Athletics Update

By Len McKnatt

It was a great start to the Lion athletic year!

Our High School football team finished the season with a 5-5 record. The team was led by 13 seniors that continued to build the program positively. A plethora of Lions made the all-region team. First teamers include seniors George Steih (OL/DL) and Bryce Woodard (OL). Seniors Jackson Hiett (QB), Nathan Greene (RB), Cade Fuller (LB), and Jordan Carter (LB) were joined by junior Kyle Davidson (WR/DB/KR) on the second team. Two other seniors, Trace Phillips, and CJ Tinnon received honorable mentions. Steih is committed to continuing his football career at Wake Forest next year.

District Coach of the Year Nicole Smith’s volleyball team finished a fantastic season with another region tournament qualifying season. Finishing the year at 18-10, the team was fronted by a great group of seniors. Senior Dani Medina was named first-team all-district, while fellow seniors Ellie Gibbs and Brooklyn Regenstreif made the second team. Medina was also named to the District All-Tournament team, and will be continuing her collegiate volleyball career at Kentucky Christian. Dylan Tolliver will be continuing her collegiate volleyball career at Union University.

The boy’s and girl’s golf teams had wonderful seasons out on the links. Led by coach Chuck Hammett and William Koellein the boy’s team had a high finish of fourth at the Goodpasture Tournament. Three seniors: Evan Johnson, Luke Ring, and Jesse Koellein continued to build this program. The small and mighty girl’s team continued to improve each week and will be returning all three golfers next year!

The girl’s soccer team, led on the pitch by coaches Brad Myers, Mary Carlson, and Grace Hooper, finished their year in the State Quarterfinals for the second straight year. All-district honors were given to seniors Marxie Myers and Anna Claire Boster and junior Ella Kate Gill. Gill and Myers were also named to the all-region tournament team, along with senior Ruth Fish. Fish will be continuing her soccer career at Bryan College next year.

Coach Kerry Grasmanis had a small but great group of cross country runners. Paced by senior Daniel Stewart, the team was continually setting personal bests and setting the tone for the coming seasons.

The Intermediate/Middle School fall season is split into an early and late fall season. Both the 5th/6th and 7th/8th grade football teams, led by Coach Wayne Wolf, finished the season at 5-2 for one of the best seasons in school history. Coach Carolyn Shield’s boy’s and girl’s cross country teams had fantastic seasons with many athletes knocking minutes off their times. Seventh grader Bennett Stevens won the A Division HVAC championship! The boy’s and girl’s tennis teams, led by Coach Michael Couey, had a strong showing in the HVAC. Eighth grader Ava Elrod finished as the conference runner up and 6th graders Owen Dodd and Alan Porter finished in the doubles semifinals. The 5th/6th-grade volleyball team finished the regular season undefeated and fell short to a tough FRA team in the Jr. HVAC championship game. Coaches Mandy Payne and Lindsey McKown and their girls had so much to be proud of. Coach Anna Luzzo’s 7th/8th grade team had a fantastic regular season and finished in the AA division HVAC tournament.

The late fall season saw Coach Michael Jones lead the boy’s soccer team, Coach Rachel Harrison led the girl’s soccer team, and Coach Jarrett Owens led the wrestling team. The boy’s soccer team defeated Brentwood Academy to win the A division HVAC championship. The girl’s team made the A division playoffs as well before bowing out to eventual champion USN. The wrestling team finished 4th at the HVAC championships, led by 1st place finishers Ryder Murphy (7th) and Luke Skelton (8th). Noah Anliker (8th) had a 3rd place finish as well. Clayton Reed (8th) and Elliott Sarnacke (6th) finished 4th. Murphy was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler, the first Lion wrestler to receive this honor.