Northview hockey team aims for state title

Courtney Cross, left, Payton Carter, Kelsi Omey, Lauren Elliott, and Morgan Korn cheer the Northview hockey team during a pep rally at the Sylvania school a day before today's semifinals in Columbus. THE BLADE/DAVE ZAPOTOSKY Enlarge | Photo Reprints

You could almost power a building with the excitement pumping through the gym at Sylvania Northview High School.

With the Wildcats hockey team gearing up to play in the state semifinals this weekend for the seventh time, exuberant students, teachers, coaches, and parents packed the room yesterday to wish the athletes well.

"We are Northview!" the crowd chorused, whooping and clapping as each athlete was introduced and took his seat in the center of the gym. "Northview Wildcats," came a round of spontaneous cheers.

Above the ruckus hung the invisible question: Will the Wildcats make it to tomorrow's final and capture the school's first-ever state championship for a team sport?

Many dared to dream.

"Our chances are good," Principal Stewart Jesse said. "We're hoping."

The Wildcats play Dublin Coffman High School at 1 p.m. today at Nationwide Arena in Columbus. If they win, they'll face either Cleveland St. Ignatius or Hunting Valley University School in the state championship tomorrow.

"There's a couple of good teams there," Mr. Jesse said. "But we're ready for them and we can beat them."

Northview's hockey team has made it to the state semifinals seven times in the last three decades and finished runner-up three times. But ultimate triumph has remained elusive.

Player Aaron Booth, a junior who's played hockey since he was 3, said he was excited about playing in Columbus. "It feels great," said Aaron, whose mother and sister attended the pep rally. "We're achieving our goals."

Head coach Michael Jones said the team was taking its success so far "in stride."

"Obviously, it's everything for these kids," Mr. Jones said. "It's what they've poured their heart and soul into."

Athletic Director Chris Irwin said Northview had been awash in "hockey hysteria" all week since the Wildcats' 7-1 rout of Findlay in the district final.

Mr. Jesse said he expects up to 800 Northview students at today's game, along with parents and other relatives. Tickets have been selling like hotcakes.

"For us to be able to make it to the final four, it's a dream come true for both the ice hockey players and the school itself," Mr. Jesse said. "The kids are just totally revved up and excited about going down to Columbus and watching our boys do their absolute best down there."

Juniors Lexi Fisher, Maclaren Roemer, and Lauren Howald are three of the students planning to attend today's game. Giggling and excited, they interrupted each other as they praised the Wildcats' achievements.

"It's the most amazing feeling," Lexi said. "It pumps up our school. We don't get to go to the states every year."

After the rally, the Wildcats headed down to the Sylvania Tam-O-Shanter Sports and Exhibition Center for a practice. They then toured local elementary and junior highs by bus before heading to Columbus.

Contact Claudia Boyd-Barrett at:

cbarrett@theblade.com

or 419-724-6272.