Fall sports at McNicholas have been working hard to place well in their leagues. The teams included boys’ and girls’ soccer, boys’ and girls’ golf, boys’ and girls’ cross country, girls’ volleyball, girls’ tennis, football, and cheer. An account of their records, highlights, predictions, and something exciting over the season from coaches or captains have been compiled by the Milestone and were accurate as of press time.
Boys’ Soccer
Record: 6-9-4
Highlight: Beating CJ on senior night and beating CHCA in the tournament.
Prediction: Next season, we will be in one of the two top seeds in the tournament.
Quote: “We have been building for the past four years and have been looking to take the next big step,” Coach David Sandmann said.
Girls Soccer
Record: 6-8-3
Highlight: Being Queen of the Hill.
Predictions: The seniors will really step up and improve next year.
Quote: “I think we came together as one big family, including the coaching staff,” varsity soccer team captain senior Erin Byrne said.
Boys’ Golf
Record: The boys team finished 7th in the district tournament on October 6.
Highlight: Going to districts.
Prediction: They will do well in the upcoming season.
Quote: “Practice your short game,” senior Camden Yards said.
Girls’ Golf
Record: 2-11
Highlight: Getting to know the underclassmen and seeing old friends and improving.
Prediction: We will do well, see new faces, and everyone is getting better.
Quote: “I had a lot of fun because I did really think I was really ever going to play golf. Stepping out of my comfort zone and playing because I’ve never played before was just really fun and exciting. I made a bunch of new friendships and learned a new skill during it,” senior Mara Jones said.
Boys’ Cross Country
Record: The Boys’ Cross Country Team concluded their season at the Regional Championship. They placed 5th in the race as a team.
Highlight: At the District Championship, the team placed first in their race for the first time since 2008. Senior Aiden Burt was the first runner for McNicholas, placing fourth with a time of 16:38.
Prediction: The team would run their best in the Regional Championship.
Quote: “It was kind of an up and down season, but winning the district championship has to be the highlight,” Coach Mr. Bill Valenzano said.
Burt added that his favorite memory was also winning the district championship.
Girls’ Cross Country
Record: The Girls’ Cross Country Team concluded their season at the District Championship.
Highlight: Sophomore Mary Metzger was the first runner for the team over the course of the season. “The meets are definitely my favorite part of cross country,” Metzger said. “The atmosphere is unlike anything else. You know that everyone is excited and anxious, so it doesn’t really feel like we’re competing – more like we’re all helping each other.”
Prediction: “A lot of the success for next year will depend on how much every girl runs over the summer,” Valenzano added.
Quote: Head coach Mr. Bill Valenzano added that he loved seeing the improvement of the girls’ team over the course of the season. “Four of the eight girls on this team are freshmen… many of them were walking in July, and seeing the progress that they made was a highlight for me,” Valenzano said.
Girls’ Volleyball
Record: 17-9, making it to the Sweet 16 in the tournament.
Highlight: Winning against Badin.
Prediction: The team will do as well as last year if not better.
Quote: “Our team just gelled pretty well last year,” Lauren Keith said.
Girls’ Tennis
Record: 9-10
Highlight: Making it to the third round of the sectionals.
Prediction: They have a chance to go far.
Quote: “I think the women’s tennis program has really come very far and it’s a great group to be a part of,” said senior Sammy Waterman.
Football
Record: 9-1, playing in the Sweet 16 against Eaton on Friday, Nov. 12.
Highlight: Beating Alter for the first time in 20 years and the relationship between the players.
Predictions: We’re good enough to win a state championship.
Quote: “Senior leadership has been outstanding, and we are super grateful for our students cheering for us and happy to be in the playoffs,” coach Todd Naumann said.
Cheer
Record: The Cheerleading team does not have a record because competitions do not start until November 6.
Highlight: Bringing home the banana from UCA Camp and cheering on one of the best football teams in the GCL that has many victories.
Predictions for next year: The squad will become more competitive, improve tumbling and stunting skills, and will be more involved with the community.
Quote: “The most exciting thing I have experienced this season was watching the cheerleaders evolve from the beginning of the season to the end. Aside from skill and ability, the bond that has been formed across the team is unmatched. We walked into tryouts as strangers and continue on as great friends. You truly can’t beat that,” cheer coach Olivia Schultz said.
The McNicholas Milestone 