Giddings, Mustangs shine at annual County Combine
The Grand Valley football team is winding down its summer workout regimen in preparation for the start of the upcoming season.
The most recent step in the progression came at the annual Ashtabula County Combine and 7 on 7 competition, hosted by the 440 Sports Show. The Mustangs joined teams from Geneva, Lakeside, Edgewood, Conneaut, Jefferson, St. John and Pymatuning Valley testing themselves in events such as the 40-yard dash, shuttle drills, medicine-ball heave, vertical and broad jumps, as well as the bench-press.
Standing out was rising senior Luke Giddings, who set county combine records in the bench press and medicine-ball heave. Giddings lifted 185 pounds 53 times, annihilating the previous combine record of 39, and also broke the medicine-ball heave by five feet.
"I'm definitely happy about it," Giddings said. "I was really hoping for 60, I did 58 the other day at home, so it kinda rubbed me the wrong way that I only got 53, but I'm happy with it."
Of his med-ball heave, Giddings linked that success to his bench-press prowess, noting, "That's probably just from the explosiveness of the bench. I don't do any (specific training) for the med-ball."
Giddings said his dedication to his workout regimen is what pushed him to the levels he reached at the County Combine, which was held at Lakeside. He said he got into a good rhythm in the bench-press and never looked back.
"A lot of it has to do with muscle endurance at that point," he said.
Giddings and the Mustangs are prepping for the upcoming season, which officially begins Monday, July 27, with the first day of acclimation practice at Reel Family Stadium. Coach Matt Rosati and his team have been working out all summer and playing in a number of 7-on-7 competitions the past two months so as to hone their skills before the beginning of actual, full-team practices.
"We're going to hit the ground running," Rosati said, noting the team is hungry after a 5-5 campaign last fall. "There's not a lot of talking to be done - we're just gonna go out and get down to business."
This is the second year for Rosati and his staff at Grand Valley. A long list of returners on both sides of the ball are back, which has the GV group upbeat with fall camp on the doorstep. Rosati said there's a big difference this year over last year.
"We're developing great depth," he said. "We're playing a lot of kids grades 9-through-12. That's a big plus. This being our second year together, we're much more comfortable knowing what we can do. It's a very positive thing so far. We've had a great summer and we're ready to go."
The Mustangs open their season Aug. 21 at home against Brooklyn. In somewhat of a scheduling anomaly, GV has seven home games this year. Said Rosati, "we're very much looking forward to playing a lot of home games and being a tough team to deal with on our home turf and beyond."
Photos courtesy of Sam Torres of the 440 Sports Show and James Westover
The Grand Valley football team is winding down its summer workout regimen in preparation for the start of the upcoming season.
The most recent step in the progression came at the annual Ashtabula County Combine and 7 on 7 competition, hosted by the 440 Sports Show. The Mustangs joined teams from Geneva, Lakeside, Edgewood, Conneaut, Jefferson, St. John and Pymatuning Valley testing themselves in events such as the 40-yard dash, shuttle drills, medicine-ball heave, vertical and broad jumps, as well as the bench-press.
Standing out was rising senior Luke Giddings, who set county combine records in the bench press and medicine-ball heave. Giddings lifted 185 pounds 53 times, annihilating the previous combine record of 39, and also broke the medicine-ball heave by five feet.
"I'm definitely happy about it," Giddings said. "I was really hoping for 60, I did 58 the other day at home, so it kinda rubbed me the wrong way that I only got 53, but I'm happy with it."
Of his med-ball heave, Giddings linked that success to his bench-press prowess, noting, "That's probably just from the explosiveness of the bench. I don't do any (specific training) for the med-ball."
Giddings said his dedication to his workout regimen is what pushed him to the levels he reached at the County Combine, which was held at Lakeside. He said he got into a good rhythm in the bench-press and never looked back.
"A lot of it has to do with muscle endurance at that point," he said.
Giddings and the Mustangs are prepping for the upcoming season, which officially begins Monday, July 27, with the first day of acclimation practice at Reel Family Stadium. Coach Matt Rosati and his team have been working out all summer and playing in a number of 7-on-7 competitions the past two months so as to hone their skills before the beginning of actual, full-team practices.
"We're going to hit the ground running," Rosati said, noting the team is hungry after a 5-5 campaign last fall. "There's not a lot of talking to be done - we're just gonna go out and get down to business."
This is the second year for Rosati and his staff at Grand Valley. A long list of returners on both sides of the ball are back, which has the GV group upbeat with fall camp on the doorstep. Rosati said there's a big difference this year over last year.
"We're developing great depth," he said. "We're playing a lot of kids grades 9-through-12. That's a big plus. This being our second year together, we're much more comfortable knowing what we can do. It's a very positive thing so far. We've had a great summer and we're ready to go."
The Mustangs open their season Aug. 21 at home against Brooklyn. In somewhat of a scheduling anomaly, GV has seven home games this year. Said Rosati, "we're very much looking forward to playing a lot of home games and being a tough team to deal with on our home turf and beyond."
Photos courtesy of Sam Torres of the 440 Sports Show and James Westover
We are incredibly proud of our Grand Valley Band Members who earned the opportunity to participate in the Ashtabula County Honors Band for the 250th Birthday Celebration! Their hard work, dedication, and passion for music have led them to this outstanding achievement.
Congratulations to Danica (flute/piccolo), Chase (French horn), Collin (bari sax), Mason (tuba) and Niko (percussion)
GV!
Attention all Grand Valley fall sport athletes. Final Forms are now open to register for fall sports. All athletes MUST be registered with an updated physical by August 1st in order to participate. If you have questions contact your coach.
Grand Valley High School Supply List:
The dentist is coming to our school in September 2026 and again in March 2027!
The School Smiles on-site dental program provides on-site dental care at our school for ALL students that sign up to participate.
The dental team will set up inside our school and they accept Medicaid, private insurance, offer self-pay rates and grants through their foundation.
Registration is now open online at: www.schoolsmiles.com/student-signup .
See the attached flyer for additional ways to register!
If you have questions, please contact our Community Liaison in the Mustang Stable, Ashley Hall at 440-805-4565 or email her at ashley.hall@grandvalley.school
https://www.grand-valley.k12.oh.us/documents/for-families/dentist/28244817
Grand Valley Offices
Summer Information
The Grand Valley Elementary, Middle School, and High School offices will reopen on August 3rd.
If you need to enroll a new student or have questions regarding Open Enrollment, please use these links below:
For Open Enrollment-https://forms.gle/M8Cvfa2mBPvA8PFW6
For GV Resident New Students-https://forms.gle/akubXukWemBizuBU8
If you need assistance during the summer months, please contact the Board Office or email: stacie.orosz@grandvalley.school
Summer Information
The Grand Valley Elementary, Middle School, and High School offices will reopen on August 3rd.
If you need to enroll a new student or have questions regarding Open Enrollment, please use these links below:
For Open Enrollment-https://forms.gle/M8Cvfa2mBPvA8PFW6
For GV Resident New Students-https://forms.gle/akubXukWemBizuBU8
If you need assistance during the summer months, please contact the Board Office or email: stacie.orosz@grandvalley.school
Grand Valley Baseball 2026 NAC Champs!
Grand Valley Youth Football and Cheer!
Tonight!
Grand Valley Local Schools’ Administration will hold a public Financial Information Meeting on Monday, June 8, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the auditeria.
During this meeting, we will present an overview of the district’s financial forecast and discuss how the passage of House Bills 186 and 335 has affected our future revenue stream.
As the State of Ohio continues pursuing property tax reform, Grand Valley’s primary source of increasing revenue remains local property taxes. As a result, the district must make budget adjustments that may impact services, class sizes, and future programming opportunities.
We encourage all staff, parents, and community members to attend and learn more about the district’s financial circumstances.
The meeting will include:
A 15–20 minute financial presentation
An open discussion period for questions, ideas, and community input
Opportunities to share suggestions as we plan for the next two years
Our goal is to preserve as much of our current programming as possible while operating in a more efficient and financially sustainable manner.
We value your input and hope to see you there.
Grand Valley Local Schools’ Administration will hold a public Financial Information Meeting on Monday, June 8, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the auditeria.
During this meeting, we will present an overview of the district’s financial forecast and discuss how the passage of House Bills 186 and 335 has affected our future revenue stream.
As the State of Ohio continues pursuing property tax reform, Grand Valley’s primary source of increasing revenue remains local property taxes. As a result, the district must make budget adjustments that may impact services, class sizes, and future programming opportunities.
We encourage all staff, parents, and community members to attend and learn more about the district’s financial circumstances.
The meeting will include:
A 15–20 minute financial presentation
An open discussion period for questions, ideas, and community input
Opportunities to share suggestions as we plan for the next two years
Our goal is to preserve as much of our current programming as possible while operating in a more efficient and financially sustainable manner.
We value your input and hope to see you there.
Great job by Coach Crooks and the HS Volleyball Players putting on GV Youth Volleyball Camp this week!
Congratulations to our 26-27 Cheer Teams!
Programs offered by UH.
Walking program will be held at GV!
Congratulations to all of our ALL COUNTY SOFTBALL selections!
2nd Team - Bre Rowland
HM - Violet Morse
HM - Jenna Poyer
2nd Team - Bre Rowland
HM - Violet Morse
HM - Jenna Poyer
