The Ottoville Lady Green have been crowned AP Poll Champs for the third time in the last four years in Division IV.
They are the third Putnam County League schools to claim the honor. Kalida has won three Poll Titles (1988-89, 1998) while Miller City topped the poll in 2004.
Ten other area girls teams have been selected Poll Champs:
Bath: Division II, 1996
Ottawa Glandorf: Division II, 2005
Versailles (4): Division III, 1990, 1994, 2001 and 2008
Coldwater: Division III, 1993
Bluffton: Division III, 2000
Liberty Benton: Division III, 2010
Ft. Recovery: Division IV, 1990
Upper Scioto Valley: Division IV, 1994
Marion Local: Division IV, 2001
Crestview: Division IV, 2009
Back to the Lady Green, their record over the last four seasons is 85-5, including an undefeated mark in the PCL. Despite that gaudy mark, they've failed to get out of the Regionals, losing to Ft. Loramie in 2010 and Arlington last season (both went on to win the State Championship).
The only thing left is to break through and not only get to the State Tournament (as the program did 1993, 1996, 2005 and 2007) but bring home a State Championship. Kalida is the only PCL school to win a State Championship (1988, 1989, 1997).
It would serve as a pinnacle in the career of coach Dave Kleman. Now in his 20th season as the Ottoville coach, Kleman's overall record is 393-95. That's a winning percentage of .805!
His owns a Hall of Fame resume already. A Championship would be icing on that cake.
