Mr. Falkofsky and the Wildcat Choral Program show why music makes everything better with a Fine Arts Week Spectacular.
Lunchtime in the atrium is normally for homework and talk. But on April 16, nobody had the opportunity to get a chance to cram for the next quiz. The atrium, which normally draws a lot of traffic of people walking in and out of the Science Center, was stopped from period 3-6.
The Saint Ignatius Chorus put on a special concert for Saint Ignatius students, faculty, and staff. From “Jonah’s Song” to “Some Nights,” nobody left their seats until the bell rang. Mr. Jason Falkofsky, the director of the Chorus, said, “It is a wonderful opportunity for us to share our gifts with others.” He went on, “Showing our appreciation for the Fine Arts gives us a chance to get others to be captivated by music as well.”
The Chorus, Freshman Chorus, and Cat-‘o-tonics all performed their respective pieces. There are opportunities to see this groups perform throughout the year if you enjoyed them in the Atrium or if you have not seen them yet. The two big spring events are the Spring Concert on Sunday, May 19 (7 pm) and the A Cappella Concert on Thursday, May 23 (7:30 pm). Both events are at the Breen Center for the Performing Arts. After receiving a “1” rating at the OMEA District Adjudication, the Chorus has the OMEA State Adjudication on May 4.
The classic musical we all know and love, The Wizard of Oz, is running at the Breen Center for the Performing Arts 4/19 – 4/21 and 4/26 – 4/27. Every aspect of the 1939 film starring Judy Garland will be present including a simulated tornado, Toto the puppy (yes, a real puppy), and the munchkins who will be played surrounding grade school students.
The cast is made up of Saint Ignatius students as well girls from surrounding high schools such as Magnificat and Saint Joseph’s Academy. Some of the cast member include Veronica Selby ’13 (Magnificat) as Dorothy Gale, Tyler Tagliaferro ’13 as the Scarecrow, Nick Labate ‘13 as the Tin Man, and Nick Dawson ’13 as the Lion.
The show features excellent singing of the classic songs like “Over the Rainbow” and many others, and also has some really cool special effects that will make you feel like you are in 1939 listening to Judy Garland live. So, as once was said by many others before, “This is gonna be good.”
Nick Margevicius getting ready for Game 1 of the Doubleheader and Game 2 starter Matt Lynch resting
On one of the least ideal days for baseball, Coach Brad Ganor’s team prevails with grit over Mansfield Madison and Midview.
By John Fanta ’13
Arriving to Mansfield Madison High School, the Wildcats got off the bus and saw a moist field as sleet was falling to the ground. It was a morning to be on the couch watching sports highlights from the night before, but instead 6-5 Saint Ignatius was readying for a big doubleheader. After fighting off Twinsburg on Thursday, 18-14, the offense was ready to keep surging. Although it was a little dicey as to whether the games would be played, conditions were good enough for game time to just be delayed from 10 am to 10:30 am between the Wildcats and Mansfield Madison in Game 1 of a doubleheader that featured Madison and Midview.
The starting pitching has been the main issue for the ‘Cats this season, but it wasn’t on Saturday. Nick Margevicius and Matt Lynch threw fantastic starts, as between both games, they combined for 11 innings pitched with only three earned runs. MJ Nara was the only other Wildcat pitcher, as the sophomore saved Game 2 of the doubleheader. The Wildcats triumphed by Madison, 13-2, and edged a tough Midview team in a tight game, 4-2.
Game 1: Saint Ignatius 13, Mansfield Madison 2
Nick Margevicius did not think about the temperatures much at all, as the lefty was very solid to earn his third win of 2013. The Wildcats came out hot, as they gave their starter support. After Dan Rowbottom flied out to lead off the game, Tyler Finkler stepped to the dish and served up a double down the third base line. Nick Fabian would bring him in with two away in the inning to give Saint Ignatius a 1-0 lead. The scoring was not done in the top half of the first inning, as Nick Longo hit an RBI flyout to left. The Wildcats led 2-0 heading to the bottom of the first, when Madison’s Zane Harris gave a ball a ride over the right field fence. The Rams got within a run, as they trailed 2-1 after an inning. Madison knotted the game up in the bottom of the third when Kyle Brust flared an RBI single into right field. Dan Rowbottom got the Wildcats out of the jam in the third with a beautiful falling catch in shallow right field. After the third, it was all Wildcats. The Wildcats loaded the bases up with nobody out and they broke out on a tear. Rowbottom ripped an RBI single into center field, then Conor Hennessey hammered a 2-RBI double into the left-center field gap. Saint Ignatius broke out for a 5-run fourth, but it was not over yet. Cole Nieto would highlight a 6-run fifth inning with a 2-RBI single into left field. Margevicius was such a key though, as he did his thing and only gave up two runs. “Nick’s control is so strong and he knows the strike zone. He is very calm and composed, and knows what he has to do to maneuver through a line-up,” said Coach Brad Ganor. The Wildcats won with the run-rule limit of ten or more being issued after five inning had been played. It was an all-around strong performance to get the day going.
Game 2: Saint Ignatius 4, Midview 2
After some sloppy joe’s and chips, the Wildcats had to step back on to the field for a tougher opponent in the Midview Middies. Coach Ganor went to a guy who has struggled in the starting role, Matt Lynch. As cold as it was in Mansfield was as hot as Lynch’s stuff was on Saturday, though. He was in a pitching duel, and he battled to throw six innings and only give up one earned run. The Wildcats gave him enough support as well, as clean-up Nick Fabian would begin a nice game with a flared RBI single to center in the bottom of the first to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead. With sleet mixing in, the chilly conditions could have easily been a distraction in Mansfield. They would not be though, as Saint Ignatius was looking to win their third straight.
In the top of the fourth inning, Midview struck to knot the game up at 1-1 as Dan Rowbottom let a one-hop smash get by him at second base. The Middies were on the board, but Lynch kept it at a tie ballgame with his tough heater and his smooth curve. In the bottom of the fifth, the turning point of the game came as Saint Ignatius looked to give Matt Lynch some run support. On a cold day like Saturday, the ball was going to have to be belted if it was going to clear the fence. The Wildcats’ #9 hitter, Joe Khoury, stepped to the plate and showed why he is one of the toughest hitters to finish a line-up you’ll ever see at the high school level. Joe used pure muscle and hit a 2-run opposite field shot to right, as the ‘Cats took a 3-1 command. The fifth was not over yet, as Saint Ignatius loaded the bases for clean-up hitter Nick Fabian. This time, the versatile Fabian used his bunting skills and execute a pure suicide squeeze to bring home another run. It was 4-1 Wildcats, as the Middies had some life sucked out of them. In the top of the sixth, Lynch got out of a small jam after giving up his first earned run of the ballgame to make it 4-2 in favor of the Wildcats. He would finish at 96 pitches, as the Wildcats got a much-needed strong start out of one of their many senior leaders. Coach Ganor went to his “sophomore battery” in the seventh to try and lock down a save and sweep for Saint Ignatius. Pitcher MJ Nara and catcher Alex Panstares, both up from Tim Clark’s JV team, were fantastic, showing they are worth the call-ups. The fantastic pitching paid off as the Wildcats have now won four of five.
“It was a good day of balance and of guys being on the same page. We have a jam-packed week, so this is a good lead-in,” said Coach Ganor. Assistant Coach Mark Terlep always chimed in with, “This is what we’ve been waiting for with this team. Now, they’ve won three straight and look like they’re getting off the wall at 8-5.”
In the upcoming week, the Wildcats play in some challenging contests, as they begin the week on Tuesday with a battle with Willoughby South slated at 4:30 pm at Classic Park. On Wednesday, the ‘Cats meet the Eagles of St. Edward in Lake County at 4:30 pm as well. Friday night, Saint Ignatius plays Avon Lake at Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland at 8 pm as part of the Cleveland Indians Charities High School Hardball Classic. Saturday, the week wraps up with a doubleheader at the home of the Mustangs, Strongsville. Saint Ignatius and Strongsville square off at 10 am and Avon meets the ‘Cats at 12:30 pm.
All games will be broadcasted on the Saint Ignatius Broadcasting Network.
Tweet me for comments and questions on Wildcat sports @JohnFanta13 or e-mail me at [email protected].
What an intra-state battle came to Wasmer Field as Coach Dan Arbeznik’s team showed down against Moeller. Coming off of a 3rd-place finish in the Jesuit Cup, the Wildcats were looking for a big night back at their home place. With just over a week to go before the huge meeting with St. Edward (April 27), the Wildcats were told to focus on one game at a time.
It’s a been a year in which Coach Arbeznik has been looking for his team to make statements. On Friday, the ‘Cats and Moeller fought to a 14-14 draw on Wasmer Field, as Saint Ignatius goes to a 5-1.
Next up? Next Saturday at 7:30pm on Wasmer Field is the contest between the Wildcats and Eagles.
Bayeta Harper leaps off for a serve against St. Edward. Wildcats look to bounce back with a busy schedule
by John Fanta ’13
With seven spring sports teams at Saint Ignatius High School, the spotlight varies for every team. In front of an electric crowd at Sullivan Gym, Coach Casey Marcelo’s Wildcats took on Coach Brian Cannon’s Eagles. It was a back-and-forth battle between the two rival schools, as always.
Setting the tone is important in every game, but when the Wildcats set the tone on Friday night at Sullivan, it seemed as if St. Ed’s had something kick in that got them going. The tables kept on turning, and the fans stayed active on a night where a typically minor sport got big-time coverage.
After winning the first set (25-23), the Wildcats looked like they had the energy. St. Edward would take the next three sets en route to a 3-1 win at Sullivan.
After the first set, the Wildcats came ready to play, but got a little sloppy. Up 11-6 in the second set at one point, the Eagles’ Pat Fayen led the way against Jeff Granger. St. Ed’s went on to win the second set 26-24. The roller coaster ride continued as the Wildcats, who came in at 6-2, would fall in the third set, 25-19. In the fourth set, it was all St. Edward early as Casey Marcelo did not have much to muster up for his team. At one point, it was 11-4 Saint Ignatius. The Wildcats would get the game to 17-12, but the Eagles went on to earn a huge road win.
“We need to bounce back quickly. We did things wrong tonight. It’s time to get ready to refresh. We have a lot of potential and I am confident in this team,” said Wildcat big man Jeff Granger ’13.
On Saturday, the Wildcats are off to Brecksville at the Quad Invitational beginning at 10 AM.
by John Fanta ’13 and Presented by Head Varsity Tennis Coach Jon Barker ’87
Early in the season, the Saint Ignatius Tennis squad is going through a bit of a bumpy road, like many high school teams in any sport. Learning the chemistry in everything that is going on in a jam-packed schedule can be tough. Coach Jon Barker likes the direction of his team, though, and knows that the sky is the limit for them.
Friday, the Wildcats went to Highland for a team tournament, and they were ready for the weekend. They knocked out Highland 5-0. Junior Jack Napoli filled in for the ill Karl Fehn, and Jack stepped up very strongly. He was put in a tough role as the Wildcats were missing Karl, but Jack showed great strength.
On Saturday, down two regular starters, the Wildcats fought to the very end with St. Xavier in Lexington, Ohio. The second doubles team of Bobby Kirchner and Nick Siciliano rolled their opponents in straight sets, and sophomore Nate Griffin outlasted a tough senior in the number one slot, defeating him 7-5 in the third set. Unfortunately, we fell 2-3 to the Bombers, but the team is learning in the early season, and is getting better every step of the way.
On Tuesday, the ‘Cats take the road for a match. Wednesday, they are at home (Magnificat Courts) for match play against the Shormen of Avon Lake.
Coach Casey Marcelo and the Wildcats hosted the Saint Ignatius Invitational over the weekend. The Wildcats, who are led by lengthy Tim Hollis and Jeff Granger, stepped on to the court seeking to keep their winning ways going. They topped VASJ in straight sets on Thursday night. A team with a lot of potential, the Wildcats came into the weekend very excited for their own tournament. It has always been known for great level of competition, as teams around the state join for a Saturday of jam-packed volleyball. As senior Tim Hollis said, “This tournament is a testament of how tough the competition is around the state of Ohio. It is an early season exam of where we stand.”
The Wildcats rolled through Hilliard Davidson in three straight sets, to win their second in a row. Defending state runner-up Hilliard Darby and tough Beavercreek were the other two opponents waiting for the Wildcats, and they were ready. Saint Ignatius dropped two straight, as the Wildcats fell to each of the tough opponents, 3-1, in sets.
Coach Casey Marcelo and his squad head to Cleveland State University for a meeting with the North Royalton Bears on Tuesday night. The ball flies at 7 pm. On Thursday, the ‘Cats travel to Archbishop Hoban, so the schedule rolls on. Through one week, Saint Ignatius is 2-2, and looks to build off that start by kicking up some momentum this week.
Coach Jon Barker’s Wildcat Tennis Team took to the courts for the prestigious St. Edward Invitational. They were tough throughout the day, as seniors Nick Siciliano and Sean Frebes led the forefront in the doubles competition and junior Christian Zuber was a force in the singles.The Wildcats’ leader was Nate Griffin, who battled all the way to the singles final.
In the eight-team invitational, the ‘Cats battled to a second place tie with Walsh in the eight-team field. They finished with 26 points, behind the champion Toledo Saint John (42.5 points).
It was a day of racquet duels, as the Wildcats’ Nate Griffin led the efforts for Saint Ignatius. He met a rival that he is very familiar with, Walsh Jesuit’s Aaron Sandberg.
Griffin won a match in the state tournament last year, while Sandberg was a Divsion I state qualifier. In the invitational’s first singles title, the two duked it out in the final. Sandberg took down Griffin in two sets (6-0, 6-2). Griffin fought in the second set, but it was Sandberg who triumphed to win the singles championship.
Junior Christian Zuber was a third-place finisher in singles, and the doubles team of Nick Siciliano and Sean Frebes placed third in the invitational.
Next up: The Wildcat Tennis team travels to Lexington HS for a challenging road match on Monday (4/8).
Cinderella, Goliath, Wooden Award winner-led team, and defensive juggernaut are all on hand in Atlanta, Geogria, for the 75th NCAA Tournament Final Four.
National Semifinal: #1-Seed Louisville vs. #9-Seed Wichita State at 6:09 PM from the Georgia Dome.
Rick Pitino’s team had to grow tough mentally in their Elite Eight win over Duke, 85-63. They lost sophomore Kevin Ware to a horrid broken leg, but Ware will be back to watch Saturday’s affair.
Breaking down Louisville, the Cards are led by Most Outstanding Player in the Midwest Regional, junior guard Russ Smith (26.0 ppg during the tournament). Louisville was taken down by eventual champion last year in the Final Four, Kentucky. Senior guard Peyton Siva is the other Cards’ backcourt stalemate, as he averaged 9.9 points per game during the regular season. Kevin Ware was really being looked upon as the Cards’ main back-up at guard, but Louisville will have to deal without him. Gorgui Dieng is the big man to watch for Louisville, as he averages over ten points and seven rebounds per game. Louisville is one of the best teams in college basketball in points off turnovers.
A view from behind the plate at Memorial Stadium, as the 'Cats enjoyed picking up their first two wins of 2013.
by John Fanta ‘13
4th Inning Breakouts by the Wildcats are the story of the day from the First Pitch Classic at beautiful Memorial Stadium in Chillicothe.
CHILLICOTHE – Going into the day, Saint Ignatius Baseball was 0-2, but the winning ways are here for the 2013 Wildcats. After a 6-3 first win of the season over Bishop Watterson of Division II by the Wildcats, Coach Brad Ganor’s team out-did themselves.
Saint Ignatius 6, Bishop Watterson 3 – Facing a 2-0 deficit after one inning, the Wildcats faced their third straight deficit to try to fight back from after one inning. In each of the first two games, Saint Ignatius trailed 4-0 after an inning. The 2-0 deficit would get the Wildcats roaring to hit. In the top of the second, Saint Ignatius answered to tie the game off two throwing errors by the Eagles’ defense. Joe Khoury ripped an RBI double in the 4th inning. The 9-hole hitter slapped one right down the third base line into the corner. Next up was leadoff man Dan Rowbottom, who tagged a line drive into center to bring in two more runs to make it 5-2. Another in the 4th would give Saint Ignatius the 6-2 lead. Nick Margevicius settled down after giving up two runs in the first. It was his first varsity start after he threw a no-hitter at the JV level. He went four innings and gave up three runs.
Shane Skuhrovec locked up Bishop Watterson in the 5th and 6th, and earning the save was Miami (OH) commit Nick Longo. “The two wins that are toughest to get in the season are the first victory of the year and the finale of the year,” said Coach Ganor. The Wildcats had dropped two straight to Ashland and Amherst, but the burden is off now. “Ultimately, we want to win the last game of the year on June 8 (OHSAA State Final), but we know every other team in the state wants that one. I am fully optimistic in where we stand and what we can do going forward,” said Ganor.
Saint Ignatius 13, Grove City 2 – The first three innings of the game took a little over a half hour, but then the 4th came. Saint Ignatius went around the line-up twice in an inning in which the Wildcats scored 13 runs on 10 hits, with 10 runs being earned by the Greyhounds’ pitching. Three errors by the Grove City defense allowed the ‘Cats to keep on striking. Grove City led 2-0 heading into the bottom of the 4th, and then their lead sank, and then some. The game ended after five innings, which was very unexpected. A team that reached the Final Four last season, Grove City was stunned by the ‘Cats.
Nick Fabian won his first varsity start as Joe Khoury, Dan Rowbottom, Tyler Finkler, Kevin Hagen, Quillen Austria, Nick Longo, and a plethora of ‘Cats were part of a barrage. The Greyhounds were running sprints in the outfield after the game for a reason. The Wildcats ran over the 10-run limit to end the game after five innings. They won their second straight game with the victory, and now ready for a challenging Saturday.
The Wildcats eye their third and fourth straight wins as they meet Dublin Jerome.
Saint Ignatius Baseball Seeks to Keep Winning Ways Going at Dublin Jerome at 11 AM and 1:30 PM. BOTH GAMES ARE LIVE AUDIO on the SIBN. I have the call for each of them as I’ll fly solo. You be my color partner and tweet me @SIHSSports and e-mail at [email protected] or [email protected]
Pitching Probables:
Game 1 – Matt Lynch (0-1 on the season)
Game 2 – Tom Rolle (0-0 on the season)
Jerome is always a strong contender for a state title every year. The Wildcats seek to continue their explosiveness as it should be an interesting affair between SIHS and DJ.
