by Owen Miklos ‘16

Rewind to last year for a moment. And for those of you who weren’t here, consider this: Our fall sports teams were killing it — cross country squad was making their presence felt at the state level, the golf team was playing well, and the football team had made the playoffs. But the focus was, deservedly, on the soccer team. There will always be those seasons where everything just clicks, and this season was one of those. Their back line talent was the stuff of legend, and, week-in and week-out, they were able to shut down opposing teams and find ways to get the ball in the back of the net. And as they kept winning, getting deeper and deeper into the postseason, the possibility of a state championship began to take form, and the anticipation, understandably, began to mount.

That they pulled it off was incredible. Considering the circumstances in which they did it, it was nothing short of surreal.

You see, a month earlier at Saint Ignatius, the atmosphere was far less jubilant. Fall sports hardly registered on the radars of the faculty and the student body at large; Mr. Jim Skerl ‘74 — the beloved theology teacher, and one of the biggest sports fans at the school — had just lost his battle with cancer. Known for his optimism and die-hard commitment to the soccer team specifically, Skerl’s passing registered with each and every player on the roster.

Said Coach McLaughlin, “His love for them is something that is going to be with them for the rest of their lives, helping them to do great things like he did.”

When asked about their mindset on the field, Hunter Gordon ‘16 responded, “We put our cleats on and forgot about everything but playing for Mr. Skerl. Everything was for him at that point.”

A year later, Gordon and three other fall sport athletes — Andrew Zawie ‘16, of the golf team; Patrick McGuire ‘16, from the cross country team; and Kaden Russell ‘17 of the football team — were front-and-center at the Sullivan Gym, being called on to carry on Mr. Skerl’s legacy for their respective sports. When Skerl played basketball at Saint Ignatius in the ‘70s, he wore the number 34. And since his passing, and with the distribution of the #34 longsleeves over the time since, it was only fitting that the sports programs honor Skerl as such.

When asked how this changed his pre-existing leadership mentality, the Skerl award recipient for the cross country team, Patrick McGuire ‘16, stressed the importance of “leading by example, and just trying to be and act like he would: staying positive and being a good sport on and off the field.”

Clad in a newly-stitched golf pullover with the number 34 embroidered on the sleeve, Zawie emphasized Skerl’s everlasting optimism as key to his success on the golf course. “Golf is such a mental game,” he said. “Remembering how Skerl kept his attitude up through good times and bad has made all the difference for me. Also, I’ve gained exactly 34 extra yards with my driver, so that helps, too.”

by Owen Miklos ‘16

The Saint Ignatius golf team entered this season with lofty expectations. Hungry after finishing fourth at the State tournament the year prior, the core group of seniors refined their games all summer long in preparation for another Columbus run.

Harrison Vonderau ‘16, the de facto team captain, came into the high school season fresh off top-10 finishes at nationally-ranked tournaments, and he would be the go-to man for leadership as the season got underway. After a sluggish start, the four-year varsity veteran found his groove with a 70 at Windmill Lakes, a 71 at Windmill Lakes, and a 73 at Hudson Country Club.

The most impressive player on the team is inarguably Andrew Zawie, whose consistent rounds in the mid- to low-70’s helped to establish his well-deserved spot atop the team ranking early in the season. Throughout sophomore and junior year, Zawie quietly improved his game from deep in the lineup, ensuring that he would clinch a spot on the state team his senior year. Rarely venturing beyond a 75, Zawie’s season has hitherto been highlighted by a stellar 72 at the always difficult Hawthorne Valley and 74’s at Windmill Lakes and Quail Hollow.

Rounding out the top 6 for Coach Becker’s Golf ‘Cats are Geoff Allman ‘16, Zach Morris ‘16, Owen Miklos ‘16, and Patrick Devine ‘16. Allman came into this season a question mark for the golf program, a brutal wrist injury from this past spring preventing him from practicing until the beginning of August. However, inspired by his post-season run from 2014, the hockey player-turned-golf impressed everybody by posting rounds in the low-70’s from the get-go, solidifying his spot on the state team within only a few events.

With two tournaments to go before Sectionals, the experienced Wildcats look to end their season on a high note at Maumee Bay on the 26th and Tartan Fields on 10/3.

by Carter Spearry ‘16

Ranked as the 4th best team from sea to shining sea by USA Today, Coach McLaughlin’s team is hungry for another state championship. Full of experience from last year’s triumph, this group is ready to hoist the ‘ship again at Crew Stadium.

Following the footsteps of standout goalkeeper Mikal Outcalt ‘15, Lodge Dils ‘17 will be the man between the sticks this season. Dils, a lanky ‘keeper who has an aura of calmness about him even in the biggest of games, has the ability to hold down his position as the “number one” as long as he stays consistent.

The back four consists of Adam Haas ‘17, Matt Trickett ‘18, Hunter Gordon ‘16, and Tommy Patacca ‘17. Trickett and Gordon make an excellent central pairing as both have terrific defensive instincts and can mark the quickest of forwards. Gordon’s experience will be the key for the defense this year, as he is the only returning defensive starter from the 2014 State Championship team. The two junior fullbacks are almost complete opposites of eachother: Haas is particularly good on the ball, even as a left back, and is able to push the play forward after winning the ball back for his team. Patacca on the other hand is a swashbuckler at right back – fearless to dive into the most acute tackles to win the ball.

Orchestra : Haas :: Rock band : Patacca

As strong as the defense is, the midfield may be the most talented unit on this team. Made up of John Duldner ‘16, Hayden Parente ‘16, and Stephen Milhoan ‘17, the three have 9 years of varsity experience between them. Parente is the epitome of a box-to-box midfielder – tackling an oncoming forward at one moment, and creating a goal at the other end the next. Duldner is another example of a player who can do it all. The hero of last year’s state championship game, Duldner plays with great passion and dedication, leading his team by example with his experience. Rounding out the midfield three is Stephen Milhoan, one of the best players in the state. Milhoan scored five goals against St. Edward on opening night, and hasn’t stopped there. The junior is dynamic on the ball, making fans and opposing defenders alike ooh and ahh with his foot skills. One would be hard-pressed to find a more composed goalscorer in Ohio than Milhoan.

Lawrence Karpeh ‘16 leads the front line with juniors John Vrablic and Riley Houde on the flanks. Karpeh is easily one of the most physically dominating players in the state; one who regularly leaves defenders for dead with his strength and speed. The pacey Houde is known to finesse his way around defenders and deliver dangerous crosses to the likelihood of Karpeh and Milhoan. Vrablic is a jack-of-all-trades, using his technical ability to maneuver around the box and find the open man. Although without an armband, Vrablic is a very vocal leader on the pitch who tries to motivate and get the best out of his teammates.

Other Notable Players:

Max Heath ‘17 (GK)- A goalkeeper of similar quality to Dils who will fight day-in and day-out for the starting spot as throughout the season.

Patrick Strauss ‘17 (CB)- His hair described by Seth Whitney as “some of the most luscious lettuce I’ve seen in awhile,” Strauss is the first defender off the bench and will serve as a trusty backup for both Gordon and Trickett.

Adam Collins ‘17 (AM)- Collins is an intelligent attacking midfielder who can make smart runs into the box and distribute the ball well from the outside. Look for Collins to pick up more minutes as the season goes on.

With the leadership of the seniors and under the guidance of the most successful coach in Ohio High School Boy’s Soccer, the table is set for another historic year for the soccer ‘Cats. Can they do it again?

by Ned Conry ‘16

With the bad taste of last year’s 6th place finish at the State Meet still in their mouths the Saint Ignatius Cross Country Team looks to capture the State Title for the fourth time in the program’s history and its first since 2009. Returning all top seven runners from last year, the team is one of the best in the state and the nation.

They are led by Senior captains Luke Wagner, Tom Sullivan, and Tim Trentel. Strong showings at the Tiffin XC Carnival and Trinity Invitational (KY), meet where they knocked off the fifth ranked team in the nation, have solidified the ‘Cats at the top of the state poll. The top seven consists of the senior captains named above along with Jim Rogers ‘16, CJ Ambrosio ‘17, Andrew Szendrey ‘17, and Colin Caniglia ‘17. However the XC Cats are not only a power at the varsity level, the team talent runs deep, with an equally strong JV squad and very impressive Open unit led by Trey Burke ‘17 and Nick Neroni ‘17.

Senior Captain Tom Sullivan explained , “We have already been voted the best looking team in the state by multiple sources, now it’s time to prove that we are the fastest too.” The team will look to do just that in Columbus on November 7th.