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News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

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One on One with Jillian Hayes

by Cassie Mattia

Loveland, Ohio – With the beginning of a new school year quickly approaching, Loveland’s top athletes have been working hard all summer to perfect their craft! Over the past few years, Loveland High school has become a powerhouse when it comes to sports, producing both collegiate and professional athletes. Well, Loveland High school has done it again! Her name is Jillian Hayes, a 6’1 multi-faceted athlete that averaged 17.3 points and 8 rebounds per game last year. Hayes is not unfamiliar with the idea of competing at the collegiate level, as her mother, Kristi Hayes broke several records in high school and at her alma mater, Drake. Kristi averaged 52 points per game her senior year in high school and went on to become the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year at Drake scoring over 1,500 points during her collegiate career. Hayes’ father, Jonathan Hayes, played 12 years in the NFL and was a tight ends coach for the Cincinnati Bengals. He is the current head coach and general manager of the St. Louis XFL team. Her brother, Jaxson Hayes, was just picked 8th overall in the NBA Draft signing to the New Orleans Pelicans.

After several collegiate offers, Jillian recently committed to the University of Cincinnati to play Bearcat basketball. As her senior year approaches, there’s no doubt the sky is the limit for her upcoming basketball season with the Loveland Tigers!

I jumped at the opportunity to chat one on one with Jillian about her passion for basketball, her love for her family, and her dedication to both athletics and her education. Instead of doing a traditional interview I decided to put a spin on the interview process and do a question and answer forum so that you, the Loveland Magazine readers, could really get to know Jillian Hayes! So sit back, kick your feet up and check out Loveland Magazine’s interview with the basketball superstar herself, Jillian Hayes!

First off congratulations on your most recent accolades and achievements! Tell me what was it like growing up in the Hayes house? Have you always lived in Loveland?

Thank you! Growing up in my house we were always on the go, trying to get from one sporting event to the next. My brothers and I grew up playing games and sports with the other neighbor kids in the driveway and the yard. I was born in Norman, Oklahoma but have been raised in Loveland since I was about 2.

When did your passion for basketball begin? I know both of your parents and your brother are top-notch athletes themselves, is that where the passion came from for the game of basketball?

I grew up around basketball it was always a part of my life. Through competition – and the more I played, the more I fell in love with it.

You are going into a very important year at Loveland High school in regards to education and sports, what are you most excited about? What has your experience been like as a student-athlete at Loveland?

I’m so excited for one last go around with all of my friends, teammates, and coaches. Being a student-athlete at Loveland has been amazing. We have such a supportive community!

I have chatted with Coach Parker about some of the athletes he has had the pleasure of coaching and he seems to really have a passion for the game of basketball and his athletes. What does Coach Parker mean to you? How has he helped you as a student, athlete, and person?

Coach Parker is such an amazing coach! You can truly tell how passionate he is for the game and his players just by watching him in games. He brings so much energy! He makes it known from the very beginning that academics come first and are very understanding when it comes to needing to stay after school to make up a test or ask questions. Every day in practice and even outside of practice he continues to push us and is always there to open the gym when we need to use it. Coach Parker really has helped shape me into the person I am today by teaching me various life lessons on and off the court.

Let’s talk about basketball! What position do you play? What position do you prefer? What’s your favorite part about the game of basketball? Do you have a basketball role model?

I play anywhere from 1 to stretch 4 for Loveland. I’ll play whatever position my coach needs me to, but I mostly play a 3 or stretch 4. I love the competing aspect of it and continuing to challenge myself to become the best player and teammate I can be. My basketball role model would have to be my mom. She averaged 52 points in her senior year of high school and was an All American division 1 player. Not only did her accolades make her great she also had such an amazing basketball IQ and had counter moves for every defender that tried to stop her.

Ok so let’s take a moment to go over your awards and accolades as a basketball player! What are your proudest accolades? Have you been selected to be apart of an elite basketball team or play in any all-star games? It’s okay to brag about yourself for a minute!

My proudest accolade is getting the chance to play for Coach Heard at UC and getting 3rd in the nation at Nike Nationals. I got the chance to play for an EYBL team for the AAU season. The EYBL is a Nike circuit that has the top competition from all around the country.

We have heard as a Loveland community about the big announcement….you have committed to The University of Cincinnati to play basketball! Are you excited to play sports at the collegiate level? Was UC your first choice? Talk about your journey to deciding where you wanted to play and why.

I am thrilled to be able to play division 1 basketball. UC was the perfect fit for me. Every time I stepped on campus it felt like home and I would just light up. The relationship I have with Coach Heard is amazing! We have such a great bond. Coach Heard and the rest of the staff already feel like family!

Your family is a huge SPORTS family with your mom being a former basketball all-star, your dad being a Bengals coach, and your brother committing to play for the NBA. Do you put pressure on yourself because of your family’s success in sports? If so why and how? What have you learned from your family?

No, each person in our family has their own story and although we are big competitors we don’t compete against each other, but rather support one another. I have learned everything I know from my family, they truly have shaped me into the person I am today.

Being an athlete myself I know that we are always reaching higher for bigger and better goals, what are some goals you would like to achieve over the next few years?

For my senior year, my goal is to help the team win sectional finals. We’ve come a little short in previous years. I would also like to make it to the NCAA tournament my first year at UC and really go on a run in the tournament.

What are you doing now to prepare for this year’s basketball season? Do you have any advice for any student-athletes out there that are trying to make it to the collegiate level?

Training with Coach Keith Braswell, lifting and explosion training. No matter what role you have I think you should always lead with confidence, have fun with it and enjoy every chance you have to be out on the court.

Let’s get a few fun facts out there about you for our loyal readers! What is your favorite color? What is your basketball pre-game ritual? What’s your favorite food? What is your favorite movie? Do you have a favorite basketball team, if so, who? What are some of your favorite hobbies? What do you LOVE about Loveland? Do you have any favorite Loveland “spots?”

Black or blue. Listening to music. Sushi. Like Mike. New Orleans Pelicans because my older brother plays for them. I like hanging with my friends and playing volleyball. I love the community because they continue to be supporters of all Loveland’s sports. Two of my favorite spots are Loveland Dairy Whip and Trailside Ice Shack Hawaiian Ice in downtown Loveland.

Thank you Jillian for your time. Loveland Magazine will certainly be following you on the volleyball and basketball courts your Senior year. Best of luck in all you do.

Jul 17, 2019
Andy Bateman joins Bailey and Blair in pursuit of Council Seat

Loveland, Ohio – There will be 3 elected to a 4-year term of Loveland City Council on November 5, and as of Monday evening 3 have submitted sufficient signatures on Nominating petitions to be placed on the ballot. Current Mayor Kathy Bailey, incumbent Kent Blair, and on his second try, Andy Bateman, have all have qualified.

Andy Bateman

Bateman told Loveland Magazine last week that he had submitted sufficient signatures to the Hamilton County Board of Elections (BOE) and that the signatures have been validated. He ran a distant 5th is his first try to be on City Council in the 2017 election.

All three are guaranteed victory if no one else files to run.

Current Councilwoman Angie Settell’s term ends this December.

Blair is 2-year incumbent

Blair is running for the seat he was appointed to when former Mayor Mark Fitzgerald quit office on August 14, 2017 after petitions were circulated putting his recall and his council seat on the ballot. The petition recall effort could have resulted in a head-to-head race, Fitzgerald vs. Neal Oury who circulated the petitions.

Up until August 18, of 2017, Blair was one of nine candidates on the ballot for four City Council seats. Blair removed his name from consideration so he would not take votes away from Rob Weisgerber, Ted Phelps, Neal Oury, or Tim Butler. It was a pre-arranged deal, under a possible scenario if Fitzgerald’s seat was not going to be on the ballot. After a ruling by the City Attorney, Mayor Bailey was allowed to appoint Blair to the seat that was still open in January of 2018.

Weisgerber, Phelps, Oury, and Butler were elected in 2017.

Word on the street is that former Councilwoman Pam Gross has picked up petitions from the BOE, however, that would not necessarily mean that Gross is running. She may or not circulate petitions, or she may have picked up the petitions for someone else who is interested in being on Council. Gross also ran in 2017 to keep her seat however was roundly defeated for re-election, finishing behind Bateman.

Loveland School Board race

No one has yet filed petitions to be a member of the Loveland Board of Education. There are 2 open seats for 4-year terms. Current Board Vice-President Kathy Lorenz is, however, gathering signatures. Word on the street is that current Board President Art Jarvis is also collecting signatures.

The deadline for candidates to file nominating petitions to the BOE, either in the City Council Race or for a School Board seat is Aug 7.

Loveland City Council will ask voters to approve a revised Charter on November 5 and the Loveland Board of Education is expected to place a Bond Issue on the ballot.

Jul 15, 2019
[Loveland Magazine TV] Councilwoman Angie Settell expresses concerns about proposed City Charter

Loveland, Ohio – While speaking about proposals to change the City Charter, Councilwoman Angie Settell raised concerns about whether the Finance Director should be reporting to the City Manager or City Council.

She said that the Council’s first responsibility is to be the keeper of the taxpayer’s money and that there needed to be checks and balances and a level of protection was being eliminated for no valid reason.

She also raised concerns about proposed changes to the role of the Vice-Mayor in situations where the Mayor is incapable of performing their duties.

The occasion was during a meeting on June 11, when Council was holding a public hearing to receive comments regarding proposed revisions to the Charter of the City.

Councilmembers, Ted Phelps and Tim Butler; and acting Solicitor Matt Fellerhoff responded to Settell’s concerns.

Read the proposed and current charter here: Proposed Loveland Charter

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Jul 7, 2019
Jack Rabbit added as drop-off location for annual Backpack Drive
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article has been updated to reflect that New Hope Baptist Church is not a “Drop-off” location.

Loveland, Ohio – Loveland’s local running store JackRabbit has joined the team at the Loveland Initiative and will be helping families that live in the Loveland City School District to receive a backpack filled with school supplies for their children when they return to school in the Fall.

Read below to find out how to enroll your child or volunteer for the program

The goal of the back to school program is simple but powerful: If we can get all the resources in our community together, we can help economically disadvantaged children start off the new school year with many of their school-related needs.

Students that benefit from this program receive items such as:

New Backpacks

New school supplies like notebooks, paper, pens and pencils

Calculators

JackRabbit is located in the Downtown Historic District in the old R.R. station. They have their own parking lot so don’t worry about those hassles. (MAP) 127 W. Loveland Avenue

(513) 831-2378

Store Hours

Monday – Friday: 10am-8pm

Saturday: 10am to 6pm

Sunday: 11pm-6pm

Loveland Initiative Printable School Supply List

NOTE: New Hope Baptist Church is not a “Drop-off” location.

Over 20 Years and Still Going Strong

The Loveland Initiative was founded in 1996 by a group of neighbors with a mission to provide educational support and assistance to underserved children and their families. The organization focuses its attention through a wide variety of programs to help lower-income residents meet basic needs along with educational enrichment.

Annual Backpack Program
2019 Sign Ups

WHERE: New Hope Baptist Church, 1401 Loveland Madeira Road
DATES & TIMES: July 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25 and August 6, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

TO QUALIFY, PARENTS MUST BRING THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION
- Most Recent Loveland School Report Card OR other school documents for each child
- If Pre-K or K, a Birth Certificate
- Most Recent Job & Family Service Approval Letter OR Recertification Form
- Most Recent Duke Energy Utility Bill in Head of Household’s name
Any questions contact Executive Director Terri Rogers at (513) 739-2354.
Receive a Backpack filled with School Supplies

Qualifying families who meet income guidelines and live in the Loveland City School District can receive a backpack filled with school supplies for their children. Families MUST sign up students for this program.

The goal of the back to school program is simple but powerful: If we can get all the resources in our community together, we can help economically disadvantaged children start off the new school year with many of their school-related needs.

Students that benefit from this program receive items such as:

New Backpacks

New school supplies like notebooks, paper, pens and pencils

Calculators

Want to Help?

Our Annual Back Pack Program gives Loveland School children the chance to start the year off with NEW Backpacks and Supplies. If you can donate a filled backpack, the children would appreciate it more than you can imagine. If you are not able to complete an entire bag by yourself, please consider sharing this project with a friend. Donations are greatly appreciated!

School Supply List for Backpacks

We need volunteers…
In addition to donations, we also need volunteers to help registered families, sort, pack, and distribute backpacks. We also need help with set up and managing stations for the Back to School Fair.

VOLUNTEER FOR THIS EVENT
Jun 21, 2019
[Video Slide Show] One doesn’t have to remind Scott Gordon, Bill Fee, or David Miller of the purpose of Memorial Day in Loveland

Cassie Mattia is a writer at Loveland Magazine and lives in the Downtown Historic District

by Cassie Mattia

Loveland, Ohio – This LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV video is a slide show, with two narrations. The photos were taken during Loveland’s Memorial Day observance, the parade, and ceremony, on May 27.

The narrations begin with this year’s keynote address by Loveland resident and former Marine, Scott Gorden. The second is the keynote address that Bill Fee gave at last year’s ceremony.

You can listen to the speeches as you look at the photos.

If Gordon’s father had been able to give this year’s Memorial Day address at the Loveland Veterans’ Memorial, Scott said he would have told people, “I do not enjoy Memorial Day. I love birthdays. I love the 4th of July. I love November 10th. I respect Memorial Day.”

Loveland resident and former Marine, Scott Gorden

Because of a recent illness, Bruce Gordon was unable to give the speech he was invited to deliver so Scott filled in, citing notes his father had written on 3″ X 5″ note cards. Scott, a former Marine, using his father’s notes and his own perspective put the somber day into perspective for the hundreds of people who gathered in the Memorial Plaza. Scott said that his father made it perfectly clear to him growing up that Memorial Day was not a happy day for him and that he hated when people would wish him a “Happy Memorial Day.” Bruce Gordon would tell his son, “Memorial Day is a day of respect, a day of honor.”

Former wounded Army Veteran, Bill Fee

After a year in college, at the age of 19, Bill Fee enlisted in the Army in 1967 and volunteered for service in Vietnam. He served in combat as a rifleman in the First Infantry Division and was wounded in combat in November of 1967. Fee spent 10 months in three different Army hospitals undergoing four operations to repair a damaged shoulder. In 1984, Fee and fellow Vietnam Veteran Earl Corell co-directed the fundraising, design, and dedication of the Greater Cincinnati Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Eden Park. The Memorial dedication occurred in April of 1984.

In 2016, Fee published his first book, Memoir of Vietnam 1967, detailing the story of his time in the military’s First Infantry Division in Vietnam, and the impact the war has had on his life in later years.

Fee’s 2018 speech was so memorable and meaningful we decided to re-publish his words this way and as you will see they are a remarkable match of what Scott Gorden said this year about the purpose of Memorial Day in Loveland.

David Miller, the Publisher, and Editor of Loveland Magazine edited his photos into this video. He was drafted into the Army in 1968 and served in combat in Vietnam in an artillery battery.

He told me that he has always been grateful for the memorial to Vietnam Vets that Bill Fee and Earl Corell erected in Eden Park. “It was a very real honor and pleasure to meet Bill last year and hear what he had to say,” Miller said.

Miller told me that he attended the dedication of the memorial in 1984 and took with him his dog tags and the small number of medals he was given to anyone after serving in Vietnam.

“I got no special medals, just the ones they gave to soldiers like me that they were happy with because we knew how to take orders. I may have even taken some bits of shrapnel that I took home as souvenirs. I left it all at the base of the memorial. I guess I thought it could erase the bad taste of war, Johnson, McNamara, and Nixon. In the end, all I did was burden Bill and Earl,” Miller explained, “Within hours of getting back to Loveland that afternoon, it was either Bill Fee or Earl Corell who was on the other end of the phone when it rang.” The message he remembers is that the phone call was a simple one, but one he has never forgotten. “David, are you OK?”

Miller said that there are a lot of David Miller’s around the Cincinnati area. “They may have made a lot of phone calls that day until they reached the right, David Miller. It was very flattering that I got the call, and I have always been impressed with the concern and care. I was doing OK, just being a little defiant.”

Loveland Magazine Publisher, David Miller “having fun” in Vietnam in 1969.

While in Vietnam Miller began his lifelong passion for taking photos of people.

“We could order good Japanese cameras through the Army PX system and the price was right because we were fairly close to Japan,” Miller said, “I wanted to have photos to send home to my mom so she knew I was safe and having a good time.”

Miller laughed and said that obviously, the photo above was not one of those, “Hey Mom – I’m having fun and love Vietnam moments.”

Miller added, “I do however love the words and sentiments that Scott Gordon and Bill Fee expressed at the Loveland Veterans’ Memorial that you can hear in this video. One doesn’t have to remind either that Memorial Day is for the ‘Gold Star’ moms, dads, spouses, children, and siblings. For them and those who served and may have lost their best friend – it is a day of mourning. Their eulogies were fitting for what can be an oppressively solemn day for many.”

What is ?

Did you know that you can watch this movie on the Loveland Magazine Youtube Channel in high definition on your television in your living room? It’s where we have published all of our videos since 2014!

Most TV’s have the YouTube app built-in. Go to the app and search for Loveland Magazine TV. Bookmark us so you can easily return to see new videos! Thanks for watching!

Jun 18, 2019
Interview with Ray Kingsbury and Misty Cheshire about Loveland U

Spots for the Loveland U experience are limited!

Cassie Mattia is a resident of Historic Downtown Loveland

by Cassie Mattia

Loveland, Ohio – Who wouldn’t want to learn about a community built on “Love?” Loveland’s Clerk of Courts, Misty Cheshire, and Loveland U Director, Ray Kingsbury, joined Loveland Magazine at the Loveland Magazine TV studio to talk about the program that Mayor Kathy Bailey said, “City Council is committed to finding ways to help our residents understand the decisions we make, become more involved, and connect with the community; this program accomplishes all these goals and more.”

In this interview, you can meet Ray and Misty and understand what they love about Loveland.

Loveland U will be an interactive adult learning environment with minimal lecture time that focuses on finding ways to help Loveland residents understand obtain first-hand knowledge and provide valuable input and feedback into the issues, plans, and activities of the Loveland community.

Loveland U’s purpose is to provide a way for residents to become more involved and connect with the community.

Spots for the Loveland U experience are limited! Check out the interview with Cheshire and Kingsbury to find out how you can secure your Loveland U spot! Oh and don’t worry the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance, thanks to an anonymous, but very generous person is giving out scholarships for those who want to participate in the Loveland U experience, but need a sponsor to take on their 99 dollar participation fee – a fee that offsets the cost associated with the materials and meals for the sessions. After viewing the interview if this is something you’re interested in, email info@lmrchamberalliance.org or call 513-683-1544.

For everyone else:

If you have any questions, contact, Ray Kingsbury, Loveland U Director, at rkingsbury@lovelandoh.gov, or by phone 513-774-3090.

Click on these links: Loveland U Brochure and Loveland U Application.

Loveland U 2019 Class Schedule

The City of Loveland, along with partners, Little Miami Conservancy, Loveland City Schools, Loveland Stage Company, and Loveland Museum Center have joined forces to launch Loveland U. Limited to just 25 participants, Loveland U will utilize an interactive adult learning environment with minimal lecture time.

Thursday, September 12 Restoring Loveland’s Front Porch at the Loveland Museum Center

Saturday, September 21 Navigating Our National Wild and Scenic River & Riverfront Development with Little Miami Conservancy

Wednesday, September 25 Joining the Loveland Stage Company for A Peek Behind the Curtain at the Loveland Stage Company

Thursday, October 3 Connecting with the Loveland-Symmes Fire Department to Feel the Heat

Thursday, October 10 Discovering A Citizen’s Role in the Downtown Plan

Thursday, October 17 Diving into NIMBYs, CAVE people and Financial Reckoning

Wednesday, October 23 Painting Our Portrait of a Tiger with Loveland City Schools

Wednesday, October 30 Standing Behind the Badge with the Loveland Police Department

Saturday, November 9 Proceeding with Caution – Work in Progress! with Loveland Public Works

Thursday, November 14 Celebrating your journey at Loveland U Graduation…Lovin Life

Jun 17, 2019
Amazing Charity Race is in Loveland and Miami Township this Saturday

Loveland, Ohio – Although a detailed course map will be not be released until Friday night June 14th at 9 PM, this year’s Amazing Charity Race will be starting Saturday at Grailville (931 O’Bannonville Rd, Loveland, OH 45140) and ending at Grailville. The race will be on streets in both Loveland and Miami Township.

The City of Loveland says, “Please watch for heavy vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian traffic between 7 AM and 5 PM, especially in the downtown area.”

The Miami Township Police Department issued this statement:

The annual Amazing Charity Race will take place this Saturday, June 15th. The race will begin at Grailville on Obannonville Rd. at approximately 8 am. Racers will travel in the area of St. Columban Church and along residential streets into and through part of Miami Trails. They will eventually access Hanna/Branch Hill Loveland Rd. and head into Miami Riverview Park before entering the bike trail and heading back toward Loveland. All racers are expected to be out of Miami Township by approximately noon. (But the race continues into the City of Loveland.)

2017 Amazing Charity Race brings fun and charity together

Loveland Magazine is a proud sponsor of The Amazing Charity Race.

The Amazing Charity Race started in 2005 as Loveland’s Amazing Race and has grown into one of the biggest races in the whole Cincinnati tri-state area! With a little bit of this and a little bit of that – we make you walk, run, ride, think and do – all for the fun of it!

All of your entry fees go straight to all of our charities after we pay off our expenses for the race.

WHAT IS IT??: It is a full day of good-natured competition, music, and food and laughs. The race committee is laughing itself silly coming up with fun challenges.

It is not a triathlon or a 5K race. It is not limited to runners or highly athletic individuals. It is a race in that it has a start and finish line but along the way, it challenges the contestants in many ways. It is a fun, quirky, adventure that challenges the contestant’s agility, balance, coordination, strength, intelligence, problem-solving skills, fine motor skills, and most importantly their sense of humor.

You are invited whether it is to compete or join our team of over 500 volunteers so come enjoy, have a great time for a good cause and as always expect the unexpected.

Racers must be AT LEAST 13 years old to do the race with a parent. At 16 years old, racers can do the race with another 16 year old. Avai divisions: Parent/Child, Male/Female, Male/Male, Female/Female.

Jun 13, 2019
Loveland High School’s Hanna Wenger and Zach Segal Grab Top Post-Season Awards

Editor’s Note: The photos in the original version of this story were not of Hanna Wenger. The story was corrected on 6/12/19

by Cassie Mattia

Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland Tigers have developed quite the reputation in the world of athletics this year, grabbing once again several post-season honors. Now Junior, Hanna Wenger, one of Loveland’s top Women’s Lacrosse players, received The OSLA Division 1 First Team All-State Honors and 2019 Loveland High School grad Zach Segal, a member of the Tigers Baseball Team, received Honorable Mention, SWOBCA All-City Honors. Below are a few tweets from the Eastern Cincinnati Conference congratulating Wenger and Segal on their honors.

@ECC_Sports

(1 of 2) POSTSEASON AWARDS: OSLA DI awards recipients in girls’ lacrosse: ALL-STATE: Loveland’s Hanna Wenger (1st Team)…

@ECC_Sports

(3 of 3) West Clermont’s Gavin Pitts (Second Team) and Bailey Bravo and Trevor Conley (Honorable Mention); and Loveland’s Zach Segal (Honorable Mention). Congratulations!

Segal ended his senior season as a Loveland Tiger with a bang placing very high in the ECC with his individual statistics. Segal pitched 9 games with a 3 and 5 win-loss record, a 46.1 IP, which earned him 3rd place in the ECC, and a 1.5 ERA. Segal earned 3rd place in the ECC for strikeouts as well totaling out with 58 for the season. Segal also received First Team All ECC Honors. Other Tigers who grabbed awards were Carson Deer, who earned Second Team All ECC and Matt Westley, who received Honorable Mention Honors.

Wenger had an incredible sophomore season as a Loveland Women’s Lacrosse player as the Tigers came in second in the ECC with a 4-1 record in ECC matches and a 13-3 record overall. On top of Wenger’s First Team All-State Honors, she grabbed ECC Player of the Year and OSLA Division I First Team All-Region Honors along with her teammate Carly Wilhoite. Wenger’s teammates Josey Storm earned All-Region Second Team Honors and Maggie Nance received All-Region Honorable Mention.

Loveland Lacrosse head coach Ryan Hanson

“Hanna is a phenomenal athlete and has a tremendous passion for the game. The number one thing that everyone always notices about Hanna is that she always has a smile on her face while playing lacrosse. This isn’t an I am goofing off smile, or I am just out here to have fun and not try hard smile. This is the most genuine I love this sport smile,” Loveland head coach Ryan Hanson told Loveland Magazine.

Wenger was ranked among the top Women’s Lacrosse athletes in the ECC with her offensive statistics. Wenger totaled 44 goals and 26 assists for the season averaging 3.67 goals per game and 2.17 assists per game. Wenger ranked 3rd in the ECC in assists.

Head coach Hanson also said that Hanna Wenger is the ultimate competitor and whenever given the option at practice she wants to continue playing. He said that the coaching staff jokes that although the practice is “only” 2 hours a night, they don’t think Hanna would complain if they practiced four hours each night. He added that her love for the sport and desire to always want to improve herself shows every moment she steps on the field. “She isn’t just talented in one facet, Hanna is one of the most complete lacrosse players we have ever coached. She doesn’t work to be good in just one area, she wants to master every skill. When you have natural talent, a drive to be the best, and a passion for the game, you get Hanna Wenger.” He said it was no surprise that she was named ECC Women’s Lacrosse MVP, 1st Team All-Conference, 1st Team All-District, and 1st Team All-State both her Freshman and Sophomore years.

Last December, Zach Segal, signed a National Letter of Intent to play baseball at the University of Cincinnati.

Here are photos of Hanna Wenger in her game against Mason on May 20.

If you would like to see just what the Loveland Tigers Baseball team is up to you can visit https://lovelandtigers.org/index.aspx?path=base or visit the team twitter page at https://twitter.com/LHSTigersBase.

To learn how you can follow the Loveland Women’s Lacrosse team success visit https://lovelandtigers.org/archives.aspx?path=glax or visit the team twitter page at https://twitter.com/LovelandLax.

Jun 11, 2019
Former Loveland Baseball Stand-Out Luke Waddell Drafted by the Diamondbacks

Loveland Magazine file photo of Luke Waddell playing for the Loveland Tigers – ©2017 by David Miller

by Cassie Mattia

Loveland, Ohio – It’s no secret that here in Loveland there is no shortage of phenomenal athletes. A 2017 Loveland High School grad and nationally recognized baseball player, Luke Waddell, received the news on June 5th that he was drafted in the 32nd round of the MLB Draft to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Many celebrated the news voicing how excited they were for Waddell on twitter and facebook, but no one celebrated more than the Loveland Tiger supporters! Below were some of the tweets posted after the 32nd round draft results were released.

The Assistant Principal at Loveland High School said…

Matthew Buis

@LHS_MrBuis

Congrats Luke! @lucas_wadd07

The Georgia Tech Baseball Team said…

Georgia Tech Baseball

@GTBaseball

DRAFTED! Congratulations on Luke Waddell hearing his name in the 32nd round of the @MLBDraft by the @Dbacks

The Loveland High School Tigers Baseball Team said…

LHSTigersBaseball

@LHSTigersBase

Always knew this day was coming since he was 8, but bigger and better things always on Luke’s horizon.

Luke Waddell as a Loveland Tiger in 2017. Loveland Magazine © File Photo by David Miller

Waddell, who was born and raised in Loveland, excelled in baseball, football, and basketball at Loveland High School. Waddell racked up a number of accolades with the Tigers some of the most prominent being baseball honors. In 2017, Perfect Game rated Waddell as the number 3 shortstop and the number 11 overall prospect in Ohio. Waddell also received an All-American Honorable Mention nod in 2017 in addition to becoming the ECC Baseball Athlete of the Year. Waddell, a 4 time ECC first team all-conference selection and 2-time all-state selection, still holds the Loveland High School Baseball record for career games played, hits and doubles.

Waddell did not shy away from other sports in high school just because he was so gifted in one sport, which in his case was baseball. He also lettered in football and basketball at Loveland. In 2013 when the Loveland Tigers Football team grabbed the state championship title, district title, and the ECC conference title, Waddell aided in the Tiger’s success tremendously setting records in career rushing yards, receiving yards, touchdowns, points scored, and the most rushing yards and touchdowns in a single season. In fact the day Waddell broke Loveland High School’s 49-year-old, single-game rushing record he didn’t even realize he did it until record keeper and facilities manager, Kevin Taylor told him after the game. He told Loveland Magazine at the time, “I was honestly shocked. I knew I had a good game, but didn’t know I broke any records. So, it was pretty exciting.”

Luke Waddell as a Loveland Football Tiger. Photo by David Burig © 2015

Waddell was also named by MaxPreps, second-team freshman All-American in 2013 and first team all-conference by the ECC for all for 4 years of his high school football career.

The Midland Redskins summer baseball team got the pleasure of having Waddell for 3 seasons before he took off to play collegiate baseball at Georiga Tech. In Waddell’s freshman season with GT in 2018 he played in 42 games starting in 31 of those games. Waddell had quite the impressive stat sheet as a freshman hitting a .283 batting average and posting an on-base percentage of .348. In 2019 Waddell had an even more successful year playing in 57 games hitting a .328 batting average. Waddell’s on-base percentage also improved to a .442. The 2019 results Waddell brought in for the Yellow Jackets earned him 20th best batting average in the entire ACC.

After years of hard work and dedication to improving his craft, Luke Waddell was selected last Wednesday in the 32nd round of the MLB draft to join the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Although Waddell is thrilled with being drafted he has made the decision to return to Georgia Tech for his junior year season. Waddell’s former coaches, teammates, and classmates are still very excited to hear about Waddell being drafted. Included below are thoughts from Brian Conaster, Loveland High School Athletic Director, and Ken Reed, Waddell’s former high school baseball coach, about Luke Waddell.

“Luke is an incredibly talented player who was a pleasure to coach at LHS. Not only was he one of the most productive players in the state of Ohio, but he was also a great teammate. The Loveland community should be very proud of how well Luke has represented the town,” Ken Reed said.

“Luke Waddell was not only a record-breaking high school stand out multiple sport athlete, but a person of high character in and out of the classroom. Luke always embodies the Loveland core values of respect, responsibility, integrity, and pride,” Brian Conaster said.

If you would like to follow Luke Waddell’s journey with the Georgia Tech Yellowjackets you can go to the Georgia Tech’s baseball twitter page at https://twitter.com/GTBaseball, their website at https://ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-basebl/, their FB page or Loveland Athletic’s twitter page at https://twitter.com/LovTigers_AD. The Loveland Magazine team will also be following Waddell’s progress if you would like to check out our Facebook page or Twitter page at https://twitter.com/lovelandmagazin.

Jun 10, 2019
Former Loveland grad shares her journey from athletic trainer to signing book deal

Cassie Mattia is a resident of Historic Downtown Loveland, Ohio

Loveland, Ohio – Laurie Stroup Smith joined the Loveland Magazine team for her first exclusive on-camera interview after signing a 3 book contract with Vinspire Publishing. She grew up in Loveland and graduated Loveland High School in 1994. She writes Amish and Contemporary Romance stories.

Stroup Smith was a former athletic trainer at Turpin High School for a number of years before she discovered her writing talent. In LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV ’s one on one interview with Laurie Stroup Smith, we take a look at just what inspired her to start writing and what other local published author mentored her along the way!

Click below to watch Loveland Magazine TV’s sit down with Laurie Stroup Smith!

Want to know more about Laurie? Visit her website https://lauriestroupsmith.com/ or her Facebook page at Laurie Stroup Smith, Writer, and Laurie Stroup Smith on Pinterest

Jun 7, 2019