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Lakota East’s Autumn Heath placed in both the 100 and 200 sprints at the 2012 state meet in Columbus, June 2, 2012. In photo, Heath is seen competing at the regional meet at Welcome Stadium in Dayton. Photo taken May 26, 2012 by Tony Tribble.

The Cincinnati Enquirer released its list of spring all stars in Tuesday’s print edition, honoring 25 Lakota student athletes. The Enquirer named seven Lakota athletes as first teamers in their respected sports and selected 18 others as honorable mentions.

The Enquirer also named Lakota East senior Zach Mueck as its Division I Boys’ Tennis Player of the Year. Mueck finished as the state runner-up for the third consecutive year. Mueck also won his third straight district title and had a 21-1 record this season. Mueck will continue his career at Xavier.

Feel free to congratulate the following athletes below in the comment section or acknowledge the many student athletes who also deserving to make this list.

Lakota East’s Zach Mueck plays in the OHSAA state tennis tournament Saturday, May 26, 2012, in Columbus. Photo taken by Jay LaPrete.

Division I First Team selections:

• Zak Farmer (Lakota West, baseball) – The senior pitcher was named second-team all-state and first-team all-GMC in 2012. He led the Firebirds in at-bats (107), hits (44), doubles (9) and in batting average (.411). On the mound, he also led the team in innings pitched (59.1), wins (7) and strikeouts (59).
• Michael Conrad (Lakota East, baseball) – The University of Cincinnati signee struck out 100 batters in 61.1 innings of work in 2012. He also complied a 5-2 win-loss record with a 1.83 earned run average. Conrad was also named second-team all-state and first-team all-GMC.
• Lea Buckenmyer (Lakota East, softball) – The junior pitcher was second-team all-state and first-team all-GMC in 2012. On the mound, she posted a 19-7 win-loss record, struck out 133 hitters in 164 innings, had eight shutouts and had a 1.20 ERA. At the plate, Buckenmyer led her team and the GMC in runs batted in with 43. She also led her team in doubles (14), on-base percentage (.481) and batting average (.432).
• Ashley Sharp (Lakota West, softball) – The sophomore was honorable mention all-state and first-team all-GMC in 2012. Sharp led the GMC in wins with 20 (win-loss record was 20-5). She also struck out 178 batters in 173.1 innings – had 11 shutouts and a 1.09 ERA. At the plate, Sharp led Lakota West in home runs (3) and in runs batted in (21).
• Autumn Heath (Lakota East, track) – The sophomore sprinter placed in two events at the 2012 state meet. Heath finished fifth in the 100-meter dash and eighth in the 200-meter dash. She was selected first-team all-GMC for three different events.
• Zack Mueck (Lakota East, tennis) – The senior finished as the state runner-up for the third consecutive year. Mueck also won his third straight district title and had a 21-1 record this season. Mueck will continue his career at Xavier.
• Nick Lang (Lakota West, tennis) – The junior was named second-team all-GCTCA in singles. According to the GMC website, Lang was 7-2 at No.1 singles and 14-3 overall. Finished in first place in his flight in the Greater Cincinnati Tennis Coaches Association Tournament. (more…)

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Tags: Tags: Enquirer Players of the Year, Enquirer spring all stars, Lakota East, Lakota East baseball, Lakota East softball, Lakota East Sports, Lakota East tennis, Lakota East track, Lakota West, Lakota West baseball, Lakota West softball, Lakota West sports, Lakota West tennis, Lakota West track

Lakota East's Autumn Heath placed in both the 100 and 200 sprints at the 2012 state meet in Columbus, June 2, 2012. In photo, Heath is seen competing at the regional meet at Welcome Stadium in Dayton. Photo taken May 26, 2012 by Tony Tribble.

Lakota East sophomore Autumn Heath placed in two events at the Ohio state track and field championships at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium in Columbus Saturday.

Heath finished in fifth place in the 100-meter dash with a time of 12.38 seconds. Lorain senior Alicia Arnold finished in fourth, ahead of Heath by .01 hundredth of a second. Reynoldsburg senior Destinee Gause, who was only athletes at the state meet to win four gold medals, finished first in the 100 with a time of 11.95 seconds. According to the Columbus Dispatch, Gause is committed to Florida.

The Lakota East sprinter also finished eighth in the 200-meter dash with a personal-best time of 25.12 seconds. Gause, who is committed to Florida, according to the Columbus Dispatch, finished first in the 200 with a time of 23.91.

Heath was the only runner from a Lakota high school to place at the state meet.

Her track teammates, senior Lauren Buck (shot put, discus) and Celeste Bronson (300-meter hurdles) also qualified and competed at state.

Furthermore, senior Nathan Haynes (800-meter run) and junior Will Wilson (high jump) also qualified and competed at state, representing Lakota West High School.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: 2012 Ohio High School Athletic Association State Track Championship, Autumn Heath, Celeste Bronson, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota East track, Lauren Buck, Nathan Haynes, Will Wilson

Lakota West senior Jerome Hamilton finished sixth at the regional track meet at Dayton's Welcome Stadium on May, 23, 2012. A four-place or better finish would have qualified Hamilton for the state meet. Photo taken by Tony Tribble.

The Greater Miami Conference recently honored many Lakota student athletes for their success in track and field. Multiple athletes were honored more than once and several relay teams were also honored.

Several of the student athletes will also compete at the state meet Friday and Saturday to be held at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium at Ohio State University in Columbus.

On the boys’ side, Lakota West’s senior Nathan Haynes (800-meter run) and junior Will Wilson (high jump) will be competing at state. In those same events, Haynes was also selected to the all-GMC first team, while Wilson was an honorable mention. Both athletes also earned honorable mention honors with senior Will Clevidence and senior Reid Beck as part of the 3200-meter relay team.

Clevidence was also selected to the all-GMC third team in the 800-meter run. Other boy track athletes who were honored by the GMC include Lakota West junior Nick McGill (300-meter hurdles, honorable mention), Lakota West senior Jerome Hamilton (long jump, honorable mention) and Lakota East junior Jordan Combs (pole vault, all-GMC second team).

On the girls’ side, senior Lauren Buck (shot put, discus), sophomore Autumn Heath (100-meter, 200-meter dash) and junior Celeste Bronson (300-meter hurdles) will be competing at this week’s state meet. Both Buck and Heath were selected to the all-GMC first team in those same events. Bronson, on the other hand, was part of the 400-meter team with Heath, junior Kendra Thomas and sophomore Kellsa Mbah that was selected all-GMC second team.

Heath, Thomas, Mbah and senior Ariana Cooper were also part of the 800-meter relay team that was selected to the all-GMC first team. Mbah was also selected all-GMC second team for the long jump and honorable mention for the 200-meter dash. Thomas was given honorable mention recognition for the pole vault.

Meanwhile, the only athlete from the Lakota girls’ team to be honored was senior Amanda Shelby, who was honorable mention in the 3200-meter run.

In addition to the teams, Buck was named GMC co-athlete of the year and Lakota East’s John Lindeman was named GMC coach of the year.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: 2012 Ohio High School Athletic Association State Track Championship, Amanda Shelby, Ariana Cooper, Autumn Heath, Celeste Bronson, Jerome Hamilton, John Lindeman, Kellsa Mbah, Kendra Thomas, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota East track, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Lakota West track, Lauren Buck, Nathan Haynes, Nick McGill, Reid Beck, Will Clevidence, Will Wilson

Lakota East's Autumn Heath competes at the regional track meet at Welcome Stadium in Dayton. Heath qualified to compete in two events at the state meet. Photo taken by Tony Tribble.

Sophomore Autumn Heath and senior Lauren Buck, both of Lakota East, qualified to compete in two events at this weekend’s 2012 Ohio High School Athletic Association State Track Championship in Columbus.

Both athletes qualified due to strong performances at last week’s regional tournament at Welcome Stadium in Dayton.

Heath won the 200-meter dash and finished second in the 100-meter dash at the regional meet, while Buck finished second in both the discus throw and shot put events.

Also from Lakota East, junior Celeste Bronson qualified for the state meet with her third place finish in the 300-meter hurdles. As a team, the Lakota East girls finished fourth behind Withrow, Princeton and Mason.

Meanwhile, senior Nathan Haynes and junior Will Wilson each qualified to compete at the state meet. Both athletes will represent Lakota West.

Haynes finished fourth in the 800-meter run and Wilson placed in a two-way tie for third in the high jump.

The state tournament will take place at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium at Ohio State University in Columbus this Friday and Saturday, June 1-2.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: 2012 Ohio High School Athletic Association State Track Championship, Autumn Heath, Celeste Bronson, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota East track, Lauren Buck, Nathan Haynes, Will Wilson

On the first day of the regional tournament Wednesday at Welcome Stadium in Dayton, Lakota East senior Lauren Buck became the first Lakota athlete to qualify for the 2012 Ohio High School Athletic Association State Track Championship when she placed second in the finals of the discus throw competition.

Lakota East's Celeste Bronson jumps a hurdle during the Division I district track finals at Winton Woods May 18. Photo taken by Joseph Fuqua II.

Overall, the girls’ Lakota East track and field team will likely have more athletes qualifying for the state meet when most of the regional finals take place Friday.

Leading the way, Lakota East sophomore Autumn Heath finished first in the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes during the regional preliminaries Wednesday. Heath also won both events at the district meet.

The 4×100-meter and 4×200-meter relay teams, which feature Heath as a member, also have a shot to qualify for the state championship. In the prelims, the 4×100-meter group finished third and the 4×200-meter finished fourth. Members of the 4×100 meter team includes junior Celeste Bronson, Heath, junior Kendra Thomas and sophomore Kellsa Mbah, while senior Ariana Cooper, Heath, Thomas and Mbah make up the 4×200-meter team.

Bronson could also qualify for the 300-meter hurdles, as she placed fourth in the prelims Wednesday.

To automatically qualify for the state tournament, an athlete must finish in the top four in their event at the regional.

The second and last day of the regional tournament will begin at 4 p.m. Friday.

The state tournament will take place at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium at Ohio State University in Columbus June 1-2.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Ariana Cooper, Autumn Heath, Ben Call, Celeste Bronson, Jack Beggs, Kellsa Mbah, Kendra Thomas, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota East track, Ohio track district meet

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

Celeste Bronson

Autumn Heath

Kendra Thomas

Kelisa Mbah

Junior Celeste Bronson, sophomore Autum Heath, junior Kendra Thomas and junior Kellsa Mbah broke the longest standing running record in Lakota school district history when the Lakota East foursome finished the 4×100 meter relay event in 48.62 seconds at the 2012 Greater Miami Conference Track Championships in Mason Friday.

The group turned in a time of 48.62 seconds, which was just shy of the GMC championship record of 48.34 seconds set in 1995 by Mia Cunningham, Alex Delatour, Michelle Delatour and Devon Rogers of Princeton. The Lakota East group also finished in second at the 2012 GMC meet behind Sycamore by .02 hundredths of second.

The previous Lakota record was set in 1980, which was the first season where races were measured in meters instead of yards. After the change, the 4×100 meter relay event was the only Lakota running record to stand for 32 years.

The foursome that set the previous record of 49.0 seconds in 1980 was Tracy Long, Karen Rudolph, Becky Smith and Theresa Hawkins. Of the group, Long, Rudolph and Hawkins have been since inducted into the Lakota High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Hawkins is also in the LaRosa’s Cincinnati High School Hall of Fame.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Autumn Heath, Celeste Bronson, Kelisa Mbah, Kendra Thomas, Lakota Athletic Hall of Fame, Lakota athletic records, Lakota East Sports, Lakota East track, Lakota sports records

Kevin Goheen reports

Kellsa Mbah came into this track and field season wanting to branch out into new events. The Lakota East sophomore is finding her way pretty well through the first two meets of the season.

Mbah won the 200 meters and long jump as well as anchored the winning 400 and 800 meter relay teams to help lead the Thunderhawks to an overall girls’ team championship Thursday at the Fairfield Invitational.

Lakota East got wins in eight events and finished with 132 points, topping the field of 12 teams. Host Fairfield was the runner-up with 106.5 points.

Mbah was joined by sophomore Autumn Heath (100, 400 relay, 800 relay), junior Kendra Thomas (400 relay, 800 relay), junior Celeste Bronson (300 hurdles, 800 relay) and senior Lauren Buck (shot put, discus throw) as multiple event winners for Lakota East.

Until last Saturday at the LaSalle Legends meet, Mbah had never done the long jump. She won that competition with a leap of 17 feet, 10.75 inches. She won Thursday’s meet by jumping 16-10.25 after she had completed her other three events.

“I want to be more versatile,” said Mbah. “I’m exploring more options and trying to do more than just run. I’m a bit faster this year and trained harder over the winter to be ready to do this.

“I’m extremely happy with how this season has started. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

La Salle won the boys’ title with 135 points, besting second-place Oak Hills by eight points. The Lancers, last season’s Division I state champions, had seven event winners while Oak Hills had five.

Sophomore Tim Bell won the 100 meters and high jump events while also running on the victorious 800 meter relay team. Bell was third in the long jump. (more…)

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Autumn Heath, Celeste Bronson, Kellsa Mbah, Kellsa Mbah Lakota East, Kendra Thomas, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota East track, Lauren Buck

Lakota West’s Alyssa Hedric is tagged out by Lakota East catcher Kelly Hardison during last spring’s state playoffs. Lakota West won the game by the score of 1-0 on May 28, 2011. The Firebirds were the only softball team to defeat Lakota East in 2011, winning twice in the regular season and again in the state quarterfinals. Photo taken by Joseph Fuqua II.

Lakota East and Lakota West, which both entered the season tied for first place in The Cincinnati Enquirer’s Division I Preseason Poll, square off at 5 p.m. Friday. The following day, both softball teams, as well as both Lakota high school baseball teams and the Lakota East boys’ volleyball team will be in action.

Last season, Lakota East was ranked No. 1 in the state for most of the spring and was defeated by Lakota West in the state quarterfinals. The Firebirds also defeated Lakota East twice in the regular season. All three losses were the only ones the Thunderhawks had last spring.

On Friday, Lakota West (4-1 overall, 3-0 in the Greater Miami Conference) and the Thunderhawks (4-0 overall, 2-0 in the GMC) will enter the game atop the conference standings.

The game, however, might not be postponed due to weather.

According to the forecast from the National Weather Service, there is a 30 percent chance of showers early Friday morning and a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3 p.m. The 80 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms could very well put Saturday’s games on hold as well.

No rain is expected Saturday, but the Lakota East baseball team has a doubleheader scheduled at Talawanda High School with the first game starting at 11 a.m. Meanwhile, both the Lakota West baseball and softball teams have doubleheaders starting at noon Saturday. The Lakota East softball team has a game scheduled at noon, as well.

Weekend sports schedule

Friday, March 30

Lakota East at Lakota West – softball – at 5 p.m. (TO BE COVERED BY WESTCHESTERBUZZ.COM)
Lakota West – baseball – vs. Mason at Prasco Park at 4 p.m.

Saturday, March 31

Lakota East – boys’ volleyball – vs. TRI w/Loveland & McNich at 10 a.m.
Lakota East – baseball – at Talawanda at 11 a.m.
Lakota West – baseball – at Glen Este at 12 p.m.
Lakota West – softball – vs. Miami East at 12 p.m.
Lakota East – baseball – at Kings at 1:30 p.m.
Lakota West – baseball – at Glen Este at 3 p.m.
Lakota West – softball – vs. Turpin at 4 p.m.

Thursday sports scores

Princeton 5, Lakota East 0 – boys’ tennis - Nagel d. Souders 6-1, 6-1; Arroyo d. Fraley 4-6, 6-2, 6-3; Hazen d. Galack 6-2, 6-0; Roy-Bent d. Sasthav-Noufer 6-4, 7-5; Briedenbach-Ficke d. Barren-Menninger 7-6, 2-6, 6-3. Records: P 2-2, L 2-2.

Lakota West 4, Colerain 1 – boys’ tennis - Lang (L) d. Sheline 6-0, 6-0; Cross (L) d. Whitehead 6-1, 6-1; Friedhoff (C) d. Lienhardt 3-6, 7-6, 6-2; Wafalrt-Griffiths (L) d. Hill-Wessels 6-2, 6-2; Carlstrand-Blake (L) d. Hensler-McDonough 6-1, 6-1. Records: L 1-0, C 1-3.

Boys’ volleyball scores
Lakota East (2-0, 1-0 GMC) d. Middletown (0-4, 0-2 GMC) 25-17, 25-22, 17-25, 25-22
Lakota West (5-0) d. Centerville (1-2) 25-20, 25-16, 25-21

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Lakota athletic weekly schedule, Lakota East, Lakota East baseball, Lakota East boys' tennis, Lakota East boys' volleyball, Lakota East lacrosse, Lakota East softball, Lakota East Sports, Lakota East track, Lakota sports schedule, Lakota West, Lakota West baseball, Lakota West boys' tennis, Lakota West boys' volleyball, Lakota West lacrosse, Lakota West softball, Lakota West sports, Lakota West track

Lakota West celebrates after defeating Lakota East in the state tournament last season. The Firebirds were the only softball team to defeat Lakota East in 2011, winning twice in the regular season and again in the state quarterfinals. Photo taken by Joseph Fuqua II.

A couple of Lakota spring sports teams began their seasons this past weekend. However, this week, there will be a full docket of sports action for both Lakota East and Lakota West high schools.

On Saturday, the Lakota East softball team reeled off two wins (14-4 against Lake Orion and 8-0 against Seton). Meanwhile, the Lakota West softball team split two games, losing 3-2 against Columbus Watterson and defeating Lake Orion by the score of 11-4.

• Division I softball preview
• Division I baseball preview

This week, the two Lakota softball teams, which are tied for first place in The Cincinnati Enquirer’s Division I Preseason Poll will face each other at 5 p.m. Friday. Last season, Lakota East was ranked No. 1 in the state for most of the spring and was defeated by Lakota West in the state quarterfinals.

Lakota East was 24-7 last season and defeated Perrysburg 6-2 in the state final. It was Lakota East's first state team title in school history. Photo by Jonathan Quilter of The Columbus Dispatch.

The Lakota East and Lakota West baseball teams will also be in action this week. Both teams open the season in the inaugural Reds Future High School Showcase at Prasco Park Legacy Field in Mason.

In that event, the defending state champions Lakota East, which is No. 2 in The Enquirer’s Preseason Poll, will face Hamilton. Meanwhile, Lakota West (No. 6 in Enquirer poll) will face Mason (No. 4 in Enquirer poll).

See below for the complete Lakota varsity high school sports weekly schedule:

Monday, March 26

Lakota East – boys’ tennis – at Colerain at 4 p.m.
Lakota West – baseball – vs. Mason at Prasco Park at 4 p.m. (TO BE COVERED BY WESTCHESTERBUZZ.COM)
Lakota East – softball – vs. Hamilton at 5 p.m.
Lakota East – baseball – vs. Hamilton at Prasco Park at 6:30 p.m. (TO BE COVERED BY WESTCHESTERBUZZ.COM)

Tuesday, March 27

Lakota East – boys’ tennis – vs. Turpin at 4 p.m.
Lakota West – track – vs. Kings at 4 p.m.
Lakota East – baseball – vs. Mason at 5 p.m.
Lakota West – softball – vs. Hamilton at 5 p.m.
Lakota West – girls’ lacrosse – vs. Ursuline at 7 p.m. (more…)

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Lakota athletic weekly schedule, Lakota East, Lakota East baseball, Lakota East boys' tennis, Lakota East boys' volleyball, Lakota East lacrosse, Lakota East softball, Lakota East Sports, Lakota East track, Lakota sports schedule, Lakota West, Lakota West baseball, Lakota West boys' tennis, Lakota West boys' volleyball, Lakota West lacrosse, Lakota West softball, Lakota West sports, Lakota West track