Ray Cooney
Ray Cooney was elected president of The Graphic Printing Company in December 2023. He became publisher of The Commercial Review on July 1, 2020, while retaining the title of editor he has held since Dec. 1, 2014. He served managing editor from July 2013 through November 2014, assistant managing editor from November 2005 through July 2013 and sports editor from March 2001 through July 2013.
He earned the most awards of any journalist in Division III in the Hoosier State Press Association Better Newspaper Contest for four consecutive years from 2013 through 2016. His first-place honors this year were for in-depth feature, sports feature, general news photo and video.
In his career he has also won HSPA awards for sports commentary, editorial writing, use of graphics, community service, news writing under deadline pressure, sports action photo, sports feature photo, headline writing, editorial page, profile feature and multiple picture group. He had picked up nine Indiana Associated Press Media Editors awards earlier in the year, including first place for business writing, non-deadline sports story and headline writing.
Cooney was honored with the Indiana High School Athletic Association Distinguished Media Service Award in 2012, and also received the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association Outstanding Baseball Media Award in 2009.
A native of Avon, Ohio, Cooney graduated from St. Edward High School (Lakewood, Ohio) in 1996 and Cleveland State University in 2000. He was the inaugural editor of The Cleveland Stater at CSU, and also worked for The Morning Journal (Lorain, Ohio) and The Chronicle-Telegram (Elyria, Ohio) before moving to Jay County.
Cooney lives in Portland with his dog, Scooter.
SPORTS
Another big win
For a lot of teams, a 28-point win while shooting 66 percent would represent a banner night. For the Patriots so far this season, it’s just another day at the office.
JAY COUNTY
Border battle
FORT RECOVERY — A game that was a defensive slugfest throughout came down to the final couple of minutes. That’s when one of the Indians’ senior leaders came up with consecutive key plays to help lift them to victory.
JAY COUNTY
Record margin
BERNE — You can’t always get what you want. But on Saturday night, the Patriots could.
SPORTS
Perfect seasons could be in play
Undefeated. The goal of finishing a season without a loss is a lofty one. But early on, three area teams have unblemished records.
JAY COUNTY
Four records fall
When Sophie Bader hit the wall to finish the 200-yard individual medley, no one else in the pool had even made the turn at the other end of the pool. It was just the start to a record-breaking night for the Patriots.
JAY COUNTY
It's time to shoot
Plays against man-to-man defense. Sets to use to counteract a zone. Half-court. Transition. Out-of-bounds plays and end of quarter looks.
SPORTS
Kahlig, Gelhaus, lead FR victory
FORT RECOVERY — Two 20-point efforts were enough to get the Indians a win Friday.
SPORTS
Talks could affect JCHS
A game of conference musical chairs that could affect Jay County High School has already begun.
SPORTS
Jay blasts Bears
PARKER CITY — Having one player who can score 20 points is enough to make a team dangerous. Three of them on the same squad is nearly impossible to stop.
JAY COUNTY
Tricked out
Wapahani’s Brandon Williams has averaged a hat trick in his team’s wins this year. It looked as if he might be headed for another Tuesday, but Colton McCombs had other ideas.
SPORTS
Jay shuts out Golden Eagles
The Patriots suffered a shutout loss Tuesday to undefeated New Castle. Two days later, they paid it forward to Oak Hill.
JAY COUNTY
Patriots blast MC
The Patriots made some mistakes in their opening game. Even so, it was over in a hurry. And they improved their play in the next two games.
SPORTS
Cardinal achievement
MUNCIE — The Cardinal coaching staff was looking for players to show them they wanted to be a part of the team.
SPORTS
Boston infielder achieved the feat
I expected to have a lot of questions rolling in this month with college and pro football seasons just around the corner. But that was not the case.
SPORTS
JC sweeps past Archers
For stretches, the Patriots looked great. And then there were times when they struggled.
JAY COUNTY
Falcons defeat Jay
In their first home match, the Patriots did not play up to their capabilities. On Tuesday, they made sure that didn’t happen again.
SPORTS
PATRIOT POWER
HARTFORD CITY — Zach Metcalf averaged better than 9 yards per carry. And he was the Patriots’ No. 3 rusher.
SPORTS
Devils defeat JC
The Patriots played their first home match of the season Thursday. But it was the visiting Red Devils who seemed more comfortable.
FORT RECOVERY
Strong at Celina
CELINA, Ohio — The Patriots and Indians enjoyed their day at the lake.
SPORTS
Anna tops Tribe
FORT RECOVERY — Kylie Huelsman wants her team to battle every opponent, and do the little things that make the difference between winning and losing close matches.
JAY COUNTY
Fresh legs
As the race begins, Abigail Johnson runs out to lead the Patriots. Megan Wellman and Emi Minnich flank her, running just a shade behind their most experienced teammate. They run there like it’s where they belong, and as if that should come as no surprise.
SPORTS
Trojans thrash JC
The second home game of the season for the Patriots stood in stark contrast to the first.
SPORTS
Patriots go 1-2
The young Patriots aren’t quite where they would like to be. But they’re making strides.
SPORTS
FR comeback falls short
FORT RECOVERY — A five-run deficit didn’t discourage the Indians, but their comeback attempt still came up short.
SPORTS
Representing Indiana
The school wrestling seasons are long since over. But in the wrestling room at Jay County High School a handful of athletes are preparing for their next big matches.
SPORTS
Teams off to strong starts
We’re less than two weeks into the spring sports season. But it’s never too early to get excited about how much success a team is having or how much improvement it has shown from the previous season.
SOUTH ADAMS
Big 1st key for JC
The Patriots scored more runs in the first inning Tuesday than they did in their first three games combined last season. That was too much for the Starfires to overcome.
RAYS OF INSIGHT
How are classes divided?
The March question-and-answer column got bumped because of the NCAA Tournament debate between myself and Steve Garbacz. So this week I’ll answer readers’ questions about conferences, NCAA violations and determination of classes in high school sports.
JAY COUNTY
Squaws top JCHS netters
Long after the rest of her teammates had left the court, Jessica Ooten was still fighting. She wouldn’t let the Patriots get shut out.
SPORTS
Columnists battle over Final Four
The NCAA Tournament’s Final Four has rematch written all over it.
FORT RECOVERY
Fort falters in seventh
FORT RECOVERY — After a long lightning delay, the Indians erased a one-run deficit. But in the final frame, they couldn’t slow a storm of Blackhawk runs.
FORT RECOVERY
Outstanding opener
FORT RECOVERY — Pitching and defense are the ticket to softball tournament success. The Indians looked primed for the postseason already in their opener.
FORT RECOVERY
Fort blanks 'Hawks
FORT RECOVERY — The Blackhawks’ first batter of the game crushed a double well over Gabe Riegle’s head in center field. It was their only hit of the game.
SPORTS
Leading Limberlost
GENEVA — Rod Ashman learned to play golf at Golf Club of the Limberlost.
JAY COUNTY
Seventh on vault
MUNCIE — Katie Snyder was happy after her vault scored flashed. By the end of the day, however, she was heartbroken.
SPORTS
Sights set on state
The last year included a lot of tears for Katie Snyder. There was even fear that she would never compete again. She has already dispelled that theory, and will try to prove she is better than ever on Friday night.
SPORTS
Wildcats are popular pick
Super Bowl Sunday is the single best day in sports. But for a four-day stretch beginning today, college basketball is king.
SPORTS
Comeback complete
Katie Snyder went to the state finals a year ago. But she did so as a spectator.
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