Lakota West senior LB Jordan Hicks is a first team Ohio High All-Ohio selection. Who else is? See Page 6.
Volume 7
Issue 5
Managing Editor Eric Frantz
Recruiting Editors Mark Porter, Bill Kurelic
Staff Writers Kirk Larrabee, Steve Helwagen, Dave Biddle Contributors
Matt Natali, Jeff Williams, Kurt Stubbs, Tom Jenkins, Brad Morris, Shayne Combs
Photography
Stephanie Porter, Gary Housteau, Nick Falzerano, Joe Maiorana, Jim Rinaldi, Scott Grau, Jim Metzendorf, Os Figuero, Ben Barnes
Printing Miami Valley Sports Magazine (MVP) miamivalleysports.com
Subscriptions
Order online at www.jjhuddle.com. One year ($19.95), two-year ($34.95) and threeyear ($49.95) subscriptions available.
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Letters to Editor
Questions, comments or suggestions can be sent to staff@jjhuddle.com. We encourage your feedback.
Ohio High Magazine is published online nine times a year and also produces an online and hard copy issue in July (Football Preview/Year in Review). Ohio High is an independent source of news and features relating to Ohio high school sports. Ohio High strives to report information based on fact, but assumes no responsability for any inaccuracies that may appear. Ohio High is not authorized, sponsored or sanctioned by any university, athletic conference or athletic governing body. Subscriptions are available and may be purchased online at jjhuddle.com. c Copyright 2009, Ohio High Magazine and MVP Magazine, LLC. All rights reserved. COVER PHOTOS: NICK FALZERANO (St. Paul); ERIC FRANTZ (Marion Local)
JJHuddle.com
Photo by Nick Falzerano
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Ohio High’s All-Ohio Team
13
State Football Recap
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State Football In Pictures
An expert panel selects Ohio’s top players regardless of division, including the Overall, Offensive and Defensive Players of the year and Coach of the Year. We revisit another successful Stark County campaign that saw 23 records fall and six champions crowned. Ohio High’s photographers offer up their favorite shots from the state football championships.
32 Fall Sports Players of the Year
Huntington Bank/Ohio High POY honors are announced for all Fall Sports...who won? Surprises?
34 Fall Sports State Tournaments
Who won what (championships) during the 2009 fall sports season - and how.
O h i o H i g h ’ s A l l - O h i o Te a m
Ohio High
PLAYER OF THE YEAR Braylon Heard, Sr. RB/DB, Youngstown Cardinal Mooney
The work horse for a team that won the seventh state title in school history, Heard rushed for 1,978 yards and 34 TDs this season on 213 carries. He also caught two TD passes. In the D-III state title game, Heard ran for two TDs, threw for another and had an interception. He’s headed to West Virginia.
Ohio High Player Of The Year Winners 2003: Ted Ginn Jr., Cleveland Glenville 2004: Tyrell Sutton, Akron Hoban 2005: Ross Homan, Coldwater 2006: Brandon Saine, Piqua 2007: Danny McCarthy, Cardinal Mooney 2008: Erick Howard, North Canton Hoover 2009: Braylon Heard, Cardinal Mooney
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JJ Hu ddle’ s O h io Hi gh
Best
STORY BY ERIC FRANTZ
The
O h i o H i g h ’ s A l l - O h i o Te a m
Ohio High
COACH OF THE YEAR Bob Lutz, Ironton
Lutz became the state’s alltime winningest coach, passing Hamilton Badin’s Terry Malone, when he notched his 361st win on Oct. 23 as Ironton beat Nelsonville-York 32-12. Lutz, who has led the Tigers for 40 years, is now 364-85-5 in his career. Ironton finished 10-3 this year and earned its 27th playoff berth. Lutz has led Ironton to eight state finals and two state titles.
The All-Ohio team was selected by: Eric Frantz, Managing Editor, JJHuddle.com Steve Helwagen, Managing Editor, Bucknuts.com Bill Kurelic, Recruiting Analyst, Bucknuts.com Mark Porter, Director, ScoutingOhio.com Gary Housteau, Writer/Photog, JJHuddle/Bucknuts
JJ Hu d d l e ’ s O h i o H i g h
Photo by Gary Housteau
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O h i o H i g h ’ s A l l - O h i o Te a m
OFFENSIVE
PLAYER OF THE YEAR Keith Wenning, Sr, QB, Coldwater
Ball State recruit completed nearly 70-percent of his passes (294-of-424) and capped a run to the D-V state final by setting school records for passing yards in a season (3,629) and TDs (40). He also rushed for 952 yards and 12 TDs. Funny, but No. 5 almost accounted for 5,000 yards. He did account for over 50 TDs (including one receiving). As a punter, Wenning averaged 38.5 yards. He was also the place kicker and played safety.
Photo by Nick Falzerano
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OFFENSE
O h i o H i g h ’ s A l l - O h i o Te a m
2009 ALL-OHIO FIRST TEAM
QB: Keith Wenning, Sr., Coldwater: See previous page. RB: Braylon Heard, Sr., Youngstown Mooney: See Page 6 RB: Tavion Wright, Sr., Dayton Thurgood Marshall: Talk about stats, Wright rushed for 2,245 yards and 32 TDs in 10 games and averaged over 17.5 yards per carry. RB: Erick Howard, Sr., North Canton Hoover: Two-time AP Mr. Football winner became Stark County’s career leader in rushing, scoring and touchdowns this season. He rushed for 2,056 yards on 337 carries and scored 27 touchdowns. WR: Heath Jackson, Sr., Ada: The Bowling Green recruit was the state’s leading receiver through five games before being thrust into the starting QB role due to an injury to starter Mitchell Faine. Jackson’s numbers are ridiculous. As a receiver he caught 46 passes for 781 yards and seven TDs. As a QB he completed 121-of-208 attempts for 2,130 yards and 19 TDs. He also rushed 154 times for 892 yards and 21 TDs. Just for good measure, Jackson had 83 tackles and six interceptions on defense. WR: Tyrone Williams, Sr., East Cleveland Shaw: Ohio State recruit caught 29 passes for over 600 yards and 11 TDs. WR: Devon Smith, Jr. Massillon Washington: Smith caught a team-leading 50 passes for 989 and 15 touchdowns. TE: Alex Welch, Sr., Elder: Notre Dame recruit caught 43 passes for over 600 yards and five TDs. OL: Andrew Donnal, Sr., Whitehouse Anthony Wayne: Iowa recruit and dominating blocker had over 20 scholarship offers. OL: Matt James, Sr., Cincinnati St. Xavier: Regarded as one of the top OL recruits in the country, James has narrowed his college choices to Ohio State, Florida, Notre Dame and Cincinnati. OL: Andrew Norwell, Sr., Anderson: Despite only playing in the first four games before suffering a season-ending leg injury, Norwell is worthy of his spot on this team. He is that dominant. He’s headed to Ohio State. OL: Christian Pace, Sr., Avon Lake: Michigan recruit graded out at over 90percent this year and did not allow a sack. OL: Travis Jackson, Sr., Columbus DeSales: A huge force on defense, Jackson excelled as a two-way star. Projected as an OL in college, that’s why he’s listed on that side of the ball here. Will suit up for Michigan State next year. K: Carey Spear, Sr., Mayfield: Senior soccer player/football star, tied the state record with a 61-yard field goal in a playoff loss to Solon. On the North season he made 33-of-36 PATs and 13 of 21 field goals, including eight Canton Hoover’s over 41 yards (and one from 54). Of his 66 kickoffs, 45 were touchErick backs. Howard
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O h i o H i g h ’ s A l l - O h i o Te a m
DEFENSIVE
PLAYER OF THE YEAR Jordan Hicks, Sr. LB, Lakota West
The national prep Butkus Award winner tallied 95 tackles (65 solo) and 13 TFL. Hicks has narrowed his college choices to Ohio State, Texas, Florida, Alabama and USC. Yeah...he’s that good.
Photo by Nick Falzerano
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DEFENSE
O h i o H i g h ’ s A l l - O h i o Te a m
2009 ALL-OHIO FIRST TEAM
DL: Darryl Baldwin, Sr., Solon: Ohio State recruit had 63 tackles (31 solo) and 25 tackles-for-loss. DL: Jibreel Black, Wyoming: Cincinnati recruit had over 50 tackles, including 10 sacks. DL: J.T. Moore, Sr., Youngstown Boardman: Ohio State recruit registered 110 tackles, nine sacks, seven TFL and two fumble recoveries. DL: Jayrone Elliott, Sr., Glenville: A force off the edge, Elliott made 92 tackles, including 17 sacks. IN state championship he had nine tackles, two TFL and a forced fumble. LB: Zack Shaw, Jr., Coshocton: The Redskins defensive leader had 228 tackles, including 156 solo, and had four games of 20 tackles or more. He also had eight interceptions and forced three fumbles. LB: Jordan Hicks, Sr., Lakota West: See previous page. LB: Jake Ryan, Sr., St. Ignatius: Leader of the Wildcats' defense tallied 53 solo tackles, 36 assists, nine quarterback sacks, three fumble recoveries and two interceptions. LB: Trey DePriest, Jr., Springfield: Highly recruited underclassmen (offers from Ohio State, Alabama, Virginia Tech and others) had 101 tackles, seven sacks and three fumble recoveries. He also rushed for 812 yards, caught 13 passes for 202 yards and scored 13 TDs. DePriest also handled kicking duties (place-kicking and punting) for the Wildcats. DB: Courtney Avery, Sr., Lexington: Arguably the state’s best overall athlete, Avery, who is headed to Michigan, doubled as a safety and QB (26 TDs) this year. DB: Christian Bryant, Sr., Glenville: Versatile player (also starred on offense and special teams) had 84 tackles and has four interceptions. College choices narrowed down to Ohio Glenville’s State, Michigan State and North Carolina. Christian DB: Latwan Anderson, Sr., Glenville: The standout Bryant back had eight interceptions this season, including four in a key postseason win over defending state champion Cleveland St. Ignatius. Narrowed his college choices down to Ohio State, West Virginia, Michigan State, Tennessee, Cincinnati and North Carolina. DB: Bo Grunder, Sr., Massillon Washington: Wrecking ball led his team in tackles (121), interceptions (nine) and fumble recoveries (four). He has offers from Air Force and Eastern Michigan. P: James Forsythe, Canton McKinley: Senior averaged 40 yards a punt with a season long of 52. Six of his punts were downed inside the opponents’ 20-yard line.
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J J H U D D L E . C O M 11
SPECIAL MENTION
O h i o H i g h ’ s A l l - O h i o Te a m
2009 ALL-OHIO
QB: Patrick Angle, Sr., Logan; Dominique Brown, Sr., Winton Woods; Mark Myers, Sr., St. Ignatius; Andrew Hendrix, Sr., Moeller; Maty Mauk, So., Kenton; Jake Trubiano, Sr., Davidson; Dwight Macon, Sr., Steubenville; Verlon Reed, Cols. Marion Franklin; Eric Schwieterman, Sr., Norwalk St. Paul; Spencer Ware, Sr., Princeton; Kyle Seyfried, Sr., Wyoming; Marcus Fuller, Jr., Ashland; Tyler Brause, Sr., Bucyrus Wynford; Shaq Washington, Sr., Maple Heights; Marcus Mamarella, sr., Dover: Clay Cameron, Sr., Dresden Tri-Valley RB: Antwan Gilbert, Jr., Trotwood-Madison; Devon Clodfelter, Sr., Columbus Independence; Jayshan Jackson, Sr., Westerville South; Allen Jones, Sr., Youngstown Ursuline; Andrew Givens, Sr., Hubbard; Jake Conrad, Sr., West Lafayette Ridgewood; Justin Buenger, sr., Hamler Patrick Henry; Marcus Johnston, Sr., Coshocton; Akise Teague, Jr. Youngstown Ursuline; Jordan Leininger, Jr., Delphos St. John’s; Dan Pennington, Sr., Licking Heights; Charles Gresham, Sr., Heath; Will McEwen, Sr., New Philadelphia; Jeremiah Goins, Sr., Winton Woods; Kyle Slater, Sr., Anderson WR: Chase Cochran, Sr., Lebanon; Max Morrison, Jr., Kenton; Shane Wynn, Sr., Glenville; Jerald Robinson, Sr., Canton South; Lance Fanthrop, Sr., Little Miami; Adam Rammel, Sr., Coldwater; Derek Billing, Sr., Anna TE: Alex Smith, Sr., Lakota West; Dan Schneider, Sr., Avon Lake OL: Skylar Schofner, Sr., Sunbury Big Walnut; Matthew Rotheram, Sr., North Olmstead: Michael Dennis, Sr., Carey; Isaiah Byler, Sr., Elyria; Eric Franklin, Sr., Youngstown Moonet DL: Kenny Hayes, Jr., Toledo Whitmer; Steve Miller, Sr., Canton McKinley; Derrick Bryant, Sr., Brookhaven; Pat Behm, Sr., Chagrin Falls Kenston; Terry Talbott, Sr., Wayne; Josh Davis, Sr., Jonathan Alder LB: Hunter Potts, Sr., Louisville; Marcus Rush, Sr., Cincinnati Moeller; Scott McVey, Sr., St. Ignatius; Chi Chi Ariguzo, Sr. Columbus DeSales; Cameron Ontko, Sr., Walsh Jesuit; Jewone Snow, Sr., Canton McKinley; Joe Ribiero, Jr. Mentor lake Catholic; Shaq Petteway, Jr., Steubenville; Bobby Winkelman, Sr., Chagrin Falls; Brett Pasche, Sr., Findlay Liberty-Benton; Chris Pohlman, Jr., Delphos St. John’s; Nolan Plate, Sr., Alter; Tyler Arigoni, Sr., Union Local; Mark Fackler, Sr., Kenton DB: Bobby Swigert, Sr., Louisville; Doran Grant, Sr., Akron SVSM; Adam Griffin, Sr., Columbus DeSales; Cody Byers, Sr., Alter; Nathan Carpenter, Sr., Lancaster; Bobby Spence, Sr., Buckeye Local; Ray Vinopal, Sr., Youngstown Mooney P: Pat Dyer, Sr., Toledo St. Francis K: Tony Miliano, Sr., Elder; Drew Basil, Sr., Chillicothe; Kyle Clinton, Sr., Dublin Coffman; Eric Schaible, Sr., Findlay; Trevor Ragan, Sr., Boardman Coach: John Reed, Coldwater; Brian White, Hilliard Davidson; John Livengood, Norwalk St. Paul; Tim Goodwin, Maria Stein Marion Local 12 J J H U D D L E . C O M
JJ Hu ddle’ s O h io Hi gh
STORY BY ERIC FRANTZ
S t a t e F o o t b a l l : P O Ys , S t a t s & S t u d s on 18 carries and scored the winning two-point conversion with 1:04 left in the Wildcats 16-15 win over Glenville in the D-I state championship. Trubiano set up the winning score by rushing for 73 yards on the final drive’s first play. JJHuddle Defensive Player of the Finals Thomas Armstrong, Alter: The senior DB registered eight tackles (five solo), 2.5 TFL, two sacks and returned an interception for a TD in the Knights 37-7 win over Chagrin Falls in D-IV. JJHuddle Special Teams Players of the Finals The Bergfeld Brothers, Delphos St. John’s: Although they didn’t win the state title, the Bergfeld brothers – junior Tyler and sophomore Jordan – kept the Blue Jays in the D-VI game until the final snap. Tyler set up one DSJ score with an 89-yard punt return, while Jordan returned a kickoff 86 yards for a TD in the Blue Jays 24-21 loss to Norwalk St. Paul.
A
lthough Coldwater and Mother Nature put some zip in the air, no one else did during state football finals weekend in Stark County. Not even close. Coldwater’s Keith Wenning, who threw for 414 yards, was the only QB to throw for over 214 yards. Instead, most teams relied heavily on the run. Consider: - Hilliard Davidson threw two passes and completed none in the D-I final - Winton Woods threw the ball twice in the D-II final - Youngstown Mooney attempted four passes in the D-III final - Kettering Alter threw the ball four times in the D-IV final And what else do those four have in common? They all won state championships. Even in defeat, Columbus DeSales threw just seven times and Delphos St. John’s just eight, in the D-III and VI finals, respectively. “If people want to see us throw the ball, they should get to the games about an hour early,” Alter head coach Ed Domsitz joked. “We throw the ball all over the place. I’ve got two quarterbacks and they probably throw 40 passes apiece 40 minutes before the ballgame. And our receivers make great catches too.” BIG DOGS JJHuddle Offensive Player of the Finals Jake Trubiano, Hilliard Davidson: The senior QB rushed for 196 yards
JJ Hu d d l e ’ s O h i o H i g h
ALSO IN THE RUNNING Keith Wenning, Coldwater: The senior QB went off by completing 40-of-55 passes for 414 yards in the D-V final. All three marks are D-V state final records. The Cavaliers however lost 55-25 to Youngstown Ursuline. Wenning threw for three TDs and ran for another. Dominique Brown, Winton Woods: Senior QB exploded for four TDs and 172 yards on 20 carries in a 42-12 win over Maple Heights in D-II. He also threw for a TD. Braylon Heard, Youngstown Mooney: Senior RB rushed for 178 yards and two TDs on 28 carries in the Cardinals 35-7 win over Columbus DeSales in D-II. He also threw for a TD and had an interception on defense. Eric Schwieterman, Norwalk St. Paul: The senior QB led the Flyers to the D-VI state title by scoring the game-winning TD on a 1-yard run with five seconds left. For the game, a 24-21 win over Delphos St. John’s, Schwieterman completed 8-of-13 passes for 187 yards and rushed for 147 yards and three TDs on 30 carries.
STATE NOTES KW32: Much has been made of the continued battle facing Medina Highland senior Kory Wiita who suffered a spinal injury in Week 10. And rightfully so. Wiita continues to fight at the MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland where he’s recently started physical therapy. Wiita was on everyone’s mind during finals weekend. Every team showed support by either wearing helmets stickers (i.e. Mooney) or writing “KW32” somewhere on their uniforms. When asked why he would do this, Alter senior RB Cody Taulbee explained he always wore specific initials on his left arm, but the ones on his right arm this week… “I knew this game was going to be broadcast on TV,” Taulbee said. “I always wear my great grandma’s name on my left arm – you know something that is important to me. I thought it might be a motivational thing for (Kory) if he was watching this game or someone from his family was and saw that. “We’re all praying for him and we all have his back.” Wiita’s father, Dan, maintains a journal on Kory’s status on a CaringBridge website. His entry on Saturday at 10: 38 p.m. started out with: “I watch these State Finals football games and I am just amazed. Six games, 12 teams, and they all have KW32 stickers on. I can't believe it is actually for my "number 32". Everybody's support is so incredible and powerful.” MAC Denied: Delphos St. John’s loss in the D-VI state final, coupled with Coldwater’s loss in the D-V title game, ended a string of six straight seasons in which the Midwest Athletic Conference had won a state football title. The MAC still has 19 state champions since 1989, but was denied in its bid – twice – for No. 20. In the previous four seasons the MAC was 7-0 in state title games. Mooney Mayhem: The Cardinals became just the fourth school in
J J H U D D L E . C O M 13
S t a t e F o o t b a l l : P O Ys , S t a t s & S t u d s state history to capture seven state football titles. Cleveland St. Ignatius has 10 titles and Newark Catholic has eight. Cincinnati Moeller also has seven. MOST IMPRESSIVE TEAMS (regardless of division) 1. Youngstown Mooney 2. Hilliard Davidson 3. Kettering Alter 4. Youngstown Ursuline 5. Winton Woods
TOP RUSHERS (over 100 yards) Jake Trubiano, Hilliard Davidson (196 yards, 18 carries) Braylon Heard, Mooney (178 yards, 28 carries, two TDs) Dominique Brown, Winton Woods (172 yards, 20 carries, four TDS) Allen Jones, Ursuline (155 yards, 21 carries, TD) Jeremiah Goins, Winton Woods (155 yards, 21 carries) Eric Schwieterman, Nor. St. Paul (147 yards, 30 carries, three TDs) Devonte Ransom, Maple Heights (127 yards, 17 carries, TD) Cody Taulbee, Alter (126 yards, 16 carries, 3 TDs) Asike Teague, Ursuline (112 yards, nine carries, three TDs) Nick Gentile, Columbus DeSales (107 yards, 26 carries) TOP PASSERS (over 300 yards) Keith Wenning, Coldwater (414 yards, 40-of-54, 3 TD, INT)
TOP RECEIVERS (over 100 yards) Adam Rammel, Coldwater (135 yards, 14 receptions, TD) Kurt Schoenherr, Coldwater (123 yards, 10 receptions, TD) Ian Hill, Maple Heights (108 yards, eight receptions)
TOP TACKLERS (over 10 tackles) Trevor Smith, Ursuline (15 tackles, six solo, TFL, PB) Bobby Winkleman, Chagrin Falls (14 tackles, nine solo, TFL) Jesse Curry, Ursuline (13 tackles, nine solo, TFL, PB) Chris Pohlman, Delphos St. John’s (13 tackles, seven solo) Antonio Poole, Winton Woods (11 tackles, six solo, TFL, FF, FR, PB) Nolan Plate, Alter (11 tackles, seven solo, 2.5 TFL) Malik Moore, Glenville (11 tackles, 10 solo, PB) Fred Robertson, Maple Heights (11 tackles, seven solo) Nico Irizarry, Ursuline (10 tackles, nine solo, 2 PB) Joe Pohlman, Delphos St. John’s (10 tackles, seven solo, 0.5 TFL)
RECORD SETTING: Coldwater and Youngstown Ursuline combined to set 15 new D-V finals records in the Irish’s 55-25 win. Ursuline set records for most points in a quarter (27 in the second) and game (55); most yards (508) and most TDs (eight). Coldwater’s Wenning set records for passing yards (414), attempts (55) and completions (40), while receiver Adam Rammel set a record for most catches (14). Together Coldwater and Ursuline set records for points (80), TDs (12), completions (49) and total yards (982).
Here are other records that fell: - Winton Woods set a D-II finals record for yards rushing (396). The Warriors and Maple Heights also combined to tie LouisvilleAnderson (2007) for most yards in a D-II final with 785. Individually, Winton Woods’ Brown tied a record with four TDs and 24 points. - Norwalk St. Paul’s Schwieterman set a D-VI finals record with a 73-yard TD run. For the game, Schwieterman’s three TD performance tied the D-VI records for TDs, rushing TDs and points (18). — OH
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Photo by Nick Falzerano
JJ Hu ddle’ s O h io Hi gh
State Football: In Pictures Denying treatment for cancer until his team was done playing, Coldwater head coach John Reed leads the Cavaliers onto the field for the D-V final.
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J J H U D D L E . C O M 15
State Football: In Pictures Kettering Alter senior John Doncaster celebrates a TFL in the D-IV final.
Photo by Nick Falzerano
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State Football: In Pictures
Glenville junior QB Cardale Jones dives in for a third quarter TD in the D-I final.
Photo by Os Figueroa
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State Football: In Pictures
Youngstown Mooney’s Joe Stoops forces one of Columbus DeSales’ seven fumbles in the D-II final.
Photo by Stephanie Porter
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State Football: In Pictures Youngstown Ursuline senior RB Allen Jones guts out some extra yaradge in the D-V final.
Photo by Nick Falzerano
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J J H U D D L E . C O M 19
State Football: In Pictures After tieing D-II final records for TDs (4) and points (24), Winton Woods senior QB Dominique Brown is correct – the Warriors are No. 1.
Photo by Stephanie Porter
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JJ Hu ddle’ s O h io Hi gh
State Football: In Pictures
Norwalk St. Paul senior QB Eric Schwieterman does his best Heisman impression during the D-VI final.
Photo by Nick Falzerano
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State Football: In Pictures
Hilliard Davidson senior QB Jake Trubiano tries to elude Glenville’s Latwan Anderson in the D-I final.
Photo by Gary Housteau
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State Football: In Pictures Ursuline rushed for 393 yards against Coldwater in the D-V final.
Photo by Os Figueroa
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State Football: In Pictures Delphos St. John’s gathers as a team after the D-VI final.
Photo by Nick Falzerano
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State Football: In Pictures Davidson senior RB Spencer Delande makes one of his seven carries in the D-I final.
Photo by Os Figueroa
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State Football: In Pictures Alter players celebrate after defending their D-IV state championship.
Photo by Nick Falzerano
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State Football: In Pictures
Ursuline junior RB Akise Teague won’t go down easy during the D-V final.
Photo by Gary Housteau
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State Football: In Pictures Glenville’s Shane Wynn eludes a Davidson defender during the D-I final.
Photo by Stephanie Porter
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JJ Hu ddle’ s O h io Hi gh
State Football: In Pictures
Ursuline’s Chris Collins and Coldwater’s Colin Paynter make eye contact during the D-V final.
Photo by Gary Housteau
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State Football: In Pictures Mooney’s Ray Vinopal leaves his feet during the DII final.
Photo by Os Figueroa
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State Football: In Pictures Delphos St. John’s LB Joel Pohlman and other Jays are left to reflect after the D-VI final.
Photo by Nick Falzerano
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O h i o H i g h F a l l S p o r t s P l a y e r s o f t h e Ye a r Boys & Girls Soccer Boys & Girls Golf Boys & Girls C.C. Volleyball
I
Tennis Field Hockey t was another great fall season in Ohio high school athletics. Ohio High is proud to partner with
Huntington Banks to present the player of the year awards in 10 fall sports. The football player of the year award is
revealed on page 6. Here is a look at the nine other player of the year award winners for the fall season.
Ohio’s Best At What They Do...
FIELD HOCKEY Sydney Kirby, Shaker Heights Hathaway Brown How rare of a talent is Kirby? Well the Cleveland-area standout is just one of four juniors in the country to make the 2009 Harrow Sports/National Field Hockey Coaches Association High School AllAmerican First Team and just one of six Ohioans – EVER – to be named first or second team All-American in the 25 years since the honor was bestowed. The All-American team consists of 16 players. Kirby, who led the Blazers to the state semifinals this year after a state title last season, was previously named to the NFHCA AllRegion team for the West, the association's largest region, encompassing all states west of Pennsylvania. Kirby is also a member of the U.S. national team. Last season Kirby had 15 goals and 10 assists. This year she had 27 goals and 10 assists. She scored in all but one game.
GIRLS SOCCER Elizabeth Burchenal, Cincinnati St. Ursula Academy How good is Burchenal? After watching her score less than a minute into a game against his squad, one rival coach proclaimed her the best in the state. Plenty of others agree. A two-time All-American who is headed to the University of North Carolina, Burchenal was the OSSCA Division I Player of the Year after collecting 37 goals and 14 assists this season. For her career, which includes two state titles, Burchenal scored 102 goals and tallied 40 assists. “Burch has impacted the soccer program at SUA in many ways but what has impressed me the most is the impact she has had on our younger players,” Ursula head coach Dave Ruehl said. “Her work ethic, passion for the game and constant drive are values passed down to all future SUA players. I’ve been contacted by parents of opposing teams asking how their daughters can ‘be like Burch’. To watch her play is truly entertaining.” BOYS SOCCER Ryan Grimme, Gahanna-Lincoln Grimme appeared in the December 7 issue of Sports Illustrated as a member of the “Faces in the Crowd” section and with good reason. En route to leading the Lions to a 22-0-1 record and the Division I state championship, Grimme made 60 saves and recorded 19 shutouts. Gahanna allowed four goals all year. In the Division I state championship game against then No. 1 nationally ranked Cleveland St. Ignatius, Grimme made four saves in
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regulation and two more in a shootout as the Lions won 4-3. The loss snapped the Wildcats 31-game win streak. Gahanna finished the season ranked No. 4 in the final national poll. Grimme also earned National Player of the Week honors from ESPN RISE for his championship game heroics. VOLLEYBALL Paige Penrod, Circleville Logan Elm Over the last two years it’s hard to find a volleyball player with the credentials Penrod has piled up. In fact, historically, she’s accomplished some feats no one in state history has. A senior headed to Bowling Green, Penrod wrapped her high school career with a fiveset loss to Mentor Lake Catholic in the Division II state semifinals, but not before she unleashed a 35-kill performance on the Cougars. That effort gave her 599 kills for the season, which ranks No. 3 all-time. Who is No. 1? She is. Last year as a junior, Penrod set the state single-season record with 636 kills. She also owns the kill record for a match with 45 last year. A two-time All-Ohio selection, Penrod had games with 27, 28, 34, 35 and 39 kills this year. Recently she was named an AVCA Under Armour All-American.
GIRLS TENNIS Niki Flower, Upper Arlington Flower had been to the state tournament twice before, finishing runner-up in D-I doubles a year ago and being ousted early in singles in 2007. This year, there was no losing. A junior, Flower captured the D-I singles title with a 7-6 (7-5), 6-1 win over junior Komal Safdar of Cincinnati Ursuline Academy and became the third member of her family to win a state title. Flower’s older sister Kirsten, now at Ohio State, won the 2003 D-I singles title and her father Jim won the 1974 AAA singles title while at Fremont Ross. It was the third singles title for Upper Arlington and the first since Kirsten took home gold. “I'm so overwhelmed right now,” Flower, who is Central Ohio's 18th singles champion in Division I or II since 1976, told ThisWeekSports.com. “I wanted this so badly. This probably meant more to me than breathing.” GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY Meredith Wagner, Sylvania Northview Heading into the Division I state championships, Wagner was a long shot for the title – and player of the year award. Following the 5K race at Scioto Downs she was the clear-cut winner of both.
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STORY BY ERIC FRANTZ Wagner entered the race hoping for a Top 3 finish and wound up winning the whole thing with an impressive performance. The favorites North Royalton’s Hannah Neczypor and Rocky River Magnificat’s Madeline Chambers – entered the state final having run sub-17:40 times at the Tiffin Regional the week prior. Wagner had run 19:22 en route to winning the Pickerington Regional. So what…Wagner (18:03.9) beat Chambers by four seconds and Neczypor by 12.
O h i o H i g h F a l l S p o r t s P l a y e r s o f t h e Ye a r Hathaway Brown junior Sydney Kirby is just one of six Ohioans in the last 25 years to be named All-American in field hockey.
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY Zach Wills, Mason The junior repeated – as both the OH POY and the Division I state champion with a commanding four-second win over the runner-up. Wills, who won every race he ran during the season, led the entire time at state. Wills is also a two-time state champion in the D-I 3,200 at the state track & field championships. This is probably not his last award.
GIRLS GOLF Tiana Jones, Alliance Although she didn’t have a team to play with this year, Jones finished as the state’s top individual golfer, winning medalist honors at the Division I state tournament. Jones fired a 73 to best a competitive field in which nine of the Top 10 golfers finished within four strokes of each other. She had three birdies, a dozen pars and three bogeys to lead the 72-girl field. “A 73 is her best tournament score of the year,” Alliance coach Jeff Graffice told the Canton Repository. “Doing it on the biggest stage, in the worst conditions ... that says it all about how she played. When we were on the course, I told her if anyone was going to beat you, they had to be playing phenomenal. Tiana was just playing that good.”
BOYS GOLF Korey Ward, West Chester Lakota West No one fared better than Ward at the state golf championships. The standout junior became just the 12th golfer in state history to win back-to-back medalist honors when he shot a tournament best round of 74 to earn the Division I individual state championship for the second year in a row. Ward had birdies on Nos. 3 and 9 and did not have a double-bogey on the state’s biggest stage. “It just feels really great to get this accomplished,” Ward told the Cincinnati Enquirer. Next year Ward tries to become just the third golfer in state history (and first since 1974) to win medalist honors three times at the state tournament. He’s received plenty of Division I college interest, including attention from the Ohio State. — OH
Photo by Nick Falzerano
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Fall Sports State Tournaments
Photo by Eric Frantz
Maria Stein Marion Local went undefeated and won its third straight Divison IV state volleyball title.
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STORY BY ERIC FRANTZ & OHSAA REPORTS
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Fall Sports State Tournaments
STORY BY ERIC FRANTZ & OHSAA REPORTS
Marion Local volleyball establishes itself as Ohio’s top fall sports program Total Domination
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or any fall sports program claiming to be the best in the state – regardless of sport – here’s the criteria you have to beat: - You must have won your third straight state title this year; - You must have finished the season ranked No. 1 in the final state poll – and you must
one’s been able to beat the Flyers. Didn’t happen Nov. 14 either. Marion Local claimed its third straight Division IV state title that day with a convincing 25-17, 20-25, 25-10, 25-13 victory over Norwalk St. Paul at Wright State’s Nutter Center. The match – which featured teams that
Photo by Eric Frantz
Maria Stein Marion Local ended the season 28-0 and is 81-4 with three Division IV state titles the last three years. have held that spot all season; - You must have over 50-percent of your starters named All-Ohio; - You must be led by the Coach of the Year in your sport; - And you must have finished the season undefeated at the varsity and reserve levels. Your freshman team is only allowed two losses or less. If you can beat those – you can beat the resume put together by the Marion Local volleyball program. So far this year, though, no
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have claimed the last four state titles – was never seriously in doubt. After dropping the second set – which was just their fifth this season out of 84 played – the Flyers responded by winning 50 of the next 73 points and extended their stay as state champions. Another thing that’s not in doubt is Marion Local’s standing as the state’s premier fall program – regardless of sport or gender. Sure arguments can be made, but they end where the sign says “Welcome to Maria Stein.”
Over the last three years, ML is 81-4 at the varsity level. This year they ended 28-0. At all levels combined – varsity, reserve and freshmen – the Flyers have now lost a total of 13 games in 36 months. This season the seventh and eighth grade teams both won Midwest Athletic Conference championships. Last year the Flyers had 33 girls try out for a seventh-grade team that has 15 roster spots. This year the numbers were comparable. It’s easy to see why everyone wants to be a part of something so special. “I just saw one of the little seventh-graders crying her eyes out after we won,” ML head coach Amy Steininger said. “It’s emotional for those girls too. They want to be sitting up here too someday and we try to keep the tradition going and keep it challenging from the seventh-grade up to thevarsity. We care and that’s where it starts – with those little ones.” When Steininger started at ML in 2003, she inherited a program coming off a 26-3 season and a state runner-up finish. The Flyers first trip to state ended with a loss to St. Paul. A Vandalia-Butler grad who was an assistant for the Aviators, Steininger and the Flyers lost to eventual state finalists in the postseason her first three years (St. Henry twice and Lehman Catholic). After attaining the No. 1 ranking in the final 2006 state poll, ML lost its first tournament game to St. Henry. Since then the Flyers have won 21 postseason games in a row. Said Steininger, whose career record is now 161-27: “It’s just hard to phathom what these girls have accomplished.” And it’s not over – by any means. Although the Flyers will lose four seniors and two All-Ohioans off of this year’s team – Shelby Moeller and Ashley Lochtefeld – they will return four starters and two other AllOhioans in juniors Alyssa Winner (first team) and Alyse Bergman (third team). Overall, 11 of the Flyers 15 players on their state championship roster return. In all probability, so too will another state title. “Every year there is such a strong tradition and you just want to keep carrying it on,” senior Megan Schaefer said. “You’re so proud to be a Flyer." Added Lochtefeld: “It really can’t get any better.” It doesn’t. – EF
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Fall Sports State Tournaments
2009 OHSAA FALL SPORTS STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS GOLF Girls Division I State Golf Tournament The Ohio State University, Columbus Gray Golf Course COLUMBUS, Ohio – The cold and wind didn’t stop Mason from repeating as the Ohio High School Athletic Association Girls Division I State Golf champions as the Comets shot a 316 on Saturday to give them a nine stroke win. Three of Mason’s top golfers from last year repeated their performance this year. Emily Wright shot a team-best 76, while Erin Michel and Jessica Zhang both shot 78. For the second time in tournament history, the state golf tournament was reduced to 18 holes after the first day of play was cancelled due to rain. The last time the tournament featured only one round was in 1996. Although still cold, the rain held off Saturday allowing golfers to finish the 40th annual event played at the Ohio State University Gray Golf Course. West Chester Lakota West, making its seventh straight state tournament appearance, took runner-up honors with a team score of 325. Senior Tiana Jones of Alliance won a closely contested race for medalist honors as nine of the top 10 golfers finished within four strokes of each other. Jones picked up two birdies on the back nine to give her a tournament best 73. Finishing just behind was Rachel Thompson of Ashland with a 74. Team Scores: 1. Mason 316, 2. West Chester Lakota West 325, 3. Cin. St. Ursula Academy 326, 4. Ashland 337, 5. Col. Bishop Watterson 341, 6. Massillon Jackson 345, 7. Upper Arlington 345, 8. Medina Highland 350, 9. Cin. Mt. Notre Dame 353, 10. Massillon Perry 360, 11. Cin. St. Ursula Academy 363, 12. Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit 364. Note: Tournament reduced to 18 holes after the first round Friday was cancelled due to rain. Top Three Individuals: 1. Tiana Jones, Sr., Alliance 73; 2. Rachel Thompson, Sr., Ashland 74; 3. Laura Murray, Jr., Tipp City Tippecanoe 75. Girls Division II State Golf Tournament Ohio State University, Columbus Gray Golf Course COLUMBUS, Ohio – Chardon Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin won its first state championship in girl’s golf as the second-
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annual Ohio High School Athletic Association Division II championships wrapped up Saturday at the Ohio State University Gray Course. Chardon NDCL came from behind with a second-day team score of 326 to knock off defending champion Poland Seminary. Their two-day team score of 658 is the best in the two year history of the tournament, bettering last year’s two-day total by 21 strokes. Poland Seminary took second place with a score of 687, while St. Paris Graham finished third, one place better than last year, with a team score of 687. Medalist honors went to senior Alyssa Shimel of Pemberville Eastwood with a two-
10. Lima Shawnee 381-375-756; 11. Circleville Logan Elm 382-379-761; 12. Minerva 411-408-819 Top Individual Scores: 1. Alyssa Shimel, Sr., Pemberville Eastwood 73-72-145; 2. Morgan Ransom, Soph., Gahanna Columbus Academy 73-74-147; 3. Yang Li, Sr., Toledo Maumee Valley Country Day 76-76-152; 4. Lauren Volz, Jr., Huron 76-79-155; 5. Grace Nikolai, Sr., Kettering Archbishop Alter 79-77156; 5. Lucy Frey, Jr., Cincinnati Archbishop McNicholas 78-78-156
Boys Division I State Golf Tournament The Ohio State University, Columbus Scarlet Golf Course COLUMBUS, Ohio – Columbus St. Charles shot a one-day total of 309 Saturday despite windy and cold weather to win its first Ohio High School Athletic Association Division I
Photo by Ben Barnes/Impactactionphotos.com
Dayton Oakwood won its second state title and first since 1985 when it captured the Division II championship at Northstar Golf Course.
day total of 147. Shimel finished one-under par on her last eight holes and shot a 72 for the day giving her top honors. Finishing close behind was sophomore Morgan Ransom of Gahanna Columbus Academy. Ransom matched exactly her performance from last year’s tournament, finishing second with a two-day total of 147. Team Scores: 1. Chardon Notre DameCathedral Latin 332-326-658; 2. Poland Seminary 326-351-677; 2. St. Paris Graham Local 352-335-687; 4. Shaker Heights Hathaway Brown 349-345-694; 5. Kettering Archbishop Alter 357-349-706; 6. Dayton Chaminade-Julienne 366-342-708; 7. Milan Edison 365-373-738; 8. Huron 375-370-745; 9. Zanesville West Muskingum 372-380-752;
Boys State Golf Title. Four of its golfers shot in the 70s, including sophomore Nate Yankovich, who shot a 75. The scored tied him with four other golfers for the secondbest score of the tournament. After the first day of play at the 84th annual state tournament was cancelled due to rain, the format was reduced to 18 holes played Saturday afternoon at the Ohio State University Scarlet Golf Course. The only other time an 18-hole tournament was used to determine the winner was in 1996. Defending champion Cincinnati St. Xavier finished with a score of 313, earning them second-place team honors. Junior George Rohde and senior Colin Stelljes both shot a 76 for the Bombers.
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Fall Sports State Tournaments Chester Lakota West 74; Four Tied at 75.
Double Duty Photo by Joe Maiorana/Impactactionphotos.com
Minster High School won two state championships this fall. The girls cross country team won its record eighth state title in Division III, breaking a tie with Cleveland Beaumont (which has seven). The Wildcats boys golf team captured its first state title by winning D-III by 17 strokes.
Photo by Ben Barnes/Impactactionphotos.com
West Chester Lakota West junior Korey Ward finished with a tournament best round of 74 to earn medalist honors for the second year in a row. Ward becomes just the 12th golfer in OHSAA history to win medalist honors twice. A close group finished behind Ward as four golfers finished in second with a score of 75. Team Scores: 1. Col. St. Charles 309, 2. Cin. St. Xavier 313, 3. Cle. St. Ignatius 315,
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4. Dublin Coffman 322, 5. Toledo St. John’s Jesuit 326, 6. Cin. Archbishop Moeller 327, 7. Centerville 329, 8. Dublin Jerome 330, 9. Uniontown Lake 331, 10. Medina 333, 11. Whitehouse Anthony Wayne 334, 12. StowMunroe Falls 335 Note: Tournament reduced to 18 holes after the first round Friday was cancelled due to rain. Top Individuals: 1. Korey Ward, Jr., West
Boys Division II State Golf Tournament Northstar Resort, Sunbury SUNBURY, Ohio – In its 25th state golf tournament appearance, Dayton Oakwood won its second boys state championship at the 2009 OHSAA Boys Division II State Tournament at Northstar Golf Resort in Sunbury. The first state title for Oakwood came in 1985. Leading after day one, the Lumberjacks compiled a two-day team score of 623, seven strokes better than runner-up Kettering Archbishop Alter. Coach Jen Lohmeyer’s Oakwood squad was led by senior Ronnie Stump, who fired a two-day score of 150, and junior Adam Bogdan, who carded a 151. Oakwood’s title ends the three-year Div. II state championship run by Hunting Valley University School, which finished third. In his first state tournament appearance, Jackson senior Morgan Dobbins shot a 3over 75 on Saturday to hold onto his spot atop the leader board to win the medalist race. The individual state qualifier shot a twoday total of 147 and becomes the first boy’s state golf champion in Jackson school history. Senior Tyler Hohman of Columbus St. Francis DeSales finished two strokes behind Dobbins to win the silver medal, while Jake Heinen of University School and Ronnie Stump of Oakwood tied for third place. Golfers battled cold conditions all weekend at the tournament’s first year at Northstar Golf Resort. Junior Alex King of Canal Fulton Northwest, however, was able to sink a holein-one Saturday when he needed only one stroke to finish the 190-yard hole 17. Team Scores: 1. Dayton Oakwood 308315-623; 2. Kettering Archbishop Alter 313317-630; 3. Hunting Valley University School 319-316-635 (finishes second via tie-breaker); 4. Columbus St. Francis DeSales 314321-635; 5. Rocky River Lutheran West 320331-651 (finishes second via tie-breaker); 6. Bryan 323-328-651; 7. Chagrin Falls 339332-671; 8. Granville 340-343-683; 9. Johnstown-Monroe 343-349-692; 10. Ironton 350-346-696; 11. Genoa Area 347-361-708; 12. Circleville Logan Elm 359-355-714 Top Individual Scores: 1. Morgan Dobbins, Sr., Jackson 72-75-147; 2. Tyler Hohman, Sr., Columbus St. Francis DeSales 73-76-149; 3. Jake Heinen, Sr., Hunting Valley University School 73-77-150; 3. Ronnie Stump, Sr., Dayton Oakwood 73-77150 Boys Division III State Golf Tournament The Ohio State University, Columbus Scarlet Golf Course COLUMBUS, Ohio - In its fifth appearance
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Fall Sports State Tournaments at the OHSAA State Golf Tournament, Minster walked away with its first state title as the 40th-Annual Division II boys golf state tournament concluded Saturday at Ohio State University Scarlet Course. Minster senior Ben Hogenkamp recorded a team-low score of 76 on the second day of competition to help lead the Wildcats to the title. Strasburg-Franklin finished second in their first appearance at the state tournament with a team score of 671. Junior Alex Andrews shot identical rounds of 73 to win medalist honors by seven strokes. His total score of 146 ties the OHSAA Division III state tournament record for lowest individual score on the Scarlet course. Team Scores: 1. Minster 334-320-654; 2. Strasburg-Franklin 331-340-671 (finishes second via tie-breaker); 3. Lima Central Catholic 339-332-671; 4. Gates Mills Gilmour Academy 336-338-674; 5. Columbus Wellington School 336-348-684; 6. Cincinnati Seven Hills 346-348-694; 7. Sugarcreek Garaway 351-355-706; 8. Stryker 351-357708; 9. Sidney Lehman Catholic 356-353709; 10. Sandusky St. Mary Central Catholic 355-357-712; 11. Gahanna Columbus Academy 356-361-717; 12. Lowellville 393366-759 Top Individual Scores: 1. Alex Andrews, Jr., Gates Mills Gilmour Academy 73-73-146; 2. Oliver Holtsberry, Sr., Lima Central Catholic 78-75-153; 3. Craig Purpus, Jr., Minster 78-80-158; 4. Ben Hogenkamp, Sr., Minster 83-76-159; 5. Ryan Troyer, Soph., Sugarcreek Garaway 82-79-161; 5. Brooks Curry, Soph., Franklin Middletown Christian 81-80-161
TENNIS OHSAA Girls Tennis Championships Elysium Tennis Center, Plain City PLAIN CITY, Ohio – New champions were crowned at the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s 34th Annual Girls State Tennis Tournaments held Oct. 23 and Oct. 24 at the Elysium Tennis Center in Plain City, Ohio. Play was originally scheduled to take place at The Ohio State University Stickney Tennis Center and Hilliard Davidson High School, but was moved indoors due to rain the entire weekend. Upper Arlington junior Niki Flower, who was a runner-up doubles finisher a year ago and a singles state tournament participant in 2007, won the Div. I singles title with a 7-6 (7-5), 6-1 win over junior Komal Safdar of Cincinnati Ursuline Academy. It was the third singles title for the Golden Bears of Upper
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Arlington and first since 2003 when Flower’s sister, Kirsten, took home gold. In the Div. II singles field, junior Alyssa Ritchie of Waynesville outlasted Courtney Earnest, a sophomore from Lexington, 6-4, 5-7, 6-1. Ritchie, after losing in the second round in 2007, is the first singles tennis champion in Waynesville school history. Junior Meghan Buell and senior Maddie Kobelt of New Albany cruised to the Eagles’ first doubles championship with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over junior Carolyn Pitman and freshman Taylor Holden of Liberty Twp. Lakota East. The duo from New Albany didn’t lose more than two games in a set the entire tournament. A pair of sisters from Columbus St. Francis DeSales, senior Kim My Li and freshman My Linh Li, took home the Div. II doubles crown after a 6-2, 6-7 (7-9), 6-2 over junior Maddie Morton and senior Corinne Rauck of Bexley. It marked the first doubles championship for the Stallions of St. Francis DeSales.
FIELD HOCKEY Girls State Field Hockey Tournament State Final – Upper Arlington High School UPPER ARLINGTON, Ohio – Columbus Bishop Watterson won its third Ohio High School Athletic Association state field hockey championship Nov. 7 with a 1-0 win over Gahanna Columbus Academy at Upper Arlington High School. The Eagles, who also won state titles in 1995 and 2005, scored off a penalty corner with 7:45 left in the first half from senior Nina Passen, who also scored the game-winning goal in a 2-1 state semifinal win over Cin. St. Ursula Academy. In the final game of the regular season, Watterson lost to Academy in overtime, 1-0. There would be no overtime in the state championship game, though, thanks in part to four saves from senior goalkeeper Domini Paradiso, whose save off a penalty corner in the final minute capped the shutout. The loss denied Academy a ninth state title.
CROSS COUNTRY State Cross Country Tournament Scioto Downs Race Track COLUMBUS, Ohio - The most dominating performance in the history of the OHSAA cross country state championships was turned in by the Rocky River Magnificat girls team in Division I to highlight the 2009 boys and girls finals held Nov. 7 at sunny and warm Scioto Downs Race Track in Columbus.
The championship for Magnificat was its second in a row and third overall. Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary won the girls Division II race for their first title and Minster repeated as girls Division III champion for its girls state record eighth championship. On the boys’ side, Division I Cleveland St. Ignatius won its third state championship, Division II Peninsula Woodridge won its fourth-straight title and fourth overall, while Division III Independence won its first championship. The Magnificat girls’ top five runners finished second, third, fourth, ninth and 10th, respectively, to amass a total of only 28 points, breaking the previous best girls score by five points as well as the best boys score by one point. Since the cross country state championships were first held in 1928, the lowest overall team score had been 29 points by the Salem boys team in 1931. The previous best girls team score had been 33 points by the 1995 Cleveland Heights Beaumont squad. Minster’s eight team titles are now most in OHSAA girls cross country history. The Wildcats had been tied with Cleveland Heights Beaumont with seven championships. The St. Vincent-St. Mary girls were making only their second appearance in the state finals after finishing seventh last year, but saw their top two runners finish fourth and sixth, respectively, to help propel the Irish to the title. Overall winners on the girls side were Sylvania Northview senior Meredith Wagner in Division I in 18:03.90, Cuyahoga Falls Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy junior Christina Blair in Division II in 18:39.71 and Versailles sophomore Tammy Berger in Division III in 18:47.94. After winning back-to-back titles in 1993 and 1994, Cleveland St. Ignatius reclaimed the Division I boys crown as its top five runners finished seventh, 16th, 18th, 19th and 22nd, respectively. In boys Division II, the four-straight titles for Woodridge are the most consecutive boys titles since Caldwell won eight in a row from 1985-1992 in Class A (1985-88) and Division III (1989-92). The Bulldogs’ top five runners finished eighth, 11th, 16th, 25th and 33rd, respectively. In its first time qualifying as a team to the state finals, Independence won with 84 points as its top five runners finished first, second, 10th, 19th and 52, respectively, among team competitors. Overall winners on the boys side were Mason junior Zach Wills, a repeat winner in Division I, who crossed the finish line in 15:45.11. Bay Village Bay junior Michael Brajdic won the Division II race in 15:49.81,
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Fall Sports State Tournaments while Independence sophomore Ryan Polman won the Division III race in 16:01.56.
BOYS SOCCER Boys Division I State Championship COLUMBUS, Ohio – Gahanna Lincoln junior William Trapp connected on the 10th and final penalty kick to give the Lions a 4-3 shootout advantage, and with it a 1-0 victory, Friday night over Cleveland St. Ignatius in the OHSAA Division I boys soccer state championship game in Crew Stadium. First-time state finalist Gahanna (22-0-1) entered the game ranked second in the state and No. 4 in the latest national high school poll. Three-time and defending state champion St. Ignatius (22-1-0) entered the game ranked No. 1 both in the state and in the nation and had not lost in 43 straight matches, just four shy of the all-time Ohio record. But both goalkeepers – senior Ryan Grimme from Gahanna and senior Joe Kalt from St. Ignatius – willed their teams to 80 minutes of scoreless play in regulation and a pair of scoreless 15 minute overtime sessions, leading to the penalty kick shootout. Grimme saved the first two St. Ignatius attempts, and although Kalt saved the first Gahanna attempt, the Lions converted their next three to set up Trapp’s deciding kick, which he fired into the lower left corner of the net to send his teammates and the Gahanna supporters in the crowd of 3,359 fans into a frenzy. Gahanna’s constant pressure led to the Lions leading the stat sheet and nearly scoring the game-winner during regulation if it were not for the heroics in goal from Kalt, who finished with 10 saves. Gahanna posted an 18-12 shot advantage, a 10-4 shots on goal advantage and took nine corner kicks compared to five for St. Ignatius. Grimme, who allowed only four goals all season, ended the night with four saves for his 19th shutout.
Boys Division II State Championship COLUMBUS, Ohio – Top-ranked Columbus St. Francis DeSales scored in the 63rd minute and limited fourth-ranked Bay Village Bay to very few scoring chances as the Stallions won the OHSAA Division II boys soccer state championship, 1-0, Friday in Crew Stadium. It marks the fourth state title for DeSales and its first since 1997. On their way to winning sectional, district, regional and state championships, the Stallions out-scored their seven tournament opponents 26-0. Overall this season, they recorded 18 shutouts. Senior David Harper scored the game-win-
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ner, collecting a loose ball near midfield and outrunning two defenders into the penalty area. Bay goalkeeper Nate McDonald, who had seven saves and kept the Rockets in the game, came out to challenge, but Harper side-stepped him and slotted the ball into the back-left corner of the net for his seventh goal of the season. DeSales’ goalkeeper Christopher Weisgarber had three saves in directing the Stallions to the clean sheet. They took six corner kicks, compared to one for Bay, and held a 25-11 advantage in shots. DeSales also won state titles in 1997, 1992 and 1986 and was the runner-up in 2002 and 1990. Bay was seeking its third championship after winning in 1993 and 1991 and earning a runner-up finish in 2005. Boys Division III State Championship COLUMBUS, Ohio – Worthington Christian junior Trent Smith scored in the eighth minute of overtime to give the third-ranked Warriors a 2-1 win over fourth-ranked Cuyahoga Falls Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy Friday in the OHSAA Division III boys soccer state championship game in Crew Stadium. Smith’s game-winning strike came from about 25 yards out that deflected off both the goalkeeper and the near post into the back of the net, stunning the Royals and giving Worthington Christian its second state title. The Warriors out-shot CVCA 21-9 overall and had 10 shots on goal. Worthington Christian took a 1-0 lead in the 53rd minute when freshman Albert Miller’s cross into the penalty area was first misplayed by a CVCA defender, then mishandled by the goalkeeper, resulting in an own goal. The Royals came back to tie the match in the 68th minute when junior Jack Thompson scored from close range off an assist from sophomore Sachem Wilson. The match pitted two returning state runners-up from 2008. The Warriors, who won their first state title in 2006, were upset by Toledo Ottawa Hills last season, while CVCA dropped the 2008 Division II state championship game in a shootout.
GIRLS SOCCER Girls Division I State Championship COLUMBUS, Ohio – Fourth-ranked Medina erupted for four goals in a 29-minute span and held unranked Dublin Coffman to only two total shots to cruise to a 4-0 win Saturday in the OHSAA Division I girls soccer state championship in Crew Stadium. The four-goal win for Medina ties the OHSAA record for the most lopsided victory in a girls soccer state championship game,
matching the 5-1 win by Bay Village Bay over Cincinnati Indian Hill in the 2003 Division II game. The Bees end their season having allowed only six goals in 24 games, including none in their final 12 outings en route to the state title, which is their second overall and first since 1997. Medina senior Sarah Flanders scored just before halftime to put the Bees ahead, 1-0, and they added to their lead in the 44th minute on a goal by junior Maura Gorman, in the 56th minute on a goal by junior Jillian Graff and finally in the 68th minute on another goal by Gorman. Senior Becca Candler had two assists and Flanders added a helper. Neither of the Lady Rocks’ two shots were on goal. Meanwhile, Medina totaled 20 shots, including seven on goal.
Girls Division II State Tournament COLUMBUS, Ohio – Shaker Heights Hathaway Brown freshman Lysette Roman headed in the game-winner with 51.9 seconds left in regulation to send the eighthranked Blazers past top-ranked Bexley, 2-1, Saturday in the OHSAA Division II girls soccer championship in Crew Stadium. Roman’s goal came following a Hathaway Brown corner kick that connected with a Blazer and bounced off the cross bar and directly back into the six-yard box. Roman found herself alone and jumped high, heading the ball into the upper right corner. The Blazers have now won state championships all three times they have advanced to the title game, with their first two coming in 2007 and 2004. The Lions are now a twotime state runner-up. The last-minute goal came 72 minutes after Hathaway Brown tied the game in the seventh minute when senior Lani Smith connected from close range off an assist from junior Kylie Kaufman. The match was not even a minute old when Bexley scored to take a 1-0 lead. Junior Abby Fagin scored from beside the left post off an assist from junior Kendra Wilson. After the two early goals, both teams saw their defense dominate most of the remainder of the game. Hathaway Brown junior goalkeeper Grace Redmon had four saves on the day, while Bexley senior Amy Mautz had six. The Blazers out-shot the Lions 18-14 overall, including eight to six on goal. Both teams took five corner kicks.
VOLLEYBALL Division I State Championship DAYTON, Ohio – In 2008, Cincinnati Ursuline Academy saw a potential undefeat-
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Fall Sports State Tournaments ed season end with a loss to Olmsted Falls in the Division I championship match, but the Lions were on the winning side in a similar situation this season as the they defeated Dublin Coffman in the title match Nov. 14 at Wright State’s Ervin J. Nutter Center 25-16, 25-19, 18-25, 25-17. Ursuline (29-0) finished with a 55-41 kill advantage and 6-2 in service aces to overcome a Coffman 12-8 edge in blocks. Making its 10th all-time appearance in the state final four, Ursuline won its fourth state title (1975, 1993, 2002). The Lions were led by senior Jade Henderson’s 18 kills, while senior Lauren Marlatt had 16 kills and junior Christina Beer had 10. Senior Dani Reinert tallied 48 assists, junior Kori Moster 15 digs and senior Anna Prickel 13 digs. Coffman (29-1), which was making its firstever appearance in the state final four, was led by senior Andrea Baylin’s 18 kills, while senior Alex Blair had 10. Junior Lindsey Zitzke added 36 assists and 10 digs while junior Julia Mindlina had 12 digs and junior Isolde Hannan recorded eight blocks.
Division IV State Championship DAYTON, Ohio – Maria Stein Marion Local made it a three-peat Nov. 14 in defeating Norwalk St. Paul 25-17, 20-25, 25-10, 25-13 in a battle of Flyers in the Division IV state volleyball championship at Wright State’s Nutter Center. After St. Paul evened the match by winning the second set, it was all Marion Local from there as they held a 24-9 kill advantage the final two sets. For the match, Marion Local led in kills (51-35) and blocks (15-4). In winning its third state title, Marion Local became the seventh program in Ohio to win three or more state titles in a row, joining Cincinnati St. Ursula (1993-94-95-96-97-98), Bascom Hopewell-Loudon (1997-98-99-0001), Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame (1998-9900), Akron Hoban (1990-91-92), Cincinnati Seton (1984-85-86) and Newark Catholic (1984-85-86). Marion Local joins Cincinnati Ursuline, the Division I state champions, as the only undefeated teams in Ohio this season. Overall, Marion Local has compiled a record of 82-4 over the past three seasons. The win for Marion Local gives the Midwest Athletic Conference 12 state crowns in the 35 years of the state tournament (Fort Recovery 1990; Marion Local 2007, 2008, 2009; Rockford Parkway 1996, 1997; St. Henry 1985, 1987, 1990, 1994, 1995, 2004). Since Ohio went to four divisions in volleyball in 1990, the Division IV state champion has come from the Northwest District every year except for 2003 and 2005. Junior Alyssa Winner led Marion Local (28-
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0) with a double-double of 16 kills and 20 digs, while sophomore Margaret Wuebker had 11 kills and nine block assists, junior Stacey Huber 24 assists and 12 digs, senior Shelby Moeller 19 assists and 12 digs and junior Casey Heitkamp 12 block assists. Senior Hannah Livengood paced St. Paul (25-4) with a double-double of 12 kills and 21 digs while senior Amber Welfle had 11 kills, senior Kaylee Bundschuh 30 assists and
Division II State Championship DAYTON, Ohio – Parma Padua Franciscan defended its OHSAA Division II volleyball title Nov. 14, but not without a struggle as the Bruins had to rally from a 2-0 deficit to win over North Coast League rival Mentor Lake Catholic in five sets at Wright State’s Nutter Center, defeating the Cougars 16-25, 21-25, 25-22, 25-9, 15-9. The two teams had met twice during the
Photo by Nick Falzerano
Making its 10th appearance in the state volleyball tournament, Cincinnati Ursuline Academy won its fourth state title in Division I. sophomore Corynne Smith 24 digs. It was St. Paul’s third state runner-up finish (2004, 2007) and its fifth appearance in the state finals since 2002.
Division III State Championship DAYTON, Ohio – Huron claimed its third Division III volleyball championship Nov. 14 as the Tigers swept by the Frankfort Adena Warriors 25-17, 25-21, 25-21 at Wright State’s Nutter Center. Huron, which previously won state crowns in 1999 and 2002, was making its fourth appearance in the state finals while Adena was also appearing in its fourth title match. The Warriors won the Class A titles in 1975 and 1976 and was runner-up in D-III in 1993. Senior Jesse Miedema led Huron (26-3) with 12 kills, while junior Taylor Slauterbeck posted a double-double of 11 kills and 12 digs. Junior Taryn Graham added 28 digs. Junior Kelsey Bielanow paced Adena (263) with 21 kills, while junior Hannah Halcomb had 34 assists and 11 digs. Adena had two more kills than Huron for the match (37-35), but committed 28 attack errors compared to just 17 for the Tigers.
regular season, with Padua winning in three and four sets, respectively, but Mentor Lake Catholic had other ideas for this third encounter. In the early going, Lake Catholic took advantage of 22 Padua attack errors in the first two sets. The match featured 38 ties and 22 lead changes, including five ties and three lead changes in the decisive fifth set. Padua broke an 8-8 deadlock and took control with five straight points, the final two coming on kills from senior Christie Fritsche. Fritsche led Padua (27-2) with 27 kills, while senior Kaitlyn Leary had a double-double of 22 kills and 13 digs. Senior Meredith Bolmeyer had 33 assists and 15 digs and freshman Mary Djukic added 23 assists and 15 digs. Junior Bridget Grdina paced Mentor Lake Catholic (22-7) with a double-double of 15 kills and 11 digs while senior Chelsey Regovich had 12 kills, junior Audryana Lucha 45 assists and junior Kelly Stenger 23 digs. It was the Cougars’ first appearance in the title match after falling in the state semifinals in 2001 and 2002. — OHSAA
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