Ashland County Teens Receive Statewide Honor for Heroic Rescue That Saved a Classmate’s Life
SANDUSKY, Ohio — Two Black River Local Schools students received one of Ohio’s most prestigious civilian awards this week, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the state’s top law-enforcement leaders at the Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association annual convention, held at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in Sandusky.
Before representatives and sheriffs from all 88 counties, the students were given a standing ovation—an emotional tribute witnessed by their families, school officials, and members of the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office who responded to the call that summer day when everything changed.
What happened next, state officials said, was nothing short of remarkable.
A Harrowing Scene at the Bottom of a Pond
Months earlier, during a summer gathering among teammates, a Black River High School football player slipped beneath the surface of a pond and did not come back up. By the time students realized he was gone, the boy’s lifeless body rested at the bottom.
Two classmates—Trenton and Zane—did not hesitate.
Trenton dove in first, calling for help as he swam toward the deep section. Zane plunged beneath the surface, searching blindly in cold water until he reached the unconscious, nearly 200-pound teen on the bottom.
Somehow, with strength beyond his years, Zane lifted and pushed him upward as Trenton helped pull him to shore.
On land, the boy was not breathing.
The two immediately began life-saving CPR, continuing chest compressions until coaches rushed over to take over the rescue. By the time Ashland County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Nowlin—the first responder on scene—arrived, those actions had already brought a miracle within reach.
Their teammate survived.
Statewide Recognition for Extraordinary Bravery
Sheriff Kurt J. Schneider of Ashland County stood proudly with the two young heroes and Deputy Nowlin as they were recognized at the Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association annual gathering. Out of all 88 counties, only two civilians were selected this year to receive such an honor.
“You know, I’m proud of those two,” Sheriff Schneider said. “And it shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone in this county. These young men stepped forward and put their own lives at great personal risk to save a friend. That’s the kind of county we live in—this is how our kids are raised.”
Schneider emphasized just how rare the outcome was.
“By the time that young man made it to the hospital, he was awake, alive, and breathing. Do you know how many times that happens? Not very many. What they did was unbelievable.”
He added that the boys’ actions had lasting impact: immediately afterward, the students and coaching staff volunteered to undergo full CPR certification. Nearly two dozen Black River athletes completed training as a direct result of the rescue.
A Superintendent’s Deep Gratitude
Black River Local Schools Superintendent Anthony Stretar was visibly moved as he reflected on the moment he first received word of the emergency last summer.
“I was sitting in our central office when we were told that our head football coach was in an ambulance headed to Ashland Hospital with a student,” Stretar recalled. “We were scared—deeply worried—that we might lose one of our kids.”
As updates poured in and the student’s condition stabilized, Stretar began hearing about the actions that made survival possible.
“We learned we had a couple of true heroes on our hands,” he said. “Trenton knew to call for help and dove in immediately. And Zane—getting to the bottom of a pond, lifting a 200-pound young man, getting him to shore, and then starting CPR? It was a miracle.”
He also praised the boys for acting with maturity and courage uncommon in the age of bystanders with cell phones.
“A lot of students today freeze or start recording. These boys didn’t hesitate. They jumped in without a second thought. Their friend is alive because of it.”
A Standing Ovation for Courage
As the two students stood inside the state conference hall this week—shoulder-to-shoulder with Sheriff Schneider and Deputy Nowlin—the entire room of sheriffs, deputies, and law-enforcement leaders rose to their feet.
Their families watched with pride.
Their school administrators watched with gratitude.
And the law-enforcement community honored two young men whose instinctive bravery reversed what could have been a devastating tragedy.
“These young men did what needed to be done,” Sheriff Schneider said. “They saved a life. And today, the whole state of Ohio recognizes that.”
Heroes in Every Sense of the Word
The two Black River students returned home with medals and certificates, but more importantly, with a legacy that will follow them for the rest of their lives.
They didn’t act for recognition.
They acted because someone needed help.
And in that moment—with no cameras rolling and no adults beside them—they became heroes.
Citizens Award of Valor
To be awarded to private citizens who voluntarily come to the aid of a law enforcement officer or another citizen at great personal risk of their own lives in a situations arising out of an activity wherein the citizens involved has no personal motive or stake in the outcome
