Highland High School

Morrow County native and 2017 Highland High School graduate Eric Vermillion (front-left) is marching his final season in The Ohio State University Marching Band drumline

The Highland boys’ basketball team struggled last year going 9-14 and 5-9 in Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference play, but Coach Michael Delaney said he is expected for the upcoming season as a core of six returning lettermen will be leading the charge for the Fighting Scots.

The Mount Vernon News sports department’s MVN ATHLETE of the WEEK is a weekly feature that spotlights local student-athletes and their schools. Our ATHLETE of the WEEK WINNERS for this week are Zoya Winkelfoos (Highland volleyball) and Kaiden Colopy (Danville football).

The last two local teams left standing, Cardington-Lincoln and Highland both lost in their Regional Semifinal matches

The Fighting Scots show their resilience in overcoming injuries and head toward a MOAC title and the playoffs behind a fierce rushing game and swarming defense.

As the regular season winds down, 18 local high school football athletes have made their presence felt and are among Ohio’s statistical leaders.

Highland 3, Marion Franklin 0In Division 2 Sectional Play, Oct. 17, Highland (20-3) continued to the next round of the playoffs with a dominating 3-0 win over Marion Franklin (0-9, 0-5), by set scores of 25-3, 25-7, 25-8.

Dane Nauman remained the No.2 high school running back in Ohio after a 279-yard performance vs. Galion. Nauman’s 1858 yards on 225 attempts, for an 8.26 yards per carry average and 232.2 yards per game. On defense, Danville’s Levi Lyons made a big move following a monster week. Lyons added 21 tackles vs. Centerburg to his total to move up 43 spots to No. 34 statewide, with 81 tackles – 46 solos and 35 assists.

Highland’s Dane Nauman continues to make his presence felt on the gridiron. Following a 308-yard, five TD performance last week, Dane Nauman accelerated from the No. 3 spot to No.2 in Ohio among all state high school rushers.

Mount Vernon volleyball roundup

The Mount Vernon News sports department’s MVN ATHLETE of the WEEK is a weekly feature that spotlights local student-athletes and their schools. Based on their performances, we will select an ATHLETE of the WEEK and recognize other outstanding athletic accomplishments. Our ATHLETE of the WEEK WINNERS for this week are Ceci Grassbaugh and Dane Nauman, both from Highland. Female Athlete of the Week

Ohio high school football stat leaders include several local student-athletes following games of Friday, Sept. 24 with three of them in the Top 10 and a fourth among the Top 15 in their categories. Following a 336-yard performance last week, Highland’s Dane Nauman jumped from the No. 6 spot to No.3 in Ohio among all state high school rushers.

Highland Local School District is taking nominations for its Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2023.

Through five weeks of football, a dozen local student-athletes find themselves among the top performance players in Ohio high school football. The top name on the list is Highland's ground-gaining Dane Nauman, who ranks sixth in Ohio with 935 yards rushing on 127 attampts for a 7.36 yard per carry average, and 187.0 yards per game, with 11 touchdowns

The Mount Vernon News sports department’s MVN ATHLETE of the WEEK is a weekly feature that spotlights local student-athletes and their schools.

Highland 3, Clear Fork 0. Highland remained undefeated and improved to 11-0 and 7-0 in MOAC play, with A 3-0 sweep over visiting Clear Fork, Sept. 15, by set scores of 25-16, 25-17, 25-12. The Scots got off to a quick start, sputtered in the middle, but finished strong in their match to stay undefeated in the MOAC.

Highland 27, Ontario 17. The Highland Fighting Scots traveled to Ontario on Sept. 9, and Dane Nauman added to his long list of big production days, as the junior running ran all over the Ontario defense to lead Highland to victory, 27-17, improving to 2-2 on the year.

In a battle of the last two unbeaten teams in MOAC play, the Highland Fighting Scots played three tough sets before sweeping the Galion Tigers 3-0 by scores of 25-21, 27-25, 26-24.

Highland stays undefeated, hands Loudonville first loss. Highland’s Lady Scots met the Loudonville Lady Redbirds in a battle of unbeaten volleyball teams, and Highland left with a 7-0 record and Loudonville dropped to 5-1 after a straight-set victory, Sept. 3 on Highland’s home court 25-13, 25-15, 25-9.

Elsa Hoam of Fredericktown cruised home in first at the 3rd Annual Highland Flying Scots Cross Country Invitational over the 2022 Labor Day weekend. Mild temperatures and cloud cover provided favorable conditions for the 624 runners that raced in six different races on Saturday.