Fairview High School's Kevin Kerchenski will be one to watch on future Warrior cross country teams.It was a great high school fall sports season for the schools of Lakewood, Olmsted Falls, North Olmsted and Fairview.
The high school winter sports season is in full swing with many an exciting contest having been played to delight scholastic fans throughout the local communities.
However, today’s issue, and the issue of Jan. 5, will “go back in time,” if you will, as the focus will be on the many teams and athletes who gave everyone fond memories regarding championship seasons, a winning year, and stories of perseverance to inspire us all.
Today, we look at the sports of soccer, cross country and tennis in the Sun Post-Herald's annual feature "Fall Sports Year in Review-Part I.
In next week’s Part II edition, the sports of football, volleyball and golf will be highlighted.
As always, it should be stressed to the reader that space doesn’t allow for a complete review and mention of every athlete, school and team. A few of the more memorable efforts will be included in this feature, while attempts will be made to include some individuals, who perhaps weren’t able to get their name or face in an article during the course of the season.
If a team or athlete was omitted, it is not a matter of labeling their accomplishments as “unimportant.” Such achievements were duly noted in previous issues during the fall season. This annual feature is simply an appropriate piece to run regarding the two holiday weeks (issues).
More pictures with a lesser amount of text will be a new attraction to this year's "Review," in that for those who utilize the Sun News sports section as a way to build one's scrapbook, today and next week's issues should give parents an opportunity to do just that.
And so, we begin with soccer. In terms of excellence, no team in the area does it better on the soccer field than the Wildcats of St. Ignatius High School.
Head coach Mike McLaughlin's team won its fifth state title with an impressive triumph over Powell Olentangy Liberty, 4-2. The 'Cats, winners of 17 straight games en route to the state crown, could also boast of 45 wins out of the last 46 matches overall.
Senior Matt Foldesy was again the driving force behind the powerful St. Ignatius soccer engine with brilliant play throughout the regular season and the playoffs. Foldesy, a two-time Sun News MVP, will take his talents to the University of Akron next year.
Lakewood was again competitive on the soccer field within the Northeast Ohio Conference aided by the strong play of junior Eric Kunze, while Olmsted Falls and North Olmsted were forces within the Southwestern Conference.
Tim McClaren was a top man for the 'Dawgs this past fall, while J.J. Ball contributed towards another fine season over at North Olmsted High. The Lady Eagles' Alyssa Lawrence, a senior captain played well, while teammate Ashley Balasko had a fine year between the pipes saving numerous shots from getting through. The Lady Bulldogs of Olmsted Falls had a terrific year advancing all the way to the district semifinals.
Fairview more than demonstrated success in its new league, the Patriot Athletic Conference with both Warrior soccer teams claiming a conference championship for the year of 2011.
Magnificat proved to be strong on the soccer field again in 2011 with the solid play of sophomore Natalie Coury, senior Shannon Fulton and senior Natalie Guido.
In cross country, it was another “run” for the roses.
St. Ignatius, winners of both the district and regional championship, marched down to the state meet led by the performances of Jack Miller and district champion Mitch Baum.
Lakewood's Nick Jackosky capped off a fine year with several individual championships leading to another state-qualifying season, while teammates Nick Boatman and A.J. Graber were most consistent. Mollie Evans, Alyssa Hasman and Hannah Gregory paced the Lady Rangers.
Jackosky was a consistent first-place finisher for the Rangers this past fall season.
St. Edward had a fine seaosn the cross country courses as well in 2011. The Eagles ran their best this past fall with Jack Kelly, Mike Navratil and Matt Koval, a state qualifier, showing the way.
Olmsted Falls' Troy Swiderski, Edwin Rosa and Jaime Fossen were solid runners for the Bulldogs, while North Olmsted's Dan Hollo, Ronnie Fox and Hayley Reines were top performers all during the fall season regarding the competition week in and week out in the Southwestern Conference.
Fairview made its debut in a new league (PAC) with solid contributions coming from runners John Miles and Emma McQuate.
Magnificat's young team proved it will be back in serious contention again regarding a state title. The Blue Streaks placed sixth at this year's state competition led by Abigail Marquard, Katherine Kerr and Elise Horning.
St. Joseph Academy was well-represented for the cross country season with Mary Kate Chambers, Jessica Sirchen, Rachel McGuire, Bridget Egan and Alesha Vovk all having fine years.
In tennis, Magnificat placed third overall in the postseason tournament led by Lauren O'Malley, Annie Foliano, Kelly Plagens, Jess Hollis, Abby Lawless and Emily Witt.
Don’t forget, next week we look back at the many highlights surrounding football, volleyball and golf.
Contact Holzheimer at
(216) 986-2361.