Challenger Sports, the world's largest soccer camp operator, hosted one of its British Soccer Camps at Southview Park.

Despite soggy conditions, youth players of all ages were present to partake in the camp.

Ryan Cannon, a coach from Scotland, said that he enjoys coaching in the United States because the kids are more enthused here. Ben Massey, a college coach from England, echoed that sentiment. "The kids are fun," Massey said. Cannon added that the weather is typically better here, allowing the staff and players to do more.

Cannon works with the older children, teaching them more technical aspects of the game such as footwork, striking mechanics and other tools that they can use in-game. The kids get to showcase their skills when they break into teams for the camp's "World Cup." The Cup is a series of scrimmages against other teams from the camp. The winner of the most games takes the championship.

Massey works with the younger children, teaching them respect and discipline through games and exercises that are meant to be fun. The kids learn the technical aspects without going through repetitive drills.

See Coach Ben Massey demonstrate "proper" drill technique for the kids.

Massey said that he coaches for the pleasure of watching the kids learn. It's repetitive, he said, but when a kid does what you taught them in a game, "That makes it all worth it."

One of the things Massey stressed during a July 23 workout was keeping one's body between the defender and the ball. The kids ran drills designed to increase their handling skills, including putting the ball in each of four corners ("tree," "cucumber," "peanut butter" and "goal") and pretending to be Nemo from the movie Finding Nemo keeping the ball away from the shark, played by Massey.

Both Cannon and Massey have playing careers back in the United Kingdom. Cannon plays for a First Division Scotland team and Massey plays semi-pro. Massey also won the National Title in college.

Phil Hecker, the father of one of the students in the camp, said that he signed his son up to participate because the coaches are top-notch.

"[Soccer] is their life."

Hecker hopes that his son will be good enough and enjoy the game enough that it will help him later in life. "Maybe it'll help pay for school," he said.

By Justin Miller

Several local runners competed in the 4th Annual Honda Run 4 kids 5K in Marysville on Saturday.

All race proceeds support funding for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.

The race start and finish was at the Honda Marysville dealership at Coleman Crossing. The return leg of the race featured a unique run through the Home Depot store.

There was a record field of 208 runners this year.

Those competing locally were Benjamin Logan cross country runners Logan Leis 7th (17:45), Tyler Ahle 13th (19:23), Courtney Forsythe 43rd (22:17), Kiersten Fultz 68th (24:44), Teryn Forsythe 80th, (25:46), and Coach Nancy Forsythe 152nd (32:31).

Courtney Forsythe won her age group (19-under).

In U13 baseball, Bellefontaine beat West Liberty 8-2 at Blue Jacket Park last night.

Five Bellefontaine pitchers combined to toss a three-hitter with eleven strikeouts.

Cody Lyons, Nick Burton, and Cam Henry each had two hits.

Burton had three RBIs and Henry drove in two runs.

For West Liberty, Garrett Rudasill and Luke Cook each had a hit and scored a run.

The Huntsville #2 coach-pitch team won the postseason championship over Zanesfield #2, 20-6. With the win, Huntsville topped off a perfect 18-0 season.

Pictured:
Row 1, from left: Matthew Risner, Noah Hurley, Carter Klauer, Colin Powers, Ethan Pequignot
Row 2, from left: Gage Dempster, Carder Hakes, Clay Jacobs, Bryce Ramsey, Caleb Taylor, Aaron Malarky
Row 3, from left: Coaches Scott Risner, Rich Powers, Kevin Malarky, Travis Taylor, Steve Klauer, Cale Jacobs

The Mac-O-Chee Quarter Midget Racing Association played host to its regular weekly race this weekend.

In the Junior Honda division, Jeffery Wren Jr. of DeGraff took the win. Clay Siegel finished second and Seth Porter finished third.

In the Senior Honda division, Logan McPherson won the event. Drew Myers and Daniel McPherson came in second and third, respectively.

Daniel McPherson won the Light 160 class, with Logan McPherson finishing second and Chase Dean coming in third.

Nathan McCauley of Columbus won both the Heavy Honda and Heavy 160 classes, with Ethan Mullet finishing second in the Heavy Honda and third in the Heavy 160. Jared Rupert finished third in the Heavy Honda and second in the Heavy 160.

Nathan Herron finally dropped a race at Shady Bowl Speedway Saturday night.

Herron was on a 14-race win streak, but his night ended in defeat. In the 25-lap main, Chris Parker took the win. The race was interrupted by three red flags and the subsequent three restarts that followed.

Herron finished second and Greg Sparks finished third.

Dave Sage won the 20-lap Pro-4 race, and Rob Yelton took the Modified division.

Daniel Wirick, a West Liberty native, won the Ohio Valley Dwarf Car feature race.

Bellefontaine resident Aaron Pippin won the Sport Stock 20-lap race and Mason Patrick won the Compacts.

The Detroit Iron feature was taken by Brian Hartline, with Louie Ebright and Jeff Neer finishing second and third, respectively.

Shady Bowl will host the first of two popular Trailer, Boat and Camper races this Saturday. Racing begins at 7 p.m.

Late Models

1. Chris Parker, 2. Nathan Herron, 3. Greg Sparks, 4. Rick Thompson, 5. Jerry Nagel, 6. Chris Prater, 7. Craig Borland, 8. Rodney Roush, 9. Rob Schaeff, 10. Buck Purtee, 11. Jim Frederick, 12. Brandon Bayse, 13. Vaughn Young

Pro 4

1. Dave Sage, 2. Kenny Snyder, 3. Randy Human, 4. Donnie Hall, 5. Wayne Watkins, 6. Josh Sage, 7. Rodney Schrack

Modifieds

1. Rob Yelton, 2. Rodney Roush, 3. Brian Brandyberry, 4. Jim Lewis Jr., 5. Chad Poole, 6. Brad Williams, 7. Mike Pippen, 8. Dean Pitts, 9. Greg Jackson, 10. Herb Newman

Dwarfs

1. Daniel Wirick, 2. Bill Hostetler, 3. Brandon Bayse, 4. Brad Damewood, 5. Bob Bayse, 6. Jerry Damewood, 7. Max Evans, 8. Larry Priece, 9. Todd Hare, 10. Jerry Harlan, 11. K.T. Knodler

Street Stocks

1. Aaron Pippin, 2. Rodney Roush, 3. Chad Fiessinger, 4. Mark Heath, 5. Chris Abbott, 6. Jason Purtee, 7. Jesse Gade, 8. Jerry Ellis Jr.

Compacts

1. Mason Patrick, 2. David Yoder, 3. Kevin Campbell, 4. Dustin Young, 5. Matt Stone, 6. Brian Temple, 7. Carrol Neece, 8. Robert Roush, 9. Brandon Dilts, 10. Brian Beach, 11. Josh Sage, 12. Kyle Stager, 13. Hunter Welch, 14. Ryan Titus, 15. Kelsey Flynn

Detroit Iron

1. Brian Hartline, 2. Louie Ebright, 3. Jeff Neer

The Indian Lake Lady Hurricanes beat the Springfield Power 13-4 in travel league action. Caitlin and Jenna Jordan each smacked a triple. Caitlin was 3-4 and got the win in the pitching circle. Deanna Dill was 3-4 and Brittney Roby went 4-4.

Jazmyn Haley, a 13 year-old soon-to-be 8th grade student at Bellefontaine Middle School, has advanced to the Junior National Olympics for the fourth consecutive year.

Jazmyn will be competing in the age 13-14 softball throw for track and field. She hopes to add to her two first place finishes in her previous three trips. Jazmyn placed first in the state meet Saturday in Columbus, out throwing all participants in our 10 state region, to qualify for the Nationals, which are being held in Hershey, PA from July 30th to August 2nd.

While in Hershey, participants will meet all of the Team USA Olympic Gold Medalists, and visit the Hershey Chocolate Factory, amusement park, and Chocolate World. Jazmyn also will have the opportunity to obtain a college scholarship from the Hershey Foundation.

Anyone interested in sponsoring Jazmyn for the Junior National Olympics can call 937-407-3810.