Trailing by one point entering the second quarter, the Lady Bulldogs outscored the Otsego Lady Knights 13-2 to grab a 10-point lead at halftime. Swanton kept the momentum going through the third quarter, tacking on seven more points to their advantage and never looked back, defeating Otsego 39-22 to advance to the JV Girls championship game of the Bob Fisher Classic. Carli Lagrange topped all players with 15 points and Lauren Bettinger added 10. Gracie Zsigray and Cailyn Lorenz led the Lady Knights with five points each.
Otsego Lady Knights: 7-2-5-8 = 22 Gracie Zsigray (5), Cailyn Lorenz (5), Summer Olsen (4), Brooke Bergman (3), Mackenzie Shirkey (2), Ella Hartman (2) Ava Weaver (1)
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Photo: Carli Lagrange puts up a floater for two of her game-high 15 points.
Isaiah Bolyard and Owen Hurst combined to sink three critical free throws in the final seconds of double overtime as the Swanton JV Boys held off the Maumee JV Panthers 33-30 to advance to the championship game of the 2023 Bob Fisher Classic. Playing in the namesake Robert L. Fisher Gymnasium, the former Swanton High School venue, affectionately known as the “Pit”, the Bulldogs were able to keep their composure after the Panthers tied at the game at 28 in the first overtime with a put back of an airball at the buzzer. Swanton was also able to survive their feast or famine offense that saw them score 24 points in quarters one and three then just two points in quarters two and four. Bolyard led all players with 16 points and Dennis Robinson had 13. Paris James and Brock Heard each had seven points for Maumee.
Maumee Panthers: 6-4-7-9-2-2 = 30 Paris James (7), Brock Heard (7), Jack Cahill (6), Owen Kennedy (4), Keaton McCullough (2), Aiden Boyer (2), Abram Sutherland (2)
Swanton Bulldogs: 15-0-9-2-2-5 – 33 Isaiah Bolyard (16), Dennis Robinson (13), Drew Koder (3), Owen Hurst (1)
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Photo: Isaiah Bolyard takes aim at the foul line in the second overtime.
It was a rough start for the Evergreen Vikings boys in their road basketball game against the Delta Panthers Thursday night. Thanks to poor shooting and sloppy ball handling, the Vikings found themselves down 11-5 after the first quarter and searching for answers for their offense. That answer came in the form of sophomore Troy Manz who stepped up by draining three shots from beyond the arc in the second quarter and added 10 more points after halftime to lead Evergreen over Delta 50-37. Manz’s first half scoring pulled the Vikings within one-point at 23-22 and he made two more treys in the third quarter to finish the Evergreen comeback for the 13-point victory. Manz topped all players with 21 points. Alex York scored 10 for the Panthers.
Delta Panthers: 11-12-7-7 = 37 Alex York (10), Jude Gibbons (6), Luke Reinhard (6), Justin Ruple (5), Tyler Ruple (3), Tyson Bower (3), Wyatt Gibbons (2), John Brasher (2)
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Photo: Troy Manz sinks a three-pointer from the corner
In the first game of a Thursday night basketball double-header at Delta High School, the Delta Lady Panthers and the Evergreen Lady Vikings played an extremely physical game where virtually every shot attempt within 10-12 feet of the basket was met with a blow to the body, a slash on the arm or a hand in the face, forcing both teams to rely heavily on outside shooting. In the final tally, Delta made seven three-pointers to Evergreen’s four, for a difference of nine points and defeated the Lady Vikings by that same nine-point margin, 49-40.
The game was tight through the first half with the Lady Vikings holding a slim 22-21 lead. In the second half, Delta senior Grace Munger took control of the contest by scoring 16 of her game-high 21 points, including a shot from behind the arc and four free throws. Evergreen had multiple opportunities to keep up with the scoring pace but faltered at the foul line, hitting only 8 of 26 attempts for 30.7 percent. Delta shot 58.8 percent, with 10 of 17 attempts.
Delta Lady Panthers: 15-6-16-12 = 49 Grace Munger (21), Alani Haas (7), Kate Friess (6), Ashlyn Lamb (5), Keagyn Gillen (4), Olivia Smith (2)
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It has been almost two years since the Swanton community had to say goodbye to former Swanton High School teacher and coach, Joe D. Kahl. But for those who knew Joe and were witness to the impact he had on so many lives through his tireless community service efforts over the many years, his presence still remains and his legacy and spirit of “giving back” lives on.
Much of his benevolent works and generosity took place behind the scenes, unknown to most of the public. However, at this time of year, between the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, Joe stepped out from behind the curtain and worked with the Salvation Army, coordinating the Red Kettle Drive at the Swanton Kroger. He spent countless hours ensuring that when the final numbers were totaled, Swanton, Joe’s community, would outshine all others. Fueling his own drive was the fact that all money donated in Swanton would be spent in the Swanton area. To honor Joe and his outstanding contributions to the Salvation Army of Northwest Ohio, a Gold Kettle bearing his name was placed in the Swanton Kroger vestibule for this, the final week of the Red Kettle Drive.
Below are some thoughts of Melody William, Fiscal Manager and Field Representative of Service Units for the local Salvation Army who enlisted Joe to work for the cause.
“In my thirty years with The Salvation Army, I have worked with hundreds of amazing people. There are, however, a handful that were so special that they made a lasting impact on my life. Joe was one of those people. When he committed to something, he was ALL IN. He spent his entire life going ALL IN with everything he did. His work with The Salvation Army was only a single chapter in his lifelong quest to help people.
When I first asked Joe to work with our beneficiaries, helping them with their rent and utilities, he agreed to do it “as long as I don’t have to do kettles”. I promised him that we had someone to raise the money through kettles, we only needed him to spend the money helping people in need in Swanton. One week before kettles started, my volunteer came down with a serious health issue and had to pull out. I called Joe in a panic. I told him “I know I promised you would not have to do kettles, but could you help me find someone who would? He said, “no problem, I will do it”. Now historically, we raised between $5,000 and $6,000 each year. Joe raised $15,000 in his first year!
At that point, we were off to the races. Joe took it on with the fervor that only Joe could do. If he didn’t have someone scheduled, he rang the bell himself. On Christmas Eve, he donned a tux as a thank you to the community for their generosity. We have 13 Kroger’s in the five-county area we serve, and Joe wanted the Kroger in Swanton to be the top kettle raiser. And most years the Kroger in Swanton was the #1 kettle raiser.
I’ve heard from several people that when they hear that bell ringing, they think of Joe. I DO TOO! I consider myself blessed that I got to know and work with such an incredible man.”
Photo: Swanton residents Danielle and Harvey Marvin were the first to man the Gold Kettle this week
The Evergreen Vikings Bowling team built a 102-pin cushion after two games and bowled well enough in the Baker Games portion of the match to get past the Delta Panthers 2125-2060 on Monday at the Swanton Sports Center. Michael Laver of the Vikings bowled a 278 for the high game of the match and Brody Waugh of the Panthers rolled a two-game 433 score for the match’s high series.
Delta Panthers: Brody Waugh (221 + 212 = 433), Konrad Hawkins (158 + 154 = 312), Aaron Mora (177 + 124 = 301), Ethan Cone (165 + 98 = 263), Carter Mitchell (146), Cody Stricker (137), Baker Games (162 + 158 + 148 = 468) Total = 2060
Evergreen Vikings: Michael Laver (142 + 278 = 420), Thomas Baker (194 + 177 = 371), Xaviar Ronibette (183 + 163 = 346), Makayla McKenzie (174 + 132 = 306), Isaac Hansel (133), Lance Vance (118), Baker Games (171 + 117 + 143 = 431) Total = 2125
Photo: Top Bowlers Brody Waugh (433) and Michael Laver (420)
On Saturday, a large crowd gathered at the noon hour in Swanton Cemetery on Main Street for a ceremony called Wreaths Across America. The mission of Wreaths Across America is simply stated, “Remember the fallen. Honor those who serve. Teach the next generation the value of freedom.” The ceremony began with a Pledge of Allegiance followed by the National Anthem wonderfully performed by Dawn Collins.
Organized by the members of the Swanton American Legion Murbach-Siefert Post #479 and chaired by Legionnaire John Schmidt (Retired Army), monetary donations were gathered starting months ago to purchase a wreath for every former military veteran who was laid to rest in the one of the Village’s two cemeteries, including St. Richard’s Cemetery on Dodge Street. On this day, December 16, 2023, dozens of volunteers in Swanton joined the more than two million volunteers and supporters who gathered to Remember, Honor and Teach at more than 4,000 participating locations in all 50 states, at sea and abroad. Swanton volunteers, which, like the men and women they honored, were from all walks of life and placed wreaths at more than 700 gravesites.
Following opening remarks by Mr. Schmidt, specific wreaths were laid for each branch of the United States military, Army, Marine Corp, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Merchant Marines, Coast Guard and the more than 93,000 service members whose last known status was either Prisoner of War (POW) or Missing in Action (MIA). When the last specific wreath had been laid, John continued with his remarks.
“We encourage every volunteer here today to place a wreath on a veteran’s grave to say that veteran’s name, speak the name and take a moment to thank them for their service to our country. That’s a small act that goes a long way toward keeping the memory of our veterans alive. Remember we are not here to decorate graves. We are here to remember not their deaths but their lives. Each wreath is a gift of appreciation from a grateful America. These wreaths symbolize our honor to those that served or are serving in the armed forces of our great nation and to their families who endure the sacrifices every day on our behalf. To our children, we want you to understand that the freedoms you enjoy today have not been free but have come with a cost that someday, you may have to pay yourselves. As a nation, standing together, we can defeat terrorism, hatred and in justice. And thanks to our veterans, we have the freedom to do just that,” he said.
Swanton resident and Swanton High School graduate, Class of 1994, Master Sergeant David Harrison of the 180th Tactical Fighter Wing was introduced and spoke next. In his speech, the 27-year military veteran quoted our 40th president, Ronald Reagan. “Veterans know better than anyone else the price of freedom for they suffered the scars of war. We can offer no better tribute than to protect what they have won for us,” said President Reagan. MSgt Harrison continued, “Today with a small act we are doing just that. Today we come together, community members, young and old, and volunteers, here at the Swanton Cemetery to fulfill the mission of Wreaths Across America. To remember and honor our servicemen and women as we continue to teach and inspire our youth by helping them better understand the value of their freedom and the importance of honoring those who have served and sacrificed to protect those freedoms.”
At the end of Master Sergeant Harrison’s speech, the color guard was ordered to present the colors and the day, the bittersweet moment and the reason that brought us all together, was beautifully and emotionally represented when Rick Maynhart, Commander of the Swanton American Legion, brilliantly performed “Taps” on his bugle.
When the ceremony ended, the volunteers fanned out across the cemetery to carry out their duty. Once the final wreath was laid, two school buses, one from Springfield and one from Swanton, transported the volunteers to St. Richard’s Cemetery to complete the mission.
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Photo: Specific Wreaths were laid for each branch of the United States Military
Two-time NWOAL Boys Soccer Offensive Player of the Year and 2023 District Player of the Year, Tyson Woodring, has chosen the University of Findlay to continue his education and soccer career. The official signing of his National Letter of Intent took place during a ceremony held at Evergreen High School on Friday afternoon in front of family, friends, teammates and coaches. Tyson will be joining the men’s Oiler soccer program, playing under Head Coach Andy Smyth who has been at the helm for 35 years. He will also be joining several teammates from his off-season club team, the Sylvania Pacesetters.
“That’s been Tyson’s dream. It’s been a long time coming for him. This was his goal,” said Viking soccer coach Dave Scokzyn who also coached Tyson’s sister Sydney at the club level. Coach Scokzyn praised his star player not only for his performance on the pitch but his leadership qualities and his ability to remain humble as he helped lead Evergreen to its greatest soccer season ever. The Vikings captured their first NWOAL Championship, won Sectional and District titles and made their first appearance in the Regional Semi-Finals. Scokzyn also stressed to Tyson over the last two years the importance of choosing a school where he would fit in well and finish with a “piece of paper” in four years.
“It’s a really great atmosphere down there and Coach Smyth has done a really good job with the program. So, I thought it was the best choice,” said Tyson, explaining his decision to attend Findlay. In addition to the development of his soccer skills in high school, he also gave a lot of credit to the Pacesetter program he played with. “It’s been really my whole life that I’ve been there. They really helped me develop into the player I am today,” he added.
In the UF classroom, Tyson will be pursuing a Marketing degree with a future goal of working in the sports management world. For now, he has the rest of his Evergreen High School experience to finish, including his role as the starting point guard on the Viking basketball team.
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Photo: Tyson, surrounded by family, commits to the University of Findlay
Competing at their own house, the Swanton Sports Center, the Evergreen Viking Bowlers beat the short-handed Wauseon Indians 2282-1452. Wauseon could only field four bowlers, one less than the normal-sized team of five. Michael Laver led the Vikings and all bowlers with a 407 two-game series. Evan Stevens was the Indians top bowler with a 338 series. Evergreen’s Trevor Johnson rolled a 226 for the high game of the match .
The Wauseon Lady Indians outscored Delta 12-0 in the first quarter and went on to beat the Lady Panthers 42-34 in a non-league game in Wauseon Thursday night. In fact, the Indians put up 19 points on the scoreboard before a Grace Munger free throw ended the visitor’s scoring drought with 3:20 left in the first half. Wauseon maintained the 19-point lead at 25-6 heading into the second half. However, Delta refused to give up despite the large deficit and rallied with a 28-17 scoring advantage after halftime but fell short. Sophia Rupp led the Lady Indians in scoring with 13 points. Kendall Sprow topped all players with 15 points.
Delta Lady Panthers: 0-6-12-16 = 34 Kendall Sprow (15), Olivia Smith (6), Keagyn Gillen (4), Kate Friess (3), Ella Demaline (2), Grace Munger (2), Ashlyn Lamb
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