Sports

Baseball team looks forward to spring season

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Boy’s Baseball is swinging right into their 2015 season. The Bulldog’s have an entirely new coaching staff this year.

“Our new coach was a great choice; he really brings great ideas where we need it. The sky’s the limit,” senior Parker Henderson said.

Aaron Debord is the head Varsity coach. He is a 2005 graduate of Woodridge High School and a varsity letterman in baseball and cross country. He went to The University of Akron and majored in Political Science and Criminal Justice. Debord was previously the head varsity coach of Akron-Firestone High School.

The boys kicked off the season on Feb. 23 with tryout week and will continue practicing until their first home game against Field High School on March 19.

“I am looking forward to a great season. I really think we are going to surprise some people this year. Our new coach has brought an intense, hard working attitude that everyone is accepting and buying into,” junior Owen Fankhauser said.

This season, the Bulldogs hope to start rebuilding the tradition of winning through their hard work and attention to small detail.

The Bulldogs have nine seniors this year. They are Parker Henderson, Gino DeMarino, Tyler Hallam, Randy Smith, Andrew Groves, Brian Soldierson, Jake Lapchynski, Justin George and Nathan Allen.

“We have a great group of kids that we expect to push each other on a daily basis,” coach Debord said.

Two members of the senior class will continue their baseball careers at the NCAA level. Gino DeMarino and Parker Henderson have already signed letters of intent to their universities.

DeMarino will be attending Cleary University in Howell, Michigan and Henderson will attend Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio. Both seniors, who look to have a big season for the Bulldogs this spring, feel they will receive a great education and have an opportunity to compete for playing time this fall.

“Our number one goal this season is to win the NOC with it being our last year in it,” coach Debord said.

The Bulldog’s have a very tough schedule this season. They take on the defending D1 state champions, Jackson High School, on April 3, along with many other talented teams. In mid-April, the boys take on their rivals, Cuyahoga Falls and Hudson.

“I am looking forward to playing our toughest rivals because I feel like we are going to give them a good game this year,” senior Tyler Hallam said.

As the boys continue to push each other, they grow and get better everyday.

“We are focused on working hard and playing to the best of our abilities. If on a day to day basis we can outwork our opponents and continue to believe in our process, then the wins will take care of themselves,” coach Debord said.

Debord is extremely excited for what this season will bring the team.

Coach Debord said, “The kids have shown an incredible willingness to learn and work hard. We can tell they want to get better and are preparing to win like they never have before.”

Sports

Sports teams take on the mulch

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The cold of winter breaks, snow begins to melt and spring creeps in. The temperature will rise, and soon enough everyone will be back outside landscaping their yards from sun-up to sun-down, breaking their backs in hope of a lawn appearance up-to-par with the rest.

There is no easier way to have the best looking yard in the neighborhood than by having it mulched by the local sport teams through Booster Club’s Mulch Mania.

For the eighth year, Booster Club will be holding Mulch Mania to raise money for the middle school and high school sport teams.

Athletes will participate in the spreading of mulch for every yard, teaching kids the importance of hard work and learning to use tools and proper equipment for landscaping.

For $28 per yard, double-shredded brown hardwood mulch can be purchased, and delivered to the buyer’s house. Proceeds for the purchases of mulch will go to Booster Club.

For an additional $15 per yard, members of a high school or middle school sports team will personally spread the mulch around the customer’s yard with diligence. All proceeds for the spreading of the mulch will go completely to whichever team that completed the work.

Mulch Mania provides athletes with the chance to experience working hard for a cause and allows customers to save some cash, time and back pains, all while supporting the local student athletes.

For contact information,  visit http://www.smfboosters.com.

Sports

Boys lacrosse begin 2015 season

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Boy’s Lacrosse cradle right into their 2015 season. They have a great chance to have a winning season this year one expecting to win 10 games.

The team has a lot of young players this year. There are more freshman and sophomores than the past, which will make an immediate difference.

“We want to make sure to make sure they see their potential and what they can add to the program over the next several years,” coach Brett Sinning said.

The hardest  game of the season will be against Shaker Heights, the Red Raiders. They historically have a very physical and competitive team.

“We have lost in overtime to them in two consecutive years and are looking to beat them for the first time. In six years of coaching, it will be my most memorable win,” coach Sinning said.

Junior Chris Douds will have very large shoes to fill as he takes over the goalie position. He is replacing four year starter, Ryan Kevern. Douds is already on his way to establishing himself.

Aaron Bukowski’s talent and athleticism will also play a big role as a key defensive.

Juniors Andrew Mannella and Shane Riddle will quickly be taking over the games. They are the leading offensive units on the field.

“This season will be tough due to the seniors we lost last year. The lower classman will have to step up and fill in. Overall it should be a great season and I am excited,” Mannella said.

After suffering from a broken collar bone last season,  Senior Brent Skall will be looking for redemption this year.

“I believe that we will have a tough season, but we can compete with our opposing teams. Andrew Mannella will be a beast on attack with good help from Shane Riddle and Brent Skull,” junior Ian Feeny said.

The potential of this team is going to bring forth an exciting season.

Coach Sinning said, “We have so much to look forward, to both this year and the years ahead with the youth on the team and the spirit that they have.”

Sports

Alumni Connor McMahon to compete in the NCAA Wrestling Championships 

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     The dream of one alumni is soon to be a reality.

    Connor McMahon, a graduate from the class of 2012, will be competing in the NCAA Divison I Wrestling Championships March 19-21 at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis. McMahon wrestled four years at Stow, placing second at the OHSAA State Championship his senior year. McMahon’s high school success brought him to Southern Illinois University, a Divison I wrestling school located in Edwardsville, Illinois. 

   Wrestling at the 165 pound weight class his junior year, McMahon entered the Southern Conference Tournament with the fifth seed out of eight wrestlers. He was overlooked by many, as a fifth seed would certainly not be a favorable victor in the battle for a national championship spot. McMahon was out to make the best of his situation, knowing the odds were not likely, but still possible. 

    “Not being expected to beat anyone took a lot of pressure off of me. I knew the pressure was on the kids I was going against so I went out there with nothing to lose. I was able to wrestle to my capabilities,” McMahon said. 

    McMahon did not just reach his capabilities, he exceeded them. 

    A quick victory over the fourth seed from Tennessee Chattanooga started his run, followed by a win over the number one seed in the tournament from Appalachian State. Reaching the finals, McMahon wrestled the third seed out of Virginia Military Institute, winning the match 4-3 and claiming victory in the SoCon Tournament. 

   McMahon’s victories in the SoCon Tournament not only came against higher ranked seeds, but also were against wrestlers who had previously defeated him earlier in the year. Due to these circumstances, McMahon was awarded the Outstanding Wrestler of the Tournament along with a spot in the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships.

    McMahon plans to keep the same mentality he had in the conference tournament through his journey at nationals.

    “I’m really just excited to be there. I had some success in high school but I’ve never achieved anything like this. Qualifying for nationals was a dream of mine and no matter what I do I’m going to be happy with the results,” McMahon said. 

    McMahon’s first match at the NCAA Championship will be early March 19, against the tournament’s number one seed, Alex Dieringer of Oklahoma State. 

    McMahon said, “I plan on just going out there and giving anyone I wrestle the best match I’m capable of. If I win some matches, that’s just icing on the cake, and if I don’t, I still had a great season.”

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