Nine Genoa seniors playing in all-star football game
Five local high school football teams will send a combined 29 seniors to the Suburban-Sandusky All-Star Football Game.

Defending Suburban Lakes League champion Genoa leads the way with nine players, Eastwood and Gibsonburg each have six, Lake has five, and Woodmore has three.

The contest, which pits the SLL vs. the Sandusky Bay Conference, will be played June 13 at Huron, kickoff at 7 p.m.

Genoa players are defensive back Garrett Scott, two-way lineman Andrew Hayes, offensive lineman Matt Keaton, two-way lineman Luke Sutter, offensive end Derek Allgier, running back/linebackers Seth Dufendock and Chris Cuevas, and defensive back Matt Murphy.

Eastwood players are two-way linemen Taylor Link and Jeff Rutherford, offensive lineman Forest Ickes, running back Pernell Conner, defensive back Justin Faykosh, and kicker Taylor Depew.

Gibsonburg players are wide receiver/defensive back Vinny Kirsch, receiver/outside linebacker Nick Sneider, running back/inside linebacker Nick Black, two-way lineman Jaime Mancha, running back/linebacker Justin Swartz, and two-way lineman Andy Helle.

Lake players are wide receiver/defensive back Kurt McKee, fullback/defensive lineman Carl Brown, offensive lineman Tyeler Mazey, quarterback/tight end/linebacker Alan Martinez, and defensive lineman Wes Socie.

Woodmore players are wide receiver/free safety Grant Weirich, running back/wide receiver/defensive back Jake Zollinger, and offensive lineman/defensive end Zak Avers.

Rosters may still be adjusted. One of the goals of the all-star game is to raise money for player scholarships. A $500 scholarship will given to four players from each league. A short essay on “What High School Football Has Meant to Me” is part of the selection criteria. This is turned in the first week of practice. Players that want a scholarship application can call Jerry Rutherford at 419-308-4825.

Brown adances in NCAA
Rachel Brown (Genoa), a sophomore at Northern Kentucky University and member of the girls golf team, has qualified for the NCAA Division II Women’s Golf Super Regionals as an individual (top nine teams and top four

Rachel Brown

individuals are invited).

The tournament she qualified from took place May 1-3. She placed 12th among 49 girls in Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania with a 81-81-82—244 score. She was four strokes away from moving directly on to NCAA D-II Nationals.     

“Conditions were wet and soggy throughout the three days. She played in rain, wind, and cold conditions so bad, there was a tournament in Chicago they had to call after 18 holes because the golf ball would not stay still on the greens to putt as it was so windy,” wrote her father, Al Brown, in an e-mail to The Press.

Mock to Findlay
Emily Mock, a senior at Genoa, will play golf at the University of Findlay next fall. She is the daughter of Tracy and Dennis Mock.

Mock earned three varsity golf letters at Genoa and received Honorable Mention All-District as a senior last fall. She also received several academic honors by being named to the Suburban Lakes League (SLL) Academic All League team and the Ohio High School Golf Coaches Association (OHSGCA) Academic All-Ohio team.

Mock was one of three golfers nominated by the Northwest District Golf Coaches Association for the ‘Best Sportsmanship’ Award for the 2010 golf season. She has also participated on three winning teams at the Jamie Farr Pro/Amateur event held in Sylvania.

Mock plans to major in the Physician’s Assistant, Nursing or Sports Management program(s). The Findlay Country Club, Red Hawk Run Golf Course and Sycamore Springs Golf Course have served as the Oiler’s home courses for a long time. Over the years, the Oilers have rotated hosting their home events at each of these clubs. Most recently, Findlay Country Club hosted the Division II National Championships. Findlay is a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). The UF coach is Al Baker.

John Gibson, a teacher at Genoa High Schools stated that, “Success, for Emily, is born from hard work and dedication. Emily will make an excellent addition to the University of Findlay — as a learner, as a leader, and as a person who lives her life with passion.”

Al Brown, her coach at Genoa stated, “I cannot say enough about Emily’s work ethic. Whether it is golf or the many other activities she is involved in, I see nothing but upside potential for her. She will make an excellent college student and a valuable team member.”

Hoodlebrink to Owens
Eastwood senior, Whitney Hoodlebrink will continue her volleyball career at Owens Community College. At Eastwood, Hoodlebrink set several attacking and kills records playing outside hitter.  During her junior and senior seasons, Hoodlebrink was a two-time First Team All-SLL and All-District player while being named the District Player of the Year in 2009.  While at Owens, Whitney plans on working towards a degree in Early Childhood Education.

Gymnastics State Champion
Madison Slovak, a 7th grader at Eisenhower Middle School, recently won the Ohio USA Gymnastics All-Around State Championship in Columbus.  In the Prep Optional Silver Division, Madison placed first on the vault and beam, second on the bars, and fourth on the floor.  Her first place All-Around score was a 37.15.  Slovak competes for Next Level Gymnastics, and is coached by Nick Distal and Dustin Costanzo.

Adopt-a-Field
Eastwood High School has acknowledged members of the community who care for portions of the athletic and school facilities by mowing and caring for the grounds as part of the Adopt-a-Field program. They are Dan Magrum, football; Terry Donaldson, baseball; Mick Foster, softball; and Howard Shirling, Pemberville School. Anyone else having an interest in helping contact Phil Donaldson at 419-833-1493.

Sports Announcements
The Genoa Lady Comets Summer Basketball Camp will be June 7, 8 and 9 at Genoa High School.  Camp is open to girls who are in upcoming grades 3-9.  Registration forms are available at the middle school and elementary school offices.  Cost is $30 which includes a t-shirt.  Call Coach Mike DeStazio at 419-250-2323. 

The Lake Flyers Girls Basketball Program will be hosting a basketball camp for girls in the current grades 1-7 on June 6-9. Grades 1-4 will be from 8:30-10:30 a.m. and grades 5-7 will be from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.. The camp will be held at Lake Middle School. Contact Coach Denny Meyer @ 419-356-3893 or

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The Genoa Athletic Department will be holding its annual golf outing June 11 at Chippewa Golf Course. Entry fee is $65 with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. Send your team members names and check to Tom Pickerel at Genoa High School or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . For sponsorship, call Mike Thomas at Genoa High School at 419-855-7735. All proceeds help defray costs of golf programs.

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The 22nd Annual “Chick” Schaffner Memorial Charity Golf Classic benefitting the American Heart Association and Stein Hospice will be June 20 at the new Arthur Hills-designed 18-hole Catawba Island Club Course with shotgun starts at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Morning registration is at 7:30 a.m., lunch served for both rounds at noon, the 19th Hole opens at 6 p.m. and at 7 p.m. is dinner and awards. Entry fee is $150 per player and $600 per foursome. Contact Bonnie Knepper at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 419-862-4233 or Julie Yeager at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 419-625-5269.

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The Woodmore Meorial Day 14 and 12 and under baseball tournaments are still seeking teams. The tournament is May 25-30 in Woodville. Call Mike Sorg at 419-836-9826 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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Danbury Local Schools is seeking a boys’ varsity assistant basketball coach and eighth grade boys basketball coach. Contact Athletic Director Drew Davie at 419-798-4037, ext. 3033.

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Rachel Brown. (Photo courtesy of Jeff McCurry, NKU Sports Information Department)

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