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By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter The Highlands Bluebirds baseball team recorded its second comeback win over the defending 9th Region champions in consecutive days. Highlands (17-15) fell behind 6-0 before rallying Monday. The Bluebirds trailed 4-0 before coming back Tuesday to beat the Ryle Raiders, 7-5 in Union. Evan Allen picked up the pitching win for Highlands. He relieved starter Jacob Noe in the sixth inning. Highlands outhit Ryle, 14-8. D.J. Mills led the way going 3-for-4 with a run scored. Grayson Heck, Mitch Gesenhues and Alex Veneman had two hits each. Veneman had a double, two RBI and a run scored with Gesenhues scoring once. Highlands travels to Covington Catholic on Thursday. Game time is 5 p.m. Fort Thomas Sports: Tuesday Sports Briefs

Softball: Highlands 14, St. Henry 4: The Ladybirds (19-11) won their 11th straight with a six-inning victory Tuesday. Highlands scored eight runs in the first inning and never looked back. The Ladybirds have beaten the Lady Crusaders three times this year. Sophomore Bailey Spencer threw another complete game for Highlands. She struck out three and walked four. Highlands outhit St. Henry, 13-9. Rachel Gabbard went 3-for-3 with two runs batted in and two runs scored and Shelby Graybill was 3-for-4 with a double, two RBI and three runs scored. Payton Leighty followed going 2-for-3 with a triple, three RBI and two runs scored. Haley Coffey and Brennah Dutcher doubled for Highlands and Josie Daley had a stolen base. Highlands takes on Beechwood on Thursday. Game time is 5:30 p.m. Fort Thomas Sports: Tuesday Sports Briefs

Softball: Highlands 11, Bishop Brossart 1: The Ladybirds (18-11) won their 10th straight and equaled last year’s win total with a five-inning run-ruling of the Lady Mustangs on Monday at Winkler Park. Highlands pounded out 14 hits. Haley Coffey led the way going 3-for-4 with a double, three runs batted in and three runs scored. Whitney Quillen, Shelby Graybill, Kendall Turner, Brenah Dutcher and Payton Leighty all had two hits each for the Ladybirds. Graybill had two doubles and Quillen tripled. Quillen scored twice and Dutcher had three RBI. Bailey Spencer threw a no-hitter picking up the win for Highlands. She struck out two and walked two. Highlands takes on St. Henry at 6 p.m. Tuesday before facing Boone County at 8 p.m. Fort Thomas Sports: Monday Sports Briefs

Notre Dame 17, Newport Central Catholic 3: The Thoroughbreds (17-8) struggled against the 9th Region champs Monday. The Pandas outhit the Thoroughbreds, 16-7 and capitalized on 11 walks. Kristen Schreiber led NewCath going 2-for-4 with Morgan Martini and Loren Zimmerman adding doubles. NewCath travels to Campbell County on Tuesday. Game time is 5 p.m. Fort Thomas Sports: Monday Sports Briefs

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter The Highlands Bluebirds baseball team fell behind 6-0 in the first inning. But the Bluebirds (16-15) slowly chipped away at it and scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh to beat the Ryle Raiders, 7-6 Monday at University of Cincinnati Medical Center Field. Ryle won the 9th Region crown last year. Highlands scored the game-winning run on a suicide squeeze play. Joey Cochran scored when Grayson Heck laid down the bunt. Highlands outhit Ryle, 10-7. Todd Ramey led the way for the Bluebirds going 2-for-4 with a home run, three runs batted in and a run scored. Teammate Evan Allen followed going 2-for-2 with a triple and two runs scored with Heck going 2-for-3 with an RBI. Lou Bunning pitched the first six innings for Highlands striking out two. But Kenny Ball picked up the win pitching the seventh. Fort Thomas Sports: Monday Sports Briefs

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter The Blue and White could not finish the deal in Saturday’s non-region road contest. The host Cincinnati Anderson Redskins scored twice in the bottom of the sixth to hand the Highlands Bluebirds baseball team a 4-2 defeat Saturday. The Bluebirds are 15-15 with the loss. The Bluebirds outhit the Redskins, 6-5 but Anderson took advantage of eight walks to three for Highlands. Brady Murray went 2-for-4 with two doubles to lead the Bluebirds and Joseph Martin had both runs batted in. Martin took the loss in the complete game for Highlands. He struck out one. Highlands takes on Ryle on Monday. Game time is 5 p.m. at University of Cincinnati Medical Center Field. Fort Thomas Sports: Anderson clips Highlands, 4-2

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter The winning streak is near double-digits following another domination Friday. The Highlands Ladybirds softball team downed the visiting Lloyd Memorial Lady Juggernauts, 14-0 in five innings at Winkler Park. Highlands (17-11) has won nine in a row and is one win away from equaling last year’s total. Highlands outhit Lloyd Memorial, 15-2 and committed just one error to four for the visitors. Sophomore Shelby Graybill put together an outstanding day to lead Highlands going 3-for-4 with three home runs for a total of six runs batted in and three runs scored. The Ladybirds also saw Haley Coffey, Ashley Grosser, Brennah Dutcher and Rachel Gabbard bang out two hits each. Gabbard and Coffey doubled with Dutcher tripling. Dutcher, Gabbard and Peyton Leighty had two runs batted in each. Whitney Quillen, Coffey, Kendall Turner and Dutcher scored two runs each. Bailey Spencer recorded another pitching win for Highlands. She struck out seven and walked just one. Highlands plays again Monday against Bishop Brossart. Game time is 5 p.m. at Winkler Park. Fort Thomas Sports: Win streak hits nine for Ladybirds

Softball: Highlands 11, Covington Holy Cross 0: The Ladybirds (16-11) are two wins away from last year’s win total with their eighth straight win Thursday. Highlands run-ruled the visiting the Lady Indians, 11-0 in five innings. The Ladybirds scored nine runs in the bottom of the fourth. Bailey Spencer pitched another great game picking up the win for Highlands. She struck out six, walked three and allowed just two hits. Highlands banged out 13 hits. Whitney Quillen led the way going 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Shelby Graybill, Ashley Grosser and Rachel Gabbard had two hits each. Graybill and Grosser had two runs batted in each and Brennah Dutcher added a double and scored twice. Highlands continues action Friday at home against Lloyd Memorial. Game time is 5 p.m. at Winkler Park. Fort Thomas Sports: Thursday Sports Briefs

Newport Central Catholic 18, Cooper 2: The Thoroughbreds (17-7) busted out 18 runs on 18 hits in the 9th Region road win Thursday. NewCath scored four in the first and never looked back. The Thoroughbreds led 11-2 entering the seventh before scoring seven runs. Michaela Ware led the way for NewCath going 5-for-5 with a double and two runs batted in. Kristen Schrieber followed going 3-for-4 with a double and two runs batted in. Morgan Martini had a double, triple and three runs batted in with teammates Taylor Burkart and Casey Kohls recording two hits each. Burkart had three runs batted in with Kohls adding a double and two RBI. The Thoroughbreds do not play again until Monday. They take on Notre Dame at 5 p.m. Fort Thomas Sports: Thursday Sports Briefs

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter The Highlands Bluebirds baseball team clinched the top seed in the 36th District Tournament for the second straight year. Highlands (15-14) beat the visiting Bellevue Tigers, 6-1 in Fort Thomas on Thursday. The Bluebirds have won the previous two district championships. Highlands scored four times in the bottom of the second and never looked back. The Bluebirds added two more runs in the fifth. Joey Cochran pitched a complete game to pick up the win for Highlands. He struck out three, walked one and allowed five hits. The Bluebirds recorded eight hits. Todd Ramey once again led the way going 2-for-3 with a home run, double, two runs batted in and a run scored. Teammates Brandon Hergott and D.J. Mills also had two hits. Hergott doubled and Alex Veneman had a triple. The Bluebirds play at Cincinnati Anderson on Saturday. Game time is 7 p.m. Fort Thomas Sports: Thursday Sports Briefs

Baseball: Dixie Heights 10, Newport Central Catholic 8: The Thoroughbreds (9-21) put up a fight but came up short against the 22-1 Colonels. The Colonels led 9-0 after the third inning. But the Thoroughbreds came back and scored five in the bottom of the fourth. Both teams recorded 11 hits. Grant Moeves led NewCath going 3-for-4 with two runs batted in and a run scored. Teammate Tommy Donnelly followed going 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored. NewCath does not play again until Tuesday. The Thoroughbreds travel to Ryle. Game time is 5 p.m. Fort Thomas Sports: Wednesday Sports Briefs

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter The winning streak hit seven Wednesday. More importantly, the Highlands Ladybirds softball team (15-11) finished 4-0 in 36th District action and will be the top seed following a 10-0 win over the Newport Lady Wildcats in five innings. The Ladybirds also went undefeated in district play during the regular season last year. Highlands outhit Newport, 12-2 and committed no errors to three for Newport. Whitney Quillen, Kendall Turner and Josie Daley had two hits each to lead the Ladybirds. Highlands plays host to Covington Holy Cross on Thursday. Game time is 5 p.m. Fort Thomas Sports: Wednesday Sports Briefs

Baseball: Newport Central Catholic 7, Simon Kenton 4: The Thoroughbreds (9-20) picked up their second win in 15 games Tuesday. NewCath outhit Simon Kenton, 7-4. NewCath’s Jake Pangallo had the lone extra-base hit for either team with a double. Grant Moeves picked up the pitching win for the Thoroughbreds. He pitched five innings striking out four, walking four and allowing just two hits. NewCath takes on Dixie Heights on Wednesday. Game time is 5 p.m. Fort Thomas Sports: Tuesday Sports Briefs

Mason (Ohio) 3, Highlands 0: The Bluebirds (14-14) found themselves at .500 following their fourth straight loss Tuesday. Highlands managed just four hits against the Comets. Jake Whitford had two of them. Mason scored once in the fifth and twice in the sixth. Highlands plays host to Bellevue on Thursday. Game time is 5 p.m. Fort Thomas Sports: Tuesday Sports Briefs

Softball: Newport Central Catholic 18, Covington Holmes 0: The Thoroughbreds (16-7) erupted for 12 hits and 14 runs sending 19 batters to the plate in the third inning to finish off the Lady Bulldogs (10-14) in three innings Tuesday. Casey Kohls and Molly Mertle led NewCath at the plate going 3-for-3 each. Kohls had a triple and four runs batted in. The Thoroughbreds banged out 18 hits. Michaela Ware, Kristen Schreiber, Loren Zimmerman, Morgan Martini and Haley Meyers had two each. Meyers had a triple and two RBI. Schreiber and Zimmerman also had doubles with two and one RBI each. Ware added two RBI. Meyers also picked up the pitching win. She struck out five and allowed no hits for the fifth time this year. NewCath does not play again until Thursday. The Thoroughbreds travel to Cooper for a 5 p.m. contest. Fort Thomas Sports: Tuesday Sports Briefs

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter The Highlands Ladybirds softball team handled 36th District rival Dayton in five innings on Tuesday. Highlands (14-11) won its sixth in a row and improved to 3-0 in district action. This follows a seven-game losing streak. The Ladybirds finish district action Wednesday at Newport. Game time is 5 p.m. Fort Thomas Sports: Tuesday Sports Briefs

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter Things looked good after the first couple at-bats for the host baseball team. But once the visiting bats warmed up and the errors piled up, things quickly turned. That allowed the Dixie Heights Colonels to pull off a 12-7 9th Region victory over the Highlands Bluebirds on Monday. Dixie Heights (21-1) scored eight unearned runs off seven Highlands errors in the win. The Colonels also banged out 12 hits. On the other hand, Dixie Heights committed just one error. The Bluebirds (14-13) earned all seven runs. “What it comes down to is you have to make plays,” said Jeremy Baioni, Highlands Head Coach. “They made plays and we didn’t. When you allow extra runners, those big hits they got cost you two or three runs. You have to do your best to be fundamentally sound. (The Colonels) sure as heck didn’t have any issues with bad hops. We just have to get better defensively.” The Colonels have won 14 straight and are 12-0 in region play. Longtime Dixie Heights Head Coach Chris Maxwell said this is the best start the Colonels have had since he’s been here. “They don’t quit,” Maxwell said. “We talked to them and told them they had plenty of game still left. We got things going. They’ve been responding all year long.” Royce McGee, Ethan Harrison, Adam Daria, Henry Kerns, Seth Caple and Nick King had two hits each for the Colonels. McGee led Dixie Heights recorded three runs batted in on a three-run home run in the fifth. Dixie Heights led 11-5 at that point. Daria, Caple, King and Hicks added doubles. J.T. Breeden (3-0) pitched six-plus innings to pick up the win for Dixie Heights. He struck out two. Jake Whitford and Todd Ramey led Highlands going 2-for-4 with two runs scored each. Whitford homered and doubled his way to four runs batted in. The Bluebirds led 5-0 after two innings. Whitford homered in Brady Murray and Evan Allen in the first before Joseph Martin hit a solo shot in the bottom of the second. Highlands added another run in that inning when Alex Veneman singled, stole second and third and scored on a Dixie Heights throwing error. But the Colonels started the rally in the fourth. McGee reached on an error and with two out, Daria doubled him to third. They both scored whenKerns singled. Kerns scored when Caple doubled before pinch-runner Luke Zajac came home on a King single. The Colonels took an 8-5 lead in the fourth. Hicks doubled before Chris Ruedebusch, McGee and Harrison all singled and eventually scored before McGee’s home run added to the lead in the sixth. Dixie scored one more run in the sixth before Highlands got a run back. Ramey singled, took second on a baulk and scored when Grayson Heck doubled him in. The Bluebirds scored their last run in the seventh. Murray doubled, took third on a wild pitch and scored when Whitford doubled. Highlands picked up a game at Mason (Ohio) on Tuesday. Game time is 5 p.m. Fort Thomas Sports: Highlands, NC baseball teams drop 9th Region contests

Baseball: Covington Catholic 5, Newport Central Catholic 1: The Thoroughbreds (8-20) put up a good fight against the Colonels, but fell for the 13th time in 14 games. The Thoroughbreds banged out just three hits against winning pitcher Brian Haughey. Jake Pangallo had two of them including a double. NewCath plays host to Simon Kenton on Tuesday. Game time is 5 p.m. Fort Thomas Sports: Highlands, NC baseball teams drop 9th Region contests

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter NEWPORT – In another good game in this great rivalry, the Blue and White softball team once again claimed another regular season win. The Highlands Ladybirds (12-11) scored twice in the top of the seventh to knock off the host Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds (14-7), 4-2 on Friday at Newport Veterans Field. Highlands moved to 2-0 in 36th District action and NewCath fell to 2-1. “Anytime these two teams meet in any sport, it’s going to be a battle,” said Rob Coffey, Highlands Head Coach. “I don’t think either of us has been playing at the top of our game the last couple weeks. I feel both can contend for the 9th Region title.” Highlands recorded its fourth straight win following a seven-game losing streak. On the other side, NewCath has dropped three of its last four. NewCath won the district crown last year after Highlands won both regular-season contests. “We’re just trying to get everyone back,” said Denny Barnes, NewCath Head Coach. “We had a bunch of kids in different positions. We hadn’t had much time to work on some things because of the weather. We’ll come along. We’ve had some high ups and downs. It happens every year.” The difference in the game came on the right side of the score column. NewCath made four errors and Highlands had none. The Ladybirds ended up scoring three unearned runs off those errors. Bailey Spencer picked up the victory for Highlands. She struck out two in the complete game while allowing just four hits and one walk. Bailey retired 10 in a row at one point. She retired the side in the second, third, sixth and seventh innings. “One thing we really push for and our coaches repeat it all the time is execution,” said Whitney Quillen, Highlands junior third baseman. “We’ve just really come together as a team and are improving defensively.” Newport Central Catholic freshman Haley Meyers also pitched a complete game. She struck out three and walked two. Highlands finished with 10 hits led by sophomore standout catcher Shelby Graybill. Graybill finished 4-for-4 with two doubles and a run scored. Brennah Dutcher and Kara Fornash added two hits for Highlands. “Two days ago, I took about 200 swings and I got a good old gash in my hand so the work really pays off,” Graybill said. “Intensity is a key word in the dugout. I say it every inning. We have to keep it up or our game goes down fast.” The Highlands eighth graders were not available because they are on a trip to Washington, D.C. But pinch runners Taylor Baioni, Cloe Jansen and Morgan Coffey advanced at least one base. Baioni and Jansen scored one run each. Jansen even stole a base. “Our depth took a little bit of a hit (Friday) so about four girls who play varsity were not here,” Coach Coffey said. “However, because we’ve created depth, we have seventh-graders that stepped into those roles. The repetitions and putting in the time the girls do consistently coming to practice has created an enormous amount of depth that we haven’t had in the past.” The Bluebirds took the lead for good in the seventh. Ashley Grosser reached on an error and made it to third when Dutcher singled before scoring when NewCath mishandled the throw back to the infield. Highlands added an insurance run later in the inning. Jansen ran for Dutcher and stole second. Jansen advanced to third on a Fornash single and scored when Quillen singled. The Ladybirds struck first in their first at-bat. Graybill doubled, moved to third on a Kendall Turner single and scored on a NewCath error. But NewCath tied it in the bottom of the frame. Kristen Schreiber singled and moved to third when Loren Zimmerman doubled before scoring when Taylor Burkart grounded out to first. Highlands went ahead 2-1 in the top of the fifth when Graybill doubled and Baioni scored on a Rachel Gabbard sacrifice fly. Turner moved Baioni to third on a ground out. But NewCath tied the game in the bottom of the fifth. Sarah Neace doubled and Katherine Schreiber ran for her. Katherine Schrieber moved to third on a Kennedy Bin single and scored when Casey Kohls hit a sacrifice fly to center. Both teams return to action Saturday. Highlands ventures to Cincinnati Turpin for a Noon contest and NewCath travels to Newport. Game time is 10 a.m. Fort Thomas Sports: Highlands edges NewCath, 4-2

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter The Highlands Ladybirds softball team sought a signature win. Highlands found it Tuesday with a rain-shortened 8-3 victory over the Conner Lady Cougars in Hebron. The game was called in the bottom of the sixth. Highlands (10-11) entered the game 0-4 against 33rd District opponents. Conner and Ryle battled for the 9th Region crown for years until Notre Dame won it last year. Bailey Spencer picked up the pitching win for Highlands. She struck out two, walked two and allowed six hits. Highlands garnered 13 hits. Haley Coffey, Shelby Graybill, Ashley Grosser, Brennah Dutcher, Rachel Gabbard and Josie Daley garnered two each. Dutcher tripled with the bases loaded and Grosser had the other triple with Graybill doubling. Dutcher finished with four runs batted in and Graybill had two. Coffey and pinch-runner Kara Fornash scored two runs each. Highlands plays host to Campbell County on Thursday. Game time is 5 p.m. Fort Thomas Sports: Highlands earns signature win over Conner

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter SILVER GROVE – One may not have guessed it looking at the final score. But this baseball game stayed close until the seventh inning. That’s when the favored Highlands Bluebirds scored five runs to put away the host Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds, 13-6 in the crucial 36th District contest Wednesday at Morscher Field. Highlands (12-8 overall, 1-0 district) has won two in a row and three straight in the series. On the other side, NewCath (7-13, 0-2) has dropped six in a row. “(NewCath) has a great schedule. They’re playing great competition on a daily basis,” said Jeremy Baioni, Highlands Head Coach. “We knew we’d have to bring it to be able to walk away with a win.” The Bluebirds outhit the Thoroughbreds, 15-11. Jake Whitford led the way going 4-for-4 with a triple, five runs batted in and three runs scored. Teammates Todd Ramey followed going 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored and Mitch Gesenhues went 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Lou Bunning had a double and scored three times and Kenny Ball had three runs batted in for Highlands. Clint Bartels, Zach Pangallo and Grant Moeves all had two hits each to lead NewCath. Teammate Leo Barth had a double and two RBI. Both teams made their share of errors. Highlands had four and NewCath committed three. Both teams also left many runners on base. NewCath left 11 on base to 10 for Highlands. Bunning picked up the pitching win for Highlands to move to 4-1 on the year. He allowed two hits and one strikeout taking over for starting pitcher Joey Cochran in the fifth inning. “Joey Cochran was throwing a good game. You have to give him credit for that,” Bunning said. “We didn’t make a couple plays in the field that we should have made. We got out of a big jam with the bases loaded. Coach called my name and I got the job done.” Highlands scored two runs in the first, second and fourth innings to take a 6-2 advantage. But NewCath came back and tied the game at six with four in the fifth inning. “I liked the fire in the kids,” said Jeff Schulkens, NewCath Head Coach. “That’s one thing we’ve been lacking as a team in general.” Clint Bartels (1-2) took the loss for the Thoroughbreds. He was tossed out of the game in the sixth inning after Highlands took the lead for good when Whitford scored on a Ball suicide squeeze bunt. “We constantly talk about composure,” Schulkens said. “I’m not going to say much other than (Bartels) lost his composure and he deserved to be tossed. Our kids know to let me take care of it and let the umpires take care of it.” Highlands has scored many runs over the last couple years on suicide squeeze plays. That includes one in the 9th Region quarterfinal loss to St. Henry last season. “We work on getting (the bunt) down in practice every day even if it’s a bad pitch,” Ball said. “Coach (Baioni) had us prepared. I’m happy I could come through in such a big time. Whitford did a nice job getting on base and I got him in.” Highlands led 8-6 following the sixth inning. Ramey scored on a NewCath throwing error. The Bluebirds then put the game away in the seventh. Whitford singled home Alex Veneman and Mitch Gesenhues before Brady Murray scored on a Ramey single. Highlands concluded the scoring when Whitford and Ramey came home on a Ball single. “That’s a difference between this team and some of the teams we’ve had,” Baioni said. “They hate losing. They give you 100 percent when they’re on the field and want to win.” Highlands returns to action Thursday. The Bluebirds travel to Lloyd Memorial for a 5 p.m. contest. NewCath does not play again until Friday in the Louisville Invitational Tournament. The Thoroughbreds takes on Bullitt East. Fort Thomas Sports: Highlands puts away NewCath, 13-6

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter The Highlands Ladybirds softball team (9-11) snapped a seven-game losing streak with a dominating performance Wednesday. Highlands downed the Scott Lady Eagles, 12-1 in five innings. The Ladybirds outhit the Lady Eagles, 13-6 and took advantage of six errors. Highlands made just one error. Highlands led 5-1 after three innings in the second game at Winkler Park. The Ladybirds pulled away with five runs in the fourth and ended it with two in the fifth. Whitney Quillen, Haley Coffey and Ashley Grosser led Highlands with three hits each and Shelby Graybill added two. Coffey, Graybill and Brennah Dutcher had doubles for Highlands. Quillen and Grosser scored three runs each with Kendall Turner and Payton Leighty scoring two each. Coffey had four runs batted in and Dutcher had two. Miranda Mason picked up the pitching win for Highlands. She walked two and struck out one. Highlands travels to Simon Kenton on Monday. Game time is 5:30 p.m. Fort Thomas Sports: Ladybirds snap losing skid

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter One of the big reasons Dale Mueller listed for retiring from coaching is family. Mueller spent the last 20 seasons as Head Coach of the vaunted Highlands Bluebirds football team. The Bluebirds went 250-36 during that time with 11 state championships, three state runner-up trophies and 17 district championships. That win total is good for 18th in Kentucky High School Football history. Mueller and his wife Patty raised four children. All four graduated from Highlands like Dale Mueller did in 1973. They are Maggie Mueller Mason (Class of 2000), Eamon Mueller (2002), Terrence Mueller (2005) and Kelsa Mueller Ader (2007). The family stayed in Fort Thomas even when Mueller served as Head Coach at Cincinnati Withrow and Cincinnati Sycamore. “It was extremely important for me to not have to move my family out of Fort Thomas,” Dale Mueller said. “I was not going to take a job that caused me to move from Fort Thomas. That being said I do consider myself a man of the world because I grew up in the Woodfill (Elementary) district, I raised my children in the Johnson district and I now live in the Moyer district.” Mueller will teach and serve as the Highlands Director of Athletics thorough next year. Patty Mueller grew up in the state of New York. “When I was young, my father worked for the New York State Telephone Company and for many years it hung over our heads that he would be transferred to another city and we would have to move,” Patty Mueller said. “I am sure that I would have adapted to a move, but was thankful that I didn't have to. Dale and I always wanted that security for our kids too.” Dale Mueller’s overall record in 29 as a head coach was 309-67. He served as an assistant at Cincinnati Western Hills and Newport High before becoming a head coach. The kids are also thankful they did not have to move during that time. Mason and Eamon Mueller still live in Campbell County. “My dad always tells the story about when I was five years old and he met a college football coach from (the University of Cincinnati) that had the opportunity to move to Florida to coach but his daughter didnt want to move,” Mason said. “He told my dad, ‘I am not going to let a 5-year-old dictate my career.’ My dad said, ‘My 5-year-old completely dictates my career. My dad is a family man first and I think that is one reason he was so successful. I guess I really never thought about moving as an option because I knew we never would.” Mason currently stays home with children George and Meredith. She graduated from Northern Kentucky University in 2004. She sells Origami Owl Jewelry as a side business. Her husband Michael is a 1994 Highlands alum who played on the 1992 3A state championship team. She is glad her dad will be able to see the grandchildren more. “My kids are going to having a wonderful time playing with him,” Mason said. “They both cry when it is time to leave my parents’ house. But I would be lying if I wouldn’t say I would miss going to the games and hearing about football. I have honestly enjoyed every minute of him being a football coach. He worked a lot, but I love football and I loved all the memories that surround that - riding on the bus home from the Sycamore games, watching the Withrow cheerleaders dance to the band, being a football trainer in middle school at HHS, going to the state games.” Eamon Mueller currently lives in Melbourne. Dale Mueller told the family after the 2012 season that 2013 would be his last season as Head Coach. “I was excited for him,” Eamon Mueller said. “I know how much he loved coaching football. But I also know he will enjoy his free time.” Dale Mueller called Eamon Mueller his all-time favorite football player. Eamon Mueller recorded consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons in 2000 and 2001. “It makes me happy to know that he is proud of me,” Eamon Mueller said. “I couldn’t ask for a better role model and father.” Terrence Mueller lives in Fort Myers (Fla.) and sells Solar Energy for Fafco Solar. Dale Mueller went to Florida on Spring Break to visit Terrence Mueller. Ader lives in New York City and works for Estee Lauder. She is married to high school sweetheart Jackson Ader. The two then graduated from Murray State before landing jobs in the Big Apple and getting married. Ader and her sister got married during the summer dead period to accommodate Dale Mueller’s schedule. “One thing my dad was great at was not bringing work home,” Ader said. “If you were a fly on the wall during dinner at our house, you may have learned he was a teacher but never that he was a football coach. When he was at home he was truly at home. I got to experience the love and compassion of ‘Dad’ because he left ‘Coach’ at the door.” The kids listed playing cards and fishing as things they look forward to doing with their father now that he’s retired from coaching. “It sounds dumb, and my friends and family will laugh, but I also look forward to him walking the dog with me more often,” Patty Mueller said. “I am addicted to walking my dog and he is willing to go out with me in 10 degrees! Now he has more energy to do that.” Patty Mueller stayed at home when the kids were younger. She started working part-time at Wise Owl Preschool when Kelsa was two. She has been a teacher’s assistant at Johnson Elementary for the past 13 years. Dale Mueller had also only been able to go on vacation during the summer dead period. Mason said he’s planning something for August. FORT THOMAS MATTERS: Family chimes in on Mueller's retirement from coaching

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter The Kentucky High School Athletic Association recently released the draft football alignments for the 2015 through 2018 seasons. The Highlands and Covington Catholic football teams received their wish to move up. Based on other teams that applied to move up or down classes last month, there was no surprise that the Bluebirds and Colonels were tentatively placed in the same District 5 with Dixie Heights and Grant County. The Bluebirds were in the same district with CovCath and Dixie Heights from 2007 to 2010 in Class 5A. Highlands has gone 23-0 in district action since 2007. Highlands hoped to be placed in a five-team district to alleviate scheduling issues of recent years. The Bluebirds ventured to Paducah Tilghman and John Hardin last year because the only team in the northern three counties of Kentucky outside the district that would play them was Campbell County. Highlands has to travel to Lexington Bryan Station and Warren Central and again plays host to a Florida team in Miami Christopher Columbus. The initial thought was Highlands and CovCath would be in a district with Scott, Cooper and Conner. But Cooper and Conner moved up to 6A and are tentatively in a three-team district with Ryle. Campbell County, Simon Kenton and Boone County made up another tentative Northern Kentucky 6A district. Scott moved down to 4A while Dixie Heights moved down to 5A. Highlands is 45-17 all-time against Covington Catholic. But the placement with Dixie Heights would renew the series against the team the Bluebirds have faced the second-most times in school history. Highlands is 62-8 all-time against Dixie Heights. The defending 4A runner-up Bluebirds have not faced Grant County since 2006 when they were in the same district in the old four-class alignment. Highlands is 6-0 all-time against the Braves. Highlands and CovCath complete their final season in 4A this fall. They’ve been in the same district with Covington Holmes and Harrison County. Pendleton County was also in the same district in 2011 and 2012 but elected to withdraw from district play last season and this season. Highlands had to travel south for state semifinal games while in 5A before venturing to Lexington Catholic twice in 2011 and last year while in 4A. The Bluebirds won 34-6 at Harlan County in 2010 after winning 42-16 at Whitley County in 2008. In 2A, Newport Central Catholic expected to be placed in the same district with current rivals Newport, Lloyd Memorial and Covington Holy Cross. The numbers saw Bishop Brossart drop to 1A. That turned out to be the case in the new tentative district. But the Thoroughbreds may have to travel some in the new district because the KHSAA placed Bath County and West Carter in the tentative District 6. NewCath had not had to travel outside Northern Kentucky for district play since the split to six classes in 2007. The Thoroughbreds are 24-0 in district play since then. The defending 2A runner-up Thoroughbreds own an overall record of 90-26-1 all-time against Newport, Holy Cross and Lloyd Memorial. They are 2-0 in school history against West Carter and 1-0 against Bath County. NewCath beat Bath County, 21-6 in the first round of the Class A playoffs in 1995 and defeated West Carter regular-season meetings, 23-3 and 53-3 in 1987 and 1988 respectively. The KHSAA is giving schools the opportunity to voice opinions of the alignment through May 5. The final draft will come at the KHSAA Board of Control Meeting on May 12 to give schools the opportunity to work on schedules. FORT THOMAS MATTERS: Tentative district alignment has Highlands in four-team 5A district; NC in six-team 2A district

Baseball: Highlands 2, Cincinnati Elder 1: The Bluebirds (9-5) recorded another huge win Friday in Fort Thomas. Mitch Jones and Lou Bunning led the way on the mound for Highlands and the defense committed just one error behind them. Jones threw six innings allowing three hits, two walks and one earned run while striking out seven. Bunning came on in the seventh to record the save. He struck out one. Jake Whitford went 2-for-2 with two runs batted in to lead the Bluebirds at the plate. Teammate Brady Murray scored both runs. Highlands outhit Elder, 7-3. Brian Guck had two hits for the Panthers as neither team recorded an extra-base hit. The Bluebirds scored in the first frame. Whitford hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score Murray. Elder came back to tie the game in the third. John Lamers scored on a wild pitch. But Highlands took the lead for good in the fifth. Murray was hit by a pitch then advanced to third on an Evan Allen sacrifice bunt. Whitford then singled him home. The Bluebirds return to action against another Greater Catholic League opponent on Saturday. They travel across the river to face Cincinnati McNicholas at 10:30 a.m. Fort Thomas Sports: Friday Sports Briefs