Honors 2026

INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE

Lydia Smucker, Anthony Wayne HS Girls Soccer

Scored three goals in the Division II state championship game, earning the Generals a 3-2 win over Hudson HS.

Thomas Lathrop, Ottawa Hills HS Boys Swimming

Won the Division II 500 freestyle in a time of 4:33.46 to claim the state championship.

Garrison Weisner, Clay HS Wrestling

Won OHSAA Division I 144-pound state championship 7-4 in sudden victory overtime, defeating Massillon Perry’s Mason Rohr.

Cam Joseph, Fremont Ross HS Baseball

Hit two home runs in the 7th and 8th innings to deliver an 8-6 win for the Little Giants over Bowling Green. He was also the winning pitcher.

BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE

Hayden Groll, Napoleon HS Football

Running back who seized an opportunity to become a stand out threat and the NLL Cardinal Division Offensive Player of the Year.

Kyle Mortus, Springfield HS Boys Soccer

Scored 58 goals in a single season, which was more than he had in the three previous seasons combined. He was a team leader that powered the Blue Devils to their best-ever season.

Micah Twigg, St. Francis HS Boys Lacrosse

He scored seven goals, including the game-winner in overtime to beat Ottawa Hills 12-11. 

GAME OF THE YEAR

Northview at Start, Football

On September 5th, 2025, Northview led 31-12 late in the third quarter when Start battled back to make it 31-30. With 18 seconds left, Northview’s defense stopped Start’s two-point conversion attempt at the two-yard line to hold on for a 31-30 win.

Ottawa Hills vs. Maumee Valley CD, Boys Soccer

On November 2nd, 2025, Ottawa Hills scored a goal with 5:43 to go to win the regional championship 3-2 in a game that featured a bicycle kick for a goal from MVCD.

Central Catholic at St. John’s, Boys Basketball

On January 16th, 2026, Central Catholic’s Manny Johnson made a three-pointer in the closing seconds, and then blocked a St. John’s three-point attempt as time expired to give the Fighting Irish a 75-72 rivalry win.

Clay vs. Bowling Green, Hockey

On February 27th, 2026, Clay’s Andrew Schrauder scored the game-winning goal to defeat Bowling Green 2-1 in overtime to clinch a regional quarterfinal victory.

Start vs. Anthony Wayne, Girls Basketball

On February 28th, 2026, Start utilized relentless defensive pressure to beat Anthony Wayne 41-35 to win a district title.

Ottawa Hills vs. New London, Girls Basketball

On February 28th, 2026,  Ottawa Hills was down by two points with 41 seconds left but came back to win 44-41, claiming the program’s first district title in 20 years.

STUDENT SECTION OF THE YEAR

Whitmer Panthers

Fall representative

Bowling Green Bobcats

Winter representative

PLAY OF THE YEAR

Tori Trzcinski, Perrysburg HS Girls Soccer

On October 28th, 2025, Trzcinski, the Yellow Jackets’ goalie, made back-to-back full-extension, leaping, diving saves to help preserve a 1-0 regional semifinal win over Walsh Jesuit.

Gabe Skinner, Maumee Valley Country Day School Boys Soccer

On November 2nd, 2025, Skinner’s bicycle kick for a goal came in a rivalry showdown in a regional final game vs. Ottawa Hills.

Mac Archer, Findlay HS Hockey

On January 9th, 2026, Archer’s between-the-legs shootout goal provided the Trojans with a win over Bowling Green.

SCHOLAR SPOTLIGHT

Myriad Hill, Northwood HS

Kate Wu, Perrysburg HS

Zhuoran Cai, Mason Senior HS

Ibrahim Saleh, Bedford HS

TRADING UP SCHOLARSHIP

Madalynn BeDour, Toledo Pre-Med

Natalie Murray, Clay HS

Jayanna Willets, Mason Senior HS

Emily Schultz, Clay HS

COACH OF THE YEAR

Jeremy Nixon, Ottawa Hills HS Girls Cross Country

OHSAA Division IV state champions

Lori Williams, Anthony Wayne HS Girls Soccer

OHSAA Division II undefeated state champions

E.J. Lemay, Clay HS Hockey

OHSAA Division I regional semifinalist

Dane Franklin, Start HS Girls Basketball

OHSAA Division II regional semifinalist

Scott Burnett, Perrysburg HS Wrestling

OHSAA Division I state champions

Brenda Radabaugh, Clay HS Softball

OHSAA Division II top 5 state ranking

JOE RYCHNOVSKY INSPIRATION AWARD

Joe Rychnovsky started his local broadcasting career in 1999 at WTOL Channel 11 with his memorable “Hey Joe, Try This!” segment. Later in his career, Joe worked for FOX 36 and eventually found his home as a play-by-play announcer for BCSN. In 2017, Joe received BCSN’s first-ever Inspiration Award. His positive outlook and can-do attitude made Joe a true inspiration. Sadly, we lost Joe that same year to a heroic battle with cancer. Joe’s legacy continues with his award renamed in his honor.

Malise Lee-Garrett, Fremont Ross HS

Malise Lee-Garrett, a senior at Fremont Ross HS, as an innocent bystander, was struck by a bullet during a gun violence altercation at a local park in the summer of 2025. Following surgery, her wound healed, but she was forced to miss his senior soccer season. Months later, her mother passed away from breast cancer. Despite these significant obstacles, Malise demonstrated excellence, resilience, and determination. She balances school, a part-time job, while living on her own, and competing on the Little Giants’ track team. 

FEMALE THREE-SPORT ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Jenna Reed, Toledo Christian School

Soccer, Basketball, and Softball

MALE THREE-SPORT ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Brayden Heitmeyer, Perrysburg HS

Soccer, Football, and Baseball

TOM COLE POSITIVE IMPACT AWARD

For nearly two decades Tom Cole was an on-air presenter at BCSN who exuded positivity. He tirelessly found ways to showcase the best our area has to offer. Following Tom’s retirement from TV in 2023, BCSN chose to name an award in his honor to reward a coach, teacher, or school staff member who works to make a positive impact to better a school or community.

Scott Walters, Scott HS

Walters is the high school’s band director and teacher who brings positive energy, creativity, and dedication to the classroom every day. He dedicates countless hours of his personal time to help make Scott a better place for students, staff, and the community. Through his leadership, the band program continues to grow each year and it has become a source of pride for the school. His creativity and passion are evident in everything he does. He helps the Band Boosters successfully run concession stands at athletic and community events and he serves soup each year at the annual Seed Swap hosted at Scott HS. Walters consistently gives his time, talent, and positive attitude in order to make an impact that can be felt throughout the entire building.

FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Lila Simon, Anthony Wayne HS Soccer

Northern Lakes League and District Player of the Year, First Team All-State, United Soccer Coaches All-American, Kent State U. soccer commit

Leah Pike, Anthony Wayne HS Volleyball and Basketball

Northern Lakes League Player of the Year and First Team All-State in both sports, Ball State U. volleyball commit

Madison Franke, Clay HS Volleyball and Softball

First Team All-NLL, Second Team All-State (2025 softball), BGSU softball commit

Davinee Harris, Findlay HS Volleyball, Basketball, Softball

First Team All-Northern Lakes League in three sports

Lily Good, Whitmer HS Cross Country, Swimming, Track

Four-time league champion, holds the school record in the 1600m, 3200m, and 5 K, BGSU distance running commit

MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Victor Singleton, Central Catholic HS Football

Ohio Division III Defensive Player of the Year, two-time state long jump champion (2024, 2025), Texas A&M football commit

Grey Burnett, Perrysburg HS Wrestling

Three-time state champion with a 43-1 junior season record, bronze medalist at U17 World Championships, 55kg champion at U17 Freestyle World Team Trials, Penn State U. commit

Manny Johnson, Central Catholic HS Basketball

First Team All-Catholic High School League, First Team All-State, UToledo basketball commit

Race Kowalczyk, St. John’s HS Basketball

First Team All-Catholic High School League, First Team All-State, Bradley U. basketball commit

Jaxon Duncan, St. Francis HS Cross County and Hockey

First Team All-League and All-State, Ohio Player of the Year (hockey), signed with Austin Bruins in the NAHL

TEAM OF THE YEAR

Ottawa Hills HS Girls Cross Country

OHSAA Division IV state champions

Anthony Wayne HS Girls Soccer

OHSAA Division II state champions

Anthony Wayne HS Cheerleading

America’s Cup National Champions

Napoleon HS Girls Bowling

OHSAA Division II state champions

Perrysburg HS Boys Wrestling

OHSAA Division I state champions