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R.I.P. to my Mr. Destiny

A former friend and colleague passed away last week. We worked as part-time sports writers for the local newspaper back in the Midwest in Moline, Ill., and eventually graduated from the same college in the same class. Our dream jobs were to remain on staff and eventually settle into a full-time position. At the same time, nothing was guaranteed as to if and when a position would open for either of us or both of us. Steve had immense talent working in the media – with his background in radio, television and journalism. He decided to remain with the newspaper in a part-time ...

PATRICK: Chance of a lifetime

A former rower himself, Marietta High School crew coach Tanner O’Connor knows first-hand what his girls are going through as they prepare for Saturday’s competition on an international scope. The five-member team of Mo Caslow (coxswain), Eden Ingram (bow seat), Wilkey Smith (three seat), Katie Lovejoy (two seat) and Madi Lovejoy (stroke) are part of the 22-member field in the Junior 4+ Division for this weekend’s Henley Women’s Regatta. Races are held at England’s River Thames – the birthplace of competitive rowing. “Crew is the one sport where you spend 365 days ...

BENNETT: Hall time here again

It’s hard to believe another prep sports season is in the books. It was a great run by the Williamstown baseball team trying to make school history in the most ultimate fashion. Although the Yellowjackets of head coach Levi Maxwell were doubled up 6-3 by Charleston Catholic in the Class A state championship game and had to settle for a runner-up finish, it was the first time Williamstown ever garnered team hardware. Suffice it to say the graduation loss of Maxwell Molessa and his fellow seniors might be impossible to replace, but I know guys like Ty Ott and Parker Schramm will have ...

BENNETT: Looking back at state track

Sure, track meets are long and a lot of people for whatever reason aren’t big fans of the sport. However, I don’t count myself in that category. Although Saturday was indeed an extremely long day as it always is, there were a lot of amazing performances. We had several thinclads from the Mid-Ohio Valley who established new meet records and the last came courtesy of the Ritchie County boys. The Rebels’ 4x4 team of lone junior Dylan Malolepszy and the trio of seniors Cayden Moore, Alex Rogerson and anchor Garrett Copeland ended the meet in style. Another Rebel, senior ...

Column: Plenty of options for QB-needy teams in 2024 NFL Draft

The 2024 NFL Draft is upon us, and it looks to be one of the most important in recent memory. With six quarterbacks slated to go somewhere in the first round, the NFL landscape will look much different at the conclusion of the night’s festivities than before. I figured that given the circumstances, a ranked analysis of each first round quarterback prospect and their potential destinations is warranted. Caleb Williams - USC Williams is undoubtedly the number one pick, and therefore headed to Chicago. Carolina would have the first overall pick, but the Panthers gave it away in a ...

Column: Special siblings

One of the things that draws people into sports is a sense of belonging or family. At least that always was the case for me, but I grew up in a household with sports playing an impactful role. My brother and I had some fun times, although golf wasn’t really his thing. It’s not that he was a bad golfer, but the sport takes a certain temperament. He just didn’t possess that trait. Speaking of brothers, Greenhills Golf Course superintendent Alex Easthom experienced a little of the late Toby Keith’s “As Good As I Once Was” recently on the links. During an ...