With the fall athletic season just around the corner, the Southwestern Conference is excited to launch its Southwestern Conference Fall Preview. The preview will be a tradition for faithful Southwestern Conference followers and will signal the beginning of the much anticipated 2019 fall athletic seasons and the first step on the pathway to this year’s Southwestern Conference Champions.
Follow along this week as we preview each of the Fall sports as they begin their 2019 campaigns:
Monday Aug 12th – Football
Tuesday Aug 13th – Boys & Girls Golf / Girls Tennis
Wednesday Aug 14th – Boys & Girls Cross Country
Thursday Aug 15th – Volleyball
Friday Aug 16th – Boys & Girls Soccer
Amherst Steele
Head Coach: Laurie Cogan
Years at school: 29
Last Year’s Overall Record (Conference Record): 15-9 (13-5 in SWC)
Number of Returning Starters: 6
Athletes to Watch: MH – Lauren Pisegna (Sr), L – Ellie Schenk (Sr), OH/S – Laken Voss (So)
2019 Season Outlook: Head Coach Laurie Cogan returns six starters in 2019 and is hoping for her Comets team to be as competitive or better than last season.
Avon
Head Coach: Julie Bendzuck
Years at school: 7
Last Year’s Overall Record (Conference Record): 20-4 (18-0 SWC)
Number of Returning Starters: 2
Athletes to Watch: Alex Laboy (Sr), Lea Morris (Sr), Jamie Villwock (Jr)
2019 Season Outlook: Avon will look to continue playing at a high level and bringing their best to the court every night. The Eagles graduated a lot of talent from their 2018 squad, but have girls that are primed to step up and fill those positions in 2019.
Avon Lake
Head Coach: Dan Berkheimer
Years at school: 10
Last Year’s Overall Record (Conference Record): 17-6 (12-6 in SWC)
Number of Returning Starters: 6
Athletes to Watch: OH – Abby Kirk (Sr), MH – Jackie Loper (Sr), MH – Madison Olinger (Jr), L – Kai Rybarczyk (So), OH – Maxine Springer (OH)
2019 Season Outlook: The Shoregals return a lot of athletes this season with varsity experience, with the goal of improving on last season’s 17-6 record.
Berea-Midpark
Head Coach: Jeanne Williams
Years at school: 7
Last Year’s Overall Record (Conference Record): 8-13 (8-10 in SWC)
Number of Returning Starters: 3
Athletes to Watch: MH – Lena Cistolo (Jr), OH/DS – Daria Khramkova (Sr), OH/DS – Heaven Santiago (Jr)
2019 Season Outlook: While young, the Titans are a team that is eager to get on the court and compete. Leadership takes place in the gym daily with the Titans veterans. Berea-Midpark is learning how each other works on and off the court and in turn gelling well together when competing. The Titans have a lot of talented individuals, young and returning, that will find their role and become a crucial part of the team’s system. The work ethic is through the roof daily and Coach Williams are excited to get the season started.
Lakewood
Head Coach: Maggie Szczepaniak
Years at school: 3
Last Year’s Overall Record (Conference Record): 3-20 (1-17)
Number of Returning Starters: 2
Athletes to Watch: L – Cassidy Baldridge (Sr), S – Cara Harmon (Jr), OH – Elliot Snyder (Fr)
2019 Season Outlook: Despite having a young team for the 2019 campaign, the Lakewood Rangers field a competitive squad and coach Szczpaniak is eager to build on last year’s growth.
Midview
Head Coach: Jessy Bendik
Years at school: 1
Last Year’s Overall Record (Conference Record): 9-14 (6-12 in SWC)
Number of Returning Starters: 3
Athletes to Watch: OH/RS – Lindsey Frambach (Sr), MS – Rachael Spayd (Sr), S – Rachel Thomas (Sr)
2019 Season Outlook: The Middies feature a veteran roster with eight seniors. They are working hard to establish consistency on the court and a competitive drive that they will carry into each match this season.
North Olmsted
Head Coach: Joe Marita
Years at school: 1
Last Year’s Overall Record (Conference Record): 4-19 (3-15 in SWC)
Number of Returning Starters: 3
Athletes to Watch: S – Natalie Kennedy (Sr), OH – Rachel Kennedy (Sr), L – Sadee Schlund (Sr)
2019 Season Outlook: North Olmsted will look to coach Joe Marita and the leadership of its veteran players to continue its development and exceed last year’s record in the competitive SWC.
North Ridgeville
Head Coach: Lisa Bakaitis
Years at school: 3
Last Year’s Overall Record (Conference Record): 5-18 (2-16 in SWC)
Number of Returning Starters: 2
Athletes to Watch: OH/MH – Hailey Elbert (Jr), DS – Alexis Jones (Jr), OH – Gemma Kilgore (So), S – Emma Schupp (S0)
2019 Season Outlook: North Ridgeville is looking to rebuild a bit in 2019 after the loss of four Senior starters last year. Coach Bakaitis is hoping that her returning letter winners will help bring the newcomers up to speed on the tactics, speed and expectations of the Varsity game.
Olmsted Falls
Head Coach: Brigid Radigan
Years at school: 5
Last Year’s Overall Record (Conference Record): 21-4 (15-3 SWC)
Number of Returning Starters: 4
Athletes to Watch: MH – Bel Faust (Jr), OH – Lauren Kreitzer (Sr), L – Lindsey LaLinta (Jr), DS – Allison Milligan (Jr), S – Emma O’Brien (Jr), MH – Halle Slater (Sr), OH – Riley Victor (So)
2019 Season Outlook: Olmsted Falls returns seven letter winners from their 2018 team, despite graduated seniors now playing in college Kaye Dregalla (Notre Dame College) and Jeanie Edgintgon (St. Francis University). Coach Radigan is eager to watch her Bulldogs battle at every position. A mixture of veterans and new players, Radigan is looking to see who will step up as leaders vocally and with their play on the court in 2019.
Westlake
Head Coach: Meghan Spriggs
Years at school: 7
Last Year’s Overall Record (Conference Record): 16-8 (12-6 SWC)
Number of Returning Starters: 1
Athletes to Watch: S – Maddie Gentzel (So), OH – Morgan Rogers (So), MH – Katie Whitesell (So)
2019 Season Outlook: With only one returning starter from the 2018 season, Coach Spriggs has challenged her young Demon squad to finish in the top three of the Southwestern Conference in 2019.
