Westerville students, teams honored for spring state titles, national placings and sportsmanship

A Westerville City (Regular School District) recognition event honored students and teams for spring 2026 accomplishments, highlighting state and national placings across softball, track and field, fishing and academic competitions.

Moderator announced that the Westerville Central girls softball team, introduced by coach Mike Fields, finished as Division II runners‑up in the Ohio High School Athletic Association state championship game on June 7 in Akron against Kings Mills. The team posted a 28–3 record, tying the school record for wins in a season, made the program’s first state final and completed a 21‑game winning streak that included OCC district and regional titles. Nine players earned OCC honors, four earned all‑district recognition and two earned all‑state honors; Coach Mike Fields was named the 2026 OCC Ohio division softball coach of the year.

The program also recognized middle‑ and high‑school track and field competitors. The moderator named several middle‑school podium finishers from the OHSAA 7th/8th grade meets (May 16, Hilliard Darby), including Addie Wilkins (2nd in the 200m hurdles; 4th in the 100m hurdles) and Heritage Middle School’s 4x200 relay (2nd). State champions in the 4x400 relay—Avionn Ashley, Javier Brown, Demani Hickman and Jaden Stache—were acknowledged; Javier also placed 9th in the 200m and 13th in the 100m. Madison Ivory (Walnut Springs Middle School) placed 2nd in the 100m hurdles and 6th in the 200m hurdles.

From the high‑school ranks, Simone Smith (Westerville Central) won the state discus title and placed 3rd in the shot put and is reported to be headed to Ole Miss to compete collegiately. Robert Young was listed as state runner‑up in the 400m (not present to accept his certificate). Elijah Harris placed 3rd in the high jump and will attend Texas Christian University to continue competing. Other state placings noted included Skyler Brittman (3rd in the 100m hurdles; 9th in the 300m hurdles), Jonathan Ekpo (6th in the 200m) and Mohammed Aysa (6th in the 100m seated wheelchair event). Westerville North’s Casey Carlos was recognized for finishes at state in the 3,200m (5th), 1,600m (6th) and participation on the 4x800 relay (13th); he will compete at Ohio University.

The meeting also honored non‑track achievements: Walnut Springs Middle School students Anthony Thomas and Reeves Kukas placed 2nd in the Ohio Junior Bass Federation State Championship (Indian Lake, May 9) and will compete in the Major League Fishing Junior World Championship in Arkansas in July. Adeline Kenny of Charrington Elementary received one of three Ohio Outstanding School Safety Patrol Awards for 2025–26 from the AAA Club Alliance (Worthington) after completing all 39 safety patrol assignments and serving as a kindergarten bus buddy. At the 2026 Business Professionals of America national conference in Nashville, students Lena Sneeringer and Amber Loya Sotomayor—representing programs at the Delaware Area Career Center—were part of teams that placed 3rd in the 2D animation showcase; Amber additionally was on a team that placed 3rd in computer animation.

Becca Yanni presented the We Are the Ville sportsmanship awards. Reading nominations from coaches, she said Coach Tom Townsend described Emery Mueller as “liked and respected by her teammates,” citing her positive attitude, leadership and humility; Emery’s name will be engraved on the traveling trophy and displayed at Genoa. Coach Loughman’s nomination praised senior Corbin Morrissey for leadership across track and cross country, encouragement of teammates and competitors, and consistent sportsmanship; the traveling trophy will be displayed at Westerville Central on Corbin’s behalf.

The recognitions concluded with brief acknowledgements to families, coaches and district administrators in attendance. No formal votes or policy decisions were recorded during this portion of the meeting.