Vivek Ramaswamy aims for Ohio

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February 26, 2025

VIVEK RAMASWAMY CAMPAIGN STOP: FEB 25 — Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy speaks during a campaign stop in Toledo’s Glass City Center on Tuesday. (TFP Photo/Scott W. Grau)

TOLEDO – After an unsuccessful bid for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, Cincinnati native and biotech engineer Vivek Ramaswamy now has his sights set on being the next Ohio governor.

With support from the most prominent Republican in the land – Pres. Donald Trump – Ramaswamy officially launched his campaign on Tuesday, making campaign stops throughout the Buckeye State, including Toledo.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy walks to the podium during a campaign stop in Toledo. (TFP Photo/Scott W. Grau)

Trump posted his “COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT” for Ramaswamy on Truth Social Monday night, launching the Cincinnati native back into the political limelight. Trump called Ramaswamy “Young, Strong, and Smart!” in his post, and openly vouched for the gubernatorial candidate’s character and competence.

Between Ramaswamy’s failed presidential bid and current gubernatorial campaign, Ramaswamy was briefly part of the new Department Of Government Efficiency (DOGE), alongside fellow billionaire Elon Musk, before stepping down to pursue the Ohio governor’s race.

After Trump’s post, Ramaswamy immediately took to the road, making a pit stop at Toledo’s Glass City Center on Tuesday night before heading off to Strongsville.

Reminiscent of Trump’s signature style of campaigning, Ramaswamy’s rally began with a prayer from Pastor Tim Copley. Copley referred to the United States of America as a country that had “forgotten” God, and called for “a great awakening in this land.”

After the Pledge Of Allegiance and National Anthem, a slew of local Ohio politicians and civil servants preceded Ramaswamy, the headliner of the evening.

J.R. Majewski (R) who ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Ohio’s 9th Congressional District in 2024, speaks during the campaign stop. (TFP Photo/Scott W. Grau)

Master of ceremonies State Rep. Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Twp.) speaks during a campaign visit by Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. (TFP Photo/Scott W. Grau)

Ohio familiars like J.R. Majewski, who challenged Marcy Kaptur for her seat in Congress and lost, and Secretary of State Frank LaRose, now vying for the state auditor position, entered to the song Gold on the Ceiling by Akron, Ohio rock band The Black Keys. Speakers included Majewski and State Rep. Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Twp.).

With a brief video highlighting Ramaswamy’s interactions with Trump, Ramaswamy took the stage, proclaiming that “Toledo is going to be making a comeback; not just for Ohio, but for the country, when I start as your next governor.

“Our best days as a country are ahead of us,” he said.

“Donald Trump has a vision for America. We need a leader here at home who has a vision for Ohio, and that is why last night I declared my candidacy to become the next governor of a great state at the heart of the greatest nation known to mankind.”

Ramaswamy called on Ohio to become a state of excellence, and reminded Toledoans of a time when Ohio was the wealthiest state in the union, around the industrial revolution, and beckoned Ohioans to return to a similar glory.

While Ramaswamy’s advertisement for his rally read “BOLD: CONSERVATIVE FOR OHIO,” what he conveyed in his speech was a MAGA agenda and Trump’s policies on the state level.

Most notably, Ramaswamy called for “zero income tax” in Ohio, and to “bring down the property tax burden in this state.” In the same way DOGE has begun cutting large parts of the federal government, Ramaswamy implied he would do the same for Ohio.

“If we bring back meritocracy in public education, Ohio will become a magnet for the best educators across the country,” he said, while explaining how Americans had let education slip through their hands. Every problem was framed as something Ramaswamy could fix through competition, restructuring or cutting bureaucracy.

“I’m not looking to pick a fight with the teachers’ unions, but I’m not going to back down from one either,” he said.

In the future, Ramaswamy envisioned growth in the economic sectors of glass, semiconductors, nuclear energy, biotech, bitcoin, AI and the defense industry.

After laying out his agenda, Ramaswamy welcomed back one of the most authentic openers, Ottawa County Sheriff Stephen Levorchick, who got the attention of the crowd by saying the jails in Ohio had become a stand-in for mental health services.

Levorchick advocated for better training for police and more mental health services in Ohio, which was received with applause. Ramaswamy agreed, and called for an investment in mental hospitals.

“He set the bar,” said Stephen Graef, of north Toledo, who was interested in hearing directly from the candidate. “That’s how you know what they really believe,” he said.

Frustrated with the current governor Mike DeWine’s response during the COVID-19 pandemic, Graef was looking for a different direction from state government.

“It was everything I was looking to hear,” he said at the end of the rally, and was most impressed with Ramaswamy’s calls for meritocracy and lowering property taxes.

Waving one of the small Indian flags available at the rally, Graef said, “It’s not diversity, it’s synergy. They have good things and we have good things.”

Many others resonated with lower taxes, and the Trump endorsement helped pull extra weight for Ramaswamy.

Tim Brentlinger, of Sylvania, (from left) and his sons Gabe, 8, Ethan, 15, Ian, 10, Sam, 6, and wife Abby clap during a campaign visit by Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. (TFP Photo/Scott W. Grau)

“He’s all for Trump’s policies,” said Annette Colchagoff, of Holland, Ohio. “How can you not like the guy?”

Others were also impressed with Ramaswamy’s energy and passion for the nuclear family.

Kristi Kille, of west Toledo, cited Ramaswamy’s personality, and said, “There’s just something about him.”

Ohio has not seen the last of Ramaswamy, as he vowed to go to every one of Ohio’s counties.

“This year, I will travel to all 88 counties,” he vowed. “Next year, I will travel to all 88 counties every one of the eight years that I serve as your next governor.”

Ohio’s ‘bathroom bill’ law in effect

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Signal Statewide

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February 26, 2025

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bathroom bill — (Credit: Signal Cleveland)

Schools and colleges across the state will now require people to use bathrooms that match the gender they were assigned at birth.

This story was originally published by Signal Statewide. Statewide is a nonprofit media partner of the Toledo Free Press.

By Amy Morona | Signal Statehouse

Colleges, K-12 schools, and other education institutions across Ohio will require people to use bathrooms that match the gender they were assigned at birth beginning Tuesday when a new state law takes effect.

The “Protect All Students Act” passed with overwhelming Republican support before Gov. Mike DeWine signed it in November.

Supporters say it’ll keep people safe in private spaces. The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio, meanwhile, called it a “cruel invasion of students’ rights to privacy” and said it goes against transgender people.

The law affects both private and public college campuses. That’s because its language essentially includes all higher education institutions registered with the state. It’s the same wording lawmakers used for an anti-hazing law passed several years ago.

“While we will comply with the legal requirements, this does not diminish our support for every member of our diverse community,” Oberlin College officials wrote in a campus-wide letter in December.

The law doesn’t outline how schools should enforce it outside of updating signage, though State Auditor Dave Yost recently threatened the Columbus City School Board with legal action if they didn’t follow the law.

Ohio is now one of more than a dozen states, including Florida and Utah, with these types of laws in place.

University of Cincinnati updates signs ahead of ‘bathroom bill’ law

Photos of new signs labeling bathrooms for “biological men” and “biological women” at the University of Cincinnati circulated on social media over the weekend.

The News Record, a student news organization, reported the university updated the language on former “single occupancy” and/or “gender neutral” bathrooms last week before the law took effect.

This move also impacts places such as residence halls as well as locker and changing rooms. Groups representing the state’s public two- and four-year schools estimated the change would cost between $30 and $100 to update one sign.

As the legislation made its way through the Statehouse last year, several Ohio colleges told Signal Ohio they hadn’t noted any related problems.

“The university’s administration has not been made aware of any issues regarding bathroom usage,” a University of Akron spokesperson said via email.

Signal Statewide is a nonprofit news organization covering government, education, health, economy and public safety. Sign up for their free newsletters at SignalOhio.org/StateSignals.

Stephen Zenner: On covering politics

By

Lori King

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February 26, 2025

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On this episode of Behind the Byline, host Jaden Jefferson has a conversation with TFP reporter Stephen Zenner, who primarily covers local government and politics for the Toledo Free Press.

Talking points include Zenner’s coverage of local protests against the Trump administration and Elon Musk; an explanation of DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) and Musk’s unprecedented access to sensitive government information; how the government is now being ran as a business; and how cutting federal funding, including grants, could negatively effect cities like Toledo and its surrounding suburbs.

New episodes of the Behind the Byline drop every Wednesday.

Behind the Byline is a production of the⁠⁠⁠ Toledo Free Press.⁠⁠

The Humorists

By

Don Lee

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February 25, 2025

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Editorial cartoon by Don Lee for the Toledo Free Press.

Bowling Green embraces aquaponics

By

Mary Helen Delisle

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February 25, 2025

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BGSU’s aquaponics facility. (TFP Photo/Mary Helen DeLisle)

BGSU’s aquaponics system grows a variety of produce, including lettuce, basil, radishes and kale, which are supported by nutrients from yellow perch and crayfish tanks. (TFP Photo/Mary Helen DeLisle)

BOWLING GREEN – Bowling Green has seen a surge in aquaponics development as a result of efforts from the Bowling Green State University (BGSU) aquaponics program and AGP Substrates LLC.

Aquaponics is a way to produce food using hydroponics (growing plants with water rather than soil) and aquaculture (raising organisms in a controlled area), creating a mostly self-sufficient ecosystem where both the produce and organisms can be harvested for human consumption.

Aquaponics is emerging as a way to create healthy and sustainable living, something that is important to 65 percent of consumers, according to the World Economic Forum.

Unlike aquaponics, traditional commercial farming often produces foods sprayed with pesticides, which can have adverse health effects.

More than 50 percent of foods tested by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), both imported and grown in the U.S., have detectable levels of pesticides, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

Aquaponics uses no pesticides, medications or antibiotics, according to Kevin Neves, a BGSU associate teaching professor and developer of BGSU’s aquaponics program, which has been operating for the past seven years.

Kevin Neves. (Courtesy Photo)

Despite the process for growing being different, Neves said when studies were conducted at BGSU, students thought the aquaponics-grown food was just as good, if not better, when compared to other foods.

The systems at BGSU have produced tomatoes, lettuce, radishes, basil and kale with water and nutrients from tanks containing yellow perch and crayfish, respectively. Largemouth bass are forthcoming to the system.

The program began after Neves was hired because of his background working with marine aquaponics. While marine aquaponics uses saltwater, the system at BGSU uses freshwater, which Neves said is more cost-effective.

Most of the water used in aquaponics is recyclable, and in some cases requires only 10 percent of the water used in traditional crop-production farming, making aquaponics a more sustainable production method, according to the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center (AGMRC).

Though the AGMRC reports that aquaponics can be time and labor-intensive, Neves said aquaponics is low maintenance and mainly consists of cleaning tanks and monitoring the water’s iron levels. Since BGSU uses aquaponics to collect data, Neves said they do more maintenance than is required of the average person.

“If this was in your backyard, it would probably be less than 20 minutes a day,” Neves said. “It’s very easily adoptable for your everyday person or someone who’s looking to get into growing their own food.”

As part of an initiative to make aquaponics more accessible and sustainable, entrepreneur Cori Byrge founded AGP Substrates LLC.

“I wanted to help people access fresh and sustainable and organic food. Our mission is to improve that accessibility of organic food that’s nutrient-rich and local by empowering people to do it at home,” Byrge said.

Byrge’s company focuses on two products.

“We just developed a fish tank aquarium filter to help people grow food at home,” said Byrge. “Our mission is also to help the farmers that raise food on a commercial scale. So our second product is the substrate that I’m telling you about, which integrates with our aquarium filter but also can be sold to farmers that are doing aquaponics.”

The substrate is a biodegradable hydrogel bead made of iron and patented by BGSU.

“[Most] Aquaponic systems are naturally deficient in iron,” Byrge said. “Our product supplements that iron with a natural source of [chelated] iron instead of the supplements that they’re using right now, which are completely synthetic.”

Byrge first began working with these beads during school at BGSU where she received her bachelor’s in biology and is currently working on her master’s degree. Byrge also volunteered with BGSU’s aquaponics program during her time there.

While the company is still in its early stages, Byrge said business hasn’t been stagnant.

“We’ve partnered with a couple of commercial aquaponic farms and I’m sending them samples of our product for them to test,” said Byrge.

BGSU graduate student Maria D’Amico fishes for a yellow perch. (TFP Photo/Mary Helen DeLisle)

BGSU graduate student Maria D’Amico holds a crayfish. (TFP Photo/Mary Helen DeLisle)

Byrge hopes in the future she will be able to get enough business to produce on a larger scale and to adapt the size and shape of the substrates so they will be more compatible with various aquaponics systems.

While she now lives in Cincinnati, Byrge continues to make substrates while working as the director of communication at The Aquaponics Association.

In terms of the industry’s future, Neves sees aquaponics continuing to grow.

“Shortages in wild-caught fish, a growing world population, even higher per capita fish consumption. We’re gonna need more sustainable sources of fish. And if you can piggyback the idea of growing the produce along with it, it’s gonna be sustainable, and I think that that’s going to be a shift in production in general,” Neves said.

Neves also said consumer acceptance of aquaponic-produced foods is increasing in the Midwest, which could help with the adoption of this system on a larger scale.

“Signs point to the fact that people want produce and fish that are local, that are sustainable, that are healthy, but also taste good, and we’re showing that these things are possible.”

These aquaponics tanks contain yellow perch and crayfish and help support plant growth. (TFP Photo/Mary Helen DeLisle)

The case for national mesothelioma registry for veterans

By

Jonathan Sharp

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February 25, 2025

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The risks linked to military service are not always on the battlefield; some are disguised as innocent day-to-day occupations and are present in the materials used to build ships, barracks and bases.

Among the seemingly “innocent” is asbestos, a mineral once hailed by several industries for being affordable, durable and resistant to fire and other chemicals. Sadly, this has put thousands of exposed veterans at risk of developing a rare but deadly cancer known as mesothelioma.

Yet, the real crisis is not just the disease itself. A larger issue looms in the form of widespread misdiagnosis and delayed detection resulting from fragmented healthcare records and the absence of an effective tracking system.

A national mesothelioma registry could help end this concern, as this pushes for timely screenings, accurate findings and better recovery rates for diagnosed veterans.

Mesothelioma’s hidden toll on Ohio veterans

Mesothelioma is an uncommon disease that thrives silently but aggressively. This mainly grows in the thin layer of tissue lining certain internal organs, like the lungs, heart and abdomen. Health researchers say this is usually caused by exposure to asbestos, a mineral known for its ability to resist fire.

But the problem is that diagnosing mesothelioma is incredibly difficult. It can take decades from the initial asbestos exposure for symptoms, like chest and belly pain, nausea and unintentional weight loss to appear. And when they do, they are frequently misdiagnosed, mistaking it for other less serious conditions. Tragically, the cancer has often progressed to an advanced and complicated stage before it could be correctly diagnosed.

This situation is particularly dire in Ohio, whose military and various industries have relied heavily on asbestos for so long. Veterans who worked in shipbuilding, construction and mechanical maintenance have been especially exposed to asbestos, which increases their risk of developing mesothelioma.

Accordingly, this mineral has become a staple in numerous building products here prior to the 1980s. However, such widespread use has resulted in serious health hazards and, worse, the deaths of thousands of affected Ohioans.

In fact, data indicates that between 1999 and 2017, the Buckeye State logged 12,697 asbestos-related casualties, of which 996 were linked to asbestosis and 2,353 were mesothelioma cases.

Lucas County alone accounted for an estimated 638 asbestos-related deaths.

Even though this crisis can affect all walks of life, veterans are unfortunately among the most susceptible. Several military facilities in Ohio, like the Wright-Patterson and Youngstown Air Force bases, have been identified as critical sites of asbestos exposure.

In 2016, authorities also admitted that a facility at Toledo Express Airport in Lucas County contained harmful minerals, including asbestos. This connotes that service members, especially those who served here, are really at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma.

Recent statistics show that 30 percent of the 3,000 Americans diagnosed with such a disease each year are veterans, which highlights the urgent need for targeted healthcare and support that could help ensure that this drastically impacted population has a higher chance of survival.

Misdiagnosis, a far too frequent reality

Early detection is among the critical factors in enhancing the survival rate of mesothelioma patients. Yet misdiagnosis remains alarmingly high and common. Based on the latest data, 80.8 percent of stage 1 mesothelioma cases were confused with something else, causing the disease to worsen. Additionally, 70 percent of those in stage 2 have encountered the same issue, and the problem persisted into later stages—with 35.4 percent of stage 3 and 12.8 percent of stage 4 cases being inaccurately diagnosed.

These high misdiagnosis rates could be attributed to its nonspecific symptoms which resemble those of more usual illnesses. The rarity of mesothelioma likewise contributes to its under-recognition and delayed diagnosis. And while there may be different reasons for these misdiagnoses, one fact is certain—these incorrect findings warrant immediate attention.

The troubling incidents of misdiagnosis we see are not just plain numbers because they represent the lives that have been severely compromised just because the healthcare system falls short in detecting the disease on time. Establishing a centralized system could be a key to comprehending the complicated nature of mesothelioma.

Establishing a national registry could save lives

The prevailing issue of misdiagnosis among mesothelioma patients—particularly veterans—has been a longstanding challenge that demands comprehensive studies to improve both diagnostic methods and treatment options.

Yet, a hampering challenge is the lack of timely access to affected individuals who could contribute to this research. Mesothelioma cases can take up to two years to be included in the national statistics, which delays the researchers’ ability to reach out to their potential participants. Given the aggressive nature of the disease, many patients have already passed away before their cases are even reported, which makes it nearly impossible for them to partake in critical studies.

A national mesothelioma registry could help fight this problem by implementing an efficient case-finding system that makes patient information available whenever needed. Such a system enables researchers to quickly engage with their prospective participants and deepen their comprehension of how the disease works. This also leads to the development of more accurate disease progression models and better-informed approaches to diagnosis and treatment—thereby accelerating advancements in care and survival.

Immediate action is needed. It is high time for the Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs and all healthcare partners to collaborate and prioritize the creation of a national mesothelioma registry for veterans. Such a system would reduce misdiagnosis and boost health services to ensure these individuals receive the best possible care in the face of this hostile disease.

The Humorists

By

Steven J Athanas

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February 24, 2025

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Cartoon caption: Fig. 12E: Subtlety (bad homophone). A lime in the bottom of a tea cup.

Bad homophone by Steven J Athanas for the Toledo Free Press.

4U Diner opens in Downtown Toledo

By

Max Alfonso

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February 24, 2025

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At 4U Diner in Toledo. (TFP Photo/Lori King) — 4U Diner in downtown Toledo. (TFP Photo/Lori King)

TOLEDO – A new Mediterranean restaurant has opened in downtown Toledo, so the Toledo Free Press team went to lunch at the 4U Diner – and left absolutely stuffed.

4U Diner is a restaurant that specializes in American and Mediterranean cuisine. On the American side, it offers classic dishes, like scrambled eggs with turkey bacon, fried egg bacon cheeseburgers and fish and chicken. As for the Mediterranean fare, there’s everything from Baba Ganouj and falafel to Arayes Kafta and Lebanese burgers.

Because the restaurant is owned by a Lebanese family, expect a Mediterranean flavor to every meal.

Hassan El Khechen is the owner of the new family-owned establishment. His dad, Mohammad, his wife, Maryam, and brother, Ali, play a big role in the diner.

Through the first few weeks they’ve been open, the cheese rolls made by Hassan’s wife, Maryam, have been one of the most popular items on the menu.

Hassan says he does most of the cooking, with contributions from his wife, who makes the cheese rolls and rice, but eventually they would like to add to the staff.

“Rice, salads, everything is homemade,” Hassan El Khechen said.

When talking about the future of 4U diner, Hassan says he would love to grow the business as it gets more popular.

“I would open another location,” El Khechen said. “I’d keep this restaurant and open another with the same name.”

I had never had Mediterranean food before this, so I tried my best to branch out of my comfort zone and not order American food.

In our experience at the diner, a small and old-school eatery on N. Erie St., we tried to sample as much as we could.

A mixed platter that includes from top right Cheese rolls; meat pie; grape leaf; hummus; special sauce and garlic sauce. (TFP Photo/Lori King)

The TFP team ordered an array of food. We got the mixed platter, which included grape leaves, falafels, kibble, cheese pie, spinach pie, hummus and tabbouleh – all for $16.99.

I ordered the gyro omelet with tomato, onion and feta cheese and it was fantastic. I’m from Cincinnati, and there are not many Mediterranean restaurants like there are in Toledo, so this was my first time trying gyro meat. When I looked at it, I thought it would be a hard texture, like steak or chicken, but it was surprisingly softer than it looked, and the flavor was … unique. It was good. Personally, it was a new experience for me because I hadn’t tried anything like it.

I also liked the tabbouleh (a salad made with bulgur wheat, tomatoes, parsley, mint, green onion, dressed with lemon juice and olive oil), and was surprised by the mint. I also enjoyed the cheese pie and falafel.

Even though I was full, of course I found room for dessert. We ordered baklava, a Greek flaky, layered pastry dessert made of filo pastry, filled with chopped nuts, and sweetened with syrup or honey. As I was eating it, I described it as the greatest dessert ever.

“Everything is fresh, made in a professional way,” El Khechen said when asked what stands out about his restaurant compared to others. The meat is halal style (prepared in accordance with Islamic law); it is prayed over before they cut it and the meat is also considered ‘permissible or lawful.’

**Chico Rodriguez**, right, and a coworker stop in for lunch at the 4U Diner in Toledo. (TFP Photo/Lori King)

Sitting on a stool next to large windows that face an alley were two men on their lunch break.

“You never know it if you don’t try it,” said Chico Rodriguez, a new customer. “The prices are pretty good, food is definitely good … I’d come back again.”

4U Diner is located on N. Erie St in downtown Toledo.

Grape leaves and hummus. (TFP Photos/Lori King)

Hummus with olive oil and paprika spice.

The gyro omelet.

Fried kibbe.

Baklava.

The Humorists

By

Jerry King

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February 23, 2025

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Cartoon caption - "Nice try, dear. But I suggest sticking to upgrading computers, and not kitchens," says wife to husband. He's standing in kitchen with cabinets on the floor.

Cartoon by Jerry King.

BGSU gets revenge in Battle of I-75

By

Chas McNeil

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February 23, 2025

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BGSU fans cheer after a buzzer beater in the first quarter. BGSU got their revenge when they upset UToledo 81-72.

Falcons beat Rockets for 1st time in 710 days

Story by Chas McNeil | Photos by Kyle Brown

BOWLING GREEN – Bowling Green vs. Toledo is a rivalry that flies under the radar in the sports world, but don’t be fooled; the teams get along as well as cats and dogs, Batman and the Joker and oil and vinegar.

What turns a rivalry into loathing is proximity and stakes, and the stakes could not have been higher at the Stroh Center in Bowling Green last night as the Falcons faced off against the Rockets.

In front of a screaming orange crowd that packed the stands, BGSU finally silenced UT 81-72, breaking their longtime losing streak, which they’ve been unable to do since March 4, 2023.

“When I first got here (Bowling Green), Toledo was the monster. I mean, they were just formidable,” said second-year head coach Fred Chmiel following the game.

BGSU guard Lexi Fleming is chased by UT defender Kendall Carruthers.

BGSU head coach Fred Chmiel directs a play.

“Tricia Cullop was just knocking it out year after year. They’re really good this year, but I told the players today it’s not about emotion but motion. You’ve gotta make feet move; you have to communicate; everything has to move forward. You can’t worry about the emotional piece.”

The game ultimately came down to “big-time” moments, and Bowling Green was able to answer the call early and often with the first evidence of that coming off a buzzer-beater three-point shot by fifth-year guard Lexi Fleming. The shot splashed through the net as time expired, giving BGSU a 25-14 lead.

Multiple Falcons showed up in one of the biggest games of their season, with fellow senior Amy Valasco scoring 30 points, which was just two points off her career high. Velasco became ninth all time on the BGSU scorers list with a layup that put BGSU up 20-12 in the first quarter.

Snapping their little winning streak is great! We went out there, we competed, but we’re focused on one game at a time and we’re trying to take our momentum with us and keep carrying it on.
BGSU senior Amy Valasco

Despite not coming out of enemy territory with a win, the Rockets have a lot to be excited about. The team produced 42 points from their bench, which towered against BGSU’s 10 bench points.

BGSU’s Amy Velasco calls a play while under pressure from UT’s Cadence Dykstra.

But where there is good there must also be bad, and there were plenty of negatives on both sides. The biggest, glaring flaw of the game was 18 UT turnovers compared to BGSU’s 12. UT opened the game with a turnover, and Bowling Green capitalized on many of the Rockets’ mistakes. The Falcons tallied 23 points from just turnovers.

“This was an incredible environment and everything I thought it would be,” Toledo’s first-year head coach Ginny Boggess said. “All the credit to BG and their staff. Porter and Velasco were playing like seniors that didn’t want to lose to Toledo at home the last time they got to play them.”

UT head coach Ginny Boggess draws up a play during a timeout against Bowling Green.

A big standout in the game for Toledo was graduate student guard Nan Garcia, who tallied a season high 18 points and eight field goals.

“I’ve only got five of these games left so I’m gonna give everything I have for this team, for this jersey and for Toledo. That’s what they deserve, and I’ve got to be better from the get go, not just the fourth quarter,” Garcia said.

Late in the game, Garcia did make her presence known, scoring a layup that led an eight-point run, setting BGSU fan’s hearts in their throats when UT got close at 69-66 with just over five minutes left in the game.

UT’s Nan Garcia takes a shot over a BGSU defender.

In the final moments of the game, it came back full circle to the rivalry and which team could be the loudest, so, with thousands of Falcons screeching at once, the Orange and Brown defense tightened, closing the contest with a nine-point gap.

Barring a MAC tournament matchup, both teams will have to wait nearly a full year to battle again, with BGSU holding the all-time lead since the series began in 1974 at 46-44.

“Man, what a game … Toledo’s a really good team. It was a dogfight back and forth,” Chmiel said.

“We took some big punches from them but we held tough, held the rope, and I think that’s the hardest we’ve ever played in terms of physical and mental toughness.”