May 1, 2013 PDF Edition of the Perrysburg Messenger Journal

P E R R Y S B U R GY O U R H O M E T O W N N E W S P A P E RMESSENGER JOURNALPERRYSBURG MESSENGER JOURNAL — May 1, 2013 — Page 112013 Arbor Day Poster Contest WinnersSECOND SECTIONWWW.PERRYSBURG.COMPHS girls basketball coach Todd Sims named Ohio Division I Coach of the YearBy Scott BukerFollowing an extremelysuccessful 23-2 season, aNorthern Lakes League(NLL) championship and aberth in the regional semifinals,Perrysburg girls basketballhead coach ToddSims was named OhioDivision I Coach of theYear by members of thestate media.In his fourth year at thehelm of the Lady Jackets,Coach Sims notched hisbest season. And the coachcredits his personal accoladesto the entire basketballprogram in Perrysburg.“I think what this awardmeans is that we have areally good program whichbegins in elementary schoolwith the Junior Jackets andthe great volunteer coaches,”he explained. “Fromthere it progresses to thetravel teams and again,great volunteer parentcoaches. And then on tojunior high, freshman andjunior varsity programs.“It is a great honor forme but I am not the onlyone who deserves it. Iaccept it on behalf of theentire program and everyonewho has helped thegirls along the way.”Over four years, CoachSims transformed the teampersonality to match hiscoaching personality–aggresive and fast-pacedCoach Todd Simswith high expectations anddesire.The Lady Jackets’ totalwins increased each of thefour years under the coachending this year with 23winds and a final ranking ofeighth in the state.“We’ve progressed inmy four years as headcoach and taken that nextstep each year,” addedCoach Sims. “I believe it isimportant for everyone tounderstand that we havehigh expectations and willcontinue to reach thoseexpectations, but areextremely proud of what wehave accomplished.“We’ve built our programup to where we expectto be good, but yet we stillhave to work hard. We arereally close to being somewherewhere this school hasnever been,” he said.The team played a fastpacedgame that featuredconstant aggressive andpress defense. He was quickto add that the personalityand skill set of the playersmatched his desired form ofplay as well.Coach Sims describedthe 2013 Lady Jacket teamas “relentless.” The teamonly had one returningstarter from last year, butextremely athletic playerswere waiting in the wings.However, basketball experiencewas limited, he added.“We started to gel as ateam with the first gameagainst Northview and thatgot us off to a great start,”said the coach. “Once thelight came on, they wereamazing and were amazingall year.”As meaningful as it isbeing named Coach of theYear, it is even more specialfor the Perrysburg coach.“I’m a Perrysburg guyand nobody loves Perrysburgmore than I do,” saidthe 1984 PHS graduate andtwo-year letter winner inbasketball. “I live here,went to school here, andplayed sports here.“Perrysburg is a greatplace to live. It is where Iam raising my kids. Ourschool system is like noneother with great academicsand great sports. This awardmeans a lot to me becauseof this city.”Coaching in the districtfor more than 22 years, Mr.Sims also is an assistantvarsity football coach andhas coached softball andtrack.He shares the Coach ofthe Year honors with JulieSolis of Twinsburg andTrish Kruse of Solon.‘Go Perrysburg’ campaign gears up for strong finish for levySt. Rose winners from left, are Joe Dynda, grade one; Jacy Foos, grade two; Hannah Jeffrey, grade three;Gwen Noe, grade four, and Grant Mickens, grade five. Back row from left, are Shelly Brossia, assistant principal;Jon Eckel, director of public service, and street tree commission members Robert Zak, Scott Kirby, DonLeider, Tony Kucic and Brody Walters.Fort Meigs winners with Scott Best, principal, and Jon Eckel, director of public service, from left, are DrewStockwell, grade one; Lauren Swartz, grade two; Olivia Luscombe, grade three; Hannah Davis, grade four, andLili Manea, grade five.Ready to hit the campaign trail for the “Go Perrysburg”transit levy are Carol Russell and DodieStrauss.The “Go Perrysburg”campaign to pass a levythat would restore transportationindependence toindividuals in the City ofPerrysburg continues togain momentum as the May7 Election Day approaches.A final postcard mailingto targeted voters is scheduledfor May 3.This weekend, morethan 20 volunteers will godoor-to-door on the fourthand fifth scheduled canvassingevents while othervolunteers will make telephonecalls.Without this levy, therewill be no public transportationfor seniors orpeople living with disabilitiesin Perrysburg. Thefive-year, 0.8-mill levy willcost the owner of a$200,000 home approximately$4 each month andwill provide a dial-a-rideservice for a fee to residentsthroughout the city.This is a 70 percentreduction compared to theprevious system.“A national study byCambridge Systematics,Inc. shows that businessesrealize an average gain insales three time the publicsector investment in transitcapital, so this is clearly awin-win situation for residentsand businesses alike,”said Jack Hoeflinger, committeechairman.According to the committee,the best part of thislevy is that it will keep Perrysburgstable by enablingPHS relay team wins state championshipThe Perrysburg High School 4x800 team recently won the Indoor Relay Division 1 StateChampionship. Pictured with their winning plaque which will be displayed on the wall at thehigh school are team members Emily Wyric, Jordan Doore, Taylor Monheim and CourtneyClody.VOTE on Tuesday, May 7!HHHHHHHHHHHHHHJan Samples, Gil Lutz and Satch were out campaigning this past weekend.residents to stay in theirhomes longer and age withindependence and dignity.“They won’t have to askfriends and family membersto take off work totransport them to healthcareand other essentialappointments,” said Mr.Hoeflinger.For additional information,visit the Web site atwww.perrysburg4transit.com.PHS to present OHSAA awardsPerrysburg High Schoolwill honor several studentswith awards from the OhioHigh School Athletic Associationon Tuesday, May 14,at 6:30 p.m., in the highschool auditorium.Emily Wyrick and RyanRoth have been selected toreceive the Archie GriffinSportsmanship Award. Theaward, named for two-timeHeisman Trophy winnerArchie Griffin, is presentedeach year to a male andfemale student who havebeen outstanding in theirefforts to promote sportsmanshipin their school andcommunity.Samantha Gremler andJim Reddick have beenselected to receive theCollege planning meetings at PHSset for May 2, 9The Perrysburg HighSchool counseling departmentis hosting two workshopsfor parents of sophomoresand juniors to assistwith the college planningprocess.The junior parents arewelcome to attend Thursday,May 2, at 7 p.m., in the highschool media center.Sophomore parents willhave their meeting Thursday,May 9, at 7 p.m.National Award of Excellence.This honor reflects thecommitment of the OHSAAand the National Federationof high school sports to theacademic excellence of Ohiostudent-athletes.John Gadient and AngelaPanzero will receive theOHSAA Top Scholar AthleteAward.Dave Matolyak, athleticbooster president, has beenchosen to receive the StateAward for Sportsmanship.This award is intended for aperson within the schoolwho continually exemplifiesgood sportsmanship. Thisaward honors communitymembers who volunteerwith the high school athleticsprograms.These meetings are notrequired, but are provided tohelp parents help their studentsfind their way throughthe maze of applications,financial aid, and testing situationsthat students willencounter in the years tocome.For more information,call Rick Rettig at PerrysburgHigh School at 419-874-3181, extension 5186.Toth winners from left, are Kayla McCorkle, grade one; Christian Schultz, grade two; Mairy Stevenson, gradethree; Rachel Hefner, grade four, and Thomas Watkins, grade five. Back row, from left, are Dr. Beth Christoff,principal; Jon Eckel, director of public service, and street tree commission members Robert Zak, Scott Kirby,Don Leider, Tony Kucic and Brody Walters.Woodland winners from left, are Duncan Russell, grade five; Abram Hire, grade one; Ric Eedinger, gradetwo; Carah Kessler, grade three, and Faith Obaob, grade four. Back row, from left, are Bill McFarland, interimprincipal; Jon Eckel, director of public service, and street tree commission members Robert Zak, Scott Kirby,and Don Leider.Frank winners from left, are Ella Hammitt, grade one; Carter Petteys, grade 2; Olivia Lattimore, grade three;Maddy Wagner, grade four, and Sierra Hickerson, grade five. Back row, from left, are Brent Swartzmiller, principal;Jon Eckel, director of public service, and street tree commission members Robert Zak, Scott Kirby, DonLeider and Tony Kucic.