Mark Podolski

Sports Editor at The News-Herald (Willoughby, OH)

Sports Editor of News-Herald in Willoughby and Morning Journal in Lorain; I write about local colleges (John Carroll, others), pop culture, whatever else.

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Articles

NCAA D-III College World Series: Wisconsin-Whitewater defeats Denison

5 days ago | news-herald.com | Mark Podolski

Wisconsin-Whitewater’s bats were on display at Classic Auto Group Park during Day 3 of the NCAA Division III College World Series in Eastlake. On June 1, the Warhawks (46-6) had 18 hits en route to an 11-4 win over Denison. Adam Cootway and Danny Hopper led the way with four hits apiece. Cootway also hit his 20th home run of the season, which set a program record. Hooper hit a three-run homer. Eron Vega went deep for Denison.
NCAA D-III College World Series: Wisconsin-Whitewater wins delayed opener

6 days ago | news-herald.com | Mark Podolski

Wisconsin-Whitewater defeated Trinity (Texas), 7-3, in the final game of the opening day at the NCAA Division III College World Series in Eastlake at Classic Auto Group Park. The game was completed May 31 after it was postponed in the fifth inning late May 30 because of inclement weather. The Warhawks led, 6-0, when it […] Subscribe to continue reading this article. Originally Published: May 31, 2025 at 2:37 PM EDT
Avon girls track and field rolls to D-I team title at Port Clinton

1 week ago | morningjournal.com | Mark Podolski

PORT CLINTON — The runaway train that is the Avon girls track and field team just continues to roll. The Eagles nearly doubled up on the field May 30 at the Division I regional track and field meet at Port Clinton’s True Lay Stadium, scoring 115 points to 67 for runner-up Toledo Whitmer. “One of the nice things today is that I knew we had a chance in most of the events, and the girls really performed well,” said coach Sam Ulery.
NCAA D-III College World Series roundup: No. 1 Johns Hopkins stunned in first game

1 week ago | news-herald.com | Mark Podolski

The lowest-seeded team in the field — Messiah — posted a huge upset on May 30 during Day 1 of the Division III College World Series at Classic Auto Group Park in Eastlake with a 16-7 win over No. 1-ranked and top-seeded Johns Hopkins. Messiah trailed, 3-0, after two innings but then put a whopping 12-run third inning on the board. The Falcons had nine hits in the inning and took advantage of three JHU errors. “The story that’s being written right now is pretty incredible.
D-III College World Series returns to Eastlake for second straight year

1 week ago | mahoningmatters.com | Mark Podolski

Classic Auto Group Park in Eastlake is hosting the NCAA Division III College World Series for a second straight season. Eight teams will travel to Lake County, led by the No. 1 team in the nation, Johns Hopkins, which is 44-3. Denison is the lone Ohio school in the field. The Big Red enter with an impressive 40-5 record this season and is the No. 2 seed. Endicott and UW-Whitewater are making a repeat trip from 2024. Denison and Messiah are making their first appearance.
D-I Port Clinton regional track and field: Avon Lake’s Ava Luczak, Elyria’s Baseer McElya win titles

1 week ago | morningjournal.com | Mark Podolski

PORT CLINTON — Last year, Ava Luczak of Avon Lake played second fiddle to state shot put champion Claire Springer, but in the Division I regional track and field meet May 28, she stepped to the head of the class. Luczak was a state qualifier last year, but her nerves got the best of her and she didn’t have a good performance in Dayton. This year, the state meet is back in Columbus, and Luczak is heading south with a regional gold medal in her possession.
D-III College World Series returns to Eastlake for second straight year

1 week ago | morningjournal.com | Mark Podolski

Classic Auto Group Park in Eastlake is hosting the NCAA Division III College World Series for a second straight season. Eight teams will travel to Lake County, led by the No. 1 team in the nation, Johns Hopkins, which is 44-3. Denison is the lone Ohio school in the field. The Big Red enters with an impressive 40-5 record this season and is the No. 2 seed. Endicott and UW-Whitewater are making a repeat trip from 2024. Denison and Messiah are making their first appearance.
D-III College World Series returns to Eastlake for second straight year

1 week ago | news-herald.com | Mark Podolski

Classic Auto Group Park in Eastlake is hosting the NCAA Division III College World Series for a second straight season. Eight teams will travel to Lake County, led by the No. 1 team in the nation, Johns Hopkins, which is 44-3. Denison is the lone Ohio school in the field. The Big Red enters with an impressive 40-5 record this season and is the No. 2 seed. Endicott and UW-Whitewater are making a repeat trip from 2024. Denison and Messiah are making their first appearance.
Mentor’s Theodore Vanjo leads area contingent at state boys tennis

1 week ago | news-herald.com | Mark Podolski

Theodore Vanjo entered last week’s Division I district tennis tournament undefeated, and added to that record with two wins in the first two rounds. Those victories secured Vanjo a top-four finish and a spot at state. However, the Mentor junior lost his next two matches and took fourth. That finish hasn’t dampened Vanjo’s spirits as he prepares to play in his first-ever state tournament May 29-30 at the College of Wooster. “I think I have a good chance,” said Vanjo. “If I play well, I can go deep.
Three Captains pitchers combine on one-hitter in 2-0 win over Lansing

1 week ago | news-herald.com | Mark Podolski

Three pitchers combined on a one-hit, seven-inning shutout as the host Captains blanked Lansing, 2-0, on May 25 at Classic Auto Group Ballpark. Also on May 25, the Captains and Lugnuts completed a game postponed by rain as Lansing won, 4-0. The Lake County shutout victory began with starter Jackson Humphries, who went 4 2/3 innings and allowed one hit, walked five and struck out four. Josh Harlow followed with 1 1/3 innings of work and got the victory.