Conference championships remain up for grabs across Northeast Ohio as teams enter their final week to strengthen postseason seeding résumés before Sunday’s tournament draw.

Kaden Schuette followed his sectional championship with a district title, firing a 76 as Independence earned its long-awaited trip to the Division III state tournament. University School also secured a state berth in Division I behind Nathan Chege’s 73.

Edgewood can finish off the CVC Lake Division race, Willoughby South can take a major step toward the Chagrin crown and several other championship battles will shift during a loaded week of volleyball.

Independence Softball junior pitcher Lila Manfredonia committed to NC State after a weekend visit to Raleigh, ending her recruitment early and finding the college fit she was looking for.

October has arrived, and the numbers are beginning to matter more. OhioVarsity’s XC Intelligence reveals the runners and teams gaining speed, tightening their packs and building momentum for the postseason.

Eastlake North, Willoughby South, Perry and Mayfield remained unbeaten, while Cuyahoga Heights won a pivotal CVC Metro showdown during a busy Oct. 2 football slate.

Levi Sears scored two touchdowns and set up another as Independence Football held off Beachwood, 20-14, setting the stage for a pivotal rivalry game at Cuyahoga Heights.

Gilmour captured the boys Blue championship, Independence earned second in boys Gray, and local runners delivered strong individual finishes Friday in Gates Mills.

Perry has won nearly 76 percent of its October football games since 1972, leading Mentor, Kirtland and Lake Catholic atop the OhioVarsity Football History leaderboard.

Kaden Schuette capped a remarkable four-year sectional progression by winning the Division III tournament at Pleasant Valley with a 74, while Independence and Rootstown advanced as teams.

Independence Volleyball continued its dominant run through the CVC Metro on Tuesday, sweeping Fairport for its eighth consecutive conference sweep and 24th straight CVC set victory.

The OHSAA football computer ratings entering Week 7 have eight OhioVarsity-area teams positioned for first-round byes and 20 of the 27 highlighted programs currently inside their regional top 12.

Area golfers produced a big day at sectional tournaments on Sept. 28, with six covered teams advancing to districts and several individuals extending their seasons.

Two first-place showdowns could reshape the Chagrin Valley Conference girls soccer standings this week, while several of the area's hottest teams put winning streaks on the line and Eastlake North's Maddie Flick continues to lead the scoring race.

The boys soccer season is beginning to take shape. Hawken and CVCA remain unbeaten, Chagrin Falls has locked up a CVC championship, three area teams are riding three-game winning streaks and several conference races remain unsettled.

Four sectional tournaments over three days will determine which area girls golf teams and individuals continue their postseason runs.

The boys golf postseason shifts into high gear this week as area teams and individuals chase district and state tournament berths across Northeast Ohio.

The OHSAA girls tennis postseason opens with area players occupying 20 seeded positions across five sectional tournaments. Here are the seeds, first-round matches and potential second-round showdowns to watch.

West Geauga’s Ian Res turned in the fastest boys 5K in the OhioVarsity.com database this season, while Independence and Kirtland claimed team titles at the Cardinal Invitational. Here’s what the numbers tell us after another movement-filled week.

West Geauga’s Ian Res won the Cardinal Invitational in a season-leading 15:20.30, while Independence and Kirtland claimed team championships and dozens of runners climbed the OhioVarsity.com top 100.