Archive for the ‘Winter Sports’ Category

WedMay16

Lakota West has 32 seniors signed to play in college

Posted by akiefaber May 16th, 2012, 2:40 pm Post a Comment
Dawson Fletcher signs with IU

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.

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Lakota East honors student athletes with signing day

Posted by akiefaber May 16th, 2012, 1:21 pm Post a Comment

Nine Lakota East student athletes were honored during a signing day event at Lakota East High School May 16, 2012. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber of WestChesterBuzz.com.

Lakota East High School honored nine student athletes 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, basketball).

“It was awesome. I was excited to see all my friends sign,” said Weinheimer, who was also considering Wright State University and Xavier University, among others. “It’s exciting because I want to see them do big things.”

The 5’4″ Weinheimer, who played the libero position for the Thunderhawks, was a first team All-GMC selection in 2011. She also led the GMC with 5.34 digs per game.

Her senior volleyball classmates, Hannah Berling (Tusculum College), Hannah Sigala (Morehead State University), Lauren Beitel (Otterbein) and Emily Bostian (Otterbein) were all honored at a signing day event Feb. 1. In addition to the seniors, junior teammates Ali Lake (Ohio University) and Ashley Evans (Purdue University) have verbally committed to programs.

Joining Weinheimer at Wednesday’s signing were basketball players Aleth Pashi and Molly Blomer. In February, their teammates Alyssa Grevenkamp (University of Findlay) and Whitney Wyckoff (Yale University) were also recognized.

Also on Wednesday, two senior football players, offensive lineman Ivan Thomas and defensive back Jeff Mundy Jr., signed on to play at the same college – Kentucky Christian University.

“They (KCU) are going to receive two good players, two good people and hopefully they will leave the program better than they left it,” Lakota East head football coach Rick Haynes said.

“It is always great to see guys forward their careers and move on to the next level. I think, both of them, as long as they put in the time and effort are going to have success.”

Other Lakota East senior student athletes, who were recognized for continuing their athletic careers in college in February, include Zach Mueck (Xavier, tennis) Michael Conrad (University of Cincinnati, baseball), Alex Corna (Ohio, baseball), Michaela Buczek (Mount St. Joseph, lacrosse), Ainsely Ellison (Hillsdale College, softball), Sofey Fugate (Heidelberg University, tennis), Jessika Hall (Michigan State University, swimming), Tori Meyer (Albright College, lacrosse), Mark Minch (Ohio Dominican University, basketball), Tony O’Connor (Northern Kentucky University, cross country/track) and Joe Postlewait (Walsh University, lacrosse)

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MonMay14

Weekly news roundup: Lakota to lose both HS principals

Posted by akiefaber May 14th, 2012, 1:55 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.

Richard Hamilton is retiring after being principal at Lakota West for the past 13 years. Photo taken by Tony Jones.

Lakota to lose both high school principals- With the West Clermont school board’s recent approval of Keith Kline (current principal at Lakota East) as its new assistant superintendent, the Lakota school district will be entering the 2012-2013 school year with different principals at both high schools. Meanwhile, Richard Hamilton, who has served as the principal at Lakota West for the past 13 years, is retiring at the end of the school year in July.

Former Lakota East wrestler to compete in 2012 Olympics – About 10 years ago, Pliev had offers to wrestle at universities throughout the United States. He was coming off back-to-back state and national wrestling titles at Lakota East and seemed destined to accomplish his dream of becoming an Olympian. His journey, however, took a few unique turns.

Mandy Corrado, mother of twins Andrew and Luciana, found support after a miscarriage from the West Chester Mothers of Twins and More Club. Photo provided.

Mothers of twins grow special bond in West Chester– One of the largest mothers of multiples groups in the nation is right here in West Chester. The local twins club started in 1988 with six members. It has grown to more than 230 members today.

U.S. News ranks Lakota high schools among nation’s best – Lakota high schools made U.S. News & World Report’s list of top-ranked public high schools in the state and nation. Schools were awarded gold, silver or bronze medals based on a range of performance indicators, such as state proficiency standards and how well they prepare students for college. Both schools were among 93 Ohio public high schools to earn a silver medal.

West Chester firefighters have new pact – The West Chester Board of Trustees approved a three-year contract with the township’s fire lieutenants and firefighters last Tuesday. The contract affects 57 full-timers who are represented by the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 3518, and replaces a contract that expired at the end of last year.

AK Steel makes Fortune 500 list – AK Steel, which is headquartered in West Chester, was recently named to this year’s Fortune 500 list of America’s largest corporations. The company was ranked 381st on this year’s list and generated approximately $6.5 billion in revenue in 2011.

West Chester day care child abuser gets 80 years – Dan Horn reported that a Mason man will likely spend the rest of his life in prison for molesting boys at his mother’s in-home day care in West Chester and sharing photos of the abuse over the Internet. A federal judge sentenced Andrew Keith, 29, to 80 years in prison last Wednesday for producing and sharing child pornography.

Sectional tournament update: Lakota teams advance – The Lakota West baseball team, along with the Lakota East and Lakota West softball teams, won their postseason matchups in the sectional tournament last Wednesday. Both baseball teams also advanced to district semifinal games with wins last Thursday. All four teams will play in district semifinal games this week.

House Speaker John Boehner visited United Performance Metals in Hamilton May 11, 2012, to listen to the concerns of local small business owners. He also took a few jabs at President Obama. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber.

Boehner listens to small business owners in Hamilton- House Speaker John Boehner Friday accused President Obama of being “AWOL for about eight months” as he campaigns non-stop for re-election. Boehner’s remarks came during a visit to United Performance Metals here where he listened to the concerns of local small business owners.

Lakota East teacher investigated over prom funds – A Lakota East High School teacher is the focus of an investigation by police in connection with missing funds from the Butler County school’s prom fund. The teacher, who resigned earlier this week, was not named by Lakota school officials in their released statement last Friday.

Fallen West Chester Marine to receive Purple Heart – The body of Marine Sgt. John Patrick “J.P.” Huling will return to his Butler County hometown Sunday as the latest recipient of the prestigious Purple Heart Award, military officials said last Friday. The Moeller High School graduate and bomb disposal specialist, 25, was shot in the chest and killed Sunday by someone, possibly a Taliban member, wearing an Afghan National Army uniform – a person supposed to be an ally of U.S. forces.

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FriMay11

Monty Boykins receives three more college offers

Posted by akiefaber May 11th, 2012, 1:07 pm Post a Comment
Lakota West vs. Winton Woods

Lakota West's Monty Boykins. Photo taken by Mark Ferland of ferlandfotos.smugmug.com.

Lakota West junior Monty Boykins added offers to play college basketball from Bowling Green, Kent State and Robert Morris earlier this month, according Lakota West head coach Sean Van Winkle.

Boykins also has seven other offers including Lehigh, Duquesne, Miami University, Eastern Michigan, Toledo, Kennesaw State and James Madison.

Boykins was a Division I honorable mention all-state this past season. He averaged 16.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.4 steals. He was first-team all-GMC.

As a sophomore, during the 2010-2011 season, Boykins averaged 12.5 points and 3.9 rebounds.

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SatMay5

Wrestler Khetag Pliev finally has chance at gold

Posted by akiefaber May 5th, 2012, 11:09 am Post a Comment

On a warm spring day at his family’s home in West Chester, Khetag Pliev slowly breathes in the air. He says that it is “peaceful” here, remembering a time when he thought that he may never see it again.

About 10 years ago, Pliev had offers to wrestle at universities throughout the United States. He was coming off back-to-back state and national wrestling titles at Lakota East and seemed destined to accomplish his dream of becoming an Olympian.

“I think about it every day. I try to forget it because that time is gone,” Pliev said. “I was 100 percent thinking, that now that I was No. 1 in the U.S. that I would be No. 1 in the world. At least that was my belief at the time.”

Every college wrestling program in the country wanted Pliev, who grew up in The Republic of North Ossetia. In that southern Russian republic, wrestling was king.

“They give their sons to wrestling. If he succeeds, he succeeds. If not, at least at some point of his life, he will. It is like hockey in Canada. Everyone kid competes, so they have the best selection of kids,” Pliev said.

At Lakota East, Pliev succeeded on the mat. In the classroom, however, the wrestler, who struggled with the English language, didn’t have the grades to qualify to compete in the NCAA, so he went to Lassen Community College in Susanville, Calif.

There, he eventually decided to return to Russia, against the advice of his Lassen coach Rex Branum.

As Branum feared, Pliev would never get that chance to wrestle at Lassen. Instead, after arriving in Russia, the former Lakota East star athlete was trapped for what turned out to be three years. While there, he missed his family and didn’t feel like he was home.

Khetag Pliev, who will be wrestling for Team Canada in the 2012 Summer Olympics, spent some time training with Eric Ramsey at the Jorge Gurgel Mixed Martial Arts and Fitness Academy in West Chester May 3, 2012. Photo by Adam Kiefaber.

“It went downhill for me,” said Pliev. “I was not of U.S. and I was not of Russia. I wanted to come here, but I couldn’t. I wasn’t completely there and I wasn’t here. I didn’t train well. I wasn’t focused.”

With each passing year, his family back in West Chester worried that they would never see him again. His father, Alex, called it a time of “deep depression.”

Back at Lassen College, his coach decided to fly to Moscow and visit the U.S. Embassy, hoping to get Pliev a student visa.

“I thought it would help if I was there,” Branum said. “But the guy just looked at me and said ‘Rex, I know that you have come a long way, but there is no way in hell.’”

Trapped in Russia, Pliev filled out paperwork and requested a student visa in person five times at the U.S. Embassy. He was never accepted back into the United States.

He was, however, allowed to go to Canada.

While there for a tournament with his Russian team, a Toronto man named Ruslan Kuchiev, who grew up with Pliev’s father, convinced him to stay in the country.

Kuchiev helped him fill out the proper paperwork in order to become a Canadian citizen and in just a little more than two years, he was successful.

“Never in my mind was Canada, but God made it that way and he is ruler of all and everything,” Pliev said. “When I was here, I obviously wanted to be a U.S. citizen … but Canada opened a door for me.”

With Canadian citizenship, the door was open for Pliev to see his family.

“It was a long five years,” said Pliev. “There was a lot of happiness.”

At this year’s Summer Olympic Games in London, his lifelong dream will become a reality when he wrestles for Team Canada.

“It doesn’t matter where I live, even if I am in Africa. It is the same goal – to win gold in the Olympics,” Pliev said. “It is any small boy’s dream even here, especially where I am from – North Ossetia – that is the main goal, to be Olympic champion.”

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WedApr25

Upcoming golf outings to help Lakota high school students

Posted by akiefaber April 25th, 2012, 4:25 pm Post a Comment

Lakota Local Schools will soon host golf outings where proceeds will benefit its students.

Ben Gallow

Lakota East's Ben Gallow watches a tee shot during tournament play this past season. Photo taken by Gary Landers.

Next Saturday, May 5, Lakota East golf program will be hosting its 14th annual golf scramble at Weatherwax Golf Course in Middletown. The event will begin with a shot gun start at approximately 1:45 p.m.

The scramble format includes four-person teams. The cost is $100 per player, which includes 18 holes of golf, cart, beverages, awards and dinner after the event. There is a 30-team limit.

Proceeds will benefit the golf teams at Lakota East.

Meanwhile, there will also be The Kristin Renneker Memorial Golf Outing at Walden Ponds Golf and Country Club in Hamilton Saturday, June 16. This event will support the Kristin Renneker Memorial Scholarship Fund.

The scholarship is named for Kristin Renneker, who died in an automobile accident during her senior year at Lakota in 1992.

According to the Community Foundation’s website, Renneker was an honor student, peer counselor and a two-sport varsity athlete (basketball and soccer). She was one of the tri-captains of her varsity basketball team, recipient of the Thunderbird Award in both sports and had earned a 3.6 grade point average.

Kristin Renneker. Photo provided.

“It is critical that we maintain Lakota’s scholarship fund traditions of the past, remind the community of the goodness that lived in Kristin’s heart and how the Lakota athletic boosters and the Renneker’s turned her tragic death into yearly blessings for future Lakota female athletes”, Lakota West head basketball coach Andy Fishman said.

The scholarship, which is held by the Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty, awards two students – one from Lakota East High School and another from Lakota West High School – with a $2,000 scholarship. To date, the Scholarship fund has awarded more than $56,000 to 28 student athletes at Lakota East and Lakota West.

For more information about each event, contact the athletic departments at 513-759-8622 for Lakota East and at 513-682-4111 for Lakota West. Flyers and donor forms can also be found at Westfirebirds.com and at Eastthunderhawks.com (right-hand side). Sponsorship opportunities are also available for the Kristin Renneker Memorial Scholarship outing and can be made by contacting the Community Foundation at 513-874-5450.

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ThuApr19

Three Lakota West athletes sign with colleges Wednesday

Posted by akiefaber April 19th, 2012, 2:44 pm Post a Comment

Three senior Lakota West student athletes – Nick Bloch, Rachel Mills and Zach Crabtree – signed on to play sports in college Wednesday in the high school’s community room.

Nick Bloch Bloch signed on to wrestle at Lake Erie College. He was also considering Northern Illinois, Appalachian State and Shippensburg, At Lakota West, Bloch was a four-time letter winner, two-time state qualifier, two-time sectional champion, Greater Miami Conference champion and was the Firebirds’ Most Valuable Wrestler in 2012.

“The things I liked about Lake Erie were the size, subjects, atmosphere, and the wrestling coach,” said Bloch, who plans on studying biology/pre-med. “Their wrestling program really has a vision for the future.”

Rachel Mills Mills, who was honored as an all-academic athlete in the GMC, signed on to play basketball at Alderson Broddus. She was also considering Otterbein, Ursuline and Miami.

“Alderson Broddus has a really good nursing program and the style of basketball they play fit me best,” Mills said. “They also have an excellent job placement for nursing.”

Zach Crabtree Crabtree signed on to play lacrosse at Wheeling Jesuit. Crabtree, who is the Firebirds team captain, was also considering Otterbein, Thiel College and Hanover College.

“I really like the campus. The players are very close, and the coaching staff is very strong,” said Crabtree, who plans studying business administration. “It is a new and uprising team in a tough D-2 conference and they are doing very well.”

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FriApr13

Lakota East grad Elizabeth Bourgeois honored at IUPUI

Posted by akiefaber April 13th, 2012, 3:34 pm Post a Comment
Elizabeth Bourgeois

Lakota East graduate Elizabeth Bourgeois holds numerous IUPUI swimming records and has a 3.69 GPA while majoring in mechanical engineering. Provided by IUPUI athletics.

IUPUI junior and Lakota East graduate Elizabeth Bourgeois recently became the school’s first student athlete from the swimming program to be honored with its Michael A. Carroll Scholarship Award.

The scholarship is awarded each academic year to an IUPUI student athlete based on academic prowess, athletic success and a continued commitment to community service.

“I am humbled to be selected from such a distinguished group of student athletes. This award truly highlights how hard I have worked towards reaching my goals throughout my college career,” Bourgeois said. “Furthermore, I could not have achieved this without the support from my family, the athletic staff and the School of Engineering and Technology.

“Since (Carroll) did so much for the athletics program, I’m just honored to receive the award.”

Elizabeth Bourgeois

Lakota East graduate and IUPUI junior Elizabeth Bourgeois. Provided by IUPUI athletics.

Carroll was a former Lilly Endowment executive who was responsible for creating the Jaguars (formerly the Metros) Athletic Club in 1981. The scholarship has been awarded to IUPUI athletes since 1996.

Athletically, Bourgeois holds IUPUI records in the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle and in the 50, 100 and 200 butterfly events. The team captain has also been twice named an All-Summit League performer.

Academically, she has also maintained a 3.69 grade point average while majoring in mechanical engineering.

Bourgeois will be officially recognized prior to the annual Michael A. Carroll Golf Outing on Wednesday, June 6 at Wood Wind Golf Course. In addition, she’ll receive a scholarship in the amount permitted by the NCAA for a ‘full’ grant-in-aid, to the extent in which funds are available.

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TueApr10

Monty Boykins receives basketball offer from Lehigh

Posted by akiefaber April 10th, 2012, 1:43 pm Post a Comment

Lakota West vs. Winton Woods Mike Dyer reports

Lehigh offered Lakota West junior Monty Boykins on Friday, according to Lakota West basketball coach Sean Van Winkle. Boykins went on an unofficial visit on Friday.

Lehigh received national attention this spring when the program pulled off one of the biggest upsets in NCAA Tournament history, by defeating second-seeded Duke by the score of 75-70. Lehigh was a No. 15 seed.

Boykins has six other offers including Duquesne, Miami University, Eastern Michigan, Toledo, Kennesaw State and James Madison.

Boykins was Division I honorable mention all-state this past season. He averaged 16.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.4 steals. He was first-team all-GMC.

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ThuMar29

GMC honors 51 Lakota winter student athletes with all-conference recognition

Posted by akiefaber March 29th, 2012, 11:27 am Post a Comment

The Greater Miami Conference recently finished naming its all-conference teams. Overall, there were a total of 51 different Lakota student athletes who received recognition for their performances during the winter sports season.

Drew Gay. Photo provided.

The only Lakota student athlete to be recognized as his or her sport’s player of the year was Lakota West junior bowler Drew Gay. It was the second straight year that a member of the Firebirds’ varsity bowling team was named athlete of the year.

In basketball, a total of nine student athletes were named to either the first or second all-GMC squads. Making the first team on the boys’ side was Lakota West juniors Ali Barnes and Monty Boykins. While, in girls’ basketball, Lakota East seniors Molly Blomer and Bernice Satterwhite were honored with first-team recognition.

In other sports, Lakota had 10 wrestlers, four chess players, three academic team participants and 24 swimmers honored.

Below is a list of all the Lakota student athletes honored this winter by the GMC:

Basketball (9)

First team all-GMC:
Ali Barnes (Jr.) – Lakota West
Monty Boykins (Jr.) – Lakota West
Molly Blomer (Sr.) – Lakota East
Bernice Satterwhite (Sr.) – Lakota East

Second team all-GMC:
Rob Harpring (Jr.) – Lakota East
Tyler Williams (Soph.) – Lakota West
Lauren Cannatelli (Fr.) – Lakota West
Alyssa Grevenkamp (Sr.) – Lakota East
Ali Zieverink (Sr.) – Lakota West (more…)

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