Alumni Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro

from Rock News Spring 2022

by Rockhurst High School's Publications

Spectacular Auction Supports Tuition Assistance

Athletics Continue Legacy of Success

Athletics at Rockhurst High School serve as a great opportunity for young men to grow in their formation, friendships, teamwork, perseverance, and many other life lessons. More than 600 students choose to participate in one or more of the 11 varsity sports or two club sports offered at Rockhurst.

The 2021-22 school year has been a continuance in the standard of excellence set at Rockhurst.

The soccer team won its 8th State Championship in program history, finishing the season with a record of 24-2-0 and winning its final 16 games. Defense was a key to success for the squad under the guidance of Coach Matt Darby '00 in his third year as head coach; Rockhurst allowed just 11 goals all season. Defender Ryder Barrett '22 and goalkeeper Ryan Thompson '22 were both named All-Americans.

The AquaHawks, Rockhurst’s swim & dive team, grew its dominant reputation throughout the state. Rockhurst won its second straight State Championship and 13th overall, becoming the winningest swim & dive program in Missouri high school history; all 13 titles have come since 2005 with Coach Paul Winkeler at the helm. In 2021, all three relay teams placed 2nd and Caden Francois '23 took 2nd in the 100 Back and 100 Free, and Dominick Damico '22 was 2nd in the 100 Breast.

Rockhurst’s cross country team placed 4th out of 18 teams at the District Championship Meet and qualified for the State Championship Meet for the 15th consecutive season. The Hawklets raced their way to a 7th place finish, led by All-State performances from Brian Humphrey (21st) and Henry Acorn '25 (24th).

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Loading the schedule with strong opponents both locally and regionally, the football team ended the season with a 4-6 record in a District Quarterfinal loss. Rockhurst played tough all season and three losses were by one possession, with wins coming against Bishop Miege, Blue Springs, Lee’s Summit West, and Blue Springs South. Wide receiver Isaac Koch '22 was a 2nd Team All-State selection.

The Basketball Hawklets finished their season with a record of 15-11. They lost by four points to Raytown in the District Semifinals. The team was led by 1st Team All-District selections Miles White '22 (13 PPG and 6 RPG) and '24Andrew Sprague (11 PPG and 7 RPG), and All-District Honorable Mention selection Brian Humphrey '23 (10 PPG and 3 RPG).

Rockhurst wrestling continued to improve throughout a season that was highlighted by dual wins over Ruskin, Raytown, North KC, and Miege. Eight of the team’s 10 District competitors were underclassmen, and the top returners for next season include Robert Purcell '24 and Gage Nelson '25.

The hockey team, a club sport at Rockhurst, plays in the Mid America High School Hockey League with nine other teams. The Hawklets advanced to the playoff semifinals and finished the season with a record of 12-8-2. Three players (Michael Boma '22, Andrew Finn '22, and Michael Torlina '24) were named 1st Team All-Conference and six players were named All-Conference Honorable Mention.

Rockhurst’s varsity spring sports (baseball, golf, lacrosse, tennis, and track & field) and club sport (volleyball) were still in-season at the time of print.