2012 Spring Sports Guide

8/2/2019 2012 Spring Sports Guide

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A S p e c i a lS u p p l e m e n t

T o T h eD e l p h o s H e r a l d

M a r c h 2 0 1 2

Spring High School:

Schedules

Outlooks

Team Info

Delphos Jefferson

Delphos St. Johns

Ottoville

Ft. Jennings

Spencerville

Lincolnview

Columbus Grove

Elida

Kalida

Van Wert

Crestview

201

2

SP

RIN

GS

POR

TS


2/36

D E L P H O S J E F F E R S O N

2 The Herald Spring Sports March 2012

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[email protected] Doug Geary finished 13-10

in 2011, his first season as head varsity base-ball coach at Jefferson, after serving six yearsas the junior varsity head coach.

Four major cogs from that team are gonedue to graduation but a lucky number seven as in returning starters are back to tryand help Geary do even better in his sopho-more campaign for the Red and White hard-ballers who ended up 5-4 in the NorthwestConference and lost to Kalida 4-3 in 11innings the Division III district semifinals.

Senior Curtis Miller (third year; firstbaseman/pitcher; .347 batting average, .459on-base percentage, .555 slugging percent-age, 5 doubles, 2 triples, 2 home runs, 19runs batted in, 19 runs scored, 12 walks,8 stolen bases; 1-1, 5 saves, 24 strikeouts,0.32 earned run average) leads the veteransafter his second-team NWC honors from ayear ago, along with second-teamer DrewKortokrax (junior pitcher/outfielder; .243BA, 5 2Bs, 11 RBIs; 3-3, 1.94 ERA, 44 Ks)and senior honorable-mention NWC pick

Tony George (third year; shortstop/second

baseman/pitcher; .315 BA, .438 SLG%, 19runs, 6 2Bs, 15 RBIs, 15 SBs; 2-2, 5.86 ERA,24 Ks).

Justin Rode (senior catcher; third year;.271 BA, 13 RBIs), Kyle Anspach (senioroutfielder), Mike Joseph (senior centerfield-er/pitcher; 1-0, 4.66 ERA) and multi-purposesophomore Ross Thompson (shortstop/sec-ond baseman/pitcher; 3 2Bs, 11 RBIs) alsoreturn for a senior-laden Wildcat baseballcrew.

However, four players exhausted theireligibility from last spring, including third-year Nik Moore (shortstop/second baseman;

honorable mention; .338 BA, .466 OB%,5 2Bs, 22 runs, 8 SBs; 1-1, 0.00 ERA inrelief), third-year Nick Cook (second base-man/pitcher; .300 BA, 3 2Bs; 1-1, 2.70 ERA,19 Ks), pitcher/first baseman Ben Babcock(second year; .291 BA; 2-0, 6.26 ERA) andrightfielder Jordan Vorst (second year).

Two other letterwinners expected to makethe jump into full-time service for the 2012Wildcats are senior pitcher/third basemanJeff Schleeter (.241 BA; 2-1, 5.25 ERA) andsenior outfielder Evan Neubert.

We return the core of a pitching staffthat posted a 3.12 earned run average, which

should be a strength, Geary noted.However, that may not be happening right

off the bat due to some injuries.Having Curtis and Drew unavailable for

pitching at the beginning of the season dueto dinged-up shoulders, well be lookingfor guys like Jeff, Tony and Mike to step upearly on and give us some solid innings,Geary said.

Still, the Red and White will need to findways score runs especially after a changein the bats the team will use to help makethat expected pitching strength stand up; theWildcats finished 2011 with a .264 batting

average and scored 6.2 runs per game.Offensively, well have to find ways to

manufacture runs. Sitting and waiting fora 3-run home run with these new BBCOR

Geary hopes 7 a lucky number in his sophomore campaign

Jefferson baseball varsity 2012The varsity baseball team for Jefferson this season has, seated from left, Jeff

Schleeter, Evan Neubert, Mike Joseph, Curtis Miller, Jordan Rode, Tony Georgeand Kyle Anspach; and standing, assistant coach Clay Erman, Drew Kortokrax,Dylan Haehn, Aach Ricker, Zach Kimmett, Ross Thompson, Austin Jettinghoff, CurtWollenhaupt, manager Cody Hilvers and head coach Doug Geary. Assistant coachRusty Thompson is absent.

bats, it just wont happen as frequently asin the past, Geary explained. With those

changes, hitting fundamentals have been apriority in 2012.They will also need to shore up the

defense, especially the middle infield, to helpout the pitching staff and allow the offenseto work its way into the season. Last yearsdefense committed 55 errors and allowed 46of the 127 runs scored against them to beunearned.

We lost our middle infield to graduationin Nik and Nick, so filling those holes are amust, Geary commented.

The remainder of the 14-man varsity ros-ter has junior Zach Ricker (infielder/pitcher),

junior Zach Kimmett (outfielder/first base-man), junior Seth Wollenhaupt (outfielder),junior Dylan Haehn and multi-purpose soph-omore Austin Jettinghoff (third baseman/

second baseman/catcher).Crestview, Lima Central Catholic and

Columbus Grove seem to be the top teams inthe conference and Id like to think wed beright there in the mix, Geary added.

Clay Erman is serving as the varsityassistant coach, along with Rusty Thompson.Josiah Stober is the junior varsity coach,along with JV assistants Chris Mercer andJordan Jettinghoff.

The JV roster has juniors Tyler Wrasmanand Gage Townsend; sophomores ZavierBuzard, Tyler Rice and Jordan Herron; andfreshmen Gaige Rassman, Jesse Stemen,Ryan Bullinger, Curt Wollenhaupt, NickFitch, Logan Pruett, Tyler Talboom, Jordan

McCann and Austin Carder.Jefferson was slated to begin 2012 with

a home doubleheader versus Van Wert onSaturday, March 24.

Jim Metcalfe photo


3/36

March 2012 The Herald Spring Sports 3

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DELPHOS Jefferson girls track andfield coach Ryan Carder had a quartet of

performers make it to the Division III StateTrack and Field Championships in 2011.

Three of them that qualified in the4x100-meter relay: Bridget Culp (who fin-ished fifth in the 100-meter finals), MorganFischbach (sprints and relays) and EmilyFought (sprints and relays); exhausted theireligibility for the team that placed 41st atstate in 2011.

One will return: senior Kennedy Boggs(sprints, relays and jumps); as well as a pairthat were alternates and competed in theregional relay meets as Fought was nursing

a leg injury in third-year junior ChelseyBishop (hurdles and sprints) and classmateBrooke Teman (sprints).

That experienced trio will be the linch-pins of this 2012 edition of Lady Wildcats with a relatively youthful look of twoseniors, three juniors, seven sophomoresand two freshmen as they seek toimprove upon their third-place finish in theNorthwest Conference.

With those sprinters, the seventh-yearhead coach figures that to be the majorstrength of this years unit.

Sprints are our strength again thisyear, along with Rileigh (Stockwell) in thepole vault, Carder said. Kennedy willbe a contender in some events. Stephanie(Koenig) is experienced in the distanceevents and will look to contribute morethis year.

Besides the senior Koenig (distance)and the sophomore Stockwell (sprints andpole vault), six other Lady Wildcats earnedletters a year ago: junior Breanna Strayer(sprints), junior Jenna Moreo (sprints),sophomore Rebekah Geise (distance),sophomore Tori Suever (middle distance),

sophomore Kenidi Ulm (distance) andclassmate Libbi Brown (throws).

Two others used up their eligibility a

year ago: Korey Boggs (distance and polevault) and Shelbi Brown (throws).

We will need to replace three of ourfour state-qualifying relay members. Wewill be working hard to replace those mem-

bers, as well as improve in our distance andfield events, Carder continued.

Carder will be looking to three promis-ing newcomers to help off-set those losses:sophomore thrower MaKayla Binkley;freshman sprinter Brooke Culp and fresh-man Heather Pohlman (sprints); along withtwo others to fill out the roster: freshmanBethany Kaverman and freshman ShannonCoil.

We lose a lot of points due to gradua-tion. We will look to improve in more areassuch as field events and distance to help

make up those lost points, Carder added.Our sprinters will be solid as we stillretain Kennedy. Rileigh will also look toimprove in the pole vault as she narrowlymissed regionals last year.

Assisting Carder in the coaching dutiesare Damon Ulm and Joel Brown.

Jefferson was slated to open the girlstrack and field season at the Allen East tri-meet on Tuesday, March 27.

Boggs set to pace Jefferson girls tracksters

The 2012 Jefferson girls track and field unit has, front from left, Stephanie Koenigand Kennedy Boggs; second row, Chelsey Bishop, Jenna Moreo, Breanna Strayer andLibbi Brown; third row, Rebekah Geise, Tori Suever, Kenidi Ulm, Rileigh Stockwell,Katie Goergens and Brooke Teman; and back, Brooke Culp, Bethany Kaverman,Heather Pohlman and Shannon Coil. Absent is Makayla Binkley.

Jefferson girls 2012 track Jim Metcalfe photo


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DELPHOS Jefferson has more than afew graduated boys track and field partici-pants to replace for seventh-year head coachLarry Bub Lindeman.

That is because 13 exhausted their eligi-bility in 2011, so he enters 2012 with a veryyoung and inexperienced squad.

Gone from a year ago are multiple-year veterans such as Kody Richardson(sprints and relays), Jacob Leach (sprintsand relays), Zach Morris (sprints and polevault), Cory Osting (shot put and discus) andJoey Lindeman (jumps, sprints and relays),as well as Mike West (middle distance),

Nate Staples (distance), Zak Lumpkin, JesseCano (sprints and relays), Trenton Gossman(sprints and relays), Mitchell Antalis (sprintsand relays), Logan Bonifas (sprints andrelays) and Josh Albridge (sprints andrelays).

Still, the cupboard is not empty as a pairof Division III Regional qualifiers in third-year junior Nick Gallmeier (200-meter dash;sprints and relays) and third-year juniorCody Biglow (300-meter hurdles; sprints,

hurdles and relays) tobuild this new editionaround.

Three other veteransreturn as well: third-year senior DarrenEdinger (sprints, polevault and relays), sec-ond-year senior MarcWollenhaupt (sprints)and third-year juniorJordan Barclay (dis-tance).

Sprinting is whatwe do well coming into2012. What we lack isnumbers overall, with

only 16 total, and ourfield events are also inneed of improvement,especially as we go on,Coach Lindeman said.

The coach will lookto a lot of varsity freshfaces to step in for thegraduated Wildcats andfill holes in the line-up: senior Jared Boop

(throws), senior Tyler Miller (middle dis-tance and pole vault), junior Chris Truesdale

(sprints, relays and pole vault), junior AustinPruett (distance), freshman Dominic Munoz(sprints and relays), Devin Van Dyke (sprintsand relays), Chandler Brantley (sprints),Cole Fleck (sprints), Troy Claypool (sprints)and Zach Hittle (sprints).

Due to lack of numbers, Lindeman willrelay more on individuals to do well morethan the team overall.

We should have individuals place wellwith Darren, Nick and Cody but depth andlack of numbers will be a factor in the teamcompetition, Lindeman added.

The Jefferson boys track and field teamfor 2012 was set to open the new campaignat the Allen East tri-meet on Tuesday,March 27.

Young Jeffcat boys embark upon 2012 track season

The Jefferson track and field team for 2012 has, front from left, Jared Boop, Tyler Miller, MarcWollenhaupt and Darren Edinger; second row, Austin Pruett, Jordan Barclay, Cody Biglow, ChrisTruesdale and Alec Stone; and third row, Chandler Brantley, Devin Van Dyke, Dominic Munoz, ColeFleck and Zach Hittle. Absent are Troy Claypool and Nick Gallmeier.

Jefferson boys track 2012Jim Metcalfe photo


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DELPHOS Jeffersons fast-pitch soft-ball team finished 2011 with a 5-15 mark,including 3-6 in the Northwest Conferencechase.

With head coach Dave Wollenhauptbeginning his third season at the helm witha 10-30 overall mark (6-12 in the NWC).

He is hoping that with the return oface starting pitcher Taylor Branham (third-year junior) and her batterymate, third-yearsenior Cassidy Bevington (catcher), thatstrength up the middle will give the Red andWhite a leg up on 2012.

With those two being able to spend theoff-season working together, along with

others, the coach figures that will help thiscrew of Lady Wildcats jibe well.

He has already seen the results in thepreseason preparations.

The team chemistry we have is the bestin my three years of being the head coachhere, he noted.

Branham spent the off-season workingwith a pitching coach on a weekly basis toexpand her repertoire in the center circleand the coach expects that to pay big divi-

dends this spring, especially with a veteranbackstop he can rely on.

It should also help that the middle of theinfield in particular, third-year seniorshortstop Samantha Thitoff and junior sec-ond sacker and speedster Corrine Metzger,along with junior centerfielder Fallon VanDyke should provide the needed up-the-middle foundation most successful pro-grams have to build from.

Still, the head coach has to replace atrio of graduated players, led by third-yearfirst baseman Chelsey Fischer (second-teamall-NWC), third-year third baseman PaigeRicker and second-year leftfielder AlexRostorfer.

He will be looking to returning playerslike junior Destiny Thompson (catcher/outfielder), junior Kayla Kill (infielder/outfielder), junior Alexis Cook (infielder),sophomore Jasmine McDougall (infielder),sophomore Kimber Kill (utility player) andsophomore Hannah Sensibaugh (out withan ACL injury) to step into the open spotsin the lineup.

As well, newcomers such as juniorRachel Miller, junior Whitney Hohlbein,freshman Samantha Branham, freshman

Sarah Thitoff, freshman Megan Harlan andclassmate Shayla Rice will try to work theirway into the lineup.

The only negative to this years crew is alack of overall depth.

We continue to struggle with numbers.However, we will play a full varsity sched-ule and a limited junior varsity schedule toprovide playing opportunities and devel-opment time for our younger players,Wollenhaupt added.

Keri Wollenhaupt is serving as the JVcoach and Adam Wollenhaupt the assistantcoach.

Jefferson was slated to open the newcampaign on Tuesday, March 27, at VanWert.

Jeffcats looking for softball improvement

The team chemistry

we have is the best

in my three years

of being the head

coach here.

Dave Wollenhaupt,Jefferson head softball coach

Team picture unavailable at presstime.


6/36


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DELPHOS The St. Johns baseballunit finished 2011 in the Division IV statesemifinals, the first time ever.

They also grabbed the undisputed MidwestAthletic Conference title at 8-1 the firsttime ever en route to a 17-5 mark for headcoach Dan Metzger (101-103).

However, with the graduation of six multi-ple-letter players and two others who letteredas seniors, as well as an injury to a returningplayer, Metzger will have his job cut out for

him as he starts his 10th campaign.As a team, we are looking to build offlast years success as we won the MAC andthe regional for the first time ever, Metzgernoted. We graduated eight seniors, severalof whom were 3- and 4-year starters. We dohave five returning starters and three othersthat lettered, so we should have the experi-ence and leadership that we need.

Among the key losses were long-time stal-warts: ace pitcher/first baseman Austin Vogt(47 1/3 innings, 5-2, 1.77 earned run average,48 strikeouts; .317 batting average, .517 slug-ging percentage, .532 on-base percentage; 7

doubles, 17 runs batted in, 13 runs scored),outfielder Jordan Leininger (22 1/3 IPs, 4-0,2.03 ERA; .432 BA, .689 SLG%, .518 OB%,10 2Bs, 3 home runs, 37 RBIs, 11 stolen bases,10 runs), second baseman Ryan Edelbrock(14 IPs, 1-1, 4.00 ERA; .256 BA, .400 OB%),4-year shortstop/reliever Ty Bergfeld (2 saves;.318/.409/.518, 4 2Bs, 25 runs, 20 stolen bases),outfielder Tyler Ditto (.262 BA, 4 2Bs, 15RBIs) and designated hitter Chris Pohlman(limited to 17 at-bats due to injury), along withDerek Klaus and Brad Gerberick.

Offensively is where we were hurt themost by graduation, especially in the powerdepartment. I still feel we have good over-all team speed and will look to use that toour advantage by being very aggressive on

The St. Johns varsity baseball team for 2012 has, kneeling from left, Austin Reindel, Brice Schulte, Dylan Krendl, Ryan Densel,Troy Warnecke, Kyle Neumeier, Curtis Geise and Tanner Calvelage; and standing, head coach Dan Metzger, Josh Rode, AustinJostpille, Ryan Buescher, Isaac Klausing, Andrew Metzger, Cody Kundert, Alex Wehri and assistant coach Zach Metzner. Absent

is Jordan Bergfeld.

St. Johns varsity baseball 2012 Jim Metcalfe photo

the bases, Metzger continued. We willlook to steal bases and take the extra base.We will also probably be more small-ball-oriented than we have the last two years,moving runners up with the bunt as well asbunting for base hits.

That also means that defensively, weneed to be very sound. We dont have thepitchers that will strike out a lot of batters,so when they make good pitches, we need tomake the plays and not give the other teamsextra outs. We have a lot of position players

coming back with varsity experience, so wewill rely on them to make sure the newcom-ers are in proper positions and aware of the

different situations to make those plays.Those five starters returning include

third-year junior Curtis Geise (42 IPs, 5-1,2.83 ERA, 44 Ks; moving to shortstop fromthird base) and classmate Troy Warnecke(third baseman/shortstop; 0-1, 5.73 ERA;.405 OB%, 5 2Bs, 11 runs, 10 RBIs), alongwith letterman junior outfielder/first base-man Ryan Buescher (2-0, 2.42 ERA, 8 2/3IPs in relief; .294 BA); those three will keythis years pitching staff.

As well, third-year senior speedster, cen-

terfielder Tanner Calvelage ( .410/.500/.517,19 SBs, 25 runs, 5 2Bs, 15 RBIs), third-yearsenior Ryan Densel (left field/second base-

man; .298/.298/.400) and senior catcherAustin Reindel return to their positionsfrom a year ago.

However, senior pitcher/third sacker/sec-ond baseman Jordan Bergfeld a likelystarter suffered another shoulder injuryand is currently out.

Senior first baseman/designated hitterAlex Wehri, senior Cody Kundert (sec-ond baseman/shortstop/pitcher) and juniorAndrew Metzger (right field/pitcher) willstep into the everyday lineup, with their

positions dependent upon who is pitching.Others expected to get playing time

Blue Jay hardballers hope for encore campaign

See BLUE JAY, page 9


7/36


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DELPHOS St. Johns head boys trackand field coach Dr. Jay DeWitt has built quite

a mark in his eight previous seasons as theleader.Four state champions (2 100-meter dash

and 2 4x100-meter relays) and one staterunner-up (4x100).

He has had a state qualifier and stateplacer each year during his tenure, includinglast seasons fifth-place 4x100-meter relay ofChris Will, Tyler Jettinghoff, A.J. Klausingand Evan Burgei.

With 14 lettermen back from 2011 including the third-year senior Will (sprints,relays and pole vault) and the sophomoreJettinghoff (sprints and relays) he expects

to add to that legacy in 2012.In fact, those two should help the Blue

Jays do quite well in those events.Our strengths are the middle distance,

sprints, relays and the pole vault, DeWittnoted.

He only has one other letterman that is asenior: David Lindeman (sprints, relays andlong jump).

Nine of the lettermen are in their juniorseason, led by third-year performers in MarkBoggs (middle distance, high jump andthrows), Cole Fischbach (middle distance),

Jake Hays (middle distance and relays), WillBuettner (hurdles, sprints and relays), RobRuda (sprints and relays) and Sean Flanagan(throws).

Back for their second seasons are juniorsIsaac Altenburger (middle distance, polevault and long jump), Jared Knebel (middledistance and relays) and Ben Youngpeter(sprints, relays and long jump).

As well, two other sophomores are back:Aaron Hellman (middle and long distance)and Luke MacLennan (sprints and relays).

Overall, though, with 25 boys downfrom 33 a year ago depth in some events

might be an issue for DeWitt.That is one of our weaknesses a lack

DeWitt seeks to keep state-qualifying legacy for Blue Jay boys

Row 1 (sitting, LtoR): Nick Bockey, Rob Ruda, Issac Altenburger, Jared Knebel, Chris Will, Luke MacLennan, Brian Pohlmanand Nick Martz. Row 2 (kneeling, LtoR): Eric Gerberick, Quinn Wise, Caleb Smith, Jake Hays, Will Buettner, Tyler Jettinghoff, BenYoungpeter, Aaron Hellman and David Lindeman. Row 3 (standing, LtoR): assistant coach Dan Hermiller, head coach Jay DeWitt,Andrew Grothouse, Austin Schulte, Adam Haunhorst, Cole Fischbach, Sean Flanagan, Mark Boggs, Tyler Conley and assistantcoaches Tim Metzner and Archie Metcalfe. Absent are Nate Schroeder and assistant coach Jack DeWitt.

St. Johns boys varsity track and field teamCharlie Ashby photo

See DEWITT, page 9


8/36


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The St. Johns girls track and field squad for 2012 has, front from left, Amber Cross, Ally Mohler, Courtney Grothouse,Kelsey Britt, Jessica Hammons, Brittany Kramer and Teresa Pohlman. 2nd Row - Madison Zuber, Kelsey Pohlman, AlyssaFaurot, Stephanie Honingford, Bailie Hulihan, Megan Joseph, Paige Lucas and Madison Kreeger. 3rd Row - Kestley Hulihan,Lydia Schwinnen, Samantha Bonifas, Kaylie Youngpeter, Brooke Zuber, Alicia Buettner, Maddie Burgei, Tara Vorst, RebekahFischer and Halie Benavidez. 4th Row - Head coach Dave Desenberg and assistant coaches Jeff Martin, Jerry Burgei and ArchieMetcalfe. Absent from picture are Emilie Fischbach and assistant coach Tim Metzner.

St. Johns Lady Blue Jay track


DELPHOS With 11 letterwinners backfrom 2011, the St. Johns girls track and field

crew has a good amount of experience back tobuild 2012 around.

However, seven of them are sophomores, so6th-year mentor Dave Desenberg still has a lotof upside for this flock of Lady Blue Jays asthey commence 2012.

Back for another go-around are seniorJessica Hammons (fourth year; hurdles), seniorCourtney Grothouse (fourth year; pole vault,400 and 800 meters), junior Alyssa Faurot(third year; high jump and sprints), junior AllyMohler (second year; 400 and 800 meters),sophomore Samantha Bonifas (sprints), soph-

omore Maddie Burgei (sprints), sophomoreEmilie Fischbach (sprints and long jump),sophomore Megan Joseph (distance and hur-dles), sophomore Madison Kreeger (shot putand discus), sophomore Paige Lucas (shotput and discus) and sophomore Brooke Zuber(distance).

We are strong in the throwing events,sprints and middle distance. Our goal this year

Youthful Lady Jays still boast experience

See YOUTHFUL, page 9

Charlie Ashby photo


9/36


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dependent on who is pitching and when theteam needs more pitching are seniorsIsaac Klausing (first baseman/pitcher),Austin Jostpille (catcher/second baseman//outfielder), Brice Schulte (outfielder/sec-

ond baseman), Josh Rode (third base), KyleNeumeier (outfielder) and Dylan Krendl(outfielder).

Pitching will be the biggest facet of thisyears team to shore up.

Graduating four of our pitchers, startingpitching at the varsity level is a concern.Curtis started eight games and has emergedas very good pitcher, Metzger added. Ryanand Troy have experience as well but every-one else has to step up. We kept guys likeCody and Isaac on junior varsity last yearbecause we had so many senior pitchers andthose two needed innings; in particular, they

will need to give us some quality innings.Players on the junior varsity team are juniors

Clay Courtney, Drew Wagner and CraigKlausing; sophomores Ben Wrasman, T.J.Hoersten, Kyle Pohlman and Andy May; andfreshmen Gage Seffernick, J.R. Keirns, JordanBoone, Austin Heiing and Justin Siefker.

Assistant coaches are Zach Metzner, EricKerner, Andy Vaske and Craig Hershey.

The Jays were to open 2012 at Wapakonetaon Monday, March 26.

(Continued from Page 6)

Blue Jay(Continued from Page 7)

of depth as well as lacking field events experience, DeWitt said.There is only two other seniors on this years roster: Adam Haunhorst

(throws) and Caleb Smith (throws).As well, only one other junior Andrew Grothouse (throws) looks

to make his mark.Four other 10th-graders are on the 2012 roster: Nick Bockey (sprints/

relays), Eric Gerberick (sprints/relays/long jump), Nate Schroeder (throws)and Quinn Wise (sprints/relays).

Two of the four freshmen: Nick Martz (sprints;) and Tyler Conley(middle distance); come in for special mention as promising newcomersby the head coach, along with Brian Pohlman (sprints/relays) and AustinSchulte (throws).

Besides Klausing (hurdles and relays) and Burgei (sprints and relays),both fourth-year seniors, DeWitt lost another fourth-year senior JoeHaggard (7th in the 110-meter hurdles at state and a state qualifier in the300-meter hurdles).

Also gone due to graduation are the likes of Payton Curran (thrower;third year) and single-year veterans Scott Klausing (middle distance),Dylan Dancer (middle distance), Jason Michel (middle distance) and Alex

Schnipke (thrower).As well, sophomore Spencer Ginter (throws) is out due to a shoulderinjury.

Assistant coaches include Jack DeWitt (throws/high jump), DanHermiller (long jump/sprints), Tim Metzner (pole vault/relays) and ArchieMetcalfe (throws).

For Dr. DeWitt as always the goals are long-term for the 2012season; what they do in May and June are what he aims for.

We want to qualify a lot of athletes to the regional and state meets andstay healthy. Those are our biggest goals of the season, he added.

Jays are set to open 2012 Tuesday, March 27, at home versus Shawnee.

DeWitt(Continued from Page 8)

as coaches is to work on developing our field events and adddepth to our sprinters and sprint relays, Desenberg assessed.We return those seven letterwinners from our current sopho-more class.

If we can stay healthy and continue to develop our under-

classmen, we should be competitive in the always-toughMidwest Athletic Conference.Still, he must find replacements from last springs 3-4

dual/triangular meet team (5th at MAC meet) for graduatedstate qualifiers such as Tiffany Geise (fourth in the high jumpat 5-4; All-MAC; third year), Gabrielle Metzner (100-meterhurdles; all-MAC; third year) and fourth-year Tiffany Recker(shot put; 8th in regional discus; All-MAC discus) allearning all-Ohio Academic Awards along with fourth-yearletterwinners Bailey Calvelage and Alicia Ankerman (11th atregional pole vault) and third-year Emma Boggs (distance).

Hoping to do just that are promising newcomers in seniorKelsey Britt (shot put and discus), junior Madison Zuber (400

and 800), freshman Halie Benavidez (sprints) and freshmanTara Vorst (distance), along with junior Amber Cross, juniorStephanie Honigford, junior Bailie Hulihan, junior BrittanyKramer, junior Kelsey Pohlman, junior Teresa Pohlman,sophomore Alicia Buettner, sophomore Kaylie Youngpeter,freshman Rebekah Fischer, freshman Kestley Hulihan andfreshman Lydia Schwinnen.

Assisting Desenberg are Dr. Jerry Burgei, Jeff Martin,Archie Metcalfe and Tim Metzner.

The Lady Jays open the upcoming season Tuesday, March27, at home versus Shawnee.

Youthful


10/36


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Ottovilles varsity baseball crew for 2012 has, front from left, Alex Horstman, Brandon Boecker, Garicyn Schnipke, MatthewTurnwald, Derek Schimmoeller, Kyle Karhoff, Travis Maag, Austin Markward, Jacob Turnwald, Trent Miller, Joseph VanOss and Joel Beining; and back, head coach Tony Castronova, assistant coach Brad Honigford, Wesley Markward, KyleBendele, Cory Fischer, Luke Schimmoeller, Tyler Winhover, Bryan Hohlbein, Cory Honigford, Craig Odenweller, assistantcoach Chris Kemper and assistant coach Ty Wannemacher.

By JIM METCALFE

[email protected] Ottovilles baseball unit

ended up 2011 with a 10-7 mark for head manTony Castronova.

He begins this, his 18th season at the helm ofthe Big Green, with a 188-168 mark and has sevenstarters back from that edition.

He brings back fourth-year senior TravisMaag (pitcher/infielder), third-year senior AustinMarkward (outfielder), third-year junior BryanHohlbein (pitcher/infielder), third-year juniorDerek Schimmoeller (pitcher/outfielder), second-year junior Jacob Turnwald (outfielder), second-

year junior Craig Odenweller (infielder) and soph-omore Luke Schimmoeller.We have a strong work ethic on this team.

Our guys believe in the philosophy we try to bringto the game and they work hard to make them-selves successful as a team and as individuals,Castronova said.

A quartet of promising newcomers in juniorCory Fischer, sophomore Cory Honigford, sopho-

Big Green baseballers have experience for 2012

Ottoville 2012 baseball

See BASEBALLERS, page 13

Schnipke Photography photo

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The 2012 Ottoville varsity softball crew has, front from left, Nikki Knippen, Angelina Keeran,Krista Schimmoeller and Paige Hoersten; middle, Paige Lucas, Marissa Nienberg, Kelsey Hoersten,Kasey Knippen, Lindsey Eickholt, Eden Schlagbaum and Megan Risner; and back, HaleyLandwehr, head coach Joe Modica, Kenzie Martin, Morgan Beining, Nikki Burgei, Courtney VonSossan, Robyn Turnwald, assistant coach Todd Knippen and Stephanie Horstman.


OTTOVILLE The OttovilleDivision IV fast-pitch softball unit

finished 2011 at an 0-for 0-11,including 0-5 in the Putnam CountyLeague.

Joe Modica begins his 12th yearat the helm of the Lady Green inhopes that his eight letterwinners many who played most of theinnings the last two seasons willhelp turn things around in 2012.

With no seniors on last yearsroster though two expected toreturn moved away and a youngteam for the last two seasons, among

those veterans are third-year seniorKelsey Hoersten (center field/pitcher/catcher), third-year seniorKrista Schimmoeller (pitcher/firstbaseman), third-year senior MarissaNienberg (outfield), third-year seniorAngelina Keeran (outfielder) andthird-year senior Lindsey Eickholt(infielder).

As well, third-year junior Paige

Lucas (outfielder), third-year juniorMacKenzie Martin (pitcher/infield-er) and veteran sophomore NicoleBurgei (outfielder/infielder) are backto familiar spots in the lineup.

With that experience, the every-day lineup is expected to be thestrength of the 2012 Lady Big Greensoftballers.

Our hitting should be our biggeststrength. Despite our experience, ourpitching and defense will be the areaswe have to improve upon for us toturn things around, Modica noted.

He will need the youngsters newto the varsity roster: such as sopho-more Eden Schlagbaum, sophomoreStephanie Horstman, freshman Megan

Risner, freshman Haley Landwehr,freshman Morgan Beining, freshmanCourtney Von Sossan and freshmanRobyn Turnwald; to fill in the loneopen spot in the lineup and provideneeded depth.

Assistant coaches include ToddKnippen and Ashley Crossgrove.

Ottoville was scheduled to open2012 on Tuesday, March 27.

Lady Green softball looking up for 2012

Ottoville softball Schnipke Photography photo

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Ottoville girls varsity track and fieldfor 2012 has, front from left, RachelBeining, Tammy Wannemacher,Lauren Kramer, Danielle Trenkampand Abby Siefker; middle row, LexieWannemacher, Taylor Mangas andKendra Eickholt; and back, KelseyMiller, Monica Sarka, Coach VaughnHorstman, Tonya Kaufman andMegan Schnipke.

Lady Green

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OTTOVILLE Ottovilles girls trackand field unit only has one senior on its12-person varsity roster in 2012.

However, that one fourth-year senioris 2011 state qualifierLauren Kramer (throws)in the shot put.

As well, 20th-yearhead coach VaughnHorstman has five otherletterwinners from ayear ago.

That includes junior state qualifiersTammy Wannemacher (shot put; shot

put and discus; third year), junior statequalifier Shayla Siefker (4x800-meterrelay that finished fourth; middle dis-tance; third year) and sophomore TaylorMangas (300-meter hurdles; hurdles andsprints).

The rest of the veterans are third-

Lady Green tracksters have state experience but lacks depth

See LADY GREEN, page 13

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more Alex Horstman and sophomore MattTurnwald will get first crack at replacingthe versatile likes of starters/multiple-seasonlettermen Cody Delong (pitcher/infielder),Matt Honigford ([itcher/infielder/outfielder),Tyler Turnwald (pitcher/infielder), Aaron

Wehri (pitcher/catcher) and Justin Fischer(infielder).We have to fill in for those five players

we lost; that is always a concern coming into replace experienced players like that,Castronova commented. Still, we have agood group of kids back. We also strive andstress to be fundamentally sound so we can becompetitive year in, year out.

One of the keys to our season is beingaggressive at the plate; we want to be able toscore runs and for us, thats the way to do it.

Health will be a concern as the Big Greenseeks to be in the mix as Putnam County

League contenders.If we stay healthy, we could be in the raceto be at the top. Our first goal is to be competi-tive in the league so we have a chance to winit, he added. Whatever happens in the PCL,we want that competitiveness to carry overinto the tournament.

Ottoville was slated to open the new cam-paign at home versus Putnam County rivalOttawa-Glandorf on Tuesday, March 27.

Baseballers(Continued from page 10)(Continued from page 12)

year junior Rachel Beining (throws) andsophomore Tonya Kaufman (high jump,long jump and sprints).

The strength of this team will comein the field events. We have a good coreof throwers in state qualifiers Laurenand Tammy, as well as Rachel in thediscus, Horstman said. Abby andTaylor give us strength in the runningevents and Tonya had a great season inboth of the jumps.

Six others will be making their var-sity debuts in 2012: sophomore DanielleTrenkamp (shot put and discus), sopho-more Monica Sarka (long jump andsprints), Kelsey Miller (shot put anddiscus), sophomore Megan Schnipke

(middle distance) and lone freshmanLexie Wannemacher (shot put and dis-cus).

Having only one freshman and need-ing to replace graduated pieces such asmultiple-state qualifier Shayla Siefker(distance and middle distance; 4 years),4-year letterwinners in Natasha Kaufman(high jump and hurdles), Kari Beining

(middle distance and distance), BrookeBendele (distance), Gayle Rayman(sprints and hurdles) and Jamie Rieger(sprints and hurdles), 2-year winnerErin Hohlbein (shot put and discus) andveterans Melissa Schnipke and Bridget

Miller as well as several veterans thatchose not to go back out off a 22-girlroster in 2011 Horstman is concernedabout depth.

We have had good depth the pastfew years but we dont have that thisyear; that is a major concern, he added.We do have a good base to be competi-tive in all our meets. We need all of ourteam members to get better and be ableto pick up more events to make theteam better.

The Putnam County League looks

to come down to Columbus Grove andContinental for first and everybody elsefighting for third.

Susan Jones begins her sixth year asan assistant coach to the Lady Green.

Ottoville is scheduled to commencethe new season on Thursday, March29, in a tri-meet with Fort Jennings atPaulding.

Lady Green

The strength of this

team will come in the

field events. We have a

good core of throwers instate qualifiers Lauren

and Tammy, as well as

Rachel in the discus.

Abby and Taylor give

us strength in the run-

ning events and Tonyahad a great season in

both of the jumps.

Vaughn Horstman,Ottoville girls track

and field head coach

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The 2012 Ottoville boys varsity tracksters has, front from left, Brandon Kimmet, Johnathan Landwehr, Ryan Kemper, SethBendele, Matt Burgei and Ryan Kimmet; middle row, Lucas Maag, Austin Honigford, Logan Gable, Eric Wannemacher, ColinBendele, Dylan Klima, Sam Beining and DeAngelo Bevly; and back, coach Ryan Horstman, Ross Honigford, Tony Eickholt,Austin Meyer, Logan Kortokrax, Kevin Schnipke, Greg Rue, Jason Turnwald, Andrew Horstman and Josh Schroeder. Absentfrom photo are Ryan Honigford and Jonathan Tiller.

Ottoville boys track


OTTOVILLE Ottoville head boystrack and field coach Ryan Horstman fig-ures to have a strong 2012 season with asenior-laden and overall experienced ros-ter.

This warm spring should help our senior-and junior-laden team to get off to a fast start.I have a good number of kids out and feel thatthey are ready to get to the meets and startcompeting, Horstman noted.

It helps that of the eight seniors onthis roster, all of them garnered letters inlast seasons campaign, led by regional-

qualifying (in 3 events) Greg Rue (shotput, discus and high jump last year: throws,high jump, 400-meter dash), third-yearSeth Bendele (distance), Kevin Schnipke(throws and sprint relays), Ross Honigford(throws), third-year Sam Beining (hurdles,pole vault, and sprints), third-year JasonTurnwald (distance, middle distance and

Ottoville boys tracksters feature senior-laden roster


300 hurdles), Eric Wannemacher (throws)and Josh Schroeder (throws and sprints).

As well, 10 11th-graders dot this yearsedition of Big Green boys tracksters:Austin Meyer (sprints and long jump),Jonathan Tiller (distance), third-year RyanHonigford (distance/middle distance),Logan Kortokrax (pole vault, 400 and 800meters), Anthony Eickholt (pole vault/hurdles/sprints), third-year Dylan Klima

(pole vault/sprints), Logan Gable (long jump, hurdles and sprints), DAngeloBevly (long jump and sprints), third-year

Matt Burgei (sprints and high jump) andAndy Horstman (throws and distance).

Three sophomores: Lucas Maag (longjump and sprints), Ryan Kemper (distance/middle distance and long jump) and JohnnyLandwehr (throws and distance); and afoursome of freshmen in Ryan Kimmet(distance and throws), Austin Honigford(middle distance, sprints and long jump),Colin Bendele (throws and sprints) and

Brandon Kimmet (distance and throws);hope to provide depth.Athletes to watch include Greg Rue,

Sam Beining, Jason Turnwald, RyanHonigford and Matt Burgei. Colin Bendeleis also a youngster to watch, the coachsaid.

He does have to replace 2-time state run-ner-up high-jumper Travis Eickholt, alongwith Nathan Turnwald (injured; long jumpand sprints), Logan Kaverman (injured;sprints and hurdles), Taylor Gasser andAndy Foster.

Ottoville is slated to open the newcampaign on Thursday, March 29, in aPaulding tri-meet with Fort Jennings.

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FORT JENNINGS Jeff Swick hasamassed a 93-98 mark in his decade at thehelm of the Fort Jennings varsity baseballunit, including last springs 6-8 mark (3-3in the Putnam County League).

With six starters returning, he hopes tostart his second decade at his alma materon a winning note,not only during theregular campaign but

also in the DivisionIV tournament(Crestview Sectional;Coldwater District).

He returns fourpitchers from lastyears crew: PCLhonorable mention 6-6 southpaw CodyWarnecke (fourth year; senior pitcher/outfielder; 3-2 record, 2.70 earned runaverage) whom Swick expects to earnhigher league and even state honors, 6-5right-hander Troy Hellman (third year;senior pitcher/outfielder a long lankykid with gap power who is due for abreakout year with pitching and hitting;hes been a workhorse in the weight roomand gym in the off-season and has the sizeand strength to lead from center field andon the mound; he has saved his best forlast and he will surprise people), PCLhonorable mention Nick Verhoff (thirdyear; pitcher/third baseman a bulldogtype of player who will anchor the backend of our games) and 6-2 righty Kurt

Warnecke (third year; switching-hittingpitcher/shortstop will lead our infieldfrom shortstop and hit at the top of our

lineup).

The other lettermen back are fourth-year senior Nolan Neidert (lefty-swing-ing catcher/first baseman; second-teamPCL) whom Swick figures to earnhigher PCL honors as a senior leader and second-year 12th-grader ZachSchuerman (catcher/first sacker).

Five lettermen were lost due to gradu-ation from a year ago: first-team PCLJared Calvelage (third year; catcher/pitcher), first-team PCL Brad Trentman(third year, centerfield/pitcher), second-

team PCL Tyler Good (third year, out-fielder), Ryan Schuerman (third year,second base) and Austin Norbeck (thirdyear, shortstop/pitcher).

While we lost a lot with the gradu-ation of five 3-year letterwinners, wereturn those six starters. We return fourpitchers with much of our varsity inningsand look forward to these pitchers lead-ing our team, Swick pointed out. Withthree seniors and a junior anchoringour staff, we look for a strong pitch-

ing performance night in and night our.Offensively, we need to replace three ofour top four hitters. That will be a chal-lenge but we have many players readyto emerge as solid offensive weapons,given the change for at-bats and time todevelop. We finished the season with abetter than .300 batting average as a teamand look forward to continuing this suc-cess.

Three promising newcomers includesophomore Alex Vetter (third baseman/outfield; strong kid with talent to hit

to all fields), sophomore Jared Hoersten(infielder/outfielder; Jared will serve asa nice fit to our second-base void; hes

a hard-nosed player that will produce in

all facets of the game) and sophomoreRyan Rau (infielder/pitcher; Ryan willgive us quality mound time and help analready strong staff, as well as be a nicefit defensively on the infield).

The remainder of the roster has DylanVanLoo (sophomore outfield/pitcher),Josh Wittler (sophomore catcher/out-field), Bret Clay (sophomore infielder/pitcher), Caleb Bankey (sophomore out-fielder), Mark Metzger (freshman out-fielder/catcher), Connor Wallenhorst

(freshman outfielder) and classmateCollin Wieging (outfielder).

As with every year, we look forwardto putting a talented and disciplined teamon the field; this year will be no different.With the returning lettermen we have andthe increased dedication of the under-classmen, we are anticipating anothersuccessful season, Swick added. In thePCL, the race for the title is always a dif-ficult one; this year will be no different.There are many teams with some great

talent returning.Leipsic and Kalida look to be theteams with the most veteran playersreturning. Leipsics success in theACME Tourney is an indication that theyare probably the most well-rounded teamin the league. We look forward to chal-lenging for the PCL crown every nightout.

Assistant coaches are Jared Klemanand Joel Bruskotter.

Jennings was set to open 2012 at homeversus Elida Monday, March 26.

Swick starting his 2nd decade at Jennings baseball helm

While we lost a lot with thegraduation of five 3-year

letterwinners, we return

those six starters. We return

four pitchers with much

of our varsity innings and

look forward to these pitch-

ers leading our team. With

three seniors and a junioranchoring our staff, we look

for a strong pitching per-

formance night in and night

our. Offensively, we need

to replace three of our top

four hitters. That will be a

challenge but we have many

players ready to emergeas solid offensive weapons,

given the change for at-bats

and time to develop. We fin-

ished the season with a bet-

ter than .300 batting average

as a team and look forward

to continuing this success.

Jeff Swick,Fort Jenings head

baseball coachTeam picture unavailable at presstime.

16 Th H ld S i S t M h 2012


16/36



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FORT JENNINGS The Fort Jenningsgirls track and field team had 33 members onthe crew in 2011.

Kevin Horstman wont have nearly as manyfor his 14th year in 2012 (the entire length of

the Musketeer program) as 23 are out for thisspring.

On the boys side, only 13 members areout after having 19 on last springs 8-48 dual-invitational-meet unit (6th in the PCL, 13th atdistricts).

The major loss to this years Lady Musketeerteam due to graduation is 4-year letterwinnerLauren Norbeck (hurdles) but she is not theonly one as a trio of 4-year participants in

Brittany Cooper, Samantha Dulle and KendraKlausing and 3-year letterwinners Lacey Hittleand Mindy Merricle also are gone.

The Musketeers return 13 letterwinnersfrom last years 23-33 dual/invitational-meetteam (3rd in the Putnam County League, 10that districts and 26th at regionals), led by juniorMacy Schroeder (Regional finalist in 100- and200-meter dashes last spring).

Also back are third-year senior Gina Clay(middle distance) and second-year seniorAndrea Heitmeyer (sprints); third-year juniorsLori Bruskotter (sprints), Brittany Inkrott (dis-tance), Elaina Maag (hurdles), Marissa Mesker(middle distance) and Kaitlin Stechschulte(middle distance) and second-year 11th-grader Mara Brown (sprints and jumps); andsecond-year sophomores Emily Grone (hur-dles), Stephanie Korte (sprints), and Alyssa

Schimmoeller (distance).Third-year participants include juniors Katie

Schnipke (throws), Gina Stechschulte (sprints)and Martina Weems (sprints). Second-yearparticipants are sophomores Emily Kehres(throws) and Min Metcalfe (sprints).

We should be strong on the track, as norunning events appear weak at this point.We have high expectations for the team thisspring, hoping for a top-half finish in the PCL,

Horstman said. Where we are weak is in ourfield events we lack experience there andthe fact that we dont have a junior high trackprogram, so our sophomores are still learningtheir respective events and our freshmen willstart from scratch.

Favorites in the PCL should be Ottovilleand Columbus Grove.

Those five freshmen for the Lady Musketeersare Sarah Chandler (sprints), Keri Eickholt(sprints), Lindsey Korte (sprints), LindseyTrentman (sprints) and Alyssa Wiedeman(sprints).

The Musketeer boys return third-year seniorsTyler Wiedeman (sprints) and Aaron Schnipke(sprints) among the seven letterwinners, alongwith second-year seniors Adam Krietemeyer(throws) and Jeremy Schimmoeller (hurdles)and second-year sophomores Garrett Berelsman

(distance), Tyler Blankemeyer (distance) andLogan Sickels (distance).

Notable losses include Ryan Kraner (schoolrecord holder in the 1,600-meter run) and4-year letterwinner Andrew Huntsman, alongwith graduated veterans Ben Kleman andKegan Sickels.

I think we should be pretty strong in thesprint relays and distance events; that is whereour experience is back, Horstman added. We

dont have a lot of experience overall and wedont have a lot of depth, either, especially inthe field events. We also only have one otherhurdler, so we need to shore that area up.

We look to be a team that competes betteras the season progresses and our sophomoresand freshman mature. Columbus Grove is thePCL favorite.

The remainder of the boys unit has fourth-yearsenior participants Jason Berelsman (throws) andPetey Van Loo (sprints); third-year junior par-ticipant Adam Kleman (middle distance); sec-ond-year sophomore participant Alex Ketcham(throws); and freshman Evan Ricker (hurdles).

Assistants are Mike Knott and JaimeBryan.

Fort Jennings was set to open the 2012track and field season versus Elida and Ottawa-Glandorf at Ottawa Tuesday, March 27.

Musketeer girls track experienced for 2012, boys lack depth

The 2012 edition of the Fort Jennings varsity track and field unit has, front row, left toright, Min Metcalfe, Brittany Inkrott, Macy Schroeder, Gina Clay, Andrea Heitmeyer andLori Bruskotter; middle row, Alyssa Wiedeman, Lindsey Trentman, Lindsey Korte, AlyssaSchimmoeller, Martina Weems, Sarah Chandler, Marissa Mesker and Mara Brown;and back, Stephanie Korte, Emily Grone, Gina Stechschulte, Kaitlin Stechschulte, KatieSchnipke and Elaina Maag. Absent are Emily Kehres and Keri Eickholt.

The Fort Jennings boys track and field varsity for 2012 has, kneeling fromleft, Adam Kleman, Logan Sickels, Garrett Berelsman, Tyler Blankemeyer

and Evan Ricker; and standing, Petey Van Loo, Jeremy Schimmoeller, AaronSchnipke, Tyler Wiedeman, Jason Berelsman and Adam Krietemeyer. Absentis Alex Ketcham.

Musketeers boys track 2012Fort Jennings girls track and fieldJim Metcalfe photos



17/36


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SPENCERVILLE Troy Montenerystarts his second season at the helm ofthe Spencerville baseball program with aveteran crew of six returning starters andthree other part-timers from an 8-13 edi-tion of a year ago.

The Bearcats finished tied for seventhin the Northwest Conference at 3-6 andlost in the sectional finals.

Three seniors are back as full-time

starters from a year ago: fourth-year guysMatt Youngpeter (second base/pitcher;.254 batting average, 8 runs scored, 11runs batted in; 0-4, 6.54 ERA, 25 innings)and Jared Rex (catcher/pitcher; .188 BA,10 runs, 7 RBIs; 0-0, 4.07 ERA, 21IP); and third-year guy and second-teamNWC shortstop Cory Rieman (.406 BA,17 runs, 11 RBIs).

Three juniors are also back: third-yearman Joel Shimp (outfield/pitcher; .255BA; 1-1, 2 saves, 3.89 ERA, 9 IP), as

well as Bryce Ringwald (outfield; 6 Runs,7 RBIs) and Tanner Koverman (thirdbase).

Three others are likely to step full-timeinto the lineup: third-year senior pitcher/outfielder Kasey Lee (7 runs; 1-0, 2.76ERA, 13 IP; limited by injury for sev-eral weeks last spring), junior outfielderDanny Settlemire and sophomore pitcher/infielder Jonathan Shimp (2-2, 6.39 ERA,15 IP).

Three promising newcomers expectedto fill in for three graduated seniors Levi Krouskop (P/1B; 2nd-Team NWC,.328 BA, 14 RBI, 12 Runs; 3-2 Record,4.74 ERA, 31 IP), Keaton Vandemark(C/1B/P; Honorable Mention NWC, .318BA, 15 RBI, 13 Runs; 1-3 Record, 7.79ERA, 9 IP) and Garrett Croft (CF; .254BA, 14 Runs, 7 stolen bases) are juniorsDusty Settlemire (catcher/outfield) andSean Monfort (infield) and sophomoreNate Gaddy (pitcher/outfield).

Montenery, beginning his seventh sea-son as a varsity head coach at 73-61,

expects defense and leadership to be hall-marks for this years crew.

We have flexibility in our defensivepositions we can put players in mul-tiple positions and not lose anything,which helps us in matching up with ouropponents pretty well and with fourveteran seniors, we have quality seniorleadership. That started with an excellentjob at setting an example of commitment,

starting with the off-season work that theyput in last fall and winter, Montenerynoted. Nine of our veterans from lastyear returned from the year before, so ouroffensive numbers should keep improv-ing. We have a similar story in terms ofpitching; we were very inexperienced asa pitching staff in 2011 but are in bet-ter shape coming into 2012. Those guysmade great strides from the year beforeand if we can continue to make strideslike that this year, we should be evenmore competitive and successful.

One area we need to work on right

now is base-running, getting the kidshome that we get on base; another goalis to increase our quality at-bats and runproduction, cutting down on our strike-outs and putting the ball in play more.Much of 2011 was spent learning how tobecome competitive day-in and day-out.In 2012, we hope to build on those com-petition skills, advancing to the next levelof increasing our victories. Ultimately,the ability to consistently post winningrecords is our program goal.

While not overpowering in any oneparticular area, we hope to be competentin all areas, resulting in lots of competi-tive games. I predict the top three NWC

teams as LCC, Crestview and Jefferson.The remainder of the varsity has sopho-

mores Aaron Crider (pitcher/first base), JonLong (infielder) and James Schaad (pitcher/infielder); and freshmen Byron Gay (catch-er/outfield) and Red Wood (infield).

Because of the upperclassmen, theyhave set the tone for the younger guys.Were expecting the newcomers to helpus out this spring when they get thechance, Montenery added. Overall, theSpencerville baseball program is makingsteady progress through the help of many

individuals, from high school all the waydown to the youngest players. In 2011,we posted an overall program record of75-62 (grades 5-12), a vast improvementfrom the 40-87 mark of 2010. Alongwith improved performance on the field,multiple updates to the varsity and middleschool fields things such as a speakersystem, new and improved fencing, score-boards, better dirt playing surface anda concession stand have enhancedour program. This will hopefully encour-

age more people to want to attend HighSchool or Middle School games and takea look at the program in action!

The junior varsity team is led bysecond-year head coach Taylor Hesselingand assistant Adam Kraning. The JVteam currently has a 10-game schedule,much of which will be determined basedon varsity rainouts, as there are currentlyonly 17 players total.

Varsity assistant coaches include JimFisher and Doug Stetler.

Spencerville was scheduled to opentheir season earlier this week.

Bearcat baseballers return 6 starters

One area we need to

work on right now is base-

running, getting the kids

home that we get on base;

another goal is to increase

our quality at-bats and run

production, cutting downon our strikeouts and put-

ting the ball in play more.

Much of 2011 was spent

learning how to become

competitive day-in and

day-out. In 2012, we hope

to build on those competi-

tion skills, advancing to

the next level of increasing

our victories. Ultimately,

the ability to consistently

post winning records

is our program goal.

Troy Montenery.Spencerville head baseball coach




18/36


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SPENCERVILLE Bruce McConnell

has coached a lot of strong track and fieldathletes in his 24 years at the helm of theSpencerville boys program and 21 years forthe Lady Bearcats.

He has a few more returning from2011 from rela-tively young teams onboth sides as heprepares his teams tohave strong campaignsin 2012.

On the boys side,he has six that partici-pated in the 2011 Division III State Trackand Field Championships, led by fourth-year senior Daniel Binkley (6th in thehigh jump; 2011 MVP and second-leadingscorer; high and long jumps), fourth-yearsenior Nick Davisson (4x8 and 4x4 relays;middle distance), third-year senior TylerShumate (4x8 relay; sprints), third-yearjunior Derek Goecke (4x4 and 4x8 relays;middle distance), third-year junior AaronHefner (4x4 and 4x8 relays; middle dis-tance and hurdles) and third-year junior

Jonathon Smith (4x4 relay; sprints; region-al qualifier in 3 events).

As well, this team also returns region-al qualifiers in third-year senior CalvinGrigsby (anchored fifth-place 4x100relay after being injured much of season;sprints), fourth-year senior Brandon Meyer(3 events; hurdles and high jump), third-year junior Keith Lenhart (3,200 metersdespite injury-plagued 2011; coming offoff-season surgery) and third-year juniorLucas Shumate (discus; throws).

Other returnees 14 in all includetop shot-putter in third-year senior ZachGay (throws), third-year junior ColeRoberts (pole vault and sprints), third-year junior Joe Wisher (distance) and sopho-

more Anthony Schuh (hurdles).That crew along with the graduated

Kevin Lenhart (middle distance and dis-tance) helped the Bearcats grab districttitles the last two years and finish third inthe Northwest Conference last spring.

We have an experienced team from

last year. All four relays qualified to theregional finals with two making it to state,McConnell said. Key injuries last yearprevented our hopes of defending the NWCtitle from the previous three years; hopeful-ly, everyone will remain healthy this year.Our goal is to have two individuals scorein every event at the conference meet. Itshould be another banner year for the NWCwith many state qualifiers returning.

I especially consider Columbus, Grove,Bluffton and Crestview to be leaders in the

league.Hoping to help buttress the Bearcathopes are sophomores Jeremiah Campbell(throws), Gabe Davisson (throws),Matthew Hurles (distance) and Caleb Vogt

(distance); and freshmen Chris Adams(throws), Cole Bellows (sprints), ChanceCampbell (sprints), Tyler Dues (distance),Daniil Gelivera (pole vault and hurdles),Grant Goecke (sprints), Tyler Haithcock(sprints), Eli Hawk (throws) and promis-ing newcomers Trevor McMichael (middle

distance) and Logan Vandemark (throws).The Lady Bearcats arent without their

share of state-qualifying performers, ledby fourth-year senior Kelli Ley (state run-ner-up in 400-meter dash, seventh in the200-meter dash; sprints; school records in100, 200, 400 and 800 and NWC record-holder in 400; 3-time NWC first-teamer),fourth-year senior Alexa Brown (4x8 relay;distance; Adademic All-Ohio Scholar),third-year senior Cortney Miller (4x8 and4x4 relays; middle distance; All-Ohio and

Aacademic All-Ohio) and veteran sopho-mores Caitlin Wurst (4x8 relay; middle dis-tance) and Jenna Kahle (4x4 relay; hurdlesand high jump).

As well, returning regional qualifiers

include fourth-year senior Jennifer Post(high jump and sprints) and second-yearjunior Abby Freewalt (throws).

Other letterwinners include senior

Mackenzie Miller (sprints and throws) andsophomores Tori Hardesty (distance; top5 runner in cross country), Beth Griffin(throws), Ashley Keiber (hurdles and longjump), Ashley King (sprints and hurdles),Kari Purdy (middle distance) and PatriciaRiley (pole vault and sprints).

We have eight freshmen to replaceone graduate from last year (ClaireMcConnell, a 3-time state qualifier in mid-dle distance), which will provide numbers,depth and balance to the program. Our

returnees look forward to the challengeof defending the NWC crown withBluffton and Grove among the top con-tenders and district titles the last twoseasons, he added.

Providing further depth are new facessuch as senior Katie Kuchefski (long jump and sprints) and promising fresh-men like Cierra Adams (middle distance),Schylar Miller (pole vault and hurdles)and Kacie Mulholland (long jump andmiddle distance), along with classmatesAudrey Bowsher (throws), Shania Johnson(throws), Emilee Meyer (sprints), MegenMiller (throws) and Alysa Smith (hurdles).

Assisting McConnell are BrianMcMichael, Rick Orr, Tim Wilson andMike Vice.

The Lady Bearcats were set to open2012 at the Versailles Girls Invitational onSaturday, March 24, while the boys wereslated to open versus Celina on Tuesday,March 27.

Bearcats return boatload of state track qualifiers

We have an experienced team from last year.

All four relays qualified to the regional finals

with two making it to state. Key injuries lastyear prevented our hopes of defending the

NWC title from the previous three years;

hopefully, everyone will remain healthy this year.

Our goal is to have two individuals score in

every event at the conference meet. It should

be another banner year for the NWC

with many state qualifiers returning.

Bruce McConnell,Spencerville track and field coach




19/36

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SPENCERVILLE With only one senioron the roster for 2012, the Spencerville fast-pitch softball unit will have a youthful look forseventh-year head coach Tom Wegesin.

Kaytlynn Warnecke is the lone senior onthe roster and she is our top pitcher returningfrom last year; we expect a lot of leadershipfrom her as an experienced pitcher, Wegesinsaid.

Warnecke, a third-year veteran who alsowill play third base when she isnt pitching,isnt the only experienced mound performeras third-year junior Hanna Keller (outfielder),sophomore Tori Johnston (third base and out-fielder) and classmate Haleigh Mull (shortstopand outfield) also gained innings on the varsitylevel last spring.

These four will share the pitching dutiesthis season. They all were used as pitchers lastseason and played elsewhere on the field whennot pitching, Wegesin continued. Possibleplayers rounding out the infield might be fresh-man Katie Merriman at first, junior Ali Gilroyat second or even at shortstop, junior AlyssaMullholland at shortstop and whoever isntpitching at third.

Our outfield will be returning in juniorShelby Mullholland (can also play third) in cen-ter field and Jennifer Burnett (can also catch),

junior Abbie Lee and junior Bretta Williams inthe other outfield positions. Katie could also see

time out there, as well as Alyssa Mullholland.With 10 returnees likely rotating in the line-

up, with Merriman the only newcomer in thetop 11, Wegesin expects more success in 2012.

This year, we have strong arms at all posi-tions and we have more speed in the outfield.This should add to our defense that seemed toimprove with every game last season, Wegesincontinued. We have some good hitters andhope to generate more runs this year.

The keys to success this season will beto stay healthy and continue to improve each

game. We need to learn from each game, andeach other, so we can continue to progress as

a team. We must execute under pressure if wewant to compete in the big games.

The coach does have to replace graduatedplayers like 3-year players Tiffani Wurst (firstbase/outfield) and Kaley Core (second base/shortstop/outfield), along with Jennifer Shimp(catcher/outfield), Kelsey Oden (third base/out-field) and Calla Shaffer (outfield/first base).

We have a good group of newcomers thatcould possibly impact the team immediately:

junior Haley Calvelage (outfield), freshmanAmanda Crider (outfield/third base/first base),

freshman Whitney Bender (outfield), MackenzieRingwald (outfield/shortstop/catch) and MaddyHollar (outfield/second base), Wegesin added.Team goals include finishing in the top threein the NWC and playing to our full potential inthe post-season.

Other top teams to watch in the NWC willbe Crestview, Paulding, Ada and Lima CentralCatholic.

Mark Keller is assistant coach to Wegesin.

Spencerville was slated to already open the2012 softball campaign earlier this week.

Lady Bearcat hardballers young for 2012

2012 Spencerville Bearcat softballThe 2012 Spencerville fast-pitch softball unit for 2012 has Kaytlynn Warnecke, Bretta Williams, Hanna Keller, Shelby

Mulholland, Abbie Lee, Alyssa Mulholland, Jennifer Burnett, Haley Calvelage, Ali Gilroy, Tori Johnston, Haleigh Mull, MaddyHollar, Mackenzie Ringwald, Katie Merriman, Whitney Bender and Amanda Crider, head coach Tom Wegesin and assistantcoach Mark Keller.

Karen Swickrath/Kajon Graphics photo



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MIDDLE POINT Lincolnviewsbaseball unit finished the 2011 campaignat 7-12 for third-year head coach BradMendenhall, included finishing sixth inthe Northwest Conference at 3-6, withan inexperienced crew that had lost eightseniors form the season before.

He begins his fourth year at theLancer helm his eighth as a head

varsity coach with a 23-39 mark andhas eight lettermen back in hopes of animproved 2012 season.

We are experienced; I am hopingthat our game experience will trans-late into better fundamental baseball,Mendenhall said.

Back to familiar surroundings inthe Lancer baseball nine are third-year senior pitcher/catcher ClaytonLongstreth (lefty bat), third-year seniorcatcher/outfielder Brady Niese and

classmate Mike Klausing (first base-man); third-year junior infielder NickLeeth; sophomore pitcher/infielder KyleWilliams, sophomore pitcher/outfielderEli Farmer, sophomore outfielder/pitch-er/designated hitter Connor McCleeryand classmate Troy Patterson (secondbaseman).

However, despite that experience,Mendenhall knows his team has toimprove in one major way.

We scored runs last year but our

team batting average was low; we needto keep getting better at manufactur-ing runs, he explained. As well, with

our veteran players returning, I amputting an empahsis on better defense.Making the routine plays will be

the key for us to compete on a dailybasis.

That and the development of new-

comers such as junior Tyler Lovett (util-ity player), junior Jacob Jackson (thirdbaseman) and sophomore Derek Friesner

(outfielder/catcher) to replace the likes ofthe graduated Taylor Hoehn (third base-man/pitcher; 3 years), Zach Kreischer

(third baseman/outfielder; 2 years) andChris Boroff (outfielder/infielder; 2years).

Lincolnview was to have opened thisseason on the road at Fort Recovery onTuesday, March 27.

The Lincolnview varsity baseball team for 2012 has, front from left, Dalton Hines, Wyatt Schmersal, Dalton Schmersal, TroyPatterson, Jacob Gibson, Tyler Lovett and Dalton Kayser; 2nd row: Kyle Williams, Derek Friesner, Brady Niese, Tyler Brantand Nick Leeth; and 3rd row: head coach Brad Mendenhall, Conner McCleery, Clayton Longstreth, Eli Farmer, Mike Klausing,Kade Carey and assistant coach Dan Williamson.

Lancer baseballers

Lanc

Documents

2012 Spring Sports Guide