2018 Wish List

JOHN KAMPF

For Madison to get artificial turf at Dick Hamblin Field. No one knows the work Brian Titman and his staff does to keep that grass field as nice as it is, but it would sure be nice if the district joined every other team in the Western Reserve Conference and got turf. Granted, it’s easier said than done. Installing turf costs a large hunk of money. And while I’m not privy to the finances of the school district, I imagine the amount of time, resources and product used to restore Hamblin Field after it is shredded every fall by football use is pretty pricey, too. For the record, Madison is the only area school district in football Divisions I-IV that doesn’t have artificial turf.

CHRIS LILLSTRUNG

Here’s to hoping the arrogant dismissal in some circles of socalled niche sports at the high school level comes to an end. If you amid your affiliation with high school sports has a passion for, say, football, basketball or something else, that’s perfectly fine. But let the other sports you believe are lesser than — for whatever reason — have their place, too. Just because you may not care for a sport doesn’t mean there’s not others with a vastly opposite sentiment. There is room for everybody — even if the stages aren’t as grand or populated.

NATE BARNES

Similar to the Champions Classic featuring Duke, Kentucky, Kansas and Michigan State that kicks off the college basketball season, a showcase at the beginning of each season including the region’s most successful teams from the previous state tournament would make for an excellent start to the winter.

ERIC BONZAR — THE MORNING JOURNAL The Hawken girls, with Crile Hart holding the trophy, celebrate their 19th straight state team championship Feb. 24 after the Division II state meet at Canton McKinley’s Branin Natatorium.

COLEEN MOSKOWITZ — THE NEWS-HERALD Beachwood’s Leah Roter competes at the Division II Perry District track and field meet in May.

TIM PHILLIS — THE NEWS-HERALD Lake Catholic senior Kennedy Newhart, right, reacts to a goal by Ella Hadley, left, in the 77th minute that sent the Cougars to a 1-0 Division II state semifinal win Nov. 7 at Nordonia.