Jones' AD shoes will be tough to fill

4/27/2005

Larry Jones, Northview's longtime athletic director, isn't counting down the days until his retirement from Sylvania schools later this spring after 39 years.

Nevertheless, the process is under way to find a replacement for Jones, who has worked 22 years as Northview's athletic director. Applications for the position are being accepted until May 6.

Jones said qualifications for outside applicants include at least three years' experience working as an athletic director and an administrative certificate. Interviewing is expected to take place shortly after May 6.

"We hope to have someone in place definitely by the end of May because they want me to work with the person," he said.

Jones has worked at both Sylvania high schools. He was honored in January with Larry Jones Day in Sylvania in recognition for his longtime service and commitment to Sylvania schools. He's been around long enough to see entire families come through the Sylvania schools.

"Things are easy to do when you've been around that long," Jones said. "It'll be tough for someone new to get in the groove, but they'll get used to it."

Defending Northern Lakes League baseball champion Bowling Green hasn't shown any signs of complacency.

The Bobcats opened the week with a 10-2 overall record and tied with two teams for first place in the NLL at 4-1. Their losses came against Whitmer in the season-opener and fellow NLL member Anthony Wayne - both by one run.

"We're still on track right where we were at this point last season when we won league," Bowling Green coach Doug Merrill said. "We still know we have to play hard every game."

The Bobcats' early success can be attributed to those who contributed in the title run a year ago.

Jason Cress, a junior right-hander, is 3-0 on the mound while producing a 2.92 ERA. He also has a hot bat, with a .414 average. Junior Brandon Radabaugh is hitting .481.

Northview's Meagan Schoenrock, a 6-foot-2 junior, recently gave a verbal commitment to play volleyball at Northern Illinois. Schoenrock, the middle blocker for the Wildcats, plans to sign a national letter of intent with the Mid-American Conference university in the fall.

Eastwood distance runner Jim O'Brien has decided he'll continue running at Ohio Northern next fall.

O'Brien, a state track qualifier, intends to run cross country and track in college. The Eagles' top distance runner has already posted a time of 1:59 in the 800 meters this spring.

"He's choosing to go after the 800 this year at state," Eastwood coach Gary White said. "He ran the 1:59 on a really windy day. We're just waiting for a good day for him to run."

O'Brien and the rest of the Eagles boys team, who are 7-0 in dual meets, will host the 32nd annual Larry Kohring Eastwood Relays on Saturday in Pemberville.

Contact Donald Emmons at:

demmons@theblade.com

or 419-724-6302.