Fulton County Ohio Media

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Down by as many as 16 points in the third quarter, the Evergreen Vikings mounted a furious comeback to defeat the visiting Liberty Center Tigers 66-63 on Friday night in the “Big House” in boys basketball NWOAL action.  The Vikings outscored the Tigers 23-13 in the decisive fourth quarter, hitting 9 of 10 fouls shots with several coming in the final seconds to break a 61-61 tie and seal the game.

Troy Manz led Evergreen and all players with 21 points including four triples, two of those in the final frame to help fuel the rally.  William Ruetz scored 17 and John Herdman had 12.  Gavin Geahlen netted 20 points for Liberty Center while Cam Robinson added 12 and Ethan Gray scored 11.

The win improves Evergreen’s record to 4-2 in the league and 13-7 on the season.  The Vikings will finish their NWOAL schedule next Friday with a trip to Swanton to take on the Bulldogs then conclude the regular season on Saturday with a home game against the Fayette Eagles.  Liberty Center drops to 2-3 in the league and 8-11 overall.  They play the Wauseon Indians next Friday at home.

Liberty Center Tigers:  20-16-14-13 = 63    Gavin Geahlen (20), Cam Robinson (12), Ethan Gray (11), Isaiah Badenhop (5), Blake Garber (4), Grady Miller (4), Garrison Kruse (4), Max Walker (3)

Evergreen Vikings:  16-13-14-23 = 66    Troy Manz (21), William Ruetz (17), John Herdman (12), George Allendorf (8), Quinten Eisel (8)

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: William Ruetz shoots for two of his 17 points

Brittany (Miller) Cymbolin, Evergreen High School alum Class of 2001 and longtime head girls basketball coach at Evergreen, was recognized and honored Friday night in Evergreen’s “Big House” for recently reaching the “200 Win” milestone for her career. Her 14-year career as a head coach started at Deland High School in DeLand, Florida. Brittany moved on to coach the Sylvania Northview Lady Wildcats and, shortly after that, back home to take over the Lady Vikings basketball program.

The demand for Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in Fulton County has outpaced available funding, leaving critical gaps in access to these lifesaving devices.  The Swanton Area Chamber of Commerce and the Village of Swanton are stepping up to support the Fulton County Heartathon and its mission to place more AEDs in local schools, businesses, and public spaces.  Over the past year, requests for AEDs have exceeded available funds, putting lives at risk in moments when every second counts. The 2025 Heartathon goal is set at $33,200—the largest in its 51-year history—to ensure that no organization in need of an AED goes without one.

“In Swanton, we take care of our own,” said Delray Busch, Executive Director of the Swanton Area Chamber of Commerce. “An AED could save the life of a student, an employee, a grandparent cheering on their grandkids at a game. We want to make sure every business, school, and public space has access to this critical equipment.” To date, more than 160 AEDs have been placed throughout Fulton County, thanks to the generosity of local donors. However, the need continues to grow. For every minute without defibrillation, a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival drops by 7-10 percent, according to the American Heart Association.

AEDs can double or triple survival rates when used promptly, yet many locations still lack access to one when needed. Shannon Shulters, Village Administrator for the Village of Swanton, emphasized the importance of community involvement. “This is about protecting the people we love—our families, our neighbors, and the visitors who come through Swanton. We are calling on our schools, businesses, and organizations to rally behind this cause and help fund more AEDs where they’re needed most, she said.”

How to Get Involved February 13, 2025 – Mark your calendars for the Fulton County Heartathon on 96.1 WMTR. From 10-11 AM, Delray Busch and Shannon Shulters will guest DJ to raise awareness and support for this life-saving initiative. Donations will be taken all day as various guest DJs join in. Donate – Every dollar raised stays in Fulton County to purchase AEDs, batteries, pads, and fund essential heart screenings. Spread the Word – Encourage local schools, businesses, and organizations to contribute and ensure every request for an AED is fulfilled. Together, we can make a difference. Let’s show Fulton County how much Swanton cares. Every second counts, and every dollar helps save a life.

MEDIA CONTACTS:  Delray Busch Executive Director, Swanton Area Chamber of Commerce SwantonCC@Gmaill.com and Shannon Shulters Village Administrator, Village of Swanton admin@villageofswantonohio.us

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On Friday afternoon at Delta High School, in front of family, friends and classmates, Kalleigh Mignin signed a National Letter of Intent to continue her education and golf career at Ottawa University in Surprise, Arizona.  “There’s an app I use and kind of let other coaches reach out to me and Coach (Randy) Barret reached out,” said Kalleigh explaining her decision to attend a college that is approximately a 30-hour drive from home.  “I’ve been golfing since I was a kid, but I really started when I was a freshman,” she added.

A lot of credit for her success, as Kalleigh will tell you, goes to her grandfather and father, both former golf coaches.  “We’re super excited.  She’s worked really hard to get where she’s at,” commented her father, Jon, who previously coached the Panthers’ golf team several years ago.  “She’s going pretty far away which is a little bit interesting, but I’m just happy for her.  She’s put in all the time and effort and all the long hours on the course and the range.”

When not being involved with the Spirit Golf Program, Kalleigh will be hard at work in the classroom majoring in Psychology.

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

Photo: Kalleigh signs between mom Kirsten and dad Jon

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The Liberty Center Lady Tigers defeated the Delta Lady Panthers 1837-1301 in their match on Friday at the Swanton Sports Center.  AJ Seedorf led Liberty Center with a two-game series score of 332.  Serena Shelhart had a 256 for Delta.

Liberty Center Lady Tigers:  AJ Seedorf (169 + 163 = 332), Cheyenne Miller (163 + 116 = 279), Annaliese Keene (149 + 115 = 264), Paige White (134 + 103 = 237), Kenasyn Meyer (121 + 113 = 234), Baker Games (198 + 135 + 158 = 491)     Total = 1837

Delta Lady Panthers:  Serena Shelhart (144 + 112 = 256), Kayleigh Opfer (1016 + 118 = 224), Kalie Leonard (96 + 103 = 199), Marcella Morris (79 + 78 = 157), Paige Todd (93), Zoey Brauer (84), Baker Games (87 + 82 + 119 = 288)     Total = 1301

In the boys’ match, the Liberty Tigers beat the Delta Panthers 1980-1482.  Wesley Wilhelm bowled a two-game series of 359 for the Tigers.  Konrad Hawkins rolled a match-high 382 for the Panthers.

Liberty Center:  Wesley Wilhelm (149 + 210 = 359), Takoda Hopkins (155 + 181 = 336), Stone Roth (135 + 144 = 279), Maddox Oyer (146 + 132 = 278), Owen Gebers (143 + 111 = 254), Baker Games (221 + 120 + 133 = 474)     Total = 1980

Delta Panthers: Konrad Hawkins (202 + 180 + 382), Taven Johnson (183 + 146 = 329), Cody Stricker (102 + 135 = 237), Brock Sniegowski (109 + 92 = 201), Baker Games (123 + 114 + 97 = 334)     Total = 1483

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

Photo: Top Delta Bowlers Konrad Hawkins and Serena Shelhart

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This past Friday the Delta Panthers bowling team honored six seniors for their contributions to the Panther Bowling Program prior to the last home match of their careers at the Swanton Sports Center.  Delta Head Coach, Dave Kina, read a short bio of each senior with Coach Jerry Donaldson and Coach Cory Waugh.

The six seniors and the number of years they were in the program are as follows:

Serena Shelhart (4), Konrad Hawkins (4), Cody Stricker (4), Kayleigh Opfer (2), Paige Todd (2), Brock Sniegowski (1)

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 (L to R): Brock Sniegowski, Paige Todd, Kayliegh Opfer, Serena Shelter, Konrad Hawkins, Cody Stricker

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In the final second of the boys’ basketball game in Archbold High School’s Thunderdome, lightning struck and thunder followed when Swanton junior Brady O’Shea threw up a three-point prayer that found the bottom of the basket to give the Bulldogs a dramatic 46-44 victory over the Blue Streaks, setting off an explosive celebration from the Swanton bench and the visitors’ section of the arena.

Down 21-18 at halftime, Swanton outscored Archbold 18-8 in the third quarter to take a seven-point advantage, 39-32, into the fourth.  The Streaks responded, going on a 10-0 run and led 42-40 when O’Shea drained triple to put the Bulldogs back on top 43-42 with 1:06 left in the contest.  With both teams in the free throw bonus situation, Archbold got a single foul shot from Madden Valentine to tie the game at 43-43 at the 53.4 mark and another from Sonny Phillips to take a 44-43 lead with 6.4 second remaining on the clock.

Needing to travel the length of the court, Swanton was able to move to just outside their arc when the ball was knocked out of bounds, possession to the Bulldogs, with 1.1 seconds left to get off a shot.  O’Shea shook loose from his defender, took the inbound pass from Isaiah Bolyard and launched a shot from a 45-degree angle that banked off the glass and went through the hoop a split second after the buzzer sounded.  It was the second consecutive NWOAL game-winning shot with under a second to go for Swanton, having edged Delta 49-48 on three Evan Reinhard free throws with 0.9 seconds left the Friday before.

Charlie Wood led the Bulldogs with 13 points while O’Shea and Reinhard added eight points each.  Michah Nofziger topped all players with 15 points for the Blue Streaks.  Phillips scored 11 and Morgan Harris had nine.

The Swanton win places their league record at 2-3 and 10-9 on the season.  They play their next game on Friday on the road against the Bryan Golden Bears.  Archbold’s NWOAL record falls to 2-3 with the loss while a 48-36 win over the Tinora Rams improves their overall mark to 10-7.  They will travel to Wauseon next Friday to take on the Indians.

Swanton Bulldogs:  9-9-18-10 = 46    Charlie Wood (13), Brady O’Shea (8), Evan Reingard (8), Giovani Ruiz (7), Logan Young (4), Isaiah Bolyard (3), Brady Haselman (3)

Archbold Streaks:  8-13-8-15 = 44    Michah Nofziger (15), Sonny Phillips (11), Morgan Harris (9), Madden Valentine (5), Evan Wendt (3), Kurt Krueger (1)

Click on the link 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: Swanton Bulldogs celebrate the thrill of victory

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Twice in the fourth quarter, the Delta Lady Panthers rallied from a nine-point deficit to make the score a one-possession game.  And both times, Wauseon junior Sophie Rupp knocked down three-point shots and knocked down the comeback attempts, leading the Lady Indians to 47-36 victory over the previously undefeated Lady Panthers at Wauseon High School.

Wauseon took a 25-22 lead into the locker room at halftime on the strength of 12 points from senior Johanna Tester then widened the gap with Rupp hitting four triples and scoring 15 of her game-high 18 points in the second half.  Delta senior Kendall Sprow helped rally the Lady Panthers with seven fourth-quarter points but the Lady Indians sank five of seven free throws in the final minutes to seal the win.

The Wauseon win improves their overall record to 15-4 and 3-2 in the league.  They travel to Ayersville next Tuesday to take on the Lady Pilots.  Delta suffered their first loss of the season after winning a school record 17 straight to open the season.  They currently sit at 17-1 on the year and 4-1 in the NWOAL.  The Lady Panthers are still in contention to win the league title but they must defeat the Liberty Center Lady Tigers on Tuesday and the first-place Patrick Henry Lady Patriots on Thursday.  Both games will be at home in the “Jungle.”

Delta Lady Panthers:  10-12-5-9 = 36    Kendal Sprow (13), Anna Lohman (10), Addison Wyse (6), Keagyn Gillen (4), Abbey Todd (3)

Wauseon Lady Indians:  13-12-9-13 = 47    Sophie Rupp (18), Johanna Tester (13), Mackenzie Stasa (5), Aunali Reyes (5), Aizlynn Coronado (4)

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

Photo: Sophie Rupp shoots her second three-pointer in the fourth quarter

Jeff Mazurowski is special education teacher at the Pike-Delta-York (PDY) Middle School, who, prior to becoming an educator, compiled a lengthy resume of work experiences in many fields.  An alumnus of Defiance College, where he also played football for the Yellow Jackets, Jeff has been employed as a construction contractor, a used car salesman, a steel worker and school sports coach in addition to being married and helping to raise three children.

All these experiences have been very beneficial in helping him pursue another avocation, one more personal and related to his current profession.  Jeff writes children’s books.  And has been doing so for more than 25 years.  Previous books included “Auroa and Boris Touch the Sky,” “The Christmas Boy,” “The Bad Creek Gang,” which he wrote in collaboration with this fourth-grade students and “Red, White and Bloo.”

While Jeff is a talented writer, he defers to the more artistically inclined for the illustrations that enhance the overall experience for the reader.  His latest book that he published and sold on Amazon last summer was titled “Udder Chaos!”  For this new publication Jeff enlisted the services of a young but very talented artist by the name of Keegan Clapp, a Delta High School freshman and a close friend of Jeff’s son Jack.  Jack had been taking dairy cows to the Fulton County Fair for several years, which planted the seed for “Udder Chaos!”

Jeff was very familiar with Keegan’s artistic ability and approached him with the offer to create the illustrations.  “Back when they were in the fifth or sixth grade, I knew Keegan was a great artist and I said, ‘Keegan.  We’re going to write a book about cows and you’re going to draw the pictures.’  We just joked around about it for a few years and then last year I wrote a rhyming book about cows getting loose at the fair and 14-year-old Keegan Clapp drew the pictures and did an amazing job,” explained Jeff.  “What he did with the pictures brought the story to life.  He has not only great artistic ability to draw but he has an eye for knowing what to draw and how to draw it.”

Before the winter break this past December, Jeff came across some stored copies of his previous books and decided to generously donate them to the elementary students at PDY.  “I was actually looking for Christmas decorations in my crawl space and found a couple of boxes of books that I had written and published 20 years ago that were brand new but they were in 20-year-old boxes,” said Jeff.  He had enough to give one signed book to each of the approximately 375 students.

“The Kindergartners through second-grade got a copy of my ‘Auroa and Boris Touch the Sky’ book which is a book about the Northern Lights and the third and fourth graders got a copy of the ‘Christmas Boy’ which is more of a short chapter book,” said Jeff.  “I’m actually working on a second edition of both,” he added. 

“Udder Chaos!” proved to be very popular and many copies were sold at the Fulton County Fair.  So popular, in fact, that Jeff is now working on a sequel titled “The Barbeque Bandits Steal a Cow.”  Stay tuned on when and where it will become available.

Swanton resident and Swanton High School (SHS) alum, was honored for his service to our country by the Swanton National Honor Society before the start of the Swanton and Delta boys’ basketball game.  With Mitch standing in front of the how crowd, NHS member Hailey Frosch read a small bio of Mitch’s time in the military.

Tonight, we are honoring Mitch Warner who was a 1981 Swanton graduate and a United States Army veteran from 1982 to 1990. While in the military, Mitch was sent to Grenada Island, Fort Ord (California), Fort Benning (Georgia), West Germany and Kuwait.  He climbed the non-commissioned officer ranks and reached the position of E-8 Master Sergeant.  Mitch had orders to attend Senior NCO School to become First Sergeant, but left the military before attending.

Mitch is married to Mrs. Connie Smith who is a study hall monitor at SHS and has seven grandkids who are active in sports at Swanton.  Mitch loves doing yard work, going out to eat and spending time with his family.  Thank you, Mitch for your service.