Jay downs final sectional rival

WINCHESTER — The Patriots are defending sectional champions.

They’re primed for another after knocking off all of their rivals.

Jay County High School’s boys tennis team topped the Winchester Golden Falcons on Thursday, 4-1, making a clean sweep of its three sectional opponents.

The victory improves the Patriots, who beat sectional foes Union City and Randolph Southern as well, to 9-7 on the year.

Crosby Heniser handled Trey Pullin a 6-3, 6-0 in their No. 1 singles contest, while Abraham Dirksen defeated Ethan McHolland 6-3, 6-1 at No. 2 singles.

Simon Dirksen didn’t drop a game in dominating Hayden Auker 6-0, 6-0 at No. 3 singles.

Luke Muhlenkamp and Gage Sims picked up the final victory for JCHS, a 6-0, 6-1 triumph over Levi Hines and Cooper Hummel. At No. 1 doubles, brothers Gavin and Sam Myers lost to Drew Loyd and Charlie Sauser 7-5, 6-2.

In junior varsity action, Eli Dirksen and Soichiro Oyama won their matches 6-0 and 6-1, respectively. Isaac Miller and Austin Dirksen won their doubles match, 6-2.



Rangers down Tribe

FORT RECOVERY — Fort Recovery’s volleyball team wasn’t able to knock off defending conference champion New Knoxville in a 25-13, 25-15, 25-18 loss to the Rangers on Thursday at Fort Site Fieldhouse.

The loss drops the Indians to 5-5 (2-1 Midwest Athletic Conference) on the season.

Whitley Rammel posted 13 kills to pace the Indian offense. She shared the team-high of six blocks with Teigen Fortkamp. Marissa Gaerke contributed seven kills and five digs, while Grace Guggenbiller and Fortkamp had three kills apiece. Kennedy Muhlenkamp contributed 14 assists.

Junior varsity scores were not provided.



Bruns ties record

Jalyn Bruns tied her own school record Thursday, helping the Fort Recovery girls golf team to a 202-210 victory against the New Bremen Cardinals at Portland Golf Club.

Bruns, who had birdies on the par-5 fifth and par-3 eighth holes, shot an even-par 35 to match her own record.

Macy Brunswick was second for the Indians (10-4, 4-2 Midwest Athletic Conference) with her round of 54, and Shelby Acheson was one stroke behind. Paige Bihn shot 58 to complete the team score.

Kim Hart (61) and Alaina Will (64) also competed, but they did not factor into the team score.



FR snaps streak

CELINA, Ohio —The Fort Recovery boys golf team snapped its five-match losing streak with a 186-195 win against the New Bremen Cardinals on Thursday at Mercer County Elks Golf Club.

The win moves the Indians to 3-9 overall, and they finish 2-7 in Midwest Athletic Conference play.

Isaac LeFevre shot 42 to earn match medalist honors. Cole Muhlenkamp was second for the Tribe with his round of 46, two strokes ahead of Carson Siefring. Zander Kunkler ended with 50 to complete the team total.

Alex Dues and Eli Lennartz both competed, and shot 54 and 60, respectively. They did not factor into the overall score.



Girls shut out

DECATUR — Jay County’s girls soccer team was shut out for the first time this season in a 5-0 loss to the Bellmont Braves.

The Patriots (5-3-1) trailed 1-0 at halftime before the Braves put the game out of reach.

Tricia Ison had seven saves in the setback.

Jay County’s junior varsity team lost 3-0. Grace Shimp had four saves.



Indians split

VERSAILLES, Ohio — The Fort Recovery seventh and eighth grade football teams split with the Versailles Tigers on Thursday.

The eighth graders won 22-8, while the seventh graders suffered a 20-6 loss.

Reece Wendel, Alex Gaerke and Colson Post all had touchdowns for the eighth graders, who improve to 3-0-1 on the year.

Reed Westgerdes had the lone TD for the seventh grade team, which fell to 0-4.