Jeremy Cavolo, a middle school teacher at IS 51 and the school’s wrestling coach reports that more than 70 grapplers participated in a middle school wrestling event at Tottenville High School on Wednesday.

Young athletes from South Richmond, the Tottenville Youth Wrestling Club, the Monsignor Farrell Lions Wrestling Club, Petrides Middle School, IS 24 and IS 51 competed in the event to promote the growth of middle school wrestling.

“This has never happened before,” said Cavolo. “For a long time, wrestling in NYC starts when you get to high school.

Cavolo noted that all the middle school coaches are former Staten Island wrestlers, who chose to put their time, energy and efforts into creating a competitive middle school wrestling presence on Staten Island.

“We put this effort in because of the amazing benefits that wrestling provides to our lives; we know what it can do for our youth and community,” said Cavolo. “We do this because it wasn’t available to us when we all wrestled.

“If these students start earlier like they do in every other sport on Staten island, then we will have a fair chance at earning college scholarships. But, more importantly they will be learning good habits that will carry them for life and they will beat the streets by staying engaged in something positive.”

IS 51 just introduced the sport and the wrestling team made its debut with 23 wrestlers at the event.

“We were able to create our program through the help and support from the other coaches that competed with us and with months of effort on the coaches’ end and weeks of practice from the kids and tons of support from the small but powerful wrestling community,” said Cavolo. “My school’s administration were able to bring 23 active middle school wrestlers out to compete. That’s 23 kids from a Title 1 school engaged and working on something positive that will improve their lives.

“These kids have pride, confidence and a sense of belonging because they are a part of something special.”

Cavolo also noted that Beat The Streets NY, a non-profit organization that helps urban youth programs, also helped with the creation of the team.

Cavolo said there will be an Open Tournament held outdoors on June 7, 2025 at Tottenville HS. It will be open to middle school, high school and adult competitors.

CADIZ — Harrison Central Junior-Senior High School will hold commencement for its Class of 2025 at 7 p.m. today in the school’s gym.

Heading the class are Valedictorian Anthony Bender Pelegreen, Salutatorian Kayden Mitchell Dunkle, Kyle Vincent Bake, AnnMarie Grace Corder, Lauren Jean Doane, Jillian Evelyn Foreman, Kaitlyn Michelle Morrison, Madelyn Joanna Sedgmer, TyLynn Marie Smith and Madison Marie Zeroski.

The son of Joseph and Sarah Pelegreen of Hopedale, Pelegreen has been accepted to Miami University’s Honors College and Farmer School of Business, where he will major in finance and entrepreneurship.

He has been awarded the Ohio Governor’s Merit Scholarship, MU Bridges Program for Excellence Scholarship, MU Honors College Prodesse Scholars Scholarship and MU Ohio Governor’s Scholarship. A National Honor Society member and four-year Ruritan Scholars, he has been named to the principal’s list with distinction and Belmont College dean’s list.

Pelegreen was a three-year letterer in basketball and as team captain, helped lead the team to become state championship runners up in 2023. He also participated in Buckeye Boys State, the Close-Up program in Washington, D.C., the Pep Club and Huskies Way Leadership.

He put in more than 200 hours of community service through a local food bank, tutoring, youth baseball umpiring and various events. He is a member of Bell Chapel United Methodist Church and the Hopedale Sportsman’s Club.

The son of Stephanie and Brian Dunkle of Cadiz, Dunkle plans to major in mechanical engineering at the University of Mount Union.

He has been awarded the Governor’s Merit Scholarship and Mount Union Trustee Scholarship and was named a Ruritan Scholar and to the National Honor Society.

Dunkle earned varsity letters in baseball and soccer and served as team captain for both during his senior year. For baseball, he was named to the Second Team Eastern District and First Team Buckeye 8.

For soccer, he earned First Team OVAC and First Team Buckeye 8 honors.

He has volunteered for Route 9 cleanup projects, school fish frys and food drivers for families in need and served as a peer tutor.

The son of Della and Charles Bake of Cadiz, Bake will study high performance and racing technologies at Ohio Technical College.

A National Honors Society member and honors graduate, he was named to the principal’s list with distinction.

He was a four-year member, three-year varsity letterer and captain of the bowling team and a two-time All-Conference First Team honoree.

He has volunteered as a tutor, assisted with local holiday events and attends Crossroads Christian Church.

The daughter of Shauna and Dustin Corder of Cadiz, Corder plans to study esthetics at the Aveda Institute of Columbus.

She is a National Honor Society member, four-year Ruritan Scholar, varsity letterer in volleyball and member of Harrison County 4-H and volunteers at the Mid-Ohio Food Bank.

The daughter of Travis and Bethany Doane of Freeport, Doane will study exercise science at Malone University, from which she has been awarded a volleyball scholarship.

An honors diploma recipient, she earned the Governor’s Merit Scholarship and Grand Masons Scholarship and was named a Ruritan Scholar and to the National Honor Society.

Doane was varsity letterer in volleyball and basketball, serving as co-captain of both teams, and received multiple All-Conference and All-District honors.

She has been a 4-H club officer and camp counselor and is active in her church and community service.

The daughter of Andrew Foreman and Christine Olinski of Scio, Foreman will major in aeronautical science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

She was awarded Embry-Riddle’s Presidential and Women of Excellence Scholarships and was named a Ruritan Scholar and to the National Honor Society.

Foreman has served as class president and student advisory council president and in other leadership roles; and participated in the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership program, Academic Challenge, band and theater.

She has volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters.

The daughter of Robert Morrison and Autumn Francis of Bloomingdale, Morrison will study hospitality and event management at Kent State University, where she has been awarded Merit and Honors College scholarships.

She has been named a Ruritan Scholar and to the National Honors Society, participated in volleyball and was a club secretary and camp counselor for 4-H.

Morrison has been active in her church and the local fair board and in various volunteer efforts.

The daughter of William and Tiffany Sedgmer of New Athens, Sedgmer will study civil engineering at Belmont College.

An honors diploma recipient, she was named a Ruritan Scholar and to the National Honor Society. She earned varsity letters in volleyball and basketball, serving as co-captain of the latter team, and received many athletic honors.

Sedgmer’s volunteer work has included local food banks, tutoring and coaching at youth basketball camps.

The daughter of Tyler Smith and Lacee Jones of Cadiz, Smith will study social work at Ohio University Eastern.

She earned Governor’s Merit and Regional Distinction scholarships and Eastern Promise Award and was named a Ruritan Scholar and to the National Honor Society.

She was a varsity letterer in track and bowling and served as captain of the junior varsity volleyball team.

Smith participated in class council and volunteered for local food banks, library programs, school events and other efforts.

The daughter of Kaydee and Frank Zeroski of Cadiz, Zeroski plans to study psychology and play volleyball at Waynesburg University.

She has been awarded many scholarships, including the A.B. Miller, Waynesburg State, Leadership, Governor’s Merit and Grand Lodge of Ohio, and was named a Ruritan Scholar and to the National Honor Society.

She was a four-year academic and varsity volleyball letterer and participated in Academic Challenge, the Envirothon, 4-H and her church while volunteering in many areas.

The Class of 2025 also includes: Madison Angle, Reed Arbaugh, Blake Atkins, Briyanna Ayres, Kaily Banal, Roni Banks, Jaida Barber, Cecilia Bellerive, Tyler Bender, Kira Birney, Jacob Bodenheimer, Kevin Card, Rylie Carter, Khia Chamberlain, Shane Coen, Gavin Cole, Drew Culbertson, Lyla Dalton, Morgan Dillon, Arrieonna Dorn, Vanessa Dowdle, Charles Duffy, Braylee Dunfee, Kennedy Dunlap, Brady Elliott, Annabelle Fischer, Paige Fitzgerald, Austin Fulton, Jasmine Garbrandt, Mackense Garbrandt, Jade Garrison, Lilian Gibbons, Hannah Goddard, LeAnn Gray, Kaitlyn Greer, Danae Hardwick, Lindsay Heavilin, Kobie Hennis, Kendal Hercules, Markus Hilbert, Robert Hoagland, Nickolas Jacobs, Amilliah Jones-Cogar, James Keener, Kennyth Keffer, Shayla Leon, Rilynn Logsdon, Leland Lopez, Austin Lucas, Lorelai Manbeck, McKeehan Manson, Cameron McAfee, Zachory McAfee, Brady McPeak, Caleb Miller, Jodlean Milliken, James Moore, Taylor Moore, Nathan Muklewicz, Hailey Nation, Isabella Neal, Taylor Nemeth, David Noble, Kaylee Pack, Braelyn Patrick, Avri Puskarich, Mykel Quito, Riley Reed, Seth Reed, Kylie Richards, Shawnee Ridgeway, Nash Roberts, Ocean Rogers, Marie Ross, Cole Saiter, Emily Saylor, Lillyanna Scott, Lexus Scott-Malone, Mason Sedgmer, Nicholas Shafer, Caleb Shaw, Emma Skinner, Kennedy Skinner, William Smith, Tucker Snyder, Kya Stillwagon, Gabriella Stull, Landen Stull, Brice Tanner, Landen Thomas, Hailey Toker, Olivia Tonkovich, Cheyenne Twaddle, Ashton Tweedy, Angelina Utter, Shyloh Utter, Charles Vint, Kaila Walker, Mariel Ward, Anthony Watkins, Michael Wease, Alex Weilbacher, Braden White, Gianna Williams, Briana Williams, Zoe Williamson, Hayley Willis, Emmett Wilson, Sophia Woodburn, Dakota Wright and Brodie Yeager.

Morning Medical Update © Alena Kryazheva – stock.adobe.com

President Trump declares May as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month

President Donald Trump proclaimed May as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, calling on Americans to embrace active lifestyles to improve the nation’s health. In the proclamation, Trump blamed decades of neglect for the country’s poor public health outcomes and highlighted his administration’s initiatives to reverse the trend, including appointing Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as HHS Secretary and launching the Make America Healthy Again Commission. He also touted executive actions promoting youth sports participation and barring transgender women from competing in women’s sports. The White House framed the month as a renewed commitment to public fitness and individual potential.

Most Americans are unaware that alcohol raises cancer risk, study finds

A new national survey led by researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center found that nearly 60% of U.S. adults are unaware or uncertain that alcohol consumption increases the risk of cancer. Published in JAMA Oncology, the study revealed that just 40% of Americans recognize the alcohol-cancer link, despite alcohol contributing to an estimated 75,000 cancer cases annually. Researchers urged stronger public education, clinician-patient conversations and policy reforms — including updated Surgeon General guidelines and warning labels — to reduce future cancer rates.

Smart Meter warns patient data may be routed to China via some remote monitoring devices

Smart Meter, a provider of cellular-connected remote patient monitoring (RPM) devices, is warning that some U.S. health care products may be transmitting sensitive data through Chinese-operated servers before reaching American providers — posing major privacy and national security risks. The alert follows a new Department of Justice rule restricting data transfers to foreign adversaries, with enforcement beginning July 8. Violations could bring criminal penalties of up to $1 million and 20 years in prison.

Registration for the City of Litchfield Park’s Youth Coach Pitch Program opens Monday, June 2, at 8 a.m.

The co-ed recreational league is designed for boys and girls ages 7 to 8 and offers a non-competitive environment focused on fun, skill development, and sportsmanship.

Resident registration is $77, while non-residents pay $97. All participants will receive a numbered T-shirt jersey and hat, compete in a seven-game season, and receive end-of-season awards. Team and individual photos will be available for an additional fee.

Games will be held on Tuesdays or Thursdays at the Jackie Robinson Ball Field. Each team will also hold one weekly practice, scheduled by the volunteer head coach. The city does not assign practice times or locations, but all practices will take place outdoors.

The Coach Pitch program emphasizes baseball fundamentals while promoting teamwork, good sportsmanship, and the social benefits of youth sports. Participants will learn basic skills and rules of the game in a supportive and inclusive environment.

Players will be placed on teams according to the city’s placement policy, which considers public school attendance and geographic location. 

Volunteer coaches are essential to the program, and the city is encouraging community members to get involved.

Coaches must be at least 18 years old, complete a Youth Sports Coaching Application and Background Authorization Form, attend the mandatory coaches meeting and complete a certification.

The certification includes two required classes, offered on multiple dates to accommodate varying schedules. Coaches must also agree to uphold the city’s philosophy of “Building Tomorrow’s Leaders, Today,” and follow the Coaches’ Code of Ethics, which prioritizes player safety, respect, and creating a positive sports environment.

In addition to supporting the development of local youth, volunteer coaches gain flexibility in setting their team’s practice schedule and location.

For more information or to register, visit litchfieldpark.gov.

CHATTANOOGA—The Chattanooga Mocs football team is coming back to campus for summer workouts and classes as preparation for the 2025 campaign are well underway. A spirited spring drills concluded in March while behind the scenes, plans and timing were taking place.
 
Time is an all-important, ever-present facet of life so let’s start there. The home times are announced and are subject to change per broadcast possibilities.
 
Sept. 13: Stetson – 6 p.m.
Sept. 27: The Citadel – 6 p.m.
Oct. 18: ETSU – 1:30 p.m.
Nov. 1: Western Carolina – 4 p.m.
Nov. 8: Furman – 1:30 p.m.
 
Promotions are planned and in motion for all five contests.
 
Sept. 13 | Stetson
Promos: Senior Day, Youth in Sports Day, Fan Appreciation Day, Little Moc Walk
Senior Day: The Mocs will honor this year’s crop of seniors prior to kickoff.
Youth in Sports Day: All youth arriving in their youth sports jersey or cheerleading uniform get a complimentary ticket to the game along with purchase of adult.
Fan Appreciation Day: Prizes are awarded throughout the game via the Go Mocs App which can be downloaded for free in your device’s app store.
Little Moc Walk: Kids 12 and under lead the spirit parade with the Marching Mocs and spirit squads in the pavilion.
 
Sept. 27 | The Citadel
Promos: Reunion Weekend, Academic Night, Hall of Fame Game
Reunion Weekend: The programs celebrates the “10 year” anniversary of the Mocs 3-peat from 2013-15. Members from all three teams are invited back for the festivities.
Academic Night: The department celebrates another record semester in the classroom honoring all student-athletes with 3.0 or better GPAs.
Hall of Fame Game: This year’s Hall of Fame class is unveiled in ceremonies over the weekend culminating with an on-field presentation at the game.
 
Oct. 18 | ETSU
Promos: White Out, Fall Family Weekend, Mocs Flock Finley
White Out: All fans are encouraged to wear white.
Fall Family Weekend: This is a University event with students and their families enjoying a day at the ol’ ballyard.
Mocs Flock Finley: The annual first-year student dash at Finley Stadium onto the field takes place pre-game.
 
Nov. 1 | Western Carolina
Promos: Homecoming
Need we say more? The date on the schedule most circled along with the season opener. Alumni come back to campus to celebrate memories and catch up with old friends.
 
Nov. 8 | Furman
Promos: Military Appreciation/Salute to Heroes Game

Free admission for all active and retired military members as well as first responders & area medical personnel including police, firefighters, EMS, nurses and doctors.
 
Season tickets are on sale now. It’s always the most economical means to attending all five home contests. Prices start at $60.
 
GoMocs.com is the official website of the Chattanooga Mocs. Buy officially licensed gear in our online store. The Mocs can also be followed on their official Facebook page or on Twitter. Find out how to join the Mocs Club and support more than 300 student-athletes by clicking here.
 

By DeCA Corporate Communications

FORT GREGG-ADAMS, Va. – Children in eight military communities will get the opportunity to attend a free football ProCamps event courtesy of a Procter & Gamble (P&G) promotion available near select commissaries and exchanges.

The two-day camps, led by NFL football players, are open to the children (ages 6-14) of active-duty military, reservists, retirees and Department of Defense (DOD) civilian employees.

Camp locations, dates and participating athletes are:

• McChord Air Force Base (Joint Base Lewis-McChord), Washington (June 13-14), Noah Fant, Seattle Seahawks

• Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, (June 24-25), Tre Harris, Los Angeles Chargers

• Fort Benning, Georgia, (June 27-28), Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons

• Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, (June 30 – July 1), Emery Jones, Baltimore Ravens

• Naval Weapons Station Charleston, South Carolina, (July 11-12), Robert Hunt, Carolina Panthers

• Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, (July 14-15), George Karlaftis, Kansas City Chiefs

• Fort Bragg North, North Carolina (July 15-16), Austin Corbett, Carolina Panthers

• Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, (July 19-20), Grady Jarrett, Chicago Bears

Overseas ProCamps events have already occurred. March 22-23, Jevón Holland, a safety from the New York Giants, hosted the Vogelweh, Germany, camp at the Kaiserslautern High School, with autograph signings at the Kaiserslautern Military Community Center and Ramstein Air Base Commissary.

April 12-13, Morgan Fox, a defensive end with the Atlanta Falcons, hosted the other overseas camp, at the Yokota Air Base High School, Japan, with autograph signings at the Yokota Air Base Commissary and Exchange.

The eight installations qualified for a camp based on purchases and displays of P&G products in their local commissaries and exchanges during March and April. The camps are designed to accommodate up to 150 children.

Campers will experience various stations to learn football fundamentals, participate in games and competitions, receive coaching from an NFL player, and compete for a chance to win signed merchandise and more P&G product samples through “Camper of the Day” awards.

Those interested in the upcoming camps should visit their local commissary, exchange or contact the local youth sports office for details. This year, autograph sessions with the host athletes will be at the camp locations at the end of the first day.

“As a military dad, I appreciate the opportunities these free camps offer for the children in our communities,” said Navy Command Master Chief Mario Rivers, senior enlisted advisor to the DeCA director and CEO. “Our military children get to socialize with others, learn some football basics. However, the most important thing is they have fun.”

-DeCA-

About DeCA: The Defense Commissary Agency operates a worldwide chain of commissaries providing groceries to military personnel, retirees, disabled veterans and other authorized patrons and their families in a safe and secure shopping environment. Commissaries provide a military benefit, saving authorized patrons thousands of dollars annually on their purchases compared to similar products at commercial retailers. The discounted prices include a 5-percent surcharge, which supports the costs of building, modernizing and sustaining commissary facilities. A core military family support element and valued part of military pay and benefits, commissaries contribute to family readiness, enhance the quality of life for America’s military services and their families, and help recruit and retain the best and brightest men and women to serve their country.