NEWTON TOWNSHIP — John Glenn’s Ashlynn Kuklica, a Division II All-Ohioan in 2025, almost crashed through the 40-point barrier with wins in the 400 (:58.56), 1600 (5:13.2) and 3200 (11:28.5) and a third in the 800 (2:30.9), helping the Muskies win a sixth straight team title during the Muskingum Valley League track championships at Maysville High School on Friday, May 15.
That the 3200 was held on the first day of the meet offered Kuklica to make a rare run at a triple in the mid-distance on Day 2.
John Glenn head coach Doug Joy, no stranger to versatile runners in his time in New Concord, surmised Kuklica probably could have placed in sprints if her team needed it.
Her point total was the most since Karlie Zumbro made a run at 40 points as a senior before running hurdles at Ball State.
“To do what she did — I know she wanted to win that 800 really bad,” Joy said of Kuklica. “To run a 400, 800 combo like that — she runs the 400 in 58 seconds — the lactic acid is going to be in her body and it’s unfeasible to get it out. … We thought coming in that we had to get as much as we could out of her to give us a shot.”
The Muskies wound up with room to spare with 132 points, well-ahead of runner-up Sheridan (100) and Tri-Valley (92 1/2). Philo was fifth (70) and Maysville seventh (50).
Other top finishers for John Glenn included Teegan Walrath in the 100 hurdles (third in :16.89) and 300 hurdles (fifth in :52.05), Brooklyn Valentine and Ella Haney in the pole vault (both cleared 9-0), Kaleigh Gibson in the 100 (third in :13.33), Faith Saxton in the long jump (second in 16-4) and 400 (third in 1:01.6) and Breylynn Barr in the shot put (third in 34-3) and discus (seventh in 95-4).
Meadowbrook, led by freshman Vincent Campbell’s dominant showing in the 1600 (in a PR of 4:26.8) and his 3200 win (9:51.4), won a tight boys meet with 91 1/2 points. The Colts also took the 4×800 relay (8:37.4).
Others individuals picking up wins were John Glenn’s Ethan Zell in the 800 (1:56.2), Meadowbrook’s Jahyden Black in the 110 hurdles (:15.52).
Meadowbrook was fourth overall in the girls meet (78) to win the Small School girls title; Maysville was seventh (50), New Lex eighth (33), West M ninth (25), Morgan 10th (13 1/2), Crooksville 11th (9) and Coshocton 12th (8).
Friday, May 15 results
TENNIS
Bobcats’ Vincent secures top seed, sectional title: Jacob Vincent, Quentin Stora, and Silas Hutchison competed in district seeding matches at Dover Park on Friday morning.
Vincent entered as the number one seed in singles play and lived up to his reputation beating Claymont’s third seed Cooper Newton 6-1, 6-1 in his first match. Vincent beat familiar foe Conner Baldwin from Zanesville 6-0, 6-1 to keep the number one seed in the tournament.
“I’m hopeful Jacob will bring the same game and mindset he did today,” Cambridge coach Tim Gibson said. “He will have to battle the same two opponents to move on the tournament trail.”
In doubles, Stora and Hutchison played the number three seeded tandem from Hiland, Lehman and Mullet. The Bobcat pair started slowly falling behind 0-3 in the first set before losing 2-6. The duo played better in the second set but still lost 6-4.
In their second match of the day, Stora and Hutchison lost to the top-seeded team from East Liverpool, Dawson and Cooper. The match was similar to their first match as the Cats lost 1-6, 4-6.
All three will be competing in the district tournament on Monday at 9 a.m. at Dover Park. The winning singles player and the winning doubles team will advance to the state championship on May 28th in Mason, Ohio.
BASEBALL
Cambridge 5, Shenandoah 2: The Bobcats (15-9) baseball team closed the regular season with the victory over Zeps on Friday night under the lights at Don Coss Field at Ron Antill Stadium at the Cambridge City Park.
Senior Mason Gregg finished off the Zeps with two shutout innings that included a double play to end the game. Senior Dawson Geese started the game for the Bobcats pitching two innings, giving up two hits and one run while striking out five. Gregg came on to pitch the final five innings scattering six hits and striking out seven.
Senior Garrett Carpenter had three hits in the game including a double and scored three runs. Geese had two hits including a triple. Gregg picked up a pair of RBIs despite not having a hit.
John Glenn 11, Buckeye Trail 10: The host Muskies came out on top in a non-league slugfest with the Warriors on Friday, May 15 in New Concord.
Kayden McDonald paced John Glenn (9-16) with a double, two singles with three RBIs, while Owen Ables chipped in with two singles and two RBIs.
Buckeye Trail (11-9) was led by senior Sammy Brown who belted a grand slam and finished with five RBIs, with Tyler Harrell finishing with a home run, single with two RBIs. Sam Wayble collected a double, single with a pair of RBIs for the Warriors.
Caldwell 7, Marietta 5: Kyler Starr turned in a 2-for-4 day with a double, single with three RBIs to lead Caldwell past the visiting Tigers on Friday, May 15.
Silas Cain chipped in with an RBI base hit for Caldwell (9-10), while Guiler Preston, Lucas Baker, and Cameron Sidwell each singled.
Izic Cool collected the win on the mound in relief, allowing one run on two hits with three strikeouts, five walks in four and two-thirds innings of work.
Thursday, May 14 results
SOFTBALL
Barnesville 9, Bridgeport 2: Peyton Loudin cranked out three home runs with five RBIs to lead the Shamrocks (past the visiting Bulldogs on Thursday May 14 at Barnesville Memorial Park.
Ella Betts allowed two runs on three hits with seven strikeouts, two walks in five innings of work to earn the victory from the pitching circle for Barnesville (13-12).
Sophie Carpenter doubled, singled for the ‘Rocks, with Roselynn Anderson ripping an RBI double and Becklee Oliver doubled.
Wednesday, May 13 results
BASEBALL
Cambridge 12, John Glenn 1: The Bobcats baseball team took advantage of aggressive base running and another strong pitching performance to defeat John Glenn 12-1 in non-league action at Don Coss Field at Ron Antill Stadium at the Cambridge City Park on Wednesday, May 13.
The Bobcats (14-7) scored five of their 12 runs on passed balls or wild pitches including their first run of the game in the bottom of the first inning.
Senior Garrett Carpenter had three hits and three RBIs in the game including a double. Griffin McIntire had a pair of hits, both in the fourth inning, and drove in a run. Senior Mason Gregg smacked the two-RBI triple to help his own cause.
Gregg went the distance on the mound, throwing only 49 pitches in four innings of work. Gregg struck out two, walked two and gave up only a single run and three hits.
John Glenn (8-15) managed only three hits in the loss, with Keegan Halsey collecting RBI base hit, while Zane Townsend and Keegan Wolford each singled.
Barnesville 19, Meadowbrook 5: The host ‘Rocks had the offense cranked up with 14 hits to coast past the Colts in non-league action at Barnesville Memorial Park on Wednesday, May 13.
Jaxten Swallie doubled, singled twice with five RBIs to lead Barnesville (18-6), Brayden Watters added a triple, single with three RBIs and Gunner Dudzik laced a pair of doubles with two RBIs. Dylan Blon chipped in with double, single, RBI, with Max Miller collecting a pair of base hits with an RBI and Parker Soutka ripped an RBI triple.
Bentley Stephen collected the win on the mound for the ‘Rocks with two innings of relief, racking up three strikeouts and a pair of walks.
Meadowbrook (11-11) was led offensively by Devin Wells with two singles, senior Kam Winnett collected a singled that plated a pair of RBIs. Brady Arnold and Steven Beach each picked up RBI base hits for the Colts.
Tuesday, May 12 results
TRACK
Cambridge girls track sweep tri-meet: The Bobcats girls’ track and field team blew away the competition, winning a tri-meet with Marietta and Monroe Central by more than 50 points.
The Lady Bobcats scored 231 points to Marietta’s 179 and Monroe Central’s 43.
In boys’ action, the Bobcats took second place behind Marietta, scoring 219 points to the Tigers’ 239. Monroe Central scored a point.
Prior to the meet, senior track and field athletes were recognized. The seniors are Emma Brown, Easton Conlon, Grace Dempsey, Audrina Gibson, Parker Hatfield, Kolton Hupp, Damien Shaw, Payton Shiflett, Alaina Sigman, Taven Sloat, Dawson Spratt, and Levi Walker.
Audrina Gibson doubled up with wins in both the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes running a 12.73 in the 100 and 27.02 in the 200. In the relay races with the CHS team of Sydnee Craft, Theodosopoulos, Douglas, and Gibson winning the 4×100-meter relay in 51.13.
Cambridge took the top spot in the 4×200-meter relay with Mya Alexander, Cowgill, Hinson and Cook winning in a time of 1:58.99.
In the field events, Grace Dempsey took first in the shot put with Dempsey throwing 34-feet. In the discus, Bailey Anderson edged Dempsey by throwing 113 feet to win the event.
Alexander won the high jump clearing 4-6, Paisley Williams won the pole vault clearing 12 feet, while Johnston won the long jump with a leap of 15-01.75.
In boys’ action, Damien Kissinger won the 100-meter dash in 11.94, while Damien Shaw, Kissinger, Blaize Barlow and Tyce Tolbert joined forces to win the 4×100-meter relay. Kissinger also won the long jump with a leap of 19-7.
Tolbert claimed the 300-meter hurdles with Tolbert crossing the line in 41.63. In field events, Greyson Stoner won the shot put with a personal best heave of 40-5. Brody Forshey won the pole vault clearing 12-feet.
BASEBALL
Cambridge 5, Buckeye Trail 2: The Bobcats baseball team celebrated senior night with a 5-2 victory over Buckeye Trail in a cross-county rivalry game at Don Coss Field at Ron Antill Stadium at the Cambridge City Park.
The seniors recognized included Izeyah Barnett, Garrett Carpenter, Dawson Geese, Mason Gregg, Austin Jenkins, Michael Micale, and Seth Watkins.
The Bobcats (13-7) scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning giving Carpenter one more run than he would need to pick up the win.
In the game, Carpenter scattered five hits, gave up no earned runs, struck out eight and walked only one.
Senior Dawson Geese had two hits including a triple while Carpenter added a double and senior Mason Gregg a single.
Buckeye Trail (10-8) collected five hits with Sam Wayble banging out a double, with Sammy Brown, Tyler Harrell, Chase Miller and Nick Atkinson each with singles.
Brown took the loss on the mound for the Warriors, allowing five unearned runs on four hits with seven strikeouts in six innings of work.
Monday, May 11 results
Bobcats’ tennis team shines at sectional: The Cambridge High’s boys tennis team put forth a solid effort during the Division II East District sectional tennis tournament held at Dover Park, which finished with a trio of Bobcats advancing on to district tournament next week.
Cambridge’s Jacob Vincent earned the No. 1 seed at the tournament drawing, and Vincent played like a top seed by beating Coshocton’s Chase Danielek by scores of 6-2, 6-2 to punch his district ticket.
Vincent enjoyed a first round bye, and opened his tournament action with a 6-0, 6-1 victory over Nate Irvin from Steubenville Central Catholic to reach the finals.
“Jacob has really master his game this past of season,” CHS tennis coach Tim Gibson said. “He still has to check his emotions, but we haven’t seen his best yet. Hopefully we can get that out of him at districts.”
Also securing the spot in districts was Cambridge’s first doubles team of Silas Hutchison and Quentin Stora, the second seed in the tournament, who also secured an opening round bye.
In their second match, they beat Steubenville Central Catholic second doubles team White and Leonard 6-3, 6-2. And then in their finals match they defeated West Holmes No. 1 team Zheng/Shedron by scores of 6-2, 1-6, 6-4 to move onto the districts.
“Getting both a singles and doubles team out to districts is a plus,” Gibson added. “Now to get our doubles team healed up before next Monday district match. They battled through some adversity today, and hopefully they grow from it.”
Vincent, Hutchison, and Stora will return to Dover later this week to play for seeding and then will play in the District Tournament next Monday for the right to move onto the OHSAA state tennis tournament
BASEBALL
Steubenville 2, Cambridge 0: Host Big Red took advantage of a Bobcats’ miscue to score two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to collect the victory.
Senior Dawson Geese was cruising on the mound for the Bobcats surrendering only two hits and two walks while striking out six through five innings. But getting through the sixth inning proved to be a little tougher.
After striking out the leadoff hitter, Geese issued a walk and followed with his second strikeout of the inning and eighth of the game. The next batter drew another walk to put runners on first and second with two outs.
The Bobcats (12-7) decided to walk the Big Red clean up hitter to load the bases. The strategy failed when a passed ball allowed two runs to score before Geese induced an inning-ending ground ball, a pitch too late.
Senior Mason Gregg and Cam Lauer had the only two Bobcat hits with singles.
Geese ended the night with eight strikeouts in six innings, giving up just two hits and no earned runs.
Buckeye Trail 12, Tuscarawas Central Catholic 1: The Warriors (10-7) coasted to the IVC road win over the Saints by jumping out to lopsided 8-1 lead after three innings.
Trail banged out 14 hits in the victory, with Chase Miller leading the way with a 3-3 effort with two doubles, single with two RBIs, while Sammy Brown doubled, singled twice with two RBIs. Sam Wayble doubled, singled with an RBI, Nick Atkinson doubled, singled with two RBIs.
Brown worked four innings to collect win on the mound, allowing one run on two hits with seven strikeouts and a walk.
SOFTBALL
Caldwell 6, Frontier 5: Junior Breighlee Morraco belted a walk-off two run home run in the bottom of the seventh to give Caldwell the thrilling victory.
Morraco added a single to her game winning “Big Fly” and finished with three RBIs, senior Makayla Mumaw singled three times and Sophia Marshall stroked a double with two RBIs. Matti Hesson added a pair of base hits, with Cecelia Marshall chipping in with an RBI single.
Mumaw turned in a complete game outing to earn the pitching victory for Caldwell (19-3), allowing five runs on six hits with eight strikeouts and a pair of walks.
KSutton1@gannett.com; X: @KSuttonDJSports; Instagram: kevinsutton_dailyjeffsports
This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Muskies’ Ashlynn Kuklica shines at MVL Track Meet, Top Performers May 11-16
Reporting by Kevin Sutton, Cambridge Daily Jeffersonian / The Daily Jeffersonian
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