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The Southwestern Buckeye League will crown its 2026 swimming and diving champions on Saturday, Jan. 31, when athletes from across the league gather at Miami University’s Corwin M. Nixon Aquatic Center for the SWBL Swimming and Diving Championships.

Hosted by Talawanda High School, the championship meet brings together programs from both the Buckeye Division and Southwestern Division for a full day of competition featuring league titles, individual awards, and team championships on the line.

The meet will take place at the Miami University Recreational Sports Center, located at 750 South Oak Street in Oxford. Teams and spectators will enter through the west-side pool entrance as directed by event signage.

Event Schedule: Deck Opens: 8:15 a.m.; Diving Warmups: 8:30 a.m.; Diving Begins: 9:15 a.m.; Swimming Warmups: 9:50–10:30 a.m.; National Anthem: 10:40 a.m.; Swimming Finals Begin: 10:50 a.m.

Diving events will be contested prior to the swimming portion of the meet, with awards presented throughout the day following designated event blocks.

The meet features athletes from 14 SWBL programs:

Buckeye Division: Brookville, Carlisle, Dayton Christian, Eaton, Madison, Oakwood, Valley View, Waynesville

Southwestern Division: Bellbrook, Edgewood, Franklin, Monroe, Ross, Talawanda

All swimmers will be seeded by time regardless of division, with team scoring separated by division.

Event Format & Scoring: Athletes may compete in up to four total events, with no more than two individual events (diving counts as one); Each team may enter four swimmers per individual event and one relay per relay event; Diving consists of six dives, including one required reverse dive; Scoring will award points through eight places (9–7–6–5–4–3–2–1), with relay points doubled.

Awards will be presented following: Event 8 (50 Freestyle); Event 18 (200 Freestyle Relay); Event 24 (400 Freestyle Relay)

Medals will be awarded to the top three finishers in each event by division.

At the conclusion of the meet, the SWBL will present:

• Coach of the Year (Boys & Girls – both divisions)

• Athlete of the Year (Boys & Girls – both divisions)

• Team Championships for both boys and girls in each division

Athlete of the Year honors will be determined by NISCA power points, while coaches will vote on Coach of the Year selections during the meet.

Meet Operations & Logistics: Teams must submit entries via Hy-Tek by 6:00 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 26; Entry changes are due by 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28; A psych sheet will be posted following final entry review; Coaches meetings will take place at 10:30 a.m.; Teams must provide two timers for the meet; Warm-up and warm-down lanes will remain open throughout the competition

Tickets & Spectator Information: Adults: $10; Students (K–12): $8; Tickets available online or at the door; Heat sheets available for $2 (cash only)

Ticket Link: https://talawanda.hometownticketing.com/embed/all

Spectator parking is available along Campus Avenue or in the nearby parking garage.

• NFHS and OHSAA rules will govern all competition; Good sportsmanship is expected from all participants and spectators; Coolers are not permitted inside the facility; Locker rooms are available, but lockers may not be used; Final results will be posted on swimmeet.com.

With conference titles, individual honors, and team pride on the line, the 2026 SWBL Swimming & Diving Championships promise to be one of the league’s premier winter events.

(Photo and story information by Brady Williams/Fox19)

Monroe High School paused its boys basketball game Monday night to honor more than just the action on the court.

Before tipoff, the school recognized Major Lance Mattingly, a U.S. Army veteran preparing for deployment to Europe, in a ceremony that carried added meaning for both the school and his family. Mattingly watched his son, Garrett, take the floor for what will be his final Monroe game before his father leaves for overseas duty.

The moment came with Mattingly standing alongside his son during the National Anthem as the crowd acknowledged his service. The school’s public address announcer noted that Mattingly has served in the Army for 15 years and has completed two previous deployments to Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, earning two campaign medals along the way.

Garrett, who plays primarily on the wing, has spent much of his high school career lining up as a shooting guard or small forward. His father has watched closely through the years, but this game carried extra weight knowing it would be the last one he would see in person for quite some time.

Mattingly is scheduled to depart later this week and will spend roughly six weeks in Germany before relocating to Poland for an eight- to nine-month assignment focused on logistical operations across Europe.

The recognition resonated throughout the gym, especially with students who know the family well. One student, Easton, said the moment was especially meaningful, noting he had known Mattingly for years and was glad to see him acknowledged in front of the community.

For Mattingly, the ceremony added emotion to an already significant night. With his departure approaching, the opportunity to stand beside his son and be recognized by the school made the moment even more special.

After the game, Mattingly expressed gratitude for the support shown by the Monroe community as he prepares to leave. He is scheduled to ship out Saturday, carrying with him memories of his son’s final home appearance and the appreciation of a school proud to recognize both service and family.

From Brookville Local Schools:

Brookville Local Schools proudly recognizes the retirement of longtime, respected, and admired Head Football Coach Mike Hetrick, following 25 years of selfless dedication to the Brookville football program.

Coach Hetrick leaves an indelible mark on nearly three decades of student-athletes, building a program grounded in accountability, hard work, and discipline—establishing a standard of excellence that resulted in sustained success year after year. As the longest-serving head coach in program history, he amassed a program-record 167 career wins, four SWBL league championships (2002, 2003, 2008, 2015), two undefeated seasons (2008, 2015), and 10 state playoff appearances.

Coach Hetrick will be deeply missed by the Brookville community, but his impact extends far beyond the field. His legacy lives on through the program he built and the countless young men whose lives he shaped. We wish him nothing but the very best in a well-earned retirement.

Press Release From Edgewood City Schools:

Edgewood City Schools is excited to announce the selection of Matt Root as our next Edgewood High School Head Football Coach and leader of our football program.

Coach Root is a proud Edgewood Alumni and was part of the 2003 State Finalist team with two league championships as well as multiple playoff appearances and wins during his time as a student.

Professionally, Coach Root has served our high school students as an intervention specialist for the past 17 years. As a coach during this time, Coach Root held the role of Offensive Coordinator for 12 of these years and helped lead our teams to 5 league championships, 7 playoff appearances and 8 total playoff wins. His service extends beyond these roles to supporting our community and programs as a youth coach, and running various summer camps.

Coach Root expressed humility and thanks when approached with this opportunity, "Every team brings a new challenge but also new opportunities to influence and inspire young men to be better. We will work on building a winning culture on and off the football field."

Curtis Philpot, Edgewood City Schools Superintendent stated, "Matt Root is Edgewood football royalty. My family and I were in the snow in Canton in 2003 when he led the Cougars to the state championship game, a moment that still defines Edgewood football. Matt brings a proven record of success not only as a standout player, but also as a coach and an educator within the building. He understands firsthand what it means to be an Edgewood student-athlete, and I'm excited to see the lasting impact he will have on the football program, our school, and the entire Edgewood community."

We look forward to the next chapter of the Edgewood City Schools Football Program under Coach Root's leadership.