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Fall sports see a highs and lows early on

by Patrick McGuire ’14

Wildcat Athletics for the 2013 Fall campaign are off and running, meeting some success and some struggles.

First, Coach Chuck Kyle’s football team started off their season with a difficult loss at the hands of Birmingham Brother Rice, a formidable opponent to say the least.  The Wildcats saw bursts of offense but other than a handful of big plays, were unable to cash in.  John Thomas had two stellar passing touchdowns resulting in two separate 80 yard touchdown runs by Michael Siragusa ‘14 and Nick Fabian ‘14, respectively.  Thomas ended the game with a total of 222 passing yards.  Running Back Enzo Cannata joined in on offense adding a 50 yard scamper of his own, as well as Senior Mike Vitale punching in a touchdown in the redzone for the ‘Cats.

The Warriors of Brother Rice turned out to be too much to handle for the Wildcats.  Exceptional plays, including a punt return for a touchdown and a spectacular diving catch by the Warriors’ wide receiving corp, put them over the top, giving them a 29-20 victory in the first game of the Wildcat season.

This is not the first time the Wildcats have lost their first game of the season.  In 2008 the ‘Cats lost their first game and went on to win the state championship.  A long season lies ahead for this Wildcat football team as they will take on the Mentor Cardinals this Friday night at Jerome T. Osbourne stadium.

The 2013 Cross Country team has achieved success early on this fall behind the young sophomore Luke Wagner.  Wagner led the way for team at the first two meets of the season, with blistering times of 10:17 in a two mile run and 16:32 in a 5k run, respectively.  Wagner is not the only talented runner on this Cross Country team.  Wagner, sophomore Tim Trentel, and senior Elliot Thorkelson placed 2nd, 3rd, and 4th overall, respectively, at the Panther Run on August 24th.  Coach Mike Gallagher ‘71 has loads of potential for this cross country season and seasons to come.

Lastly, Coach Brian Becker’s varsity golf team is heating up as their season continues to grind on.  The golf ‘Cats started their season fairly slowly, placing seventh in their first 3 tournaments, but they since won the prestigious University School Invitational at Windmill Lakes Golf Club behind Senior Jack Coyne’s one-under par performance which earned him 1st overall for that tournament.  Coyne wouldn’t stop there.  He then went on to shoot a round of 68 at the Firestone Country Club in Akron.  Yes, Tiger Woods played the course right next to it over the summer, making Coyne’s performance all the more impressive.  The golf team is just starting to play up to their potential, fighting to earn a spot in the playoffs.

Peter Mahoney injured during training camp; John Thomas to step in.

by Patrick McGuire ’14

Embrace Adversity.  That has been the early motto of the Wildcat football team.  They have experienced adversity from training camp on Wasmer to two-a-day practices all the way to the Jamboree game on August 23rd against Canton McKinley at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The injury bug hit the Wildcats early on as Peter Mahoney fell with a leg injury in training camp.  Mahoney said that he injured his lower leg when he was wrapped up by a defenseman and fell awkwardly.

Mahoney was taken immediately to Lutheran West hospital to be evaluated.  The injury was to the lower part of his leg; he broke his tibia in two places.  Mahoney’s injury was not caused by a massive hit but just one random, unfortunate setback for the senior quarterback, who will likely not return this season.

The same day that Mahoney sustained his injury, Coach Chuck Kyle named Mahoney the fourth and final captain for the 2013 team.

Embrace Adversity.

Mahoney is an exceptional choice for captain because he embraced adversity exceptionally well.  As Mr. Eddie Dwyer noted on his corner, Mahoney called John Thomas ‘14 while he was in the hospital to tell him to pick up where he left off with the offense.

Pete Mahoney is a gifted leader and the symbol of this team, making him a superb choice for captain.  Though the injury to Mahoney is unfortunate, Thomas is ready to step into a leadership role for the Wildcat offensive attack.

Thomas worked hard in the preseason with quarterbacks coach Elvis Grbac and Offensive Coordinator Nick Restifo to learn the system under which he was a backup for Mike LaManna ‘13.  John knows the system very well and has improved his play considerably this preseason.

Thomas demonstrated his improvement in the first two scrimmages against Solon and Twinsburg.  In the two preseason games, the Wildcat offense showcased their abilities, but only to a limited extent.  Though these were football atmospheres, John didn’t get a chance to demonstrate his true abilities.

Then the Jamboree game against Canton McKinley rolled around.  In a single half of football, John threw for an astounding 370 passing yards and 3 touchdowns.  Thomas completed 17 out of 30 passes.

Thomas, though on the run, torched the McKinley secondary on various throws to wide receiver Mike “Goose” Siragusa ‘14. Goose caught 7 passes for a total of 257 receiving yards and two touchdowns.  Siragusa’s total would have been a school record if it were a real game.

Needless to say, John Thomas ‘14 is ready to take over for the injured Pete Mahoney.

Expect harsher enforcement for relaxed dress code

by Patrick Millican ‘15

At orientation last week, Principal Bradesca unveiled a brand-new policy affecting students’ choices of dress-code pants and shoes. In his speech, he mentioned that these rule-changes (and those affecting cell phones) are an outgrowth from the lunches he had with students last year.

The amendments to the dress code have lifted the de-facto ban on pants of non-traditional colors (e.g. red, light blue, bright green, purple, etc.); plaid golf pants and the striped pants à la those worn here in the Sixties, however, are still forbidden to be worn.

On the footwear front, boat shoes in black and brown (or some combination thereof) have been legalized after parents questioned the policy and students flouted it. This comes as an especially abrupt change of policy following the crackdown on boat shoes two years ago.

Now that the uniform has been liberalized, students can expect more stringent enforcement of dress-code guidelines. “With a simplified dress code,” said Principal Bradesca, “comes a more united front in terms of enforcement. Teachers will be expected to JUG students that do not conform to the dress code. With the code having been simplified, teachers will have no doubts concerning what is acceptable, and therefore violations will be much easier to detect.” Remember that when you think you can bend the rules to justify wearing camo pajama pants and Dutch clogs to school.

What further changes can we expect to the handbook? Says Principal Bradesca, “I am considering the possibility of requiring cuff links and ascots, but time will tell.”

My summer as an Ohio City farmer

by Bill Huesken ’14

A piece of Swiss chard weighs about as much as a feather. On a recent day at the Ohio City Farm, my task was to pick 15 pounds of  it. Yes, 15 pounds. The task took all morning.

Swiss chard is just one of dozens of fruits and vegetables cultivated at the farm at Bridge Avenue and W. 24th Street. Several organizations tend parts of the six-acre plot, including The Refugee Response, a non-profit that helps settle refugees in the Cleveland area. This summer, I volunteered with Refugee Response two days a week. It was an eye-opening experience.

The farm manager is Maggie Fitzpatrick, a Saint Joseph Academy graduate. She figures out what to plant when and oversees the farmers who plant, weed, and harvest. The refugees I worked alongside came from Liberia, Burma, Bhutan, and Burundi. Most of them were farmers in their native countries. In addition to providing jobs for them, Refugee Response teaches them English and other skills they need to live and work in the United States.

The immigrants are constantly working to improve their English skills, not just during the several hours of classes they take each week. When they learn a new word, they aren’t just happy to add it to their vocabulary, they also want to know similar words and the opposite of the word. They might learn to say, “put on the glove,” but they also want to know “take off the glove” and “remove the glove.”

While I worked next to them picking and washing everything from head cabbage to cilantro, they would ask me all kinds of questions about English, about geography, and about the United States.  They often asked me to quiz them on all things having to do with the United States and its government. They would review the basic names like president, vice president, governor of Ohio and mayor of Cleveland and important dates like Independence Day. But they could also name people like John Boehner (Speaker of the House) and John Roberts (Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.) Those are names that, sadly, many Americans don’t know.

The refugees do not talk about the situations in their home countries. They are all extremely happy to be in Cleveland, and they work very hard and take great pride in the crops. But they also have fun while working. It is not uncommon for a hose to douse an unsuspecting worker when plants are being watered.

Much of the produce grown at the farm finds its way to local restaurants. Ms. Fitzpatrick and some of the farmers use a hand truck to deliver produce to such establishments as Great Lakes Brewing Co., Market Garden Brewery, Nano Brew, and Flying Fig. The farm also sells its produce to the public on Fridays and Saturdays from the purple metal building on its site. This summer, it opened a stand inside the West Side Market.

Working at the farm was a great way to spend  two days every week of my summer.  While the farm work was interesting, the work was really about the people. The workers are such kind and positive people, which is truly amazing considering everything that  they have been through. Their attitude should serve as an example for all of us. If I had to spend my morning picking swiss chard, I  am glad that it was with them.

Service takes no summer vacation

by Pat McGuire ’14

The summer of 2013 was a very industrious one for service at 1911 West 30th.  First, the Saint Joseph of Arimathea Pallbearer Ministry served a very busy summer serving the funerals of those who had no one else.  It truly was a privilege for me to be able to serve with fellow Pallbearers and carry the caskets of men and women to their final resting places.

During this summer, I personally served four funerals for military veterans.  These experiences were each a unique honor, each very different. The first one I served, there were only two family members able to attend the service; at the second, a large family that had more of a celebratory manner; at the third, a group of religious sisters attended; and the fourth was served at the Ohio Western Reserve Cemetery.  To me, carrying these veterans to their final resting place is the ultimate act of service I could do for those willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

The magnitude of the service that this ministry does for others is difficult to comprehend.  This summer the Pallbearer ministry, started by the quintessential Man for Others, Mr. Jim Skerl ‘74, served its 1250th funeral.  This number speaks volumes to the type of leader and man Mr. Skerl is but also to the “Man for Others” attitude at Saint Ignatius.  Laying to rest 1,250 souls sums up the service we do at Saint Ignatius and in particular this great ministry: a dedication to continue serving, even those who are no longer living.

Congratulations and thank you to all those leaders, adult companions, and students who have been an integral part of this great service ministry.

The Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Seville, Ohio (about an hour from Cleveland)
The Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Seville, Ohio (about an hour from Cleveland)

I would also be remiss not to mention the continued success of Labre.  Again, Mr. Skerl has shown his devotion to service, Saint Ignatius, and, most of all, God.  Mr. Skerl has continue to serve the homeless in and around Cleveland even during the difficulties in his life.  He is a true Man for Others.  Thanks Mr. Skerl.

Last but not least, a huge thank you goes out to our 2012-2013 Alumni Volunteers.  These volunteers devoted last school year to assisting these ministries and, of course, the many other initiatives under the Christian Action Team.  Your devotion is very much appreciated.

But dynamic leaders like Mr. Skerl and the Alumni Volunteers can’t single handedly make the service programs great without the students that allow these programs to even be possible.  Every Thursday the Christian Action Team meets after school in room 227 to help these students keep Ignatius service going strong.  Be there.

 

Gideon’s Guide: Senior Surge

Throughout the summer I got an annoying amount of college and senior year questions as, I assume, all other rising seniors did. “Are you excited for senior year?” I was asked roughly one hundred times by mostly adults who couldn’t think of anything more creative to say. My most prevalent feeling was  lack of enthusiasm to smatter on more responsibility and stress to my already heavy plate of things in my life. I always added, though, that my senior year was going to be filled with a bunch of fun and excitement. Yet still I couldn’t convince myself to have a great attitude about the upcoming year.

Continue

A portrait of Gibbons Hall, the newest addition to the Saint Ignatius campus

by Matt Nicolay ’14

Gibbons Hall, located on West 32nd Street directly across from the fire station parking lot, opens to students this fall.

Mr. Hendler of the Plant Services department said that the new building will have multiple users.

“It’s more than a facility just for wrestlers. About half the building is for wrestlers,” Hendler said. “There’s a Labre kitchen in there, so the Labre program will work out of that building.”

The new, larger first-floor Labre kitchen is outfitted with appliances and additional floor space.

This was badly needed, Hendler said, as the school was using its own kitchen for Labre and was told that it could not continue to use that kitchen for faith-based charity.

Hendler said that the building’s second floor was built with flexibility in mind.

“Half the building has a second floor. Upstairs we have a multipurpose classroom that can be used by any department that needs a more flexible space or an extra classroom for whatever, such as drivers’ ed, or the Arrupe program or things like that,” Hendler said. “There’s also a fitness center on the second floor that’s for all the employees of the school. [It’s] like a health club type of facility.”

The funding for the extensive renovations came from a large donation by alumnus Mr. Eugene Gibbons ’70. While some donors specify exactly what they want their money to be used for, Mr. Gibbons asked Saint Ignatius how he could best shape his donation to meet the school’s needs. What resulted is the multi-purposed Gibbons Hall.

Hendler said that if a student is not involved in wrestling or Labre and is never assigned to the multipurpose classroom, it is likely that he will never enter Gibbons Hall as the building will be a somewhat restricted area. Still, it should serve a large proportion of the student body for years to come.

Fanta’s Take: OHSAA’s two-region Division I football system should be embraced

by John Fanta ‘13

As announced by the Ohio High School Athletic Association, two regions will be formed out of a new “super” Division I. The Northern Region will have 35 teams and the Southern will contain 37. 16 playoff teams will come out of each region and the two regional champions will be determined in the fourth round of the playoffs and will advance to the state title.

The other six divisions (with the new Division VII) will contain a classic four-region system.

First, let’s look at the counties involved in the Northern Region: Cuyahoga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Summit, Trumbull, Mahoning, Stark, Union, Lucas, and Delaware counties. Looking at the Southern Region, Franklin County schools (which include Columbus) will be there along with the Cincinnati and Dayton schools.

Division I Northern Region schools: Saint Ignatius, Mentor, St. Edward, Austintown Fitch, Berea-Midpark, Brunswick, Canton McKinley, Cleveland Heights, Cuyahoga Falls, Delaware Hayes, Elyria, Euclid, Findlay, Glenoak, Green, Hudson, Lakewood, Lorain, Massillon Jackson, Massillon Perry, Marysville, Medina, Newark, North Canton Hoover, North Royalton, Olentangy Liberty, Shaker Heights, Stow, Solon, Strongsville, Toledo Whitmer, Wadsworth, Warren Harding, Westerville Central, and Youngstown East.
Notably, Glenville, Massillon, and Willoughby South are part of the group of schools that will be dropping from Division I to II.

Division I to Division II Schools: Amherst Steele, Avon Lake, Boardman, Brecksville-Broadview Heights, Brush, East Tech, Eastlake North, Garfield Heights, Glenville, John Adams, John Marshall, Cleveland John F. Kennedy, Lincoln-West, Mayfield, Massillon, Nordonia, North Olmsted, North Ridgeville, Parma, Riverside, Rhodes, Twinsburg, Valley Forge, and Willoughby South.

No private schools in Northeast Ohio went down to Division II. The cutoff enrollment was 608, so that for the next two years, schools with grades 9-11 enrollment of 608 or more will stay with the big schools. The odd scenario that has some scratching their heads is that the regional finals will also be state semifinals, but in the grand scheme of things, there can’t be that much complaining. The two best teams are still going to be playing in December.

Those teams that have dropped from Division I to Division II have no room to complain about their positioning. For schools like Massillon and Glenville, the drop is not exactly comforting, but it is what it is. The powerhouses are still present, as Saint Ignatius is not really impacted. The Wildcats’ eight-game schedule is not sitting well with many due to the two open slots for this fall, but Coach Chuck Kyle is not getting wild over it. The Wildcats will be just fine, and this alignment looks as if it helps them.

The public-private split is out there, and the days are looming where something like that could happen. But I will say this to those schools who are adamant about it. The days of the public-private big time showdowns like Saint Ignatius – Mentor could be over. And so I ask, is it worth it? There are still issues with competitive balance with teams scheduling schools in Division I when they are in divisions below, but I find those match-ups to be refreshing. Youngstown Ursuline has formed a series with St. Edward, and it has brought much interest throughout the past years.

The definition of winning does not change with new alignments, but it will if there is a split. It may look nice on paper, but the eventual result is one that is missing out on the special showdowns between public and private schools.

2013 Saint Ignatius Baseball: A season to remember

by John Fanta ‘13

The same team that started 0-2 and 5-5 will be playing in the state final. At the beginning of the month of April, fans would have called me wild if I had said that. While many were doubting ninth-year Coach Brad Ganor and his 2013 team, captains Dan Rowbottom, Conor Hennessey, Tyler Finkler, and Kyle Pluta tried to keep things together. The Wildcats went into the season thinking that they were a state title contenders, but the start of the season indicated different results in the end. “We got the losing out of the way at the perfect time,” said Coach Brad Ganor in the first week of June, though. Going through a stretch of 22 wins in 24 tries and 13 wins in a row, the season will go down in history for Saint Ignatius Baseball as one of the best ever.

After two losses to Ashland and Amherst, the Wildcats came hungry to win in their first weekend of the season. Going to the inaugural “First Pitch Classic,” Coach Brad Ganor’s team had the opportunity to play at V.A. Memorial Stadium in Chillicothe. A four-run 4th inning against Bishop Watterson and solid pitching from Nick Margevicius surged the Wildcats to their first win of the season. That was only the beginning, as Saint Ignatius surged past Grove City for their second win of the season. They sent 18 hitters to the plate in the 4th inning, which led to 13 runs. By the 10-run mercy rule, Saint Ignatius won the game after five innings were played, 13-2. The following day, the Wildcats went to beautiful Dublin Jerome for a doubleheader with the Celtics. Tom Rolle earned his first win of the season and Shane Skuhrovec came on for the save. Tyler Finkler’s defense also was huge in a 4-3 win in Game One of a doubleheader. After a Game Two loss, the Wildcats were 3-3 after one week of the season.

One of the great opportunities of the season was the chance for the Wildcats to play a good portion of home games at Classic Park, the home of the Lake County Captains. Owner of the Captains and donor Mr. Peter Carfagna welcomed the ‘Cats for the season. After a tough loss to Massillon Jackson, the Wildcats’ home opener with Nordonia was called off and moved. After a game with Archbishop Hoban was postponed, Saint Ignatius took on Canfield. They gave Tom Rolle a big birthday gift with an 18-run performance and an easy win for their ace. Nick Margevicius followed with a 92-pitch complete game in a 5-1 win over Saint Vincent-Saint Mary. But, things would change the following week with a trip to Westlake. The Wildcats scored two in the top of the 1st, but Westlake put up six unanswered throughout to take down Saint Ignatius, 6-2. Standing at 5-5 after the loss to the same team that had beaten the ‘Cats in the playoffs in 2012, there was still uncertainty. The Wildcats would silence doubts against Twinsburg the very next day. It was a slugfest, to say the least. Saint Ignatius fought off the Tigers 18-14, highlighted by an eight-run 6th inning.

Thirteen batters ended up stepping to the plate for Coach Ganor in the decisive sixth and when the dust settled, the ‘Cats were purring to the tune of an 18-11 lead.

 

With one out and nobody on base, senior designated hitter Kevin Hagen got the eight-run sixth started with a double to center field. Senior third baseman Cole Nieto, who went 4-for-4 on the day and played a solid game at the hot corner, then drove a ball to left field for a base hit that was stung so hard the left fielder couldn’t come up with it cleanly and senior pitcher Matt Lynch, who was pinch-running for Hagen, came around to score the tying run. Promising sophomore catcher Alex Panstares, who doesn’t play like a recent junior varsity call up, lined a first-pitch scorcher to left field that put Saint Ignatius back in front,12-11, and then some ‘Viking Pride” came to the fore. Junior first baseman Joe Khoury, senior center fielder and captain Conor Hennessey and junior left fielder Nick Fabian, who are products of Sts. Joseph and John Elementary School in Strongsville (thus the “Viking Pride” reference), followed with huge run-scoring hits, including a hustle RBI double by Hennessey. Hustle and Hennessey are synonymous.The eight-run barrage also featured an RBI triple by junior right fielder and Miami of Ohio recruit Nick Longo, who is swinging the bat with authority, and another clutch hit by Nieto that produced the ‘Cats’ 18th run.

An outstanding effort by Matt Lynch highlighted the Wildcats’ doubleheader sweep of Mansfield Madison and Midview.  The following week was highlighted by a game under the lights with Avon Lake at Progressive Field. The Wildcats routed Avon Lake behind great performances by Dan Rowbottom, Cole Nieto, and Jordan Bufford. A big victory would occur for Saint Ignatius as the following week began with a comeback win over St. Edward, 6-4. “Matt Lynch, Kyle Pluta and MJ Nara did a phenomenal job in those fifth, sixth and seventh innings, getting out of a few jams,” Coach Ganor said after the game. Nara’s save was simply filthy. The sophomore battery of Nara and Alex Panstares was extremely fun to watch all season, and in my opinion, they were some of the most mature sophomore athletes I have seen. After a win over Kenston, the Ohio Jesuit Tournament arrived at Classic Park. A dramatic Saturday would go the ‘Cats way in the day-cap. Trailing 4-0 heading into the bottom of the 7th, Saint Ignatius was just about ready to drop a loss to Walsh Jesuit, but then things changed and the toughness came out. Cole Nieto, Quillen Austria and Joe Khoury provided the crucial hits, with Austria sending a game-tying, two-run double down the right-field line off a fastball down and away, and Khoury coming up with a single through the right side for the game winner for a 5-4 victory!

Although they fell to Saint Xavier, the Wildcats followed with a strong 7-2 victory over Saint John Jesuit. Tyler Finkler climbed the ladder for a highlight-reel double play, senior third baseman Cole Nieto and junior infielder Quillen Austria set the table in the sixth with text-book bunts, and crafty senior southpaw Tom Rolle (4-0) threw six gritty innings. Looking at the rest of the regular season, Saint Ignatius had a dramatic victory over Canton Central Catholic, 9-8, as they prepared for the postseason. Seeded 2nd in the Strongsville Sectional/District, the Wildcats readied for the most important time of the season.

In their sectional final against Berea, Dan Rowbottom sparked the offense while Quillen Austria fueled the base running. Nick Margevicius dealt a gem, and Saint Ignatius rolled to an 8-0 win. Tom Rolle fired a three-hitter while Conor Hennessey broke the regular-season steals record in a 6-2 District Semifinal victory over Midpark. In Semifinal #1, Normandy upset Brecksville-Broadview Heights, 2-1, and was looking for a program-defying win over Saint Ignatius. Nick Margevicius’ stellar start and a key RBI triple by Dan Rowbottom led the Wildcats just by the Invaders, 2-1. So, for the second straight year, Coach Brad Ganor and his team went to Regionals. In their Regional Semifinal, along with the efforts turned in by Nick Fabian and Tom Rolle, the Wildcats also got some clutch hitting from Tyler Finkler, Joe Khoury and Conor Hennessey, some more solid defense from Khoury at first base and Alex Panstares behind the plate, and a strong sixth inning of relief from right-hander Kyle Pluta. They fought off Avon Lake in a tight one, 3-2.

After the Cleveland Regional Final was plagued by rain and moved to graduation Sunday, Saint Ignatius absolutely demolished Saint Francis, 14-0.

There were many major contributors up and down Saint Ignatius’ lineup, including a three-RBI performance by Nick Fabian and two RBIs each by Tyler Finkler, Dan Rowbottom, Nick Longo, Alex Panstares and Joe Khoury. Senior captains Rowbottom and Finkler both went 3-for-4, Fabian was 3-for-3 and Panstares was 2-for-2 with two triples. The ‘Cats had five triples on the afternoon. That was more than enough support for gifted junior left-hander Nick Margevicius, who yielded three hits, two of which were an infield scratch and a shallow single, in improving to 9-0 on the season. Nick threw 64 pitches, 41 for strikes.

The Wildcats had clinched their first State Final Four berth since 2009, and they would face a team that was in the Final Four for the first time ever, Gahanna Lincoln. Along with Dan Rowbottom’s go-ahead RBI two-run triple, which came with one out in the top of the sixth inning, Saint Ignatius was treated to dig-down-deep efforts by starting pitcher Tom Rolle and relievers Kyle Pluta (winning pitcher) and MJ Nara, a 2-for-3, one RBI performance from Shane Skuhrovec, two hits, an RBI and two stolen bases by Conor Hennessey, a 2-for-4 day by Tyler Finkler and a hit and an RBI by Cole Nieto. The Wildcats fought off the Lions, 7-5, to clinch their first State Final berth since 2008!

Although the State Championship did not go the way the Wildcats wanted it to (7-1 loss to now seven-time state champion Moeller), Coach Brad Ganor had nothing but good things to say about his team. “You will go down as one of the greatest teams in program history. You made me so proud, and you represented your alma mater in the finest way possible.”

From a guy who stepped up with a smile on his face like Bennett Kinzel to superstar Dan Rowbottom, this team exemplified the saying “knowing your role,” as they fought. Seniors like Kevin Hagen and Jagger Bruck guided the younger guys along in a season to remember. What a group, a group that I’ll never forget.

 

Offensive Player of the Year: Senior captain, second baseman and Illinois recruit Dan Rowbottom.

 

Defensive Players of the Year: Senior captain, shortstop and Ohio University recruit Tyler Finkler and junior left fielder/center fielder Nick Fabian.

 

Pitchers of the Year: Senior left-hander Tom Rolle (6-0) and junior southpaw Nick Margevicius (9-1).

 

Captains Awards: Senior center fielder/designated hitter Conor Hennessey, senior right-handed pitcher Kyle Pluta, Dan Rowbottom and Tyler Finkler.

 

The Coaches’ Cups: Senior third baseman Cole Nieto, junior outfielder/pitcher/infielder Shane Skuhrovec and Conor Hennessey. NOTE: Conor set a single-season school record with 30 stolen bases. He was 30-for-34. Coach Ganor’s team set a single-season team mark of 124 stolen bases.

 

2014 Captains: Nick Fabian and Nick Margevicius, with a third captain to be announced at a later date.

Season of memories ends for baseball in 7-1 Div. I State Final loss to Cincinnati Moeller

by John Fanta ‘13

It was a day to remember the achievements of the Saint Ignatius Baseball season, as a bittersweet 2013 team sat in the dugout. Coaches have a tough job, as Coach Brad Ganor had to deliver a parting message on the season to his team.

“Being in the top two in state is special. Even though it’s gonna sting, I’ve loved this team,” said the nine-year head coach. The Wildcats were defeated by Cincinnati Moeller, 7-1, in the Division I State Championship. It is Moeller’s seventh state championship, and Saint Ignatius’ third state runner-up year (2000, 2008 the others). The only state title in Saint Ignatius Baseball history came back in 2002.

Outscoring their opponents by a combined 82-8 in their seven tournament games, the Crusaders got on the board in the second, with four hits and a Wildcat error to get three runs produced. It seemed like there was a certain life taken out of Saint Ignatius in the second, as Nick Margevicius threw strikes, but a now 32-2 team just doesn’t go scoreless. “Any error we made, they took advantage,” said Saint Ignatius captain Conor Hennessey. All of the second-inning runs came with two outs for the Crusaders too, which stung. In the third inning, Saint Ignatius scored on a walk, an error, and then a sac fly by Ohio U. recruit Tyler Finkler. The leaf turned to 6-1 after three innings. Nick Fabian and Shane Skuhrovec came on for relief work for the ‘Cats, as the staff as a whole walked five hitters, hit one, and had two wild pitches. It was a just a brick wall that the 27-7 Wildcats ran into, and it was a program that has produced players like Ken Griffey Jr., Buddy Bell, Barry Larkin, and more. On top of that, Moeller won the 25th baseball state title in Hamilton County history. Although it wasn’t pretty with the result, Coach Ganor turned to his team and said, “I am so proud of this year. Thank you.”

Heading back to the bus, I thought of how special this team really was. It will go down as one of the great teams to g through Wildcat High, and the future looks bright for Coach Brad Ganor.

I can’t think him and his staff enough for allowing me to have the privilege of covering such a great group. And to the team, I must say that I have not had the kind of fun off the field that we had in my coverage throughout these four years. What a group of gentlemen they were, and what a season it was to be a part of. You ended my time with a state final appearance. I could not have asked for a better end. I have loved every second of it, and as I had tears on the way back, it was because I’ll have the memories, but I’ll miss the special times that we had.

Congrats to all the teams who made it down to Huntington Park. What a weekend as the 86th annual State Baseball Tournament concludes.

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About The Eye

The Eye is the student-led publication of Saint Ignatius High School.

Editors-in-Chief: Kelly Coleman '23, Young Kim '23 & Aidan Oliss '23