News

DICK'S Sporting Goods appreciates the hard work and dedication of all coaches who devote countless hours to coaching and mentoring young people on their athletic journeys. One of the highest and most meaningful honors a coach can receive is recognition from their coaching peers for a “job well done.” This season, the Greater Miami Conference bowling head coaches gathered to review conference progress, compare notes, and evaluate achievements before selecting two outstanding individuals as the league’s “Coaches of the Year” for 2025–26. On the girls’ side of the alley, Lakota West’s Drew Gay was named the Girls GMC “Coach of the Year,” while on the boys’ side, Mason’s Joe Riestenberg earned the honor as the Boys GMC “Coach of the Year.”

Lakota West Head Coach Drew Gay led the Firebirds to an undefeated 9–0 season, securing an undisputed GMC Girls Bowling crown. This marks Lakota West’s third conference title in the past four years. Congratulations to Coach Gay on this well-earned recognition of his leadership and commitment to young people.

Lakota West Head Girls Coach Drew Gay  GMC "Coach of the Year"

(Photo compliments of West SID, Darren Walters)

Mason Head Coach Joe Riestenberg also guided his Comets to an unblemished GMC regular season, finishing with a perfect 9–0 conference record. This championship marks the fifth time in the past eight years that Mason has won or shared the league title. It is also the third occasion on which Coach Riestenberg has been honored by his peers with “Coach of the Year” recognition. Kudos to Coach Joe Riestenberg for his continued commitment and the invaluable “behind-the-scenes” support he provides to young people. 

Mason Comets Head Boys Coach Joe Riestenberg  GMC "Coach of the Year"

DICK'S Sporting Goods appreciates athletic prowess in every arena — and in this case, that excellence is found on the lanes and alleys. GMC bowling continues to grow and flourish as both a varsity sport and a exciting part of league competition. This year’s male and female Bowling “Athletes of the Year” have each been cornerstones of their programs through three seasons of varsity play. In a selection made by the Greater Miami Conference head bowling coaches, Ella Weinmann of Oak Hills and Easton Pierani of Sycamore earned the honor of being the “best of the best.”

Highlander senior Ella Weinmann has earned all-conference honors in every season of her varsity career. She was a second-team selection as a sophomore before elevating to first-team GMC recognition as both a junior and senior. In 2026, Ella led the conference in pins per game with an impressive 189.2 average, edging out Lakota West’s Addison Hoelscher, who finished at 188.7.
Statistically, Ella was consistently strong across the board, totaling 7,946 pins over 49 games, highlighted by a high game of 244 and a high two-game series of 468. She helped guide the Highlanders to a standout 8–1 conference record and a second-place finish. Notably, during her three-year varsity career, Oak Hills compiled a remarkable 25–2 league record and captured one GMC title.  Congratulations to Highlander senior Ella Weinmann on a fantastic finish to her high school GMC career!

Ella Weinmann - Oak Hills Highlanders  GMC "Bowler of the Year"

Sycamore senior Easton Pierani led the conference in pins-per-game average with an outstanding 215.3 PPG, edging out Lakota East’s Jeffery Pike by the slimmest of margins at 215.2. Easton’s career arc mirrored that of Ella Weinmann, as he, too, earned all-conference honors in each of his three varsity seasons, including first-team recognition as both a junior and senior.
Statistically, Pierani was a force for the Aviators, totaling 6,244 pins and posting a 215.2 average. His season was highlighted by a high two-game series of 480 and a high game of 268.
Congratulations to Easton Pierani on a remarkable capstone season in the GMC.

Easton Pierani - Sycamore Aviators  GMC "Bowler of the Year"

(Photo compliments of Sycamore Athletic Department)

The Greater Miami Conference Wrestling Championships are set for Saturday, February 21, with Middletown High School serving as host for this historic event. For the first time in conference history, both boys and girls will compete for GMC championships. After officially recognizing Girls Wrestling last spring, this meet marks the inaugural GMC Girls Wrestling title competition among league schools. The Lakota East Thunderhawks will be looking to defend their 2025 GMC crown.

The competition begins in the Middletown High School gymnasium at 9:00 AM on Saturday morning and spectators are asked to utlize the parking lot in front of the main entrance to the building. 

On-line Tickets may be purchased:  Home Town Ticketing - GMC Wrestling Championships

2025 GMC Champions

The Lakota West girls bowling team completed a perfect GMC season with a 9–0 conference slate and a 16–1 overall record. The Oak Hills Highlanders were close behind throughout the year, finishing with an incredibly strong 8–1 conference mark—just one game behind the victorious Firebirds. This is the third league championship for Lakota West in the past four seasons.
Lakota West was led by Addison Hoelscher, who posted an impressive 188.7 pins-per-game average, ranking second in the conference behind Oak Hills standout Ella Weinmann, who finished with a 189.7 average—just one pin ahead of Hoelscher.

Lakota West Girls Bowling - GMC Champions 2026

(Photo compliments of Lakota West Athletic Department)

Complete standings, statistics and scores: GMC Girls Bowling 2026 Update

Rounding out the top five girls bowlers in the conference:

Number 1 - Ella Weinmann - Oak Hills - 189.7 PPG

Number 2 - Addison Hoelscher - Lakota West - 188.7 PPG

Number 3 - Makayla Geer - Colerain - 185.9 PPG

Number 4 - Ella Bohnert - Lakota East - 178.4 PPG

Number 5 - Abigail Hoelscher - Lakota West - 173.0 PPG

Southwest District Bowling Tournament Information: Southwest District Tournament Info

Kelly Whalen - 50 Years of Basketball Officiating

(Andrew Ovington - Sycamore Athletic Director - MC for Awards Presentation)

The GMC is proud to recognize someone whose impact on basketball goes far beyond the whistle — Kelly Whalen - who celebrates her final game after 50 years as a basketball official.

Kelly’s officiating journey began in 1976 alongside her father, Ed Monahan, and what started as a love for the game became a lifetime of service to it. She made history as the first woman to officiate in the boys Greater Catholic League, not to break barriers, but simply because she cared deeply about doing the job the right way.

Over her career, Kelly officiated 18 state tournament games, worked regionals every year since 1983, and earned some of the highest honors in officiating.

Over her career, Kelly officated 18 state tournament games, worked every OHSAA Regional since 1983, and earend some of the highest honors in officiating:

In 1987, she was awarded the "Outstanding Officials Award" from the National Federation of Interscholastic Officials Association.  

In 1988, she was given the "Dan Tehan Award" by the Ohio Valley Basketball Association.

In 2024, she was awarded the "Tom Ballaban Award" from the Greayter Cincinnati Basketball Association. The award would later be named the "Whelan/Ballaban Award".

In 2007, she was inducted into the Ohio High School Hall of Fame.

In 2011, she was awarded the "Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity Award on behalf of the OHSAA.

In 2024, she was inducted into the Greater Cincinnati Basketball Association Hall of Fame.

Lastly, this May, she will receive the "Outstanding Officials Award" on behalf of teh Greater Cincinnati Basketball Association Hall of Fame.

But ask Kelly, and she’ll tell you it’s not about the awards — it’s about the relationships, the lessons, and the privilege of being part of moments that mattered.

The Greater Miami Conference genuinely appreciates the dedication and committment of Kelly Whalen.