(5-15-22) Bryan has one of the top boys and girls tennis programs in Northwest Ohio. The Golden Bears are members of the Northwest Ohio Athletic League (NWOAL) The NWOAL does not sponsor either girls or boys tennis as a league sport.
How good were the Golden Bears this season, 25-0 during the regular season. Bryan was led by Jay Fortner, a Capital University commit, who broke the record this week for most career wins by a Bryan tennis player… 85 career wins. He now advances to District play.
Had Bryan not sponsored tennis over the years …that would have been a shame.
But thanks to a single-sport league it added another dimension to the Bryan tennis program.
Bryan’s boys team and fellow NWOAL member Wauseon are a part of the Northern Buckeye Tennis League (NBTL) a single-sport league that fills the gap. Others who competed this year in the NBTL included, Ada from the Northwest Conference, Rossford is a member of the Northern Buckeye Conference and Maumee Valley Country Day of the Toledo Area Athletic Conference
2022 NBTL Boys Tennis Tournament Championships
- Bryan 25
- Maumee Valley Country Day 14
- Ada 13
- Wauseon 5
- Rossford 3
The NBTL is one of several single-sport leagues in Ohio, just down the road is the Western Ohio Soccer League, formed in 2014, that features both boys and girls teams.
- Boy members: Botkins, Fairlawn, Jackson Center, Lima Central Catholic, New Knoxville, Spencerville and Temple Christian
- Girl members: Anna, Botkins, Coldwater, Delphos St. John’s, Lima Central Catholic and Spencerville
The WOSL filled the gap for several programs whose leagues did not sponsor soccer. The WOSL has benefited all who have participated over the years. The WOSL has had numerous changes in membership since its inception…but the core members are keeping it going.
The WOSL (both boys and girls teams) feature members from the Midwest Athletic Conference, Northwest Conference, Northwest Central Conference League, Shelby County Athletic League and one independent. But it is working and giving student-athletes the opportunity to compete…a league is a cornerstone to any athletic team.
While athletic leagues are changing constantly because of many different reasons…enrollment, dominance in the league, etc…single-sport leagues are meeting the needs of student-athletes. Those school officials who make these work should be thanked…it is added time and work for already overworked athletic directors and coaches.
Quote of the day –
Hard work ain’t easy – Hazen Davis
Stateline Sports Network 