secretary), Makenna Mortimore (Vice-President), Keagan Young (President)

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The Wauseon High School track team traveled to Swanton to take on the Bulldogs. Here a some photos from the event.

Click on the link above to access photos from the meet. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

Photo: Ben Tufts with the heave.

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The Swanton Lady Bulldogs traveled to Liberty Center and Monday and ran into a hard-hitting Lady Tiger softball team. The Tigers jumped out to a 7-0 lead after just two innings and Swanton was never able to recover, dropping a 13-3 NWOAL decision. The Lady Bulldogs take on the Archbold Lady Blue Streaks today, Thursday, at 5:00 PM at Swanton’s Memorial Park.

Click on the link above to access photos from the game. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

Photo: Alexa Faber beats the throw to first.

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The Swanton Bulldogs pulled off a perfectly executed suicide squeeze play in the top of the sixth inning to score what would prove to be the winning run in a thrilling come-from-behind 4-3 NWOAL victory over the Liberty Center Tigers.  With one out and pinch-runner Vinnie Fanelli streaking towards home from third base, Bulldog senior Brennon Mersing laid down a slow rolling bunt, leaving Tiger pitcher Landon Amstutz no other play but to throw to first as Fanelli dove across the plate, completing the three-run rally.

“A huge win,” said Swanton Head Coach Josh Seiwert.  “It was the kids.  We always preach to them timely hitting, good pitching and good defense.  We had all three today.  We got a big suicide squeeze to come back for the third run.”

A subplot to the game for Swanton was Bulldog ace, junior Adam Lemon, who entered the contest needing just three strikeouts to reach the 100 “K” milestone for his career.  For Lemon, however, getting the win was the only real priority.  “What was going through my mind was going out there and throwing strikes and let my defense play defense.  I wasn’t worried about the 100 strikeouts.  I was just worried about winning this game,” he said.  “They put it to us the last two years so, it was good to beat them.  It was really good to beat them.”

Lemon finished the game with seven strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings.  With two outs and the bases empty, he was removed from the game because he had reached the OHSAA mandated 125 maximum pitch count.  Brady O’Shea took over on the mound and delivered a two-pitch save, including a running catch of a sinking line drive by Mersing in centerfield.

“He was phenomenal,” said Coach Seiwert of Lemon’s performance on the mound.  “The only reason he came out was because of the pitch limit.  It was a big win.”

Liberty Center, leading Swanton 3-1 entering the top of the sixth inning, replaced starting pitcher Amstutz with Alan Atkinson.  Atkinson surrendered three hits to Carson Lemons, Adam Lemon and an RBI single to Evan Smigelski to make the score 3-2.  Amstutz returned to the mound but was unable to stop the momentum as the Bulldogs rallied for the win.

With respect to Lemon’s career strikeout total, now standing at 104, he thanked his parents and his teammates for their support, with a special thanks to his battery mate, catcher Drake Harris, for his work behind the plate.

With the win, Swanton moves its record to 5-3 on the season and 1-1 in the league. The Bulldogs face the Archbold Blue Streaks on Thursday at 5:00 PM at home.

Click on the lin k above to access photos from the game. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

Photo: The Bulldogs celebrate Adam Lemon’s 100th strikeout.

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Following several hours of dining and dancing at Swanton’s luxurious Birchwood Meadow Barn and Event Venue, the prom-goers of Swanton High School spent the rest of the evening at the after prom held at the Swanton Sports Center. The students enjoyed bowling, pool, and other games and were also treated to a waffle bar and other delicious offerings.

Click on the link above to access photos from the event. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

Photo: Peighton Manning and Evan Smigelski

In an early season game against the Lady Knights of Otsego High School, Lady Bulldog senior pitcher, Taylor Forrest, broke the career strikeout record of 232, set a few years earlier by Brie Williams.  As a freshman, Taylor played first base but also started several games in the circle while most of the pitching duties were handled by Brie, who went on to sign with the highly regarded Owens Community Lady Express Softball program.  Since that record-breaking moment, Taylor has sent an additional 18 batters back to the dugout without putting the ball in play.  As of this writing, her career total stands at 250 with many more games to come.

“Hopefully, we can play deep into the tournament, but I would say another 15 or so games,” said Swanton head coach Lauren Yoder, estimating the number of additional opportunities Taylor will have to boost her total.  “She will set the bar high for anyone else coming through.  It’s very cool to leave your mark like that.  It couldn’t happen to a better person.  There is nobody else that outworks her, she’s just a great teammate and a great person overall.  I’m really happy for her.”

In her main pitching arsenal, Taylor throws a fastball, dropball, riseball and changeup, each beginning with a confident and intimidating glare towards the hitter.  “It’s an accomplishment I didn’t think I would ever get.  The fact that it came so soon in my senior year is kind of exciting,” she said.

With the bulk of the schedule remaining, Taylor, a 2023 First Team All-NWOAL player, has the 300 strikeout total dead in her sights.  “That’s my new goal.  If I can go above that I’ll be happy with myself for sure,” she remarked on that impressive milestone. 

Starting next fall, Taylor will have much larger goals to accomplish as she has officially committed to continue her softball career and her education at Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio.  The Heidelberg coaching staff expects her to have an immediate impact on the program given her game is not just one dimensional.  Taylor is also a force with the bat in her hand and is a very good fielder as well.

The nickname for Heidelberg University’s athletic teams is the Student Princes and Taylor will proudly wear that on her next softball uniform.  Soon, she will soon be a former Lady Bulldog but for now, and quite possibly for many years to come, she will be Swanton High School’s Strikeout Queen.

Photo: Taylor Forrest

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Playing their first game since returning from their East coast road trip, the Swanton Lady Bulldogs’ softball team opened their NWOAL schedule by defeating the Lady Patriots of Patrick Henry 9-1 on Tuesday afternoon.  Swanton bookended a 3-0 first inning lead, with a four run sixth inning to seal the home victory.  Strong pitching from Bulldog ace Taylor Forrest (10 strikeouts) and a tight infield defense limited a hard-hitting Patriot lineup to just one run.

“We have an excellent infield this year.  Last year it was all freshmen so we’re returning them all back as sophomores with a year under their belts and we’re pretty solid.  They hit the ball pretty hard and we got a glove on it,” said second-year Swanton coach Lauren Yoder.

Offensively, the Bulldogs banged out 10 hits with Jordyn Rameriz going 3-4 with two runs and an RBI, Lyla Carrizales, 2-3 with two runs scored and an RBI, Alexa Faber, 2-4 with two runs scored and an RBI and Forrest, 2-3 with 3 RBI.  In the circle, Forrest pitched a complete game allowing three hits and one unearned run with just two walks to go along with her 10 strikeouts.  “She’s always been our rock,” said Coach Yoder speaking of her senior leader Forrest.  “Up or down, we can always count on her to be consistent throughout, both pitching and at the plate.”

Swanton followed up their league win with a 15-2 five-inning drubbing of Ottawa Hills at Memorial Park.  Faber took the victory in the circle, hit a home run and drove in three to lead the Lady Bulldogs.  Carrizales and Rameriz each scored three runs.  Swanton improves their record to 7-1 overall and 1-0 in the NWOAL.

Click on the link above to access photos from the game. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

Photo: Lyla Carrizales fielding aground ball at shortstop