Staff file photo / Preston Byers Champion’s Ava Sylvester reacts as she rounds the bases following a home run against Crestview in East Fairfield on April 21.

The Champion Golden Flashes are going to look a little different in 2026.

While young at the pitcher and catcher spots, Champion has a talented crop of returners from last season’s district championship squad as they look to win their fourth-consecutive district crown this season.

The biggest question entering the season for the Flashes is who will be in the circle. Champion has had stability in the circle and behind the plate the last few seasons with pitcher-catcher duo Gabby Gradishar and Addison Warzala. Now, however, the pair have moved onto college, leaving holes in the lineup. Enter sophomore Adalyn McIntosh, freshman Carly Dyer and sophomore Josie Perhach.

McIntosh and Perhach hope to become Champion’s next iconic duo, with McIntosh taking the reins in the circle. Dyer will also pitch for the Flashes.

While young and expecting some lumps, especially early in the year while her girls gain some confidence, longtime Flashes coach Cheryl Weaver expects her girls to be just fine.

“We’ve still lined up some big schools to play, but I’ve always thought that this will show kids like our new pitcher and catcher what they’re going to have to do,” Weaver said. “I think Addie throws really well. Just having that confidence (and keeping that confidence) is important. I really believe they’ll do pretty good, but there’s going to be some times where it’s going to be a little rough because their nerves are going to get to them, or certain pitches aren’t working, but we’ve just got to stay positive and keep the confidence.”

There’s a good bit of stability with the other positions in the infield, however.

Ava Sylvester is expected to return to her role from last season at third base, same with Jonna Strock at shortstop. Taylor Rouan will be lined up at second base.

The lone newcomer to the infield is Dyer, who will play first base when she’s not pitching.

In the outfield, senior Haley Bungard will line up in left field, junior Sami Munroe was moved from left to center field and senior Maddison Sylvester will return in right field.

Champion’s schedule is still a challenge. With teams like Tallmadge, Massillon Perry, Canfield and Painesville Riverside on the slate, the girls are going to have to rise to the occasion. For Weaver, it’s not all about getting wins against these tough teams, but if they can go toe-to-toe with them, it will be a solid indicator of how prepared they are for the postseason.

“If you can go up against a bigger school and just hang with them – I’m not saying we gotta beat them, let’s just try to hang with them and where they don’t get down – that’s a big thing with girls,” Weaver said. “You need to be able to handle being behind in a game. Just keep fighting. That’s one thing. They just need to learn to keep fighting. Look at boxers. Their faces might be all beaten, but they go back out there and they don’t stop. That’s kind of how we have to be.”

Champion sits at 0-1 after a 7-6 loss to Norwayne in nine innings. It starts next week with a home-and-home with rival LaBrae.