As long as he can remember, Ryle High School swimmer Chase Knopf has been chasing best times, records and history while competitors chase him. It’s been an endless cycle involving talent, hard work and determination for the all-around senior. “I’ve been swimming since I was 5,” said Knopf, who turned 18 in September. “I have […]
Author Archives: Marc Hardin
Ludlow’s Addy Garrett closes in on school scoring record after a difficult year
Day by day, things are getting a little brighter for Ludlow senior Addy Garrett, one of northern Kentucky’s most productive multi‑sport athletes. “I’m doing well,” she said. “Definitely better than this time last year.” Garrett has played three high school sports, earned college offers and climbed steadily up Ludlow’s all‑time scoring lists. Her numbers and […]
Swim champ Herfel leads deep Panda squad into state championship hunt
Notre Dame Academy’s Clare Herfel is talking about swimming and Panda competitiveness. The sophomore is energized, reflecting on the thrill of championships and what comes next after a long day in and out of classrooms and pools. “I thought we did really well at regionals,” Herfel said. “I feel like state is coming at a […]
Swimmers take the stage as Region 7 championships continue at Scott
Divers have had their say at the KHSAA Region 7 Swimming and Diving Championships at the Kenton County Aquatics Center at Scott High School. Now it’s the swimmers’ turn as the annual meet reconvenes Thursday, the first of a three‑day push to determine who advances in the chase for state titles. “It’s the most competitive […]
At Covington Catholic, Athens McGillis plays a game as distinct as his name
The ball barely leaves his hand before the Covington Catholic student section erupts. One jab step sends his defender stumbling. A shoulder dip buys him a sliver of daylight, and Athens McGillis glides into the lane with an unhurried confidence that makes the whole gym lean forward. He hangs, adjusts midair, and flips in a […]
Highlands sweeps NKAC swimming and diving meet
The pool decks at Scott High School were buzzing Friday and Saturday at the Northern Kentucky Athletic Conference swimming and diving meet, even though not every team arrived at full strength. Some programs had swimmers competing downstate and in Ohio. Others sent only divers, and a few split their rosters across multiple events on a […]
Unified Pioneers making “sweet music” on the basketball court
Jeff Stowers is sitting at home and talking about music. The 72-year-old Simon Kenton High School girls basketball coach used to have vinyl records. Even though his albums are long gone, Stowers still holds a handful of music acts near to his heart, including James Brown, The Isley Brothers, Ohio Players, The Gap Band, and […]
Honaker comes home: Campbell County turns to one of its own
Rick Honaker is a busy guy with many roles in his life, and he just got busier. “I’m lucky if I get regular sleep,” said the 44-year-old man on the move. “But it’s all good.” For the energetic education stalwart, it’s been especially good. The Taylor Mill resident is married to wife Kristin and father […]
Bellevue’s Harry Steinfeldt: The fourth man left out of baseball’s most famous poem
Imagine if someone had written a well-known novel about your family and left you out. Imagine being a member of a famous band that wrote a hit song about itself and the song never mentioned you, the drummer. Well, that’s kind of what happened to baseball player Harry Steinfeldt, who was born 150 years ago, […]
Talent, togetherness propel Conner wrestling to rare NKAC team title
Conner wrestlers reconvened at the high school on Monday, two days after a pretty good Saturday at the office. With Conner on holiday break this week, the wrestlers had the school practically to themselves. There were a few fist-bumps, a high-five or two and some pats on the back. Mainly, it was back to the […]

