The 2011-12 boys’ basketball team won the program’s first state championship. They were inspired by the passing of Robert T. Hertzel ’81, the father of team member, Holden ’12. Front row, L to R: Tommy Kreyenhagen ’12, Antonio Woods ’14, Jake Rawlings ’13, Armand Walker ’13, David Herring ’13 and Kevin Johnson ‘13. Middle row, L to R: Joey Kreyenhagen ’14, Michael Dorsey ’13, Marshal Sang ’13, Mike Barwick ’14 and trainer Amber Gerken. Back row, L to R: Asst. coach Paul Bain, Asst. coach Pat Cosgrove ’01, Holden Hertzel ’12, Brett Tepe ’13, Matt Fry ’12 and Head coach Michael Bradley.
Time Capsule: A look back at the winning basketball team of 2012 By Nick Robbe On Nov. 11, 2021, a family gathered to remember its patriarch. That’s when a few members of the 201112 Summit boys’ basketball team came together to honor Robert T. Hertzel ’81, 10 years after his passing. Hertzel was the father of senior Holden Hertzel ’12 and the man who inspired their 2012 state championship. Moments such as those allow memories of all kinds to flood to the forefront. “I still remember his funeral service,” Jake Rawlings ’13 says. “There had to be more than 1,000 people there. You couldn’t find a spot in St. Gertrude’s chapel, gym or cafeteria. He had a massive impact. Robby changed all of our lives.”
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In February 2010, Mr. Hertzel was diagnosed with cancer, starting an arduous up-and-down journey. Eighteen months later, when his health took a turn for the worse, doctors determined that treatment would no longer be beneficial. Two weeks before the 2011-12 season’s first tip off, Mr. Hertzel passed. Coach Michael Bradley gave Holden time away from practice and team activities until after the Thanksgiving holiday. “At that point, I decided all my energy would go into the season,” Holden says. “Basketball was therapy, and the guys became a second family. My family and I really needed that. The Summit community was so good to us. I had Montessori teachers and students I’d never met offering prayers and condolences. They had our backs through everything. That’s the Summit way.”
