Mathew Wagner

Matt is a sports reporter for Stars and Stripes based in Kaiserslautern, Germany. A son of two career Air Force aircraft maintenance technicians, he previously worked at newspapers in northeast Ohio for 10 years and is a graduate of Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism.

wagner.mathew@stripes.com

Display of various sizes of dark military artillery shells and munitions arranged against a wall in a museum, with historical photographs visible in the background.

Take a stroll back to World War II inside the Maginot Line’s Fort Schoenenbourg

Ninety feet underground lies a trove of World War II artifacts and history near Hunspach, France.

Kadena coach Sergio Mendoza leads the Panthers through a team-building concept, using a tire weighed down by water and players each representing a different aspect of the team.

Summer vacation is over for many DODEA athletes

Houses line the north bank of the Neckar River in Tübingen, Germany.

Punting on Neckar offers relaxing river ride for all ages in Tübingen

Al Platano's Pinsa Speciale, foreground, features tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, salami, ham and mushrooms. The Pinsa Papa is topped with mozzarella and gorgonzola cheese, pepperoni and black olives.

Come for the pinsa, stay for the pasta at Al Platano in another K-Town: Kirchheimbolanden

Ramstein’s Kydan Echard pulls Wiesbaden’s Wyatt Massey during a 165-pound pool-play match at the DODEA European wrestling championships on Feb. 7, 2025, in Wiesbaden, Germany.

Ramstein’s Echard completes long haul to earn DODEA-Europe boys Athlete of the Year

Ramstein’s Kydan Echard’s prowess on the football field, wrestling mats and on the track earned him the title Athlete of the Year.

Sigonella’s Rickalia Goss crosses the finish line in the girls 100-meter dash ahead of Wiesbaden’s Lana Winters, left, and Kaiserslautern’s Trinity Seaberry. Goss’ winning time at the 2025 DODEA-Europe track and field finals, in Kaiserslautern, Germany, was 12.33 seconds.

No-quit attitude propels Sigonella’s Goss to recognition as DODEA-Europe’s girls Athlete of the Year

Rickalia Goss’ competitive nature, which all of DODEA-Europe witnessed across three seasons, and her skills in multiple sports led to her being named DODEA’s European Athlete of the Year for 2024-25.

Ansbach's Meredith Maxwell stretches for a ball during a match against Kaiserslautern's Abby Hover on Sept. 23, 2023, at Kaiserslautern High School in Germany.

Ansbach’s Maxwell becomes first DODEA-Europe student to win $20,000 Foot Locker scholarship

Meredith Maxwell was one of 20 Class of 2025 athletes to receive a scholarship from the Foot Locker Scholar Athletes Program worth $20,000 over four years. The program honors athletes who embody leadership, sportsmanship and community impact.

A volleyball player jumps to set the ball as the crowd in the Kaiserslautern High School gym watches in the background.

DODEA-Europe’s top athletes lead large contingent into the collegiate sports ranks

At least 20 DODEA-Europe senior athletes are moving on to compete in college.

Europe Scoreboard: June 9, 2025

All-Europe selections made for baseball, softball and soccer.

Ramstein shortstop Christian Roy throws the ball to first base for the putout during the Division I final against Kaiserslautern at the 2025 DODEA European baseball championships on May 23, 2025, at Southside Fitness Center on Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

Ramstein’s Roy has been a constant presence for dominant Royals

Senior played on his third title team in four years, starring on the field and at the plate as the Royals won again. He’ll be playing in college next year.

Ramstein pitcher Kelsey Moya winds up to deliver a pitch Thursday, May 22, 2025 at the DODEA-Europe Division I softball championships on Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

Ramstein’s Moya made a good team even better

Sophomore transferred from Florida early in the season and then pitched the Royals to their third straight D-I softball championship.

Ramstein striker Claire Boynton dribbles toward net during a May 3, 2025, match against Stuttgart at Ramstein High School on Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

Ramstein’s Boynton switched roles and the team kept rolling along

Senior captain led Ramstein to back-to-back D-I titles, taking on a facilitator’s role this season as the team went unbeaten.

Ramstein’s Keiran Goodall gets a shot off between Stuttgart’s Christian Groves and Triston Milletich in the Royals 2-0 win over the Panthers in the Division I boys title game at the DODEA-Europe soccer championships in Ramstein, Germany, May 22, 2025. Ramstein took the title with a 2-0 win, with Goodall scoring the second goal..

Ramstein’s Goodall hopes to be playing the sport he loves long after graduation

Royals junior captain helped his team win its second straight D-I crown and has a goal to play professionally after his school days are over.

Sigonella’s Goss was queen of sprints in final season

Jaguar standout started to give the school’s track program a boost before she even entered high school. She’ll compete in college next year.

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