Sports writer for the Toledo Blade. BGSU beat writer with high school coverage/photography in between. Former sports editor of Bryan Times and Findlay Courier.
In the last week, Bryan’s Addie Arnold has:
-Thrown a no-hitter with 17 strikeouts
-Hit a walk-off grand slam
-Fired a 5-inning no hitter with 13 strikeouts
-Recorded 28 strikeouts in 12 innings pitched and hit walk-off RBI single in 13th inning of 2-1 win
Beyond absurd 😳
Well, it’s official. Extremely excited to announce I’ll be taking over as sports editor of The Courier! Being a sports editor is something I’ve wanted for several years and I’m happy to be going back to a place that’s really special to me.
We'll have a changing of the guard here at The Courier sports department on Saturday. Michael Burwell will return and take over as sports editor for me. He'll take charge of this account tomorrow. It's been real folks. Thanks to everyone
If you desire, follow me
@BTake419
Quick update on my next move, I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the Toledo Blade as a sports writer! I will be covering Bowling Green State University, as well as some high school sports in between!
Really grateful for this new opportunity, I’ll be starting early next week!
Well everyone, I have some personal news to share. This is my last week as sports editor of The Bryan Times. I have accepted an exciting new job in the journalism industry that I will announce in the near future.
Bowling Green State University freshman and Archbold H.S. graduate D.J. Newman allowed 2 hits in 8 scoreless innings on the mound, and also went 4-for-4 with a run and a walk at the plate, in the Falcons' 4-0 MAC baseball win at Toledo this afternoon.
The dude is unreal.
BREAKING: Corey Walker will be the next varsity baseball coach at Bryan High School, pending board approval at Monday’s meeting. Walker, an Archbold H.S. graduate and a teacher for Bryan City Schools, has recently been an assistant baseball coach for the Golden Bears.
BGSU releases updated statement regarding postgame incident with Memphis:
"Following Thursday's unwarranted physical incident after the WNIT home game, the Bowling Green State University Police Department has charged a member of the Memphis Women's Basketball team with assault."
FINAL: McComb is heading to the Division VII state championship after knocking off Fort Loramie 28-14. Second trip to state final in school history and first in 35 years for Panthers.
Took a stroll through Pandora and Gilboa this afternoon, talked to some residents at local businesses for a story. There’s a buzz and excitement level very rarely felt in the communities, and it’s all because of P-G’s boys basketball state tournament run.
The only thing missing from McComb coach Kris Alge’s impressive resume was a state title. And today he got it. What an outstanding season for Alge and the McComb Panthers.
Brock Homier has been hired as varsity boys basketball coach at Bryan High School. School board voted 5-0 at tonight’s meeting to approve the hiring. The Continental High School and Bluffton University grad said he’s excited to get to work.
Really impressed with how BGSU freshman Paige Kohler handles herself in interviews. All season, she has been extremely insightful and not afraid to point out areas where she may need to improve, and today was no exception.
Without question, she's very mature for a freshman.
BGSU sophomore D.J. Newman was a triple away from the cycle with 4 RBIs, and pitched 7 scoreless innings with 11 strikeouts, 1 walk, and allowed just 2 hits in the Falcons' 9-1 baseball win at Memphis today. The Archbold graduate is simply outstanding as a 2-way player.
Well everyone, I have some personal news to share. This is my last week as sports editor of The Bryan Times. I have accepted an exciting new job in the journalism industry that I will announce in the near future.
The more I watch the video of the postgame incident in the handshake line between Bowling Green and Memphis, the more amazed I am that no BGSU players retaliated. The couple of BGSU players who held back their teammates as Memphis walked off the court deserve a ton of credit.
Dublin Coffman senior Keiryn McGuff, the daughter of Ohio State WBB coach Kevin McGuff, signed to continue her basketball career at Bowling Green. She verbally committed under previous BGSU coach Robyn Fralick, but is sticking with the Falcons and new coach Fred Chmiel.
D.J. Newman has a pretty unique perspective when (and where) he takes the field for BGSU's baseball team. The former three-sport all-Ohioan at Archbold has been solid on the mound and at the plate in his freshman season for the Falcons:
Notre Dame's (OH) Will Vorhees scored the most career points of any men's
#D2Hoops
player in 27 years.
The redshirt senior concluded his career today with 2,761 career points, good for 16th in
#NCAAD2
history.
#MakeItYours
Exciting day for The Bryan Times sports department. Finished 1st in Division I for Best Daily Sports Section, 2nd for Best Special Sports Section and I finished 2nd for Best Sports Feature Writer. Enjoyed today’s awards ceremony in Columbus!
#OhioAPME2022
Covered my last game for The Bryan Times. Thank you so much to
@BHSGoldenBears
@ThKusz
@Students_BSWAG
for all your help, cooperation, interviews and for just taking time to chat or say hi over the last few years. Means more to me than you'll ever know.
Forgot to mention that early in Bryan's soccer match today a dog ran onto the field and forced a short stoppage of play. It was epic. Everything you'd expect for a moment like this and remarkably ironic considering Bryan played the Celina Bulldogs 😂
Thea Staten has quite a work ethic when it comes to softball. She spends time every day improving her skills.
“Even when it’s not softball season, it’s softball season,” she said.
Story on the Bryan freshman who has helped her team return to regionals:
Jaxon Pardon and his family have pretty fond memories of BGSU and it’s men’s hoops program. They’ll make a lot more in the coming years.
Story on the Fort Wayne Carroll H.S. senior and son of former Falcons’ standout Brandon Pardon committing to BGSU:
Fairview’s softball team wins the OHSAA Division III state title with a 10-0 victory in six innings over Canfield South Range in the state championship at Akron’s Firestone Stadium. Apaches win 28th straight game after losing season opener to cap off historic season.
How about the day Edgerton High School just had? Softball wins regional semifinal in walk-off fashion, baseball wins district semifinal via walk-off as well, and track gets off to a huge start at regional meet with a bunch of athletes reaching finals.
Pretty impressive.
BREAKING NEWS: Bryan City Schools is set to hire Brock Homier as the next varsity boys basketball coach, pending board approval at Monday’s meeting. Homier was a two-time all-Ohioan for Continental High School and led the Pirates to the D-IV state tournament as a senior in 2011.
FINAL: No. 8 Pandora-Gilboa knocks off No. 1 McComb 19-14 in battle of last two unbeaten BVC teams. P-G improves to 7-0, 5-0 BVC and moves a step closer to first league title since 1999. McComb drops to 6-1, 4-1 BVC.
Haviland, Ohio might be Sinn City this winter. Wayne Trace's 2017-18 girls basketball roster has 8 (!!!) girls with the last name Sinn on their roster. Out of 11 players on the team. And honestly that is absolutely awesome.
Really impressive track and field meet for Edon senior Gannon Ripke at the Antwerp Invitational today. He won the long jump (19-9.50), was 2nd in the 100 in a blistering 10.92 and 3rd in the 200 (23.41). Also 3rd in 400 relay.
Reminder: this is his first year in track and field.
Liberty-Benton’s Lauren Gerken, who verbally committed to BGSU under former coach Robyn Fralick, is staying with the program under new coach Fred Chmiel.
Here’s the story we ran about Gerken shortly after the coaching change:
McComb’s Tanner Schroeder, celebrating his 18th birthday today, finished with 242 rushing yards and 2 TD’s, 122 passing yards and 2 TD’s and picked off three passes. Pretty solid game for the birthday boy.
Today is my two-year anniversary at The Bryan Times and I honestly can’t think of a better way to spend it than by getting Dairy Treat multiple times during/after Edon picture day.
#GOODFOOD
Congrats to former Bryan boys basketball coach and current Antwerp mentor Doug Billman, Archers heading to OHSAA state boys basketball tournament for the first time after beating Tiffin Calvert 52-31 in tonight’s D-IV regional final at BGSU.
My timeline is flooded with Bryan girls basketball news, and I absolutely love it. What a win for the Golden Bears in D-II regional semifinal vs. Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary.
Beyond thrilled for coach Todd Grosjean, one of my favorite coaches to talk to when I was at the Times.
After leading his team to its best season in school history, including its first OHSAA state final four appearance, Bryan’s Todd Grosjean has been named The Blade’s girls basketball coach of the year. My story on Grosjean that will run in tomorrow’s paper:
Bryan senior Joshuah Taylor passes four people in an outstanding final lap to finish runner-up in the 3,200 in a blistering 9:16.49, which shattered his own school record by over nine seconds. What a finish to his high school career for the Golden Bears standout.
Everyone loves a dunk photo, right? Shoutout to Bryan's Titus Rohrer for throwing one down in tonight's game (and also thank goodness I didn't fail miserably taking pics when the opportunity came along).
STATE CHAMPION: St. John’s Jesuit has won the Division I team championship for the first time in school history.
1,600 relay of Caleb Kelly, Caleb Root, Tre Green, and Joseph Taylor wins in 3:13.94. What a performance by the Titans.
FINAL: Bryan girls basketball is headed to Dayton.
The Golden Bears beat Norwalk 58-45 and is final four bound. First final four trip in program history and first in Bryan history since the boys did it in 1941.
Our first Bryan Times Senior Spotlight for the spring sports season is on Bryan’s Addie Arnold, a three-sport standout who has been part of five NWOAL championship teams for the Golden Bears:
Thrilled to be heading back to one of my old stomping grounds tonight. I'll be at Bryan High School where the Golden Bears (15-1, 3-0) host Liberty Center (16-1, 4-0) in a huge NWOAL girls basketball game. Bryan has won 14 straight games, while Liberty Center has won 10 in a row.
Just got off the phone with Robyn Fralick, who is taking over as Michigan State's women's hoops coach. Fralick was emotional when talking about how much she and her family love Bowling Green.
"Today, it’s a really exciting day for our family but it was a really hard day also."
It’s been a wild Thursday and we haven’t even gotten results from all our games yet. So far:
-Bryan’s Addie Arnold throws 2nd no-hitter in last 6 days
-Hilltop’s Lana Baker throws 2nd no-hitter in last 8 days
-Gannon Ripke fires 13th no-hitter in Edon baseball history
🤯🤯🤯🤯
BGSU guard Lexi Fleming was very emotional in the postgame press conference when asked about the historic tournament run/university's support:
"The joy that we had played with, Sophie Dziekan and I were talking the other day how we have just found the joy in basketball again..."
With this upgrade to the football field, I would say Bryan High School is a top 2 or 3 school for athletic facilities in NW Ohio (especially in the corner of the state). Football stadium, gym, tennis courts, Sumpter Field, track, softball and soccer fields are as good as it gets.
Wow! This is incredible! Pictures and video do not do it justice! Thank you to all the athletic boosters, businesses, donors, and Board of Education that made this possible for our kids & community!
#BryanBuilt
It’s been an emotional last couple of weeks for me. Gonna miss the Courier sports crew like crazy, they’ve done so much to help me out in so many ways. On Monday, I’ll be starting a new chapter in my life working at the Inverness Club in Toledo.
Sad to be leaving, you guys have treated me like family the last several years and I'm extremely grateful for that. I will be working as a full-time groundskeeper at Inverness, one of the best golf courses in the world. Really excited for this new opportunity.
Sad to report
@Michael_Burwell
will be leaving us at the end of the basketball season for a new job at the prestigious Inverness Club in Toledo.
Happy to report our own
@brandonshrider
will move into Michael's spot on our staff on a full-time basis.
Lexi Fleming may not be on the court due to injury, but that doesn't mean the standout senior guard isn't making a big impact elsewhere for BGSU.
Fleming has been like a coach on the sidelines, which isn't surprising given her family history of coaching:
2023: Bowling Green (20-30, 13-17 MAC) finished last in MAC and 289th in NCAA in batting average (.243). Averaged 5.9 runs per game.
2024 so far: Falcons (15-10, 12-0) batting .306 (2nd in MAC, top 50 nationally). Their 9.6 runs per game top 15.
Remarkable what they're doing.
FALCONS WIN!
⚾️First time sweeping a three-game series in DeKalb in program history
⚾️First time winning 12-straight MAC games in program history
⚾️First time sweeping four-straight MAC series in program history
⚾️First time with four MAC sweeps in a season since 2010
#AyZiggy
All-Toledo Area Athletic Conference football selections released: Edon senior QB Drew Gallehue named offensive player of the year, while Edon senior LB Gannon Ripke earns defensive player of the year. Bombers’ Bob Olwin named coach of the year after Edon (11-2) won 1st TAAC title
Scotty Buff made his last high school swim meet a memorable one. The St. Francis de Sales star’s national prep record in winning the 100 butterfly highlighted a remarkable performance that include four top-three finishes.
Story from Canton:
Bryan’s Joshuah Taylor, who earned all-Ohio last year and is a two-time state cross country qualifier, started his senior season with a win in the boys Division I and II race at the Celina Rotary Invitational. He finished 1st out of 92 runners in 16:14.08.
Just a couple of first-team all-Ohio quarterbacks battling it out side by side in track and field. Fairview's Doug Rakes Jr. and Edon's Drew Gallehue in the 400 relay at today's Hicksville Invitational. Love seeing football players run track.
An all-time stunner in Atlanta for Bowling Green State University.
Falcons score 38 consecutive points and top Yellow Jackets 38-27. The 22-point underdog Falcons earn first win over an active ACC member at time of the game.
Outstanding performance from BGSU.
Bryan’s boys golf team is heading to state for the first time since 2012 after winning the Division II district tournament at Catawba Island Club. Golden Bears shot 335, while Galion (341) edged Liberty-Benton (342) for 2nd.
Noah Huard finishes 2nd overall with a 76 for Bryan.
Bryan’s Addie Arnold took her stellar start to the season to a new level on Saturday after firing a no-hitter with 17 strikeouts in the Golden Bears’ 2-0 win at Defiance. In 8 games pitched this season, Arnold has recorded 12 or more strikeouts 7 times.
Bryan senior Addie Arnold fired 15 strikeouts in the circle and had three hits at the plate in the Golden Bears’ season-opening 13-1 six-inning softball win over Paulding. Freshman Caitlyn DeWitt added three hits and three RBIs for Bryan.
FINAL: Bryan knocks off St. Marys Memorial 48-36 to win Division II sectional girls basketball title. First sectional title for Bryan since 2012. Golden Bears avenge regular season loss to Roughriders and advance to next week’s district semifinals.
STATE CHAMPION: St. Francis de Sales senior Scotty Buff sets a state record and dominates the 100 butterfly n 44.97 seconds. Unreal face for Buff, who won the event in 2021.
4 Bryan seniors signed to continue athletic careers in college at event at the school today.
Caleb Kepler going to Ashland for football.
Shallyn Miley going to Lourdes for basketball.
Breven Deckrosh going to Owens for baseball.
Dylan McCandless going to Tiffin for wrestling.
Our first Bryan Times Senior Spotlight for the 2021-22 winter season is on Bryan’s Allie Zimmerman, who is probably one of the toughest athletes in the area:
The Bryan Times has been named a finalist for Best Daily Sports Section and Best Special Sports Section for the 2021 Ohio Associated Press Media Editors newspaper contest. Extremely grateful to be recognized and proud of how hard
@JLeBlanc_21
has worked!
Definitely have to give a shoutout to the Leipsic student section for the “Michael Burwell” chants. That definitely warmed my heart and made my night lol.
My brain is pretty fried from a busy night of work, but one thing worth mentioning regarding tonight’s results: Edgerton freshman Owen Roth ran a 10.87 in winning the 100-meter dash at the Edgerton Invite. That is an extremely impressive time, especially for a freshman 😳
Edon senior wide receiver Gannon Ripke finished the season with 103 catches (tied for 17th in OHSAA history) for 1,809 yards (10th all time) and 21 receiving touchdowns (tied for 15th all time).
A dozen BGSU players (8 freshmen, 4 transfers) got to see equipment manager Scott “Scooter” Jess do the diamond cutter celebration for the 1st time after Falcons completed 1st sweep of the season. Could easily hear the excitement in the next room waiting for post game interviews.
This week’s Bryan Times Senior Spotlight is on Bryan twins Delilah and Joshuah Taylor, who have had an enormous amount of success athletically and academically for the Golden Bears:
Our first Bryan Times Senior Spotlight for the winter season is on Bryan’s Reese Grothaus, a multi-sport all-Ohioan and one of the toughest competitors in the area:
Owen Potvin was an absolute machine today. The Bryan senior wins the 200 in a PR of 22.18 for his third regional title. Anchored the winning spring relays as well. Incredible performance from Potvin.
Apparently someone made bank selling
@Michael_Burwell
shirts at the Leipsic-Ottoville girls basketball game at Elida. I hope you are getting a cut of the profits!
Bryan junior Joshuah Taylor with a great final lap to pass two runners and finish sixth in the 3,200 in 9:42.23. Second all-Ohio finish of the day and third of the year (cross country in the fall) for the Golden Bears distance standout.
Congrats to one of my favorite coaches, Leipsic’s Gary Kreinbrink (
@omarvizquel13
), on earning his 500th career win tonight! Leipsic girls basketball rolled to a win over Ada. Well deserved accomplishment Gary!
Unreal performance from Bryan’s sprint relays. Quinn Brown, Caleb Kepler, Rylan Garza and Owen Potvin finish first in 400 relay in 44.28 to win the regional title and advance to state. Golden Bears sweep regional sprint relay titles.
Bryan senior Kellen Rigg is heading to the state swim meet for the 4th straight year. He broke his own school records in the 50 freestyle (21.07) and 100 butterfly (49.88) to finish second in both at the D-II district meet tonight at BGSU.
From his early days at Montpelier in the 1990s to his current tenure at Bryan, Todd Grosjean has always enjoyed coaching kids. The Golden Bears’ girls basketball coach has had plenty of success along the way as well. Here’s my feature story on Grosjean:
Sneak peek of tomorrow’s front sports page of The Bryan Times. Stories and tons of photos of Bryan track, Fairview and Hilltop softball and Montpelier baseball from Saturday. I can promise you that you’ll want to pick up a copy.
ICYMI: Our first Bryan Times Senior Spotlight for the 2021-22 school year is on Emilee Bassett, who is looking for another big season on Bryan’s girls tennis team:
Edon senior wideout Caden Nester earns 1st-team honors in Division VII, and classmate Carter Kiess was named honorable mention at wide receiver as the OPSWA released its D-VI and D-VII all-Ohio football selections. Third straight season the Bombers have had multiple all-Ohioans.