Lutheran West Longhorns
2004-2005 Winter Sports Highlights
Men’s Basketball Rolls to Historic Season
The men’s basketball team got on a winning roll early this season and rode it all the way to the District title game. When the dust settled the Longhorns had won the MAC-8 Conference title with a perfect 14 and 0 mark, and finished the regular season undefeated with a 20 and 0 record, the first undefeated boys’ basketball team in school history. Coach Phil Argento’s charges lost a tough District Championship game to Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, yet finished the season with a 22 and 1 record. The Longhorns were ranked fourth in the final Associated Press state poll in Division III, and were ranked #1 in the area by the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram.
The 2005 season was characterized by many fine individual performances, yet at different times different players rose to the occasion to lead the team to victory. The Longhorns were led much of the season by junior standout Richard Semrau. Richard was named First Team All-Ohio for the second consecutive year, was a First Team All-MAC-8 performer and was chosen by the conference coaches as the MAC-8’s Most Valuable Player. Richard was also named First Team All-District, All-Cuyahoga County, and was the Player of the Week in the Plain Dealer and the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram. For the integral part he played in the team’s success this year, Richard was named the Longhorns’ Most Valuable Player for 2005.
Senior Greg Andrews had an outstanding senior year having many big games for the Longhorns. Greg was an imposing figure on defense as well, breaking the school record for most blocked shots in a season. Greg was named First Team All-MAC-8, First Team All-District, received Special Mention All-Ohio, and was recognized as the Player of the Week by both the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram. Junior guard Scott Blackburn was named to the MAC-8 Second Team and received Honorable Mention All-District. Juniors Sam Morrison and Steve Argento were both named Honorable Mention in the MAC-8 and Honorable Mention All-District, and Steve was also recognized as a Chronicle-Telegram Player of the Week.
Head Coach Phil Argento was recognized by his peers as the MAC-8 Coach of the Year for 2005. The Longhorns will miss the hard play and fine leadership of seniors David Bailey, Drew Senney, and Greg Andrews, but the rest of the Longhorns return for what should be another exciting ride in 2005-2006. Coach Chris Keller’s J.V. team had an outstanding season as well, finishing with an 18 and 2 record, and Coach Josh Campbell’s freshmen team showed much improvement throughout
the year finishing with an 8 and 12 record.
Records Fall for Longhorn Wrestlers
The 2004-2005 wrestling season was a year of record-setting performances both for individuals and for the team. This year’s squad earned 16 dual-meet victories, the best in school history. Along the way, highlights of the season included bringing home the second-place trophy in our own Longhorn Super Quad in December, a second-place finish in the MAC-8 Conference Tournament, as well as a second-place finish in the Sectional Tournament. This was the best finish ever for the Longhorns in these three events. The season was capped off by another “first” when two Lutheran West wrestlers advanced to the State Championships in Columbus. This is the first time more than one wrestler has qualified for state in the same year.
Coach Dave Ressler and his staff enjoyed the fruits of years of hard work put in by their wrestlers, as many individuals had exceptional seasons. Senior co-captain Kurt Schnittger ended his wrestling career with an exclamation point by advancing to the State Tournament for the second time - the only two-time State qualifier in Lutheran West history. Throughout his outstanding career Kurt established the following records: most wins in a season (40), most pins in a season (23), fastest pin (11 sec.), most pins in a career (61), most takedowns in a career (256), and most wins in a career (124). Kurt also placed first in the MAC-8 and first in the Sectional Tournament. For his career-long leadership and his outstanding season in 2005, Kurt was chosen as the Longhorns’ Most Valuable Wrestler.
Other individuals leaving their mark this season included senior co-captain Erik Davis who established two school records: most takedowns in a match (15), and most takedowns in a season (121). Junior Nick Pender won a Sectional Championship and junior Matt Markling finished second in the MAC-8 Meet.
Junior Ken Sanger made an immediate impact on Longhorn wrestling when he arrived this season. Ken had a tremendous run at the end of the season placing first in the MAC-8 Meet, first in Sectionals and Districts, and advanced all the way to the State Championship Match at 152lbs., only to lose a heartbreaker in overtime. Ken became the school’s first District Champion and the only wrestler from West to advance to the State Championship Match. Certainly Kenny, and many others, can’t wait for next year. Congratulations to coach Ressler and his entire team on a truly memorable 2005 season.
Women's Basketball Battles to Second Place
Finish in the Final Year of MAC-8
The varsity women's basketball team fought through a tough schedule in 2004-2005 and finished with 14 and 6 record for the season. The Longhorns finished second in the MAC-8 Conference with a 12 and 2 mark, losing two hard-fought games to undefeated champion Independence.
Senior co-captains Nicole Feher and Jessica Moses provided strong leadership throughout the season and led the way with their play on the court as well. Both Nicole and Jessica were named First Team All-MAC-8 for 2005, and Jessica was chosen by the league’s coaches as the Most Valuable Player in the MAC-8. This is the second time this year that Jessica has been the conference M.V.P., as she shared that honor with fellow senior Karla Everhart this Fall in volleyball. Jessica was also named the Longhorns' M.V.P. Both Nicole and Jessica were named to the All-District Second Team and received Honorable Mention All-Ohio. Two school records fell in 2005 as Nicole set a record this year for most free throws in a season with 82, and Jessica established a new career rebound record with 792.
Senior Jenni Fackler finished out a fine basketball career by being named Second Team All-MAC-8, while fellow seniors Katelyn Zollos and Whitney Durban received Honorable Mention from the MAC-8.
Coach Jill Shimek led her J.V. team through a successful 15 and 5 season, including an “unofficial” J.V. conference title with a 13 and 1 record in MAC-8 games. First-year freshmen coach and Lutheran West alum Becky Boyd guided the freshmen team to a fine 13 and 6 record.
Congratulations to Coach Karen Wittrock for being honored at the Girls’ State Basketball Championships in Columbus on March 12th. Coach Wittrock was recognized at halftime of the championship game as the winningest girls’ basketball coach in the state of Ohio (628 wins), and was presented with a “Lifetime Pass” to all future Girls’ State Basketball Tournaments.
Bartz Leads Longhorns to a Record-Setting Day at State Power Lifting Championships
Strength and Conditioning Coach Dave Geye took 12 Lutheran West athletes to the State Power Lifting Championships in Kenton, Ohio on March 12th, and his team returned with five State Medalists and four State Meet records. Senior Pam Bartz became a State Champion in the 145lb. weight class, and established a state record in each of her three lifts. Pam’s state records
include 135 lbs. in the bench press, 285 lbs. in the squat, 320 lbs. in the dead lift, and 740 lbs. in total weight.
Joining Pam as State Medalists were sophomore Joe Maruniak who finished third at the 145 lbs. weight class, junior Dan Griffin who finished ninth at 145 lbs., junior Evan Frounfelker who finished tenth at 185 lbs. and senior J.J. Hepp who finished 12th at 225 lbs.
Four Lutheran West lifters established school records for their weight class at the meet. Joe Maruniak set three Lutheran West records in the 145 lbs. weight class, J.J. Hepp set three records in the 225 lbs. class, Evan Frounfelker set one school record at 185 lbs. and sophomore Josh Koza set a new record in the squat in the 135 lbs. weight class. Special congratulations to senior Pam Bartz who has qualified for the National Power Lifting Championships in Texas on April 2nd and 3rd.
Young Bowlers Exceed Expectations
The Longhorn Bowling Team surprised many this season by challenging for the Division Championship until very late in the season. Following the loss of three strong seniors from the 2004 team, Coach Ron Reeves quickly rebuilt this year's unit of all underclassmen into a competitive group. Junior Erin Logan paced the team with a 168 average, with freshmen Nate Yencho (165) and junior Chris Barcik (164) following close behind. The entire team of bowlers are returning for what should be an exciting season in 2005-2006.
Three Longhorn Swimmers Compete
Three Longhorn athletes competed in swimming this winter representing Lutheran West in year-end meets. Senior Karla Everhart, junior Ira (Scott) Swartz, and freshmen Kristen Ferrar swam at the MAC-8 Conference Swimming Championships held at Beachwood and also in the Sectional Meet at Lakewood. Once again this season, Karla Everhart was a medalist, taking first in the 50 freestyle, and taking second in the 100 backstroke. Special thanks to Coach Colleen Everhart for her great work with our swimmers again this season.
Longhorns Recognized as MAC-8 Scholars
Four Longhorn athletes have been recognized by the MAC-8 Conference as “Scholar Athletes” for the winter season: Drew Senney in men's basketball, Pam Bartz in women's basketball, Matt Markling in wrestling, and Emma Rohn in cheerleading. To be considered for a Scholar Athlete award, a student must be a junior or senior varsity athlete with a minimum of a 3.50 G.P.A. Congratulations to our MAC-8 Scholar-Athletes!