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There was blood, and then some; 2013 Chariot Races were a success
by Cole Brownsberger ’14
What was one of the most exciting events at Saint Ignatius High School this year, the 2013 Chariot Races couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day. The races showcased the Latin students’ athletic ability, or lack thereof, and no matter how well the students placed, competitors and spectators alike were able to enjoy the nice weather and hopefully see a few crashes.
It is quite comical to see the chariot designs that students come up with. There will always be students who build the classic blue and gold chariot, and there will also be several classic trashcan chariots. One of the trashcan chariots this year displayed huge pictures of Mr. Laco’s mug and featured hockey stick handles. Although this “chariot” did not go far in the tourney, the team definitely earned some brownie points. Other ridiculous chariots included: a love seat, a wheelbarrow, and a little tikes car.
The most entertaining part of the chariot races are not the chariots themselves but the much beloved crashes. Students who completed the race unharmed were promptly boo’d, and the students who had the biggest crashes became instant heroes. Some of the best crashes came from competitors cutting each other off which resulted in chariots being flipped over and one charioteer being ejected into the crowd. 7th graders from Lakewood Catholic Academy, who were seeing the chariot races for the first time, loved how “dangerous” the races were. Despite the appearance of danger, protective padding on both the course and the racers ensures that the most common injuries at the Chariot Races are bruised egos.
“The agony of defeat is overwhelming,” said Sean McCann ’14 after failing to make it out of the first round races. “This event really ruins my whole year. My only regret is that I did not put in enough work in the off season, but at least I still have my wingspan.” Riley Ellis ’14 took a different approach to losing before one of his races: “If we don’t win, I am going down hard.” Gabe Dalpiaz ’13 went into his race with very positive thinking, estimating “I have a .2% chance of winning.” Even though the race producers many losers, the incentive of glory and extra credit keep bringing these students back for more.
Congratulations go out to winners of this year’s race: 1st Place went to senior Brett Bendokaitis and Freshman Hunter Toth, 2nd Place went to seniors Stephen Franko and Ryan Stefancin, and 3rd Place went to juniors Jack Hyland and Pat Hopkins. I also want to congratulate the SIBN crew for breaking the highest number of people they could fit into the broadcasting booth; you gentlemen did a fine job. Overall it was a very successful Chariot Race, and it would have made Caesar proud.
Photos by Jack Cotton ’14
Student cover band The Group plays from the heart and soul
by Matt Nicolay ’14
We have our own Mumford and Sons and Christian rock cover band here on campus, for those who don’t know. Going by the tentative name, The Group, they are led by Mr. Devenney, and they played at the previous all-school mass in April, and they just played at Spring Into Action. I was able to interview a fellow Eye writer who is part of this, Antonio Zodda ’14, as well as drumming legend, Jack O’Brien ’14.
“Well, in December, Mr. Devenney called a bunch of guys with musical talent down to campus ministry, asked us to practice two Mumford and Sons songs to play for the Advent prayer service during Christmas on Campus,” said Zodda. These two songs were “I Will Wait” and “Below My Feet.” They have now branched out beyond Mumford and Sons, including such Christian rock groups as The Newsboys. “We’re also hoping to play some U2 songs in the future,” said Jack O’Brien.
Jack also said, “Our show at Spring Into Action went really well. We played “Devotion” by The Newsboys and “I Will Wait” and “Below My Feet” by Mumford and Sons. And our next event will be at a future prayer service.” The Group is composed of nine members: Antonio Zodda ’14, ukulele, piano, and keyboard; Jack O’Brien ’14, drums; Nick Dawson ’13, vocals and piano; Sean Bush ’13, viola; Andrew Gutierrez ’13, guitar; Jeff Stein ’14, guitar; Anthony DeCarlo ’14, guitar; Darius Cepulis ’13, ukulele; and Justice Marks ’16, bass.
This video has The Group rehearsing “Devotion” in the chapel:
Here are some of the original versions of songs they have been practicing:
The Chariot Races return for 2013 edition as all eyes are glued to the Mall
by John Fanta ’13
A great tradition, the Chariot Races, brings the Saint Ignatius community together at 10:20 am on Friday.
Whether the bell is ringing for class on Friday or the button is clicking on the link to watch on the Saint Ignatius Broadcasting Network, the Saint Ignatius High School Chariot Races will arrive on Friday morning to conclude Language Week festivities. The races were supposed to be held on Wednesday, but they were washed out. Mr. Joe Zebrak has the scene under his wing once again, as Wildcat Latin students will join together for a big day of racing around the arch of the mall. All eyes will be captivated as “My Little Pony” carts, wagons, garbage cans, sleds, and hand-made chariots will roll on the red brick bricks, which are still fairly new.
It is a special event every year because it brings the whole SIHS community together. From alums at dorm rooms to parents in workplaces to students at grade schools, the races keep on returning for a reason. They are very successful, having started in the 90’s and improving steadily each year.
When looking at the field of candidates for victory, the combo of passionate juniors Jack Hyland and Pat Hopkins are a team to watch. Mike Ferry and Scott Arthrell also have a strong shot, as the senior level is filled with a plethora of candidates. Tim McVey was a front runner, but it looks like he will not participate due to Saturday’s North-South game in Dayton. Watch out for senior and avid golfer Steven Pearse, and also Jack Barendt.
Freshman Dominic Neville gave us hope a couple years ago when he made a very memorable run. Now a junior, Neville gave the freshmen something to cheer for. Now his brother is somebody to look out for, Sean Neville.
The field is wide open, as the races roll into the Mall with special live video from the SIBN. Father Bill Murphy, SJ, Principal Bradesca, Advancement Director Mr. Morabeto, and Admissions Director Pat O’Rourke are all scheduled to come on the air with yours truly.
Whether you speak Latin or not, the Chariot Races link this community in a unique way. There aren’t many schools that can claim that the alumni following wants to know how students are doing and what’s new on campus. The power of this event cannot be counted into words.
Use the tags #ChariotRaces, @SIHSSports, @SIHSCleveland, or @JohnFanta13 to give us your crash number predictions. Tune in to the SIBN tomorrow, beginning at a little after 10 am.
The eyes will be glued and the excitement will be ever-present as only one pairing will be crowned champions. It should be a another fantastic showing of what is so special about 1911 West 30th and Lorain.
Cleveland International Film Festival wows students
by Brad Horton ’15
I had always heard great things about the Cleveland International Film Festival, but I had my doubts. This was until I finally went to the film festival with Vista on Wednesday, April 10.
The rapid ride down was a little disheartening over our confusion over activating our tickets, but we made it to the theater with plenty of time to spare. I had been to Tower City before, but never during the day. It just seemed better than remembered it, more exclusive I suppose.
We eventually made it to the theater to watch a collection of shorts. The first film we saw was called the Buzkashi Boys. This one turned out to be my favorite as it depicted two impoverished friends from Afghanistan who dream of becoming these famous local horse riders in a game called buzkashi. This film really touched as looking at Afghanistan in a different light. The boys are constantly reminded where they stand in life, but they have big improbable dreams to break this cycle that has lasted many generations in their families. This was my favorite film overall.
I also saw Asad, Death of a Shadow, The Interviewer, Thumb, and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Most of the films were suspenseful and thought invoking, but Sand Box and Thumb were comedies. In the end, I was very impressed with the quality of the films. Sure they didn’t have big budget actors or special effects, but the message conveyed in the films I saw surpasses anything Hollywood is teaching us. I liked it so much; I actually went back with my father to see Downloaded.
This film gave an interesting view on both sides of the music sharing debate that ultimately destroyed Napster. I had the chance to interview a French student who went his class to see a collection of French films. Paul Wyot ’15 said “The moves were surprisingly well-made…. I didn’t think Tower City was no nice”. Paul said his favorite movie was The Mozart of Pickpockets. This film describes boy pickpocketers in Paris that take a mute under their wing. The mute dosen’t get the art of pickpocketing until he in a cinema. Paul said he liked this film best because it gave a different perspective on France. It focused on the slums rather than the beauty of France.
Overall the film festival saw a 9% increase in attendance over last year and over $154,000 in challenge match donations. It is not surprising to me that the film festival did well this year. It is truly one of the best events Cleveland has to offer.
The Chariot Races are upon us
by Brandon Borges ‘15
The rolling of wheels. The cries of cheer. The deafening but entertaining crash of makeshift chariots being destroyed. Yes, the Chariot Races are coming once again to Saint Ignatius, and this reporter, for one, is overjoyed. If anything can end Languages Week, it should be several teams of two whizzing through the campus on chariots. Excitement, danger, thrills, all can be found on Friday, April 26th during 4th, 5th, and 6th periods. But what actually happens during The Chariot Races?
Well, a team consists of two people, one who rides on the chariot, and one who pulls the chariot. Before a race starts, two teams go to the designated start area after putting on helmets. When the race starts, the pullers race each other while holding on to the chariot at all costs. The teams must stay in their lanes until there is only one lane, where they must merge. The first team to reach the finish line goes onto the next round, while the other team is eliminated. The races continue following this formula until there are only two teams left, where the winner of that final race is rewarded.
After a first round exit last year, this reporter is ready for Friday. This is only one of the many events the Latin department hosts, but this may be the most anticipated one of the year. To put it in the words of Robert Betschman, “Sports! Yeah!”
You can watch the races live from any computer or mobile device with the SIBN live feed at www.ignatius.edu/sibn. The action will start at 10am. Use the Twitter tag #ChariotRaces to join in on the commentary.
Languages Week comes back to campus
by Anthony Edwards ’15 Patrick Millican ’15
Language Week at Saint Ignatius kicked off this Monday with a celebration of all things Greek, which included a gyro stand on the mall and the playing of repetitive, slightly depressing traditional Greek dirges.
At the end of that rather lifeless day, excitement was restored with the beautiful weather and French music that proved completely unintelligible to even the small minority of students, known colloquially as the “Escargot ‘Cats,” that participate in this curious language.
Latin day was a complete letdown after news broke that the Chariot Races had been postponed. Spanish day is yet to happen, but we can predict that, like every other year, it will the only language day on which students have any fun whatsoever by dint of the pomp and circumstance that yearly surrounds the Food Extravaganza.
Another prediction: Someone will indeed be injured in the Chariot Races this Friday after someone falls out of their PVC-and-trash-can chariot. Hopefully, though, the annual appearance of the shopping-cart chariot proves lethal for its fateful charioteer. I think that, left, right, and center, we can agree that that would be an awesome display of language and culture that could help each and every one of us appreciate the non-stereotypical elements of world cultures that characterize Language Week at Saint Ignatius.
Food extravaganza will continue to please students
by Sam Royer ‘15 and Jon Dorow ‘15
Every year during Languages Week students hurry to the atrium to experience the delight of the food extravaganza. Food, made by students in a French or Spanish class, is featured on tables lining both sides of the Atrium. Each student (or a pair) in those languages is required to bring one dish from a world culture.
In order to buy food, you must first purchase a ticket which go for fifty cents for one.
The extravaganza has been going on for many years. Like all the events during Languages Week, it gives students a chance to promote their language and the culture they study.
Students who have not experienced the extravaganza can look forward to enjoying salsa and guacamole from Spanish students, croissants and crepes from French students, and a plethora of other food varieties.
Wildcat Tennis roars by Mayfield, 5-0
by John Fanta ’13
Coach Jon Barker’s tennis team began a busy week today, and they began it very strongly. Coming off a tough loss to Copley last week, the Wildcats roared through Mayfield, 5-0, in dual match play at Magnificat High School on Tuesday. Sopohomore Nate Griffin lost the first set, but bounced to topple Mayfield’s Fukamuchi. The state qualifier in 2012 won two out of three sets, as his tallies were, 6-7, 6-4, and 6-4.
Senior Sean Frebes dominated Mayfield’s Dalessandro by shutting him out in their first two sets, 6-0 for each. Karl Fehn won 6-0 in each set over Curtin, and doubles teams of juniors Yaw Boakye and Christian Zuber dominated, and seniors Nick Siciliano and Bob Kirchner ran ship as well.
The Wildcats play Walsh Jesuit tomorrow at 4:15 pm at Magnificat courts. Congratulations to Coach Jon Barker.
Saint Ignatius 5 Mayfield 0
Singles: Griffin (I) d Fukamuchi 6-7 (2), 6-4, 6-4; Frebes (I) d Dalessandro 6-0, 6-0; Fehn (I) d Curtin 6-0, 6-0
Doubles: Boakye/Zuber (I) d Faddoul/Gladkey 6-0, 6-0; Siciliano/Kirchner (I) d Gagliardo/Imhoff 6-0, 6-1
Nick Fabian’s pitching, Shane Skuhrovec’s 3 RBI’s lead ‘Cats Baseball by Willoughby South
by John Fanta ’13
Eastlake, OH – It was a beautiful April day for baseball at Classic Park (home of the Captains), as Saint Ignatius baseball came in winners of three in a row. Coach Brad Ganor was feeling “that his team was coming off the wall” after the doubleheader sweep of Mansfield (13-2) Madison and Midview (4-2). In their first game ever at Classic Park in Lake County, the Wildcats came ready to play, but Willoughby South did as well.
It was a game that just went of an hour and twenty minutes, as pitching was at a premium. Nick Fabian threw six strong innings and Shane Skuhrovec hit a solo shot and a 2-run single to give the Wildcats’ their fourth straight win, 3-1, over the Willoughby South Rebels.
It was a game that went pretty normally in the first two innings, but then in the bottom of third, Shane Skuhrovec led off with a drive that would not stay inside the fence at Classic Park. The ‘Cats were up 1-0, until Skuhrovec came up in the fourth and delivered a 2-RBI single into right field. That would be enough for Nick Fabian to keep on surging forward. He only gave up a run, which came in the sixth, but the Wildcats were in control heading into the seventh. The “sophomore battery” of MJ Nara (pitcher) and Alex Panstares (catcher) came in and locked down the Rebels as Nara earned his second save of the season. The Wildcats’ busy week continues with a showdown with rival St. Edward Wednesday at Classic Park at 4:30 pm, weather providing.
Forecast: 90 % chance of rain, temps dropping into the high 40’s for a high.
The Wildcats will then head to the corner of Carnegie and Ontario to Progressive Field, where they encounter Avon Lake on Friday.
Schedule Adjustment: Saturday’s doubleheader game two, in which the Wildcats were supposed to face Avon at Strongsville High School, has been canceled. Coach Ganor’s team will still play at 10 am vs. Strongsville, and they may play against the Mustangs at 12:30 pm again, but that is to be determined.
Owner of the Captains, Peter Carfagna, in the House: Saint Ignatius grad Peter Carfagna came on the SIBN on Tuesday to talk Wildcat baseball and the partnership with beautiful Classic Park. He stressed the importance of “Magis” (more) in everything that we do. You’ll be hearing a lot of Mr. Carfagna this spring. And I thank him for the food and Captains gear as well! The SIBN has full coverage of all of the baseball games this week with live video. Stay tuned.
