Spring Sports

Baseball - Softball Track & Field
2013
SPRING SPORTS
A Special Supplement to the Paulding County Progress
M A R C H 2 7 , 2 0 1 3
2 - Paulding County Progress Spring Sports Wednesday, March 27, 2013
PAULDING VARSITY BASEBALL

MEMBERS OF THE Paulding 2013 varsity baseball team are, front row from left Javier Gonzales, Corbin Edward, Kyle Kauser, Micheal Bauer, Quinten Vance, Aaron Contreraz, Justin Adams; back row Coach Chad Adams, Coach Kyle Mawer, Treston Gonzales, Guy Harder, Trey Schroeder, Gerod Harder, Alelx Arellano, Demon Egnor, Coach Mike Leach. (Dennis Saam/Paulding County Progress)
Mound strength key to Panther competitiveness

By JIM LANGHAM Sportswriter PAULDING In his five years of coaching Paulding baseball, Panther head coach Mike Leach believes that this is the most depth he has ever had in his pitching staff. In high school baseball, pitching is everything, said Leach. With the number of games that we have, there is often a short time period between games. Overall, we have a lot of experience back as a team. Last year, when we eliminated our errors, we played well. The Panthers will be led on the mound by Javier Gonzales, who will also hold down the infield at first base. Last year, as a sophomore, Gonzales was one of the squads top two hitters, with a batting average of .354. Pitchingwise, Gonzales finished with a record of 3-5, a figure that Leach says is deceptive considering his effectiveness on the mound. As a sophomore, he had an earned run average of 4.62, Leach said. Since then, he has picked up a lot of experience. Another promising young pitcher is Treston Gonzales, who will play third base
See PHS BASEBALL, page 6
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Wednesday, March 27, 2013 Paulding County Progress Spring Sports - 3
Speed is key to Paulding softball season

By JIM LANGHAM Sportswriter PAULDING Paulding head softball coach Matt Carr may not have the heaviest bats to give power to his hitting lineup this season, but his athletes represent speed and a prowess for running bases that he hopes will generate the runs to win games. If we can put people on bases, with our speed, we can move the runners around, Carr said. Weve been working on bunting to help manufacture runs. If we can get people on base and get them in motion, well be okay. Our defense is going to be strong, added Carr. We have pitchers that can throw strikes and a solid infield. Carr will be looking to two returning seniors, Breana Schmidt and Alexis Rue, to provide leadership for this years Panther girls. He noted that Rue should provide vocal leadership and Schmidt will lead with her work ethic. Schmidt, who will be playing her third year on the team, is expected to hit in the middle of the lineup and looks to be a run producer. For her previous efforts, she was voted honorable mention in the Northwest Conference. Rue, also a third-time player, will more than likely play center field. She is expected to bat at the top of the lineup. In addition, senior Samantha Martinez is coming up from the junior varsity squad to help fill in with the infield duty. Carr noted that starting pitcher responsi-
See PHS SOFTBALL, page 6
PAULDING VARSITY SOFTBALL

MEMBERS OF THE Paulding 2013 varsity softball team are, front row from left Kandee Manson, Jerika Bland, Melissa Durham, Kelsey Beck, Morgan Riley, Kristen Schilt, Brooke Combs; back row Coach Tyler Stork, Coach Melissa Stork, Alyssa Shelmadine, Abby Pease, Emily Farr, Samantha Martinez, Alexis Rue, Breana Schmidt, Suzanne Reinhart, Coach Matt Carr. (Dennis Saam/Paulding County Progress)
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Numbers up for Paulding track team

By JIM LANGHAM Sportswriter PAULDING Nearly twice as many athletes are out for the Paulding Country track program this spring, compared to a year ago. To make things even more exciting, both this years boys and girls track teams are a combination of experienced and talented athletes and young and up and coming track competitors. This years boys squad is composed of 20 athletes, many of whom are hoping to fit into spots where they can contribute points to the Panther squad. When Paulding begins its track season at Ottoville and April 4, the boys team will be led by the likes of Lance Foor, a first-year senior who looks to jump into relay and spring competition immediately. Other tracksters that are expected to make noise include Andrew Lehman, who holds a 10:50 3200 meter run last year, Ryan Schindler, who, like Lehman, is a third-year competitor who threw discuss 122 feet last season, and Clay Mohr, who was throwing shot put 46 feet last spring. In addition, Dylan Carnahan was pole vaulting close to 11 feet last season. We have a lot of younger athletes on the boys team, said track coach Nic Alvarez. A lot are out for the first time; Im encouraged by the numbers and the way our people are working. Im looking for a lot of great things as we continue to step up more each meet.
See PHS TRACK, page 5
PAULDING VARSITY BOYS TRACK

MEMBERS OF THE Paulding 2013 boys track team are, front row from left Logan Stahl, Josh Boes, James Brown, Lance Foor, Evan Huebner, David Highwarden, Dylan Carnahan, Ryan Schindler, Michael Mott; second row Clay Mohr, Cody Jarrell, Dakota Valdez, Kyle Gardner, Zach Buchman, Sean Bentley, Austin Stafford; back row William Mefferd, Travis Jones, Andrew Layman, Cullen Wenzlick, Brendon Lothamer, Lucas Arend, Drayson Wenzlick, Andrew Stafford. (Dennis Saam/Paulding County Progress)
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PHS TRACK
Salinas, a third-year letter winner who pole vaulted 10 feet, tops in the Northwest Conference. In addition, Alvarez will be looking to the likes of Meagan Weller, who competes in the 100 and 200 meter sprints. Last season, Weller had a personal best of 11.5 in the 100 meter run. In addition, Maylana VanCleve, a secondyear track member, looks to be strong in the 300 hurdles. Alvarez looks for his girls to be strong in relay competition, especially the 4x1 and 4x4 relay events. We have a lot of promising freshmen, said Alvarez. We are going to be a lot more promising with more flexibility.
Continued from Page 4

In league competition, Alvarez looks for Lima Central Catholic to be strong in sprints, Lincolnview to be competitive in distance runs and Columbus Grove to be overall very strong. Girls competition includes even more athletes with 25 competing this spring. The ladies will build their points around Sidney
PAULDING VARSITY GIRLS TRACK

MEMBERS OF THE Paulding 2013 girls track team are, front row from left Rachel Kesler, Alesha Simon, Kayla Simon, Ashley Johanns, Meagan Weller, Sidney Salinas; second row Shayla Shepherd, Claudia Foltz, Maria Martinez, Ashleigh Marable, Malayna VanCleve, Emilee Ringler, Jaycie Varner; back row Jenise Wells, Baylee Meyers, Tori Bradford, Emily Moore. (Dennis Saam/Paulding County Progress)
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PHS BASEBALL
a batting average of .430, he led the team in every area of offense. He is one of the better centerfielders that I have had since Ive been here, Leach said. Opponents of the Panthers will discover double trouble in the athletic ability of junior twins Guy and Gerod Harder. Guy, who will serve as the teams catcher, has taken great strides through his involvement with ACME baseball last summer. Gerod is returning from serving as right fielder last year and also looks to be an effective pitcher this year. He did pretty well last summer in pitching and looks pretty good so far this spring, said Leach. Junior Kyle Kausers decision to come off of a very successful basketball season and play baseball has the Panther coaching staff smiling. Kauser, who decided to play baseball last summer, will switch off between shortstop and pitching. We are expecting great things from him, Leach said. He is a great athlete and good pitcher. One other junior looks to contribute to the Panther cause in Justin Adams, a first year player who looks to play outfield. Two freshmen round out the team for Paulding. Damon Egnor will serve as a utility player, who will also see a lot of time on the mound. He is a promising young pitcher; he will start a lot of games, noted Leach. Also, Corbin Edwards looks to be a promising outfielder who is athletic with a lot of speed. With the pitching that we have, if we can make the routine plays, we should be extremely competitive in the Northwest Conference this year, noted Leach. Leach said that other teams competing for the league title could be Lima Central Catholic, Crestview and an experienced Spencerville squad.
PHS SOFTBALL

when he is not pitching. He started every game as a freshman last year, observed Leach. He has a good breaking ball and fast ball. Trey Schroeder, a senior who is out for the team for the first time, is expected to impact on the mound with a quality curve ball. Aside from pitching, the tall, lanky Schroeder is expected to make a significant contribution at first base. He is going to give us quality on the mound, observed Leach. He had a good summer last year. The other senior on the squad is Michael Bauer, who looks to be the leadoff hitter and senior leader on the squad. Defensively, he will serve as the returning second baseman from last year. He is a very good fielder and a very good hitter, said Leach. As the only returning senior, he has a lot of leadership potential. Hitting-wise, he has the potential to hit .300 this season. Junior Quentin Vance was the teams leading hitter last year as a sophomore. With

bilities will fall into the hands of junior Emily Farr, who did well as a junior varsity pitcher the past two years. She spots well and has a very good off-speed pitch, observed Carr. She will play some first base and looks to bat in the number four, five or six spot in the lineup. Jerika Bland, will return as the starting shortstop from last year, continued Carr. She doesnt do anything outstanding, but she always makes the plays when they are needed. She is our infield leader. Bland is a contact hitter who averages over .300 at the plate. She will bat in either the second or fifth spot. Letterwinner Alyssa Shelmadine will add speed to the outfield. Junior Abby Pease will return to play center field or left field after sitting out much of last season with an injury. She might also see some first base, Carr said. We are going to use her speed, Carr said. Carr will also be counting on sophomore Brooke Combs to run bases. She ran bases half of last season and was second in runs scored for last years squad. Sophomore Suzanne Reinhard will start as backup catcher and compete for time in the infield, said Carr. Morgan Riley, also a sophomore, will spend time contributing at second and third base. As a sophomore, she will be one of our better hitters. Melissa Durham looks for time stepping up to an infield position, Carr said. She has shown a lot of improvement this season. Kandee Manson, Carr said, is one of his best defensive outfielders and will be used as a defensive replacement. In addition, Manson bats from the left side because she makes better contact as a left hander. Kelsey Beck will be our starting catcher and the third or fourth hitter, observed Carr. We will be looking to her, along with Breana (Schmidt) to produce runs. Freshman Kristen Schilt rounds out the Panther lineup as a pitcher. She throws a little harder than Emily (Farr). We will have a nice one-two pitching rotation with her and Emily, Carr said. One of the biggest challenges of the team is going to be scoring runs, said Carr. However, if the squad can eliminate strikeouts and be more aggressive, it should be successful. We need to be more aggressive early in the count, noted Carr. If we can get our hitters to be more aggressive, we can eliminate strikeouts. In Northwest Conference play, Carr likes Crestview with its returning players from last years state championship team.
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ANTWERP VARSITY BASEBALL

MEMBERS OF THE Antwerp 2013 varsity baseball team are, front row from left Tyler Messman, Jeffrey Coleman, Matt Reinhart, Brock Taylor, Collin Perry, Justice Clark, Jon Hudson; back row Head Coach Zac Feasby, Joe Buerkle, Derek Smalley, Andy Coleman, Colton Hamman, Cainan Carlisle, Alex Vail, Coach Matt Smalley, Coach Jim Reinhart. (Dennis Saam/Paulding County Progress)
New coach expects Archers to compete

By JOE SHOUSE Sportswriter ANTWERP Ten letter winners return for first-year head coach Zac Feasby, who is looking for vast improvement from last years Archer baseball team. Antwerp is coming off a 5-18, 1-6 campaign in 2012, including a seventh place finish in the Green Meadows Conference. In tournament play, Antwerp bowed out in the Crestview sectional to Lincolnview, 13-2. Feasby was an assistant last year and moves up to fill the position left by former head coach T.J. Hammer. The transition from one coach to another should be fairly smooth as the kids will know what to expect. Lost by way of graduation were two key players in Shane Cline and Drew Taylor. Cline was a four-year starter who hit at a .328 clip last year, while Taylor used his quickness to gain 14 stolen bases on 15 attempts. This year we have two seniors and a solid group of juniors who will need to step it up and take the leadership role if we expect to be successful, said Coach Feasby. Andy Coleman and Colton Hamman, both seniors, will need to lead this year, according to Feasby. Coleman is primarily the teams catcher, but can play most any position when
See AHS BASEBALL, page 10
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Rodenberger optimistic about upcoming season

By JOE SHOUSE Sportswriter ANTWERP Antwerp softball coach Garry Rodenberger and the Lady Archers are coming off a successful 2012 season. Looking ahead to the upcoming campaign the head coach has several shoes to fill. Graduated from a team that finished at the top of the Green Meadows Conference at 61 and 17-6 overall includes First Team AllState pitcher Jayla Chamberlain, First Team GMC A.J. Stuck, Second Team GMC Tricia Smalley, Second Team GMC Alex North, Second Team GMC Ann Reinhart, and Honorable Mention GMC Ashlee Smith and Harlee Hudson. The Lady Archers ended their season at the district finals, losing to Pettisville. Returning lettermen for the 2013 campaign will be senior Avrial Sawyer, and a trio of sophomores in Cheyenne Miller-Sweet, Kelsey Titus and Olivia Temple. Sawyer, a two-year letter winner, had a batting average of .286 while playing the catcher position last season. Miller-Sweet sported a .273 batting average while Titus hit at a .295 average. Rodenberger is expecting good things from Titus, who will lead off and play third base for the Archers. I expect her to be a spark on this team. We have other key players returning from a successful program in Sawyer, Miller-Sweet and Temple, who will be important in providing leadership to our younger kids, said Coach Rodenberger. The remaining roster includes junior Kaiya Jemison, sophomore Nikki Hughes, along with five freshmen. The ninth graders looking to contribute will be Avery Braaten, Sidney Barnhouse, Emily Derck, Sierra Cline and Beth Hawley. Other players on the 2013 roster include freshman Nikki Mills, sophomores Marivelle Flint and Darian Bauer, and two seniors in Alyson Crawford and Octaven (Taven) Eaton. Its important that we get our young players acclimated early. We may take our bumps early but I believe as the season progresses we will develop into a much better team, commented Rodenberger. With the loss of several key players, the head coach feels pitching will be a major factor. Jemison received valuable experience pitching on the junior varsity level and Rodenberger believes she has the potential to develop into a consistent pitcher this year. If we can develop an adequate pitching staff, it will certainly help us in our effort to excel this season. Young or old, the expectations remain the same, according to Rodenberger. Teams with a larger base of returning upper-class letter winners should experience the most success in the GMC this year. Edgerton has a solid core of players re-
ANTWERP VARSITY SOFTBALL

MEMBERS OF THE Antwerp 2013 varsity softball team are, front from left Emily Derck, Olivia Temple, Alyson Crawford, Avrial Sawyer, Cheyenne Miller-Sweet, Octaven Eaton, Kelsey Titus, manager Callie Perry; second row Kaiya Jemison, Sidney Barnhouse, Beth Hawley, Marivelle Flint, Sierra Cline, Nikki Hughes, Avery Braaten, Nikki Mills, Darian Bauer; back row Head Coach Garry Rodenberger, Assistant
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ANTWERP VARSITY TRACK

MEMBERS OF THE Antwerp 2013 varsity track team include, front row from left Mason Gerken, Parker Swenson, Colton Bennett, Aaron ODonnell, Isaac Reinhart, Rachel Becker, Jerett Godeke, Ed Reinhart; second row Paige Rebber, Becky Major, Maria Bradbury, Kiana Recker, Audrie Longardner, Bailee Sigman, Kayla Burns, Julia Balser, Annie Miesle, Samantha Provines, Logan Emerson; third row Colton Hall, Lauren Barrand, Maggie Reinhart, Lydia Carr, Brittany Smith, Asia Flinn, Colin Krick, Noah Ganger, Justice Clark, Jacob ODonnell, Jon Huss; back row Assistant Coach Pat Miesle, Jacob Patterson, Jack Godeke, Chase Gerken, Erik Miesle, Erik Buchan, Josh Longardner, Cameron Huss, Victor Williams, Ryan Hatlevig, Dakota Hart, Head Coach Cord Ehrhart. (Dennis Saam/Paulding County Progress)
Archer track team young and talented

By JOE SHOUSE Sportswriter ANTWERP The Antwerp boys and girls track and field team have been practicing outside as much as possible during the early spring. Weather and cold conditions have hindered the Archers slightly, but early on its been about conditioning and getting in better shape for the upcoming season. Head coach Cord Ehrhart is entering his seventh year as head coach. The veteran has also coached the cross country team for 12 years. On the girls side, Coach Ehrhart will have what he describes as a very young team dominated by freshmen and sophomores. We only have 20 girls this year, but we seem to always struggle with numbers. This year our numbers are down but we have a good group of talented girls, said Ehrhart. Returning this year to lead the Lady Archers is sophomore Bailee Sigman. She was a regional qualifier last year in the 800 and we are looking for her to do well in our distance races, said Ehrhart. The head coach is also excited about a couple of freshmen who he feels have the potential to be solid in their events. Annie Miesle will be one of our hurdlers and Audrie Longardner has the ability to do well in our sprints, commented the head coach. There are 20 girls participating on the track team for 2013 and they include seniors Chay Jackson and Lydia Yenser; junior Lizzy Rister; sophomores Julia Balser, Lauren Barrand, Rachel Becker, Maria Bradbury, Kayla Burns, Lydia Carr, Logan Emerson, Becky Major, Sam Provines, Maggie Reinhart and Bailee Sigman; and freshmen Audrie Longardner, Annie Miesle, Paige Rebber, Kiana Recker, Sammi Schneider and Brittany Smith. Both the boys and girls teams should do well on the track, but the area of concern for the head coach will be in the field events. The Archers lost Zach Dunlap and Brandon Dunderman via graduation with both placing well in a couple of field events. Dunlap was a state qualifier in the discus while Dunderman participated in the regional in the shot put. Cameron Huss, another graduated senior, was a regional qualifier in the 200 and 400. Those three guys are a couple of big loses for us and they will be hard to replace. Returning for the Archers is Colin Krick, a 2012 regional qualifier in the mile. He will be one of the distance runners that Ehrhart will look to, not only for his ability on the track, but for team leadership. A freshman the head coach sees as a promising addition to the track program is Sam Williamson. Williamson won the district cross country meet at Liberty Center in the fall and we plan for him to run the two mile event for us. This year there are approximately 24 boys running track and Ehrhart feels he will have a well balanced squad with his group of distance runners being strong. Early in the season Coach Ehrhart has a day when he takes his younger athletes and runs them in a heptathlon, which is seven events in order to determine the individual strength of his squad. Its a little bit like a talent search to see what they can do best and then we put them in those particular events to see how they compete. Team members include seniors Dakota Hart, Ryan Hatlevig, Cameron Huss, Colin Krick, Ed Reinhart, Isaac Reinhart, Kip Salas and Victor Williams; juniors Mason Gerken and Erik Miesle; sophomores Colton Bennett, Jasper Godeke, Jerett Godeke, John Huss, Jacob ODonnell, Jacob Patterson and Parker Swenson; and freshmen Erik Buchan, Justice Clark, Chase Gerken, Josh Longardner, Aaron ODonnell and Sam Williamson. When looking at the GMC, Ehrhart feels Tinora will be the team to beat. They are the biggest school in our conference and therefore they have more kids to draw from. They are usually at the top each year. The Archers will be in action on Tuesday, April 2 when they travel to Hilltop for a trimeet along with Edgerton. On Thursday, April 4, the Archers will be on the road at Tinora with another tri-meet along with Wayne Trace.
AHS BASEBALL
and Collin Perry. Copsey will hold down the first base position while Perry will fill one of the outfield spots. Coach Feasby is excited about his four underclassmen who will see action this year. Freshmen Jeff Coleman, Justin Clark and Cainan Carlisle, along with sophomore Jon Hudson, lead the list of promising newcomers. Looking over the upcoming season. the coach is looking to improve and be more competitive. Last years 5-18 season was not what we anticipated; however, it was an improvement from the previous year. The team will strive to improve on last season even further and look to be more competitive in league play, he said. The Coach concluded, I am hopeful and confident that the upcoming season will be a great start in the right direction. Feasby is a 2004 Antwerp graduate who received his bachelors degree at Bowling Green State University and his masters at the University of Toledo.

called on. Coleman, an All-GMC performer last year, was impressive at the plate, hitting .410 with 16 RBIs. As a pitcher, he finished with a 2.95 ERA while striking out 38 in picking up two wins and two saves while dropping five contests. Hamman split his time at first base and on the pitching mound while collecting a batting average of .250. The group of juniors that Feasby is looking to help turn the program around are Derek Smalley, Kaden Brumett, Tyler Messman, Joe Buerkle and Matt Reinhart. This group played last year and got a lot of experience. If we want to be more competitive this year we need positive production from this group, commented the first-year coach. Smalley is coming off a season where he was a threat at the plate hitting at .311 and 13of-16 in stolen bases. Both Smalley and Brumett were also used in the pitching rotation with each picking up a win on the season. This year Mussman, Buerkle and Reinhart will be called on to play solid defense at their position while providing some quality at bats in the lower portion of the order. Our first four to five hitters should be solid, but were looking for the bottom of the lineup to step up more than last year. Also returning for the Archers who lettered last season are sophomores Trenton Copsey
AHS SOFTBALL


turning and Tinora should be much improved. No team in the league has lost as much as we have. Rodenberger is starting his sixth year as head coach of the Lady Archers. Overall, in the 11 years as a head coach, Rodenberger has carved out a career record of 184-74. The Lady Archers open up their 2013 season at home against Edon on April 1 followed by a home date with Hicksville the following night.
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WAYNE TRACE VARSITY BASEBALL

MEMBERS OF THE Wayne Trace 2013 varsity baseball teams include, front row from left Jacob Dingus, Andy Hicks, Jared Sherry, Cade Harvey, Grant Gillett, Cassidy Hilkey, Sean Durre; back row Coach Mike Speice, Caleb Mead, Broc Forrer, Colby Speice, T.J. Blackmore, Zach Mansfield, Aaron Stoller, Marcus McVay, Coach Larry Pressler. (Dennis Saam/Paulding County
Raiders excited about upcoming season

By KEVIN WANNEMACHER Sportswriter HAVILAND Coming off of a disappointing 4-21 season, the Wayne Trace baseball team enters the 2013 campaign with excitement of what it can accomplish in the upcoming year. The Raiders return eight letter winners from last years squad with two others who saw limited varsity playing time. That combination, in conjunction with some freshman who have shown potential, has Wayne Trace head coach Larry Pressler very optimistic about 2013. I have been really happy with how things have progressed so far, noted Pressler, who is in his second stint and 23rd season at the helm of the Raider program. The kids have worked extremely hard and they are just a good bunch of kids. Leading the way for the red, white and blue are a trio of seniors, all of which have shown tremendous leadership, according to Pressler. The seniors have provided really good lead leadership, Pressler added. And they have done it by example, showing a lot of positive energy. Seniors on the squad include infielder/pitcher Cade Harvey, outfielder
See WT BASEBALL, page 16
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Baumle looking for great things from WT

By KEVIN WANNEMACHER Sportswriter HAVILAND There is no doubt that Wayne Traces softball team enters the 2013 season with great pitching, bringing back all three hurlers from a year ago. However, the red, white and blue struggled both at the plate and in the field last season and those areas both need to show drastic improvement for Wayne Trace to be successful. Raider head coach Jack Baumle, who begins his second stint and second season as a head coach at Wayne Trace, feels like the squad will be much improved in both. I think offensively we will be a much improved team, noted Baumle. The girls have really put in a lot of time over the offseason and have been hitting the ball inside very, very well. Wayne Trace did average just under six runs a game in 2012, but the red, white and blue struggled in its final 10 games as they plated only 25 runs in that stretch, winning only one of them. One thing that I hope to see improvement in is coming up with clutch hit in a key situation, continued the Raider mentor. I think in that area, with another years experience, that we will be much better. The Raiders bring back nine letter winners from a year ago, led by a pair of seniors in Kaleigh Young and Chelsea Critchfield. Young is the teams top pitcher, posting six wins last season while striking out 90 batters in 77 plus innings. The senior also hit .264 at the plate, scoring seven runs while driving in a dozen. Critchfield added six runs scored, compiling a .278 on base percentage last season. Juniors Brenda Feasby, Emilie Linder, Libby Stabler and Maddie McClure also come back for Wayne Trace. Feasby hit .262 last season with 10 runs scored and nine runs batted in while Linder batted .329, scoring 23 times and driving in 11. Stabler scored seven runs and added six RBIs for Wayne Trace. A trio of sophomores also return, including a pair of pitchers. Molly Crosby was 3-4 on the season last year with a 2.81 earned run average, fanning 58 in 37 plus innings of work. Addison Baumle recorded a 1-4 record, striking out 41 in 43 innings. Baumle also hit .356 at the plate and scored 22 runs while adding eight doubles a year ago. Crosby batted .339 with 10 runs scored. Our pitching is set with the three girls back, continued Baumle. We should be able to make adjustments as needed on the mound with the depth we have. Mackenzie Swary moves into the catching position after playing in the outfield a year ago. Swary hit .225 with 19 runs and 10 RBIs last season. The infield is settled at the corners with Sta-
WAYNE TRACE VARSITY SOFTBALL

MEMBERS OF THE Wayne Trace 2013 varsity softball team include, front row from left Brenda Feasby, Maddie McClure, Chelsea Critchfield, Kaleigh Young, Emilie Linder, Libby Stabler; back row Coach Jack Baumle, Sydney Critten, Addison Baumle, Mackenzie Swary, Molly Crosby, Brooke Wilcox, Carley Wright, Coach Amber Showalter. (Dennis Saam/Paulding County Progress)
See WT SOFTBALL, page 16
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Good Luck Raiders!
Branch feels Raiders are improved, competitive

By KEVIN WANNEMACHER Sportswriter HAVILAND Veteran Wayne Trace track coach Troy Branch is looking forward to the 2013 season as the red, white and blue roster includes 39 boys and 25 girls entering the campaign. On the boys side, the Raiders enter the year with more depth but will have to overcome some inexperience according to Branch. The boys team comes into the year with good depth and we feel like we can be very competitive this year, noted Branch. We are going to have some youth mixed in so you dont know how those kids will adapt to the varsity level but we feel like we have good potential. One of the strengths of the Raider boys will be a solid group of sprinters to go along with quality distance runners as well. We should be able to be very solid in the sprints, continued the Raider mentor. Weve got a couple of good kids back in Jared (Eklund) and Wes (Goings) and we think Jake (Arend) will also be very versatile for us. With the numbers we have, we should be able to have a chance to score points in each event. In the distance events, we have some experience back and some quality newcomers as well so that is a good mix for us, added Branch. The Raider roster includes only two seniors in Jared Eklund and Ryan Kortokrax. Field event wise, it is another area where we have kids capable of scoring in each event this year, Branch stated. Ryan is back in the shot put after advancing to the state meet and we have a solid mix of experienced kids and
See WT TRACK, page 15
WAYNE TRACE VARSITY BOYS TRACK

MEMBERS OF THE Wayne Trace 2013 boys track team include, front row from left Nick Durre, Tyler Showalter, Logan Fast, Arlen Stoller, Clint Sinn, Gabe Wobler, Austin Kuhn, Devin Wenzlick; second row Jake Arend, Scott Wenninger, David Sinn, Ryan Kortokrax, Jared Eklund, Edwin Van den Hengel, Hank Sinn, Brock Worden, Alec Kuhn, Bryce Eutzler; third row Austin Conlon, Josh Reel, Liam Marihugh, Wes Goings, Jake Gerber, Jake Baksa, Justin Pierce, Nate Roop; back row Kenny Ganter, Conner Arend, Korbin Showalter, Tom Lantow, Brandon Zartman, Izaih Greathouse, Cole Shepherd, Daron Showalter, Garrett Stollings; coaches: John Dawson, Chad Critten left, and Troy Branch and Brian Yenser on right. (Dennis Saam/Paulding
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WAYNE TRACE VARSITY GIRLS TRACK

MEMBERS OF THE Wayne Trace 2013 girls track team include, front row from left Gina Sinn, Alexis Sutton, Rylee Zartman, Shayna Temple, Taylor Grant, Erin Jewell, Becca Hamrick; second row Abbie Shepherd, Carrigan Critten, Stacy Flint, Haley Saylor, Brianna Sinn, Aestraea Martinez, Darian Edwards, Madi Poling; back row Alexis Flores, Krystal Wannemacher, Dani Kortokrax, Estie Sinn, Emily Mohr, Jodi Willitzer, Erin Mohr; coaches Chad Critten, John Dawson, Troy Branch, Brian Yenser and Annette Sinn. (Dennis Saam/Paulding County Progress)
WT TRACK
Tyler Showalter, David Sinn, Hank Sinn and James Weaver. With youth, you just dont know how they are going to adapt to the level difference from junior high to high school, commented Branch. That is always a concern. A dozen freshman dot the Raider roster. Connor Arend, Jake Baksa, Nick Durre, Austin Kuhn, Tom Lantow, Liam Marihugh, Nate Roop, Cole Shepherd, Clint Sinn, Edwin Van Den Hengel, Scott Wenninger and Gabe Wobler all will take part in track at the high school level for the first time. The guys have shown a great work ethic and have worked very hard so far, concluded Branch on the boys squad. We feel like if we continue to improve the way we have to this point, this team can be a challenger. But we have to keep getting better and working hard. On the girls side, the numbers are more of a concern but Branch also knows the Raiders do have talent as well. Wayne Traces roster includes only three seniors in Taylor Grant, Krystal Wannemacher and Rylee Zartman, but the Raider mentor is counting on the trio to lead the rest of the squad. The seniors will be asked to do a great job of leading the team both on the track and off the track, Branch noted. Those three girls have a lot of track experience combined and we will need them to be good role models for the younger girls. We will be counting on them in a lot of ways this year. The Raider head coach thinks the relay squads will be able to compete and that Wayne Trace should be very solid in the sprints. Sprint-wise, we have a number of girls who can be solid in those events, added the red, white and blue head coach. Middle distance is solid with returnees and we have some long distance kids that should be very competitive. Our biggest concern is the field events in the fact that we have to develop some more consistency and show improvement. Six juniors dot the roster in Alexis Flores, Danielle Kortokrax, Emily Mohr, Abbie Shepherd and Jodi Willitzer. Sophomores expected to contribute include Carrigan Critten, Darian Edwards, Rebecca Hamrick, Erin Jewell, Katrina Lusk, Haley Saylor, Gina Sinn and Alexis Sutton. Eight freshmen also will participate at the high school level for the first time. Stacy Flint, Brooke Ludwig, Courtney Mead, Erin Mohr, Brianna Sinn, Estie Sinn, Shayna Temple and Hollie Wannemacher all will start their high school careers this year. I give the girls a lot of credit, continued Branch. They have worked extremely hard this year and have had superb attitudes and work ethics. We have a challenge in the fact we just have to keep getting better and we want to show improvement each week of the season. If we do that, we feel like we can be very competitive. Wayne Trace will open the season in a Green Meadows Conference tri-meet on April 4 as the Raiders and Antwerp travel to Tinora.

newcomers who will battle in the other events. Juniors on the Raider roster include Austin Conlon, Logan Fast, Kenny Ganter, Jake Gerber, Wes Goings, Alec Kuhn, Arlen Stoller, Garrett Stollings, Devin Wenzlick, Brock Worden and Brandon Zartman. Wayne Trace sophomores participating are Jake Arend, Rylen Asher, Jacob Dingus, Bryce Eutsler, Iziah Greathouse, Justin Pierce, Josh Reel, Robert Seffernick, Daron Showalter,
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WT BASEBALL
Freshman Andy Hicks also has surprised the Raider mentor. If we limit the walks and do a better job of making teams earn things, we feel like we can be very competitive, added the Raider head coach. Another area we have put a lot of time is our hitting. This team has worked very, very hard on improving on the little things and we feel like that should be a big help to us. Our biggest concern is scoring runs, Pressler continued. We have to be able to generate offense and come up with the big hits in key at-bats. Aaron (Stoller) has really improved as a catcher and Andy (Hicks) has very quick hands and has shown potential. Overall, all of the kids have been very positive and are excited about the opportunity to compete, concluded the Raider mentor. We are looking forward to getting the season started. The Raiders open the season with a road trip to Continental on April 1 before hosting Stryker on April 2. Wayne Trace also has home games in the opening week against Lima Bath on April 4 and a doubleheader with Edon on April 6.
WT SOFTBALL
Thrasher are also battling for playing time. We have to do a better job defensively and I think we will, added the Raider head coach. I feel like our infield is pretty solid and should be able to make plays for us. We still have question marks in the outfield depending on the rest of our lineup. Overall, the girls have worked very hard and we are excited for the season to get started. Wayne Trace will open the season on April 2 as the Lady Raiders visit Ottoville. Wayne Trace also will travel to Paulding on April 4 before visiting Lima Central Catholic for a doubleheader on April 6. The red, white and blue opens Green Meadows Conference play on April 11 when they visit Edgerton.

Caleb Mead and infielder Zach Mansfield. Harvey led the team in runs scored with 11 a year ago while hitting .250 and compiling a .353 on base percentage. Mead hit .255 last year and Mansfield posted a .316 average and .421 slugging percentage. Wayne Trace also brings back five juniors to the squad, led by pitchers Colby Speice and Broc Forrer along with catcher Aaron Stoller. Junior outfielder Jared Sherry and infielder/pitcher Marcus McVay also come back for the Raiders. Speice hit .263 a year ago with ten runs scored while Forrer batted .246, scored nine times and drove in eight runs. We feel pretty good about our pitching staff, commented Pressler. Weve got several kids that we feel like we can put out there and be competitive. One of the things we have worked on extremely hard is to pound the strike zone more so than we did last year. We need to limit our walks and that is going to be a key for us. We think our pitching staff will be solid this year. Juniors T.J. Blackmore and Jacob Dingus also are expected to contribute at the varsity level, both on the mound and in the field.

bler taking first and Linder playing third. The middle infield is more of a revolving door, with Young, Baumle and Crosby all potentially playing any of the three positions depending on the opponents. Feasby and McClure are most likely two of the outfielders with the third spot still up for grabs. Junior Brooke Wilcox may see some varsity action in the outfield and the freshmen duo of Sydney Critten and Carley Wright also are battling for playing time at the varsity level. Sophomores Kierstan Baldwin, Elizabeth Brown, Kayla Dilling, Samantha Hinchcliff, Courtney Laney, Leah Sinn, Katie Strickler and Kayla Zuber along with freshman Carrie
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Baseball - Softball Track & Field

2 - Paulding County Progress Spring Sports Wednesday, March 27, 2013

PAULDING VARSITY BASEBALL

Mound strength key to Panther competitiveness

See PHS BASEBALL, page 6

Arend, Laukhuf & Stoller, Inc.

8516 Twp. Rd. 137, Paulding, Ohio

HAVE A GREAT SEASON!!!

GOOD LUCK! GOOD LUCK!

Wednesday, March 27, 2013 Paulding County Progress Spring Sports - 3

Speed is key to Paulding softball season

See PHS SOFTBALL, page 6

PAULDING VARSITY SOFTBALL

Paulding-Putnam Electric Cooperative

KOHART SURPLUS & SALVAGE

Good Luck Panthers!

GOOD LUCK TO ALL AREA TEAMS!

4 - Paulding County Progress Spring Sports Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Numbers up for Paulding track team

See PHS TRACK, page 5

PAULDING VARSITY BOYS TRACK

Good Luck Panthers!

Good Luck Panthers!

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Good Luck All Area Spring Sports Teams!

Wednesday, March 27, 2013 Paulding County Progress Spring Sports - 5

Continued from Page 4

PAULDING VARSITY GIRLS TRACK

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Compliments of JUDGE SUZANNE S. RISTER

HARTZOG LUMBER & SUPPLY, LLC

Paulding County Court

GOOD LUCK! GOOD LUCK!

Were Your Local Rental Store...

6 - Paulding County Progress Spring Sports Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Continued from Page 2

Continued from Page 3

PAULDING THE OHIO GAS COMPANY

NATURAL GAS... THE RIGHT CHOICE

GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE AREA SPORTS TEAMS!

Wednesday, March 27, 2013 Paulding County Progress Spring Sports - 7

ANTWERP VARSITY BASEBALL

New coach expects Archers to compete

See AHS BASEBALL, page 10

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Antwerp Pit Stop

C-Stores, Farming & Commercial Fuels/Lubricants, Home Heating Oil

Good Luck Archers!

Good Luck Archers!

GOOD LUCK ARCHERS!

8 - Paulding County Progress Spring Sports Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Rodenberger optimistic about upcoming season

ANTWERP VARSITY SOFTBALL

P ANTWER THE OHIO GAS COMPANY

8516 Twp. Rd. 137, Paulding, Ohio

GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE AREA SPORTS TEAMS!

NATURAL GAS... THE RIGHT CHOICE

HAVE A GREAT SEASON!!!