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(Photos by Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Schools)

The Southwestern Buckeye League was well represented on the state’s biggest stage this past weekend as multiple swimmers and divers competed at the OHSAA State Championships at Canton’s C.T. Branin Natatorium, capping standout seasons with appearances among Ohio’s elite. Facing the top qualifiers from across the state, SWBL athletes turned in strong performances in both the pool and on the boards, showcasing the depth and growth of the league’s swimming and diving programs.

Congratulations to the following SWBL swimming and diving state competitors:

Division I

Boys

200 Medley Relay: Nolan Dean, Ross Melton, Luke Henley, Luke Snyder (Bellbrook), 1:39.03, 20th 

200 Freestyle Relay: Elijah Vawter, Nolan Dean, Luke Snyder, Luke Henley (Bellbrook), 1:28.68, 15th

Girls

200 Freestyle: Michelle Dean (Bellbrook), 1:48.62, 2nd

50 Freestyle: Abbie Curry (Talawanda), 23.88, 10th

100 Butterfly: Anna Gregg (Talawanda), 58.38, 21st

500 Freestyle: Michelle Dean (Bellbrook), 5:01.07, 3rd; Lillian Gaskill (Bellbrook), 5:06.16, 9th

200 Freestyle Relay: Anna Gregg, Madison Sparks, Casey Offenburger, Abbie Curry (Talawanda), 1:39.35, 17th

100 Breaststroke: Abbie Curry (Talawanda), 1:06.40, 21st

Division II

Boys

200 Medley Relay: Elliot Simon, Zihan Qian, Henry James, Liam Furhman (Oakwood), 1:39.48, 12th

200 Freestyle: Luke Mignery (Ross), 1:42.76, 5th

200 IM: Timmy Pfirrman (Ross), 1:58.03, 8th

100 Butterfly: Luke Mignery (Ross), 49.81, 4th; Henry James (Oakwood), 52.48, 12th; Elliot Simon (Oakwood), 52.68, 14th

200 Freestyle Relay: Luke Mignery, Jayden Beaudoin, Logan Gutzwiller, Timmy Pfirrman (Ross), 1:30.02, 13th

100 Backstroke: Jackson Chapin (Eaton), 55.85, 28th

100 Breaststroke: Timmy Pfirrman (Ross), 1:00.26, 15th; Elliot Simon (Oakwood), 1:00.54, 20th

400 Freestyle Relay: Henry James, Zihan Qian, Elliot Simon, Liam Fuhrman (Oakwood), 3:19.14, 12th; Luke Mignery, Jayden Beaudoin, Logan Gutzwiller, Timmy Pfirrman (Ross), 3:20.48, 14th

Girls

200 Freestyle: Audrey Havrilla (Oakwood), 1:58.58, 14th; Julia Crumback (Waynesville), 1:58.59, 18th

100 Freestyle: Julia Crumback (Waynesville), 54.27, 14th

500 Freestyle: Matilda Prizler (Oakwood), 5:04.94, 3rd

200 Freestyle Relay: Matilda Prizler, Sarah Eizenga, Audrey Havrilla, Callie Hayes (Oakwood), 1:40.77, 7th

100 Backstroke: Audrey Havrilla (Oakwood), 59.70, 13th; Callie Hayes (Oakwood), 1:00.71, 20th

400 Freestyle Relay: Matilda Prizler, Sarah Eizenga, Audrey Havrilla, Callie Hayes (Oakwood), 3:39.54, 7th

Diving: Mila Gelbart (Oakwood), 226.50 semis

The Southwestern Buckeye League recently announced its boys basketball all-league teams. Dick's Sporting Goods recognizes Waynesville senior guard Zevin Sesslar, who has been named the Southwestern Buckeye League Buckeye Division Player of the Year after a standout regular season for the Spartans. Sesslar averaged 13.5 points a game and led the league with 6 assists a game. He also averaged 2.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals per contest during the regular season.

Waynesville senior guard Lucas Rocha has been named the Southwestern Buckeye League Buckeye Division Defensive Player of the Year. Rocha routinely drew the opponent’s top scoring threat and helped set the tone for a Waynesville team built on pressure and discipline. He averaged 13.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 2.4 assists a game.

Brandon Philpot led the Waynesville Spartans to a strong regular season in the Southwestern Buckeye League, earning SWBL Buckeye Division Coach of the Year honors. The Spartans captured the Buckeye Division title outright with their 13-1 league record. Waynesville won its first league championship since the 2018-19 season.

CLICK HERE for all-league teams.

The Southwestern Buckeye League recently announced its boys basketball all-league teams. Dick's Sporting Goods recognizes Monroe sophomore guard Colt Howard, who was named the 2025-26 Southwestern Buckeye League Southwestern Division Player of the Year after leading the Hornets to a share of their second straight league title. Howard averaged 19.4 points, 1.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game, shooting 45.5 percent from the field, 37.7 percent from 3-point range and 86 percent from the line.

Monroe senior guard Bryant Lee was named Defensive Player of the Year in the Southwestern Division after anchoring the league's top defenses. Lee routinely guarded the opponent’s top scorer, using constant pressure and quick hands to disrupt offenses and spark transition opportunities. He finished the season averaging 3.4 steals — second-best in the league — and 5.0 rebounds a game.

Casey Popplewell was named Southwestern Buckeye League Southwestern Division Coach of the Year after leading Monroe High School to one of the most successful seasons in program history. The Hornets finished 18-5 and captured a share of their second consecutive SWBL championship — the program’s first back-to-back league titles since 1966-67. Monroe reeled off separate winning streaks of eight and six games during the regular season and established itself as one of the conference’s most consistent teams.

CLICK HERE for all-league teams.

Dick’s Sporting Goods recognizes Brookville sophomore guard Jolie Gudorf, who was named the SWBL Buckeye Division Player of the Year

Gudorf’s stat line looks like this — 19.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 4.7 steals per game, while hitting 34.7% from 3-point range and 76.4% at the foul line.

Waynesville senior guard Maggie Stephenson was named the SWBL’s Buckeye Division Defensive Player of the Year. Stephenson averages 13.6 points, 4.3 assists, 4.1 steals and 3.6 rebounds a game.

Waynesville first-year coach Kelley Bricker earned SWBL Buckeye Division Coach of the Year for leading the Spartans to a league championship with a 13-1 record.