The Riverside Pirates decided to do something different this year for their football team, they hosted their first ever Midnight Madness football practice.

The practice was the first where players were in helmets and pads and were able to hit.

The evening kicked off early with a local band, a tailgate party and cornhole. Then around 11:45 the team marched out to the field and were introduced to the crowd.

At midnight is was time for practice as the Pirates held a two hour practice in front of their fans.

Riverside opens the high school football season Friday night August 28th against Benjamin Logan, a game we will feature on 98.3 WPKO.

On August 1st, members of the Riverside Powerlifting Team competed in the Sonlight Power Bench Press and Deadlift Competition at the Ohio State Fair.

All 18 members of the team placed in the top 3 spots in their individual weight classes.

Mason Harbour broke the state record in the bench press with a lift of 270 lbs in the 165 lb weight class.

Amelia Carter broke the state record in the deadlift with a 320 lb lift in the 242 lb division.

Craig Boling broke the state record in the deadlift with a 410 lb lift in the 13-15 age division.

And Joe Coulson deadlifted 500 pounds and bench pressed 240 pounds in the 181 lb weight class and took home the Best Teenage Lifter award in the middle weights.

The Benjamin Logan Athletic Department is hosting an OHSAA Mandatory Parents Meeting on Thursday, August 6th at 7 pm in the High School Auditorium.

This is an informative meeting that a parent or guardian of each high school athlete wishing to play a fall sport must attend to be able to participate in an OHSAA contest.

There will be a sign-in sheet for each sport where parents can acknowledge their attendance and confirm participation for your student-athlete.

Individual team meetings will also follow the OHSAA meeting to cover all aspects of the upcoming season.

If you have any questions call 937-592-1666.

The 16u Indian Lake Lady Hurricanes picked up five victories to place 2nd in the Indian Lake Final Fling softball tournament.

The Hurricanes beat Urbana Lunachix 8-6. Taylor Manahan hit a triple, hitting doubles were Grace Poeppelman and Deanna Dill. Joining Dill in going 2-3 were Caitlin Jordan and Samantha Love. Jordan was the winning pitcher.

The Hurricanes also knocked off Grand River Styx 8-2. Going 2-3 were Kerstin Harmon and
Dill, who also tripled. India Slayback had a double. Jordan earned the win in the pitching circle.

Indian Lake dominated 13-0 over Kettering Kaos. Harmon and Love combined for the pitching win. Hitting triples were Poeppelman(2-2), and Dill (2-3).Also picking up multiple hits were Harmon, Love, and Jordan, who all went 2-2.

The Hurricanes also earned a win over the Outcasts 7-2. Slayback went 3-4 with a triple, Dill hit a double, and Manahan went 2-3. Jordan was winning pitcher.

Hurricanes also nabbed a tight victory over the Marion Diamonds. Hitting triples were Dill and Lauren Bycynski (2-3). Manahan hit the game winning double. Jordan was the winning pitcher.

The Bellefontaine/Houchin Auto 12U baseball team is currently 4-1 in tournament play in Cooperstown, New York.

The team's sole loss came to New Jersey this morning.

Sports passes for all West Liberty-Salem athletics are now available for purchase in the central office during normal business hours.

Passes are good for any home WLS athletic event.

Prices are Family $285, Adult $135, and Student $40.

Lifetime senior citizen passes are also available for any senior citizen that resides in the district or has a grandchild participating in athletics in the district.

Call 937-465-1149 for any questions.

Mach-O-Chee Quarter Midget Association members traveled to the Little Hoosier 100 in Lakeville, Indiana on August 1st.

Cooper Clouse took first in the Light 160 race with Daniel McPherson coming third.

In the featured 100-lap main event Logan McPherson came in second in the Senior Honda division.

The Bellefontaine High School football season is right around the corner with a game at Wapakoneta on August 28.

Monday marked the first day of practice for the team, with the morning being dedicated to conditioning.

Watch the Chiefs run conditioning sprints here.

Coach Jason Brown spoke about what he expects from his team and what he thinks of the first practice.

With a new offensive system and a young defense, the Chieftains could face adversity this year, but the coach seems optimistic.

Listen to those comments here.

By Justin Miller

Wapakoneta native Joe Horn finished second in the Junior Men's Decathalon at this weekend's Pam Am Games in Trinidad.

Horn is in his sophomore year as a track and field star at the University of Florida.

Earlier this year Horn won the SEC Decathalon Championship.

Rain brought the curtain down early on the racing action at Shady Bowl Speedway on Saturday.

The Pro-4's and Dwarf cars were able to complete features, while the Modified main was called after 13 of the 25 laps.

The 20-lap Ohio Valley Dwarf Car Association feature was once again won by Brandon Bayse of Covington.

The Pro-4 20 lap main turned out to be a family battle, as brothers Josh and Dave Sage of Piqua put on a show in the final 10 laps. Josh Sage came out on top.

The 25 lap modified featured ended early after Lance Young's vehicle crashed and he was Careflighted to Miami Valley Hospital. Sidney's Brian Brandeberry posted the win.

Rain forced the compact, sport stock and Detroit Iron features to be postponed until August 8th.

The super late model Main Event Series will be featured this weekend as well. Racing starts at 7 pm.