SIDELINES

Titans looking to reach state cross country meet

10/24/2013

St. John’s Jesuit’s cross country team is riding the momentum of a Division I district championship into Saturday’s regional meet.

The Titans head to Tiffin on a high note, hoping to make the next step.

“I just hope we can go out there and get one of the top four spots,” Black said.

That would qualify the Titans for the state meet for the first time since 2008.

St. John’s won the District 2 title Saturday at Pearson Park, a bit of a surprise because the Titans finished second to St. Francis de Sales at the Three Rivers Athletic Conference meet.

The Titans, led by junior Tevin Brown, who was the top individual in the race (15 minutes, 58.20 seconds), scored the team title by edging the Knights 61-66. Nick Jarrell, a junior, was ninth while Jake Barnes, a sophomore, was 10th. Sam Rush, Cory Chovan, Adam Farthing, and Charlie Kettinger were the next Titans to finish.

Black said this year’s team is at full strength at the right time. Brown was sidelined with an injury at this time last year.

“You just can’t run you best when you’re missing somebody,” Black said. “Having everyone there sends positive vibes througout the whole team.”

St. Francis, led by Dan Siebenaller and David St. John, also looks to be a top contender at the regional.

Central Catholic’s George McCartney, a District 1 individual winner (16:11.80) at Pearson Park, leads a talented Irish team into the regional.

In Division I girls, Perrysburg and Clay are considered favorites to qualify for state at the regional. The Yellow Jackets, led by Taylor Monheim (Distrct 1 winner) and Courtney Clody, and the Eagles, paced by Erin Gyurke (District 2 winner), were state qualifiers a year ago.

 

Football

PH’s Inselmann gets 200th win

Patrick Henry’s 28-21 victory last Friday over Archbold gave coach Bill Inselmann his 200th career win.

Inselmann was the quarterback when Patrick Henry made its first playoff appearance in 1977.

He was hired as coach after an 0-10 season in 1990. In his 23 seasons, his 200-63 record includes a Division V state championship in 2005, three state semifinal appearances (2004, 2007, 2009), 11 consecutive playoff berths, and 15 postseason trips overall.

 

Baseball

Clay hires Phillips

Jim Phillips, a Clay graduate, has been hired as the Eagles baseball coach.

Phillips was as an assistant coach at St. John's last season and becomes only the fifth coach in Clay baseballl history.

He replaces Garry Isbell, who coached the Eagles from 2010-13. Previous coaches were Harold Potter (1928-74), Dick Kandik (1975-96) and Karl Knierim (1997-2009).

Clay finished second in the Three Rivers Athletic Conference last season with a 7-3 record and was 16-14 overall.

 

Hall of fame

Whitmer to induct 5

Former boys basketball coach Bruce Smith is among five inductees who will enter the Whitmer athletic hall of fame Saturday.

Smith, who retired from Washington Local Schools as a math teacher earlier this year, coached the Panthers for 22 years. His teams reached the state tournament in 2008 and 2012, the latter finishing as runner-up. Smith had a 311-170 record with the Panthers and won seven league titles. He earned coach of the year honors eight times (five Great Lakes League, two City League, one Three Rivers Athletic Conference).

Also being inducted:

Tammie Dey Adduci (Class of 1986) received eight varsity letters in cross country and track. She was a key member of the first two teams in school history (1983 and '84) to reach the state cross country meet. She was All-GLL first team in 1984, second team in 1983. She has taught physical education in Washington Local Schools for 23 years.

Bridget Buss Black (2003) earned four letters in basketball and three in volleyball and was team captain in both sports, earning All-GLL first team in both during her senior year. She scored 1,087 points and is the only girls basketball player in school history to reach the 1,000-point mark. She teaches third grade at Shoreland Elementary.

Julie Hunter (2002) earned nine letters in tennis, basketball, and track. The standout hurdler was a three-time state finalist and three-time All-GLL 300-meter hurdles champion, setting school and league records in the event. She was a member of a basketball team that reached the district final, and was All-GLL second team in tennis. She teaches special education at Whitmer.

Paul Walberg has been a longtime contributor to Whitmer and its athletic programs. He and his wife, Maddie, helped establish Whitmer’s Campus Life Club, along with former football coach Pat Gucciardo. Walberg has remained connected with the football program is being recognized for helping Whitmer athletes deal with life issues even after high school.

The event will at Cambridge Place (Kmart Plaza on Alexis Road). Tickets are $30 individiuals, $50 couples. Call 419-473-8382 for information.