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Volume 11, No. 11
Copeland Leads Track to States for 3rd Year in a Row By Alan Kornspan sports@karlovecmedia.com
LAND T R I K Izzie Copeland has had a great
senior year. Not only did she break a school record in the 5K in the Fall, she also recently broke the school record in both the 1600m and 3200m at the OHSAA District Championships. In addition, she led the Kirtland Hornets Track and Field Team back to the OHSAA State Championships for the third year in a row. Copeland has had an excellent outdoor track and field season. In her first outdoor track meet of the year on April 10 at the Grand Valley Twilight Invitational, Copeland finished first in the 800m (2:31.4) and 1600m (5:32.18). Then, soon after, on April 14 at the George Cross Invitational, Copeland finished first in the 800m (2:29.73) and the 1600m (5:24.51). Copeland achieved first place finishes two weeks later at the Independence Dan Potopsky Invitational on April 28. She again finished first in the 1600m (5:23.39), and the 3200m (11:46.60). Copeland was also the CVC See Track • Page 4
Friday, June 5, 2026
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CHRONICLE ONICLE ND KIR TLA
Coffee with Council Coffee with Council is Saturday, June 18 10-11 a.m., at Kirtland City Hall. For more information, contact Joe Smolic at 440-487-8984 or JSmolic@ kirtlandohio.com
CHRONICLE ALAN KORNSPAN/KMG
Senior Ben DiFranco helped lead the Hornets to their second OHSAA District Title in a row as he was 2 for 3 in a 5-2 victory over the Hillsdale Falcons on May 29 at Twinsburg High School.
Baseball Wins District Title For Second Year in a Row
By Alan Kornspan sports@karlovecmedia.com For the second year in a row, Head Coach Luke Smrdel has led the Hornets Baseball Team to an OHSAA District Title. The Hornets punched their ticket to the OHSAA Regional Semifinals by defeating the Hills-
dale Falcons, 5-2, on May 29 at Twinsburg High School. “It's always fun winning the District Championship,” Coach Smrdel said. “We came out ready to play. They got ahead of us a little bit. But you know, we were able to stretch some runs across, and played good defense. Every little thing was clicking that day. So it
was a very good day for us and we look forward to the next round.” Added senior first baseman Ben DiFranco, “Just like last year (in the District Title Game), we went down early in the game. We fought our way back and ended up having five unanswered runs. It really showed how determined we are.” See Baseball • Page 5
A New Flavor Story: Sausalito Becomes Rue & Rasa in Kirtland By John Karlovec john@karlovecmedia.com
SUBMITTED
Braised Osso Bucco Short Rib
Change is in the air at one of Kirtland’s familiar dining spots and this one comes with a fresh name, a new vision and a menu designed to tell a bigger story. Sausalito Kirtland is becoming Rue & Rasa, a reimagined restaurant concept that blends elevated American dining with authentic Indian cuisine, creating a space
where comfort and culture meet at the same table. The transformation is not simply a cosmetic one. It is a complete evolution of the restaurant’s identity—from its menu and atmosphere to its branding, service and event offerings—all designed to create a dining experience that feels more polished, more intentional and more memorable. At the center of that new identity See Restaurant • Page 7
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