Carmel Mascot Monthly August 2015

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NEW HEAD COACH TO LEAD GREYHOUNDS

HANDING OFF

LAUNCH ISSUE / AUGUST 2015

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT ATHLETES IN OUR COMMUNITY WELCOME TO YOUR CARMEL MASCOT MONTHLY! This is the inaugural issue of the Carmel Mascot Monthly, which is brought to you by the publishers of the Carmel Magazine. The Mascot will apply the same hyper-local content editorial policy that you are used to seeing in the Carmel Magazine and apply it to local sports and athletics. Each month you will be seeing copies of the Mascot delivered to your mailboxes.

If you were wondering why we chose the name “Mascot” for this new publication, it is because we think it reflects the magazine’s philosophy of being an unabashed supporter of the student athletes that have made Carmel High School one of the most successful high school athletic programs in the nation.

Our support will not be limited to just the stories highlighting the teams, coaches and student athletes. The Mascot, along with our advertisers, will be providing financial support by contributing a portion of our ad revenue to the Carmel High School athletic fund. Additionally, the Mascot will have a special “Booster” section where folks can go online to make a contribution to the Carmel High School and to upload a small message of support or a logo and thereby be recognized as a contributor to the athletic department.

Lastly, the Mascot will also be providing coverage for the Carmel Dad’s Club, which we recognize is an integral part of the fabric of the Carmel sports scene.

We hope you enjoy this issue of the Carmel Mascot Monthly and many more to come.

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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE

WOMEN OF CARMEL FC FOR MAKING YOUR HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER TEAM Carmel High School Claire Bruns Selin Oh Anna Springer Olivia Krall Tatyana Gilliam Lexie Hayes Elizabeth Langeman Lauren Latham Cara Sajdyk Westfield High School Lila Smith Catherine Parisi

Guerin Catholic High School Elizabeth Lewis Grace Gjerde University High School Lucy Snyder Lily Snyder Halle Von Ah International School of Indiana Sophia Leonard Best wishes for a great season.

Coach Cecilia, John & Mike

COACH’S CORNER CARMEL ATHLETIC DIRECTOR ENDORSES CARMEL MASCOT “The partnership with the Carmel Mascot is exciting for the Carmel High School Athletic Department! The production work is high quality and we are looking forward to working with some of the best in the business to promote and report on the many successes of our programs. The partnership is unique in that so much of the advertising dollars will go back to our athletic programs.

This makes the Mascot different from any other publication in the business.”

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HANDING OFF: NEW HEAD COACH TO LEAD GREYHOUNDS Writer / Ray Compton Photograhpher / JJ Kaplan

leaving], but you got used to the rumors,” said Hebert, a two-year performer at Purdue. “But what happened last spring was surreal.”

This probably was not what John Hebert envisioned for one of his first organized events as the new football coach at perennial state powerhouse Carmel.

The stage is a July youth summer camp. The sky should be brightly sunny, and the heat should be sizzling hot.

But on this summer weekday, the skies are belching dark gray clouds, the temperatures are remarkable modest and the rain is growing from drizzle to light showers to assaulting rainfall. Moms and dads arm themselves with umbrellas, and television reporters scramble to their vans. But the drills go on. Future Greyhounds run routes and shag passes. Coaches applaud and offer encouragement.

Practice continues until almost the scheduled end.

“It wasn’t lightning,” reminded Hebert, whose nylon warm-up was saturated with water after closing down the workout. “Besides football, rain and boys are a great combination. It makes you love the game even more.”

Carmel athletic director Jim Inskeep knew the time would come again someday. Coaches come in one door. And someday, they go out another door.

At Carmel, football coaches leave under their own accordance. Jim Belden. Mo Moriarity. Kevin Wright last spring.

Therefore, Inskeep was prepared that someday he may need a new football general.

“Kevin indicated to me prior to spring break that he had a great opportunity for himself and his family at IMG Academy [Florida],” recalled Inskeep. “A change in leadership sometimes comes when you expect it.

Sometimes it occurs when you are not expecting it.

“You have to be ready with the next chapter for the program. I always have some name in mind for all of our head coaching positions.”

Inskeep and administrators also understand that at the Home of Championships on Main Street, the tradition must march onward. There is no thought of sitting in idle or stumbling backwards on the field or courts. Winning is expected. A must.

Inskeep followed his previous paths in uncovering new head coaches. Only the best were pursued.

“We had quality candidates for the position,” Inskeep said, “and many had accomplished resumes.”

But one interviewee particularly sparkled. It was Hebert, a 1989 Carmel graduate, a Greyhound football player and the defensive coordinator for the Blue and Gold for seven years.

“John earned the position through his interviews and vision for the program,” said Inskeep. “It was not our intent to simply promote him. His passion for Greyhound football was evident, and his specifics on how we can get better are what continue to impress me. He went head-to-head with some excellent head coaches in the state and clearly emerged as the new leader of our football program.”

Hebert admits last spring’s departure of the wildly successful Wright and his ensuing promotion to the top rung was a stunning development.

“You always knew there was a possibility [of Wright

The episodes moved quickly. Following participation in an American Football Worldwide event in Italy during Easter break, Hebert was formally interviewed

by Inskeep and Principal John Williams. The partnership formed, and Hebert was rewarded for his loyalty to the school.

“I never have wanted to leave here,” said Hebert, who has been a social studies teacher at the school.

“It wouldn’t feel right if you love where you are. Our family loves it here.”

The Hebert clan includes wife Nicole, another former Greyhound who graduated from Missouri and who works in marketing at Lilly; and three children, Ellen, 12; Josie, 9; and Jack, 3. Informally, though, the Hebert team has expanded, now including players, coaches and other personnel who wear Carmel colors.

“We value what we have here,” said Hebert. “All of us have to live up to our responsibilities. We want the players to understand that they are part of something special and part of a team. We want everyone to understand that things are better when you are a team and not when you play as individuals.”

Hebert got a first-hand dose of teamwork in defeat.

The 2013 Greyhounds lost to Warren Central by a narrow 7-6 margin in the toe-to-toe state title bout. A missed extra point attempt and a sputtering offense doomed Carmel. However, the defensive coordinator refused to point fingers.

“We were nearly perfect defensively that game,” remembered Hebert. “But sometimes things don’t go your way. You have to play as a team. Football is a team concept.”

Hebert admits that he “has the pulpit” but also understands that the head coach has to be someone who does more than steer others.

Not to be lost in the defensive scheme is 6-7, 230-pound junior Britt Beery, son of former CarmelPurdue player Jack Beery. Younger Beery is already being recruited for the next step.

Meanwhile, the offense will have both major changes. Former Colts coach David Walker will join Scott Turnquist as co-offensive coordinators.

Wright served as both the head coach and offensive coordinator for his Carmel teams.

“With the two of them, we will have all kinds of sources to draw upon,” assessed Hebert. “We need for everyone to be on the same page.”

Heading the Carmel cast on offense will be quarterback Michael Viktrup, a dual threat who missed seven games with a knee injury last season.

Hebert believes Viktrup – an Air Force, Eastern Kentucky and Navy recruit – is “as good as any quarterback in the state.”

Former quarterback Nathan Melchi has aggressively hit the weights and will now play tight end, wide receiver and “multiple roles.” Kurt Rafdal (6-7, 230-pound) will be a mainstay at tight end, while linemen include DeShawn Williams (5-11, 250) and Trevor Scott (6-2, 260). Senior Stephen Watts and versatile junior Jalen Walker anchor the backfield.

What awaits Hebert and Co.? A dangerous schedule.

The 2015 card includes a season opener at Hamilton Southeastern and a second game against Cincinnati LaSalle at the University of Cincinnati. And, of course, there are those rival matches against Center Grove, Warren Central and Ben Davis in the MIC. But opponents also know the hurdle they have to clear: Carmel.

“We have the best combination going,” Hebert said.

“We have outstanding coaches, and we have kids who are really open to coaching. That’s what makes this a great situation as a head coach.”

Especially for a new head coach.

“I have high expectations for the program, and I want to do the best I can,” he said. “But I am also realistic that I can only do so much as the head coach. It’s not about me. It’s about having everyone contribute.”

Hebert will continue to oversee the defensive schemes, though he admits that he may be turning more of those duties over to assistants “who know each other so well that we can finish each other’s sentences.”

All of the defensive coaches know the talents of linebacker Noah Burks, who has signed on with Wisconsin.

“He’s as talented of a kid as we have had here,” said Hebert, who used Burks as a multi-purpose defender. “He is extremely athletic. We have to get more creative on how to use him.”

Joining Burks as key defenders will be three-year starting defensive back Alex Aikins, a probable Ivy League performer, and 6-foot, 230-pound defensive lineman whom Hebert labels as “tough and relentless.” Additional projected defensive standouts include linebackers Jason Schuman, Justin Fleck and Jack Van Remortel. Nathan Ebikwo is a sturdy performer in the backfield.

Carmel Athletic Director Jim Inskeep with new Head Coach John Hebert

CARMEL MASCOT MONTHLY - CARMELMASCOT.COM

BEN VEATCH: LEADING THE PACK FOR GREYHOUND CROSS COUNTRY Writer / Ray Compton Photograhpher / JJ Kaplan There have been many superior male athletes who have walked the hallways of Carmel High School.

Mark Herrmann. Josh McRoberts. Morgan and Langston Newton. Jack Beery.

Ryan Cline. Isaac James. Matt Elliott. Billy and Dave Shepherd. Stu Douglass.

Todd Witskin. Rajeev Ram. All have etched greatness on their resumes while wearing the Blue and Gold.

Most carved out exceptional chapters in their ensuing years of competition at the collegiate or professional career of their sport.

Soon, there will be a new name added to the list of fabled Greyhounds. That name will be senior Ben Veatch who has been turning in scorching times for the last three years in distance races (3,200 meters) on the Carmel’s boys track and field and cross country units. Quite simply, Veatch has become a touted runner in Carmel, Indiana, and the entire United States.

“Ben’s probably in the top two or three in the country in his age bracket,” said Carmel coach Colin Altevogt. “I like to tell people that he can really run fast for a long time.”

Indeed, Veatch can. As a junior, he won the individual state championship in the boys cross country championships in Terre Haute. His time was 15:09.3.

Veatch was just one of four high school boys nationwide to earn All-American honors at both national title races, placing seventh in the Nike Cross Nationals and 14th at the Foot Locker Championships. He also earned a third-place finish at the NXN Midwest Regional and fifth in the Foot Locker Midwest Regional.

“Ben’s a tireless worker and a fierce competitor,” said Altevogt, a runner at Fort Wayne Snider in his high school days.

This summer, Veatch has been a talent that is being pursued by numerous collegiate national programs. According to Altevogt, Veatch has narrowed his college choices to Stanford, Wisconsin, North Carolina and Indiana. A former teammate at Carmel, Bobby Browning is a mainstay at Indiana and could play a role for the pre-Med student’s final choice.

“Bobby was the team captain in 2012 and 2013,” Altevogt said. “He was a mentor to Ben.” Now Veatch has become a mentor to many of his running mates in high school.

“Ben cares about the whole team,” said Altevogt. “The team is really his primary concern. Ben is a team-first superstar and is incredibly invested in the success of his teammates….[In the state championship,] he was happy he won the individual title, but he was more disappointed that we lost as a team. I know he would have traded his first place finish for a third place finish if we had won the state championship.

Browning will rank among the best in the state; junior Ben Miller, sophomore Trey Harris and a trio of seniors – Thomas Revard, Zac Leinheiser and Evan Bouillet – are experienced and talented distance runners. Junior Conor Lyons scored in most meets as a sophomore but has moved to Virginia. His place could be filled by James Pescio, Drew Watson, Jonah Nichol, Kenji Tomozawa, Zane Williams, Jimmy Snyder, Matt Cooper and Anderson David.

“Ben is that type of kid. He knows the name of every kid [up to 120] on the team and wants to see the other guys be good.”

And the pipeline from the gifted Carmel middle schools is still pumping out more talent. Freshmen Calvin Bates and Thomas Gastineau were record breakers at their middle schools last year.

Carmel’s attempt to win a third straight state title fell short by just seven points last year when West Lafayette punched out a narrow victory, 133-140. Both West Lafayette and Carmel figure in this fall’s runfest. Neighboring Westfield also returns a stable of strong runners.

“We could have a freshman in the top seven,” confessed Altevogt. “But this team is really deep. That’s why we like to compete in meets where we can run 10-12 in varsity.

“Most people would consider us as the favorites because of our experience,” said Altevogt, who returns six of his top eight performers. “But there are a lot of variables in cross country.”

“You need your team to work well together. You really can’t prepare for the other team like you do in soccer, football and basketball. It is up to you and your teammates on how you do as a team.”

The sport challenges title threats to have depth since a team’s top five finishers on a team count in the point total. Altevogt believes that Westfield and West Lafayette can match the three runners from Carmel, making spots four and five critical in the final standings.

That has been the philosophy pushed by Veatch, who was mentored in his early years at Carmel by Bobby Browning and Chris Walden, now an all-American at California-Berkley.

“Ben can’t do it by himself,” said the Greyhound coach. “He is only 20 percent of the scoring. Our other runners – especially the fourth and fifth ones – are the keys.”

“When you are running in a race, you don’t run for yourself or a time goal,” Veatch told a national publication. “You run for your teammates because in a race, nothing else matters. Your coaches, family members or friends can’t help you. But your brothers running with you can.”

On paper, the Greyhounds appear solid in those positions. Veteran Teddy

Yes, the Brothers of Ben should be a powerhouse this season.

CARMEL MASCOT MONTHLY - CARMELMASCOT.COM

VARSITY CALENDAR VARSITY FOOTBALL

21 at Hamilton Southeastern - 7 PM 29 vs. LaSalle at U. of Cinci- 6 PM SEPTEMBER 4 vs. Center Grove - 7 PM 11 at Pike - 7 PM 18 vs. Lawrence North - 7 PM 25 vs. North Central (Homecoming) - 7 PM OCTOBER 2 at Ben Davis - 7 PM 9 vs. Warren Central - 7 PM 16 at Lawrence Central - 7 PM 23 IHSAA Sectionals (TBD)

CROSS COUNTRY

22 North Central Invitational at North Central - 8:30 AM SEPTEMBER 1 Hamilton County Meet at White River Elementary - 5:30 PM 5 State Preview at Terre Haute - 9 AM 12 Eagle Classic at Brown County - 9:30 AM 19 Trinity Invitational (Louisville, KY) - 9 AM 26 MIC Championships at Ben Davis - 10 AM

VOLLEYBALL

22 22 25 26 29

at Sacred Heart (Kentucky) - TBD vs. Henry Clay at Sacred Heart - TBD at Avon - 6:30 PM vs. Yorktown - 6:30 PM Mishawaka Invitational - 9 AM

SEPTEMBER 1 vs. Center Grove - 6:30 PM 3 vs. Lawrence Central - 6:30 PM 5 Avon Invitational - 9 AM 8 vs. Ben Davis - 6:30 PM 14 vs. Westfield - 6:30 PM 15 at Lawrence North - 7:30 PM

GIRLS SOCCER

17 vs. Warren Central - 6:30 PM 22 at North Central - 6:30 PM 23 at Noblesville - 7 PM 28 at Pike - 6:30 PM 29 at Cathedral - 7:00 PM OCTOBER 8 vs. Kokomo - 6:30 PM 13 vs. Zionsville - 6:30 PM 17 Carmel Invitational - TBD 20 IHSAA Sectional

GIRLS GOLF

22 Hall of Fame Invitational - 12:30 PM 24 Warren Central & Roncalli - 4 PM

26 vs. CG & LC - 4:30 PM 27 vs. Brebeuf & Cathedral - 4 PM SEPTEMBER 1 MIC Championship - 12:00 PM 2 vs. Noblesville & HSE - 4:30 PM 10 vs. Anderson - 4 PM 12 Miller Invitational - 1 PM 18 ISHAA Sectional 26 IHSAA Regionals

BOYS TENNIS

25 vs. Lawrence North - 5 PM 29 John Shirley Invitational - 8 AM SEPTEMBER 3 vs. North Central - 4:45 PM 7 vs. Guerin Catholic - 4:30 PM 10 vs. Park Tudor - 5 PM 12 vs. Floyd Central at Zionsville - 8 AM 12 at Zionsville - 5 AM 12 vs. Brownsburg at Zionsville - 1 PM 16 at Brebeuf Jesuit - 4:45 PM 17 at Cathedral - 4:45 PM 19 MIC Championships at Ben Davis - 8 PM 25 vs. Homestead (Senior Night) - 5:30 PM 26 at Center Grove - 9 AM 30 IHSAA Sectionals - 4:15 PM

/CARMELMASCOT

CARMEL

22 vs. Guerin Catholic - 7 PM 24 vs. Ben Davis - 7 PM 29 vs. Fishers - 9 AM 29 vs. Cathedral - 7 PM SEPTEMBER 2 vs. Pike - 7 PM 4 vs. Brebeuf Jesuit - 5 PM 5 vs. Assumption (Kentucky) - 11:30 AM 5 vs. Dublin Coffman (Ohio) - 4:45 PM 9 at Lawrence Central - 7 PM 10 vs. Lawrence North - 7 PM 14 at North Central - 7 PM 16 vs. Warren Central - 7 PM 21 vs. Noblesville - 7 PM 26 at Zionsvilee - 7 PM 28 vs. Westfield - 7 PM 30 at Center Grove - 7 PM OCTOBER 8 IHSAA Sectional

BOYS SOCCER

22 at HSE - 1 PM 25 vs. Ben Davis - 7 PM 27 at Center Grove - 7 PM 29 at Zionsville - 7 PM SEPTEMBER 1 at Brebeuf - 7 PM 3 vs. Pike - 7 PM 3 at Fort Wayne Canterbury - 7:30 PM 8 vs. Lawrence North - 7 PM 10 at. Lawrence Central - 7 PM 15 at North Central - 7:30 PM 17 vs. Warren Central - 7 PM 24 vs. Cathedral - 7 PM 26 at Evansville Memorial - 2 PM OCTOBER 2 vs. Columbus North - 8 PM 3 vs Homestead - 11 AM 7 IHSAA Sectional

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TWEET US YOUR PICTURES FROM THE GAME! YOU MIGHT SEE THEM IN THE CARMEL MASCOT!

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Writer / Ray Compton Carmel Dads’ Club president Jack Beery reports that there continues to be plenty of good news for the parents of the 12,000 boys and girls enrolled in sports for the 2015-16 season at the communityinspired anchor for youth sports.

Certainly, the organization still will have over 4,300 volunteers who will paint the fields, sell the hot dogs and coach the teams this fall.

“The volunteers make a difference every day and at every game,” assessed Beery.

But Beery and his administration of the 56-yearold community organization will again be at the front of the line of a growing injury concern that has touched all sports and all athletes. This report includes the increased apprehension for athletes – young and old, male and female – of suffering damaging concussions while competing on the athletic field.

that our parents know that we are always working to make our sports as safe as possible.”

The Club’s safety plan pushes for annual restoration of team equipment, including helmets and padding for football that starts up again in August. The staff also calls for teaching players the correct tackling techniques in practice and games. USA Football, a national organization funded by NFL and college teams, has adopted the Heads Up program, which pushes for players to tackle with their heads upward and not aimed downward.

But this tackling procedure isn’t new to Carmel youth and high school players, said Beery.

“Tackling heads up is not new in Carmel,” said Beery. “We were always taught to tackle face up.

That’s the way our kids have been taught.”

But Beery and Co. have added new concepts to their safety campaigns for football, volleyball, baseball, lacrosse and softball. Under the direction of Dr. Terry Horner of IU Health/Methodist Sports Medicine, the Dads’ Club offers seminars for coaches and parents to learn more about the potential pitfalls of injuries and concussions in sports.

he or she suffered a concussion. Players also must bring in the proper documentation from a doctor to return to practices and games.

“Our founding fathers always wanted us in front when it comes to doing the right things,” said Beery.

“They had great vision, and protecting our athletes will always be a top priority.”

However, Beery, whose talented sons (Britt and Bryce) have migrated through the Dads’ Club pipeline to Carmel High School and middle schools, also lists another objective for the organization.

Beery fondly recalls the days that he and little brother Bradley B. competed on the football fields in grade school.

“I think some of my best friends today were on my third grade team,” said Beery, who left corporate America seven years ago to grab the reigns of the Dads’ Club empire. “Our goal is to create memories for the kids that they will remember the rest of their lives.”

And Beery hopes those memories include safety first.

JOIN US FOR THE:

Beery, a former standout football player at Carmel and Purdue, noted that the club started monitoring the concussion concern several years ago but has stepped up measures to promote the awareness of gauging concussions.

“Everyone is invited,” Beery said. “IU Health has been a great partner for us in this area. We have made some adjustments, and they have been great partners in helping us improve our methods.”

CARMEL DADS' CLUB 20 ANNUAL GOLF OUTING ON AUGUST 25TH

“The safety of our athletes has always been our top priority,” said Beery. “And we want to make sure

Those improvements include requiring athletes to sit out practices if there is a question about whether

Visit CarmelDadsClub.org to Register

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Owner Tyler Miller started Force Barbell in 2012 after coaching Division One athletes.

He has an extensive background in sports, including qualification for the 2008 Olympic Trials for shot put. He joined the private training sector after meeting his wife and wanting to settle down.

“I have gotten a lot stronger. I feel like I am a lot better going into each season every year from training here,” said Sommer. “Tyler does a great job with everyone in here, especially athletes. He gets us ready for the season.”

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CARMEL MASCOT MONTHLY - CARMELMASCOT.COM

GIRLS SOCCER: HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR 2015 “This is one of our biggest classes ever,” Dixon noted. “And it has always been a good class, at least for three years.”

Two seniors – center midfielder Chandler Backes and forward Macy Miller – started as freshmen. Backes was recruited by Indiana, Wisconsin and Iowa before surprisingly choosing Western Kentucky.

“She wants to play as much as she can in college,” said Dixon.

Miller, meanwhile, is ticketed for Indiana.

First Row -- Darian Dunn, Emily Melchi, Emily Speidel, Katie Soderstrom, Lucy Lyon, Macy Miller, Elizabeth Hargis, Ashley Witucki, Kate Donovan, Emily Roberts, Emma Chambers and Bridget Mallin. Back Row -- Maddie Ellery, Stacia Mallin, Emma Love, Samantha Eastes, Anna Denkmann, Head Coach Frank Dixon, Celene Funke, Chandler Backes, Kate Spraetz, Kate Neidlinger, Taylor Rudin, Sydney Baines, Ali James, Laura Lentz, Manager Jennifer Eggert and Jessica Cowen

Writer / Ray Compton Photographer / JJ Kaplan Veteran Carmel girls soccer coach Frank Dixon has avoided the possibility of ranking his 2015 Greyhound edition in the same stratosphere as his 2002 and 2011 squads that were named mythical national champions after posting undefeated seasons.

Another future college performer is center back Anna Denkmann, bound for Missouri and the Southeastern Conference. Celene Funke took over the goalkeeper duties as a junior, and Dixon hails her “as one of the best goalkeepers in the state.” However, Funke will leave the nets after the season to play college softball at Louisville.

Emma Chambers returns as a center back, while Stasia Mallin, Darian Dunn, Maddie Ellery, Laura Lentz and Emma Love are additional senior performers.

Note, thus far.

“High school sports are senior driven,” said Dixon, only the third coach in the school’s girls soccer history. “If the seniors want to do well, everyone else wants to do well. We feel that is our situation here this season. These kids are driven to succeed.”

But the iconic 68-year-old also realizes the potential of his 25th Blue and Gold contingent.

Proof of that determination was unveiled this summer in the high school weight room. As many as 50 girls pumped iron three times a week.

“If things go right, this can be a special team,” confessed Wright, whose Carmel teams have produced nine state championships and two state runners-up finishes. “But you can’t afford to play poorly at any time, especially in [state] tournament play. It is single elimination, and with one bad play, you can be eliminated.”

Three juniors will again play major roles, including 5-foot-2 outside midfielder Jessi Cowen (“who will take kids on,” Dixon said) and Kate Neidlinger, who patrols center midfield with Backes. Dixon expects Emily Roberts to assume an expanded role from her outside backer position.

Another player moving upward on the contributing charts is sophomore midfielder Katie Soderstrom whom her coach labels as “just a great athlete.”

Indeed, soccer can be merciless at any level – youth, high school, professional or at the World Cup level – if two closely matched teams square off. One misjudged kick or one poor placement of a pass can lead to a fatal error that leads to a scoreboard blurb. And one score can suddenly change the scheme and strategies of a game.

Such was what happened to Carmel in last year’s state final at Carroll Stadium. Fishers scored early and held on for a 1-0 victory over the Greyhounds. A wonderful 17-1-3 season closed on a sour note for Dixon and Co. “You can’t play a bad 15 minutes,” assessed Dixon, whose Greyhounds spanked four previous tournament opponents by an 8-1 margin. “We really fought our way to get [to the championship game], but we couldn’t get over the hump in the Fishers game.”

But Dixon believes the 2015 season may claim a better finish. He was scheduled to welcome back eight starters from last season until senior forward Sam Eastes tore an ACL in a club game June 30. Eastes, an Eastern Kentucky recruit, will be sidelined for the season, and the injury reminds Dixon how fragile success can be in high school sports.

“We hope we can live up to our potential,” Dixon said. “But anything can happen. Four years ago [in 2012], we thought we had one of our better teams, but things didn’t turn out for us. I think again we will have the better team, but goals are extremely hard to come by, so it could come to a penalty kick or go to penalty kicks. I hope it doesn’t.”

In many cases, it probably won’t come down to the last gasp of play. Even other loaded programs such as Zionsville, Fishers, Noblesville (which defeated the Greyhounds, 1-0, in regular season in 2014), Cathedral and Hamilton Southeastern will have difficult times matching the Greyhounds in experience. This is particularly true when it comes to depth in the senior class. Carmel welcomes 10 seniors, even without Eastes.

As for tomorrow and future teams at Carmel, Dixon expects over 40 girls to try out for the freshman team this fall.

“We believe we have the blueprint to succeed,” Dixon said. “If you make a team in any sport at Carmel, you want to win.”

Part of the success story for girls soccer on Main Street has been blending the spring and summer seasons of travel soccer programs with the fall high school season. Members of this year’s Greyhound team played in the summer for the Indiana Fire Juniors and travel teams in Noblesville and Ohio.

“Many people believe that the club season is a time to get recruited,” said Dixon. “But that doesn’t diminish high school soccer in any way. We believe that you learn to look out for each’s others back in high school soccer. You build a strong team concept.”

Dixon also knows that there will again be a target on the backs of Carmel this season when it wades into a formidable schedule that includes tournaments at Murray Stadium (Fishers and Cathedral), Zionsville (Brebeuf) and Dublin Coffman (Ohio). Regular season bouts are slated against Hamilton Southeastern, Guerin Catholic, North Central, Noblesville, Zionsville and a regular season ending road match with MIC rival Center Grove.

The state tournament follows, and many of those games (including the home field at Murray Stadium) will be played on artificial turf.

“You have to be very careful when you play on that surface,” said Dixon.

“It is faster and far less forgiving on a mistake.”

And as Dixon knows, one mistake can wipe out a dream season.

CARMEL MASCOT MONTHLY - CARMELMASCOT.COM

BOYS SOCCER: SHOOTING TO AVOID ANOTHER PENALTY KICK FINALE Writer / Ray Compton Photographer / JJ Kaplan One could hardly blame Carmel boys coach Shane Schmidt if he called for the end of the penalty kick format in the Indiana high school soccer state championship tournament.

In each of the last two seasons, Carmel has staked out top 10 rankings in the final pre-tournament state polls. But in both 2013 and 2014, the tournament trails frustratingly and disappointingly ended in a pile of wreckage due to the penalty kick conclusion.

In 2013, a 14-victory season died when after a 0-0 regional contest against Cathedral, the Greyhounds were outscored 3-2 in the penalty kick session. Then last season, another double digit victory campaign ran out of gas after another 0-0 tie in the sectional match against Westfield. The Shamrocks sent home the favorites with a 5-4 decision in penalty kicks.

“Sometimes we have trouble finding the back of the net,” confessed Schmidt.

Unfortunately in soccer, it only takes a goal here or a goal there to dictate the results in tournament competition when single elimination provides a dangerous setting, particularly in those cases when a team struggles “to find the back of the net.”

Though all-District player and Kapalis Award winner Matt Saltsgaver graduated, there is talent returning. At the top of the list is senior goalkeeper Justin Faas, who was named all-District in 2014. Justin’s twin brother, Jonathan, plays defense on the left side of his brother. The two brothers played basketball until their freshman season but then began focusing on their soccer careers.

“They both work extremely hard,” said father John Faas, an assistant on the boys soccer and basketball teams. “They are both born leaders.”

Each also probably will be playing college soccer next season. Marian University has turned up its recruiting efforts, while Franklin College, SIU-Edwardsville and Southern Indiana have been tossing out pitches to the Brothers Faas.

“Recruiting can be stressful,” admitted the elder Faas.

Additional Greyhounds also could be ticketed for college programs.

Midfielders Tyler Majeski and Sam Kramer return for 2015 with solid readings, and Michael Hargis is a center back with savvy and experience.

Sophomore Ethan Lee played with a broken arm as a freshman and may be a star in the future.

But Schmidt expects more depth this season.

“We have a slew of players,” the coach said.

Take 2012. Carmel entered the state tourney with only four tied games blemishing a regular season. But the Greyhounds fell to Cathedral by a 1-0 count in the regionals. And the 2012 team was 15-0-2 before losing to Avon in the regional. Indeed, by another narrow margin of 1-0.

But the Greyhounds also will face a huge number of talented teams this fall. Last year’s MIC champion, Center Grove, waits while the area will again boast top teams from Avon, Noblesville, Zionsville, North Central, Fishers, Hamilton Southeastern, Cathedral, Brebeuf and Westfield.

Because of this frustrating trail of chuckholes, the Carmel boys have not notched a state championship since the legendary 2006 team claimed a mythical national championship after going undefeated and winning the Indiana tournament. But Schmidt avoids looking back and spewing misery.

Ironically, Goshen of northern Indiana defeated Brebeuf for the state crown last season.

“That’s the way soccer goes,” Schmidt recently said. “We’ve had some good seasons including last year, but things just didn’t turn out. You have to continue to work hard and continue to believe in each other.

“The growth of soccer in Indianapolis and Indiana has been crazy,” said Schmidt. “It’s a real credit to the hard work and efforts of the coaches.

The playing field has been leveled because there are so many good players and good coaches.”

And the season may extend to November.

The Carmel season starts with matches against Noblesville and Hamilton Southeastern during a three-day stretch in late August. Another non-conference danger zone could happen September 26 when the Greyhounds go to Evansville Memorial. Memorial was No. 1 in the state polls when Carmel ended the dream of an undefeated season with a 2-0 victory at Murray Stadium.

“The boys had some good vibes in the summer,” Schmidt said. “The guys have hit the ground running and are hungry. We will see what happens.”

As Carmel’s boys team appreciates, anything can happen on a soccer field when finding the “back of the net” comes at a premium.

“Our goals are the same as always this year. We want to win our conference [the MIC] and the state tournament. We want to be playing November 1 [tournament finals at Mike Carroll Stadium].”

Front Row -- Evan Shaw (12) 2nd Row -- Zach Lewis (12), Sam Kramer (12), Charles Price (12), Michael Hargis (12), Conner Inglis (11), Andreas Roselender (12), Joel Hudson (12) 3rd Row -- Shane Schmidt, Justin Faas (12), Tyler Majeski (12), Anthony Waikel (12), Adam Gostomelsky (12), Ethan Lee (10), Johan Arnell (12), Jonathan Faas (12)

CARMEL MASCOT MONTHLY - CARMELMASCOT.COM