News

Lakota Est SID, Dan Hilen Press Release:

Lakota East wrestling head coach Bryan Pennix reached a significant career milestone Friday night, earning the 200th victory of his coaching career as the Thunderhawks edged GMC rival Lakota West, 38–36, in a thrilling, back-and-forth dual on January 23.

Now in his fourth season at the Lakota East helm, Pennix continues to build a program rooted in consistency, competitiveness, and tradition. A Lakota graduate himself, he was a former GMC champion wrestler for Lakota High School before embarking on a coaching career that now spans more than three decades.

Pennix began his coaching career as an assistant at Reading High School from 1994–2001, working under Hall of Fame coach Dick Engel. During that stretch, the Blue Devils captured multiple league and sectional titles, one district championship, produced numerous state placers, and crowned two state champions.

He later served as head wrestling coach at Blanchester High School from 2001–2013, where he led the Wildcats to sustained success before transitioning into the role of athletic director. Pennix joined Lakota East in 2022 and has since helped elevate the Thunderhawk wrestling program to new heights.

Pennix’s career accomplishments include:

• 3× SWOWCA Coach of the Year
• 3× SWOWCA Division III Team of the Year
• GMC Coach of the Year
• GMC Team Champions (first in Lakota East program history)
• 5× SBAAC Coach of the Year
• 4× SBAAC Conference Champions
• 2× Division III Southwest Ohio Sectional Champions
• 2013 Dual Meet Regional Champions (State Elite Eight)
• 20 state qualifiers, 8 state placers, one two-time state champion

A graduate of Bowling Green State University, Pennix is a member of the Lakota East faculty, where he teaches Honors Anatomy and Physiology. He and his wife, Amanda, have two children, Elizabeth and Andy.

With Friday night’s victory, Pennix’s career dual-meet record now stands at 200 wins and 80 losses, including 33 victories since taking over the Thunderhawk program.

Dan Hilen
Lakota East Sports Information

Press Release from Lakota East SID, Dan Hilen:

Tuesday, January 20, 2026

CLINT ADKINS KNOWS 200!

Lakota East Head Boys Basketball Coach Clint Adkins reached the 200-win plateau of his illustrious coaching career Monday night at the MLK Classic, held at Xavier University’s Cintas Center. The milestone came in emphatic fashion as the Thunderhawks defeated Middletown, 52–36, for their ninth victory of the 2025–26 season.

Now in his 12th season at the helm, Adkins has spent his entire head coaching career at Lakota East, beginning with the 2014–15 season. His tenure matches that of former head coach Wally Vickers for the longest in the 29-year history of East boys basketball.

“I have been blessed to be surrounded by great players, coaches, administrators, and supporters,” said Adkins. “Most importantly, I have a wonderful, supportive spouse who has allowed me to pursue my passion.”

Adkins is the program’s all-time winningest coach, owning an overall record of 200–86, including a dominant 134–50 mark in Greater Miami Conference play. His teams have captured GMC championships in 2015 (shared), 2019, and 2020, along with District titles in 2016, 2019, and 2020.

During the 2019–20 season, Adkins guided the Thunderhawks to a 25–2 record and a berth in the Regional Final. That postseason run was cut short when the regional championship game against two-time defending state champion Moeller—and the remainder of the tournament—was canceled due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A two-time GMC Coach of the Year, Adkins is a 1998 graduate of Wilmington High School and is currently in his 24th season coaching boys basketball. He is widely regarded as one of the premier coaches in Southwest Ohio and has consistently developed college-ready student-athletes who have gone on to successful collegiate careers.

CONGRATULATIONS, COACH ADKINS!

The Greater Miami Conference Swimming and Diving Championships are set for Friday, January 30th and Saturday, January 31st.  Mason High School (6100 Mason-Montgomery Road, Mason, Oh 45040) will graciously serve as the host site for both the the swimming and diving championships.  Both spectators and competitors are directed to enter the facility through the doors marked "Theater and Natatorium".  The Mason Comet boys are the 9-time defending GMC champions, while the Mason girls are the 18-time defending GMC champions.

Diving will take place on Friday evening, January 30th and the swimming competition will take place Saturday afternoon, January 31st.            

Both competitors & spectators use the entrance marked “Theater & Natatorium”.

ADMISSION:         Online ticketing available through:

                                Diving Ticket link: GMC Diving Ticket Link

                                Swimming Ticket Link: GMC Swimming Championship Ticket Link                        

Cash option available at the gate:

                                Adult  - $8.00

                                Student - $5.00

*No weekend passes, GMC Diving and Swim tickets are available. Both diving and swimming are considered separate events

DATE                     Diving                 Friday              January 30

TIME                     Diving                Warm-up:          5:30 pm – 6:20 pm

Competition begins at 7:00 pm

DATE                     Swimming           Saturday          January 31

TIME         Swimming Warm-up        12:00 pm – 1:30 pm

Competition begins at 1:45 pm

 MEET:  The GMC Championships are actually two meets in one: a girl’s championship meet and a boy’s championship meet.

Diving Events - The diving information published on swimmeet.com contains a detailed description of the dive events; including judging method and dive sheet submission.

Swimming Events – Varsity events will be contested in the standard order.  There will be a 10-minute break after the 50 free. 

In a brief ceremony after the meet, individual & team awards will be presented.

The Fairfield Athletic Department is proud to honor the outstanding achievements of our athletes and contributors who have made a lasting impact on our athletic programs. We invite the entire community to celebrate these remarkable individuals at the Hall of Fame Athletic Induction Ceremony.

Purchase HOF Tickets here: https://fairfield-boosters-109285.square.site/product/hall-of-fame/71?cp=true&sa=true&sbp=false&q=false

Sunday, January 25, 2026
5:00 PM 
Oscar Event Center

Let's come together to celebrate excellence and tradition in Fairfield athletics. We look forward to seeing you there!

Press Release From Mason SID, Dan Hilen:

The Mason Athletic Department announced today that Brendan Reedy has been named the next head coach of the Mason Boys Tennis program, pending approval by the Mason City Schools Board of Education.

Reedy takes over the program from longtime head coach Mike Reid, who has guided the Comets since 2015. During his tenure, Reid led Mason to five Greater Miami Conference championships and four Ohio Tennis Coaches Association (OTCA) state titles (2018, 2019, 2021, 2025). Reid will continue to serve as head coach of the Mason Girls Tennis program next fall.

Reid’s impact on the Mason boys tennis program extends well beyond championships. Under his leadership, the Comets established a consistent standard of excellence, sportsmanship, and player development, becoming one of the most respected programs in the state. His commitment to mentoring student-athletes and fostering a team-first culture has left a lasting foundation that will continue to benefit the program for years to come.

A familiar face within the Mason athletic community, Reedy is the son of former Mason boys soccer head coach Paul Reedy. He has served as an assistant coach in the Mason boys tennis program for the past two seasons and will assume his first head coaching role this spring.

Reedy was a standout tennis player at Lakota West High School, where he continued his career at the University of Cincinnati, competing in club tennis. His coaching background includes private instruction and previous stops at Summit Country Day and Mercy Health Plex.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to lead such an outstanding program,” said Reedy. “Coaching at Mason has been an absolute joy these past few years. We have a strong tradition built on excellent student-athletes, supportive families, and tremendous community support. I want to thank Coach Mike Reid, Athletic Director Scott Stemple, Principal Ben Brown, and Dr. Jonathan Cooper for their confidence and support. I am committed to continuing the tradition of excellence while developing student-athletes who excel both on and off the tennis court. I could not be more excited to be part of Mason tennis. Go Comets!”