Norwalk falls to Clear Fork in soccer opener

NORWALK — The Norwalk boys soccer team scored four times in the second half, but it wasn't enough in a 5-4 loss to visiting Clear Fork in the season opener on Saturday at Contractors Stadium. Erik Rangle-Negrete netted a hat trick with three goals for the Truckers, while Landon Ferkel had the other goal. Juan Martinez and Drew Thomas each had one assists. Brock Kuhl also made five saves at goalkeeper for the Truckers, who are at home at 5 p.m. Monday vs. Ontario. Mansfield Christian 3, Edison 0 MANSFIELD — The Chargers were shut out in Saturday's non-league loss to the Flames to fall to 1-1. Edison hosts Ashland Crestview in a non-league game on Thursday. GIRLS SOCCER Edison 1, Mansfield Christian 0 MANSFIELD — The Chargers got the lone goal of Saturday's non-league match from Abi Hearing in a season-opening victory over the Flames. Julie Willgrube assisted the goal, while keeper Lydia McQuillen made 10 saves. CROSS COUNTRY Norwalk opens at OHSAA meet OBETZ — The Norwalk High School cross country teams began the season on Saturday at the OHSAA Preseason meet held at Fortress Obetz. The Obetz course is where the state championships are held each November. The Truckers competed in the Division I race, with the boys placing 29th among 41 teams and the girls finishing 18th out of 38 teams. Casey Kromer placed 48th overall in 17:04 to pace the Truckers. Alex Christophel was 86th (17:33) and Max Bores was 187th (18:42). Also competing for Norwalk included William Cloud (19:51); Landen Knoll (20:01); Adam Slate (20:56); Michael Lucas (21:04); Jake Bissell (21:20); Kynan Sparks (21:55); and Devon Roberts (22:03). Norwalk was led by Zuri Immel (20:30) and Xavi Immel (21:02) in the girls race in 50th and 76th place, respectively. Isabel Ott (21:26) was 108th, followed by Maddison Trenor (21:57) in 135th; Kayli Bergman (22:27) in 166th and Grace Norris (22:32) in 173rd. Also competing for the Truckers included Allison Konik (24:45), Allison Rothhaar (25:20) and Emma Romell (26:51). "This was a great opportunity for the kids to kick off the season and see what they could do at this point in time," Norwalk head coach Stephanie Pope said. "We had some great races, but definitely have a lot of work to do still." Pope cited the improvement of Christophel, who dropped almost a minute off his top time from 2022. "I'm super excited to see what he and the other kids can do this year," she said. "The girls team has been working on packing up, and they did a nice job with that today. Our goal is to keep getting the pack tighter as the season progresses." Norwalk is at the large Seneca East Invitational on Aug. 26 in Attica. GIRLS TENNIS Norwalk 5, Willard 0 NORWALK — The Truckers improved to 4-1 overall with Saturday morning's non-league win over the visiting Crimson Flashes. At first singles, Megan Miller defeated Belle Van Zoest, 6-4, 6-1. Sidney Sage topped Ava Deel at second singles, 6-1, 6-2. At third singles, Ana Osborn beat Emie Buurma in a sweep (6-0, 6-0). The first doubles team of Lauren Brown and Kenzie Smith defeated Madie Dials and Cora Clark (6-1, 6-0). At second doubles, Kendall Hammersmith and Abby Mozina defeated Kaylie McMillin and Taylor Carper (6-0, 6-2). In junior varsity matches, doubles winners for Norwalk included Lydia Trost and Mia Chicotel (6-1); Shyla Gruhlke and Madelyn Long (6-0); Addy Rospert and Mary Willis (6-0); Roxy Brummit and Alyssa Gruhlke (6-1); and Kinleigh Lesch and Vanessa Vazquez (6-4). Others in JV action included Lilly McDuffie and Brooklyn Younce (4-6); Evelyn Harris and Sarah Hart (3-6); Lacey Scott and Zoey Cooper (0-6); and Willis and Sofia Stahl (3-6). Norwalk travels to Div. I powerhouse Perrysburg on Monday. Willard 5, Sandusky 0 WILLARD — The Crimson Flashes posted a road win over the host Blue Streaks on Aug. 16. Van Zoest beat Sophie Olson at first singles, 6-0, 6-0. At second singles, Deel defeated Kira Hunter (6-2, 6-4), while Buurma won at third singles over Janiya Daniel (6-4, 6-3). At first doubles, Dials and Clark beat Abigail Schroder and Olivia Hayberger (6-2, 6-4). The second doubles team of of McMillin and Carper beat Rylee Whelan and Willow Scheak, 7-6 (9-7), 1-6, 9-7. VOLLEYBALL Willard 3, Shelby 2 WILLARD — The Willard volleyball team opened with a five-set win over rival Shelby on Saturday. The Crimson Flashes posted scores of 25-20, 16-25, 17-25, 25-23 and 20-18. Kelsey Lykins finished with 15 kills, three blocks and 13 digs for Willard. Leah Weiss had eight kills and eight digs, while Makinley Schaffer (three blocks) and Natalie Slone each had seven kills. Also for the Flashes, Caitlyn Weaver had 40 assists and 11 digs, and Morgan Lofland had 15 digs. "We started off playing very tough and then had a let down at the end of the first set, which gave Shelby some momentum and they continued that into the next two sets," Willard head coach Ashley Bond said. "The ups and downs were not so great to see, but being able to pull it off in the end was a great display of mental toughness." South Central 3, SMCC 0 SANDUSKY — The Trojans opened the season with a three-set win over the host Panthers in non-league play, 25-5, 25-4 and 25-12. Grace Lamoreaux finished with eight kills and was 10 for 10 serving for the Trojans. Mya Inmon was 45-of-45 setting with 25 assists, while Karinne Mitchell had night kills and two blocks, and Angela Williams had seven kills. Also for South Central, Chloe Prater was 15 for 18 serving with eight aces.