A seven-time Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association writer of the year, Blackledge spent the final 34 years of a four-decade career as the chief prep beat writer for the Columbus Dispatch. A Delaware, Ohio native, Blackledge graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1982 with degrees in journalism and communications. He served as sports editor of the Wilmington News-Journal for three-plus years. He also worked at the Lake County Telegraph and the Delaware Gazette. In addition to the prep beat, Blackledge has covered the Browns, Indians, Reds, Bengals, Columbus Crew and various Ohio State sports.
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Saturday, 04 March 2023 / Published in Central Ohio, Central Ohio Feature, Features

South Holds On, Survives Jerome In District Final

Westerville South’s Kruz McClure and Dublin Jerome’s Max Hanneman battle for a rebound in a championship game that hinged on a final shot that rimmed out, allowing South to advance out of the Central District. (PressPros Feature Photo by John Hulkenberg).
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Saturday, 04 March 2023 / Published in Central Ohio, Central Ohio Feature, Features

Pick Central Flexes Muscle For D-I Regional Title

Marysville’s JoJo Eberhart drives to the basket ahead of Pickerington Central’s Madison Greene, a scenario that didn't play out often enough for the Monarchs in a regional title loss that sends the Tigers to the state final four at UD Arena. (PressPros Feature photo by John Hulkenberg)
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Thursday, 02 March 2023 / Published in Central Ohio, Central Ohio Feature, Features

Mikola Delivers Late As Liberty Escapes Coffman

Olentangy Liberty's Alex Okuley tries hard not to foul Dublin Coffman's Kevin Kirkby on a drive in a game that was as tight as this action, requiring fifth-ranked Liberty to score in the final seconds to survive. (PressPros Feature Photo by Sheri Hooley).
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Tuesday, 28 February 2023 / Published in Central Ohio, Central Ohio Feature, Features, Home Features

Pick Central Locks Up Coffman, Faces Marysville

Pickerington Central’s Berry Wallace goes to the basket as Dublin Coffman’s Tessa Grady defends in a tight Division I regional semifinal that the top-seeded Tigers pulled out in the final minutes to set up a Saturday championship game against Marysville. (PressPros Feature Photos by John Hulkenberg)
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Sunday, 26 February 2023 / Published in Central Ohio, Central Ohio Feature, Features

Overlooked South Bounces Liberty for D-I Title

Overlooked and underrated all season, Westerville South showed its 24-2 record was no mirage with a stunning win over state-ranked Olentangy Liberty in the Division I girls district finals (PressPros Feature Photo by Neal Lauron).