MORROW — During the 2024–25 school year, the Little Miami Panthers athletic department made a significant leap forward across all sports, as reflected in their best-ever finish in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference (ECC) All-Sports standings. Since joining the ECC in the fall of 2020, Little Miami had never finished higher than eighth overall — until now. In 2024–25, the Panthers surged to sixth place and were within striking distance of the top five programs.
This breakthrough year was led by several standout teams, including the 2024 ECC champion boys' cross country team, the 2025 ECC champion boys' track and field team, and the 2025 ECC co-champion baseball team. The wrestling team also delivered a strong showing, finishing as ECC runners-up. Additional key contributions came from girls' cross country, boys' and girls' soccer, boys' basketball, boys' bowling, softball, and girls' track and field. A complete listing of the ECC All-Sports standings is available HERE, and below we'll cover highlights for each spring program.
Panthers Make History: Little Miami Baseball Clinches First Conference Title Since 1994; Olivencia sets program standard with 20 wins in inaugural season
The last time the Little Miami High School baseball team hoisted a conference title, Ace of Base's "The Sign" topped the charts, Jurassic Park was being rented on VHS, and Blockbuster was the weekend destination of choice. That was 1994.
Fast forward 31 years, and the Panthers have ended that drought in remarkable fashion.
Under first-year head coach Gabe Olivencia—who himself wasn't even born in 1994—Little Miami baseball etched its name into school history this spring. With a 14-4 record in the ultra-competitive Eastern Cincinnati Conference (ECC) and 20-7 overall, the Panthers clinched a share of the ECC championship and set a new program record for wins in a season. "This group of young men has done something special," said Olivencia. "I am extremely proud of what they've accomplished, and we're focused on finishing strong in the postseason."
Program on the Rise
This breakthrough season marks a new era for a program that's grown alongside its district. Once a small, rural school, Little Miami has become a force in Southwest Ohio athletics—having transitioned from the Fort Ancient Valley Conference to the SWOC, and now making waves in the ECC. The Panthers carried their regular-season momentum into the playoffs, knocking off Greater Miami Conference opponent Colerain 4-3 in Round 1 of the OHSAA postseason before falling to powerhouse Moeller (ranked No. 2 in the state) 8-4 in the District Final.
Standout Performers
Infield Leaders:
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Kaleb Mullins, 1B – .275 AVG, 5 doubles, 12 RBI
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Lucas Basta, 2B (Jr.) – .355 AVG, .452 OBP, 7 doubles, 17 RBI, 12 SB (2nd Team All-ECC)
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Ian Sukup, SS (Jr.) – .333 AVG, 14 RBI, 17 runs (2nd Team All-ECC)
Outfield Excellence:
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Ian Arthur, LF (Sr.) – .333 AVG, 10 stolen bases (2nd Team All-ECC)
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Colin Milligan, CF (Sr.) – .345 AVG, .478 OBP, 16 runs (2nd Team All-ECC)
Behind the Plate:
Dominance on the Mound
Pitching was the backbone of this historic season, led by a trio of arms:
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Carter Sellers (Sr.) – 4-1, 0.61 ERA, 51 K in 34.2 IP
ECC ERA Leader, Illinois State Signee, 1st Team All-ECC, Player of the Year Nominee
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Jackson Reynolds (Sr.) – 6-0, 1.44 ERA in 34 IP
ECC Co-Leader in Wins, 2nd Team All-ECC, Player of the Year Nominee
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Luke Brewsaugh – 1-0, 2.42 ERA, 3 saves
ECC Co-Leader in Saves
Sellers, a standout on the basketball court as well, capped his high school career as one of the most decorated two-sport athletes in school and conference history.
ECC Postseason Honors
Little Miami High School Softball: A Promising 2025 Season Under New Leadership is the Foundation for Sustainable Success
The Little Miami High School Lady Panthers softball team entered the 2025 season with renewed energy and optimism, propelled by the leadership of first-year head coach Chad Thieme. After a solid 14-13 finish in 2024, the program aimed to build upon its success and continue its upward trajectory in the competitive Eastern Cincinnati Conference (ECC).
A New Era Begins
Coach Thieme, a seasoned coach with deep roots in the Little Miami community, took the helm in July 2024. His extensive background in youth softball, including roles with Little Miami Fastpitch Softball and the Little Miami Junior High Club Program, positioned him well to lead the varsity team. Thieme's vision focused on fostering a respected and successful high school program while enhancing softball development throughout the community.
Season Highlights
Under Coach Thieme's guidance, the Lady Panthers achieved an impressive 18-win season, marking a significant step forward for the program. The team secured a fourth-place finish in the ECC, showcasing their growth and competitiveness in a challenging conference. Notable victories included a dominant 12-2 win over West Clermont and a commanding 18-0 shutout against Anderson High School.
Standout Players
Senior shortstop Ashleigh Meece emerged as a key leader, earning first-team All-ECC honors for her exceptional performance on both offense and defense. Juniors Bella Houillion and Grace Young also contributed significantly, earning second-team All-ECC recognition. Their leadership and skill were instrumental in the team's success throughout the season.
Looking Ahead
The 2025 season marks a promising chapter for the Lady Panthers, with Coach Thieme's leadership and the team's dedication setting the stage for continued success. As the program continues to develop, the Little Miami community can look forward to more achievements and growth in the seasons to come.
Track & Field: The Panthers boys' program runs to their first conference title since 1987; sophomore distance star Ryne Reynolds and senior sprinter Emma Goins head to Columbus for the OHSAA State Championship
Heading into the OHSAA postseason, a championship weekend turned historic for Little Miami High School, as the varsity boys' track and field team captured their first Eastern Cincinnati Conference (ECC) title since 1987—snapping a 38-year drought.
Just days after the baseball team clinched its own long-awaited league crown, the Panthers added to the school's winning momentum. Powered by a complete team effort and a dominant distance running unit, Little Miami finished with 123.5 points—well ahead of second-place Loveland (90.33) and third-place Walnut Hills (77.83)—to win the 10-team meet at Anderson High School.
The championship run was guided by veteran coaching duo Jim and Lynn Brant, whose leadership helped the Panthers find success in every event group. The balanced scoring, especially the strong performance in distance events, proved decisive in bringing home the long-elusive league trophy. Additionally, Jim Brant was named the 2025 ECC Coach of the Year, a suitable honor bestowed upon him by peers and one he's earned a number of times throughout his coaching career.
Goins Leaves a Legacy: Little Miami Sprinter Blazes Toward State After Historic High School Career
When Emma Goins steps onto the track, the air seems to shift—filled with anticipation, power, and the unmistakable sense that something special is about to happen. For the past four years, Goins has turned that electricity into results, and now, as she prepares for her final high school state championship, she leaves behind the most decorated sprinting careers in Little Miami history.
Goins recently capped her final Eastern Cincinnati Conference (ECC) meet by earning the Sprinter of the Meet honor—for the third straight year. The rare three-peat is a testament not only to her raw talent, but to the consistency, discipline, and determination that have fueled her rise.
She's done more than just improve—she's redefined what's possible. At the Regional Championships, Goins broke her own school records in both the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes as she claimed first place in both events, and continued a season-long trend of pushing the limits. Her performances there didn't just turn heads—they paved a clear path to the OHSAA State Championships, where she'll contend for the ultimate prize: a state title.
For her coaches, teammates, and the Little Miami community, Goins' impact extends well beyond the stopwatch. "She's a once-in-a-generation athlete," said coach Lynn Brant. "But more than that, she's a leader. She shows younger athletes how to work hard, stay humble, and believe in themselves."
From freshman phenom to senior standout, Goins' journey has been defined by constant evolution. She's the sprinter who studies her blocks like a science, who treats practice with championship intensity, and who, even amid personal records, still cheers the loudest for her teammates. As she laces up for her final high school meet, Goins isn't just racing for a medal—she's racing for a legacy already cemented in Little Miami's record books. And perhaps, if the stars align, she'll finish her high school story the only way that seems fitting: with gold.
Sophomore Distance Star Ryne Reynolds Leads Little Miami with Record-Breaking Season on Track and Trail
Sophomore Ryne Reynolds has firmly established himself as one of Ohio's premier young distance runners, propelling Little Miami High School into the spotlight with a historic 2024-2025 campaign. His standout performances during the fall cross country and spring track and field seasons have been instrumental in elevating the Panthers to new competitive heights.
Reynolds first drew statewide attention during the 2024 OHSAA Cross Country Championships, where he played a key role in leading Little Miami to a third-place team finish—the highest in program history. But his momentum didn't stop when the leaves fell. Instead, it surged into the spring, where he delivered one of the most dominant track seasons in school history.
At the Eastern Cincinnati Conference (ECC) Championships, Reynolds captured titles in both the 1600 meters (4:18.57) and 3200 meters (9:18.7), while also anchoring the Panthers' 4x800 meter relay team to an ECC and school record time of 7:51.37. For his efforts, Reynolds was named the ECC Distance Runner of the Meet and, along with teammate Goins, earned ECC Top Point Scorer of the Meet honors.
Reynolds has continued his ascent in the postseason, where individual advancement has taken center stage. At the Division I District Meet at Mason, he placed third in the 3200 meters with a time of 9:13.09. Just one week later at the Regional Championships hosted by Wayne High School, Reynolds shaved seven seconds off that mark, running a blistering 9:06.13—another third-place finish that punched his ticket to the 2025 OHSAA State Championships.
With each race, Ryne Reynolds reaffirms his status as one of the state's rising stars and a cornerstone of Little Miami's growing legacy in distance running.
State Update: At the OHSAA State Championship Meet, Little Miami senior sprinter Emma Goins cemented her place as the most accomplished track and field athlete in Lady Panther history.
Goins earned sixth overall in the 100 Meter Dash with a time of 12.05 seconds in the state final. Notably, she qualified for the final with an impressive prelim time of 11.74, the second-fastest overall in the meet. In the 200 Meter Dash, Goins stood proudly on the podium, finishing fourth in Ohio with a time of 24.72. She matched that time in prelims, which earned her the sixth seed heading into the final.
On the boys' side, sophomore Ryne Reynolds was the only 10th-grader in Ohio to qualify for the 3200 Meter Run. He positioned himself with the lead pack in the early laps and surged into the Top 5 during Lap 5. Though he eventually slipped back in the final stages, Reynolds finished 10th out of 18 competitors with a strong time of 9:12.05. Now turning his focus to the 2025 OHSAA cross country season, Reynolds is poised to emerge as one of Ohio's premier distance runners over the next two years.
Little Miami Boys Tennis Caps Winning Season with Strong Finish
Nestled in the heart of Morrow, Ohio, Little Miami High School's boys tennis program continues to be a model of skill, sportsmanship, and dedication. Competing in the always-competitive Eastern Cincinnati Conference (ECC), the Panthers have made their presence known across Warren County and beyond.
Under the steady leadership of longtime head coach Lorie Boulton, the Panthers hovered around the .500 mark for much of the 2025 season. However, a strong finish propelled them into the top half of the ECC standings. On May 13, Little Miami closed the regular season with a commanding 4-1 victory over Kings, securing a winning record of 7-6.
The Panthers picked up key conference wins throughout the year, defeating rivals Lebanon, Anderson, West Clermont, and Kings — with three of those victories coming in the final stretch of the season. Their late surge reflected the team's resilience and growth over the course of the year.
Sophomore Colton Anders earned Honorable Mention All-ECC honors, standing out as the only Panther recognized in postseason conference awards — a testament to his individual effort and consistency on the court.
As the program continues to build on its foundation, Little Miami's 2025 campaign stands as a testament to grit, teamwork, and a promising future ahead.
Boys and Girls Lacrosse: Programs poised for upward momentum in 2026
It's widely recognized that schools fielding lacrosse teams in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference (ECC) represent some of the top programs in Southwest Ohio—if not the entire state. For Little Miami, the 2025 season brought signs of promise and progress on both the boys' and girls' sides.
Boys' Lacrosse
Under first-year head coach Joel Miles, the Panthers opened the season with a challenging nonconference schedule, fighting to an early 3-3 record before entering ECC play. Coach Miles earned his first career win in commanding fashion on March 24, shutting out GWOC opponent Miamisburg 13-0. In a fitting postseason twist, Little Miami met Miamisburg again in the OHSAA playoffs, earning Miles his first tournament win with a dramatic 8-7 victory on May 15.
The Panthers notched their lone ECC victory in a 13-10 road win at Walnut Hills on May 14. Despite the difficult conference slate, Little Miami closed the season strong—winning three of their final four games before falling to nationally ranked St. Xavier (No. 17 in the nation) in the second round of the OHSAA playoffs. For his impact on the field, Rylan Howard was named Honorable Mention All-ECC, a strong individual accolade for a team building toward the future.
Girls' Lacrosse
The Lady Panthers also demonstrated grit and perseverance throughout a demanding 2025 campaign. Despite a tough ECC schedule that saw them finish 0-7 in conference play, the team recorded six nonconference wins, defeating Miamisburg, Fairmont, Oak Hills, Fenwick, Roger Bacon, and Fairfield to finish with a 6-11 overall record.
Offensively, the team was powered by standout Morgan Reynolds, who earned Second Team All-ECC honors after finishing among the league's top three scorers with 64 total goals—a remarkable individual achievement. Defensively, senior goalie Makayla Harvey was recognized as Honorable Mention All-ECC, anchoring the back line through some of the season's most competitive matchups.
