Russia hoping to rewrite history

The last Russia boys cross country team to win a regional championship was back in 2009. Bottom - Coach Neal Schafer, Trevor Sherman, Blake Worthington and Luke Pohlman. Top - Coach Kyle Moore, Joel Meyer, Alex York, Chris Ball, Andy Toller and Coach Doug Foster.

Let's start with the obvious. In recent years it's not been uncommon for Russia fans to watch their cross country team run at the regional meet, then later that day watch the volleyball team compete in the district finals. In fact, diehard Raider spectators have been pulling double duty on this upcoming Saturday for many years. What is uncommon is Russia's potential to bring home those two tournament titles in the same weekend. Actually, it's never been done in school history.

This Saturday at 10:40am the Division IV state-ranked #7 Russia boys will race for the regional championship on the banks of the Great Miami River in Troy. Before the race is over, at 11:00am the Division VII state-ranked #5 Russia girls will aim for a district volleyball championship at Fairborn High School. Due to those starting times and venues, Raider fans will need to pick their favorite team to watch live this weekend. Looking ahead though, if the stars line up over Russia High School next week, followers could logistically watch both teams in person on Saturday, November 1st at the state cross country meet and regional volleyball finals. Alright and enough, we'll put away our Fish Report crystal ball for now.

This season the boys captured their first SCAL cross country championship since 2014

School record holder Samuel Phlipot

If you're heading down to Troy, be prepared for an early Halloween treat. In the D-IV boys race, a total of 19 teams and 38 individuals will be competing for just five team and 10 individual qualifiers to state. For clarification on the individuals spots, those runners who finish in the top 10 positions AFTER removing team qualifiers will advance. 

Last Saturday two district races were ran in the southwest region. In the race at Cedarville University, Russia edged the hometown Cedarville Indians by just two points for the championship. Fourth year head coach Zach Bell's Raiders were led by junior Samuel Phlipot in 2nd-place with a time of 16:21. Earlier this season Phlipot broke the school 5K record with a 15:54, which topped 2011 alumni Luke Pohlman's old record of 15:58. On Phlipot's heels at the district race was freshman teammate Paxson Bixler in 3rd-place with a 16:26. Russia's entire roster of seven runners this Saturday will all be underclassmen. Junior Owen Sargent, sophomore Evan Smith and junior Eli Schmitmeyer were the Raider's third, fourth and fifth runners respectively last weekend. Those three scorers have also recorded personal records in the past two weeks. Rounding out the top seven are junior Keagan Baldridge and sophomore Abe Hoehne. 

At last weekends other D-IV southwest district race down at Voice of America MetroPark in West Chester, #32-ranked Miami Valley Christian Academy won their championship with far slower times than the course at Cedarville. 

Russia hasn't captured a boys regional championship since 2009, when the program won the title for the third year in a row. The hope this year is a return to those glory days. A pre-race tailgate for Raider fans will be hosted by parents on Saturday at 7:00am. Breakfast on the grill will begin the party at Troy City Park by the shelter house across the street from Hobart Arena. 

Cross Country links: Results ~ Schedule ~ Course Map ~ Tickets

The Lady Raiders shared a SCAL championship this season with a 10-2 record

Seniors Chapman, Hoehne & Phlipot

Russia folks choosing to caravan to Fairborn High School on Saturday will witness Raider volleyball tradition. The program, led by 10-year head coach Aaron Watkins, has rattled off an amazing eight consecutive district championships dating back to 2017. Watkins is the school's all-time winningest coach with 176 career victories, a record he achieved back in 2021 when he surpassed former Raider's coach Joan Herron who had 107 wins in nine seasons.

The tournament trail for Russia has been paved with rose petals so far, winning easy matches over Calvary Christian and Yellow Springs. However, the district finals has a thorny history for teams looking too far ahead. The Raiders will depend on leadership from all-league senior libero Kourtney Phlipot, along with all-league juniors Celeste Borchers and Hazel Francis. Francis was runner-up in voting for top player in the Shelby County Athletic League, and back in September tied a school record for blocks in a match with 10. She now shares that record with 2015 alumni Kylie Wilson. Other key Raiders include starting seniors Claudia Hoehne and setter Izzi Chapman, juniors Violet Armstrong, Ava Gibson and Lily Francis, along with all-league sophomore starter Aryana Cordonnier and freshman starter Ruby Francis. 

Fish Report believes the odds are favorable for Coach Watkin's 177th win and a ninth district title, as Russia (18-6) will take on New Miami (17-5). The Vikings beat Felicity Franklin on Thursday. They also won the Miami Valley Conference White Division this season with a perfect 8-0 record under fourth year head coach Shalei McColm. Their top player is four-year starter Kadie Davidson (No. 5) who led the MVC with 100 service aces.

Only one thing is certain prior to Saturday's match. The winner of Russia versus New Miami will get a buzzsaw in the regional semifinals. That would be Northwest District champion and state-ranked #2 Leipsic. The Lady Vikes (24-1) topped Hardin Northern up in Findlay on Wednesday and will certainly be in attendance on Saturday to scout their next opponent. That regional opener is scheduled for next Thursday at 6:00pm at Northmont High School.

Sounds like super Saturday on tap. Enjoy the day Raider fans.

Volleyball links: Bracket ~ Tickets

The 2017 team began Russia's current streak of eight straight district championships. Bottom - Lexi Monnin, Whitney Pleiman and Kendall Monnin. Middle - Alana Gariety, Jenna Cordonnier, Morgan Wenrick and Faith Apple. Top - Ashley Scott, Cameo Wilson, Laurissa Poling, Samantha Gaerke and Claudia Counts.

Golden celebration coming up in Russia

50 years ago this monument was erected in the Village of Russia

The Russia Alumni Softball Tournament will take place August 8th-10th and this year is of particular significance for the annual event. Not only will Raider alums be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the tournament, but they'll also be honoring the 50th anniversary of Russia Community Park. 

On Saturday evening, August 9th at 8:00, a ceremony will take place recognizing volunteers and donors who established the park in 1975. A display will also be on hand with enlarged newspaper articles documenting the original planning and construction. Current Park Board President, Mitch Bergman, is inviting every Park Board member that served the past 50 years to attend for a group picture scheduled at the end of the ceremony. Highlighting the festivities will be a ceremonial pitch between Russia's first Park Board President, Ed Borchers, and Village Mayor, Terry Daugherty. 

The entire three day event is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Russia Park Board, which uses proceeds for improvements and maintenance to Russia Community Park. Below is the entire rundown of pool play games, tournament bracket, and rules. 

Former Fairlawn Jet reaching new heights on the golf course

Matt Mullen was one to watch in the fall of 2021

Fairlawn alum Matt Mullen was once a star golfer in the Shelby County Athletic League. Mullen graduated high school in 2022 with many golfing accolades, including an individual state qualifier his senior year with the Jets. These days he competes with the Ave Marie University men's golf team in Florida and also stays sharp on the national tournament circuit. 

This past Monday, Mullen marked the biggest accomplishment of his career so far, when he earned a place in Final Qualifying for the 125th U.S. Amateur Championship. The letter Mullen received from the United States Golf Association congratulated him on his quest to become the next U.S. Amateur Champion and noted that the most elite players from around the world annually vie for a place in the championship. On July 3rd, Mullen will be notified of his Final Qualifying site to take place July 14-21.

A big smile on Monday after receiving his letter from the USGA!

To earn the spot, Mullen had to finish in the top nine at a tournament at The Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Florida. Things weren't looking good when he was +5 through 15 holes. Then Mullen went birdie, birdie, birdie to finish +2 and tied for 9th-place with four other golfers. Next was a five man playoff for one remaining spot. On the first playoff hole Mullen knocked his ball to two feet on his approach for a tap-in birdie, his fourth in a row on the 19th hole of the day.

Just a kid from Sidney, Ohio!

Until the Final Qualifying date, Mullen will continue to play additional tournaments. This Wednesday and Thursday he's competing at PGA National Fazio Course in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida on the Minor League Golf Tour. To follow Mullen's progress, click here.