Women’s soccer becomes intercollegiate sport at Owens
With the start of the 2011 fall season, the Owens Community College women’s soccer program becomes the school’s eighth intercollegiate athletic program offered. The seven other sports include men’s baseball, women’s softball, men’s golf, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, men’s soccer and women’s volleyball. Mary Whisler is to serve as the first-ever head coach.

“We are thrilled to announce Mary Whisler as the new Head Coach of Owens Community College Express women’s soccer,” said Chris Giordano, Owens Dean of Student Life. “Mary is highly regarded within the soccer community and an outstanding leader who embraces the College’s mission. We look forward to her guiding our new Express women’s soccer team into its first season as an NJCAA intercollegiate athletic program.”

“I am very excited to be part of Owens Community College’s rich tradition of academic and athletic excellence,” stated Whisler. “This is an amazing opportunity and I look forward to beginning the process of building our program into one of the best intercollegiate soccer teams in the country.”

Whisler previously served as the assistant coach for women’s soccer at the University of Findlay from 2009-11. During her tenure, she helped lead Findlay to an overall 14-18-5 record. Whisler’s responsibilities also included recruiting, training and assessing talent.

Additionally, she serves as the U-12 coach of the Findlay Soccer Club and has served as the U-16 assistant for the Fort Wayne Sport Club in Indiana. Whisler also was a soccer camp staff coach and counselor at the University of Notre Dame.

Whisler was a three-time, first team Mid-Central College Conference selection during her intercollegiate playing career (2005-08) at the University of Saint Francis. She also earned NAIA honorable mention Athletic All-American and Scholar-Athlete All-American honors.

The Findlay resident holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Saint Francis and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in education from the University of Findlay.

In August 2010, Owens first announced it was expanding its intercollegiate athletic programs to include a new women’s soccer team. The Express program officially begins NJCAA competition with the start of the upcoming 2011 fall season after serving as a club sport this past year. The Owens women’s soccer club team was under the leadership of Art Johnson, the veteran coach of the men’s team.

Prospective high school graduates and area residents interested in playing intercollegiate soccer for Owens’ new program are invited to open tryouts on July 7.

The tryouts begin at 5:30 p.m. and will be held at the college’s soccer complex on the Toledo-area campus.

The Express women’s soccer program is a Division II member of the NJCAA. Owens will primarily compete against other colleges and universities from Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania, including Cincinnati State, Lorain County, Schoolcraft, Delta and Mercyhurst North East, among others. Owens’ soccer complex serves as the home venue for the new women’s program and the first match in team history will occur on August 28 against Mercyhurst North East.

Bassitt debuts
Genoa's Chris Bassitt was shaky in his pro debut. The 16th-round draft pick of the Chicago White Sox got his first taste of professional baseball on Wednesday night, tossing an inning and recording his first career hold in his team's 4-3 win over the Greenville Astros.

With the game tied, 1-1, in the eighth inning, Bristol White Sox manager Pete Rose summoned the 6-foot-5 right hander to hold the Astros at bay. Bassitt did just that, surrendering only one hit and no runs, but made a throwing error on a pickoff attempt to put the go-ahead run at second base. Following the mistake, Bassitt managed to strike out the next hitter and induced a lineout to right field to escape his first professional jam. His final line — one inning pitched, one hit, no earned runs, one strikeout.

All-Star game
Clay baseball coach Garry Isbell joined Whitmer’s Gary O’Connor and Start’s Jason Biniker as coaches for the North team in the Buckeye Cable Sports Network Senior All-Star Game.

Northwood pitcher Cameron Juhasz at the BCSN Senior All-Star Game at Ned Skeldon Stadium. (Press file photo by John Pollock/www.pollock. smugmug.com

Players on the North team included Waite shortstop Rob Garcia, Cardinal Stritch second baseman Tim Langlois, and from Clay, outfielder Austin Achter, pitcher Jesse Castilleja, second baseman Nick Sheehan, and designated hitter Sam Berry. Playing for the South were Northwood first baseman/pitcher/outfielder Cameron Juhasz and Toledo Christian pitcher/first baseman/outfielder Anthony Dodd.

Sports Announcements
Genoa High School is seeking applications for a head varsity cross country coach (boys and girls) and head varsity baseball coach. Interested persons should send a letter of interest and resume to Athletic Director, Mike Thomas, Genoa High School, 2980 N. Genoa-Clay Center Rd., Genoa, OH 43430 or e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Deadline is July 6. There are no current teacher openings.

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The Sgt. Keith Allen Kline Wrestling Facility, located in Rocky Ridge, and also home of the Firehouse Wrestling Club, will be hosting two memorial events to benefit the facility and club on July 3. As part of the Independence Day Celebration in Oak Harbor, the Keith Kline Memorial Cornhole Tournament will be at the National Bank parking lot. Registration starts from 4:30-5 p.m. and cost is $40 per team. The Keith Kline Memorial 5K run/walk will be at Oak Harbor High School with the race starting at 9 a.m. Call Tyson Smith at 419-707-0671.

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The Eastwood girls’ basketball program will be conducting a youth camp for students in grades 5-9 from 1-4 p.m. on July 5, in the high school gym.  The camp will cost $20 per student and students can register the day of the camp starting at 12:30 p.m.  Contact the main office at 419-833-3611.

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The Second Annual Eastwood Summer Baseball Camp will be July 6-7 from 9-11 a.m. for ages 7-11 and noon through 2 p.m. for ages 12-15. Cost is $40 per camper, $175 if a team of five campers sign, and $350 for a team of 10 campers. Make checks payable to Eastwood High School Baseball. Staff coaches are David Barkholz (Bowling Green State University, 2000-05; Defiance College, 2006; Central Michigan 2007-08); Andrew Hudak (BGSU, 2000-05, Frontier League, 2005-06; Start HS, 2006-08); Kevin Leady (BGSU, 2005-10; Eastwood 2010-present) and current Eastwood coaches Brett Teall, Pat Luther, and Dave Smith.

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Eastwood Football Camp will be August 18 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. for students entering grades 1-6. It will feature 6-on-6 touch football (by age group) and coaching by Eastwood staff and players. Camp fee is $10 and registration must be done by August 1. Call Jerry Rutherford at 419-308-4825

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Eastwood has flag football for grades 3-6 from Sept. 10-Oct. 22 with a league fee of $25. Registration will be Aug .24 from 7-9 p.m. and Aug. 27 from 8:30 a.m.-10 a.m. at the high school. The NFL Punt, Pass, and Kick Competition for ages 8-15 is September 18 with winners qualifying for sectional competition in October. Call Jerry Rutherford at 419-308-4825 for flag football and Rick Keyes for PPK at 419-833-3611, ext. 249.

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Eastwood girls’ soccer will host a 3-on-3 tournament from July 14-16 with a guaranteed minimum of four games. On day one, foot skills and practice begins from 10 a.m. to noon, on day two preliminary games begin at noon, and teams must check in 15 minutes prior to games beginning. On day three, the tournament begins at noon. Team fee is $50 with a minimum of three players and a maximum of five per team. Contact Coach Rutherford at 419-575-9416 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Teams must register by July 1.

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The Eastwood Youth Soccer Association is taking registrations until June 30. Fee is $30 and $22 for uniform. For registering three or more children, pay a flat fee of $70 plus $22 per uniform. Late fee of $10 charged if registered after June 30. Call 419-344-7992 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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Central Catholic's 33rd Annual Irish Open golf outing will be held July 25 at Stone Oak Country Club.  Tee times are 7:30 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. shotgun starts. Morning tee times for individual golfers are $125, and afternoon tee times are available for $150. Afternoon tee times are limited to the first 34 requests. The honorary chairman for this year's event is CCHS Coach Bob Smith. The event is dedicated to the Bollin Family and honors the Class of 1987. This event has raised more than a half million with proceeds benefitting the Central Catholic High School tuition assistance fund.

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USA Boxing will sanction a 12-weight class event scheduled for June 25 in Promenade Park.  The event will run from 3-6 p.m. with the support of The City of Toledo, The Toledo Athletic Commission, and BCSN.  All bouts will be sanctioned by USA Boxing and will serve as a precursor to the Junior Olympics.  The event will be held open-air and free to the public.

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