Athletes of the Month 2014-15

As a member of the CMA varsity tennis team, Sam Concannon finished the season with a 24-1 match record, bringing his career record to 657. He advanced to the IHSAA Individual Tennis Tournament championship where he fell to a defending state champion and University of Notre Dame commit. No Culver tennis player, boy or girl, had advanced to the championship match in the 35-year history of the State Singles tournament.

For his efforts, Sam received First Team All-State honors. Sam is one of only six underclassmen to receive this honor this year. Among the many notes that have come into the school after Sam’s run, one longtime state tennis finals observer said, “Sam plays with a maturity and elegance that guarantees competitive matches played with the highest level of sportsmanship.�

Marie Steiner, a junior from Pully, Switzerland, a three-year starter for the Culver Girls Academy varsity basketball team. She currently averages 15.7 point per game and has broken the 20-point barrier several times this season, including one against 4th-ranked (Class 3A) John Glenn.

According to Coach Christlieb, “What is most remarkable is Marie’s ability to play at such a high level after having reconstructive ACL surgery less than 10 months ago. This is a testament to her drive and desire to return to the court and be successful.�

Elijah Miller, a first-classman from Etobicoke, Ontario, has helped lead the CMA varsity basketball team to an 8-4 record midway through the season. An athletic point guard, Miller has emerged as one of the more versatile players in the area. Three impressive performances came in victories against Indianapolis Franklin (23 points), Fort Wayne Blackhawk (33 points), and a triple-double against Cleveland John Adams. In that game, Miller scored 27 points, 17 of which came in the fourth quarter.

According to Coach Mark Galloway, “Elijah is the consummate competitor. His ability to routinely challenge himself and others puts himself in a position to succeed in games. He develops his will to win in practice.�

As a member of the CGA Varsity Polo team, Ally Vaughn competed in the Interscholastic Equestrian Association’s Gold Medal Class competition. At the event, Ally won three blue ribbons – including the Championship Medal Class. The Medal Class, which had 20 competitors from 13 different teams, consisted of two highly competitive phases. The over fence phase involves riding a totally different horse over an advanced course with no warm-up at all. Ally also was awarded High Point Rider for the show.

According to Coach Beth Puskas, “Ally rides in several different equine disciplines. Consequently, it’s difficult for people without horse experience to understand the difficulty of this. It would be like asking a cross-country skier to do slalom or water ski, or asking a runner who has trained for marathons to also be able to be competitive in sprinting and high jump. Ally’s ability and willingness to focus on her coaches’ instruction is vital for her success in all of these disciplines. She gives each coach from each discipline the same dedication and eagerness to be successful.”

Zach Main is one of the reasons why the CMA Prep hockey team now stands at No. 2 in the nation with a record of 23-6-2. Through January, Zach compiled 12 goals and 16 assists. Included in that time period were exceptional performances out East against some of the premier prep programs in the country. In addition, Zach played an integral role in the Prep team’s two victories over archrival, No. 1 Shattuck St. Mary’s.

According to Coach Steve Palmer, “Zach is a complete hockey player who plays the full 200 feet. He is gifted offensively with great vision and a high hockey IQ. Zach responds well to adversity and has been a leader on and off the ice.”

Jojo Schott, a senior from Newport Beach, Calif., is four-year member of the CGA varsity swim team. Over her CGA swimming career, Jojo has accumulated a staggering 503 points for the team and represented CGA at the state finals for the past two years. This year she won the 200 and 500 freestyle and was a member of the winning 400 freestyle relay team at the Warsaw sectional.

According to Coach Cali Girard, “Jojo had fun this season and it showed in her times. I know that she was surprised at how close she got to multiple school records. Even more impressive than her times was her attitude. Jojo showed enthusiasm, drive and genuine interest in her teammates, which made her one of this year’s most respected leaders.”

Nick MacNab, a first classman from Indianapolis, and Dean Shatzer, a first classman from Highlands Ranch, Colo., are goalies for the nationally ranked Prep hockey team. The team, currently No. 2 in the country, has been bolstered by the play of these two athletes.

Through 41 games, 31 of which have been victories, Nick and Dean have nearly 1,000 saves and a combined 1.6 goal against average. Their joint efforts have propelled the team to a district title and an invitation to the national tournament next week. Nick will continue his hockey career at Yale while Dean will play at Dartmouth.

According to Coach Steve Palmer, “Both Nick and Dean are extremely competitive and push each other to improve. Each effectively leads by example on the ice, in the classroom, and in the barrack. Their premier goaltending allows us to compete at a national level.�