WestChesterBuzz.com

The Lakota East girls’ track team captured the Division I Southwest District track title at Winton Woods High School Friday. The Thunderhawks finished with 121 points, edging McAuley, which had 112 points.

The Lakota East girls' track team won a district title May 18, 2012. Photo provided.

“We knew it was going to be close, but that was huge for us at that point,” Lakota East coach John Lindeman told EastThunderhawks.com. “Winning this thing is huge for us – especially beating McAuley, because they’re one of the class teams in the city. Beating them shows we’re solidifying ourselves and giving us the confidence to go on to regionals next week.”

At districts, the Lakota East girls’ team won the 4×200-meter relay, the 4×100-meter relay, the 100-meter and 300-meter hurdles, as well as the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes.

The boys’ team finished in 10th place, but had qualified five athletes for this week’s regional meet at Dayton. Senior Tony O’Connor (1600-meter run, 4×800-meter relay), junior Matt Rice (3200-meter run), sophomore Ben Call (3200-meter run, 4X800-meter relay), junior Jordan Combs (pole vault) sophomore Devon Jackson (4×800-meter relay) and sophomore Jack Beggs (4×800-meter relay) all qualified for the regional meet from the Lakota East boys’ team.

The Lakota East girls’ team qualified six athletes for the regional, but also had a handful of district champions in senior Ariana Cooper (4×200-meter relay), junior Kendra Thomas (4×200-meter relay, 4×100-meter relay), junior Kellsa Mbah (4×200-meter relay, 4×100-meter relay), sophomore Autumn Heath (4×200-meter relay, 4×100-meter relay, 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash) and Celeste Bronson (4×100-meter relay, 100-meter hurdles, 300-meter hurdles).

Cooper (400-meter dash), Mbah (200-meter dash), Thomas (pole vault) and junior Kelly Burrows (3200-meter run) didn’t finish in first place but also qualified to compete in the regional meet in other events.

Seven Firebirds qualify for state meet

The Lakota West track team had seven members of its track team qualify for this week’s regional meet at Dayton. District champions included senior Will Clevidence (4×800-meter relay, 800-meter run), senior Nathan Haynes (4×800-meter relay), senior Reid Becker (4×800-meter relay), junior Will Wilson (4×800-meter relay) and senior Amanda Shelby (3200-meter run). Not finishing first, but qualifying in other events include Haynes (800-meter run), Wilson (high jump), senior Brady Holmer (1600-meter run) and senior Jerome Hamilton (long jump).

Regional meet

The regional meet is scheduled to take place at Welcome Stadium (University of Dayton) Wednesday at 4 p.m. and Friday at 4 p.m.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Amanda Shelby, Ariana Cooper, Autumn Heath, Ben Call, Brady Holmer, Celeste Bronson, Devon Jackson, Jack Beggs, Jerome Hamilton, Kellsa Mbah, Kelly Burrows, Kendra Thomas, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota East track, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Lakota West track, Matt Rice, Nathan Haynes, Ohio track district meet, Reid Becker, Tony O'Connor, Will Clevidence, Will Wilson

Heather Schoell-Schroeder. Photo provided.

To let West Chester and Liberty Township residents catch up with the news that they need to know, WestChesterBuzz.com will list and link to all of last week’s top local stories every Monday.

Lakota East teacher charged with prom fund theft- A Lakota East High School teacher was charged last Monday with a misdemeanor count of theft in connection with missing money from the school’s prom fund. Heather Schoell-Schroeder, 45, of Liberty Township was charged after she and her attorney met with sheriff’s investigators.

Lakota high school softball teams eliminated from postseason – Both the Lakota East and Lakota West softball teams lost district semifinal games last Monday afternoon. The Firebirds lost to Northmont at Fairmont by the score of 5-1, while Lakota East fell to Fairborn at West Carrollton by the score of 3-2.

Suzanna Davis. Photo provided.

Lakota East names new principal- For second time this spring, the Lakota Board of Education voted unanimously to promote one of its associate principals to the position of high school principal for the 2012-2013 academic year. Suzanna Davis, who has served as the associate principal at the Lakota East Freshman Campus since Aug. of 2007, will replace Keith Kline, who is leaving at the end of the school year to take the assistant superintendent job in the West Clermont Local School District.

Lakota East honors student athletes with signing day event – Lakota East High School honored nine student athletes last Wednesday during its spring signing day event. Among those recognized include Jacob Landers (Baldwin Wallace College, wrestling), Ivan Thomas (Kentucky Christian University, football), Tyler Overberg (College of Mount St. Joseph, golf), Morgan Weinheimer (University of Mississippi, volleyball), Jeff Mundy Jr. (Kentucky Christian University, football), Tanner Lyons (Centre College, track and field), Aleth Pashi (Otterbein University, basketball), Jacqui Tackett (Mount St. Joseph, lacrosse) and Molly Blomer (Nova Southeastern University).

Lakota West students unveil new design for school website – After five months of work, Lakota West students showed off their new design for its official high school website last Wednesday in front of classmates, teachers and Lakota administrators in the high school’s theatre. The redesigned lakotawesthigh.com launched after the presentation made by students from Lakota West’s web design 2 class.

Police investigating dog hanging in West Chester – WestChesterBuzz.com reported last Wednesday that a local woman claims that she found her dog hanging by its neck from a tree in her yard in the 8900 block of Lesourdsville-West Chester Road on May 10. The West Chester Police Department is investigating the complaint reported by Sherry Faber on the morning of May 13, despite not seeing the dog.

Circle K suspect. Photo provided.

Police investigating a report of public indecency– WestChesterBuzz.com reported last Thursday that the West Chester Police Department is looking for a man, who entered a local Circle K Gas Station and exposed his genitals to the clerk on May 5, according to Crime Stoppers.

Gunman robs UDF in West Chester – The Cincinnati Enquirer reported last Friday that police were searching for a gunman who held up United Dairy Farmers, 8976 State Route 747, according to emergency communication reports. The suspect entered the convenience store just after 6 a.m., brandished a gun and demanded cash.

Moeller eliminates Lakota high school baseball teams from postseason – Twice last week, Moeller eliminated a Lakota high school baseball team from the postseason. On Thursday, Moeller defeated Lakota West by the score of 11-2 in the sectional finals. Then on Saturday, the Crusaders eliminated the defending Division I state champs in Lakota East by the score of 7-2 in the district finals.

VOA Museum opens its doors for tours – For the first time since December, the National VOA Museum of Broadcasting opened for tours this past Saturday and Sunday. There were a few public tours in late 2011 before construction forced the budding museum to close its doors. Prior to those tours, the museum had been closed to the public for two years.

Posted in: Board of Education, Crime, News, Schools, Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Heather Schoell-Schroeder, Lakota East High School, Lakota East missing prom funds, Lakota East missing prom money, Lakota East principal Suzanna Davis, Lakota East prom, Lakota East softball, Lakota East Sports, Lakota East stolen prom money, Lakota West, Lakota West softball, Lakota West sports, National VOA Museum of Broadcasting, National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting, Suzanna Davis, VOA Museum, VOA Museum of Broadcasting, Voice of America Museum

Zack Mueck will attempt to win his first state singles championship this week, after finishing as the runner up the past two seasons. Photo taken by Jeff Swinger.

A week after winning the sectional singles championship, Lakota East senior Zach Mueck captured the district singles title and has advanced to this week’s Division I state tournament at Ohio State University.

Mueck defeated Springboro sophomore Zach Berry, by the score of 6-3, 6-0, in the district title match this past Saturday.

The previous Saturday, May 12, Mueck defeated Mason sophomore Alexander Lebedev in the sectional singles final. Mueck defeated Lebedev again in district tournament singles semifinals this past weekend.

Mueck, who has finished as the state singles runner up the past two seasons, will continue his career at Xavier University. The Cincinnati Enquirer’s tennis player of the year last spring was also considering the University of Kentucky, Ohio State University and the University of Notre Dame.

The state tournament takes place Friday, May 25, and Saturday, May 26. The state tournament brackets will be released Tuesday.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Lakota East, Lakota East boys' tennis, Lakota East Sports, Lakota East tennis, Zach Mueck, Zach Mueck Xavier

Lakota East senior Michael Conrad, who will continue his baseball career at UC, struck out 100 batters and had a 1.83 earned run average in 61.1 innings in 2012. Photo taken by Tony Tribble.

For the second time this week, Moeller eliminated a Lakota high school from the postseason. On Thursday, Moeller defeated Lakota West by the score of 11-2 in the sectional finals. Then on Saturday, the Crusaders eliminated the defending Division I state champs in Lakota East by the score of 7-2 in the district finals.

Moeller jumped out to a 5-0 lead against the Thunderhawks Saturday, by scoring three runs in the first inning and two more in the second.

Senior Ryan LeFevers went 2-for-3 and scored two runs, while junior Spencer Iacavone went 2-for-3 with two runs batted in. Sophomore Zack Shannon added a double, two RBIs, as Moeller improved to 22-5.

Lakota East finishes the season with a 16-14 overall record and a 10-8 mark within the Greater Miami Conference. Accomplishments this season include a sectional championship in the postseason, a seven-game winning streak in April and the setting of the school district career strikeout record by senior pitcher Michael Conrad.

The team, which has four seniors on its roster, will have two players competing at the Division I level in college in Conrad (University of Cincinnati) and Alex Corna (Ohio University).

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Alex Corna, Alex Corna Lakota East, Alex Corna Ohio, Lakota East, Lakota East baseball, Lakota East Sports, Michael Conrad, Michael Conrad Cincinnati, Michael Conrad Lakota East, Mike Conrad, Ohio high school baseball playoffs, ohio high school sectional baseball playoffs, sectional playoffs

Lakota West takes the field before facing Elder in its 2011 home opener. In 2012, Lakota West will open its season against a different GCL opponent in La Salle. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber of WestChesterBuzz.com.

A few days after the schedule for the Crosstown Showdown was released, Lakota West head football coach Larry Cox released his team’s full 2012 schedule.

The Crosstown Showdown game, which will be the Firebirds’ season opener, will be against La Salle at Nippert Stadium Saturday, Aug. 25, at 8 p.m.

“The kids really enjoy playing in the Skyline Crosstown Showdown. You know you are going to play a quality opponent in a collegiate venue and they do a great job of creating a big time atmosphere,” Cox said.

“As a coach, games like this help me measure where we need to be as we approach league play and also gives our program great exposure. There isn’t a negative to playing in a game like this. If you can get a win, it really sets your whole season off on the right track and playing a good team like La Salle makes that a great challenge.”

Besides the season opener, Lakota West will have road games at Glen Este Aug. 31, at Fairfield Sept. 21, at Oak Hills (lost 25-21 in 2011) Oct. 5 and at Colerain (lost 24-19 in 2011) Oct. 19; and homes against Anderson (defeated 20-16 in 2011) Sept. 7, Mason Sept. 14, Princeton (lost 27-21 in 2011) Sept. 28, Middletown (lost 47-7 in 2011) Oct. 12 and Lakota East (defeated 25-20 in 2011) Oct. 26.

Here is a look at the 2012 schedule (2011 record):

Aug. 25 – vs. La Salle (7-3 overall, 1-2 in Greater Catholic League)
Aug. 31 – at Glen Este (4-6 overall, 1-4 in Fort Ancient Valley Conf.)
Sept. 7 – vs. Anderson (4-6 overall, 2-3 in Fort Ancient Valley Conf.)
Sept. 14 – vs. Mason (7-4 overall, 5-2 in GMC)
Sept. 21 – at Fairfield (1-9 overall, 0-7 in GMC)
Sept. 28 – vs. Princeton (7-3 overall, 4-3 in GMC)
Oct. 5 – at Oak Hills (4-6 overall, 2-5 in GMC)
Oct. 12 – vs. Middletown (10-2 overall, 6-1 in GMC)
Oct. 19 – at Colerain (10-2 overall, 7-0 in GMC)
Oct. 26 – at Lakota East (4-6 overall, 2-5 in GMC)

This past fall, the Firebirds complied a 3-7 overall record and 2-5 mark within the GMC.

(All 2012 Lakota West football games are scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. with exception to the La Salle game which will be played at 8 p.m. at Nippert Stadium)

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: 2012 Crosstown Showdown, 2012 Lakota West football schedule, 2012 Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown, Crosstown Showdown, Lakota West, Lakota West football, Lakota West football schedule, Lakota West sports, Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown

Junior-to-be Eric Eichler took over the quarterback duties during the third game of season in 2011. He ended up rushing for nine touchdowns last year. Photo taken Barb Trimble of Trimble Photography.

The Lakota East athletic department recently released its 2012 varsity football schedule, which features three out-of-conference games.

The first out-of-conference game, also the season opener, will be at home against Western Hills High School on Friday, April 24 at 7:30 p.m. Last season, the Thunderhawks hosted Western Hills in the season opener, defeating the Mustangs by the score of 28-6.

Lakota East will follow that game with a home game against Winton Woods (defeated 38-37 in OT in 2011) Aug. 31 and an away game at Northmont Sept. 7.

“I think it is very challenging,” Lakota East head football coach Rick Haynes said of the 2012 schedule. “Western Hills is always going to be athletic, Winton Woods has been a power in Division II the last few years and Northmont is always a power up in Dayton.”

After the Northmont game, Lakota East will begin conference play at Oak Hills Sept. 14 before hosting Middletown Sept. 21.

“Once you get in our league – we had four teams that qualified for the playoffs out of our conference – it is always going to be tough,” Haynes said. “Middletown has the reigning Mr. Football coming back in Jalin Marshall, so that will be a challenge.”

Lakota East will round out the schedule with road games at Hamilton (defeated 17-8 in 2011) Sept. 28, at Mason (lost 28-14 in 2011) Oct. 12, at Lakota West (lost 25-20 in 2011) Oct. 26; and with home games against Sycamore (lost 28-25 in 2011) Oct. 5 and Fairfield (defeated 44-13 in 2011) Oct. 19.

Here is a look at the 2012 schedule (2011 record):

Aug. 24 – vs. Western Hills (5-5 overall, 5-1 in Cin. Metro Athletic Conf.)
Aug. 31 – vs. Winton Woods (5-5 overall, 4-1 in Fort Ancient Valley Conf.)
Sept. 7 – at Northmont (4-6 overall, 2-3 in Greater Western Ohio Conf.)
Sept. 14 – at Oak Hills (4-6 overall, 2-5 in GMC)
Sept. 21 – vs. Middletown (10-2 overall, 6-1 in GMC)
Sept. 28 – at Hamilton (4-6 overall, 2-5 in GMC)
Oct. 5 – vs. Sycamore (8-3 overall, 5-2 in GMC)
Oct. 12 – at Mason (7-4 overall, 5-2 in GMC)
Oct. 19 – vs. Fairfield (1-9 overall, 0-7 in GMC)
Oct. 26 – at Lakota West (3-7 overall, 2-5 in GMC)

This past fall, the Thunderhawks complied a 4-6 overall record and 2-5 mark within the GMC.

(All 2012 Lakota East football games are scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.)

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: 2012 Lakota East football schedule, Lakota East, Lakota East football, Lakota East football schedule, Lakota East Sports

Mark Schmetzer reports

Lakota East cleanup hitter Alex Corna was the potential tying run, but Harrison coach Shawn Sowders had no problem walking him intentionally with two outs and a two-run lead in the seventh inning of their Division I sectional championship game Thursday at Kings.

Jarret Rindfleisch turned potential into reality. The junior catcher, playing just his third game after being injured before the season started, hit a two-run double to tie the score, and the Thunderhawks scored four runs in the eighth before holding on for an 8-7 win.

“I was nervous, but I knew I could do it,” Rindfleisch said about hitting after Corna was walked.

“It was a no-brainer,” Sowders said of the decision. “There are things in that game I would go back and change if I could, but that’s not one of them. I would’ve walked him even if they had runners on first and second. Even when he misses, it sounds good.”

Lakota East (16-13), the defending Division I state champion, will meet Moeller, the Enquirer’s Division I coaches poll champion and the No. 3 team in the Associated Press Division I statewide poll, in a district championship game Saturday at 11 a.m. at Western Hills.

Harrision (20-6), the Enquirer’s No. 5 team, had won 13 of its last 15 games going into Thursday, but the Wildcats couldn’t cash in on opportunities. They left 12 runners on base and allowed the Thunderhawks to score all of their runs with two outs.

“We didn’t get the job done,” Sowders said. “Hats off to (the Thunderhawks). They didn’t quit. They got the hits when they needed to.”

That was the Lakota East team coach Ray Hamilton watched for most of the season.

“We showed a lot of heart today,” he said. “Dang. That was the way we played up to about two weeks ago. Good things were happening for us. Then they weren’t happening.”

Senior Jake Gollaway, Harrison’s starting pitcher, helped the Wildcats take a 4-0 lead, capping their four-run second with a massive three-run homer to center field off of left-hander Michael Conrad that easily cleared the 380-foot sign.

The Thunderhawks weren’t concerned, according to Rindfleisch said.

“We knew Mike would hold them, and we knew we could hit,” Rindfleisch said.

Lakota East cut the deficit in half in the fifth when Blake Wilder drove in one run with a double and scored a second on Corna’s single.

That set the stage for the seventh, which started when Brett Colburn was called safe on a ground ball after the base umpire ruled that first baseman Jeremy Hochscheid came off the bag while stretching to take the throw. After two fly balls, Corna was walked, giving Rindfleisch his chance.

“Not at all,” Hamilton said when asked if he was surprised Corna was walked. “If you look at the numbers and the statistics on the computer, his power numbers are off the charts.”

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Lakota East, Lakota East baseball, Lakota East Sports, Ohio high school baseball playoffs, ohio high school sectional baseball playoffs, sectional playoffs

Zak Farmer is one of six Lakota West seniors who will continue their baseball careers in college. Photo taken at a game earlier this spring by Adam Kiefaber.

After taking a 2-0 lead after the first three innings, Lakota West gave up a combined 11 runs during the fourth and fifth innings in what turned out to be a 11-2 loss to Moeller in the district semifinals at Milford High School Thursday.

Leading the Crusaders during that stretch was the trio of junior Spencer Lacovone and seniors Ty Amann and Nick Edwards. Lacovone hit his fourth home run of the season and led the way with three runs batted in, while Amann and Edwards each drove in a pair of runs.

The loss ends the Firebirds season. Overall, the team finishes the 2012 year with an 18-12 record and a 13-5 mark within the Greater Miami Conference. Accomplishments this season include a two-game sweep against rival Lakota East, a runner-up finish in the GMC and its head coach Bill Dreisbach becoming the school district’s all-time leader in wins (currently has 283).

The team, which has 12 seniors on its roster, currently has six members of the class of 2012 who will be playing college baseball – including Malik Zuberi (Shawnee State), Zak Farmer (Walsh University), Davis Schafer (Bellarmine University), Mike Seaman (Trine University), Nick Billman (Mount St. Joseph) and Jake Wagner (Miami-Hamilton).

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Bill Dreisbach, Davis Schafer, Jake Wagner, Lakota West, Lakota West baseball, Lakota West sports, Malik Zuberi, Mike Seaman, Nick Billman, Ohio high school baseball playoffs, ohio high school sectional baseball playoffs, sectional playoffs, Zak Farmer

Lakota East Brett Colburn is congratulated by Hayden Senger in a 5-2 win against Fairfield April 20, 2012. Photo taken by Joseph Fuqua II.

If Lakota East (15-12 overall, 10-8 in the Greater Miami Conference) and Lakota West (18-11 overall, 13-5 in the GMC) win their district semifinal games Thursday, they will then play each other in the district finals at 11 a.m. Saturday at Western Hills High School.

The Thunderhawks, who won its first Division I state championship last season, faces Harrison (20-4 overall, 14-0 in the Fort Ancient Valley Conference) at 5 p.m. Thursday at Kings High School.

Meanwhile, Lakota West will face Moeller (19-5 overall, 9-1 in the Greater Catholic League) at 4 p.m. Thursday at Milford High School.

The Firebirds swept the regular season series against Lakota East, winning at home by the score of 3-0 and on the road by the score of 7-0.

• OHSAA baseball Cincinnati regional tournament bracket

On the other side of the regional bracket, GMC opponents Mason (19-8 overall, 16-2 in the GMC) and Hamilton (12-13 overall, 8-10 in the GMC) will play each other in a district semifinal game at 5 p.m. Thursday at Lakota West High School. The winner will advance to the district finals to be played at 2 p.m. Saturday at Western Hills.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Lakota East, Lakota East baseball, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West baseball, Lakota West sports, Ohio high school baseball playoffs, ohio high school sectional baseball playoffs, sectional playoffs

Lakota West safety Dawson Fletcher officially signed to play football at Indiana University Feb. 1, 2012 on National Signing Day. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber.

Unlike Lakota East, Lakota West High School hosts numerous signing ceremonies throughout the academic calendar. So far, there have been 32 seniors at Lakota West who have signed on to continue their athletic careers in college.

At Lakota East, there have been a total of 26 seniors recognized at two different signing day events in 2012.

Here is a list of all the Lakota West students who will be playing sports in college:

• Ali Zieverink – Shawnee State (basketball)
• Adrianna McNeal – Southwestern (basketball)
• Rachel Mills – Alderson Broddus Illinois College ((basketball)
• Summer Reeves – Morgan State University (basketball)
• Shabazz Reeves – Morgan State University (basketball)
• Jordan Darland – Olivet Nazarene (football)
• Blake Bell – California (PA.) (football)
• Dawson Fletcher – Indiana University (football)
• Cole Stalker – University of Findlay (football)
• Beau Odom – Georgetown College (football)
• Kayaune Ross – Fort Scott Community College (football)
• Bubba Williams – Lindsey Wilson (football)
• Evan Hodel – Wheeling Jesuit (lacrosse)
• Zach Crabtree – Wheeling Jesuit (lacrosse)
• Ali Green – Ashland (golf)
• Kim Love – Purdue University (soccer)
• Kelly Mack – Wright State (soccer)
• Lauren Pratt – Ohio Dominican (soccer)
• Malik Zuberi – Shawnee State (baseball)
• Zak Farmer – Walsh University (baseball)
• Davis Schafer – Bellarmine University (baseball)
• Mike Seaman – Trine University (baseball)
• Nick Billman – Mount St. Joseph (baseball)
• Jake Wagner – Miami-Hamilton (baseball)
• Amanda Lahti -  Ohio Northern (softball)
• Brooke Rowley – Lake Forest College (swimming)
• Brady Holmer – NKU (cross country)
• Amanda Shelby – Mount St. Joseph (cross country)
• Nathan Haynes – Navy (cross country)
• Mel Stewart – NKU (volleyball)
• Corri Muha – Georgetown College (volleyball)
• Nick Bloch – Lake Erie College (wrestling)

WestFirebirds.com, the school’s official athletic website, posts photos and details after signing ceremonies take place.

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports, Spring sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Adrianna McNeal, Ali Green, Ali Zieverink, Amanda Lahti, Amanda Shelby, Beau Odom, Blake Bell, Brady Holmer, Brooke Rowley, Bubba Williams, Cincinnati football recruiting, Cole Stalker, Corri Muha, Davis Schafer, Dawson Fletcher, Evan Hodel, Jake Wagner, Jordan Darland, Kayaune Ross, Kelly Mack, Kim Love, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Lauren Pratt, Malik Zuberi, Mel Stewart, Mike Seaman, Nathan Haynes, Nick Billman, Nick Bloch, ohio basketball recruiting, Ohio football recruiting, Ohio High School sports recruiting, Ohio preps recruiting, Ohio sports recruiting, Rachel Mills, recruiting, Shabazz Reeves, Summer Reeves, Zach Crabtree, Zak Farmer