Mason, Ohio – State Representative Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon) announced this week the inclusion of new funding for the Western and Southern Open tennis tournament in the latest version of the state operating budget.
Mathews introduced this amendment to the budget, which includes $22.5 million for a one-time investment in the continuation of the tournament. “Since the tournament was acquired by new owners who seek its expansion, Mathews has championed the effort to support its continued growth in the City of Mason,” according to a press release issued by the Representative.
“The Western and Southern Open is among the most coveted tennis tournaments in the world, and its presence here in Mason is a testament to the strength and vitality of our community,” Mathews said. “By including these new funds in the budget, we aim to support new growth of the tournament and ensure it remains here in Mason for years to come. I am grateful for the community partners that have joined in working so hard to ensure this event remains in Ohio.”
The current version of the state operating budget was approved this week in the House and now heads to the Senate for further consideration. The tournament brings in over 180,000 visitors from all 50 states and $80 million to the local area every year.
In 2022, Benjamin W. Navarro (born 1962/1963) bought the Western & Southern Open, a joint men’s and women’s tennis tournament on the ATP and WTA tour.
Navarro (born 1962/1963) is an American billionaire businessman, the founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Sherman Financial Group, LLC, which owns Credit One Bank. (Source: Wikipedia)
Loveland, Ohio – Wednesday, April 26, was the day athletes, coaches, teachers, and moms and dads gathered in the Loveland High School gym for National Spring Signing Day. It’s when student-athletes who have earned a college scholarship sign their intent to play at the next level. In this video, Athletic Director Righ Bryant talks about each student’s athletic achievements, academic success, and community involvement.
Congratulations to the following student-athletes who will be continuing their athletic careers at the collegiate level:
Max Jody – Tennis-Ohio Wesleyan University
Cole Carrigan – Baseball-Mount Saint Joseph University
Owen Huynh – Volleyball-Baldwin Wallace
Olivia Raby – Basketball-Huntington University
Cayden Dyer – Cross Country/Track and Field-University of Virginia
“This event was life changing, but it’s not the end of my story. So I’m here to announce that I plan on making a comeback to the NFL.”
Those were the words of Damar Hamlin during a powerful but uplifting press conference at One Bills Drive on Tuesday afternoon as the Bills safety made it known he is fully committed to playing football again.
Three months after his on-field cardiac arrest on Jan. 2, Hamlin was “fully cleared” by doctors this past weekend to continue his pursuit of returning to the field. The latest step in that long journey included returning to Buffalo to participate in the team’s offseason workout program which began Monday morning.
“He is fully cleared,” Bills GM Brandon Beane said. “He’s in a great headspace to make his return.”
Cincinnati, Ohio – Flying Pig Marathon Weekend, one of the largest and most popular running events in the United States, has announced the addition of two new divisions for 2023: a 10K Handcycle Division and a Para Athlete Division. These new divisions will provide opportunities for athletes with physical disabilities to showcase their athletic abilities in a “supportive and inclusive” environment during Flying Pig Marathon Weekend, which is scheduled for May 5 through 7.
While planning to add these new divisions, the Flying Pig Marathon partnered with The Bridge Adaptive Sports and Recreation, a non profit dedicated to breaking down barriers to sport and recreation for people with disabilities in the Greater Cincinnati area. The Bridge has worked with the race to ensure the new divisions will be safe and accessible for all participants.
The Toyota 10K Handcycle Division will allow handcycle athletes to participate in a timed 10K race on Saturday, May 6th. Handcycles are specially designed bicycles powered by the user’s arms rather than their legs. The top three male and female 10K Handcycle division athletes will be recognized with awards.
The Para Athlete Division will offer opportunities for athletes with physical disabilities to participate. This division will include a range of events, including the 5K, 10K, and full and half marathons. The top three male and female Para Athletes in each event will receive an award.
“We are thrilled to add these new divisions to the Flying Pig Marathon Weekend,” said Iris Simpson Bush, CEO of the Flying Pig Marathon. “We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to participate, and we are excited to provide that opportunity to handcycle athletes and para athletes. We hope that these new divisions will inspire more people to get involved in our race experiences while making the Flying Pig Marathon Weekend even more diverse, inclusive and accessible.”
Registration for the 2023 Flying Pig Marathon Weekend is open, and athletes interested in participating in the new 10K Handcycle Division and Para Athlete Division can sign up by reaching out to registration@flyingpigmarathon.com
What is the Bridge?
We are a diverse group of professionals who envision a community where people, regardless of ability, can fully participate in competitive and leisure activities.
Our mission is to increase awareness and promote opportunities for individuals to participate in adaptive sports and recreation in order to improve their quality of life.
Understanding the challenges to doing this alone, we are bringing together the community to share, collaborate, create and redefine adaptive sport opportunities as we know them.
We are bridging the gap from clinic to community by connecting people with disabilities to adaptive equipment & existing adaptive sports programs – and by creating what does not yet exist. Learn more…
The Flying Pig PigAbilities is a movement for inclusion that supports our families and friends who live with disabilities. Our one-mile event is designed for participants (and supporters of participants) to run, walk or roll at their own pace so they can cross the official Flying Pig Marathon Finish Swine, just like everyone else.
Drew Plitt has been with the Arlington Renegades since day one, but his past success is what has brought him here to the XFL as one of the few rookie quarterbacks.
High School Football Experience
Photo by The Enquirer
Plitt went to high school in Loveland, Ohio where he played quarterback for the Tigers. His biggest achievement at Loveland was leading the school to the 2013 Division II state title which was the school’s first state championship ever. In 2015, he threw for over 1,400 yards with 15 passing touchdowns and three rushing touchdowns in ten games. He was the team captain and was honorable mention all-district as a senior.
“Drew’s quarterback style and talent will allow him to be crazy successful there. Ball State is getting a championship, high character quarterback. Ball State loves his talent and style, his leadership and quarterback intangibles.”
Loveland Head Football Coach Fred Cranford via Cincinnati.com
Ball State Experience
Photo by Mike DiNovoUSA TODAY Sports
In his first year in college back in 2016, Plitt was redshirted for the season as a freshman. The next year in 2017, he started the season as the fourth quarterback on the depth chart. Due to injuries to the quarterback position, Plitt was forced into action and played in the last five games of the season starting three of them. He finished his first season with 430 passing yards and three touchdowns along with three interceptions. Plitt also ran for 29 yards and one touchdown in the season.
Lori Murphy and Shana Clepper jump roped around the Loveland High School Track at the 2009 Relay for Life.
(Loveland Magazine file photo)
Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland High School Student Athletic Leadership Team (SALT) has launched their Relay for Life in support of the American Cancer Society.
Students who would like to get involved can sign-up to form fundraising teams. Follow this link to register as a student participant or to support our students in this effort. The Relay for Life will be taking place on May 5.
Luminarias honor every life touched by cancer. You can dedicate them to a loved one lost, someone currently battling, or anyone who’s overcome it. When you attend a Relay event, you’ll see the Luminarias decorated with names and sometimes messages to the people they’re dedicated to.
After dark, Relay participants share an emotional moment when each Luminaria is lit in remembrance of a life touched by cancer. Together, we take a moment of silence to remember the loved ones they’re dedicated to. When you make a donation for a Luminaria it helps fund the American Cancer Society’s mission to help save lives.
At the Relay For Life, teams are welcome to setup a space to fundraise & hang out. Most teams bring tents, chairs, etc.
You will be asked to provide your email address to log in or sign up, or continue with a social account.
Is this a run? No, Relay For Life is a community based walk event. While your event may have opportunities to run the track, we encourage teams to take turns walking the track.
What do I need to bring with me to the walk? Don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes. Please bring any donations you have to turn in. Strollers, wagons, walkers and wheelchairs are all welcome on the walk. Don’t forget to wear your Relay Purple!
Where do I park? Is there a parking fee? Is there handicap parking available? Details about parking coming soon.
Do I need to register or check-in when I get there? We ask that everyone stops and checks in as we cannot wait to meet you all! Opening and closing time of the check-in tent coming soon.
Are animals permitted? Only properly documented service dogs are allowed at the event.
I have money to turn in, where do I take it? Checks can be deposited via our mobile app. Download the app to deposit checks here.
Before and after the event, money can be mailed to ENTER LOCAL MALING ADDRESS INFORMATION.
All money day of the walk can be turned in at the registration tables. Please have it in a sealed envelope. Envelopes will be available for pick up at registration if you need one to fill out.
Do I receive a t-shirt for my registration? T-shirts are available to Hope Club members, who raise a minimum of $100. Hope Club members will receive an email with a link to order their Hope Club T-Shirt within 2 weeks of qualifying.
Do I receive a t-shirt if I am a Cancer Survivor? Yes! Cancer Survivors that register online will receive an email with a link to redeem their survivor t-shirt to be shipped directly to them. There is no fundraising requirement for Survivor Shirts.
Are there fundraising incentives? Yes, Hope Club members receive a T-shirt. We also have fundraising clubs, with gifts, for Grand Club Members at $1,000 raised and for All Stars at $2,500 raised.
Fundraisers also receive 1 Relay Reward point for every dollar raised. You can track your points and redeem rewards (starting at 250 points) by visiting shoprelayrewards.org.
Are there other ways to earn Relay Rewards? Fundraising best practices – earn up to 50 bonus points by taking the following actions:
Making a personal donation to your page = 10 points
Sending an email(s) through your dashboard = 15 points
Downloading and accepting a donation through the ACS Fundraising App = 25 points
I would like some Relay For Life merchandise, how do I purchase it? Relay For Life merchandise is available for sale on our online store. You can scroll all the way to the bottom of this page for the link or visit acseventstore.org.
Will there be food available? More details coming soon.
Where do volunteers that are helping with the event check in? More details coming soon.
What do you have on-site for cancer survivors? More details coming soon.
Photos from the 2005 and 2019 Relay for Life at Loveland High School
Elizabeth Madison on the stand after capturing the State Title (Photo @CoachSwitzer)
Loveland, Ohio – Head Coach Chris Switzer said on FaceBook after Elizabeth Madison completed her perfect season, “So proud of this kid…. what a year – undefeated State Champ as a freshman.” He was exclaiming his esteem for Madison after she defeated every opponent in Columbus at the Schottenstein Center at Ohio State University during the DI OHSAA State Wrestling Championships.
Madison won every match she entered as a 170 lb. ninth grader and finished the season 42-0 with 40 pins. This was the inaugural season for the Ohio High School Athletic Association to host a Women’s wrestling tournament. Madison will forever be remembered as Ohio’s first 170-pound champion.
In January 2022, the OHSAA announced that Women’s wrestling and Men’s volleyball would be added as sanctioned sports beginning with the 2022-23 school year. The Ohio High School Athletic Association averages more than 50,000 fans for the weekend of wrestling.
Watch Elizabeth Madison pin 4-time State qualifier DeSales High School senior Rebekah Oladakun, to become Ohio’s first 170-pound champion
Loveland High School’s first Women’s Wrestling Team at the Winter Sports Awards. (Photo by Loveland Tiger Wrestling)Elizabeth Madison on the stand after capturing the Regional Title (Photo @CoachSwitzer)
Loveland, Ohio – “We would like to Congratulate Ty Harter and Elizabeth Madisonfor qualifying for DI OHSAA State Wrestling Championships in Columbus this weekend,” said Kristy Brulport, the Administrative Assistant to the Athletic Director at Loveland High School. “We are going to celebrate Ty and Elizabeth at 1:50 PM on Thursday afternoon right at the start of our 7th bell.”
Teachers, students, and staff will step out into the halls to cheer on Madison and Harter as they leave the building on their way to the Schottenstein Center at Ohio State University. The Pep Band will be accompanying Ty and Elizabeth through the building.
Madison will compete in the inaugural Women’s tournament and Harter will compete in the 86th annual State matches. Madison, who won the Harrison regional and is 38-0, is the #1 seed at 170 lbs. Madison is the first Loveland Female Wrestler to punch her ticket to the OHSAA Wrestling Championships.
Harrison, Ohio – The Loveland High School Women’s Basketball Team ended their season in the 3rd round of the Ohio Basketball Tournament with a loss to the #1 team in Ohio. The game on Tuesday afternoon was played at Harrison High School. The score was Mason 49, Loveland 22. Josie Early led the Tiger scoring with 8 and Olivia Raby scored 5. Grace Dressell scored 4.
The Tigers (11-5, 17-8) finished in 3rd place in the ECC.
Conference leader West Clermont went into their tournament game on Monday and saw their 24 and-no-loss season disappear. The Kings Knights (13-1, 21-5), # 2 in the ECC beat the Wolves 49-43. Kings continued their tourney journey by beatingt Centerville today 61-53.
Meanwhile, the Tiger Men’s team lost their entry game in the State Tournament on Tuesday 73-47 against Princeton.
![[Video] Loveland High School athletes continuing their careers at the collegiate level](https://lovelandmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/2023-sign-day.jpg)
Photo by The Enquirer
![[Photos] Tiger Women bow out to #1 team in Ohio](https://lovelandmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/j-early-1.jpg)
