Young Eagles soar in tournament action

With a young squad, Geneva wins its third tournament title this winter, writes John Kampf in this week’s high school wrestling notes. Also notes on Riverside’s growth and Hawken’s recent success.

Jeff Fink led the Brush football team to a conference championship and into the Division II football playoffs this past fall.

Now the Arcs’ third-year head coach is being honored for the work he’s done with the program.

Fink is one of four northern Ohio football coaches who have been named “Coach of the Year” by Sam Rutigliano’s Inner Circle Foundation, named after the former longtime Browns coach.

The official presentation of the Coach of the Year awards will be made at the organization’s annual banquet on Tuesday, April 17, at Double Tree Hotel in Beachwood.

“It’s nice, it really is,” Fink said. “It’s a great honor for the school and program, and you don’t get that award without a great staff and great players. I am very, very proud of it.”

Fink led Brush to an 8-2 regular-season record and a Western Reserve Conference championship. The Arcs defeated Hudson, 26-20, in their Division II, Region 5 playoff opener before losing in the second round to eventual state champion Akron Hoban.

Also receiving Coach of the Year honors at the April 17 extravaganza will be Dan Reardon of Canton McKinley, Tim Tyrell of Akron Hoban and Carter Welo of Benedictine.

“They are all outstanding coaches,” said Fink of his fellow honorees. “They have great programs and do great jobs. It means a lot to be part of that group.”

Fink said the excitement from his program’s breakthrough season has resonated throughout the hallways since the season ended. Players are already lifting weights in preparation for an encore performance this coming fall.

“It’s been an exciting ride,” Fink said. “It was fun watching this group grow and see how far they’ve come. This last class put us on the map. Now the challenge is bigger. We have a little target on our back now to play at that same level.”

For more information on the award, or to order tickets to the banquet, go to innercirclefoundation. org/coach-sams-2018-nfldraft-event.

PAUL DICICCO — THE NEWS-HERALD Brush coach Jeff Fink, shown celebrating a touchdown against Chardon this past season, is one of four northern Ohio football coaches who have been named “Coach of the Year” by Sam Rutigliano’s Inner Circle Foundation.