THE
ISOR
archbishop hoban high school - Issue 10 -
March 21,2013
pg. 2 The Capital Campaign is well on its way.
pg. 4 Crisis spreads in Venezuela and Ukrain.
pg. 6 Early mornings become more easily managed.
around Stories theonworld pages 4 & 5
Photo Courtesy of Jodi Sulbaran
A look into crises
news
two the
Hoban Capital
by julia may
A
Campaign
lthough previously amounting to no more than idle chatter among students, the planning for Hoban’s new Spiritual Formation Center, funded by the Capital Campaign, is finally beginning to take formation. While the campaign may sound new to many students, Executive Director of Advancement and Athletics, and one of the Directors Emeriti of the Capital Campaign, Mr. Michael DelMedico, explained that the idea to begin this program was not thought up overnight. “We really have been thinking about adding a chapel, fitness center, and increasing the endowment fund for several years. But when the economy took a turn for the worse around 2007, we decided to put the plan on the backburner until we felt secure enough to begin campaigning for donations,” DelMedico said. While all are aware that construction for The Center for Spiritual Formation (“The Chapel” for short) is nearly underway, not everyone understands what will take place inside it. In addition to the construction of the chapel, the building plan also includes new offices, a conference room, and an area for campus ministry activities; all of these elements are essential for a Catholic School in the
VISOR
THE
ARCHBISHOP HOBAN HIGH SCHOOL
Holy Cross Tradition. These additions will help to foster the values and attitudes necessary for students, faculty and staff to serve others and impact the community around and beyond Archbishop Hoban. The campaign also includes a plan to raise funds for a Health and Fitness center, which is the second part of this three piece campaign. This state-of-the-art athletic center will provide student-athletes the best opportunity to succeed in their athletic endeavors. The Health and Fitness Center will not be exclusive solely to athletes. In fact, part of the complex will be designed specifically for anyone in the school interested in getting fit and healthy. It will feature a new wrestling room, rehabilitation area and renovation of our existing locker rooms. The final part of the Capital Campaign consists of The Endowment Fund. It is set up to provide scholarship opportunities to students and families who otherwise could not afford to take part in the Hoban experience. The campaign will be raising one million dollars to set aside in the endowment fund to use for scholarships. The fund helps contribute to Hoban’s promise of future success and is an essential element to help put these new facilities into effect. n
Mailing Address: One Holy Cross Blvd. Akron, OH 44305 Online: www.hobanvisor.com E-mail: visor@hoban.org AWARDS •CSPA Gold Medalist •NSPA First Class Award •Quill & Scroll Int'l First Place •OSMA First Place
The Visor subscribes to the ASNE/MCT Campus news service and to APStylebook.com. Signed letters for publication are welcome. Mailbox is in the main office. Unsigned editorials represent the consensus of the editorial board. Signed opinion represents the views of the writer only.
Staff: Editors-in-chief Benjamin Easton Danielle LaRose Managing Editor Timothy Brennan Features Editor Hannah Caprez News Editors Jonathan Sapp Sports Editors Trey Lesiak Copy Editor Emily Dunn Photo Editor Julia May Website Editor Kyle Knapp Staff Reporters Joseph Brennan, Christian Cook, Danny DiCola, Ashley Kouri, Michael Londa Julia May, Matt McGee, Matt Mascolo Adviser Natalie Tannehill
news
three
Brother Bob fulfills new role in Hoban Community by matt mcgee
O
n July 1, Brother Bob Livernois will officially take up the position as Vice President for Mission and Leadership. On the eve of completing his second year as Associate Principal, his place in the Hoban community is being solidified. Fueled by desires to encourage the Holy Cross message, he is taking up this new position with high hopes that the school will grow closer together. While a reference to the order is not present in the title he is receiving, the main function of Livernois’ new position is to make sure the Holy Cross tradition of education is cultured ever y day in the halls of Hoban. Brother Bob will be making an effort to have each member of the Hoban community feel the support of the Holy Cross. His desire is not only to affect those who attend the school, but
anyone who is involved with Hoban. “I think making sure the coaches of our athletic teams are some of the most important people who should be representing the Holy Cross values,” Livernois said. Stressing this point vividly portrays Brother Bob’s plans on paying close attention to the work and mission of each member of the Hoban community. Without a doubt, this new position will require much more effort and dedication from Livernois. However, he also encourages ever y person that calls Hoban home to aid him in his mission. The inclusion of the word “leadership” in the his new title is what he based this point around. In addition to taking up this new leadership role, Livernois also wants to help develop student leaders in the school. “Having leaders in the Hoban community rooted in Holy Cross helps us link with schools similar to us like Gilmour Academy and St. Edward’s High School,” Brother Bob
remarked. A large part of his new role is to help the school community connect with those involved in Holy Cross all around the countr y, so the voice of the people can grow to help spread the benefits available through the religious order. Livernois’ efforts to be a leader in the Holy Cross image is made evident in obser ving the array of roles he has undertaken as a member of the Hoban community. As an administrator, teacher and spiritual leader, he seeks to use his roles of leadership to be a beneficial figure in the high school experiences of Hoban’s students. As he takes up his new position as Vice President of Mission and Leadership, he asks the students to aid him, along with Gifford, to help steer Hoban more towards a reliance on Holy Cross values. His first lesson he would like to teach the Hoban community is, “Be like Gifford. Greet ever y new person with a wag of the tail and friendly sniff.” n
the
Hoban Capital
Campaign Continued $4,000,130 1dollars Million will be alotted to endowment fund total currently collected compiled by hannah caprez
entire funding reached by
Sp C iri en tu te al r f Fo or rm at io n
start of 2015
Endo wmen t
Health & Fitness Center
All photos courtesy of Mary Anne DeCenzo. For more information, check out the “Hoban Highlights.”
centerspread
four
INTERNATIONAL CRISES:
The past few months have been the most intense period of time for global politics in recent years. Several nations across the world have found themselves in political tumult and has resultingly put stress on the international community. Currently two specific countries dominate the worlds' political attention. Both the crisis in Ukraine and Venezuela have greatly impacted both our nation and our allies.
CRISIS IN UKRAINE:
T
he Ukrainian crisis over the past three months has captured the world’s attention and has become the focus of global politics. A power struggle has emerged between the Western European powers and the United States against Russia. As a result, the countr y has become the platform for the most tense interactions between the U.S. and Russia since the Cold War. The crisis originated in late November last year when former Ukranian President Viktor Yanukovych’s government shied away from an extensive agreement with the European Union that aimed to strengthen the countr y’s ties with the West. Instead Yanukovych sought closer ties with Russia, in which it already shared extensive trade, economic, and political agreements. As a result, pro-European Ukrainians, mostly from the western half of the countr y, gathered in the capital, Kiev, in protest. Within two days of the President’s actions, over 300,000 Ukrainians had gathered and protested the shift towards Russia. Within the beginning of December, protesters became more aggressive and seized several government buildings in Kiev, igniting more violent backlashes from President Yanukovych’s government forces. Russia eventually promised a significant financial aid package for Ukraine’s government, partially in hopes of settling the massive and growing protests. However, the effort proved only to stove pro-European Ukrainians’ anger against Russia and Mr. Yanukovych’s government. Tides turned and the protests gained significant international attention when the first deaths of the protests occurred in late Januar y. Two protesters were killed by security forces. As casualty counts climbed, so did the intensity of the protests as more areas of Kiev became seized by protesters. On Februar y 22, President Yanukovych fled Ukraine and protesters seized the presidential estate. Shortly after President Yanukovych fled, a new government was
by jonathan sapp
formed and called out to Western powers for support. Meanwhile, Crimea, a southern semi-autonomous region of Ukraine, became the site of pro-Russian protests. The island territor y is home to almost two million people, over half of which are of Russian descent. In addition, many eastern regions of Ukraine are densely populated with ethnic Russians. In late Februar y, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered what is now over 20,000 Russian troops to enter Crimea and take control of key airports and facilities. In addition, he ordered extensive militar y drills to be conducted on the eastern border of Ukraine. As the new pro-European government was formed in Kiev, Crimea voted to secede from Ukraine as of March 16. The United States and the European Union have not recognized the vote due to the fact that it was conducted while Russian troops occupied the region. The Ukrainian government has since called upon the US and the UK to help defend and stave off new Russian threats, including the build up of Russian troops on Ukraine’s eastern borders. The United States and the European Union enacted several trade sanctions against Russia and have pleaded with Vladimir Putin to retract Russian troops. On March 18, President Vladimir Putin announced he would annex Crimea in a monumental speech that hinted at a goal of restoring Russia to its prior Soviet glor y. n SOURCES: http://news.yahoo.com/us-navys-next-generaton-aircraft-carrier-begins-testing-142616395. html http://news.yahoo.com/us-deploys-fighter-jets-poland-lithuania-200314022.html http://theweek.com/article/index/257406/what-would-a-us-russia-war-look-like http://news.yahoo.com/crimean-tatars-fear-return-russian-rule-171103964.html Timeline of Events- Courtesy of USA Today, Yahoo News, and the Wall Street Journal Information courtesy of the New York Times and the BBC
The prime minister of Ukraine resigns and the parliament repeals harsh anti-protest laws.
FEBUARY 18TH:
The first protest deaths. Two die after being hit with live ammunition and the third after a fall during a confrontation between police and demonstrators.
JANUARY 28TH:
Russian President Vladimir Putin announces Moscow will buy $15 billion worth of Ukrainian government bonds and all for a cut in the price Ukrainians pay for Russian natural gas.
JANUARY 22ND:
A protest attracts about 300,000 people at Kiev's Independence Square. Activists seize Kiev City Hall.
DECEMBER 17TH:
Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych's government announces it is abandoning an agreement that would strengthen ties with the European Union. It seeks closer cooperation with Moscow. Protesters take to the streets.
DECEMBER 1ST:
Layout by Sarah Carmon
NOVEMBER21ST:
TIMELINE OF EVENTS IN UKRAINE: Street clashes erupt, leaving at least 26 dead and hundreds injured.
T
Armed men in Russian military uniforms take control of key airports in Crimea. Russian marines surround a Ukraine coast guard base in Sevastopol.
MARCH 3RD:
FEBUARY 28TH:
FEBUARY 25TH:
Pro-Russian protesters take a stand in Crimea.
US Secretary of State John Kerry travels to Ukraine.
F
or the past several weeks, great unrest has occurred in the South American country of Venezuela. The troubled country has the fifth highest murder rate in the world, and its citizens, the majority of which are members of the middle class and college students, are demanding change. Starting back in January, there have been massive protests of the government under President Nicolás Maduro across the country. The initial protesting began with the sexual assault of a college student. Among the problems that the Venezuelans are protesting include the increase in crime, record-setting inflation and the lack of basic necessities such as meat, butter or sugar, as well as soaps of all kinds and toilet paper. Unrest has spread out all across the country, though it is primarily centralized in the capital city of Caracas and in the western states, Tachira and Merida, where the protests began. Hoban’s former French teacher Jodi Sulbaran moved to Merida, Venezuela over the summer of 2013, after 15 years of teaching. She, her husband, stepson and beloved cats are touched daily by the effects of the protests. Maduro has responded to the situations with extreme military force, which served as a catalyst for several of the protests’ violence. “There is violence and robberies in the street and no one is doing anything about it,” Sulbaran said. “A former Miss Venezuela was visiting and she and her husband were murdered and their five-year-old daughter was shot when their car broke down,” Sulbaran said. The protests are being fought not only by riot police, but by groups of armed motorcycle men called “collectivos” who have unofficially been given arms by the government. Because it is “unofficial,” the government cannot be blamed for violating human rights. “These collectivos loot and drive around shooting store windows, cars and people.” Sulbaran said. Nearly 1,000 of the demonstrators have been arrested and at least 18 were killed since the protests began on Feb. 12 according to official figures. Fourteen police officers have been detained for use of excessive force. Daily life for the Sulbaran family has been incredibly difficult. On top of the shortages, her stepson’s school was closed for three weeks, they have no access to their car, and have to face the fear of being attacked. “Our neighborhood looks like a war zone and you don't want to walk in the streets. It's scary to walk through the barricades at night.,” Sulbaran said. “I have a friend here from Finland and we have discussed our fears of being hurt as a way of getting more international attention, but mostly, I'm not too scared.” Although as of late the protests have calmed down and become more peaceful, Sulbaran is still very concerned for her new home. “I believe there needs to be change- people should not be scared to walk outside. People should not be scared to run out of food and personal hygiene supplies. People need higher wages and more jobs, but I don't think it's going to happen. When the protests were peaceful, maybe. Now, those at the barricades seem like vandals who just enjoy destroying things.” As the situation calms down at the surface, resentment and desire for change bubble underneath. n
Crimea's local parliament votes to join Russia and schedules a referendum for March 16 to do that or enact more autonomy from Kiev.
Crimeans vote to secede from Ukraine.
Russian President Putin declares he will allow the annexation of Crimea.
Photo by Hannah Caprez
he revolution in Ukraine has caused a serious and threatening ripple in global relations. It has effectively created the greatest tension in relations between two global powers since the Cold War. The United States alongside the European Union, another massively powerful political body, has both found itself poised against Russia and its aggressive president. Russian President Vladimir Putin aspires to return Russia to the level of global power it possessed during the Soviet era. Therefore the revolution in Ukraine, a key ally to Russia that is also considered part of a post-Soviet sphere of influence, posed a great threat to the resurgence of a strong and resilient Russian nation. President Putin’s invasion of Crimea was strategically essential in protecting several Russian assets as well as ethnic Russians of the region. However, the consequences of breaking various international treaties will come with immense costs. While President Putin’s sporadic actions make predicting the future near-impossible, several potential conclusions about the future can be drawn. It would not be entirely unlikely for the US and Russia to come to terms of agreement and settle the matter diplomatically. However these would most likely be on costly terms and Crimea would most likely be absorbed into Russia, and potentially other Russian-dominant regions of Ukraine, as well. Russia’s military aggression has signaled great alarm globally. The United States has responded by relocating several military assets closer to Eastern Europe, including an aircraft carrier and several F-16 fighter jets. Yet the likelihood of fighting actually erupting between the two countries, or even between Russia and Ukraine, is very minimal. Both countries are considered among the greatest military powers in the world and the disaster that would result in a war involving the US and Russia could be catastrophic. The Ukrainian crisis will most likely remain a significant global issue for a long time. The US and the EU have both imposed sanctions on Russia and have begun shifting away from conducting business with the country. Russia’s response will most likely be to gain a foothold elsewhere, which may cause some political instability. However, the unpredictability of the situation leaves many options open and few solutions in the near future. n
by emily dunn
MARCH 18TH:
by jonathan sapp
VENEZUELA RISES
MARCH 16TH:
?
WHAT’S NEXT FOR UKRAINE
five
MARCH 6TH:
centerspread
six
features
The
Everything Guide to
Early Mornings: by danielle larose
Photo by Danielle LaRose
E what to do when you Just Can’t Wake UP.
Beginning the night before...
Often, the key to waking up early lies in the habits we establish before we even go to sleep. Here are some things to avoid when hitting the hay:
Stay Caffeine Free. Coffee, as well as sugar and other stimulants, has been scientifically shown to disrupt sleep cycles through the disturbance it causes in your digestive system. Not only will you be wired and unable to settle your mind for a sound sleep, the caffeine you ingest will upset your intestines, so much so that a continuous or deep sleep will become increasingly difficult, leaving you with little to no energy for that long morning drive ahead.
Eat Dinner, Then Be done. Much like drinking coffee adversely effects you before bed, eating dinner prior to sleep ensures that your digestive system will be equally as active and on the job while you are off the clock and counting sheep.
Silence or, if you dare, turn off your Phone. We all do it. We leave our phones on or next to our beds and respond to any sign of activity, whether it be checking late-night tweets or responding to texts until upwards of 1 to 4 in the morning. Rather than let that last message ruin a good night’s sleep, try at least once to turn off your phone before bed and see how/if you feel more refreshed and rejuvenated come morning.
... Z z z z z ...
very morning, whether it be characterized by a slow, dark haze or a bright, blinding sunrise, arising from a deep sleep to greet the day can often be cause for frustration and struggle. As the subtle then startling sound of a phone vibrates against your bedside table, your mind is jolted into the bleak reality that is the early morning. Head still on the pillow, your arm flails indiscriminately for the source of your disturbance. Eyes too preoccupied in their slumber to prove useful, inanimate objects are knocked to the wayside, but you manage to procure your phone just fast enough to slide it into “Snooze.” Stubbornly while still tired, our minds allow us to repeat this process an inordinate number of times until our own convenience is compromised and we must rush to maintain some essence of punctuality. For the most part, though we eventually muster the energy to move from the confines of our comforters, there are easier, more efficient ways to awaken. Here are some tips, tricks and transitions on how to make it out of bed and into the early hours of the day. n
... and into the morning.
Stay Motivated. Drink Up. On occasion, the caffeine provided in cof- Sometimes it helps to have a good reason fee and tea can help encourage the energy to make it through the early morning. However, if consumed daily, your body could establish a higher tolerance to the caffeine and eventually have a diminishing reaction to it, essentially waking you up less each day.
Run For it.
If you have trouble escaping the grogginess that frequently follows a sudden awakening, perhaps an early morning exercise routine could be your ideal solution. Whether that be a run around your neighborhood or sunrise yoga at the nearest studio, the endorphins produced from being active can encourage your body and mind to adhere to an earlier routine filled with less inertia and more enthusiasm.
How do you wake up? I have to wake up really early “I have four alarms and if my “Coffee, and procrastinating as late as “When brother is home he shoots in the morning, I normally blast music I can to not get out of bed.” me with a nerf gun.” while getting ready. ” -Justin Austin ‘17 -Kyra Edwards ‘16
-Mitch Mahon ‘15
to wake up. Don’t dwell on the test you have first period, but, rather, think of how much less traffic you’ll hit the earlier that you leave, or the bigger the breakfast you could have if you get up in time to make it.
You SNooze,YOU Lose. Though it’s often conceived that every minute of sleep is crucial and that it needs to be cherished to the last second, hitting the snooze button to hoard whatever remaining time you can actually provides you with no real benefit except false reassurance. You’re not getting more of the necessary REM and NREM sleep, but merely wasting time that could be spent allowing your mind and body to both recuperate and ready for the day.
I have to wake up really early, I usually have “When to set four alarms and I even set one that’s across the room in order for me to physically get up. I also do 100 v-ups every morning to keep up my fitness levels.
”
-Deanna Demechko ‘14
features
GOOD MUSIC
seven for a
GOOD Cause
Theme of Music: Livin’ some life Genre: reverbnation.com/ Blues d a n i e l s u t t e r To hear more:
THE CONCERT:
THE BAND: JAMMIN’ Original song: DANS Lonely Woman
THE
A
thlete, student, musician and philanthropist–senior Daniel Sutter of the Jammin’ Dans will be rocking on his guitar and vocals in a live performance tomorrow, March 22, at Musica at 7:00 p.m. in downtown Akron. Harvest for Hunger is sponsoring the night, with other artists first playing at 4:00 p.m. As emphasized on the advertisement– “Hunger is closer than you think, but so is the solution”–the organization asks that everyone who attends brings ten non-perishable items for admittance into the “Rock for a Good Cause 2014.” However, if one prefers, he or she may simply donate $5 for a ticket. “It is for a great cause,” Sut-
Photo Courtesy of Daniel Sutter
ter said, “the money and goods go towards feeding the needy.” Accompanying Sutter will be Danny Sullivan, who graduated from Firestone last spring. With Sutter on vocals and guitar and Sullivan on the drums, the dynamic pairing will be on stage for roughly thirty to forty-five minutes. Having been neighbors for many years, Sutter and Sullivan have been creating music for some time, thereby establishing a chemistry between them that permeates through their performances. The goal for the night is to reach $1000 in profits, or the equivalent in items, to be used combatting hunger across Akron. “Come out and bring as many items as you can,” Sutter said. “Don’t be shy to shout, and rock on.” n
by tim brennan
non- Perishable 10 Food Items the Fairlawn & is requested to bring:, THe Audience $5.00 DOnate Hudson Schools of Music
to
different Bands Overall
Cleveland Hosts
38th FILM International
Festival
by ben easton & matt mascolo
What to see: Where to go: When it is: Transfusión Alice Walker
Akron Art Museum Shaker Square Cinemas
Detective Downs Cinemark Valley View
Thurs. Mar. 27th, 8:00 pm Fri. Mar. 28th, 7:00 pm Sat. Mar. 29th, 5:00 pm
$12-14 for tickets, $12 is members, $14 non-members
L
ast week, on Mar. 19, the annual Cleveland International Film Festival commenced at Tower City Cinemas with John Mckay’s “Not Another Happy Ending.” Unlike the normal moviegoing experience, the festival offers great opportunity to view the otherwise hard to see films from the past year. Now celebrating its 38th year, the festival is boasting the increase of its neighborhood screenings where the 300 plus films will be shown at venues throughout and around the city. In addition to the well known locations like the Cinemark in Valley View and at the PlayhouseSquare’s Hanna Theatre, other venues include Cedar Lee, the Capitol Theatre, and a first ever screening at the Beachland Ballroom. With a wide range of foreign films spanning from the Philippines to Tunisia, viewers this year are sure to find distinct and memorable cultural takeaways. Although the festival comes to a close in a week, the remaining flicks to be shown are still worth the trip to Tinseltown. n
sports
eight
Buffett & Co.
incite madness by
the billions
by trey lesiak
M
arch marks the climactic point in time when basketball teams of both the high school and collegiate levels make their push towards championship glor y. The high energy that surrounds the annual NCAA March Madness tournament for Americans and people all over the world to participate in make this end of season excitement of the games all the more exhilarating. This year, however, Warren Buffett and his company Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated are attempting to make the strategic mind game of picking a winning bracket into a chaotic, merely unattainable fight for one billion dollars. Buffett and Quicken Loans announced they would finance the colossal payout if one lucky person were to pick all 63 games played in the NCAA tournament correctly, a feat so difficult to achieve that one would have a better chance at winning the powerball three times in a row. In fact, the odds of filling out a perfect NCAA bracket are one in 9.2 quintillion, making the odds of winning the one billion dollar award nearly unthinkable. “It can definitely be done” Buffett optimistically said in an interview with ABC, “It’s not impossible, believe me. Things happen in this world that you don’t expect. There’s 63 games that are going to be played and I would say a good many of those are pretty predictable.” Despite no one ever recording a perfect bracket in the histor y of the 64 team tournament, Buffett seems confident that
it is still attainable. He even promised to attend the championship game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas with a check in hand for anyone who managed to be perfect up to the final two teams. As ESPN’s Selection Sunday experts announced the first round matchups for this years tournament, the stage was set for Warren Buffett’s challenge. The top spots for each region were awarded to Florida, Arizona, Wichita State and Virginia. Wichita State finished their regular season undefeated, a feat no team has overcome since University of Nevada Las Vegas in 1991. UNLV reached the Final Four that year, however it is yet to be seen whether the Shockers of Wichita State will fare as well this March. Both Florida and Virginia won their respective conference championships and only Arizona finished off their season on a low note, losing to UCLA in the Pac-12 championship. Some prospected cinderella teams for this year include Virginia Commonwealth University, which in recent years has fared well as an underdog when it comes to the tournament. Oregon could also write their own cinderella stor y this March being ranked a seven seed in the west region and playing tenth seeded Brigham Young University in the first round. With the matchups in the round of 64 scheduled as one of the most difficult in recent years and Buffett’s optimism for a perfect bracket holder it seems that the countr y is destined for inevitable madness in March. n
Baseball Team Looking to Overcome Uncertainties by michael londa
T
he baseball team is looking to regroup after a successful season last year where they earned a spot in the state final four largely due to their 10 seniors along with the help of several key underclassmen. After the loss of many key players from last year, fifth year Coach Jim Diestel sees a lot of uncertainty and potential with this year’s team. "We have a lot unknowns in terms of what spots we are going to fill," Diestel said. The mixture of underclassmen with and without varsity experience could play a major role in the Knights’ success. Through the preseason and several scrimmages, Diestel and the team hope to get a better idea of how the team will fit together. Due to such a competitive and experienced graduating class last year, this year’s upperclassmen, seniors especially, have minimal varsity time. “A lot of the se-
niors haven't had enough chances to get as much varsity experience because of last year’s class,” Diestel said. The 10 seniors from last year proved they, as a solid foundation, could form and lead a solid team. The same is expected from this year’s 11 seniors even with less prior playing time. Many, if not all the seniors, will be called upon for their skill on the field, at the plate, or as insightful leaders. Seniors Brennan Bell and Travis Pero are expected to continue their excellence from last year. Bell, as a powerful hitter, and Pero, as a pitcher who had two wins in the state playoffs, will provide leadership to the Knights with their experience from last year. Sophomores Drew Kline and Tyler Canova who both lettered as freshmen last year greatly improved through their first year of varsity baseball. They will contribute a great deal to the team throughout the season as they will be looked upon to make big plays on the field and at the
plate. The Knights also have several other young players with a lot of potential. “We have a lot of good, young talent in the junior class, as well as some solid hitters in the sophomore class,” Diestel said. Year after year, the Knights play in one of the toughest leagues throughout the state of Ohio. The North Coast League is full of competitive and successful teams. Walsh Jesuit, Notre Dame Cathedral Latin and Lake Catholic are several of the big names within the league who have provided stiff opposition to the Knights. Winning the NCL is not of the greatest importance due to the tough opponents, but the team looks go through the season game by game in preparation for playoffs. The Knights hope to open the season with two wins in a double header versus Cardinal Mooney and Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy on March 29 at Struthers Cene Park. n