Kenston fell short of the state round for the first time in three years in 2024. Tied at 1-1 with West Branch in a regional final, the Warriors’ Jaxon Robb hit a walk-off single to send them to the state semifinals, 2-1. Kenston didn’t hang its head long. The Bombers got right back to work and f ocused on adding another banner in the gymnasium. Coach Joe Hritz said many of the underclassmen came back ready to go. They may have missed on having four state trips in a row for the incoming senior class, but it’s fuel added to the fire. “I think it’s interesting how you look at it,” Hritz said. “The pressure is off this year in terms of when we’re at the top of the hill. We didn’t get all the way back and didn’t reach the goal at the end of the year. But there’s only one good way for the high school season to end. The guys have been relaxed, loose and we’re waiting to get outside. They’re prepared, we have plenty of guys that have experience still. We know what it takes to get there or were in the dugout of those runs. They were hungry and it always depends on the approach to the season.” Last year’s squad featured 11 seniors, compared to six this year. Among them, Graysen Bischof has stepped into a leadership role. Bischof said the players have been focusing on what they can control, and he has been helping younger players become accustomed to the level Kenston is used to playing at. “We didn’t really have to rinse a taste out of our mouths,” Bischof said.  “We have a lot of fresh players this year. There’s a few seniors and only a couple returning starters. It’ll allow for the new players to make a name for themselves. They don’t have to live in the spotlight of what we’ve done and that helps them get used to the game quicker.” It’s a big personality shift for the leaders as well, with fellow seniors Grady Flynn, Dylan Krupp and Lucas Kaltenbach all being alongside Bischof, leading by example. Flynn and Bischoff have led from the infield, Kaltenbach from the mound and Krupp in the outfield this offseason. The younger guys, some of whom saw time during the postseason run a season ago, have made that transition easy. Bischof knows, compared to last season, it’s been an early hurdle cleared. “It’s been pretty easy for us to adjust to those roles,” Bischof said. “I feel like we’ve always kind of grown up as being leaders, being able to show what needs to be accomplished. But at the same time, not being that person that’s really loud about it. I feel like I kind of do it more in my emotions. I feel like a lot of our leaders this year do it more with their emotions and show everyone how to get things done and that mix works really well.” With the OHSAA expansion to seven divisions. Kenston is in the new Division III, after floating between Division I and II for the last few seasons. The expansion provides more opportunities, and the Northeast District has six spots for advancement in D-III. But it won’t be any easier for the Bombers. Over the past decade, a whopping 16 teams in the district pool have made it to the regional round, seven made the state round and four brought home state titles. Those are Tallmadge (2017), Hoban (2021), Chardon (2022) and Kenston (2023). The Bombers considered jumping to Division I but elected to stay in D-III. Hritz is confident in his team to make another run. The senior leadership is also mixed with talented underclassmen. Players including Charlie Pierce, August Marcoguiseppe, Joey Artale and Jared Lechak, among others, will be called on often. “You’re really playing for that home game now in the first round or two depending on the bracket,” Hritz said. “Especially in D-III. Everyone has their own opinions on it but it makes those first rounds even more important. Every bracket is going to be loaded now. You can’t take that game lightly, not that you ever could, but it’s turned up an extra notch now. You’ve got to go through eight full games to eventually be on top and whoever does that, it’s more respect to them for sure.” Kenston opens the season with a trip to Cincinnati where it will take on Harrison on March 28. ...read more read less