The Morenci Advocate

Morenci sophomore Gracie Snead makes a name for herself in powerlifting

April 20, 2025 by Ryan McDowell

Morenci High School sophomore Gracie Snead, pictured in the high school weight room, recently won the Michigan High School Powerlifting Association’s JV state meet, followed by a national title. (Photo by Ryan McDowell)

MORENCI — Morenci sophomore powerlifter Gracie Snead is stacking more than just weight plates — she’s stacking championships.

Down Home at the Opera House

April 20, 2025 by Advocate staff

FAYETTE, Ohio — A fundraiser for the Fayette Opera House, Down Home at the Opera House and You’re Full of Baloney, will take place on Saturday, April 26.

Stephenson Park work should wrap up in May

April 16, 2025 by Erik Gable

Work on Stephenson Park, which began in October, is expected to be finished sometime in May.

MORENCI — Improvements to Stephenson Park, a few blocks south of downtown Morenci, are on track to be completed sometime in May.

Depleted, not defeated: Girls track and field preview

April 15, 2025 by Ryan McDowell

Back row: Coach Andi Rorick, Becca Cox, Emma Williams, Paige Cousino, Tessa Zuvers, Emily Zuvers, Ava Alcock, coach Jonathan Boesger. Front row: Rachel Meadows, Zoey Martinez, Lillian Harsh, Makayla Nieman, Jayla McCowen, Shiana Johns.

MORENCI — The 2025 varsity girls track and field team will rely heavily on individual performances this year changing pace from the relay strength of its 2024 version.

Small numbers, big talent: Boys track and field preview

April 15, 2025 by Ryan McDowell

Back row: Assistant coach Brodie Pike, Kylan Lester, Anil Guler, Wyatt Berger, Beau Shaffer, Danilo Goranovic, Brennen Harsh, Van Ekins, and coach Jonathan Boesger. Front row: Jaloladdin Rahimov, Ishmam Choudhury, Briar Price, David Bauer, Kevin Kaufman, Zach Martinez, and Michael Rising.

MORENCI — The 2025 varsity boys track and field team will once again battle low numbers this spring, but still has enough potential to shine.

Success in other sports shortens softball practice time, but team hopes to finish strong

April 14, 2025 by Ryan McDowell

Back row: Coach Kay Johnson, Aly Curtis, Evelyn Joughin, Alyssa Gibbs, Addyson Valentine, Callie VanBrandt, and Chelsea Pierce. Front Row: Abby Pierce, Savanna Miles, Jaelyn Thompson, Tavin Kruse, Baylie Miller, and Rylee Frederick.

MORENCI — Sometimes success creates more challenges. The 2025 Morenci varsity softball team will face those challenges head on.

A season of change for Morenci baseball

April 13, 2025 by Ryan McDowell

Standing: Assistant coach Brad Moran, Drew Joughin, Jonas Castillo, Paul Bongiorno, Aiden Williams, Marcus Golban, Alex Lauffer, Christopher Hoffman, Avery Kaiser, Gabriel Pospisil, Zach Stevens, Harrison Sarnac, coach Matt Enders, and manager Lynden Sarnac. Front row: Blake Moran, Talan Kruse, Skyler Trent, Evan Gould, Finn Molitierno, Collin Blaker, and Wyatt Stevens.

MORENCI — Spring has sprung and Morenci’s varsity baseball team is rife with anticipation for the season that lies ahead. The Bulldogs welcome a new head coach, a larger roster and 12 additional games from just a year ago.

Bowling team’s two seniors wrap up high school careers

April 14, 2025April 13, 2025 by Erik Gable

Varsity bowling coach Dayli Lemmon with seniors Connor Johns and Jonathan Minturn.

MORENCI — The Morenci bowling team is in an unusual position this year — that of having the entire team graduate at once.

Morenci competitive cheer shows steady improvement over rebuilding season

April 13, 2025 by Erik Gable

From left to right are Cassidy Stuck, Paige Cousino, Zoey Martinez, coach Robyn Taylor, Elise Christle, Alivia Scivoletto, and Lillie Ford. Ariana Bongiorno and Gabriella Rosales joined the team after the team photo was taken, and Harley Ohlinger had to sit out the season due to an injury.

MORENCI — It was a rebuilding season for Morenci’s varsity competitive cheer team, but it was also a season of steady improvement for the squad.

“Each time we competed, our scores went up,” said coach Robyn Taylor.

Boys basketball team looks to build in coming year

April 13, 2025 by Erik Gable

Back row: Coach Garrett Benjamin, Talan Kruse, Jonas Castillo, Van Ekins, Zach Stevens, and assistant coaches Garrett Schermerhorn and Jonathan Boesger. Front row: Landon Wilkins, Blake Moran, Finn Molitierno, Ishmam Choudhury, Wyatt Stevens, and Drew Joughin.

MORENCI — This season might not have been everything they hoped for, but the Morenci boys basketball team grew together as a unit and took some big steps forward over the course of Garrett Benjamin’s second season as head coach.

“I think we took a step in the right direction as far as growing together as a young corps,” Benjamin said.