Sports

JCU joins North Coast conference

John Carroll University (JCU) has announced that it will join the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) beginning Fall 2025. The athletic conference change is the latest step in JCU’s three-year, $100 million strategy to bolster the student experience, grow the academic portfolio, enhance the campus, and expand the institution’s reach. 

The Blue Streaks will become the 10th member of the conference, which includes institutions from Ohio and Indiana that serve students well beyond the Midwest.

“Athletics has been an integral part of the student experience at John Carroll for more than a century and we are pleased to accept the invitation to join the NCAC during a pivotal time in our history,” said JCU President Al Miciak.

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Volume 17, Issue 3, Posted 2:51 PM, 02.28.2024

CH's Frabotta medals in Pan American U20 Championships

Cleveland Heights resident Damon Frabotta earned the bronze medal in the 400-meter hurdles at the 2023 Pan American U20 Championships, held in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, Aug. 4–6.

Frabotta is a rising sophomore at Boston College, and a former standout hurdler for Saint Ignatius High School, from which he graduated in 2022.

Frabotta clinched one of two coveted spots on Team USA’s Junior National Team at the USA Track & Field U20 Junior Nationals, held at historic Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., July 8 and 9. There, Frabotta took the silver medal in the 400-meter hurdles, and set both a personal record and a Boston College record in the event, with a time of 51.89.   

The Pan American U20 Athletics Championships are a biennial sports event for track and field organized by the Association of Pan-American Athletics (APA) open to junior (Under 20) athletes from member and associate member associations.

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Volume 16, Issue 9, Posted 2:35 PM, 08.14.2023

Beaumont wins back the golden racquet

Each year, the Beaumont School and Cleveland Heights High School varsity girls' tennis teams compete to bring home the “golden racquet.”

The tenth annual matchup took place at Cain Park on Oct. 4, with the Beaumont Blue Streaks beating out the Cleveland Heights Tigers 4-1.

The trophy, a tennis racquet painted gold, will reside in the Beaumont trophy case until the teams meet next year.

Beaumont head coach Mike Pellechia was feeling uneasy the entire match, even after Beaumont took a 2-0 early lead, early thanks to Maggie Brady taking first singles, and Lilly Dixon winning a hard-fought match at second singles.

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Volume 15, Issue 11, Posted 4:19 PM, 10.25.2022

Heights High takes golden racquet in win over Beaumont

Each year, the Beaumont School and Cleveland Heights High School varsity girls’ tennis teams face off to bring home the “golden racquet.”

This year’s matchup took place at Purvis Park, on Sept. 27, with the Heights High Tigers beating the Beaumont Blue Streaks, 3-2.

The trophy, a tennis racquet painted gold, went home with the Tigers and will stay with them until the teams meet again next year.

Beaumont’s head coach Mike Pellechia was feeling pretty confident when his team took an early two-court advantage, with Maggie Brady taking second singles, and the second doubles team of Sarah Wolf and Brooklyn Roulette winning in straight sets.

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Volume 14, Issue 11, Posted 10:19 AM, 10.29.2021

Heights player and coach honored at Pro Football HOF game

Two members of the Cleveland Heights High School football team were honored last week—not for their skills on the field, but for their selflessness and kindness off of it.

Heights High senior Fahrell Freeman and Head Football Coach Mac Stephens were recognized on the field during the Pro Football Hall of Fame (HOF) game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Pittsburgh Steelers in Canton on Aug. 5.

“The opportunity to participate in the pregame ceremonies of the Hall of Fame game was a pretty momentous occasion for not only me, but also one of my players, Fahrell Freeman, who recalls the recognition being one of the best experiences of his life, said Stephens.

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Volume 14, Issue 9, Posted 8:00 AM, 09.03.2021

Swimmers break 55-year-old Heights High record

In March 1965, the Lake Erie League champion Heights High boys swimmers needed a first-place finish in the final event—the 200-yard freestyle relay—of the state championship meet in Columbus to secure a team title. Ron Grant, Jack Daley, Lee Brandfass and Jim Becker sealed the deal with a then-state-record time of 1:31.0. That time had stood as a Heights school record since then. But no longer.

In a 126-41 dual-meet victory over West Geauga, on Jan. 19, the Heights High Tigers’ boys team of Emmet Fluharty, James Huff, Aidan Peters and Andrew Teets won that relay event in 1:30.41.

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Volume 14, Issue 3, Posted 12:22 PM, 02.09.2021

Beaumont team wins back Golden Racquet

The Beaumont School Varsity Tennis Team took home the coveted “Golden Racquet” on Sept. 23, triumphing 4-1 over the Cleveland Heights High School Girls Tennis Team in a match at Purvis Park in University Heights.

Beaumont Tennis Coach Mike Pellechia created the Golden Racquet competition in 2013. The trophy is an actual racquet painted gold which goes to the winner of the annual Beaumont-Heights High match.

This year, Heights senior Ruby Kauffman defeated Beaumont senior Amanda Desamito in two sets; Beaumont senior Nicolette Kelley defeated Heights junior Sophia Mita in three sets; and Beaumont senior Gianna Velotta defeated Heights senior Madeleine Nicol in two sets.

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Volume 12, Issue 11, Posted 2:15 PM, 11.01.2019

Co-ed slow pitch softball league is open to all

In the late 1980s, Dave Kolb and his wife, Alice—both professors in organizational behavior at Case Western Reserve University—played slow pitch softball in a league with various university departments. They eventually became uncomfortable with the level of competitiveness, so, in 1991, they took their department out of the league and started a Sunday morning pick-up softball game with an emphasis on having fun.

Today, 28 years after its formation, this group is called the Free Play Softball League. Dave and Alice recently retired and now live in Hawaii, but their dream of having fun playing softball is going strong.

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Volume 12, Issue 7, Posted 10:21 AM, 06.28.2019

Youth lacrosse camp registration is open

Heights Lacrosse will host the 2019 Heights Youth Summer Lacrosse Camp July 9 through Aug. 1, at Canterbury Elementary School. For boys and girls, the camp offers participants an opportunity to try out the sport and perhaps develop into future lacrosse players.

No experience is necessary, and the camp is open to any student who will enter second grade through ninth grade in fall 2019.

The four-week camp will take place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 6:30–8 p.m.

Terry Saylor, Heights High’s girls lacrosse coach, and Youth Coach Rachel Petrey will supervise, and Heights High lacrosse players will coach the kids.

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Volume 12, Issue 7, Posted 10:31 AM, 06.11.2019

Eastside Tigers hockey team wins league championship

The Eastside Tigers Bantam A2 hockey team clinched the 2019 Cleveland Suburban Hockey League (CSHL) Division and Championship titles on Saturday, March 2, at Strongsville‘s OBM Arena.

The team comprises 14 players, all ages 13–14: Evan Bleick, Jonathan Cheshier, Thomas Cheshier, Jaden Cosgrove, Andrew English, Will Garceau, Ben Hidek, Justice Ikehara, Brendan Lang, Niko Rios, Claes Roulet, Alex Rzepka, Lanell Sotiropoulos and Henry Turner. Among them are residents of Cleveland Heights and University Heights, including six players who attend Roxboro Middle School. Several of the players plan to play on the Heights High hockey team next season, as freshmen.

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Volume 12, Issue 4, Posted 10:28 AM, 03.05.2019

Two CH speedskaters race in national junior championship

Two members of the Cleveland Heights Speedskating Club were among approximately 50 skaters who raced in the US Short Track Junior Championship last month in Wassau, Wis.

Hira Hanson, 16, a junior at Cleveland Heights High School, and Ryan Shane, 14, a freshman at Shaker Heights High School, are the first members of the Cleveland Heights club to ever qualify and compete in the Junior Championship. 

Their coach is Nicole Golembiewski, head coach of the Cleveland Heights club.

The high-stakes event was for boys and girls ages 14–19, with top competitors earning spots on the U.S. Junior World Cup team and the Olympics training program. Neither of the Heights skaters placed high enough to do so.

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Volume 12, Issue 1, Posted 10:05 AM, 01.01.2019

Beamont's Rulison declares for CCU

On Nov. 14, Beaumont School senior Ashley Rulison signed a National Letter of Intent to run cross-country and track at Coastal Carolina University (CCU), a Division I school located in South Carolina.

Rulison, a Burton native, excelled as a Beaumont Blue Streak. She burst onto the scene as a freshman, finishing 10th at the 2015 Division II state cross country meet, and came back with a third-place finish as a sophomore.

That same year, she qualified for the state track meet in the 1600 (finishing 12th), 3200 (placing 16th) and as a member of Beaumont’s 4x800 relay quartet that took fifth. Last year, Rulison ran second on Beaumont’s 4x800 relay team that took third at the state track meet, and also anchored the 4x400 team that finished fifth in the state.

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Volume 12, Issue 1, Posted 10:08 AM, 01.01.2019

Pickleball is increasingly popular

Cleveland Heights Community Center visitors may see a group playing a game with paddles on courts there. They are playing pickleball—a combination of tennis, badminton and table tennis. It's played with a paddle and a hard plastic ball with holes, on a court about half the size of a tennis court. It's usually played as doubles, and players rotate. Pickleball is quickly learned, and information is available through USA Pickleball (www.usapa.org).

In Cleveland Heights, from October through May, it's played Tuesday and Thursday mornings indoors at the community center. In the summer months, it’s played outdoors on four courts at Denison Park.

About 20–25 people play regularly in Cleveland Heights. Most have taken up pickleball within the past three years, learning about it from a variety of sources.

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Volume 11, Issue 11, Posted 6:23 PM, 10.31.2018

Heights takes home the Golden Racquet

For the second time in six years, the Cleveland Heights High School girls’ tennis team took home the coveted “Golden Racquet,” triumphing 4-1 over Beaumont School on Sept. 26.

Mike Pellechia, Beaumont tennis coach, created the Golden Racquet in 2013. An actual tennis racquet painted gold, it is the trophy claimed by the winner of the yearly match between Beaumont and Heights High. The recipient of the racquet then keeps it for an entire year, and is required to bring it to the rivalry match the following year.

To properly encourage his team to fight for a win, Heights High Coach John Laskarides did his best to hype the rivalry, and even e-mailed his team pictures of the Beaumont team holding the golden racquet, to get them fired up.

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Volume 11, Issue 11, Posted 9:55 AM, 10.09.2018

Register early for youth lacrosse camp

Heights Lacrosse will host the Heights Youth Summer Lacrosse Camp July 10 through Aug. 2, at Canterbury Elementary School.

The camp provides an opportunity for boys and girls to try out the sport and perhaps develop into future lacrosse players. No experience is necessary, and the camp is open to all students who will enter grades 2–9 in fall 2018.

It runs for four weeks, comprising eight evening sessions on Tuesday and Thursday nights, 6:30–8 p.m.

Terry Saylor, Heights High girls lacrosse coach, and Chris Ticconi, Heights High boys lacrosse coach, will supervise, and Heights High lacrosse players will coach the kids.

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Volume 11, Issue 6, Posted 9:27 AM, 06.04.2018

Alum Taylor Pickens is new soccer coach

Taylor Pickens, a Cleveland Heights High School alumna and two-time Lake Erie League (LEL) Player of the Year, is returning to her alma mater as head girls soccer coach.

“We are excited to announce the hiring of Taylor as our new girls soccer coach,” said Athletic Director Joe D’Amato. “Taylor brings a wealth of knowledge and experience across many levels in the sport. Her commitment to building a program within our community and the success she's had previously bodes well for the future of our girls soccer program. We are excited to welcome another Tiger alum back home!”

Pickens is a 2007 graduate of Heights High, where she starred on the soccer team 2003–06. A four-year starter, she earned LEL Player of the Year honors as a junior and as a senior.

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Volume 11, Issue 5, Posted 8:30 AM, 05.01.2018

Heights High athletes commit to colleges

On Feb. 7, 12 Cleveland Heights High School student-athletes signed their official college letters of intent at a National Signing Day ceremony held in front of a large crowd inside Heights High’s gymnasium.

The group comprised 11 football players and one girls lacrosse player who, combined, received more than $1.1 million in college scholarships.

The students were girls lacrosse standout Lauren Iott (Grand Valley State University), and football standouts Grayson Green (Central State University), Isaiah Higgins (Hocking College), Kylen McCracken (Ohio University), Mekhi Patterson (Thomas More College), Shamar Rhodes (West Liberty University), Peter Rouse (Erie Community College), LeMaro Smith (University of Buffalo), Tyreke Smith (The Ohio State University), Jared Wilson (Ohio Dominican University), Zaire Webb (Georgetown University) and Ahmad Webber (West Virginia Wesleyan College).

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Volume 11, Issue 3, Posted 12:58 PM, 03.01.2018

March 19 fundraiser will benefit girls lacrosse

Heights Girls Lacrosse will host its annual fundraiser at Lopez Restaurant in Cleveland Heights on Monday, March 19, 5–9 p.m. Delicious food and drinks will be served, with all tips—along with proceeds from live raffle items and a 50-50 raffle—going to support Heights Lacrosse programs. For more information, go to Facebook and search Heights, Girls Lacrosse, Fundraiser.

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Volume 11, Issue 3, Posted 12:54 PM, 03.01.2018

Heights High re-dedicates Cappelletti Court

Cleveland Heights High School dedicated its new basketball court in honor of legendary former coach Jim Cappelletti during a pre-game ceremony on Feb. 9. The Heights High gymnasium now has a “Cappelletti Court” insignia on each of the baselines.

The Tigers’ previous home court, replaced during the high school renovation, was also named in honor of Cappelletti, who spent 45 years in the CH-UH district, and won 539 games in his coaching career.

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Volume 11, Issue 3, Posted 12:51 PM, 03.01.2018

Heights High’s Tyreke Smith commits to Ohio State

Heights High senior standout Tyreke Smith committed to play football at The Ohio State University during the Under Armour All-American game on Jan. 4, in Orlando, Fla. One of the most highly recruited football players in the country, Smith chose the Ohio State Buckeyes over Penn State and a host of other top collegiate programs.

Smith, a 6-foot-4-inch, 260-pound defensive end—who only started playing football as a Heights High junior—finished his senior year with 11 sacks, 23 tackles for loss, 22 QB pressures, 6 passes batted down, and 52 solo tackles. Previously, Smith had only played basketball, which he continues to play as a member of the Heights varsity squad.

On the gridiron this past fall, Smith was named All-Ohio Division I Co-Defensive Player of the Year and was selected as the Cleveland.com Defensive Player of the Year for 2017.

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Volume 11, Issue 2, Posted 10:25 AM, 02.01.2018

Heights Lacrosse hosts Holiday Lacrosse Clinic for girls

Heights Lacrosse will host its Heights Holiday Lacrosse Clinic Jan. 3–5, 9 a.m to noon, at Heights High. The clinic is open to girls in grades four through eight, and both new and experienced players are welcome.

The Heights High Girls Lacrosse team will lead the three-day clinic, assisted by the school’s coaching staff. Players will work on basic skills and techniques of the game in a fun environment.

The registration fee is $50 per student, and registration will be accepted through the holidays.

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Volume 11, Issue 1, Posted 10:28 AM, 12.12.2017

Heights lacrosse coach Terry Saylor is honored

The North Coast Ohio Chapter of US Lacrosse has honored Terry Saylor, Heights High’s girls lacrosse coach, for his outstanding contributions to the sport of lacrosse in the region, and his accomplishments as head coach at Cleveland Heights High School.

The organization inducted Saylor him into its Hall of Fame at a Sept. 15 ceremony held at the Urban Community School in Cleveland, the site of the new Lacrosse Communities Pilot Project.

Two Heights alumnae, Eve Tranchito (‘10) and Zoe Jones (‘07), presented the award to their former coach. Also in attendance were Heights alumna and former lacrosse player Kelly Jones ('11), and current Heights senior Lauren Iott, captain of the 2017–18 Heights lacrosse team.

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Volume 10, Issue 11, Posted 1:47 PM, 11.01.2017

Heights High pool is open to the community

The new Cleveland Heights High School pool is now open to all residents who live within the boundaries of the CH-UH City School District. Members of the community, as well as district staff, can purchase swim passes through the Parks and Recreation Department of the city of Cleveland Heights.

Fall swim passes cost $70 for a family, $32 for an adult (age 19–59), and $25 for a senior (age 60 and older). The fall pool season opened on Sept. 11, and runs through Nov. 3.

During the fall season, the pool is open to the community for the activities specified below, on the days and times listed.

  • Adult Lap Swim only: 6–7:30 a.m., Monday through Friday; 5:30–8 p.m., Monday through Thursday; and 8–10 a.m., Saturday.
  • Adult Lap Swim and Family Swim: 5–8 p.m., Friday; and 12:30–2 p.m., Saturday.
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Volume 10, Issue 10, Posted 11:59 AM, 09.26.2017

Forest Hill 5K run/walk set for Oct. 15

The second annual Fall for Forest Hill 5K Run/Walk will take place on Sunday, Oct. 15. The race, to benefit the East Cleveland Parks Association, offers participants an opportunity to experience spectacular fall colors on a unique and scenic USATF-certified course, winding through historic Forest Hill Park.

The race will begin and end at Forest Hill Park, adjacent to the Cleveland Heights Community Center at 1 Monticello Blvd.

Race-day check-in time is 8 a.m., at picnic shelter 2A and 2B. The chip-timed race will begin at 9 a.m., and the walk will start at 9:05.

5K runner awards will include the top overall female and male, and the top overall female and male in each age category: 14 and under; 15–17; 18–24; 24–34; 35–44; 45–54; 55–64; 65 and over.

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Volume 10, Issue 10, Posted 12:52 PM, 09.26.2017

Speedskating lessons for all ages begin Oct. 19

Arthur Schmiedl, of Cleveland Heights, had just finished a learn-to-skate session at the Cleveland Heights Community Center when he noticed someone his age walking around on really long skates.

“What are those?” he asked.

“Those are speed skates, kid,” said a coach who happened to overhear. “Want to give it a try?”

Schmiedl was 9 at the time. A few months later, he raced in his first short-track speedskating meet, and is now back for his third year of fun and competition. Earlier this year, he and three friends competed in the team relay event for their age group at the state championship.

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Volume 10, Issue 10, Posted 12:13 PM, 09.26.2017

CH Happy 5K and Fun Run on Oct. 8 will benefit youth scholarship fund

The city of Cleveland Heights recognizes the need to provide an opportunity for all children in the community to participate in its youth and teen recreation programs. Not all families can afford the associated costs of such participation, however. That is why the Youth Scholarship Fund was established—to make recreation programs more accessible to those Cleveland Heights children in need.

The Cleveland Heights Parks and Recreation Department administers the scholarship and hosts the Cleveland Heights Happy 5K, 10K & 1 Mile Fun Run as a means of raising scholarship funds.

This year’s race will take place on Sunday, Oct. 8, at 10 a.m. The race is a fun run for all ages and abilities, as well as a chip-timed race for the competitive runner.

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Volume 10, Issue 10, Posted 10:39 AM, 09.19.2017

Cleveland Skating Club Tennis Team wins championship

The Cleveland Skating Club Ladies 3.0 USTA (United States Tennis Association) 18 & Over team had a fantastic summer season.

Team members Susan Armstrong, Mary Kate Bastulli, Sabrina Davies, Calle Garcia, Jennifer Gidlow, Tara Hata, Jenny Peterman and Catey Peters started by winning the NEOTA division, moved on to the USTA Midwest State Championships, and finally won at the USTA Midwest Sectionals, beating teams from four other states.

 

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Volume 10, Issue 10, Posted 10:35 AM, 09.19.2017

Members of CH youth track club compete in AAU Junior Olympics

Fifteen members of Cleveland Heights Tigers Youth Track Club participated in the 2017 AAU (Amateur Athletics Union) Track and Field Junior Olympics, held July 29 through Aug. 5 in Detroit.

After qualifying at the district and regional finals in June and July, these top-finishing athletes moved on to the Junior Olympics to compete at the national level.

The Tigers took the field for shot put, hurdles, 400M, 800M, 1500M and 4x relays at Eastern Michigan University. Representing Cleveland Heights were Jordan Morman, Rondale Reid, Na'kyla Ford, Allana Fair, Simon Williams, Joe Kellers, Jebree Peterson, Xavier Jackson, Nick Vitantonio, David Tyus, Sir Thomas Hill-Bey, Asia'lee Fair, Ana Williams, Amaya Mattox and Kennedy Ferguson-Castro. While they took home no medals, they did set four personal records.

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Volume 10, Issue 9, Posted 10:19 AM, 08.15.2017

Heights alum and former coach tapped for sports honor

Bill Beard will join six other individuals when he is inducted into the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame on Sept. 14, as a member of its Class of 2017.

Beard was destined to be a coach. Born and raised in Cleveland Heights, he began playing baseball on neighborhood diamonds and hockey at the Cleveland Heights Recreation Pavilion during his youth. He attended Cleveland Heights High School, from which he graduated in 1980. While a student-athlete there, he starred on the both the sandlot and ice rink.

During his junior and senior years, Beard was a two-time All-Scholastic in hockey and a two-time All-LEL selection in baseball. The Tigers advanced to the OHSAA Final-Four in hockey his senior year.

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Volume 10, Issue 9, Posted 11:37 AM, 08.31.2017

Dayvione Briggs earns track and field scholarship

Heights High graduate Dayvione Briggs, a standout track and cross-country athlete, has signed a National Letter of Intent (NLI) to compete in track and field at Wheeling Jesuit University starting this fall.

Briggs graduated from Heights High in May, and had a decorated four-year career in cross-country and track. Now, she has received a scholarship to continue her athletic career on the collegiate level at Wheeling Jesuit.

Briggs expects to compete in the 100-meter hurdles, 400-meter hurdles, and heptathlon events for the Wheeling Jesuit Cardinals.

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Volume 10, Issue 8, Posted 12:25 PM, 08.01.2017

Heights Lacrosse hosts camp for students in grades two through nine

Beginning July 11, Heights Lacrosse will host the Heights Youth Summer Lacrosse Camp at Canterbury Elementary School, open to all students who will enter grades 2–9 this coming school year.

The camp provides an opportunity for young boys and girls to try out the sport and perhaps develop into future lacrosse players. No experience is necessary.

The camp runs for four weeks, and comprises eight evening sessions on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 6:30–8 p.m., beginning on Tuesday, July 11.  Terry Saylor, Heights High’s girls lacrosse coach, and Chris Ticconi, the school’s boys lacrosse coach, will supervise, and Heights High lacrosse players will coach the kids during the camp.

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Volume 10, Issue 7, Posted 1:18 PM, 06.20.2017

Heights High boys relay team wins state championship in 4x100 race

The Heights High boys 4x100-meter relay team— juniors Zaire Webb and Jakeith James and seniors Rahmon Davis-Smith and Shakorie Davis—won the state championship on June 3 in Columbus.

The 4x100 team members ran a 41.68 in the prelims on Friday, June 2, which put them third overall and second in their heat, behind Gahanna Lincoln. The Heights High Tigers came through in the finals on Saturday, running a 41.36 to beat Lincoln High for the title.

Shakorie Davis also made the it to the medal stand as an individual, finishing fourth in the state in the boys 200-meter dash. Davis was in sixth place after the prelims, running a 21.72 in the second heat. He then ran a 21.75 race in the finals to finish fourth.

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Volume 10, Issue 7, Posted 11:40 AM, 06.13.2017

RoxEl Run set for May 20

“I can’t wait for the race this year,” said 11-year-old Tyler Bain, a Roxboro Elementary School fifth-grader. “Last year l won my age group in the 4-mile race, but this year I want to finish in the top three overall and win a big trophy!”

The race is the RoxEl Run, an annual fun-filled community and inter-generational family event, benefiting Roxboro Elementary School. This year, it will take place on Saturday, May 20, beginning at 9 a.m. The race starts at the Roxboro Middle School track, 2400 Roxboro Road, and loops through the Cleveland Heights neighborhoods surrounding the school.

More than 350 participants are expected at this year’s event, which features 4-mile and 2-mile runs, or a 2-mile walk, which begins shortly after the run start time and follows the same route.

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Volume 10, Issue 5, Posted 10:37 AM, 05.03.2017

The Heights celebrates Bike Month

The Heights will once again be celebrating Bike Month in May, with local events planned to correspond with National Bike Month, established in 1956.

"Biking is on the upswing," said Mary Dunbar, a Cleveland Heights council member and former head of Heights Bicycle Coalition (HBC), which plays a major role in organizing Bike Month in Cleveland Heights. "Millennials don't want to own cars and prefer to ride bikes. In addition, 30 percent of Cleveland Heights people who head over to University Circle either walk or ride bikes."

Various activities will take place in and around Cleveland Heights and University Heights throughout the month, including Bike to Work Week and the Ride of Silence—a memorial to honor those injured or killed while riding their bicycles.

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Volume 10, Issue 5, Posted 11:23 AM, 04.25.2017

WOW kicks off year two on April 23

Women out Walking (WOW), an initiative of the Cleveland Heights Parks and Recreation Department, is set to kick off its second year on Sunday, April 23, 2–4 pm., at the CH Community Center.

WOW offers various activities to help women get healthy and fit, including yoga, tai chi and self-defense, while meeting new people and exploring Cleveland Heights parks.

The free 12-week program is limited to 150 women, so sign up soon.

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Volume 10, Issue 4, Posted 6:27 PM, 03.30.2017

Heights High grads—and brothers—to play in NFL Pro Bowl

In December, Travis Kelce, a 2008 Heights High graduate and tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, was named a starter in the 2017 National Football League (NFL) Pro Bowl, to be played this Sunday, Jan. 29, 8 p.m., in Orlando, Fla. This will be Kelce’s second appearance in the Pro Bowl.

On Jan. 23, his older brother, Jason Kelce, joined him on the 2017 Pro Bowl roster. Jason is also a Heights High grad, and plays center for the Philadelphia Eagles. This will be Jason Kelce’s second Pro Bowl appearance; he was previously selected for the 2015 roster.

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Volume 10, Issue 2, Posted 11:22 AM, 01.24.2017

Pickleball comes to Cleveland Heights

Cleveland Heights has a pickleball program, which started in the winter of 2016. One of the fastest growing sports in the U.S, and popular in China, Costa Rica, Spain and Japan, pickleball is played on a court half the size of a tennis court (making it easier on the knees), using a paddle that looks like a large pingpong paddle, and a hard plastic ball with holes.

In Cleveland Heights, participants play outside in good weather, at Dennison Park’s two courts, and inside from October through May, at the Cleveland Heights Community Center (1 Monticello Blvd.), where there are three courts.

Pickleball is for singles or doubles, though most play doubles.

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Volume 9, Issue 12, Posted 5:33 PM, 12.01.2016

Beaumont's Adams competes in state golf tournament

Erin Adams, a Beaumont School senior, represented Beaumont at the 9th annual Girls Division II State Golf Tournament. Adams finished 11th out of 71 girls who made the trip to Columbus, to play in the Oct. 14 and 15 championship at The Ohio State University Gray Golf Course.

Adams previously competed in the 2013 state championship, for which Beaumont’s team qualified. This year, she came out strong on day one, and shot a 4 over par 74. She followed up with an 87 on day two, for an overall score of 161.

Adams has been a member of Beaumont's golf team throughout her high school career and, as a senior, has become a leader both on and off the golf course. She is helpful, encouraging and always there for her teammates.

"As one of the co-captains this year, Erin has really stepped up in the leadership role,” said Coach Katie Kirk.

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Volume 9, Issue 12, Posted 5:30 PM, 12.01.2016

Derrick Russell is new basketball coach at Beaumont

Beaumont School has hired Derrick Russell as its new varsity basketball coach.

“We are excited to have Derrick on board and are thrilled about the expertise he will bring to our athletic program,” said Matthew Robinson, Beaumont’s athletic director.

Russell, who began his new job on Oct. 28, comes to Beaumont from the men’s basketball program at Case Western Reserve University, where he spent the past six seasons as an assistant coach, focusing on the defensive side of the game. 

Russell worked as a coach at Wiley Middle School during the 2013–14 season, and has been an assistant coach at the high school level.

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Volume 9, Issue 11, Posted 11:30 AM, 11.01.2016

Pick-Up-N-Play Rugby comes to Cumberland Park

Heights residents are invited to a free Pick-Up-N-Play Rugby session at Cumberland Park, on Nov. 26, 1–3 p.m.

This event is a chance for boys, girls and parents to get out and experience flag rugby in a safe, fun environment. Members of the Cleveland State University Rugby team will be on hand to introduce the sport, using a number of fun activities and structured matches.

The session is free and open to all. Attendance for the entire two hours is not mandatory—participants should feel free to arrive late or leave early.

There will also be information on hand about Tiger Nation RFC, the Cleveland Heights youth rugby team that is being formed.

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Volume 9, Issue 11, Posted 11:33 AM, 11.01.2016

CH Happy 5K and Fun Run benefits youth recreation fund

On the first Sunday in October, 575 runners from 60 cities participated in the second annual Cleveland Heights Happy 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run. The Oct. 2 event raised more than $8,000 for the Cleveland Heights Youth Scholarship fund.

About 163 Cleveland Heights residents were among the participants, following a route that started on Lee Road and wound through the business districts of Cedar Lee and Coventry Village. Lead sponsors, the Cleveland Clinic and Motorcars, each donated $2,500 to support the event.

Team and individual race results can be found here: https://www.westernreserveracing.com/races/race-results/.

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Volume 9, Issue 11, Posted 11:38 AM, 10.11.2016

Cumberland Pool hosts annual water show

Cumberland Pool lifeguards were among the performers at the annual Cumberland Pool Water Show, which took place on Aug. 2.

This year's show, with the theme "Road Trip to Cumberland Pool," featured skits, music and performances by the diving teams, the synchronized swim team, coaches, and all of the pool's lifeguards.

The show's finale came at nightfall with all of the performers donning glow sticks in the water for a choreographed exit. [photo: Gabe Schaffer]

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Volume 9, Issue 9, Posted 10:57 AM, 09.01.2016

Remembering CH's early Olympians

Several early Olympians once lived in or practiced near Cleveland Heights, within blocks of one another, not far from Roxboro Junior High School. Three of those Olympians were in the same “Chariots of Fire” Olympics, in Paris in 1924.

Up until 1924, Nordic countries dominated the javelin, winning all the medals at the previous Olympics. Gene Oberst became the first and only American to win a medal (bronze) in the javelin in the first half-century of the Olympic games. This was also America’s first medal at the VIIIth Olympiad, when the stars and stripes flew over Colombes stadium for the first time.

The previous fall, Oberst had blocked for the legendary Four Horsemen at Notre Dame when they defeated the national champs—Princeton. He also blocked for the Gipper (played onscreen by Ronald Reagan)—probably the most versatile player in football history—when Notre Dame won the national championship. Earlier that spring, Oberst shattered seven track and field records across the nation, including those at the prestigious Kansas, Drake and Penn relays, when he became the national champion. His track and football coach, Knute Rockne—the winningest college football coach, with a record of .881—was a second father to Oberst, guiding, consoling and praising him through his early career.

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Volume 9, Issue 9, Posted 11:52 AM, 08.30.2016

Heights Olympians competed in Rio

Emily Infeld, a 2008 Beaumont School graduate and daughter of University Heights Mayor Susan Infeld, competed in the 10,000 meter race at the 2016 Olympics. Charles Conwell, a 2016 Heights High graduate, represented the United States in the Olympic boxing competition.

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Volume 9, Issue 9, Posted 10:37 AM, 09.01.2016

Beaumont hosts Aug. 12 Olympic watch party to cheer on Emily Infeld ('08)

Cleveland Heights's Beaumont School will host a watch party on Friday, Aug. 12, at 9:30 a.m., to cheer on runner Emily Infeld, a 2008 Beaumont graduate, as she competes in the 10,000-meter event in the 2016 Olympics. The race is scheduled to start at 10:10 a.m.

Infeld, the daughter of University Heights Mayor Susan Infeld, came in second in the 10,000-meter qualifier on July 10, and is representing the United States in Rio de Janiero.

A distance runner, Infeld is best known for winning the 10,000-meter bronze medal at the 2015 IAAF World Championships.

Infeld graduated from Georgetown University in 2012; while at Georgetown, she was the 2012 NCAA indoor 3,000-meter champion. Infeld's personal bests include 15:07.18 for 5,000 meters and 31:38.71 for 10,000 meters—both set early in the 2015 outdoor season.

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Volume 9, Issue 9, Posted 1:11 PM, 08.11.2016

Fourth annual RoxEl Run is June 4

The RoxEl Run, a community foot race now in its fourth year, will take place on Saturday, June 4 at 9 a.m. Starting at the Roxboro Middle School track, 2405 Roxboro Road, the race loops around the school's surrounding neighborhoods. Proceeds raised benefit Roxboro Elementary School PTA programs for students in grades K–5.

First organized in 2013 by Roxboro Elementary School PTA members to encourage healthy habits and physical fitness for elementary-age students, the race has grown into a popular competitive event that is fun for all ages. All students, parents, staff, alumni and neighbors within the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District are welcome to attend. Last year's event drew 231 runners and raised $3,000.

More than 300 participants are expected at this year's event. As in the past, events begin at 9 a.m. with a 4-mile and 2-mile run, followed at 10 a.m. by a Kid Fun Run around the middle school track for elementary-age children. New in 2016 is a 2-mile walk, which begins shortly after the run start time and follows the same route. 

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Volume 9, Issue 5, Posted 9:06 AM, 04.30.2016

May is Bike Month in Cleveland Heights

Cleveland Heights will again celebrate National Bike Month this May, with various events that will take place throughout the month, including a Bike to School Day and a Bike to Work Week. 

Cleveland Heights City Council first declared May as Bike Month in 2011. Two years later, in 2013, Cleveland Heights was declared a Bicycle Friendly Community—one of only 13 in Ohio—by the League of American Bicyclists. The other cities in Northeast Ohio that have been so designated are Cleveland, Lakewood, Oberlin and Akron.

Cleveland Heights Bike Month is organized by the Heights Bicycle Coalition (HBC), a nonprofit organization that formed in the spring of 2010 with the goal of making the Heights more bicycle-friendly.

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Volume 9, Issue 5, Posted 9:26 AM, 04.26.2016

CH's Conwell secures spot on U.S. Olympic boxing team

Heights High senior Charles Conwell, 18, has just returned home from Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he secured a spot on the U.S. Olympic Boxing team. When he arrived at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport on Monday, March 21, he was greeted by cheering family and friends who were there to celebrate Conwell’s achievement.

Conwell competed with 11 other American boxers, both men and women, at the Americas Olympic Qualifier, which took place in Buenos Aires, March 11–19. A middleweight boxer, at 5 feet 9 inches and 165 pounds, Conwell is the youngest member of the Team USA boxing squad that will compete in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. 

"I'm so excited to be home! And finally on the 2016 Olympic team," said Conwell. "This is not just for me, but for my family, friends and all those who support me. 
My next step, now, is prom and graduation, and spending time with my family and friends."

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Volume 9, Issue 5, Posted 11:30 AM, 03.22.2016

Teamwork takes America's pastime to new heights

When the Heights High baseball team found itself without a field due to renovation at the school, top officials from the school board and the city, along with coaches and parks department personnel, worked together to find a solution.

Months of meetings, measurements and problem-solving have resulted in upgrades to Forest Hill Field No. 4, which will serve as the high school home field this spring and next. The 2016 season runs April 1 through mid-May.

“Baseball at the high school level is unprecedented at city facilities," said Head Coach Ed Mugridge. "This will allow citizens and youth baseball participants to see the high level of play that goes on during the high school season. Forest Hill is where many of the high school players had their youth baseball experiences. In a way, it’s like coming home and a natural fit for them and the city.”

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Volume 9, Issue 4, Posted 11:46 AM, 03.22.2016

Heights Swim Cadets to perform annual show March 10–12

The Swim Cadets, Cleveland Heights High School’s synchronized swim team, will perform on March 10, 11 and 12, at 7 p.m.

This year’s performance, themed “On the Run,” is the culmination of five months of 12–15 hours of practice weekly.

As the oldest extracurricular organization at Heights High, the Swim Cadets is steeped in history.

Maya Hubbard, the club’s co-president, said, “Swim Cadets is one of the best clubs at Heights. It's been a part of the school since 1939—almost 80 years! Synchronized swimming isn't typical of many places, so it's very cool to be a part of a club like this. Each year I look forward to meeting and getting to know a new group of girls, and becoming closer to each other as the season goes on."

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Volume 9, Issue 4, Posted 9:54 AM, 03.03.2016

Heights High's Charles Conwell poised to join U.S. Olympic team

Charles Conwell, a senior at Heights High, may be headed to the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro this August.

Conwell is very close to making the U.S. Olympic team as a boxer. The 18-year-old, who lives on Altamont Road in Cleveland Heights, has been boxing for the last eight years. “Once I started,” said Conwell, “I could never quit.”

Conwell, a 165-pound middleweight boxer, won his class at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Reno, Nev., in December. He beat two-time national champion Leshawn Rodriguez in his opening bout, and then went on to win his fights against world championship team member Anthony Campbell and 2015 national champion Chordale Booker.

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Volume 9, Issue 2, Posted 11:00 AM, 01.08.2016

JCU football player earns national award for community service

On Oct. 29, a large group gathered at John Carroll University (JCU) to surprise defensive lineman David Porter with an Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® trophy—a national award and a prestigious off-the-field honor.

Porter arrived at Don Shula Stadium under the assumption that he was attending a typical football practice in preparation for the weekend’s game against Muskingum University. Shortly after the team warm-up, however, Coach Tom Arth asked the team to take a knee as representatives from Allstate and JCU; the Blue Streaks mascot, Lobo; and family [and] friends all stormed the field to surprise Porter.

The event was orchestrated to present Porter with his Allstate AFCA Good Works Team trophy, honoring his outstanding community service involvement.

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Volume 8, Issue 12, Posted 12:49 PM, 11.02.2015

Heights welcomes new basketball coach with BBQ fundraiser

The Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District will welcome Jeremy Holmes, new head coach of Cleveland Heights boys varsity basketball, at a BBQ fundraiser on Saturday, Aug. 1. While the Heights basketball program has always been strong, the district is especially excited to begin a new era with Holmes, who is a former Heights student and star player.

Holmes has long been involved in youth basketball. He has worked closely with the Heights Basketball Academy over the years and in close cooperation with the program’s executive director, Damon Stringer, another former Heights student and star player.

Stringer has been working with kids in the Heights over the last few years, putting in countless hours to provide group and individual training programs, resources, tournaments, mentoring and coaching to hundreds of kids—many of whom will be heading Holmes’ way on the courts. Stringer has been striving to develop these young adults, in the hope that they will reach their full potential, on and off the court.

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Volume 8, Issue 8, Posted 11:22 AM, 07.28.2015

Heights team wins Pony League title

In thrilling but ultimately convincing fashion, Cleveland Heights beat the South Euclid Indians 26-8 on July 17 to capture the 2015 Quad-City Pony League championship for the 14U age group.

The win did not come easily, as South Euclid claimed an early lead. Down by two runs with two outs in the bottom of the third inning, Heights scored 12 runs to take a commanding lead and never looked back.

Taking over for starter Justin Rink, pitchers Owen Lang and Jake Rzepka—backed by solid defense—held South Euclid to zero runs the remainder of the game.

Coached by Jeff Rink, the team finished the regular season with an 11-1 record and was seeded first in the post-season tournament. “I was really impressed with this squad, especially after they fell behind early," Rink said after the game. "A lot of these guys have been together for a long time, been competitive but have not won a championship until today. I am thrilled they ended their pre-high school careers on such a high note.”

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Volume 8, Issue 8, Posted 10:58 AM, 07.21.2015

CH's Jessica Bryant earns academic honors as a student-athlete

Jessica Bryant of Cleveland Heights claimed academic all-conference honors from the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) as a student-athlete at Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C).

Bryant, a first-year student at Tri-C, played women’s basketball for the Tri-C Challengers. She was one of 15 Tri-C student-athletes to earn a spot on the Academic All-OCCAC Team.

Those honored maintained at least a 3.30 GPA while completing at least 24 credit hours during the 2014–15 academic year.

“These student-athletes reflect Cuyahoga Community College’s commitment to excellence,” said Alex Johnson, Tri-C president. “They made us proud both in the classroom and on the field.”

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Volume 8, Issue 7, Posted 10:47 AM, 06.22.2015

Beaumont coach starts new tennis tradition

In the world of high school girl’s tennis, the teams representing Beaumont School and Cleveland Heights High School have always had a bit of a rivalry. In the spirit of competition, Mike Pellechia, Beaumont tennis head coach, started a yearly tradition to make the rivalry a little more interesting.

The “Golden Racquet” now serves as a trophy for the winner of the yearly match between Beaumont and Heights High. The winner—and racquet recipient—keeps it for an entire year, and is required to bring it to the rivalry match the following year.

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Volume 7, Issue 10, Posted 10:50 AM, 09.16.2014

Nature Center's annual Hike & Run is Sept. 21

The 10th annual Shaker Lakes Hike & Run, with 5K and 10K races and nature hikes, is set for Sunday, Sept. 21. This fun family event offers three hikes, a 5K race and—new this year—a 10K race and "Lakes to Lake" hike options.

The 5K and 10K races take runners on streets and paths through the scenic Shaker parklands, including the dirt path along North Park Boulevard, giving runners a beautiful view of lower Shaker Lake. The race is managed by HMA Promotions, and awards will be given to overall winners as well as winners of several age categories.

Hike & Run offers three different guided hikes of various lengths. A one-mile, pet-friendly family hike leads participants through the forest, marsh and demonstration prairie within the grounds of the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes. This hike is the only time pets are allowed on the Nature Center trails.

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Volume 7, Issue 9, Posted 10:21 AM, 08.29.2014

Free shuttle from CH to Gay Games Aug. 13

The Coventry Village, Cedar Lee and Cedar Fairmount special improvement districts, in partnership with Heights Motorcars, will provide free shuttle rides for Heights residents to the 2014 Gay Games Festival Village. The shuttles will run on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 6–10 p.m. The Gay Games Festival Village is free to attend.

The shuttles are also available for Gay Games athletes and visitors wishing to explore Cleveland Heights neighborhoods and experience its dining and shopping.

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Volume 7, Issue 8, Posted 11:13 AM, 07.31.2014

Why walk the Heights if you can run?

A strength of the Heights is its walkability. Ubiquitous sidewalks lead to coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, libraries, schools and religious institutions—all sorts of attractions.

The Heights is also a great place for runners, who can enter numerous races without ever leaving the Heights.

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Volume 7, Issue 6, Posted 10:12 AM, 05.30.2014

Heights rider reaches for the Rockies

University Heights resident Doug Bahniuk is about to embark on a challenging bike ride—almost 500 miles across the Rocky Mountains, climbing six mountain passes with a total elevation of 28,265 vertical feet. Adding to the challenge is the fact that Bahniuk has Parkinson’s disease.

In an odd twist of the disease, many Parkinson’s patients have a hard time walking, but can often easily ride a bicycle. Despite about 55,000 new cases per year, Parkinson’s disease remains a medical mystery.

The cause of the symptoms is known to be a deficiency of a neurotransmitter called dopamine, but no one knows why there is a loss of the brain cells that produce dopamine in the first place. This inadequate amount of dopamine causes a Parkinson’s patient to lose the ability to control his or her body’s movements.

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Volume 7, Issue 5, Posted 5:03 PM, 05.02.2014