News

Four WOAC Boys runners advance from regional cross country to the state meet.
(Dale Barger photo)

TROY, OH – There were several elite performances by WOAC athletes at the OHSAA DIV Regional Cross Country Meet, and they advanced to the state championship meet on Saturday November 1^st at Fortress Obetz in Columbus.

Leading off with boys cross country none of the four boys teams competing at the Regional Meet advanced to state. Dixie placed the highest in 7th place followed by Tri-Village in 8th, Ansonia 12th and Newton was 16th.

There were several boys runners who would advance to the state meet with Ansonia’s Bennett Lehman winning the whole enchilada capturing back-to-back regional titles with a time of 15:31.70.

Dixie’s Collin Day also had a good day coming in 7th place with a time of 16:25.35 both turned in elite performances and gave the WOAC two runners in the top 10.

Dixie’s James McNew was 17th in a time of 16:53.52 and Tri-Village’s Coleman Trantham was 19th in 16:56.23  and National Trail’s Tucker Denlinger was 22nd (17:03.61) to round out the runners in the top 25.

Qualifying for state is Bennett Lehman, Collin Day, James McNew and Coleman Trantham.

Additional Individual WOAC Boys Placements up to 100

29 - Hunter Todd – Twin Valley South
30 – Evan Jackle – Dixie
31 – Samuel DeHart – Twin Valley South
39 – Carter Trantham – Tri-Village
41 – Oliver Kutter – Tri-Village
48 – Tanner Long – Newton
57 – Luken Longenecker – Ansonia
61 – Nick Staub – Newton
71 – Wyatt Unrast – Ansonia
80 – Charlie Stull – Franklin Monroe
81 – Chris Brinley – Tri-Village
89 – Eli Leingang - Newton
98 – Elizah McKeeth – Mississinawa Valley

None of the four girls  teams competing at the Regional advanced to state.  Newton was the highest placing team in 5th place.  Also competing were Franklin Monroe, Ansonia, and National Trail

Just as the boys did there were some good individual girls performances led by Newton’s Michaela Flora who finished as Regional Runner-up.  The sophomore runner was just shy of breaking 19 minutes in 19:00.93.

Ansonia freshman runner Anna Yeomans was 7th overall in a time of 19:39.28 and giving the WOAC two runners with elite performances and in the top 10 overall.

Rounding out the top 25 is Franklin Monroe’s Ella Eshleman in 13th in 19:58.92 and Claire Stull of Newton was 17th in 20:12.80 both qualifying to compete at the state meet.

Additional Individual WOAC Girls Placements up to 100

26 – Cole Thompson – Newton
49 – Olivia Creager – Ansonia
50 – Gentri Deaton – Newton
56 – Ella Warren – Arcanum
58 – Zoey Robinson – Newton
63 – Sadie Waldo – Arcanum
66 – Stella Fugate – Franklin Monroe
70 – Mia Brookey – Franklin Monroe
73 – Brynn Byers – Arcanum
86 – Rylee Judy – Arcanum
87 – Kayaa Mote – Mississinawa Valley
90 – Ioma Alavez – National Trail
92 – Madison Moore – Preble Shawnee
94 – Addison Gelhaus – Ansonia
95 – Ava Hughes - Newton

Congratulations to all who ran at the regional track meet and those who have advanced to the state meet.  Best of Luck.


Four WOAC Girls runners advance from regional cross country to the state meet.
(Dale Barger photo)
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Arcanum girls volleyball captures first district title since 1982. (Dale Barger photo)

By Gaylen Blosser

VANDALIA – The Arcanum Lady Trojans made history Saturday, sweeping the Cincinnati Country Day Lady Knighthawks to capture their first OHSAA district volleyball championship in 43 years.

“We knew today was more of a mental game for us,” said Arcanum head coach Jacie Holman. “Not being in a district game in 43 years, we didn’t know what to expect. The crowd level can be different, playing in a new gym can feel different. I’m proud of the girls—they came in locked in and ready to go.”

Arcanum-Butler Superintendent John Stephens praised the team’s balance and poise. “It’s impressive just thinking back. We’ve had a lot of talented teams and great fights, but this team almost made it look easy,” Stephens said. “The depth of our hitters—so many girls can attack you from anywhere. It’s just impressive. I’m very proud.”

Country Day scored first to open Set 1, but that would be its only lead of the night. Arcanum responded with seven straight points to go up 7-1 and never looked back. The Lady Trojans extended their lead to 15-5 and closed out the set, 25-10.

Set 2 started tight, with Arcanum leading 4-3 before pulling away to 12-6. Country Day hung around to make it 16-13, but Arcanum finished strong to win 25-21 and take a 2-0 lead.

needed to change that. We needed to make it clear to everyone in this gym that we earned that third and final set—and the match.”

Arcanum was all business in the third set, jumping out to a commanding 16-5 lead before forcing a Country Day timeout. The Lady Trojans never let up, cruising to a 25-12 win to seal the sweep and secure the program’s first district championship since 1982.

“We kind of fell apart in that second set, but I knew we’d come back in the third and really seal the deal,” Holman said.

The win was fueled by the ever-energetic Arcanum fan base, including the front two rows of parents led by Ben Garbig, who kept the energy high from start to finish.

“All 14 of them—they’re not ready to be done,” Holman said of her players. “Our chemistry is through the roof. These girls love one another. They know we don’t win on one player; they know all 14 girls are in it together. They want to keep going as long as we can.”

Holman praised her athletes’ dedication year-round. “We have a great group of girls that have been in the gym since June doing basketball, then July for volleyball, and they’re always on the softball fields,” she said. “They know the commitment it takes. They said, ‘Let’s go,’ and I’m proud of them—not just as athletes, but as people.”

The Lady Trojans advance to the Sweet 16, where they’ll face the Fort Recovery Lady Indians on Wednesday, October 29, in a regional semifinal at Northmont High School with an 8 p.m. start time.

Arcanum dropped a road match to Fort Recovery earlier in the season, 25-22, 25-21, 25-18, but Holman believes her team is ready.

“We’ll have to play a better game than we did today,” she said, “but I know we’ve made great progress since we saw them at the start of the season. I feel pretty good about where we’re standing right now.”

The Trojans Senior Volleyball players accept the district championship trophy. 
(Dale Barger photo)
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LIBERTY TOWNSHIP – The Mississinawa Valley girls volleyball team's impressive season and tournament run continues after defeating Middletown Christian in straight sets 25-12, 25-12 and 25-22.

The Blackhawks were having their way with the Lions and were just too strong up front with Allyson Waymire, Cora and Makenna Hoggatt and Gretchen Rodeheffer scoring at ease throughout the first two sets.  They were also able to keep Middletown Christian off balance with their serve and moving the ball around not allowing them to get into any kind of offensive flow.

Gretchen Rodeheffer was able to use her length at the net making it tough on the Lions to get easy swings for points. 

After a tough battle with Covington in the district semi-final the good start felt good … but often times that’s when you get comfortable and take the foot off the gas which the Hawks did, and the Lions roared back in the third set in win or go home situation.  They would jump in front early and eventually Mississinawa Valley coach Taylor Rawlings would dial up a timeout to talk. 

Allyson Waymire was deadly on her cross court hammers.

Mississinawa trailing 11-8 fought back to 12-11 behind the serving of Ella Godfrey. The Lions continued to battle and incremental increased their lead back to three, 17-14.  Mississinawa finally started to get back in the groove on offense with senior setter Danika Neargarder setting them back in sync with big swings from Cora Hoggatt and Allyson Waymire, but the Hawks still trailed 21-19.

Ella Godfrey on a roll with her serve helped the Hawks roll to a District Title.

Two more points with a big spike from Rodeffer tied the game at 21.  Mississinawa defensively was better not letting the ball touch the ground pushed the lead to 24-22 with a timeout to talk by the Lions but a set from Neargarder to Cora Hoggatt would find the floor on the other side of the net for the third set win.

It would be the first time since 1984 that the Blackhawks played in a district championship game and would be the first volleyball district championship in school history.

Mississinawa Valley volleyball coach Taylor Rawlings couldn't be happier with the history and success her team is having this year.

For first year Mississinawa volleyball coach Taylor Rawlings she couldn’t be happier.

“It's just awesome to be the first in school history, you know, to win a district title. These girls work hard, day in and day out. They earned and they deserve it,” Rawlings said with a big smile on her face.


Cora Hoggatt avoids the blockers by switching to her left hand for a point.

When I asked her if she could imagine when she left Tri-Village to come to Mississinawa that should would help write history with this team ... she sort of blushed!

“I did not, but, you know, these girls were really receptive to what I was teaching them, and they've taken it, ran with it, and clearly, good things happened,” Rawlings acknowledged.

When I asked her what the secret sauce was she explained that it really wasn’t a secret but more about team unity … but of course good talent too.

“We're just playing more as a team by communicating, believing and trusting each other and the cards are falling just right,” Rawlings explained.

“These girls want to learn, they want to be good teammates to each other, and you don't always have that, so it's great when a team wants to come together to win for the benefit of all, none of these girls are selfish by any means, and that's the most amazing part,” Rawling concluded

With the win Mississinawa Valley improves to 21-4 overall and advance to the Regional Semi-Final where they will play Ft. Loramie on Thursday October 30th, 10:30 am at Northmont High School.


The Lady Blackhawk seniors make history and looking to write some more as they advance to the regionals for the first time in school history in volleyball. 
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Tri-Village football coach Matthew Hopkins helped lead the Patriots to their first perfect season at 10-0 and 9-0 in the WOAC to win an outright league championship in 2025.

WOAC Final League Standings

Tri-Village                       9-0
Preble Shawnee             8-1
Ansonia                           7-2
Arcanum                         6-3
Mississinawa Valley       4-5
National Trail                  4-5
Tri-County North           4-5
Twin Valley South          2-7
Dixie                                1-8
Bradford                          0-9

Offensively the league had some outstanding offensive players and three were named Co-Offensive Players of the Year, Trey Sagester, Brody Morton and Griffen Richards.

Preble Shawnee senior quarterback Brody Morton was second in the league in both passing and rushing.  He threw for 1239 yards and 15 TDs.  He rushed for 1,150 yards and 22 TDs. He accounted for 2,389 total yards of offense and 37 touchdowns.

Tri-Village junior receiver Griffin Richards led the league in receptions (45) and yards received 1036 with 18 TDs.



Tri-Village senior quarterback Trey Sagester who threw over half of his 2,000 yards this season and 30 TDs to Griffin Richards, also rushed for 295 yards and had 5 TD's on the ground to lead the Patriots with 35 TDs and a perfect season.

Tri-Village senior safety Noah Finkbine was named the defensive player of the year leading the league with 128 tackles.  Finkbine was a versatile player who also caught 29 passes for 422 yards and ran for 473 yards on 29 carries.

Here is a list of all the WOAC All-Conference Teams.

All-Conference First Team

All-Conference Second Team

All-Conference Special Mention

Congratulation to all the players earning all-conference honors and best of luck to Ansonia, Arcanum, Preble Shawnee and Tri-Village in the football playoffs
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Tri-Village football runs the table to win the outright WOAC league championship.
(Dale Barger photo)

NEW MADISON – The Tri-Village Patriots defeated Arcanum 42-0 to go undefeated in the Western Ohio Athletic Conference at 9-0 to win an outright league championship. 

It will be a special memory for the 12 senior football players recognized before the game as they became the first team to go 10-0 in the regular season in school history.

In the 10th year of football at Tri-Village, eight competing as a varsity program the PATS have won 3 league championships.  They won a title in the old Cross County Conference in 2019, shared a WOAC title with Ansonia in 2022 and now won an outright title in 2025.

Arcanum would win the time of possession in this game having the ball for 32 minutes to just 16 for Tri-Village … but the Patriots were efficient offensively and stingy defensively to take the win.

Tri-Village stopped Arcanum on their first possession, and it didn’t take long for them to put the first points on the board with senior Noah Finkbine breaking a couple of tackles and going 52 yards to go up 7-0 at 6:03 in first quarter.

Finkbine duplicated his efforts on the next TV possession this time going 45-yards and with the extra point kick from Owen Ridout the score was 14-0 with 2:03 left in the opening quarter.

Tri-Village senior Noah Finkbine rumbled for two first quarter TDs. He had 150-yards on 9 carries in the game. (Dale Barger photo)

Arcanum put together a methodical drive and crossed midfield on their third possession only to see Aaron Bruner intercept a pass at the 2-yard line to stop their drive.  Tri-Village took advantage and eventually scored off sophomore Staley Colston’s 4-yard run to push the lead to 21-0 at 7:46 in second quarter.

Sophomore defensive back Aaron Bruner goes up high for one of two interceptions and both stopped Arcanum drives near the goal line. (Dale Barger photo)

It was déjà vu with Bruner intercepting another Trojan pass over his shoulder at the one yard and again Tri-Village would take advantage of the change of possession going 99-yards for another score.

The big play was quarterback Trey Sagester hitting Griffin Richards in stride down the sideline and he turned it into a 64-yard touchdown for a 28-0 advantage at the half.

Tri-Village would receive the opening kick-off to start the second half and scored quickly with on Colston’s second rushing TD of the game to push the lead out to 35-0 and a running clock.

Sophomore running back Staley Colston had a pair of TD runs and had 99-yards rushing in the game. (Dale Barger photo)

Tri-Village added one more score in the frame on a 37-yard run by sophomore running back Colt Camacho to end the scoring in the game at 42-0 as the Patriots secured their first undefeated regular season in school history.

The Patriots amassed 425 yards in the game: 329 rushing and 96 passing.  Noah Finkbine led the way almost all in the first half with 150 yards rushing on 9 carries.  Staley Colston had 99-yards on 14 carries and 2 TDs.  Colt Camacho had 4 rushes for 77 yards and a TD.  Trey Sagester threw 96 yards all to Griffin Richards including a 64-yard TD strike between the two.

Colt Camacho takes advantage of the line blocking and lead block from Noah Finkbine. He would have one TD and ran for 77-yards on just 4 carries. (Dale Barger photo)

The Patriots had 3 interceptions two by Aaron Bruner and one by Dom Black on a ball tipped at the line of scrimmage. Senior Cam Poston also had a fumble recovery.

Arcanum had 45 plays and 134 total yards: 92 rushing and 42 passing.  MJ Macy rushed 18 times for 57 yards and Weston Schmidt was 8-for-18 passing for 42 yards.

The Tri-Village defense led by freshman Ryker Marshall #15 and Hunter Ridout #62 on stop, held the Trojans to just 134 yards of offense. (Dale Barger photo)  

 The Trojans had the ball for 32 minutes to the Patriots 16 minutes in the game.

Tri-Village coach Matt Hopkins would not escape another water shower from the players after the game and once he was able to finish his bath shared with me his thoughts on the conference championship.

"This championship it's just a testament to our kids, and the work that they put in, and, more importantly, the people that started this program. Josh Sagester (Tri-Village Superintendent) went out on a huge limb and put his neck out there to get football started here, but he knew and believed, it only takes one and then that belief spreads, and it really has. In those early years of this program, we were the whipping boys, right? And we remembered that, we didn't pout about it. We got better, we learned as each class came through. It's about the work and the dedication and the commitment and understanding where we came from, you know, and to do what we've done in such a short amount of time as a program is really unbelievable." Coach Hopkins explained.

"I really hope that our kids understand that, and our community understands that just the amount of work that we've done and the success that we've had in such a short amount of time is uncommon," Hopkins added.

Coach Hopkins in his fourth year at the helm couldn’t go without talking about his 12 seniors who is his first full group he has coached from freshman through senior years.

"These guys were my first, they were freshmen when I got hired in. We've been together through these four years. And the amount of work these guys put in during the off season and when no one's watching they’ve been very dedicated. We ask a lot out of these kids. It's a football program and many also in our basketball program. They just live here, and they want to be great, they want to be coached hard and so they work hard, and these seniors, are the epitome of that. They have done everything that we have asked. They've shown up to everything even when you know some of these other guys that weren't playing a whole lot, they kept at it, kept practicing, kept getting guys better, and they've seen the rewards," Hopkins stated.

One such example is senior Cam Poston who hasn’t had a lot of minutes but has put in the work and late in the game with his teammates pushing for him to rush and get a sack on defense.  He didn’t get a sack, but he did get a fumble recovery, and he was mobbed by his senior teammates coming off the field and on the sidelines.  It’s that kind of reward that makes it worthwhile.

“That there was movie stuff, we can't write that stuff. That's a kid who joined us as a sophomore and is here every day, works his butt off comes in gets a fumble and it paid off,” Hopkins concluded.

The Patriots win almost ensures them a #1 seed in the OHSAA D6 Region 24 playoffs which will give them a bye in the first round and home game in the second round on their quest to continue make this season even more historic. 


It was a successful senior night for 12 Tri-Village Seniors. from L-R: Cam Poston, Hunter Ridout, Landen Moore, Trey Sagester, Logan DeLong, Tommy Nuse, Shawn Moore, Hunter Johnsman, Noah Finkbine, Carson Bedinghaus, Levi Farmer and Lathen Wehr.
(Dale Barger photo)

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