| |
 The Mount Michael Knights
have been anxiously awaiting spring sports to start. The time has
finally come! On March 3rd the track team,
golf team, and soccer
team had their first practice. Although the weather wasn't particularly good,
both the track team and the soccer team found time to practice in the gym and
run outside while the golf team used the stage to hit.
"This year's golf team is like our basketball team, we're very young, but
very good," said coach Brian Osborne. Leading the Knights this year is sophomore
Jace Crist and Junior Zach Bowman. Throughout the past six to seven years the
Mount Michael golf team has not gone to state, however Crist and Coach Osborne
feel very confident in this years team. They have had some very close candidates
in the past like last years senior Mike Ciaccio missing the cut for state by
one stroke. Although they are a young team with very few seniors, that doesn't
mean that they don't have talent. Their handicaps range from about seven to twelve.
Sophomore John Behrendt said, "A lot of us worked hard over the summer and
hopefully that will help us return a lot stronger than last year." Coach
Osborne stated, "Look for a lot from Crist and Mathey (Freshmen), they can
really play." Crist's goal for the season is to take at least one tournament
and to make it to state. He stated, "I think we are capable of having about
two or three guys go to state this year." Aside from losing three seniors
and a junior from last years team the Knights golf team is capable of doing well
and have a lot to look forward to.
This years Track team is returning
senior and three time state qualifier Matt Luettel. Luettel place third in the
200 at state last year. He also ran the 400
and 100. Luettel said, "I'm going to keep working hard and trying to improve
my times and hopefully place a little higher than last year." Luettel is
not the only one that can run. Coach John Gathje feels very strongly about Juniors
Seth Evert and Jordan Dorsey going to state as well. Coach Gathje's goal is the
same as always, to get as many guys to state and keep working hard throughout
the season. With the loss of John Lukes and Steve Pecha, Coach Gathje is confident
that sophomores Ben Hankey, Steve Stackhouse, and Lance Villeneuve will fill
in and step up. Other guys that Coach Gathje said to look for are seniors Pat
Campbell and Mark Hotovy, and juniors John Pieper and Andy Dale running sprints.
Running long distance he said that Seniors Tim Hall and Andy Walters will help
out. Luettle stated, "We have some good athletes. If we keep working hard
we should be able to accomplish some things."
 This years soccer team is similar to the golf team and basketball team. They
are very young with two seniors returning, but have a lot of talent within their
youth. Senior Captain Ted Paasch said, "Although we lost some keys players
last year, I think we will still be capable of being successful this year." Coach
Terry Buschelman feels strongly about this years team as well. He said that this
years team brings a lot of enthusiasm. His main goal is take the district championship
and then go to state. He then commented that this years soccer teams strength
is in the defense. Paasch leads the defense at sweeper. Buschelman said, "The
defense is experienced. Ted has been with me for four years now." He then
added, "The offense is young but I am confident they will do very well." Coach
Buschelmen is looking to be above 500 and competitive in every game.
The Knights have a lot to look forward to.
Although much of their talent is younger, the Knights are led by strong seniors
that will help them improve as much as
possible. - Article by Matt Haas, Team Photos contributed by Joe
Kmiecik |
