WestChesterBuzz.com

The Cincinnati Enquirer sports department named its spring athletes of the year Tuesday, June 28. Among the six athletes named Enquirer Players of the Year, three are from Lakota East High School.

Those three include junior pitcher Michael Conrad (baseball), senior pitcher Sara Pearson (softball) and junior singles player Zach Mueck (tennis).

“They’re part of what has been the best athletic year ever at Lakota East, from the fall to the winter to the spring,” said Lakota East athletic director Richard Bryant told the Enquirer. “All three were absolutely dominant in their sports.”

>>>PHOTOS FROM ENQUIRER ALL-STAR PHOTO SHOOT<<<

Conrad was one of the two aces on the Thunderhawks’ baseball team that captured the state title earlier this month. He finished the year with a 5-1 record, a 1.11 earned run average and tied a Lakota school district record with 115 strikeouts. His performance this season has already landed the junior pitcher college offers. In June, Conrad has received offers from Indiana University, the University of Toledo and Ohio University.

>>>GAME PHOTOS OF SARA PEARSON<<<

Senior softball pitcher Sara Pearson led Lakota East to a No. 1 ranking in the state coaches’ poll, a 28-3 overall record in 2011 and East’s first-ever Greater Miami Conference championship. Pearson, who will continue her career at the University of Memphis, won 22 games, struck out 264 batters and held a 0.30 ERA this season. She also hit six home runs, had an on-base percentage of .434 and a batting average of .363.

>>>MATCH PHOTOS OF ZACK MUECK<<<

Junior singles player Zach Mueck finished as the state-runner up in Division I state singles tournament for the second consecutive season. Mueck, who recently verbally committed to Xavier University, finished the year with a 29-1 record. His only loss was in the state final to Evan Bechtel of Toledo St. John’s.

The other three spring Enquirer Players of the Year included La Salle teammates Ethan Bokeno and Rodriguez Coleman (boys’ track and field) and Withrow junior D’Monami Gardner (girls’ track and field).

For the entire story, visit “Enquirer spring sport all-stars.” The story can also be found in today’s Cincinnati Enquirer.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: baseball, boys' tennis, Enquirer Players of the Year, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Michael Conrad, Mike Conrad, photo gallery, photos, Sara Pearson, softball, tennis, Zach Mueck

According to the Pulse Journal, Lakota East senior Jesse Rait and junior Zach Mueck have verbally committed to continue their athletic careers in college. According to the report, from Pulse Journal sports reporter Steven Matthews, Rait has committed to play baseball at Bowling Green State University and Mueck has committed to play tennis at Xavier University.

According to the Greater Miami Conference website, Rait had a .381 batting average and a .461 on-base percentage this season. He also led the state championship winning Thunderhawks in hits and runs batted in.

Rait was also considering Wright State University and Miami University, according to Matthews.

Meanwhile, Mueck, who will be a senior next school year, has committed to Xavier after being named as the Greater Miami Conference boys’ tennis Athlete of the Year for the second straight season. Mueck also finished as the Division I state runner-up the past two seasons.

Mueck’s teammate Freddy Abunku signed a national letter-of-intent to play tennis at Xavier in late March. Mueck was also considering The Ohio State University, University of Kentucky and the University of Notre Dame, according to Matthews.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University, boys' tennis, Freddy Abunku, Jesse Rait, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, tennis, Xavier, Xavier University, Zach Mueck

The Greater Miami Conference recently honored its student athletes by releasing its all-conference teams. Yesterday, June 8, the baseball and softball All-GMC teams were posted on WestChesterBuzz.com. In total, Lakota had 45 athletes named to all-conference teams this spring sports season.

Overall, it was a very successful spring sports season for the Lakota school district. In baseball, Lakota East won the GMC and the state championship. Lakota East also won a GMC title in softball, while Lakota West shared the GMC title with Oak Hills in boys’ volleyball.

In boys’ tennis, Lakota East junior Zack Mueck (photo) was named the GMC Boys’ Tennis Athlete of the Year. Mueck’s teammate’s Freddy Abunku, who will continue his career at Xavier University, was named to the All-GMC First Team. Lakota West senior Aaron Madaris and Lakota East senior Akash Unakantha were both named to the All-GMC Second Team. Also, Lakota West sophomore Nick Lang was named to the All-GMC Third Team.

In boys’ volleyball, Lakota East senior Wesley Meyer was named the GMC Boys’ Volleyball Athlete of the Year. Lakota West senior Rio Onuki, Lakota West junior Alex Vohland and Lakota East junior Michael Ricke were all named to the All-GMC First Team. Meanwhile, Lakota West junior Alex Baker and Lakota East senior Anthony Fiorenza were named to the All-GMC Second Team. (more…)

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Aaron Madaris, Akash Unakantha, Alex Baker, Alex Vohland, Anthony Fiorenza, Arianna Cooper, Autumn Heath, boys' tennis, boys' volleyball, Brady Holmer, Caitlin Graska, Freddy Abunku, Ian Trau, J.J. Weber, Kellsa Mbah, Kendra Thomas, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Lauren Buck, Madeline Eroskey, Maria Brafford, Michael Ricke, Nathan Haynes, Nick Lang, Reid Becker, Rio Onuki, Taylor Avery, tennis, track, volleyball, Wesley Meyer, Will Clevidence, Will Wilson, Zack Mmueck

For the second straight season, Lakota East’s Zach Mueck finished as the state runner-up in the Division I state singles tournament. Mueck advanced all the way to the state final where he lost to Toledo St. John’s Jesuit senior Evan Bechtel by the score of 6-3, 1-6, 6-3.

Mueck won his first two matches in the state tournament on Friday before winning in the state semifinals by the score of 6-2, 7-6 (7-4) against Lexington senior Nick Wong.

Mueck, who is a junior, lost in the state final in 2010 to Worthington Kilbourne’s Kevin Metka by the score of 7-6 (11-9), 6-3.

Meanwhile, Lakota East teammate and Xavier University commit senior Freddy Abunku lost his first round match on Friday, May 27, at the state tournament losing to Lodi Cloverleaf freshman Jacob Dunbar by the score of 7-6 (7-5), 6-1.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: boys' tennis, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, state final, state finals, state semifinal, state semifinals, state tournament, tennis, Zach Mueck

Lakota West and Lakota East high schools recently named their athletes of the week. Lakota West honored Melanie Bryan and William Wilson, while Lakota East recognized Anthony Florenza and Colin Sasthav.

Melanie Bryan (photo above) is a senior member of the Lakota West softball team, which recently captured a district title. During the district championship game this past Saturday, May 21, Bryan drove in the game-winning run in a 3-2 victory against Ursuline. Earlier in the game, Bryan also drove in the tying run.

Lakota West sophomore William Wilson placed second in the high jump event at the district track and field meet this past Friday, May 20. Wilson’s second-place finish qualified him to compete at the regional meet, which will take place this Wednesday, May 25, and Friday, May 27, at Welcome Stadium (University of Dayton).

Anthony Florenza is a senior member of the Lakota East boys’ volleyball team. According to EastThunderhawks.com, Florenza is a 4-year participant in the boy’s program and has played three different positions for the Thunderhawks this year. The website also describes Florenza as very reliable and consistent in every aspect of the game.

Lakota East freshman Colin Sasthav’s doubles team made it to the district tennis qualifying round before losing. According to EastThunderhawks.com, Sasthav has been a valuable member of the varsity squad, being the vocal leader of the second doubles team. According to the Greater Miami Conference website, Sasthav and doubles partner, junior Billy Barren, were 6-1 against conference opponents and 8-5 overall this season.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: boys' tennis, boys' volleyball, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, softball, tennis, track, volleyball

Lakota high school varsity athletes will be competing in various postseason contests this week.

Lakota East will have two singles tennis players, junior Zack Mueck (photo) and senior Freddy Abunku, competing in the state tournament at Hillard Davidson High School May 27-28.

Lakota West and Lakota East are also still alive in the baseball and softball postseason tournaments.

Here is a quick look at the weekly postseason schedule:

Wednesday, May 25

Lakota East and Lakota West – Track – qualifiers from the district meet at Winton Woods will compete in the regional meet at Welcome Stadium (University of Dayton) at 4 p.m.
Lakota West – Softball – vs. Glen Este in regional semifinal at Mason High School at 5 p.m. (more…)

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: baseball, boys' tennis, Freddy Abunku, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, OHSAA boys' state tennis tournament, postseason, regional final, regional finals, regional meet, regional semifinal, regionals, softball, state tournament, tennis, track, Zach Mueck

Lakota East’s No. 1 and No. 2 singles players, junior Zack Mueck and senior Freddy Abunku, both advanced to the state championships by winning their first two matches in the district tournament at Centerville High School on Thursday, May 19.

“The competition at state will be intense, but if they can keep their focus I believe Freddy and Zach both have as good of chance as anyone competing to bring home a title,” Lakota East head coach Greg Mahlerwein said. “Playing the schedule we play and in the league that we are in, they see great players on a regular basis.”

Mueck and Abunku join two other Greater Miami Conference tennis players, Sycamore senior Adam Reinhart and Princeton junior Conner Nagel, in the district semifinals – both have also qualified for the state championships.

On Saturday, Mueck will face Reinhart and Abunku will face Nagel in the district semifinals. If both Lakota East athletes win, they will then face each other in the district championship match.

Just last week, the two teammates faced off in the sectional finals at Mason.

“Watching Freddy and Zach battle for the sectional championship against each other was high school tennis at its best,” Mahlerwein said. “Not only did both play at a very high level, but they are friends, who kept calling out “nice shot” and “great serve” to each other showing true sportsmanship.”

In the end, Mueck won the sectional championship by defeating Abunku by the score of 7-5, 6-2.

On Thursday, Mueck defeated Wilmington senior Justin Arehart by the score of 6-1, 6-0 in his first match and then defeated St. Xavier sophomore Elliot Bostick by the score in 6-1, 6-1 in round two.

Meanwhile, Abunku defeated Stebbins senior Brandon McClain by the score of 6-0, 6-0 in the first round before defeated Wilmington junior Marc Sodini by the score of 6-0, 6-2.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Adam Reinhart, boys' tennis, Conner Nagel, Freddie Abunku, Freddy Abunku, Greg Mahlerwein, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, tennis, Zach Mueck

Lakota West finished the regular season on a high note after outlasting rival Mason in a 1-0 victory in 16 innings on Monday, May 9. The win improves the Firebirds’ record to 16-4 overall and 15-3 within the Greater Miami Conference.

Lakota West senior pitcher Alex Caudill struck out nine batters in the game. Teammates, junior Bekah Werth (2-for-6), junior Amanda Lahti (3-for-6, 2B), freshman Ashley Sharp (2-for-7) and freshman Alyssa Hedric (2-for-6) led the Firebirds at the plate.

The Firebirds are scheduled to open the postseason against Middletown (6-13 overall, 5-11 in the GMC) this Wednesday, May 11, at 5 p.m. at Lakota West. The winner will advance to the next round of the district tournament and will face the winner of the Little Miami/Springfield game. That next round matchup will be played May 16 at 5 p.m. at West Carrollton High School.

Softball – Lakota East 28, Meadowdale 0 – The Thunderhawks opened up the postseason by defeating Meadowdale (Dayton) by the score of 28-0 in five innings during a game Monday, May 9. Lakota East, which is ranked No. 1 in the state by the Ohio High School Softball Coaches Association, received a perfect game from sophomore pitcher Lea Buckenmyer, who struck out nine batters in the win. She also went 3-for-4 at the plate and drove in three runs. Lakota East junior Claire Lyons led all batters with six RBIs. Lakota East (20-2 overall, 13-2 in the GMC) will now host Stebbins (Dayton) this Wednesday, May 11, at 5 p.m. The winner will then advance to face the winner of the Beavercreek/Fairborn game. That next round matchup will be played May 16 at 5 p.m. at Fairmont High School.

Baseball – Hamilton 8, Lakota East 4 – Hamilton spoiled senior day at Lakota East by defeating the Thunderhawks by the score of 8-4 on Monday. Senior Mitch Geers led the Thunderhawks with four RBIs in the loss. Despite the defeat, Lakota East remains at the top of the GMC standings with a 15-7 overall record and a 12-5 mark within the conference. Lakota East will begin postseason play this Thursday, May 12, at 5 p.m. by hosting the winner of Tuesday’s Western Brown/Aiken game. (more…)

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Alex Caudill, Alyssa Hedric, Amanda Lahti, Ashley Sharp, baseball, Bekah Werth, boys' tennis, Freddy Abunku, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, softball, tennis

In Lakota West’s last baseball game, junior Zack Farmer was the losing pitcher in a 4-1 loss to Lakota East on Thursday, April 21. Yesterday, April 26, afternoon, Farmer broke a 2-2 tie with a two-run double in the bottom of the fifth inning en route to a 4-3 win against the Lakota East Thunderhawks.

The win moves the Firebirds (10-6 overall, 7-5 in the Greater Miami Conference) into a two-way tie with Mason (9-5 overall, 7-5 in the GMC) for second place in the GMC. Meanwhile, despite the loss, Lakota East (11-5 overall, 8-3 in the GMC) remains in first place in the GMC.

Senior pitcher T.J. Belieu improved his record to 4-1, while senior Jared Schroeder led the Firebirds at the plate by going 2-for-3.

Senior J.D. Whetsel went 2-for-3 and senior Mitch Geers hit a double for Lakota East.

Both teams will host GMC opponents this afternoon. West will host Hamilton (4-10 overall, 3-9 in the GMC) at 5 p.m. and East will host Sycamore (6-5 overall, 6-5 in the GMC) at 5 p.m.

Tennis – Mason def. Lakota East – The Thunderhawks boys’ tennis program lost its second match of the season when it fell to Mason by the score of 3-2 on Tuesday. Lakota East won its No. 1 singles match and its No. 1 doubles match, but lost all three of the other matches. The loss gives the Thunderhawks a 9-2 overall record and a 7-2 mark in the GMC. Mason improves to 11-1 overall and 7-1 in the GMC. Lakota East will host Loveland at 4 p.m. today.

Volleyball – Lakota West def. Lakota East – The Firebirds handed Lakota East its first loss of the season when it defeated the Thunderhawks by the score of 25-16, 18-25, 25-15, 29-27 on Tuesday night. Junior Alex Vohland (19 kills), Sophomore Curtis Johnson (23 assists) and junior Brian Fintel (five blocks) led Lakota West. The win moves Lakota West (8-6 overall, 6-1 in the GMC) into first place in the GMC. Lakota East (12-4 overall, 4-1 in the GMC) remains near the top of the conference standings. Lakota West is scheduled to host Wayne tonight at 7 p.m. Meanwhile, Lakota East’s next match will be played at Middletown (3-15 overall, 1-6 in the GMC) on Thursday, April 28, at 7 p.m.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Alex Vohland, baseball, boys' tennis, boys' volleyball, Brian Fintel, Curtis Johnson, J.D. Whetsel, Jared Schroeder, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Mitch Geers, T.J. Belieu, tennis, volleyball

Lakota student athletes are back from spring break and will begin today, April 25, a very busy week during the spring sports season. The biggest event could be the annual Coaches Classic boys’ tennis tournament, which will take place Thursday, April 28 and Saturday, April 30. The coaches seed meeting for the tournament is scheduled for today at St. Xavier at 6:30 p.m.

Also, at the end of the week, the baseball, softball and tennis state tournament draws will take place. In baseball, Lakota East is currently in first place in the Greater Miami Conference. In softball, the Thunderhawks were ranked No. 1 in the state in last week’s Ohio High School Softball Coaches Association poll.

There are also a couple of Lakota East/Lakota West rivalry games this week. Weather pending, the two schools will face off in baseball Monday, April 25, at Lakota West at 4:30 p.m. and in girls’ lacrosse this Thursday, April 28, at Lakota West at 7 p.m. In the gym, Lakota East will also visit Lakota West to play a boys’ volleyball match this Tuesday, April 26, at 7 p.m.

Here is a look at the rest of the weekly schedule:

Monday, April 25

Lakota West – Tennis – vs. Cin. Hills Christian at 4 p.m.
Lakota East – Softball – vs. Colerain at 4:30 p.m.
Lakota West – Softball – at Hamilton at 4:30 p.m.
Lakota East at Lakota West – Baseball – at 4:30 p.m. (more…)

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: baseball, boys' lacrosse, boys' tennis, boys' volleyball, girls' lacrosse, lacrosse, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, softball, tennis, volleyball