According to the most recent athletics participation survey by the National Federation of State High School Associations, volleyball is the second-most popular sport for girls. With more than 470,000 participants at more than 16,000 high schools, volleyball trails only track and field in nationwide interest. There are 25 girls volleyball teams in northern Kentucky competing […]
Author Archives: Marc Hardin
Posted inSports
Hardin Fast: NKY sports news from NKU, Notre Dame, Newport, Beechwood, CovCath, Cooper, Ryle and elsewhere
Long time, no see. But hey, let’s not waste any time because news is occurring in a blur in northern Kentucky. This includes all those rapidly happening coaching hires and college offers. We have the latest on the best teams and the biggest stars in the area. It’s all here in the fastest 1,000 words […]
Posted inGolf
Local golfers are in good standing this summer
Former Ryle High School golfer Tanner Lorms qualified for the Kentucky Match Play Championship at Heritage Hill Golf Course in Shepherdsville. Lorms, a Raiders state qualifier and fifth at last year’s KHSAA regional tournament, finished in a three-way tie for 14th during last week’s Open Division stroke play qualifier. He carded an 18-hole score of […]
Posted inFootball
How a Ryle High School lineman fast-tracked his way to a college football commitment
Ryle High School’s Dillon Smith doesn’t mess around on the football field. The 6-foot-4, 250-pound senior lineman is a well-prepared and productive player. He has risen to every challenge by fine-tuning his craft in a serious-minded pursuit of excellence. Ryle coach Mike Engler praises Smith as an intelligent and efficient athlete. The two-way lineman is […]
Posted inFootball
Four downs with Ludlow
The Ludlow High School football team showed significant improvements in its first season under head coach Woody McMillen. Known for starting a program at Walton-Verona and later coaching at Bellevue, McMillen demonstrated his knack for handling small-school teams. In just one season, he transformed Ludlow into a contender after three challenging years with only 11 […]
Posted inGolf
Former northern Kentucky prep golf heroes making their points
The Greater Cincinnati Golf Association has updated its player of the year points standings and three former northern Kentucky high school golfers are in the top 15 in the race for 2024 GCGA Player of the Year. Former Ryle High School golfer Chris Harpum parlayed his win at the 115th Tony Blom Metropolitan Amateur Championship […]
Posted inSports
Bryant’s snappy recovery inspires the Bluebirds
This story originally appeared in the August 2 edition of the weekly LINK Reader. To get these stories first, subscribe here. Torin Bryant is a multifaceted senior at Highlands High School, excelling in both academics and athletics. Standing nearly 6-foot-1 and weighing 250 pounds, Bryant is a formidable presence on the football field. He plays multiple […]
Posted inFootball
Four downs with Highlands
When Bob Sphire was hired as Highlands High School head football coach three years ago, he faced a significant challenge. The proud 23-time state champion had fallen on difficult times and needed a special coach who was capable of restoring its winning tradition. Enter the veteran Sphire, who brought championship-level success from his previous coaching […]
Posted inSports
Hope springs eternal during Sorrell’s summer of change in Bellevue
This story originally appeared in the July 26 edition of the weekly LINK Reader. To get these stories first, subscribe here. Last summer, TJ Sorrell sat in the dugout with his teammates on the J.B. Yeager 16-under baseball team. He can’t recall the exact game or opponent, but he remembers moments of reflection while sitting in […]
Posted inFootball
Four downs with Ryle
This promises to be a record-breaking season at Ryle for head football coach Mike Engler, who needs three wins to become the program’s all-time winningest coach. Engler has an impressive ledger of 71-48 over his 10-year career at Ryle. Engler led the Raiders to an 8-5 record in 2023, marking the fourth consecutive year without […]
