Athletic Year in Review

BASKETBALL

Last year, the Moeller basketball team returned with only one starter and one other player with varsity experience from the previous team. Despite that, the Crusader basketball team posted an 18-6 record. They finished second in the GCL with a 4-2 record. This team also won the Third Annual Marianist Classic Tournament played in San Antonio, Texas with a victory over Catholic Central (TX) in the Championship Game. Senior Evan Mahaffy (Penn State) was named GCL Player of the Year and first team AP All-State.

BASEBALL

The 2022 season was a fantastic one on the brand-new turf field at Kremchek Stadium at the Bucher Athletic Complex. The varsity team went 29-3 including an 11-game winning streak and two nine-game winning streaks. The Crusaders captured their 30th GCL championship along with a city championship and a state coaches poll championship en route to a regional runner-up finish. The team traveled to Myrtle Beach, SC and went 3-0 against tough competition. Senior Max Tramontana threw two no-hitters and was named second team All-American as well as being named first team All-State. Senior Nate Earley was an honorable mention All-State selection. The junior varsity and freshman teams also captured GCL crowns.

BOWLING

The bowling program continued its rebuild in the powerful GCL Blue Blood bowling division. In the fall, 42 aspiring bowlers (largest number in school history) came out for try-outs competing for 26 openings, for varsity and two junior varsity teams. Overall, the Moeller bowling program had a respectable season. The varsity team was led by senior Captain Michael Lichtenberg, who had a 187 overall average. Michael also qualified and represented Moeller at the Division I Individual District Bowling tournament in Beavercreek. Sophomore Tyler Brenner led the team with a top score of 266, and JV call-up Dominic Kwiatkowski rolled the highest two-game series with a 459, averaging 230 for the match. The Crusaders roll their home matches at Crossgate Lanes.

CROSS COUNTRY

Cross country finished the 2021 season with a 103-57 record that included a runner-up finish at the Jim Murray Invitational, third place finishes at the Lions Invitational and GCL South Championship, and ninth in the district championship. Jameson Maynes ’22 finished his Moeller career as the 2021 GCL South League champion, Midwest Catholic Gold Division champion, regional qualifier, and a First Team GCL and All-City. Peter Bachman ’25 was a second team All-GCL.

GOLF

The 2021 Moeller varsity golf season was an up and down year. Our best finish was a victory at the Oakwood Invitational at Dayton Country Club. There, we shot 292–the lowest of the year. Our captains for the year: Hayden Frederick and Zach Lyon. Award winners for the season: MVP– Hayden Frederick; Most improved– Nolan Krekeler; Michael Currin Man of Moeller Award– Zach Lyon. Moeller won the annual “El-Moe” cup which is a 12 vs 12 varsity head-to-head match play event versus Elder at TPC Rivers Bend. This classic event is senior night for the golf seniors. The season was capped off by senior captain Hayden Frederick shooting a 73 at the district tournament and qualifying for state. At the state tournament, held at Ohio State’s Scarlet course Hayden fired solid rounds of 76-77 for a 153 total.

FOOTBALL

The 2021 Moeller football season was filled with exciting games and surprised many people outside of the Moeller football program. In most pre-season polls the Crusaders were not picked to finish in the top ten in the Cincinnati area. The team finished 11-4, they were regional champions, and came up one point short from playing St. Edward’s for the state title. It is the first time in school history the Crusaders defeated the two state powerhouse programs in the same season (Cleveland St. Ignatius and undefeated St. Edwards). Moeller also defeated Princeton in a thrilling victory for King of the Block and Lakota West–which had four high school All-Americans on their roster–for the regional championship. The Moeller coaching staff gives much credit and praise to the senior leadership on the team who worked extremely hard, persevered, and did not allow outside distractions to affect the team.

HOCKEY

Varsity hockey faced the most competitive schedule in its history. They played 20 games against the top 20 teams in the state. This included an impressive 4-2 win over number five Olentangy Berlin. Varsity finished the year ranked 18th in the State, and for the first time in program history, the team earned a place in Capital Hockey Conference’s (CHC) elite Red Division for consecutive seasons. Junior varsity finished at the top of its division in conference play, and made a strong showing at the state tournament, defeating state powerhouse Gilmour Academy 6-1. Nine Crusaders made the CHC All-Academic team, two varsity players were selected to the CHC All-Star team, and one varsity player was voted on to the statewide senior All-Star game. Senior Nowell Snarey was also the first hockey player in school history to participate in signing day when he committed to play hockey at Cleary University.

LACROSSE

The 2022 lacrosse season saw the varsity squad wrap up with a 10-7 record and the varsity reserve/junior varsity combined for a 20-4 overall record. The varsity team ended up ranked eighth in Ohio with the sixth toughest schedule in the state (according to laxnumbers.com). Wins include victories over St. Xavier, Louisville Trinity, Hamilton Southeastern (Indiana state champs), Springboro, Mason, and Milford. Three players were named All-State, eight were named All-Region, and five were named to the All-MSLA (Midwest Scholastic Lacrosse Association) team. The Crusaders look to improve in 2023.

RUGBY

Last year was an incredible year for Moeller rugby. The team finished second in the state behind an incredibly talented St. Ignatius team who ultimately won the national championship. Our freshman/sophomore team had a fantastic season going undefeated and beating St. Ignatius in the state final. Many seniors moved on to collegiate play at West Point, University of Louisville, University of Tennessee, and Marion University. It is a joy to see the program graduate so many talented players and incredible young men. Underclass rugby players have shown true promise and talent, and the future of Moeller rugby is bright. Overall, the program continues to grow, and we continue to develop young men into better leaders.

SWIMMING & DIVING

Moeller swimming program completed their season with a 4-1 dual meet record. The Crusaders defeated Walnut Hills, Sycamore, Indian Hill, and Madeira. The Crusaders finished runner up in the GCL championship meet, led by senior Drew Held who set a GCL record in the 100 Freestyle. Advancing to the sectional championships, the Crusaders finished third out of eight teams. The team qualified three relays and 11 swimmers to the district championships. Big Moe capped off the season sending one swimmer, one diver and one relay to the state championship.

SOCCER

The 2021 Moeller soccer program had remarkable success at all three levels. Our JV Gold and JV Navy teams each won a GCL title, and our varsity team finished with a 12-6-2 final record as district runner up. Individually, Brock Kiper was named to first team All-GCL, and was our third soccer player in the last six years to be named an All-American.

TENNIS

Behind some amazing senior leadership, Moeller Tennis had an incredible 2022 spring season. Varsity finished seventh in the city with a 15-4 record. Junior varsity finished in the top eight in the city, finishing with 13 wins for the second straight season. Both teams placed second in the GCL. Varsity fell to the eventual state champion in the state team tournament. Tennis graduated five exceptionally talented seniors this season who have left a great legacy for the program.

TRACK & FIELD

The Crusader track & field team had an outstanding season capturing team titles at the Colerain Invitational, and Milford Invitational while finishing runner-up in the prestigious Coaches Classic. The team traveled to the University of Louisville for the nationally recognized Eastern Relays where the 800m sprint medley won gold and posted the 29th fastest time in the nation (1:35.33). The team would finish 9th out of 50 teams. They entered the post season finishing runner up in the GCL. Gold medal performances were turned in by Tennel Bryant in the 100m dash, the 400m relay, the high jump and discus. Tennel Bryant was named GCL Runner of the Year. Josiah Love was named GCL Field Athlete of the Year.

WRESTLING

The wrestling program’s success continued in the 2021-2022 season. They featured four state placers, seven state qualifiers, two state alternates, and ten district qualifiers. The team took eighth place at the state tournament, second place at the district tournament, and finished second in city voting. This was the second year in a row that Moeller wrestling won Team Academic All-Ohio with a 3.81 team GPA. With two returning state placers, three returning state qualifiers, and two returning state alternates, the team looks to continue its success in the 2022-2023 season.