Do you Like High School Sports? So do we! Before each season we put out a magazine that previews the upcoming year. Take a look inside each magazine by clicking on the covers below.

Forecast Magazine

The 2023 Winter Magazine is here!

Elyria coach Brett Larrick asked an important question to Ryan Walsh at the start of last season, “Do you want to average more points, or do you want to win more?”Larrick was familiar with Walsh’s determination on the court, and anticipated how Walsh would respond. Walsh adopted a selfless team-first mentality, contributing to the Pioneer’s successful 18-win campaign last spring. He shifted his focus from simply scoring to getting his teammates involved on the court. These efforts tripled his nightly assist numbers, going from 2.1 to 6.5 per game, totaling 154 assists on the year, and made him an all-around better player. Walsh also showcased his defensive skills, finishing with a team-high 55 steals and taking 6 charges while still averaging a remarkable 16 points per game. Walsh capped off the 2022-2023 season earning Lorain County’s top honors and the moniker “Mr. Basketball” before starting a new chapter with the Sharks’ ball club at Nova Southeastern University. 

While the Pioneers celebrated a winning-season and “Mr. Basketball” honors, so did the Middies across town. 

Midview’s girls basketball program had a historic season that ended in a trip to the state tournament and the school’s first Lorain County “Miss Basketball” honors in over two decades.Mary Meng, a towering presence at 6-foot-5, was named “Miss Basketball” and cemented her name in school history. She left an incredible mark on the court in her senior season, averaging 16 points, 17 rebounds and 4 blocks per game. Her dominance extended to breaking school records too, with 29 rebounds in a single game and an astonishing 460 rebounds in a single season.Furthermore, Meng secured her place in Ohio basketball history, ranking third in all-time career rebounds statewide with a staggering 1,476. Midview coach Brittany McNamara-Cole expressed, “She (Meng) is a program changer,” a sentiment that resonates throughout the Lorain County basketball community.Meng returns to the court this season, this time as part of Michigan State’s program, where she will go head-to-head against some of the nation’s top competition. The 2022-2023 season will be remembered not only for the action on the court but the impressive accomplishments achieved by some of Lorain County’s top players. With the departure of standouts like Ryan Walsh and Mary Meng, the stage is set for emerging talents to step into the spotlight.

The 2023 Fall Magazine is here!

Elyria Catholic’s all-time single season and career rushing yards leader heard “Leeeeeevi Ellis” belted over the speakers at the corner of Gulf and Poplar many times over the past several seasons. Although Ellis doesn’t overwhelm with his physical traits, standing 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 195 pounds, he was a force to be reckoned with for opposing defenses on Friday nights. 

Ellis rarely disappointed Panthers fans. 

His career rushing yards (5,098) put him on top of the Elyria Catholic leaderboard, surpassing two-time state champion running back Al McKinney. His senior season was particularly special. Ellis averaged over 170 yards per game with an 8.1 yards-per-carry average and 30 touchdowns. Ellis’ success doesn’t stop at the end zone. After holding a GPA above 4.0 during his time as a Panther, Ellis is continuing his career at Hillsdale College and playing football. 

 

Following in the footsteps of Penn State quarterback Drew Allar, another college-bound athlete, is no easy task. However, this challenge doesn’t seem to faze Medina quarterback Danny Stoddard.Like Allar, the recipient of the 2021 Ohio Mr. Football award, Stoddard turned heads every time he took the field in the Bees’ uniform. 

Stoddard, however, may be even better.

He holds every significant Medina County season passing record, including passing yards (5,035) and touchdowns (58). His 621 passing yards against Avon last season stand as a county single-game record. Simply put, the kid can sling it, and then some. On two separate occasions in 2022, he threw for five touchdowns in a single game. Stoddard earned the Division I All-Ohio and co-offensive player of the year honors. He was also named the Northeast Inland District Division I Offensive Player of the Year and the Greater Cleveland Conference Offensive Player of the Year. The sky will be the limit for Stoddard during his senior season.

 

The 2023 Spring Magazine is here!

Shortstops Annika Bredel (Elyria Catholic) and Cassidy Kettleman (Amherst) shared the 2022 Lorain County “Miss Softball” title. 

Kettleman is the fourth Comets player to receive the award, posting an astounding .623 batting average with seven doubles, six triples, three home runs and 40 RBIs over the course of 28 games her senior season. She struck out just once last season.

And with a .957 fielding percentage, her glove is as good as her bat. Kettleman is studying at Indiana University in Bloomington, where she also plays softball in the Big Ten Conference. 

Bredel is the first Panther to receive the award, amassing a .649 batting average with 11 doubles, five triples, nine home runs and 28 RBIs over the course of 19 games her senior season. She was also a perfect 27-for-27 in stolen base attempts, and had a .907 fielding percentage.

She left her mark on Lorain County sports history, setting records for her career batting average (.626) and home runs (37), before heading to the University of Findlay to continue her academic and athletic career. 

In addition to both being “Miss Softball” and both being shortstops, Kettleman and Bredel have another thing in common: They are the only players in Lorain County history to finish with a career batting average over .600.

Dominic Poltrone (Avon Lake) is Lorain County’s 2022 “Mr. Baseball,” one of many honors he received last year. He was also named the Southwestern Conference’s MVP and Lorain County Division I “Player of the Year.”

As a senior for the Shoremen, Poltrone was nearly untouchable on the mound. He finished his 2022 campaign with a 5-2 record, 1.42 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 44.1 innings of work, allowing only nine earned runs in eight starts. 

Prior to a mid-season wrist injury, Poltrone delivered at the plate too – tallying a .484 batting average, 16 RBIs and nine stolen bases. 

Poltron is playing baseball this spring at Lake Erie College.

The 2022 Winter Magazine is here!

Midview has a long history of success with their basketball program. Last season was no exception when standout player Aden Gregory earned the Lorain County Mr. Basketball award. He joined other Middies players Jonny Manning (2020) and Anthony Stacey (1995) with this honor. The 6-foot-5 wing player was a scoring machine his senior season, averaging more than 22 points per game. Gregory also controlled the glass averaging more than eight rebounds and four assists. Gregory is one of four Midview players to have scored 1,000 career points in school history. He earned other top honors including Southwestern Conference (SWC) Player of the Year and a first-team All-Northeast Lakes District pick, before continuing his basketball career at Ashland University.

Girls’ basketball in the SWC is competitive too, and even more so with Avon’s Abby Liber. Liber earned the Lorain County Miss Basketball award after finishing her senior season as the Eagles’all-
time leading scorer, averaging 19 points per game. Only one other Avon player has received this honor, Emily Julius (2012). She led the Eagles on the court with rebounds, assists, steals and
points scored, and Liber is brilliant off the court too. She finished high school with a 4.3 GPA before heading to St. Louis University to study and play Division I basketball.

In Lorain County the Burnett name is synonymous with wrestling. Former Pioneers coach Erik Burnett retired after the 2021-2022 season having spent decades with Elyria’s program. His son Nate finished his high school career with a bang. Nate Burnett ended his high school career sharing the Lorain County Wrestler of the Year title with teammate Peyton Fenton after battling through a late-season knee injury, grinding his way to a state semifinal appearance. He graduated as a four-time state qualifier and a three-time state placer, now wrestling at Clarion University where his 2020 Clarion Sports Hall of Fame inductee father wrestled and earned a fifth-place finish at 118 pounds at the 1992 NCAA Championships.

The 2022 Fall Magazine is here!

Another season of football has arrived for Lorain and Medina counties, along with some new players in key roles and fresh faces in coaching positions. However, before looking ahead to the 2022 season forecast, there are some great players to mention from the 2021 season who will be continuing their athletic careers in college. 

Keystone High School graduate Gideon Lampron is the third Wildcat to win the Golden Helmet award over the past decade. He joins C.J. Conrad (2014) and former teammate Jacob Shackelford (2019). 

Lampron was a dominant player for Keystone, running for 1,228 yards and 20 touchdowns and catching 22 passes for 311 yards with one touchdown. Defensively, Lampron was a quick and explosive linebacker for the Wildcats, recording 132 tackles (24 for loss) as well as three interceptions and one sack. Lampron is continuing his athletic career at the University of Dayton this fall.

Medina High School graduate Drew Allar was the 2021 Gazette Football MVP and 2021 Ohio Mr. Football, awarded by the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association. During the 2021 season, Allar completed 4,444 passing yards and 48 touchdowns – the most of any Division I quarterback in Ohio. Allar led the Bees to a regional final last year on top of an undefeated regular season. 

Allar will be heading to Penn State to join the Nittany Lions football program. Those in Happy Valley are eagerly awaiting Allar’s Penn State debut. “He’ll not only lead the offense, but eventually, he will be one of the leaders of the football program there,” Medina coach Larry Laird said. “He’s just got what you call the ‘it’ factor.”

With Lampron and Allar heading off to college, the 2022 Wildcats and Bees will have some big shoes to fill with new players adapting to these roles, as will several other area teams throughout Lorain and Medina counties. Fans can expect an action-packed 2022 season and postseason with many surprises.

2021 – 2022 Forecast Magazine

2022 Spring Magazine is here!

In the 2021 season, the Keystone Wildcats softball team delivered an unbelievable season, culminating in the program’s fifth state championship. Keystone also became the first softball program ever in Ohio to reach 1000 total wins! Even with head coach Jim Piazza in a different role at Elyria Catholic now, new head coach Doug Cooper promises to keep the tradition going. Senior pitcher Lily Cassell returns, coming off a 30-1 record last season. The cupboard isn’t empty in LaGrange, so expect to see the Cats back on the big stage this season!

Be sure to click on the cover to check out previews for all of our local high school baseball and softball teams. Plus, read up on what lies ahead this year for the Lake Erie Crushers and Cleveland Guardians!

 

 

 

The 2021 Fall Forecast Magazine is here!

 

As any Avon fan knows, it’s always a great day to be an Eagle. “Great” might not be enough to describe Niko Pappas’ abilities under center last season for Avon. In his senior year, Pappas completed 66% of his passes, throwing for 1,839 yards along with 21 touchdowns. His arm wasn’t the only thing worrying defenses. Niko also rushed for 700 yards, including nine touchdowns on a 8.1 yards per carry average. Those efforts led Avon to their fourth straight regional championship and fourth straight Division II state semi-final appearance. He will continue his collegiate studies at Baldwin Wallace University in the fall.

Coming back from a knee injury in the midst of a global pandemic isn’t easy. Yet, for Medina wide receiver Luke Hensley, the challenge propelled him to a higher level. He was named GCC co-offensive Player of the Year, Northeast Inland District D-I Offensive Player of the Year, and first-team All-Ohio. His senior season saw him tally 66 catches for 1,039 yards and 15 touchdowns, all school records. Helping the team to playoff wins over St. Edward’s and St. Ignatius capped a tremendous Bees career for Luke. Hensley is committed to play at Youngstown State this fall.

2020 – 2021 Forecast Magazine

The 2021 Spring Forecast Magazine is here!

After an absence in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, high school spring sports in Lorain County are finally back!

Inside this edition of the magazine, you will find both baseball AND softball season previews for our local teams!

Plus, schedules and previews for both the Cleveland Indians and Lake Erie Crushers can be found inside!

Looking to hear some of the best action our local teams have to offer? Check out the WEOL spring broadcast schedule in the magazine.

It will be a fun-filled spring and summer in Lorain County!

 

 

The 2020-2021 Winter Forecast Magazine is here!

Featured on the cover are Jonny Manning from Midview, Ally Winnen from Elyria Catholic, and Jake Evans from Elyria!

Helping lead the Midview Middies to their first SWC Title since 2016, Manning led the Middies averaging 17.6 points per contest, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.5 blocks in what was a fantastic senior season. Midview coach Jim Brabenec calls him a “coach’s dream” due to his ability both as a player and a leader. Manning sits third on the all-time scoring list at Midview with 1,097 career points. He is also the school’s second leading rebounder all-time with 746.

After a fantastic career with the Elyria Catholic Panthers, Ally took her talents to University Center, Michigan, where she now plays for Saginaw Valley State University. Her senior season, she averaged 17.4 points a night on top of 11.5 rebounds. She also became the 5^th 1,000-point scorer in school history. Her efforts, in addition to winning Lorain County Miss Basketball, earned her second-team All-Ohio honors.

Getting ready for his senior campaign, Jake Evans of Elyria earned himself the honor All-Chronicle Wrestler of the Year last season. Evans was 41-2 last season and a favorite to compete for the 182-pound title before COVID-19 shut down the state meet. He is committed to further is wrestling and academic career at the Division 1 level at the University of Indiana.

The 2020 Fall Forecast Magazine is here!

Featured on the cover are Jacob Shackelford from Keystone and Jack Grice from Wadsworth!

Jacob Shackelford was named the Lorain County Golden Helmet winner. Shackelford was a dual threat for one of the best offenses in the county, rushing for 1,247 yards and 18 touchdowns to go along with 1,478 yards passing and 15 touchdown passes as well. It marked the second straight season that Shackelford ran and threw for more than 1,000 yards in a season. Shackelford had a nice career defensively as well, picking off five passes in his career and taking three of those back for touchdowns. Shackelford will continue his athletic and academic career at Ashland.

Jack Grice of Wadsworth was named the Medina Gazette’s MVP. Grice had a sensational senior season for the Grizzlies, tallying 150 total tackles, including 10.5 for a loss to go along with 6.5 sacks. Grice also recovered a pair of fumbles and picked off a trio of passes his senior year as well on a team that made it all the way to the regional semi-finals. The 6-foot, 205 pounder also earned First Team All-Ohio honors as well. Grice’s athletic and academic career will continue at NCAA-II powerhouse Grand Valley State.

2019 – 2020 Forecast Magazine

The 2020 Spring Forecast Magazine is here!

Featured on the spring cover for 2020 are Lorain County’s Mr. Baseball Leighton Banjoff from Elyria Catholic and the county’s Miss Softball Sydney Campbell from Keystone.

Banjoff compiled a .483 batting average and amassed 158 hits, 127 runs scored, 90 RBIs, 45 doubles, 13 triples, 10 home runs, and 84 stolen bases during his high school career at Elyria Catholic. He was named the Grear Lakes Conference Player of the Year twice in his career. In 2019, he received honors for District Player of the Year. He also accumulated three first-team all-district honors and two first-team all-state accolades. Banjoff was a multi-sport athlete, earning three letters in football and two letters in basketball. He was also a member of the National Honors Society and graduated with a 4.0 GPA as he heads off to the University of Nebraska.

Campbell threw a county-record four perfect games en route to a state record 63 consecutive victories in 2019. She went 25-1 with a 0.33 ERA, 267 strikeouts, and 18 shutouts in 167 innings pitched. In her four year career at Keystone, she went 70-4 with a 0.50 ERA and 50 shutouts. She led the program to its fourth Division II state championship during her junior season, and to a state semifinals appearance in 2019. In addition to the All-Ohio and Lorain County Miss Softball honors, she was named to the All-Lorain County first team, All-Patriot Athletic Conference first team, county Pitcher of the Year, and Max-Preps All-American first team honors. She now attends Oakland University in Michigan.

The 2019 Fall Forecast Magazine is here!!

This year, Columbia’s Brandon Coleman graces the cover of the Lorain County edition of the Forecast Magazine.

After a junior year that ended early do to an ACL Injury, Columbia’s Brandon Coleman returned to true form in 2018. On his way to capturing the Lorain County Golden Helmet Honor, the Raiders running back rushed for 1,698 yards and scored 23 touchdowns. During his four seasons at Columbia, Coleman set an new Lorain County record rushing for 5,141 yards. While he was outstanding on the offensive side of the ball, it will be defense where Coleman tries to make his mark in the future. In 2019 Coleman will join the linebacker core at Kent State University.

You can pick up the Lorain Edition of the Forecast Magazine in home delivered Chronicle Telegrams, or at select businesses in Lorain County.

Check out the electronic version of the magazine by clicking on the image of Brandon Coleman on the left.

 

 

 

For the High School Football Fans in Medina County, Highlands Jake Rogers is featured on the cover of the Medina County edition of our yearly magazine.

The Medina Gazeette MVP was the backbone of a young Highalnd Hornets team, that posted a seven game winning streak in 2018 and came up just shy of a postseason berth. On the field the Bowling Green State Recruit did just about everything posting 193 carries for 1,391 yards and 18 touchdowns, and pulling in 19 catches for 353 yards and six touch downs. On special teams, he was just a deadly returning seven kickoffs for 189 yards and a touchdown, and 11 punts for 257 yards and three touchdowns. The combined statistic led Rogers to a school record 28 touchdowns and 170 points.

This season, the former Highland Hornet will move over to wide receiver as he continues his playing career as a member of the Falcons.

Along with being inserted into select copies of the Medina Gazette, you can pick up Medina County editions of the Forecast Magazine at local businesses.

If you can’t wait for a hard copy, check out the electronic version of the magazine, by clicking on the image of Rogers above.

2018 – 2019 Forecast Magazine

The 2019 Spring Forecast Magazine features articles that take an in depth look at the High School Softball and Baseball seasons ahead. Indians fans will also enjoy a preview article that looks at this year’s team and how they are projected to do in the American League Central. Finally, readers will catch up with Lake Erie Crushers great Andrew Davis in an article written by the voice of the Crushers himself, Andy “Bull” Barch.

Along with the great articles found in this years edition of the Spring Forecast, there are also season schedules for the Cleveland Indians and Lake Erie Crushers. If you are wondering when you can hear your favorite team on WEOL this Softball and Baseball season, make sure to check out the Broadcast schedule located on page two.

Check out the electronic version of the 2019 Spring Forecast by clicking on the image of the magazine.

 

 

The 2018-2019 Winter Forecast Magazine Features 2018 Lorain County Ms. Basketball Izzy Geraci of North Ridgeville along with Mr. Basketball winner Dorian Crutcher of Elyria Catholic.

Inside this winter’s magazine you will find you articles written by our broadcasters previewing the upcoming on the boys and girls high school basketball season, schedules for WEOL game broadcasts and individual area schools, a special feature interview with the voice of the Columbus  Blue Jackets Bob McElligot and a whole section dedicated to high school wrestling that includes a preview article written by the CT’s Shaun Bennett.

To view the electronic version of the 2018-2019 Winter Forecast click on the cover .

 

 

The 2018 Fall Forecast Magazine is here!!

This year, Lorain’s Justin Sturgill graces the cover of the Lorain County edition of the Forecast Magazine.

He took home the Gold Helmet Award last season after leading the Titans to an 8-3 record and passing for 1,423 yards and 22 touchdowns.

Inside the Lorain County Edition of the Forecast Magazine you will find articles previewing the area teams, looking back at professional sports in Cleveland in 1948 when WEOL first hit the air-waves, and reminiscing about some of the great moments that took place inside Ely Stadium as the Elyria High Pioneers prepare to open the year in their brand new facility. As always, you will also find team schedules for area high school football teams, the WEOL Broadcast Schedule and previews of the Browns and Buckeyes.

You can pick up the Lorain Edition of the Forecast Magazine in home delivered Chronicle Telegrams, or at select businesses in Lorain County.

If you cant wait to get a hard copy, check out the electronic version of the magazine by clicking on the image of Justin Sturgill on the left.

 

For the High School Football Fans in Medina County, Wadsworth’s Joey Baughman is featured on the cover of the Medina County edition of our yearly magazine.

Along with being named the Medina Gazette MVP, Baughman also took home the sports highest accolade in the state earning the honor of Ohio’s Mr. Football.

In his senior season with the Grizzlies, Baughman was nothing short of amazing leading Wadsworth to their first undefeated season since ’96, and the teams first Suburban League title since ’09. At quarterback he set three single game county records for passing yards (416 yards vs North Royalton), total offense (520 yareds vs Hudson) and passing touchdowns (five vs Sylvania Northview).

This year’s Medina County Forecast Magazine features a preview article of the county teams, schedules for the WEOL Medina County Match Up and High School teams, and a preview of the season ahead for Ohio State and the Cleveland Browns.

Along with being inserted into select copies of the Medina Gazette, you can pick up Medina County editions of the Forecast Magazine at local businesses. Again, if you can’t wait for a hard copy, check out the electronic version of the magazine, by clicking on the image of Joey Baughman on the left.

2017-2018 Forecast Magazine

 

Keystone’s Sammie Stefan (2017 LC Miss Softball) along with  Elyria Catholics Andrew Abrahamowiicz and Amherst’s Xavier Moore (Co-LC Mr Baseball) don the cover the latest Spring Forecast Magazine.

Inside you can read preview articles for Lorain County high school  softball and baseball, take a look at the last ten years of the Lake Erie Crushers organization and view an Indians preview article written by Jim Rosenhaus of the Indians Radio Network.

Along with schedules for the Indians and Crushers, you can also find a complete schedule for high school softball and baseball games to be aired on WEOL.

Check out the electronic version of the 2018 Spring Forecast by clicking on the image of the cover.

 

The 2017-2018 Winter Forecast Magazine Features 2017 Lorain County Mr. Basketball Naz Bohannon of Lorain along with the Co Ms.Basketball winners McKenah Peters of Keystone and Sydney Roule of Amherst on the cover.

Inside the Magazine there are feature articles on the boys and girls high school basketball season, the WEOL broadcast schedules, high school boys and girls team basketball schedules, and a whole section dedicated to high school wrestling that includes an a preview article written by the CT’s Shaun Bennett.

To view the electronic version of the 2017-2018 Winter Forecast click on the cover .

 

 

This years 2017 Lorain County Fall  Forecast Magazine features Midview Quarterback Dustin Crum on the cover. He earned 2016 Lorain County Mr. Football honors passing for 32 touchdowns and running for 14 more. In his final year as a Middie he also broke the schools single season rushing yards record with 1,557 yards.

This years magazine, features all the area high school schedules as well as schedules for the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Cleveland Browns. Along with Schedules you will also find articles in the magazine previewing the upcoming year, taking a look at the playoff format, and checking up on the coaching changes in the county.

You can view the 2017 Lorain County Fall Forecast Magazine by clicking on the cover now.

 

 

This years 2017 Medina County Fall Forecast Magazine features Medeina’s Jimmy Daw on the cover. The former Battling Bee running back was named the Medina Gazette MVP of 2016. In his senior season with Medina, Daw rushed for a remarkable 1,385 yards wile scoring 32 touchdowns. He also had 36 receptions for 818 yards and nine touchdowns. The 41 touchdowns scored by Daw in 2016 set a new record in Medina County.

This years Medina County magazine features a preview article covering all the schools in Medina County. Inside the magazine you will also find high school football schedules for all the area teams.

To view this Fall’s Forecast magazine, click on the cover now.

 

2016-2017 Forecast Magazines

 

The cover of this years Spring Forecast magazine features Lorain County Ms. Sottball Summer Constable of Keystone and Lorian County Mr. Baseball Antonio Bennett of Clearview. 

Inside the magazine you can view previews of the 2017 High School Softball and Baseball seasons with articles from the the Chronicle Telegrams Todd Shapiro and Tim Gebhardt. This year’s magazine also features stores on the Lake Erie Crushes and Cleveland Indians.

Not only can you read the articles, but the magazine also has schedules for the Lake Erie Crushers and the Cleveland Indians.

To view the magazine right here on WEOL.com click on the cover of the 2017 Spring Forecast.

 

The cover of this years Winter Forecast Magazine features 2016 Lorain County Mr. Basketball Bo Furcron from Elyria, and  the 2016 Lorain County Ms. Basketball Riley Schill from Elyria Catholic.  Under the cover you will find all the great features that make the Forecast Magazine great. Read preview articles about Lorain County high school boys and girls basketball teams written by the guys who call the games, and a see what lies ahead for Lorain County wrestling teams in a article written by the Chronicle Telegram’s Shaun Bennett. Along with the previews articles you can find  basketball schedules for area boys and girls basketball teams and all the Lorain County high school wrestling teams. The Winter Forecast comes out on Friday, Nov. 18. Look for it delivered in the Chronicle Telegram or at local business around Lorain County.

 

 

The 2016 Lorain County Fall Forecast features some great football preview articles about the area high school teams, the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Cleveland Browns. Inside you will also find the football schedules of all the Lorain County teams and area colleges. This years magazine also features memories from the Lorain County coaches and the WEOL Broadcast team. Enjoy.

 

 

The 2016 Medina County Fall Forecast Magazine takes an in depth look at the upcoming season of Medina County high school football with a preview article written by Brad Bournival. The magazine also features the entire schedule for the upcoming Tri-C Medina County Match-Up which you will be able to hear every Friday night of the football season right here on WEOL.com stream 3.