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Scarlet Sunrise: How Ryan Day is using tennis as mental-health outlet

Spencer-Holbrookby:Spencer Holbrook03/08/21

SpencerHolbrook

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How Ryan Day is using tennis as mental-health outlet

Ohio State coach Ryan Day has dominated the Big Ten on the football field for the past two seasons. But this offseason, Day has found a new way to stay competitive — and focus on his mental health. Day has taken a liking to tennis, which has helped serve as an outlet for Day as he works on his mental health, something he stresses for everyone to do.

“You sweat, hit the ball, scream and yell and maybe curse at the ball,” Day told Chris Booker from Ohio State News. “You come out feeling better about yourself and you can go on with your day. I think those things really help in having an outlet.”

“We all have physical health and mental health, and to take time and only really focus on your physical health and not mental health is a recipe for disaster.”

Day has been using the tennis court for his mental health, and he continues to advocate for mental health awareness with the On Our Sleeves Foundation through Nationwide Children’s Hospital. He has found a way to improve his mental health, and while he is winning games for the Buckeyes on the football field, he is also reminding everyone to focus on their mental health.

Five-star Buckeyes commit locked in at Ohio State

The country’s No. 4-ranked cornerback, a 5-star prospect from Jacksonville (Fla.) Robert E. Lee High School, Jaheim Singletary committed to Ohio State in January. He hasn’t spoken much since — to anyone.

The 6-foot-2, 175-pound defensive back isn’t shy, necessarily. He just prefers to do things his way and that includes trying to stay out of the spotlight. Since his decision to commit to the Buckeyes, he’s done just that.

“Life has been really, really good since committing,” he said. “It’s been a lot easier because most of my recruitment slowed down. There are a few schools, like Miami and Florida mainly, that keep trying to recruit me but most of the out-of-state schools just ask ‘do we have a chance?’ but they’ve backed off. I feel really good.

“There’s been absolutely no second-thoughts about my decision. I still stay open-minded, but there’s no second-thoughts. I’m entirely locked in with Ohio State.”

Lettermen Row’s recruiting expert, Jeremy Birmingham, was in New Orleans over the weekend and caught up with the five-star Ohio State commit. Want to hear more from Jaheim Singletary? Find the full story here.

Buckeyes drop fourth-straight game Saturday

Ohio State had nearly a week between games for the first time all season.

The Buckeyes were hoping to use that time to correct the issues that plagued them during their three-game losing streak.

And while the Buckeyes looked like a re-energized and improved defensive team against No. 4 Illinois, they closed the regular season by dropping their fourth-straight game in a 73-68 loss to the Illini inside the Schottenstein Center. Ohio State (18-8, 12-8 Big Ten) battled for 40 minutes in a game that came down to the final minute, but still couldn’t find a way to win.

With the loss, the Buckeyes missed out on a chance at a double bye in the Big Ten Tournament next week; they’ll be the No. 5 seed and play Thursday afternoon in Indianapolis.

But before the Buckeyes turn their full attention to the Big Ten Tournament and beyond, Lettermen Row made sure to break down Three Points from the Ohio State regular-season finale.

Find that here.

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