Fellow Twits, Tuesday will mark the final day of my 34-year run at The Columbus Dispatch as I accepted a buyout from the parent company. I plan to stay involved in the area high school sports scene in some form and will continue sharing insight and my colleagues’ work on Twitter.
Steve Blackledge
18.8K posts
Retired 34-year Columbus Dispatch prep sports beat writer; now working for pressprosmagazine.com; OPSWA Hall Of Famer
Joined February 2015
- A heartfelt thanks for all the encouraging words about my retirement from The Dispatch. Frankly, it’s been overwhelming. I left the office for the last time after 34 years today and had a Mary Tyler Moore moment turning out the lights. Older folks will get it, the rest won’t.
- Outgoing OHSAA Executive Director Dan Ross underwent successful surgery for a heart transplant today at the Cleveland Clinic. He had been on a national donor list since having an artificial pump installed two years ago. He is expected to spend two weeks at a transplant facility.
- Zach Harrison of Olentangy Orange ran 10.82 for 100 meters and 21.55 for 200 in a dual track meet against Olentangy Liberty tonight in the rain. Those are ridiculous times for a guy about 6-5, 230. That's why he's the top rated junior football prospect in the country.
- Reynoldsburg coach Andy Moore confirmed that freshman Mekhi Roddy — who punched Hilliard Bradley player Ben Mirgon in the groin during a regional semi on Saturday — has been suspended for the remainder of the postseason. He said it was a joint team/school decision.
- Dublin Coffman grad runs No.2 time in world at 200 meters.22.69 by Abby Steiner is 🌎 No. 2 behind only Shaunae Miller-Uibo!
- The Columbus City Schools have lifted the suspension on extracurricular activities imposed on Aug. 14 and athletics may resume Saturday.
- It amazes me that Russia has just 52 boys in its high school, but the basketball team has 12 players between 6 feet 2 and 6-6, and six over 6-4.
- Final score: Pickerington Central beats Mentor 56-28 for its first Division I state title. Demeatric Crenshaw scores D1 record six TDs for Tigers.
- Abby Steiner of Dublin Coffman just lowered her state record in the 200 to 22.73. Incredible performance gives her four straight titles in 200.
- Folks, starting Friday I’m going to be working part-time for pressprosmagazine.com, a western/southwestern Ohio based website that wants to branch out its high school sports coverage to central Ohio. Looking forward to getting back out in the field again.
- This is one of the most moving videos you’ll ever see of a Virginia high school wrestler with no legs winning a state title at 106 pounds:
- Abby Steiner has informed me that while she does intend to sign an endorsement deal to go pro, widespread Twitter reports today are premature as she plans to make it official July 14.
- Because of deadlines, a sportswriter’s worst nightmare is when the JV game goes overtime. And it seems to happen every daggone game.




