OHSAA Weekly Release - 11/03/09

OHSAA reports, November 03, 2009 10:59 a.m.

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WHAT: 32nd Annual Girls and 81st Annual Boys State Cross Country Tournaments

WHEN: November 7

WHERE: Scioto Downs Race Track, Columbus

RESULTS: Live results will be posted in real time via a link on the OHSAA's cross country page. Final results will be posted at www.ohsaa.org. In addition, recaps and results will be uploaded to the Associated Press Marketplace at apexchange.com for AP members.

MEDIA CREDENTIALS: The credential application form is available at www.ohsaa.org under the ‘News & Media' tab. The media work area is located in the North Club and will be open until 6 p.m. Unfortunately, media will have to make arrangements to file stories elsewhere, as wireless and phone lines will not be available on site.

DISTRICT AND REGIONAL RESULTS: Results from all District and Regional races are posted on the cross country page at www.ohsaa.org.

2009 PREVIEW: The 81st annual boys championships and 32nd annual girls championships will mark the 25th year in a row the state championships will be held at Scioto Downs Race Track south of Columbus. The girls races will begin at 11:05 a.m. starting with Div. III followed by Div. II and Div. I. The boys will begin at 1:20 p.m. with Div. III to be followed by Div. II and Div. I.

2008 RECAP: Record-tying showings by the Minster girls and the Peninsula Woodridge boys highlighted the Ohio High School Athletic Association's Annual State Cross Country Tournaments. Other girls champions were Rocky River Magnificat and Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, while Mason and Bellaire St. John Central were the other boys winners.

Minster's seventh championship in Division III moved the school into a first-place tie with Cleveland Heights Beaumont for most OHSAA girls cross country championships with seven. The Wildcats had 65 points and narrowly defeated Attica Seneca East, which had 69. Defending champion Versailles was third. Minster, which has won six of those championships in the last 10 years, was led by senior Lei Bornhorst, who was 22nd overall with a time of 19:45.47. Barnesville senior Stephanie Morgan defended her individual championship when she ran a 17:57.13.

In Division I, Magnificat, the 2007 runner-up, won its second championship overall and first since 1995. Its 68 points easily topped runner-up North Canton Hoover, which had 121. Leading the Blue Streaks was junior Madeline Chambers, who was fifth overall with an 18:17.91. Cincinnati Oak Hills senior Brooklyne Ridder recaptured the individual championship that she won as a freshman.

Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy was fourth, sixth and second, respectively, in the last three state tournaments before winning its first title in Division II. The Royals had 51 points to easily outdistance second-place and defending champion Kettering Archbishop Alter, which had 95. Senior Katie Gillespie led CVCA by winning the individual championship with an 18:00.43.

Woodridge joined Sandusky Perkins (1987-89) as the only Division II boys schools to win three straight cross country championships. The Bulldogs had 96 points to edge Tipp City Tippecanoe, which had 99. Leading Woodridge was senior Joe White, who placed ninth overall with a time of 15:57.01. Alliance Marlington senior Jarrod Eick, last year's runner-up, was the individual champion.

Mason had never finished in the top 10 of the state tournament prior to last year, but the Comets took home the big-school boys championship with 100 points. Hilliard Davidson was second with 120 and defending champion Medina was fifth. Sophomore Zach Wills paced Mason by winning the individual championship with a 15:15.66.

Bellaire St. John Central placed seventh, fifth and fourth, respectively, in the last three state tournaments before earning its first gold trophy this year in boys Division III. The Fighting Irish had 104 points, edging runner-up and two-time defending champion Louisville St. Thomas Aquinas, which had 115. Pacing St. John Central was senior Sam Foster, who finished third overall with a 15:58.21. Cincinnati Christian junior Isaiah Bragg was the individual champion.

FIELD HOCKEY STATE TOURNAMENT

WHAT: 31st Annual State Field Hockey Tournament

WHEN: November 6 and 7

WHERE: Upper Arlington High School, Columbus

RESULTS: Box scores and recaps will be posted on the field hockey page at www.ohsaa.org. In addition, the content will be uploaded to the Associated Press Marketplace at apexchange.com for AP members.

MEDIA CREDENTIALS: There is no media preregistration. Media members must show company identification to gain entrance to the stadium and will be directed where to pick up a media packet.

2009 PREVIEW: The 31st Annual Field Hockey State Tournament will be held at Upper Arlington High School, which has hosted the tournament since 2004. In the first semifinal at noon Friday, Gahanna Columbus Academy (13-3-2) takes on defending champion Shaker Heights Hathaway Brown (13-2-0). In the second semifinal at 2:30 p.m., Cincinnati St. Ursula Academy (12-6-1) faces Columbus Bishop Watterson (16-2-1). The finals are Saturday at 1 p.m. Scores from each of the four state qualifying tournaments are posted on the field hockey page at www.ohsaa.org.

2008 RECAP: Shaker Heights Hathaway Brown, making its ninth appearance in the state tournament, won its second field hockey title with a 3-1 victory over Gahanna Columbus Academy.

Halle Biggar, who scored a goal in the semifinals, added two more goals in the second half of the title game, while Rachel Koletsky added a goal and an assist for the Blazers. Koletsky assisted on Biggar's first goal that put Hathaway Brown in front 2-0 just three minutes into the second half.

After a goal from Academy's Natasha Leickly with 25:09 left, Biggar responded with her second goal just 22 seconds later for the 3-1 cushion.

Hathaway Brown won its other state title in 2002 and concluded its season with a 17-2-1 mark, outscoring its opponents 21-2 in the postseason. Academy finished with a 17-2-2 mark and was seeking its ninth state title.

VOLLEYBALL STATE TOURNAMENTS

WHAT: 35th Annual State Volleyball Tournament

WHEN: November 12-14

WHERE: Ervin J. Nutter Center, Wright State University, Fairborn

POLLS: State volleyball polls are available online at www.ohsaa.org by clicking on volleyball from the drop-down sports menu.

COACHES MEDIA TELECONFERNCE: The head coaches of the state semifinalists will participate in a media teleconference Monday, Nov. 9. Contact Tim Stried at tstried@ohsaa.org for details.

RESULTS: Box scores and recaps from the state tournament will be posted at www.ohsaa.org. In addition, the content will be uploaded to the Associated Press Marketplace at apexchange.com for AP members.

TV AND VIDEO STREAMING: All four state championship matches will be televised on delay by SportsTime Ohio. In addition, the title matches will be streamed live on the internet at OhioHSsports.com, the official online partner of the OHSAA.

MEDIA CREDENTIALS: The credential application form is available at www.ohsaa.org under the ‘News & Media' tab.

2009 PREVIEW: This year marks the 19th consecutive year that the state volleyball tournament will be held at the Nutter Center. In 2008, the format was changed to resemble the basketball finals in that the semifinals are played Thursday and Friday and the four championship matches are played Saturday. This year, the championships divisional rotation is I, IV, III and then II. Sectional tournaments began Oct. 19.

2008 RECAPS:

Division I: Olmsted Falls won the Division I state volleyball title as the Bulldogs defeated the Cincinnati Ursuline Academy Lions in four games, winning 39-37, 16-25, 25-21, 25-12.

The 39-37 first game score is the highest in a state tournament championship match since Ohio went to the rally scoring format in 2004. The previous high was 28-26, set on three different occasions. The first game featured 17 ties and six lead changes.

It also marked the first time since Toledo St. Ursula in 2004 that a team from the Girls Greater Catholic League did not win Division I and, with Kettering Alter's loss to Parma Padua in Division II, is the first time that a team from the GGCL did not win a state title since 1992.

Olmsted Falls, which finished the season as the only undefeated team in all four divisions in Ohio at 29-0, was led by senior Lauren Whyte, who posted a double-double of 36 kills and 22 digs. Senior Brittany Snider also had a double-double of 19 kills and 17 digs while sophomore setter Dayna Roberts had 63 assists and 23 digs.

The Bulldogs, making their first-ever appearance in the state title match, advanced to the state semifinals in 1977 and 2000.

Ursuline (28-1) was led by junior Jade Henderson with a double-double of 14 kills and 17 digs while senior Katie Schings had 12 kills, senior Holly Gottschall 11 kills and sophomore Christina Beer 10 kills.

Division II: In a match that featured 37 ties and 19 lead changes, Parma Padua won its first state volleyball title as the Bruins (26-3) defeated Kettering Alter (20-9) in the Division II state volleyball finals. It was Padua first-ever trip to the state final four.

Padua was led by junior Kaitlyn Leary, who posted a double-double of 23 kills and 13 digs. Junior Christie Fritsche added 13 kills while senior Meghan Cugliari recorded 48 assists and 13 digs and junior Lauren Goebel 19 digs.

Alter, who fell short of winning its fourth state title since 2002, was led by senior Annalyse Schmitt and sophomore Kelly Westerkamp, both with 11 kills.

Division III: Albany Alexander won its first state volleyball title as the Spartans defeated the Gates Mills Gilmour Academy Lancers 25-17, 27-25, 25-15 for the Division III crown.

Senior Megan McCoy led Alexander (28-1) with 12 kills while senior Betsy Irwin added nine and senior Whitney Smith eight. Senior Sarah Radekin dished out 32 assists and senior Lauren Raines had 23 digs.

Junior Mary Kramer paced Gilmour Academy (27-2) with eight kills and senior Madison Mawby chipped in seven. Senior Kelsey Rodgers had 20 assists along with 10 digs while seniors Raysa Sylvester and Alyssa Brigeman each had 14 digs.

Division IV: Marion Local defended its Division IV state volleyball championship as the Flyers defeated the Jackson Center Tigers 23-25, 25-18, 25-23, 25-14.

The Flyers, who were #2 in the final AP poll, avenged a five-game loss to the #1 ranked Tigers Sept. 20 in Maria Stein.

The win for Marion Local gives the Midwest Athletic Conference 11 state crowns in the 34 years of the state tournament (Fort Recovery 1990; Marion Local 2007, 2008; Rockford Parkway 1996, 1997; St. Henry 1985, 1987, 1990, 1994, 1995, 2004). Since Ohio went to four divisions in volleyball in 1990, the Division IV state champion has come from the Northwest District every year except for 2003 and 2005.

Sophomore Alyssa Winner led Marion Local (26-3) with a double-double of 29 kills and 19 digs while junior Leah Rosenbeck had 10 kills.

Senior Allissa Ware paced Jackson Center (28-2) with a double-double of 23 kills and 23 digs while junior Casey Gates also had a double-double of 22 kills and 26 digs.

GIRLS SOCCER STATE TOURNAMENTS

WHAT: 25th Annual Girls State Soccer Tournaments

WHEN: November 14

WHERE: Crew Stadium, Columbus

POLLS: State soccer polls are available online at www.ohsaa.org by clicking on ‘soccer-girls' from the drop-down sports menu.

RESULTS: Box scores and recaps will be posted at www.ohsaa.org. In addition, the content will be uploaded to the Associated Press Marketplace at apexchange.com for AP members.

LIVE VIDEO STREAMING: Both state championship games will be streamed live on the internet at OhioHSsports.com, the official online partner of the OHSAA.

MEDIA CREDENTIALS: The credential application form is available at www.ohsaa.org under the ‘News & Media' tab.

2009 PREVIEW: The girls soccer finals will be played Saturday, Nov. 14 at Columbus Crew Stadium, one of the premier soccer facilities in the nation. State semifinal games will be played on Wednesday of that week at sites to be determined. Cincinnati St. Ursula Academy (Div. I) and Middletown Bishop Fenwick (Div. II) were crowned champions last year. Sectional play began Oct. 19.

2008 RECAPS:

Division I: In a rematch of the 2007 OHSAA Division I girls soccer state championship, second-ranked Cincinnati St. Ursula Academy prevailed once again, beating sixth-ranked Strongsville 1-0.

St. Ursula, which beat Strongsville 2-0 in the 2007 finals, finished the season 20-0-3 and won its fourth girls soccer state title in school history to tie Clayton Northmont and Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit for the most girls soccer championships in OHSAA history.

St. Ursula junior Elizabeth Burchenal scored a remarkable unassisted goal in the 44th minute with a drive into the 18-yard box through the upper-left corner. She sidestepped two Strongsville defenders and blasted a shot past Mustang senior goalkeeper Nicole Wood from nine yards out.

Strongsville out-shot St. Ursula 15-6 and put seven shots on goal, but Bulldog junior goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe saved all seven. Strongsville took five corner kicks, while St. Ursula had none.

Division II: Middletown Bishop Fenwick senior Alexis Heard scored with eight minutes left in the game and Akron Archbishop Hoban missed a game-tying penalty kick with 1:12 remaining as the Falcons won the OHSAA Division II girls soccer state championship 1-0.

In the 72nd minute, Fenwick freshman defender Selby Smith collected the ball on the midfield line and kicked it high and over several Hoban defenders toward Heard, who tapped it to her left, spun away from a defender and sent a left-footed shot into the right side of the net.

Hoban immediately stepped up its pressure in the waning minutes and it resulted in a Fenwick foul inside the 18-yard box with 1:12 left in the game. Hoban junior Juliana Libertin's penalty kick went wide right, however, and the Fenwick did not allow another chance at overtime.

Hoban out-shot Fenwick 14-7 and had more corner kicks, 4-2. Fenwick junior goalkeeper Mary Turvy had four saves, two in each half. Hoban senior keeper Francesca Gironda had two saves, both in the first half.

BOYS SOCCER STATE TOURNAMENTS

WHAT: 34th Annual Boys State Soccer Tournaments

WHEN: November 13

WHERE: Crew Stadium, Columbus

POLLS: State soccer polls are available online at www.ohsaa.org by clicking on ‘soccer-boys' from the drop-down sports menu.

RESULTS: Box scores and recaps will be posted at www.ohsaa.org. In addition, the content will be uploaded to the Associated Press Marketplace at apexchange.com for AP members.

LIVE VIDEO STREAMING: All three state championship games will be streamed live on the internet at OhioHSsports.com, the official online partner of the OHSAA.

MEDIA CREDENTIALS: The credential application form is available at www.ohsaa.org under the ‘News & Media' tab.

2009 PREVIEW: The boys soccer finals will be held on Friday, Nov. 13 at Columbus Crew Stadium, one of the premier soccer facilities in the nation. State semifinal games will be played on Tuesday of that week at sites to be determined. Cleveland St. Ignatius (Div. I), Dayton Carroll (Div. II) and Toledo Ottawa Hills (Div. III) were crowned boys state champions a year ago. Sectional play began Oct. 19.

2008 RECAPS:

Division I: Cleveland St. Ignatius senior Denio Leone's improbable first-half goal through a cluster of defenders stood up as the game-winning goal to give the Wildcats a 1-0 win over Beavercreek.

In winning its third state championship (also in 2004 and 2005), top-ranked St. Ignatius (19-1-3) out-scored its opponents 26-0 during its seven-game postseason run to the title. The shutout was the school-record 19th this season for junior goalkeeper Joe Kalt.

Leone's first-half goal came when St. Ignatius sophomore Ryan Ivansic lofted a corner kick into the penalty area that bounced around several Beavercreek defenders and St. Ignatius forward Vaughn Spurrier before settling at the feet of Leone. Surrounded by defenders, Leone somehow managed to blast a shot past them all and into the back of the net to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead.

Kalt and the St. Ignatius defense would make it hold up, limiting the Beavers to four shots in the second half, none of which were on goal. Kalt finished the night with one save. St. Ignatius out-shot Beavercreek 14-8 overall, including eight shots on goal, and led in corner kicks 6-3.

Division II: Junior Jon Buscher converted Dayton Carroll's final penalty kick to give his Patriots a 3-2 shootout win over defending state champion Cuyahoga Falls Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy.

In a driving rain, CVCA (19-3-1) kicked first in the alternating kick shootout format and connected on three of its five penalty kicks, while Carroll (20-1-2) connected on four, including Buscher's dramatic game-ender, to give the Patriots their second state title, the first coming in 1980.

Neither team's goalkeeper had a save during the 80 minute regulation and two 15 minute overtime periods as all four shots on goal found the back of the net. But in the shootout, the keepers - senior Ryan Sheedy for Carroll and senior backup Ryan Segedi for CVCA - were thrust into the spotlight. Segedi was inserted into the game for the shootout in place of senior Ryan Cook, who was in goal for regulation and both overtimes.

Sheedy and Segedi both saved their opponents' third penalty kick attempt, and after CVCA sent its fifth PK wide right and high, Buscher delivered on his chance to end the game.

CVCA senior Matt Mason scored in the 32nd minute and Carroll junior Jeffrey Graham scored in the 38th to tie the game at 1-1. Carroll went up 2-1 in the 65th minute when senior Connor Morris scored, but CVCA answered 90 seconds later when Mason connected again.

Division III: Senior midfielder Sam Kuehnle's 30-yard strike in the 51st minute through an unsuspecting Worthington Christian defense gave Ottawa Hills a 1-0 win in the boys Division III soccer state championship game. Ottawa Hills became the first Toledo-area school to win a boys or girls soccer state championship.

Unranked entering the tournament and never having advanced past the regional finals, Ottawa Hills (20-3-0) knocked off the state's No. 1-ranked team, Gates Mills Hawken 3-0 in the state semifinal and the state's No. 2-ranked team, Worthington Christian to cap off the Golden Bears' season-ending 14-game winning streak. Ottawa Hills, which overcame an 0-2-0 season start, also beat No. 6 Bluffton in the district final and shut out 17 of its 23 opponents.

In the 51st minute, Ottawa Hills senior Ben Bryant took a 35-yard free kick from outside the top-left corner of the 18-yard box that Worthington Christian junior goalkeeper Alex Scott punched out of the penalty area. As the WC defense relaxed, Kuehnle rushed up on the ball as it bounced outside the top-right corner of the 18. His line-drive shot hit the back-left corner of the net, stunning Scott and the WC defense.

GIRLS DIVISION II GOLF STATE TOURNAMENT

WHAT: Second Annual Girls Division II State Golf Tournament

WHEN: October 16-17

WHERE: Ohio State University Gray Golf Course, Columbus. 5,560 yards, par 70

2009 RECAP: Chardon Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin won its first state championship in girl's golf as the second-annual Ohio High School Athletic Association Division II championships wrapped up Saturday at the Ohio State University Gray Course.

Chardon NDCL came from behind with a second-day team score of 326 to knock off defending champion Poland Seminary. Their two-day team score of 658 is the best in the two year history of the tournament, bettering last year's two-day total by 21 strokes.

Poland Seminary took second place with a score of 687, while St. Paris Graham finished third, one place better than last year, with a team score of 687.

Medalist honors went to senior Alyssa Shimel of Pemberville Eastwood with a two-day total of 147. Shimel finished one-under par on her last eight holes and shot a 72 for the day giving her top honors.

Finishing close behind was sophomore Morgan Ransom of Gahanna Columbus Academy. Ransom matched exactly her performance from last year's tournament, finishing second with a two-day total of 147.

BOYS DIVISION II GOLF STATE TOURNAMENT

WHAT: 40th Annual Boys Division II State Golf Tournament

WHEN: October 16-17

WHERE: Northstar Resort, Sunbury. 6,796 yards, par 72.

2009 RECAP: In its 25th state golf tournament appearance, Dayton Oakwood won its second boys state championship at the 2009 OHSAA Boys Division II State Tournament at Northstar Golf Resort in Sunbury. The first state title for Oakwood came in 1985.

Leading after day one, the Lumberjacks compiled a two-day team score of 623, seven strokes better than runner-up Kettering Archbishop Alter. Coach Jen Hohmeyer's Oakwood squad was led by senior Ronnie Stump, who fired a two-day score of 150, and junior Adam Bogdan, who carded a 151. Oakwood's title ends the three-year Div. II state championship run by Hunting Valley University School, which finished third in 2009.

In his first state tournament appearance, Jackson senior Morgan Dobbins shot a 3-over 75 on Saturday to hold onto his spot atop the leader board to win the medalist race. The individual state qualifier shot a two-day total of 147 and becomes the first boy's state golf champion in Jackson school history. Senior Tyler Hohman of Columbus St. Francis DeSales finished two strokes behind Dobbins to win the silver medal, while Jake Heinen of University School and Ronnie Stump of Oakwood tied for third place with a two-day score of 150.

Golfers battled cold and blustery conditions all weekend at the tournament's first year at Northstar Golf Resort. Junior Alex King of Canal Fulton Northwest, however, was able to sink a hole-in-one Saturday when he needed only one stroke to finish the 190-yard hole 17.

BOYS DIVISION III STATE GOLF TOURNAMENT

WHAT: 40th Annual Boys Division III State Golf Tournament

WHEN: October 16-17

WHERE: Ohio State University Scarlet Golf Course, Columbus. Par 70.

RESULTS: Daily results will be posted at www.ohsaa.org. In addition, recaps and leaders will be uploaded to the Associated Press Marketplace at apexchange.com for AP members.

MEDIA CREDENTIALS: There is no media preregistration. Media members must show company identification to gain entrance to the course and will be directed where to pick up a media packet.

2009 RECAP: In its fifth appearance at the OHSAA State Golf Tournament, Minster walked away with its first state title as the 40th-Annual Division II boys golf state tournament concluded Saturday at Ohio State University Scarlet Course.

Minster senior Ben Hogenkamp recorded a team-low score of 76 on the second day of competition to help lead the Wildcats to the title.
Strasburg-Franklin finished second in their first appearance at the state tournament with a team score of 671.

Junior Alex Andrews shot identical rounds of 73 to win medalist honors by seven strokes. His total score of 146 ties the OHSAA Division III state tournament record for lowest individual score on the Scarlet course.

GIRLS DIVISION I GOLF STATE TOURNAMENT

WHAT: 17th Annual Girls Division I State Golf Tournament

WHEN: October 23-24

WHERE: Ohio State University Gray Golf Course, Columbus - 5,560 yards, par 70.

2009 RECAP: The cold and wind didn't stop Mason from repeating as the Ohio High School Athletic Association Girls Division I State Golf champions as the Comets shot a 316 on Saturday to give them a nine stroke win. Three of Mason's top golfers from last year repeated their performance this year. Emily Wright shot a team-best 76, while Erin Michel and Jessica Zhang both shot 78.

For the second time in tournament history, the state golf tournament was reduced to 18 holes after the first day of play was cancelled due to rain. The last time the tournament featured only one round was in 1996. Although still cold, the rain held off Saturday allowing golfers to finish the 40th annual event played at the Ohio State University Gray Golf Course.
West Chester Lakota West, making its seventh straight state tournament appearance, took runner-up honors with a team score of 325.

Senior Tiana Jones of Alliance won a closely contested race for medalist honors as nine of the top 10 golfers finished within four strokes of each other. Jones picked up two birdies on the back nine to give her a tournament best 73. Finishing just behind was Rachel Thompson of Ashland with a 74.

BOYS DIVISION I GOLF STATE TOURNAMENT

WHAT: 84th Annual Boys Division I State Golf Tournament

WHEN: October 23-24

WHERE: Ohio State University Scarlet Golf Course, Columbus. Par 70.

2009 RECAP: Columbus St. Charles shot a one-day total of 309 Saturday despite windy and cold weather to win its first Ohio High School Athletic Association Division I Boys State Golf Title. Four of its golfers shot in the 70s, including sophomore Nate Yankovich, who shot a 75. The scored tied him with four other golfers for the second-best score of the tournament.
After the first day of play at the 84th annual state tournament was cancelled due to rain, the format was reduced to 18 holes played Saturday afternoon at the Ohio State University Scarlet Golf Course. The only other time an 18-hole tournament was used to determine the winner was in 1996.

Defending champion Cincinnati St. Xavier finished with a score of 313, earning them second-place team honors. Junior George Rohde and senior Colin Stelljes both shot a 76 for the Bombers.

West Chester Lakota West junior Korey Ward finished with a tournament best round of 74 to earn medalist honors for the second year in a row. Ward becomes just the 12th golfer in OHSAA history to win medalist honors twice. A close group finished behind Ward as four golfers finished in second with a score of 75.

GIRLS TENNIS STATE TOURNAMENT

WHAT: 34th Annual Girls State Tennis Tournament

WHEN: Friday and Saturday, Oct 23 and 24.

2009 RECAP: New champions were crowned at the Ohio High School Athletic Association's 34th Annual Girls State Tennis Tournaments held Oct. 23 and Oct. 24 at the Elysium Tennis Center in Plain City, Ohio.

Play was originally scheduled to take place at The Ohio State University Stickney Tennis Center and Hilliard Davidson High School, but was moved indoors due to rain the entire weekend.

Upper Arlington junior Niki Flower, who was a runner-up doubles finisher a year ago and a singles state tournament participant in 2007, won the Div. I singles title with a 7-6 (7-5), 6-1 win over junior Komal Safdar of Cincinnati Ursuline Academy. It was the third singles title for the Golden Bears of Upper Arlington and first since 2003 when Flower's sister, Kirsten, took home gold.

In the Div. II singles field, junior Alyssa Ritchie of Waynesville outlasted Courtney Earnest, a sophomore from Lexington, 6-4, 5-7, 6-1. Ritchie, after losing in the second round in 2007, is the first singles tennis champion in Waynesville school history.

Junior Meghan Buell and senior Maddie Kobelt of New Albany cruised to the Eagles' first doubles championship with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over junior Carolyn Pitman and freshman Taylor Holden of Liberty Twp. Lakota East. The duo from New Albany didn't lose more than two games in a set the entire tournament.

A pair of sisters from Columbus St. Francis DeSales, senior Kim My Li and freshman My Linh Li, took home the Div. II doubles crown after a 6-2, 6-7 (7-9), 6-2 over junior Maddie Morton and senior Corinne Rauck of Bexley. It marked the first doubles championship for the Stallions of St. Francis DeSales.

OHSAA NEWS & NOTES

OHSAA FOOTBALL RELEASES: The OHSAA will provide a weekly football release beginning Sunday, November 1. The weekly football release will be available Nov. 8, 15, 22, 29 and Dec. 8. State football polls and Harbin Ratings are available online at www.ohsaa.org by clicking on football from the drop-down sports menu.

FOOTBALL TOURNAMENTS: The OHSAA Football Tournaments will begin with regional quarterfinal action Nov. 6 and 7. The regional finals take place Nov. 20 and 21; state semifinals Nov. 27 and 28, and the state finals Dec. 4 and 5. All Division II, III and V games in the tournaments will be played on Fridays at 7:30, while all Division I, IV and VI games in the tourney will be played on Saturdays at 7:00. The top four finishers in each region in the computer ratings will host first round games, while the next three rounds of the tournaments will be held at neutral sites. The state finals schedule is as follows:

Friday, December 4
Division III - 11:00 a.m. - Massillon
Division V - 3:00 p.m. - Canton
Division II - 7:00 p.m. - Massillon

Saturday, December 5
Division IV - 11:00 a.m. - Canton
Division VI - 3:00 p.m. - Massillon
Division I - 7:00 p.m. - Canton

SportsTime Ohio and Time Warner Cable will televise the state finals live and OhioHSsports.com will stream all six games live.

FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT CREDENTIALS: Media members who wish to cover any games in the first four rounds of the OHSAA football tournaments may obtain credentials by contacting the game tournament manager or media coordinator. A complete list of tournament managers and media coordinators and telephone numbers will be posted on the OHSAA web site (www.ohsaa.org) when tournament pairings are announced. The credential forms for the finals, which are available online at www.ohsaa.org under the ‘News & Media' tab, must be filled out and either mailed or faxed to Tim Stried at the OHSAA at 614-267-1677.

STATE FOOTBALL FINALS TICKET BOOKS ON SALE: Ticket books for all six state football championship games are currently on sale through the Canton/Stark County Convention and Visitors' Bureau. The state football finals are Dec. 4 and 5 at Fawcett Stadium in Canton and Paul Brown Tiger Stadium in Massillon. Tickets can be ordered on-line at www.ohsaafbfinals.com. Ticket books are $48.00 for the six games. Also available prepaid two-day parking passes for $10.00, prepaid two-day motor home parking passes for $20.00 and state tournament souvenir programs for $4.00 (a savings of $1.00 from the price at the games). Priority seating will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. There will be a $3.00 ticket processing fee per order and a $2.00 postage fee per order. For additional information, contact the Canton/Stark County Convention & Visitors' Bureau at 1-800-533-4302 or 330-454-1439.