Blog Archives

Round-up for the TNJ Sept. 2 paper, photos

8/31/2023

It took 91 minutes and six seconds for the Titusville girls soccer team to score their first goal of the season.

Fortunately their defense prevented visiting Eisenhower from scoring at all.

In the beginning of the second overtime Addison Burliegh got a ball deep in Ike’s defense and found the back of the net setting off a Gary Barnes "Goooooooaaaal," from up in the press box during The Stream’s broadcast of the game.

“It was a great team effort,” said coach Kimberly Wheeling. “Dani Fonzo had 11 saves. We were a little slow to the ball in the first half, but we stepped it up in the second. The girls never gave up the entire game.”
Wheeling’s team is now 1-0 on the season and they were scheduled to play Warren on Thursday away.

They will host Oil City next Tuesday , travel to Sharon on Thursday and host West Forest in an 11 a.m. game at home next Saturday.

“We will continue to work on possessing the ball a little more,” Wheeling said, adding she wants her players to be a little more aggressive and to have more control off the traps.

Please click here for more girls and boys soccer photos.

The Rocket boys soccer team also had an overtime match this week when visiting Oil City took them into the extra frame in a 2-2 tie. It wasn’t long before the Oilers found the back of the net on a bit of a controversial corner kick that looked as though it may have gone off the arm/hand of an Oil City player.

“Mega Bummer,” said coach Joey Timon. “Unfortunate loss. We played well as a team, and felt in control most of the game.”
A handball is called if the ball hits the arm under the armpit. Gary Barnes, the announcer for The Stream looked at the rewind and determined it was inconclusive. The officials did not call it a handball, so goal stands.

“It was just a tough loss,” Timon said. “We missed a (penalty kick) early on and several other opportunities. At the end of the day, if we would have finished any of those… the result ends with us. We’re looking forward to playing (Oil City) again.”

The Rockets took it to Conneaut on Monday winning a lopsided affair 7-0.
The now 1-1 Rockets host Corry at 11 a.m. today, travel to Eisenhower on Tuesday and host Iroqouis on Thursday.

Please click here for more Soccer photos.

The Rocket girls and boys cross country teams host several schools in the invitational at the Ed Myer Complex with the event kicking off at 8:45 a.m. with a half-mile “Little Harriers” race followed by the elementary school kids one mile race. Coach Joe Covell expects about 800 runners to compete on what the Rockets call “the flattest course you’ll race all year.”

The Little Harriers race is a free open race that hopes to introduce youngsters to the sport of running. No registration is necessary and the Rockets encourage parents to bring their kids fifth-grade and under to give it a try. “Just show up and run” the event poster reads. Over 2,000 people are expected to descend on the Myer complex. T-shirts and concessions will be available to help support the cross country program.

Their Rocket’s first head to head team meet will be Sept. 12 out in Linesville taking on the Conneaut Eagles.

The girls volleyball team kicked off their season with 3-1 (25-15, 25-12, 23-25 and 25-15) sets victory over Oil City on the road.

Coach John Baldwin liked what he saw especially from his setter.

“Claire Emminger… she’s an outstanding setter, she really runs our offense. Her seven assists paved the way. She added seven aces, a dig, a block and three kills.

Chloe Miller had eight kills and two digs.

Kyra Adkins had seven digs, an ace and three kills.

Jordan Wynn added three kills and seven aces.

The Rockets dominated the whole evening with a brief hiccup instead of closing out in straight sets. “Third set we got a little loose, missed a lot of serves, but they held it together and came back strong in the fourth.” Baldwin said. “We’ve got a young team, no seniors this year. We have about four who had varsity playing time last year though. They are picking up the ball and doing outstanding.”

They played in a tournament in AC-Valley and took home third place.

They travel to Union City on Tuesday and host Warren on Thursday. They will also participate in the Franklin invite next Saturday.

We will try to catch up with Rocket golf coach Tim Miller to get caught up on their season thus far. Golf gets an early start each year beginning in early August. They’ll host Maplewood at Cross Creek on Wednesday and travel to Corry on Thursday.

Please click here for more volleyball photos from the match.

Editor's note: Eight & 322 is contrated to write a couple stories a week for the Titusville News-Journal. This is a collaboration at the heart of the Eight & 322 philosophy to share our abilities with other news organizations during a time that newspaers are shrinking. This round-up and other stories will appear in the Titusville News-Journal. We share them here as well to provide readers with even more photos.

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Herbst art and a chance to learn how much your treasures are worth

8/28/2023

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Titusville Historical Society will host "Treasures In Your Attic," a special event where you can bring your favorite heirlooms to a team of evaluators to learn more about their history at the Heritage Center at 201 W. Spring Street (use the Washington Street entry ramp) on Saturday, Sept.ember 16, from 1 to 4 p.m.

The event is open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided.

Participants wishing to have their items evaluated must register by September 8. There is a fee for this.

Email the Society at TitusvilleHistoricalSociety@gmail.com for more details.

The Titusville Historical Society will also host a gallery talk on its newest exhibition, "The Art of Martha Herpst," on Monday, September 18, at 6:30 p.m., 201 W. Spring Street (use the Washington Street entry ramp),

"Learn more about Titusville's beloved artist, the beautiful pieces on display, and Herpst's contribution to the art world."

The event is free and open to the public.

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Senior Center plans for next two weeks

8/28/2023

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Monday, September 4 -Cosed in observance of Labor Day.

Tuesday, September 5
Lunch: Sloppy Joes with Ranch Roasted Potatoes.
Healthy Steps in Motion at 12:45 pm. This FREE class focuses on increasing flexibility and balance.

Wednesday, September 6
Lunch: Meatloaf with Gravy and Mashed Potato
Pinochle Party at 12:45 pm. We’re always looking for new players!

Thursday, September 7
Lunch: Turkey Chef Salad and Vegetable Soup.
Healthy Steps in Motion at 12:45 pm. This FREE class focuses on increasing flexibility and balance.

Friday, September 8
Lunch: Chicken and Biscuits.
BINGO at 12:45 pm. Enjoy Fun Prizes, plus a $25 Jackpot!

Keep up on the latest Senior Center news at http://www.goseniors.org/

Titusville Community Center at Burgess Park,
714 E. Main Street, Titusville, PA 16354

Phone: (814) 827-9134

E-Mail:  goseniors@zoominternet.net

Website:  www.goseniors.org

Monday, September 11
Lunch: Glazed Ham with Pineapple Sauce and Whipped Sweet Potatoes.
Pinochle Party at 12:45 - We’re always looking for new players!

Tuesday, September 12
Lunch: Tuna Salad Sandwich with Coleslaw.
Healthy Steps in Motion at 12:45 pm. This FREE class focuses on increasing flexibility and balance.
Listening Session for Pennsylvania’s New Master Plan on Aging at 5:30 pm.

Wednesday, September 13
Lunch: Orange Glazed Pork Loin with Buttered Pasta.
RED, WHITEand BLUE BINGO! at 12:45 - Enjoy Fun Prizes, plus a $25 Jackpot!

Thursday, September 14
Lunch: Warm Roast Beef Sandwich with Roasted Redskin Potatoes
Healthy Steps in Motion at 12:45 - This FREE class focuses on increasing flexibility and balance.

Friday, September 15
Chess Day! Stay for a game of Chess or Pinochle, after Breakfast.
Lunch: Chicken Parmesan with Rotini and Garlic Bread.

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Rocket patience led to opportunities in win

8/26/2023

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To say Jaxon Covell had a good game might be an understatement. Number 22 inflicted a lot of damage on both sides of the ball in the Rocket season opening 34-16 win on the road against the Franklin Knights.
Offensively Covell had 145 all-purpose yards, but it was a 34-yard scamper after a fumble recovery that broke the back of the Knights who were actually dominating the Rockets in the statistic department.

“That scoop and score by Jaxon was huge,” Rocket coach Mike Reynolds said after the game who also praised the junior tailback's offenseive effort Friday as well. “He’s quite an exceptional guy. He works real well with that offensive line unit —he was very patient tonight. You saw him pick away at some runs and eventually you saw some of them break out.”

Covell also had a late interception to close the lid on the Knight’s hope of a comeback for good.

He, of course, wasn’t the only Rocket who had a good game.

Ian McDonald had a very good game under center. Throwing for 108 yards and two touchdowns while adding another 29 yards on the ground and two more touchdowns. He drilled one to a sprinting Covell, hitting him in stride over the middle for a 50-yard touchdown in the second half. His five tackles on defense also helped stop Franklin at key times.

Kameron Mong broke away on a huge 27 -yard reverse run in the second half that set up the first of McDonald's touch down passes. Mong had 50 all-purpose yards. Mong also converted a two-pointer by going only where the 6’-2” receiver could rein in the McDonald pass. “That was an absolute circus catch, no one can defend that when he’s up that high,” Reynolds said.

Defensively the Rockets struggled a bit as the largely senior Franklin offense seems to be able to run at will on them. But the Rockets managed to make a big play here or there to take advantage of Knight miscues. They bent but seldom broke. They only gave up two touchdowns and a long field goal.

“I’m really proud of our kids for the level of conditioning they showed, they really played a clean football game. We had minimal issues on the field, we protected the ball and our kids just kept (raising their) intensity as the game went on,” Reynolds said. “In the third and fourth quarter I felt they really took control of the game by executing and playing solid offense.”

That intensity they kept up showed the difference in patience and conditioning of the two squads. Both teams started hot, but when the Rocket's stalled, the Knights self-destructed.

"In the second half we just made too many darn mistakes," Franklin head coach Matt Turk said. "We were very impressed with the way we were able to run the football at will, but again, a few of those mistakes, fumbling the football, a couple of penalties and a couple bad mental mistakes hurt us. At the end of the third quarter three of our starters got hurt and Titusville smartly picked on our younger guys, I would’ve done the same thing. We've gotta get hydrated, we gotta eat better, keep those cramps at bey."

The Rockets started the game by methodically taking the opening drive 63-yards largely on Covell’s legs, setting up the five-yard run by McDonald. Their offense stalled only getting one first down the rest of the half. They kept it close with some key defensive stops and help from Knight penalties and missed opportunities to put points on the board.

The Rockets were fortunate to take a one-point lead into halftime. Offensively they were held to under a hundred yards while Franklin amassed over 150 yards on the ground and in the air.

Turk's Knights looked like a different team than the 0-10 squad from last year.

Entering the second half with the ball the Knight's looked to build on their first half momentum, but they
fumbled on the 34 where Covell picked it up and ran to the end zone. The Rocket's surprisingly went for two and were stopped.

The Knights were still seemingly undaunted and marched right back down field to tie up the game.
Finally the Rocket offense took the field with half the third quarter over with and put together a very similar drive to the first possession of the game.

McDonald again scamped in on a seven-yard run. A blocked extra-point however kept the game close.

The Knights once again moved the ball getting into the red zone before mistakes cost them again.

They did manage a Nate Pfennigwerth 45-yard field goal to start the fourth quarter bringing them to within three at 19-16.

The Rockets then closed the door.

McDonald to Covell’s 50-yarder was followed by a great one handed catch in full stride by Mason Titus putting the game out of reach for the Knights.

“That’s just kids having fun on a Friday night right there,” Reynolds said of the final two scores.

"Hats off to Franklin, they’ve got some nice power,. They were pounding it down pretty well tonight."

Reynolds clock management and patience getting off plays in his no huddle offense was a strategy that worked well for the Rocket’s this week.

"I'm very proud of these guys. They work real hard and we pound on them pretty good in practice. We do that to get them to this point, so when they face this test on Friday night, they’re ready

“We really want to make sure we can possess the ball, because if we can own the time of possession, it’s real hard for the other team to score touchdowns,” he said.

They’ll test that theory again next week when they head to Sharpsville.

“It’s Caullin Summers 101,” he said about the Blue Devils star quarterback.

“He’s the guy right there, he’s probably the best QB in District 10. We’re going to have to take care of business. Our defense is going to have to improve. We need to put points up on the board and we need to slow them down.”

Reynolds said playing in Sharpsville is a very unique experience.

“It's a neighborhood stadium with narrow sidelines and it’s a grass field.”

Sharpesville defeated Wilmington 49-42. Summers reported had seven touchdown passes including a 63-yarder with only 25 seconds left in the game to win

Kick off is next Friday at 7 p.m.

Please see more photos from Friday's game, the band and cheerleaders here: https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p707511010

Edited from the original to correct a name spelling.

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Throw back Thursday

8/24/2023

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This was a photo I made years ago at the Tool City championships. I'm going through old files on a recently repaired computer and stumbled on this. It won an award I remember. Don't remember the year, but it was pre-2015 for sure. Could go back as far as 2000? A good one for Rocket wrestling history.

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Skipping nicknames in Franklin

8/22/2023

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Getting called “Chicken Foot” might lead to scuffles in the playground. But when it is a nickname given to you by an adoptive family of professional stone skippers - it is a badge of honor.

Titusville ninth-grader David Ohmer was given the nickname at last year's Rock in River Festival because he carried a lucky chicken foot. His brother Luke “Electric Luke Orchestra” Ohmer, a Titusville seventh-grader, also received his nickname last year. Both are professional stone skippers competing along with their dad, former Titusville resident Dave “Spiderman” Ohmer.

The three competed last weekend at the Pennsylvania State Championships known as the Rock in River Festival in Franklin.

Spiderman Ohmer is a multiple-state champion and considered one of the best the sport has to offer.

On Saturday, Chicken Foot had a better toss than his old man, but the senior Ohmer had the second-highest cumulative total of the entire field. Neither placed in the top three for the longest single tosses this year, but last year young David took third place in the state.

Chicken Foot and Electric Luke may seem too young to be professionals, but there isn’t an age requirement. The designation is determined by the number of skips one can throw. To achieve pro status, a competitor has to record a toss of at least 30 skips during the amateur division and then “elect” to go pro. Once you go pro, you are no longer eligible to compete as an amateur. Both young Ohmer's qualified from the youth and amateur division's last year.

Last Saturday, Chicken Foot's top toss of 37, bested Spiderman’s 36. Electric Luke threw a 28 as his top throw on the day. Spiderman's high cumulative total was due to consistency with his lowest total being 20 skips.

Both younger Ohmers had clunker tosses of under 10 skips that set them back a bit.

The three combined for 379 skips on the day. The pro division combined total for the competition was 2,979. There was also an amateur and kids division with 100s more skips.

The competition allows each competitor six rocks. They go in order, throwing in three rounds of two throws each while a panel of judges counts by eye to determine a final score.

Chicken Foot’s 37 was 13 off the championship toss by Tidioute’s Andy “Big Rock” Severns, who repeated as champion. In 2022, Severns broke the state record with a toss of 53. That year Chicken Foot was the third-best in the state with a 44-skip toss.

The world record is 88, set by Kurt "Mountain Man" Steiner in 2013 at a different location. Analysts who have gone over the footage are debating if there was one more final mini jump at the end making it 89 skips. But as of today, the Guinness record sits at 88. Rock skipping has given Steiner a bit of acclaim. He has been featured in documentaries, news stories and missed this year’s Rock in River Festival in Franklin because he was asked to skip rocks in Europe for a music video by the Chemical Brothers and Beck.

The Mountain Man and Spiderman have become good friends over the years. They even get together to go on rock hunting excursions, often bringing along Chicken Foot and Electric Luke.

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Titusville's Drake Well Marathon results

8/20/2023

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Brett Saunders, of Columbus, Ohio was the top finisher in the Drake Well Marathon, held Sunday, August 19. Saunders finished the race, which is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon, in 2:51:59.
Dino Montagna was about two minutes behind him to take second place overall. David Perrett rounded out the top three finishers.

Stephanie Kenney was the top female runner in the marathon with a time of 3:25:13, good enough to finish fifth overall. Holly Jackson was second in the female division and sixth overall. Kristina Sivak was third in that division and 12th overall.

There was a total of 41 finishers in the full marathon portion of the event. In the half marathon, there were 64 runners.

Angela Jenny edged our Ryan Uber with a time of 1:27:06 to take the top spot in the race overall as well as the female division. Uber, the first-place male runner, had a time of 1:27:45. Aaron Titus and Trenton Krenzer were the next two runners to finish, taking the second- and third-place spots respectively in the men’s division.

Rounding out the top three in the female competition were Tifany Berry and Olivia Lewandowski, who also finished seventh and eighth overall.

Raul Martin was the solo finisher in the wheelchair division, finishing in a time of 2:09:13.

A list of all finishers can be found on the Miles of Smiles Timing Service website – www.smileymiles.com.

The race, which starts at the Drake Well Museum and meanders through the streets of Titusville and along the bike trail, is a fundraiser for the historical site and the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission.

had 41 finishers in the marathon division, 64 in the half marathon and in the wheelchair marathon.

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