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Oakwood’s Connor, Brookville’s Sprada Honored During Penn Station AOY Ceremony
PROVIDED PHOTO
Two student-athletes from the Southwestern Buckeye League were among those honored Tuesday night during the annual Penn Station Athlete of the Year ceremony at Day Air Ballpark.
Southwestern Buckeye League standouts Evie Connor of Oakwood High School and Sidney Sprada of Brookville High School were recognized as two of the eight Penn Station Athlete of the Month winners from 2026 during a special inning-break ceremony at the Day Air Ballpark.
The ceremony took place during the Dayton Dragons game against the Lake County Captains, where Penn Station representatives and program partner WDTN announced the overall Athlete of the Year winner and presented the recipient with a $10,000 college scholarship and an engraved bat from the Dragons.
Connor and Sprada joined C.J. Bailey of Tippecanoe, Kaylah Thornton of Fairmont, Nathan Attisano of Legacy Christian Academy, Rowen Arnold of Springboro, Shawn Fishwick of Xenia and Trey Sagester of Tri-Village as this year’s Athlete of the Month honorees. Thornton was announced Athlete of the Year.
Penn Station launched the Athlete of the Month program in 1998 to recognize student-athletes across the Dayton area for athletic achievement, academic success and citizenship. Since its inception, Penn Station East Coast Subs has awarded nearly $200,000 in scholarships and prize money while honoring more than 200 student-athletes.
Each monthly winner automatically became a finalist for the Athlete of the Year scholarship. Schools also received recognition, donations to their athletic departments and additional benefits through the program.
Inaugural SWBL Awards & Golf Outing
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SWBL Boys Tennis Tournament Moved To May 7
CHANGE | The SWBL Boys Tennis Tournament has been moved to Thursday, May 7, entirely due to weather. We thank you for your cooperation and patience.
Monroe Softball Teams Up With Ross In Annual Cancer Awareness Game
Photo by Monroe Athletics
It was about more than softball on Friday. Monroe’s softball program hosted its 10th annual cancer awareness game on May 1, bringing the community together for a cause that reached far beyond the field. With support from Ross, the two programs combined efforts to turn the evening into a meaningful show of unity and compassion.
Players, coaches and fans took part in honoring those affected by cancer, with tributes woven throughout the night. The atmosphere reflected both the competitive spirit of the game and the deeper purpose behind it.
The biggest win came off the field. Thanks in part to the support from Ross, the teams raised $350 for cancer research — a contribution that underscored the impact local programs can make when they come together.
Oakwood Announces Braxston Campbell As Girls Basketball Head Coach
Release Provided By Oakwood Athletics
Oakwood Schools is pleased to announce that Braxston Campbell has been selected as the next Oakwood High School varsity girls basketball head coach, pending approval by the Oakwood Board of Education at its May meeting. Campbell previously was the boys basketball head coach at Twin Valley South and prior to that was the girls basketball head coach at Dixie High School.
“Coach Campbell will bring energy and passion for basketball to our girls basketball program and will be able to build a positive culture within the program. As a former collegiate basketball player with head coaching experience, Coach Campbell has a wealth of knowledge for basketball” Oakwood Schools Athletic Director Tyler Rhodus said.
“I am thrilled and honored to be named the next head coach of the Girls program. I am excited to lead our terrific student-athletes here and work alongside our families to create a positive environment conducive to learning and competing at a high level,” Coach Campbell stated. “I’m committed to preparing our student-athletes not only on the basketball floor, but also preparing them for life beyond basketball. It is a privilege and honor to lead this storied program, and I look forward to helping build onto that legacy.”
Campbell graduated from Transylvania University, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology with a Minor in Political Science while playing basketball for the Pioneers. Campbell has additionally earned his masters in Educational Leadership and his Doctor of Education degree from Youngstown State University.
Campbell is currently an Intervention Specialist at Oakwood High School. Coach Campbell will have a brief introduction with students and families in grades 8 - 11 who are interested in playing girls basketball this winter on May 11, 2026 at 6:30pm in the high school auditorium
