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The Greater Miami Conference recently honored many Lakota student athletes for their success on the tennis and volleyball courts. Two of the honored students were selected as athletes of the year in their sport.

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

On the tennis court, Lakota East senior Zach Mueck was named the GMC athlete of the year. Mueck won a district title before losing in the state finals. It was the third straight year that Mueck finished as the state runner-up. The senior will continue his tennis career at Xavier University.

Mueck’s teammates, senior Mitchell Noufer and freshman Boris Menninger, were selected to the all-GMC third team.

In volleyball, Lakota West senior Alex Vohland was named the GMC athlete of the year. He was also named to the all-state first team.

Vohland led the GMC with 374 kills and helped lead the Firebirds to a 22-3 overall record an 8-0 mark in the GMC. Lakota West also advanced to the state semifinals.

Senior teammate, Brian Fintel, and junior Kalen White of Lakota East were also selected to the all-GMC first team. Also honored by the GMC were senior Alex Baker and junior Curtis Johnson, both of Lakota West, as well as senior Kyler Finnerty and sophomore Tyler Harsh from Lakota East.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Alex Baker, Brian Fintel, Curtis Johnson, Kalen White, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota East tennis, Tyler Harsh, Zach Mueck

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

Jarrod Ulrey reports

Coming up just short of a championship for the third consecutive season was Lakota East senior Zach Mueck.

After finishing as runner-up each of the past two seasons, Mueck needed three sets to beat Perrysburg’s Jeffrey Schorsch (6-2, 1-6, 6-2) and again reach the final.

Then facing Westlake senior Colton Buffington, he couldn’t overcome a slow start and lost 6-2, 6-3.

Buffington, who lost to Mueck 6-4, 6-2 in a semifinal in 2010, built a 4-0 lead in the first set. Then in the second set, Mueck led 2-0 but couldn’t keep it going against the fresher Buffington.

Buffington won all four of his state matches in straight sets.

Mueck is planning to take a short break before setting off to play for Xavier University next year.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Division I tennis Ohio singles tournament, Division I tennis state singles tournament, Lakota East, Lakota East boys' tennis, Lakota East Sports, Lakota East tennis, Zach Mueck, Zach Mueck Xavier

Zack Mueck of Lakota East returns a shot from Miguel Cepeda of Mason High during action at the Coaches Classic tennis final April 21, 2012. Photo taken by Tony Jones.

Kevin Goheen reports

Zach Mueck has two years of unfinished business he wants to take care of this weekend. The Lakota East senior placed second at the Division I tennis state singles tournament as a sophomore and a junior.

His goal is clear this year, even if he is taking it the proverbial one point at a time.

“I try not to let myself picture myself winning it because I don’t think that will help me,” said Mueck.

Mueck ran his record to 18-0 without dropping a set by winning his third consecutive district title last weekend. He will open the state tournament against junior Steven Boslet of Hudson as he leads an area contingent of seven players in singles and six doubles teams into the 93rd annual state tournament in Columbus.

The tournament begins Friday at the Ohio State University Outdoor Varsity Tennis Courts with first- and second-round matches. Semifinals and finals will be played Saturday.

Wilmington senior Marc Sodini and Mason sophomore Alexander Lebedev will also be in the Division I singles draw after placing third and fourth at the district tournament.

Mason’s doubles team of junior Miguel Cepeda and sophomore Luke Tsai are seeking to better last season’s runner-up finish. Cepeda and Tsai played No. 1 and No. 2 singles for the Comets during the regular season.

Sycamore will send two doubles teams into the state draw. Juniors Dylan Stern and Nikhil Gandhi were third at the district tournament while teammates Yuri Karev and Nakul Narendran were fourth following a fourth-place finish at the sectional tournament.

In Division II, freshman Asher Hirsch and sophomore Patrick Wildman of Cincinnati Country Day will be on opposite sides of the singles draw seeking a possible third straight Saturday final matchup.

Nine times since 2003 Cincinnati-area players have played each other in either a singles or doubles final, including four times with teammates comprising the championship matchup.

“Hopefully that happens. That would be awesome to make it to the finals of state,” said Hirsch. “It’s good that we can have a really intense point and then crack a joke and continue the match.”

Hirsch is 29-2 while Wildman is 28-3 this season. Hirsch’s two losses have come against Mueck (6-2, 7-6) and Cepeda (6-4, 6-4).

Two of Wildman’s defeats have been against Hirsch in the finals of the sectional and district tournaments.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Division I tennis Ohio singles tournament, Division I tennis state singles tournament, Lakota East, Lakota East boys' tennis, Lakota East Sports, Lakota East tennis, Zach Mueck, Zach Mueck Xavier

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

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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Tags: Tags: Ainsely Ellison, Aleth Pashi, Alex Corna, Alyssa Grevenkamp, cincyhoops, cincysports, Corri Muha, Emily Bostian, girls' basketball, Hannah Berling, Hannah Sigala, Ivan Thomas, Jacob Landers, Jeff Mundy Jr., Jessika Hall, Lakota East, Lakota East baseball, Lakota East basketball, Lakota East Sports, Lakota East tennis, Lakota East volleyball, Lauren Beitel, Mark Minch, Michael Conrad, Michael Conrad Lakota East, Michaela Buczek, Molly Blomer, Morgan Weinheimer, National Signing Day, ohio basketball recruiting, Ohio High School sports recruiting, Ohio preps recruiting, Ohio sports recruiting, recruiting, Signing Day Lakota East, Sofey Fugate, Tony O'Connor, Tori Meyer, Tyler Overberg, Whitney Wyckoff, Zach Mueck

Zack Mueck of Lakota East returns a shot from Miguel Cepeda of Mason High during action at the Coaches Classic tennis final April 21, 2012. Photo taken by Tony Jones.

Jeff Wallner reports

The individual star at Saturday’s sectional tournament was Lakota East senior Zach Mueck, a Xavier commit who’s hoping to overcome tendonitis in his right elbow and close out his career with a state singles title. Mueck said the elbow occasionally tightens up during competition, but that it’s nothing he can’t overcome.

On Saturday Mueck overcame some unforced errors in the first set to edge Mason’s Alexander Lebedev 7-6, 6-3 in the semifinals. “I kept double-faulting,” said Mueck, who repeatedly voiced his frustration to himself during the match. “Just a lack of effort and concentration on my part.”

In the sectional final, Mueck, a two-time state runner-up who posted his 100th career victory at the Coaches Classic Tournament on April 21, rolled to a 6-2, 6-1 win over Mason’s Jeremy Schneider.

Meanwhile, in the semifinals of Saturday’s D-I sectional tournament, Mason seniors Miguel Cepeda and Luke Tsai were challenged by Sycamore’s Yuri Karev and Nakul Narendran but emerged with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 victory.

“Our games complement each other,” Tsai said. “Miguel puts away shots. I can put him in good position. That’s our best attack.”

In the sectional final, Cepeda and Tsai faced their Mason teammates John Mostowy and Colin Heim, who defeated Sycamore’s Dylan Stern and Nikhil Gandhi in the semis. Cepeda and Tsai emerged with a 6-3, 6-0 victory.

Like Mueck, the Mason duo has the goal of capturing the state title.

“We play at the same club together, we carpool together, practice together,” Cepeda said. “Last year was our first year playing doubles together. We’re more experienced, stronger. Instead of just wanting to get to state, our goal this year is to win it.”

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

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

Zack Mueck of Lakota East returns a shot from Miguel Cepeda of Mason High during action at the Coaches Classic tennis final. Photo taken by Tony Jones.

Kevin Goheen reports

The ice pack on the right elbow of Zach Mueck eased some of his pain. Knowing he had just won the 100th tennis match of his career at Lakota East was a better remedy.

Mueck defeated Mason junior Miguel Cepeda 7-5, 6-2, Saturday afternoon to claim his second consecutive Greater Cincinnati Tennis Coaches Association Coaches Classic first singles title.

The senior, who has finished as the Division I state runner-up each of the last two years, has been dealing with an elbow injury since January that halted his USTA junior play. It forced him to sit out the early portion of the high school season, but with three consecutive straight-set wins in the area’s most prestigious tournament Mueck showed he is still the player to beat locally.

“It’s a pretty big mark to get over and it’s cool to do it in the finals of this tournament, too,” said Mueck of his 100th win. “(The injury) has been going on for awhile. I’m trying to get rid of it but it’s still there. We’re going to try to get through the season and see what happens.”

Saturday’s play in Flight A was moved indoors to Camargo Racquet Club because of rains overnight and into the morning that made playing at Mason High School impossible.

Mueck admitted he could have decided not to play this season because of the injury but he has his sights set on winning the state tournament. He lost in two close sets as a sophomore and then in three sets last year.

He and Cepeda were tied 5-5 in the first set before Mueck began a stretch of four breaks out of Cepeda’s final five service games.

Cepeda recovered from a first game break in the second set to gain a break himself and then hold serve for a 2-1 lead but Mueck won the final five games to win the title. Mueck is now 6-0 on the season, while Cepeda lost for just the second time in 12 matches.

Mason won its first ever team championship with 270 points, edging Sycamore’s 250-point total. Cincinnati Country Day placed third with 160 points.

The Comets are undefeated in dual nine matches this season and have swept all of their opponents 5-0 in duals since opening the season with a 3-2 win against Sycamore. (more…)

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

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

Zack Mueck. Photo taken by Jeff Swinger.

Lakota East’s Zach Mueck has been nominated for the LaRosa’s MVP of the Week award. Mueck, who is a senior, has finished the last two tennis seasons as the runner-up at the Division I state singles championship.

In 2011, Mueck finished with a 29-1 singles record. His only loss was in the state final to Evan Bechtel of Toledo St. John’s.

He was also named tennis player of they year by the Greater Miami Conference and by The Cincinnati Enquirer.

Mueck has signed on to play tennis at Xavier University. He was also considering the University of Kentucky, Ohio State University and the University of Notre Dame.

To vote for Mueck, visit larosasmvp.com.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota East tennis, LaRosa's MVP of the Week, LaRosa’s MVP Athlete of the Year, Xavier tennis, Zach Mueck, Zach Mueck Xavier

A total of 17 seniors, who will compete in nine different sports in college, were honored during a special signing ceremony at Lakota East High School on National Signing Day Wednesday.

“The neat thing about this morning is that just about every program we have is represented,” Lakota East Athletic Director Richard Bryant said.

“(The large class) legitimizes what we do as a public school system in making sure we put our kids in position to be successful and be able to continue what they want to do and follow their academic pursuits.”

Before college, there is one Lakota East senior who still believes he has plenty to prove on the high school level after losing in the tennis state singles final the past two seasons.

“It is more of a focus than it has been in the past few years because it is my last chance,” Xavier signee Zach Mueck said.

Mueck, who was selected as 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.

While Mueck came up short last season, his classmates Michael Conrad and Alex Conrad were key contributors in Lakota East’s first state championship in a varsity sport.

Like Mueck, Conrad was named player of the year in his sport by The Cincinnati Enquirer. In 2011, 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.

“I am excited to finish out the season and hopefully do as well as we did last year, but I also can’t wait to get down there and play at a higher level,” Conrad said. “I feel that I am ready for it.”

His best friend and teammate, Alex Corna who will be playing ball at Ohio University, finished the year with a .381 batting average and a team-leading .532 on-base percentage.

Joining Mueck, Conrad and Corna as honorees during Wednesday’s ceremony were fellow athletic standouts Lauren Beitel (volleyball – Otterbein University), Hannah Berling (volleyball – Tusculum College) Emily Bostian (volleyball – Otterbein), Michaela Buczek (lacrosse – College of Mount St. Joseph), Ainsely Ellison (softball – Hillsdale College), Sofey Fugate (tennis – Heidelberg University), Alyssa Grevenkamp (basketball – University of Findlay), Jessika Hall (swimming – Michigan State University), Tori Meyer (lacrosse – Albright College), Mark Minch (basketball – Ohio Dominican University), Tony O’Connor (cross country/track – Northern Kentucky University), Joe Postlewait (lacrosse – Walsh University), Hannah Sigala (volleyball – Morehead State University) and Whitney Wyckoff (basketball – Yale University).

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

Tags: Tags: Ainsely Ellison, Alyssa Grevenkamp, Emily Bostian, Hannah Sigala, Jessika Hall, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lauren Beitel, Mark Minch, Michaela Buczek, National Signing Day, Neil Recker, Ohio High School sports recruiting, Ohio preps recruiting, Ohio sports recruiting, Peair Foster, Signing Day Lakota East, Sofey Fugate, Tony O’Connor, Tori Meyer, Whitney Wyckoff, Zach Mueck

Both Lakota West and Lakota East high schools will host special signing ceremonies Wednesday on National Signing Day to honor student athletes that will be playing sports in college. WestChesterBuzz.com will post updates, stories and pictures throughout the day.

At Lakota East Wednesday morning, 15 student athletes in sports that include volleyball, lacrosse, baseball, softball, tennis, basketball, swimming, cross country and track will be honored.

Among those who will be honored at Lakota East include Lauren Beitel (volleyball – Otterbein University), Emily Bostian (volleyball – Otterbein), Michaela Buczek (lacrosse – College of Mount St. Joseph), Michael Conrad (baseball – University of Cincinnati), Alex Corna (baseball – Ohio University), Ainsely Ellison (softball – Hillsdale College), Sofey Fugate (tennis – Heidelberg University), Alyssa Grevenkamp (basketball – University of Findlay), Jessika Hall (swimming – Michigan State University), Tori Meyer (lacrosse – Albright College), Mark Minch (basketball – Ohio Dominican University), Zach Mueck (tennis – Xavier University), Tony O’Connor (cross country/track – Northern Kentucky University), Hannah Sigala (volleyball – Morehead State University) and Whitney Wyckoff (basketball – Yale University).

Meanwhile, also Wednesday morning, Lakota West will host a signing event for football players. Currently, six seniors have verbally committed to college including Dawson Fletcher (Indiana University), defensive end Blake Bell (University of California, Penn.), linebacker Jordan Darland (Olivet Nazarene University), linebacker Cole Stalker (University of Findlay), offensive lineman Beau Odom (Georgetown College) and wide receiver Kayaune Ross (Fort Scott Community College).

That group, along with running back Marcus Davis, wide receiver Bubba Williams, cornerback Peair Foster, safety Antonio Darden and offensive lineman Neil Recker can officially sign with their school of choice Wednesday.

Later in the day, the Greater Miami Conference will hold its annual football signing press conference at 1 p.m. at the Wingate Inn/Meridian Conference Center, 7500 Tylers Place Blvd., in West Chester. The event is open to the public.

Meanwhile, during Thursday’s afternoon ceremony at Lakota West, the following student athletes will be honored: Kim Love (soccer – Purdue University), Kelly Mack (soccer – Wright State University), Lauren Pratt (soccer – Ohio Dominican University), Brady Holmer (cross country – Northern Kentucky) and Amanda Shelby (cross country – Mount St. Joseph).

In November, basketball, baseball and volleyball players were able to sign national letters of intent. Back then, the following students from Lakota West signed: Summer Reeves (basketball – Morgan State University), Shabazz Reeves (basketball – Morgan State), Corri Muha (volleyball – Georgetown College) and Mel Stewart (volleyball – Northern Kentucky University).

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

Tags: Tags: Ainsely Ellison, Alyssa Grevenkamp, Amanda Shelby, Antonio Darden, Beau Odom, Blake Bell, Brady Holmer, Bubba Williams, Cole Stalker, Dawson Fletcher, Emily Bostian, Hannah Sigala, Jessika Hall, Kelly Mack, Kim Love, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Lauren Beitel, Lauren Pratt, Marcus Davis, Mark Minch, Michael Conrad, Michaela Buczek, National Signing Day, Neil Recker, Ohio football recruiting, Ohio High School sports recruiting, Ohio preps recruiting, Ohio sports recruiting, Ohio State football, Peair Foster, Signing Day Lakota East, Signing Day Lakota West, Sofey Fugate, Tony O’Connor, Tori Meyer, Whitney Wyckoff, Zach Mueck