Marysville’s Miles Armstrong (10) tries to keep the ball inbounds during the first half of the Division I district finals against Dublin Jerome. The senior Monarch has been named the OCC Cardinal Division co-player of the year. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

Lady Monarch runners Bailey Gross, left, and Maggie Foust work out in preparation for the girls Division I state cross country meet that will be held on Saturday. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)

Fairbanks’ Sadie Miller competes during the 2024 Farmbanks Invitational at Fairbanks High School earlier this season. The Lady Panther is the only member of the school’s cross-country program set to compete in Saturday’s OHSAA state meet. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

Jonathan Alder’s Grant Horne (12) tries to find an open gap in the Bellefontaine defense during a road game earlier this season. The Pioneers will to take on the Silver Knights of Bishop Ready at Central Crossing High School Friday night for the first round of the playoffs. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

Holtz Maine (10) of Fairbanks closes in on a West Liberty-Salem ball carrier. The Panthers will play at Waterford in the initial game of the Division VI state playoffs. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

Monarchs JJ Henry (24), Grady Evans (17), Brock Powers (54) and Griffin Scheiderer (14) are among the defenders on this play. Marysville will play at Hilliard Davidson on Friday in the opening round of the Division I state playoffs. (Journal-Tribune photo by Chad Williamson)

A Grandview player falls to the turf as Fairbanks keeper Nate Russell (right) comes up with a save. Also pictured to the left for FHS is Spencer Beekman. The Panthers dropped a 2-1 overtime verdict to the Bobcats in the Division V district championship match Saturday evening at Westerville North High School. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)

Marysville’s Bailey Gross, left, and Maggie Foust have qualified for the Division I girls state cross country meet that will be held Saturday at Fortress Obetz in Columbus. (Photo submitted)

Fairbanks’ Anna Dulle reaches for a kill attempt during Saturday’s Central District final against Johnstown Northridge at Granville High School. The Lady Panthers earned the district title with a three-set victory. (Journal-Tribune photo by Bob Putman)

Jonathan Alder’s Jimmy Martinez (7) tries to get possession while battling a Bishop Watterson defender. The senior Pioneer accounted for one assist in the team’s loss to the Eagles during the Division III district final at Olentangy High School. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

Grace Zahn (14) of Fairbanks battles for possession of the ball Saturday afternoon at Westerville North High School. The Lady Panthers fell 2-1 to Grandview in the Division V district championship match. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)

North Union’s Emma McElroy (left) and Audrey Baldwin ready themselves for a serve during Saturday’s Central District volleyball final against Madison Plains at Granville High School. The Lady Cats lost in three sets. (Photo by Bob Putman)

Braxton Overmyer (2) of JA picks up yardage against Tecumseh. The Pioneers rolled to an easy victory over the winless Arrows. (Journal-Tribune photo by Eva Paspallis Case)

Fairbanks’ Ryker Green stretches to catch a 40-yard pass against West Liberty-Salem. The Panthers fell, 29-27, during the OHC North Division title game. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

Marysville’s JJ Henry flies into the end zone against Hilliard Darby. Henry scored twice during the Monarchs’ victory. (Journal-Tribune photo by Chad Williamson)

Annabelle Clair of Marysville (14) attempts to put the ball past a pair of Hilliard Davidson blockers. Davidson’s Hailey Campagna (26), who formerly played at Shekinah Christian in Plain City, is pictured at the left. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)

Marysville’s Sam Krueger (6) battles for the ball against a Dublin Jerome defender during the first half of action. The Celtics defeated the Monarchs 2-0 during the Division I district final at Jonathan Alder High School. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

Lexie Cushman of Fairbanks (2) pursues the ball against Tree of Life. The Lady Panthers won the district semifinal contest. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)

Fairbanks’ Noah Thorley (16) delivers a shot during a game against Wellington earlier in the season. Thorley tallied a goal on Wednesday as FHS topped Wellington in a Division V district semifinal match. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)