Archive for the ‘Fall sports’ Category

MonApr22

Heather Mitts to speak at West Chester dinner

Posted by akiefaber April 22nd, 2013, 7:59 am Post a Comment

Greater Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky Women’s Sports Association welcomes Olympic gold medalist


PHOTOS FROM YOUTH CAMP IN WEST CHESTER IN JULY OF 2012

Shannon Russell reports:

Three-time Olympic gold medalist Heather Mitts planned to end her illustrious soccer career after the 2012 Games in London, but discovered she couldn’t quite walk away from the sport.

Her ailing body finally convinced her to retire just last month.

“I had every intention of being done after the Olympics, but I just still loved playing. I wanted to start a family, but I also wanted to continue playing until that happened,” said Mitts, 34. “I went to (U.S. National Team) camp in March and had a slew of injuries. I thought, ‘OK, this is my body’s way of being done.’”

Mitts and her husband, former NFL quarterback A.J. Feeley, are now both retired and living in Philadelphia. But the St. Ursula Academy grad and recent University of Florida Hall of Fame inductee will be back in her hometown Tuesday as the keynote speaker at the Greater Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky Women’s Sports Association’s 20th anniversary awards dinner in West Chester.

Other area Olympians and Paralympians will be honored at the banquet, including Jenny Kemp (swimming), Barbara Weinstein McGrath (diving), Mary Wineberg (track), Keli Smith Puzo (field hockey), Emmy Kaiser (tennis) and April Kerely (swimming). Event officials will present awards to 26 local athletes, coaches, sponsors and administrators.

“I’m happy to be the speaker at the 20th anniversary awards dinner. It’s a great honor,” Mitts said. “I’m excited to meet other Olympians, too.”

Mitts said her retirement thus far feels like a long vacation with great opportunities, like the sports banquet and the two Philadelphia Union soccer matches she worked as a sideline reporter. She’ll conduct her annual CBTS Heather Mitts Soccer ProCamp at Lakota West Aug. 3 and 4, and for the first time will also have an evening-session elite camp for high schoolers.

Mitts’ retirement means she won’t compete in the new National Women’s Soccer League, but the former defender is optimistic that the fresh foray into women’s professional soccer will take root. Unlike previous short-lived leagues – the Women’s United Soccer League and Women’s Professional Soccer – the eight-team NWSL is supported by the United States Soccer Federation, Canadian Soccer Association and Federation of Mexican Football.

“Because of the fact that (U.S. Soccer) is taking the initiative to be involved, I do think it will succeed longer than leagues of the past. And by investing in a women’s professional league in the U.S., our players can train here on a daily basis,” Mitt said.

Mitts said it was bittersweet to finish her own career in London but “couldn’t have asked for a better way to go out.” Asked if she envisioned a return from retirement, Mitts promptly laughed.

“I will not be pulling a Brett Favre or Michael Jordan,” she said. “I want to start a family, and hopefully that happens here sooner rather than later.”

For information about the GCNKWSA banquet, which begins at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday at the Savannah Center, visit cincywomensports.org. To learn more about Mitts’ soccer camps, visit procamps.com/heathermittselite.

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SatApr20

Running back Mikel Horton commits to Kentucky

Posted by akiefaber April 20th, 2013, 5:00 pm Post a Comment

Lakota West junior running back Mikel Horton verbally committed to play football at the University of Kentucky Saturday April 20. Photo by Adam Kiefaber of WestChesterBuzz.com.

Lakota West junior running back Mikel Horton verbally committed to the University of Kentucky Saturday during the Rivals.com Under Armour Elite Camp at Lakota West High School.

Lakota West junior running back Mikel Horton has added three Division I offers to play college football in past five days. The latest coming from Louisville. Photo taken by Joseph Fuqua II.

Lakota West junior running back Mikel Horton surprised his coach by making his college choice so soon. He picked UK over his other top choices Florida State, Vanderbilt, Cincinnati and Louisville. Photo taken by Joseph Fuqua II.

The camp included top recruits from Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Indiana and West Virginia. When being named the camp’s offensive MVP, Horton pulled out a UK hat and announced his commitment.

The 6-foot-1, 228-pound Horton has received interest from Penn State, Michigan State, Alabama, Arkansas and Mississippi State, as well as offers from Florida State, Boston College, Louisville, Cincinnati, Vanderbilt, Purdue, Miami (Ohio), Indiana, Minnesota, Kent State, Toledo, Bowling Green and Western Michigan.

Lakota West head coach Larry Cox admitted he was surprised that Horton made his commitment so soon.

“I will be honest, I advised him to wait,” Cox said. “He talked about Florida State, Vanderbilt, Kentucky, UC and Louisville. Those were sort of his top five, but he has done his homework. I can’t tell you how many visits he has done. It is not like he made this decision blind.”

Cox said Horton visited Louisville twice, Kentucky three times, Cincinnati, Miami, Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, Arkansas, Alabama and Florida State.

According to Rivals.com, Horton is a four-star recruit and is ranked No. 22 among running back prospects in the class of 2014. He is also ranked No. 209 nationally among all recruits in that class.

In 2012, Horton rushed for 1,003 yards and 13 touchdowns.

On Feb. 6, his teammate offensive tackle Kyle Meadows (class of 2013) signed on to play football at UK. Meadows picked UK over offers from the likes of Louisville, Ohio, Toledo, Pittsburgh, Akron, Cincinnati, West Virginia, Indiana, Florida State, Purdue, Kansas and North Carolina State.

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ThuMar28

Lakota West and East among top boys’ volleyball teams

Posted by akiefaber March 28th, 2013, 4:39 pm Post a Comment

Brandon Kors breaks down the top boys’ volleyball teams for The Cincinnati Enquirer

Elder

After losing 10 seniors from last year’s squad, coach Sean Tierney is aware of the obstacles ahead in replacing an experienced team with one that has limited varsity experience.

The Panthers return five seniors, including outside hitter Anthony Stacklin; R.J. Albers, a middle hitter who is transitioning to right side hitter; and setter Joe Sansone.

Tierney said the team is working to solidify a backcourt and expects senior Henry Voellmecke and juniors Tim Kramer, Sean Conway and Michael Griswold to fill the void.

Lakota West

After advancing to the semifinals of the state tournament last season, the Firebirds set a precedent for the program.

Four new seniors join the program. Coach Christy Switzer said the returning team members have done a good job reiterating West’s tradition.

Lakota West will return a trio of seniors in setter Curtis Johnson, outside hitter Gurman Sekhon and libero Eric Singh.

Lakota East

This season East will deploy a new offensive scheme, which will include more plays that will incorporate the back row into the offense. This offensive change will make the Thunderhawks achieve a more spread-out attack and will attempt to ease the attention shown to senior middle blocker Kalen White.

Lakota East graduated its starting setter last season. Sophomore Bryant Kuhlman and freshman Brad Meyer will both be setting for the Thunderhawks.

Moeller

Coach Matt McLaughlin’s record speaks for itself. As a player at Moeller he won two state titles with the Crusaders and is coming off his first state title as a coach last season.

“It’s a new season and it’s time to reiterate that to them,” McLaughlin said. “Certainly we had a great 2012 that ended on a high note for us, but going back to back is tough. We know nothing is guaranteed.”

The Crusaders return four senior starters from last year’s squad in libero Jared Engelhart, right side hitter Zach Priest, outside hitter Tony Pisciotta and middle hitter Casey Pieper.

Oak Hills

It has been two seasons since the Highlanders won the GMC title, which they shared with Lakota West in 2011. With five returning starters this season, coach Chris Morman said the team has a very good chance to recapture the title as well as make a trip to the regional finals.

Along with the five returning starters, senior outside hitter Darien McDowell, who missed last year because of an injury, will return.

St. Xavier

“We lost almost every starter from last year,” coach Bill Ferris said. “With that being said, I think the guys have done a good job stepping up quickly.”

Seniors Devon Hoesl, libero Michael Spohr and setter Ryan Judd, who saw limited action last season, will return for the Bombers.

Notable matches

May 3: Moeller at St. Xavier

April 5: Elder at St. Xavier

April 9: Mason at Oak Hills

April 11: Moeller at Elder

April 13: Carmel (Ind.) at Moeller

April 16: Lakota West at Oak Hills

April 24: Elder at Oak Hills

April 25: Lakota East at Lakota West

April 30: Mason at Lakota West

May 18: Regional Tournament final at Elder for South Region

May 18: Regional Tournament final at Centerville for West Region

May 25, 26: State championships at Walsh Jesuit High School

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Lakota West grad Brigit Reder makes professional roster

Posted by akiefaber March 28th, 2013, 7:43 am Post a Comment

Lakota West graduate and former Ball State soccer player Brigit Reder has recently made the preseason 25-person roster for the Western New York Flash of the National Women’s Soccer League.

Brigit RederOn the roster, Reder joins Abby Wambach and Caril Lloyd, both members of the U.S. Women’s National Team, as well as Canadian Women’s National team players Bryanna McCarthy and Jodi Ann Robinson; and Mexican National team players Veronica Perez and Pamela Tajonar.

“I couldn’t even image being here,” Reder told ballstatesports.com. “It is an unreal experience. I wouldn’t be here without friends, family and coaches. I’m just blessed to have this opportunity.”

According to a story on the Ball State University athletics website, the Flash will cut its roster from 25 to 20 next Friday, April 5 before the team opens the regular season Sunday, April 14.

Reder finished her collegiate soccer career in 2012, as the school’s all-time leader in career minutes played. She was also a two-time Academic All-MAC selection, All-MAC Second Team and Capital One Academic All-District as a junior.

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TueMar26

Vanderbilt offers running back Mikel Horton

Posted by akiefaber March 26th, 2013, 2:47 pm Post a Comment

Lakota West junior running back Mikel Horton is starting to receive attention from collegiate football programs. Photo by Adam Kiefaber of WestChesterBuzz.com.

Vanderbilt offered Lakota West junior running back Mikel Horton on this weekend, according to Lakota West head football coach Larry Cox.

“Mikel Horton went down to Vanderbilt this past weekend and was really impressed with the visit,” Cox wrote in an email to WestChesterBuzz.com. “And they were impressed by him as well, as they have offered.”

The 6-foot-1, 228-pound Horton has received interest from Penn State, Michigan State and Arkansas, as well as offers from Florida State, Boston College, Louisville, Cincinnati, Purdue, Miami (Ohio), Indiana, Minnesota, Kent State, Toledo, Bowling Green, Western Michigan and Kentucky.

In 2012, Horton rushed for 1,003 yards and 13 touchdowns.

According to Rivals.com, Horton is a four-star recruit and is ranked No. 209 overall in the country.

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FriMar22

Vanderbilt offers Lakota East lineman Jarrett LaRubbio

Posted by akiefaber March 22nd, 2013, 12:43 pm Post a Comment

Vanderbilt is the latest to offer Lakota East junior offensive lineman Jarrett LaRubbio, Lakota East coach Rick Haynes told Cincinnati Enquirer high school sports recruiting writer Mike Dyer.

The 6-foot-5, 265-pound lineman has received offers from Washington, Georgia Tech, West Virginia, Cincinnati, Arizona State, Western Michigan, Duke, Kentucky, Nebraska, N.C. State, Miami (Ohio), Akron, Pittsburgh, Bowling Green, Toledo, Kent State and Ohio.

Jarrett LaRubbio. Photo provided.

In a recent story written by Dyer, Lakota East football coach Rick Haynes said that he hasn’t had to say a lot to LaRubbio.

Like any of his players, Haynes advises his college recruits to be happy with the college program and its academics if the player ever got hurt on the first day and wasn’t able to play again. He also advises his players to take at least two visits. LaRubbio has taken several unofficial visits.

Haynes told Dyer that he can’t recall coaching a player having his many offers since his time as a Colerain assistant with former offensive lineman Connor Smith (Ohio State).

“He’s a very quiet kid,” Haynes said. “…He takes it all in stride.”

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FriMar15

Boston College offers running back Mikel Horton

Posted by akiefaber March 15th, 2013, 12:57 pm Post a Comment

Lakota West junior running back Mikel Horton is starting to receive attention from collegiate football programs. Photo by Adam Kiefaber of WestChesterBuzz.com.

Boston College offered Lakota West junior running back Mikel Horton on Thursday night, according to Lakota West head football coach Larry Cox.

The 6-foot-1, 228-pound Horton has received interest from Penn State, Michigan State and Arkansas, as well as offers from Florida State, Louisville, Cincinnati, Purdue, Miami (Ohio), Indiana, Minnesota, Kent State, Toledo, Bowling Green, Western Michigan and Kentucky.

In 2012, Horton rushed for 1,003 yards and 13 touchdowns.

According to Rivals.com, Horton is a four-star recruit and is ranked No. 209 overall in the country.

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Washington offers Lakota East lineman Jarrett LaRubbio

Posted by akiefaber March 15th, 2013, 11:48 am Post a Comment

Washington is the latest to offer Lakota East junior offensive lineman Jarrett LaRubbio, Lakota East coach Rick Haynes told Cincinnati Enquirer high school sports recruiting writer Mike Dyer.

The 6-foot-5, 265-pound lineman has received offers from Georgia Tech, West Virginia, Cincinnati, Arizona State, Western Michigan, Duke, Kentucky, Nebraska, N.C. State, Miami (Ohio), Akron, Pittsburgh, Bowling Green, Toledo, Kent State and Ohio.

Jarrett LaRubbio. Photo provided.

In a recent story written by Dyer, Lakota East football coach Rick Haynes said that he hasn’t had to say a lot to LaRubbio.

Like any of his players, Haynes advises his college recruits to be happy with the college program and its academics if the player ever got hurt on the first day and wasn’t able to play again. He also advises his players to take at least two visits. LaRubbio has taken several unofficial visits.

Haynes told Dyer that he can’t recall coaching a player having his many offers since his time as a Colerain assistant with former offensive lineman Connor Smith (Ohio State).

“He’s a very quiet kid,” Haynes said. “…He takes it all in stride.”

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TueMar12

Lakota West hires Jan Bennett as its new girls’ soccer coach

Posted by akiefaber March 12th, 2013, 11:39 am Post a Comment

The Lakota West Athletic Department recently announced that it has hired Jan Bennett as its new head girls’ soccer coach for its varsity program.

Jan Bennett was hired this month to be the second Lakota West girls' soccer coach in school history. Photo provided.

Jan Bennett was hired this month to be the second Lakota West girls’ soccer coach in school history. Photo provided.

Bennett’s coaching experience includes being the assistant coach at Walnut Hills, head coach of the Cincinnati United GU17 club from 2011 to present, head coach at Finneytown from 2004-2009, head coach and trainer of CWSC United GU19 club, and OSYSA state staff coach.

“I am extremely excited about the experience and passion that Coach Bennett brings to the position,” Lakota athletic director Richard Bryant said. “She came very highly recommended. I am confident that Lakota West Girls soccer will compete at a very high level under her guidance.”

Bennett takes over the position that was held by Tara Schafer-Kalkhoff, Lakota West’s first and only head coach for girls soccer. Schafer-Kalkoff announced her retirement in December.

Schafer-Kalkhoff completed her 17th season this fall as a head coach in the Lakota district after beginning her career at Lakota High School prior to its split following the 1996 season.

Her career highlights include winning the Ohio Division I state championship in 1999 and amassing 203 career wins with a 70.4 winning percentage. Her career win total is the seventh highest among all current and former girls’ soccer coaches in Ohio high school history, according westfirebirds.com.

Schafer-Kalkhoff and her husband and assistant coach, Mark Kalkhoff, retired to spend more time with their son, Connor, who will be four next fall. They both told westfirebirds.com that they expect to continue coaching soccer, just at a somewhat lower level of competition.

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MonMar11

Last week in West Chester: Winter storm cancels school

Posted by akiefaber March 11th, 2013, 3:11 pm Post a Comment

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.

More than 5,000 runners and walkers participated in the Shamrock Shuffle in West Chester Township on Saturday. The event was expected to raise $100,000 for local causes and charities. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber.

WestChesterBuzz.com also recently added a new video page last week. To view West Chester and Liberty Township related videos, visit westchesterbuzz.com/videos.

Lakota Local Schools closed – A winter storm last Tuesday night forced Lakota Local Schools to close for the first time in the 2012-2013 school year. West Chester’s Nature Basket program was also canceled due to the weather.

What is your gold worth? – As gold prices soar, so do the number of gold buyers and sellers. That means more work for county auditors, who are tasked with validating the accuracy of scales used to weigh gold at businesses that buy it. In Southwest Ohio, auditors from Butler, Warren, Clermont and Hamilton counties in 2012 registered 186 scales from precious metals buyers, up from just 30 in 2009.

Lakota East OL Jarrett LaRubbio receives multiple offers – Miami (Ohio), West Virginia, Cincinnati and Georgia Tech all offered Lakota East junior offensive lineman Jarrett LaRubbio last week, Lakota East coach Rick Haynes told Cincinnati Enquirer high school sports recruiting writer Mike Dyer. The 6-foot-5, 265-pound lineman has received offers Arizona State, Western Michigan, Duke, Kentucky Nebraska, N.C. State, Akron, Pittsburgh, Bowling Green, Toledo, Kent State and Ohio.

Pat Hiltman is resigning effective immediately from his township trustee post because a recent job change. Photo provided.

Pat Hiltman is resigned effective immediately, on Feb. 20, from his township trustee post because a recent job change. Photo provided.

13 seek Liberty Township trustee seat – A total of 13 individuals have applied to join the Liberty Township Board of Trustees, Sue Kiesewetter reported late last week for The Cincinnati Enquirer. Whoever is selected would fill Patrick Hiltman’s term, which ends Dec. 31. To keep the seat, the trustee would have to run in the November election. Among the candidates are a former Trenton mayor, the developer of the Carriage Hill development, three members of the township’s Vision Committee and volunteers on three other township groups.

Butler Tech names new superintendent – Bill Miller on last Thursday was named superintendent of Butler Tech, Sue Kiesewetter reported for The Cincinnati Enquirer. For the past two months, Miller has served as interim superintendent following the December resignation of Brett Smith. He was one of three finalists for the job. Miller was given a two-year contract, which runs through July 31, 2015. His salary was set at $126,250 annually.

Census: Cincinnati commuter rate among highest in nation – Hamilton County has among the highest number of commuters coming from another county in the nation, the U.S. Census Bureau reported recently, according to Mark Wert of The Cincinnati Enquirer. Among workers in Hamilton County, 188,113 live outside the county, according to 2006-2010 Census estimates. For example, 45,965 workers commute in from Butler County. Meanwhile, 66,994 residents of Hamilton County leave the county for work, or only 18.6 percent of the county’s total. The biggest group, 20,856, goes to Butler County.

Florida State offers RB Mikel Horton – Florida State offered Lakota West junior running back Mikel Horton on Monday, according to Lakota West head football coach Larry Cox. The previous week, four Division I programs offered Horton. Louisville, Cincinnati, Purdue and Miami (Ohio) offered on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, respectively. In addition, Horton has received interest from Penn State, Michigan State and Arkansas, as well as offers from Indiana, Minnesota, Kent State, Toledo, Bowling Green, Western Michigan and Kentucky.

Lillian’s Leprechauns, others benefit from Shamrock Shuffle – More than 5,000 runners and walkers took part in the 2013 Shamrock Shuffle in West Chester Township Saturday. Each one of them came out for a reason, as many did so for one of the 50 charities that were participating in the annual event. The charity that brought in the most runners/walkers was a new group, Lillian’s Leprechauns, which was created after Adam Woodward and Niki Larson, both of Maineville, lost their baby, Lillian, one day after she was born.

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