Covington Catholic graduate Luke Maile made his 2026 Major League Baseball season debut unforgettable. Called from Triple-A July 2, the Royals catcher stepped to the plate for the first time this season July 6. He then launched a 396‑foot three-run home run off Phillies All‑Star left‑hander Cristopher Sanchez. The blast ignited a six‑run first inning […]
Author Archives: Marc Hardin
Posted inSoftball
Dixie coach ends longtime athletic association with school
After a highly successful eight-season run, Sarah Osborne has stepped down as the head coach of the Dixie Heights High School softball team to spend more time with her family. She informed the school of her decision on July 7. “My kids are getting into sports,” said Osborne, also a teacher at the school. “They […]
Posted inSports
NKY Special Olympians shine bright
When Team Kentucky marched into the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis, four athletes from northern Kentucky carried not just their team colors, but the pride of their hometowns. Over six days of competition late last month, Maddie Brinkman of Union, Carmen Widener of Burlington, Daniel Hewitt of Erlanger, and Chris Revay of Fort […]
Posted inSoccer
From Highland Heights to world stage: Jesse Randall makes history as first NKU Norse in a World Cup
Former Northern Kentucky University men’s soccer star Jesse Randall made history on the global stage last month. He became the first Norse player to compete in a FIFA World Cup. Representing New Zealand, Randall took the field June 15 during its Group G opening match against Iran. The contest was in Los Angeles. “For it […]
Posted inBasketball
Why Ryle’s Jayden McClain is heading to the Kentucky Wildcats and NKY adds two new coaches
Ryle High School 6‑foot‑6 post player Jayden McClain has been planning her basketball future since most kids are still figuring out middle‑school lockers. Grow and improve. Get to college. Shoot for the highest level possible and let the rest unfold. That blueprint just took its biggest step yet. Last week, the incoming sophomore — one […]
Posted inSports
Former Ryle standout Chris Harpum making noise on and off the links
Ryle High School alum Chris Harpum kept his strong summer rolling with a fifth‑place tie at last month’s 113th Kentucky Men’s Amateur. The Belmont University standout shot 5‑under-par 211 at the University of Louisville Golf Club in Simpsonville. He finished seven shots back of winner Brady Smith, a Simpsonville native. “I didn’t play too bad,” […]
Posted inSports
Prep roundup: New basketball coach at Holmes, Dixie’s Pike honored, Villa stars moving on
The KHSAA Dead Period is in full effect, but news still happens. Here are some quick-hitters from around the area. Simpson Era begins at Holmes Holmes High School has chosen Kenneth “Kenny” Simpson III to lead its boys basketball program. With Simpson, the Bulldogs bring aboard a coach who already has strong roots within the […]
Posted inVolleyball
First-ever Covington Catholic volleyball coach leans into new job
Volleyball is a game of rotation, relentless energy, and keeping the ball alive at all costs. It’s a dynamic that former local prep and college player Tara Leen knows by heart. “I love the sport,” said Leen, the recently appointed head coach of the Covington Catholic High School boys volleyball team. “It’s a beautiful game.” […]
Posted inSoftball
Record-breaking slugger Payton Brown has Highlands softball on the cusp of history
It’s not as much of a problem anymore, but there was a time when Highlands High School softball standout Payton Brown had her first name misspelled. Not all the time, and usually by people outside her inner circle, but just enough to be annoying. “Oh, it still happens. But, yeah, not as much,” said Brown, […]
Posted inSports
Prep roundup: Soccer coaching hires, all-star game news and a former Bluebird soars back to the majors
CovCath’s Gaiser Senior Bowl MVP The Blue Team got a snappy performance from Covington Catholic running back Dylan Gaiser and beat the Red Team 23-22 at the Northern Kentucky Football Coaches Association’s newly christened senior all-star football game. The annual event, which raises scholarship money for graduating seniors, was Thursday at Dixie Heights High School. […]
