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: Gary Gonzalez
Years at school: 6
Last Year’s Overall Record (Conference Record): 13-4-1 (7-1-1 SWC)
Number of Returning Starters: 8
Athletes to Watch: M – Alexis Alston (Sr), M – Anna Dudziak (Sr), D – Cameron Dumais (Sr), M – Taylor Pogachar (Sr), M – Juliet Seng (S0), F – Elley Vorhees (S0), M – Nora Wright (Jr)
2019 Season Outlook: Returning their top five goal scorers and assist leaders from the 2018 season, the Comets are looking to take another positive step forward. With a veteran squad with quality wins in previous seasons, Gonzalez has Amherst Steele focused and committed to run at the school’s first SWC Girls Soccer Title.
Avon
Head Coach: Atilla Csiszar
Years at school: 3
Last Year’s Overall Record (Conference Record): 8-9-1 (5-4 SWC)
Number of Returning Starters: 7
Athletes to Watch: GK – Nicole Brearley (Sr), D – Anna Brethauer (Sr), M – Taylor Golas (Sr), D – Kaleigh Jaracz (Sr), F – Karissa Kraszewski (Sr), D – Beth Robinson (Sr)
2019 Season Outlook: Avon is coming off a challenging 2018 season that was plagued with injuries, but there is plenty of optimism in 2019. The Eagles have a great possession based game and will look to surprise a lot of teams. With several key seniors, Avon will lean on the leadership out of their veterans and are expecting to compete with the top programs in Ohio.
Avon Lake
Head Coach: Brian Salco
Years at school: 1
Last Year’s Overall Record (Conference Record): 10-7-1 (4-4-1 in SWC)
Number of Returning Starters: 7
Athletes to Watch: M – Marcy Allen (Sr), M – Nicole Duvall (Sr), D – Emma Gedeon (Jr), M – Phoebe Hood (Sr),D – Kaley Norris (Jr), F – Adele Osberg (Sr), F – Tayleigh Price (Sr), D – Adrian Salco (So), GK – Emily Yarham (Jr)
2019 Season Outlook: Avon Lake graduated several key players from their 2019 team, but are hoping that their returning letter winners along with some talented freshmen coming in can fill that void and make them a contender for the Southwestern Conference championship. The Shoregals know they will have their hands filled with some very tough competition within the conference, but are hoping to surprise some people this season and make a run for the SWC title.
Berea-Midpark
Head Coach: Abbey Golden
Years at school: 2
Last Year’s Overall Record (Conference Record): 12-4-3 (4-3-2 SWC)
Number of Returning Starters: 9
Athletes to Watch: D – Molly Hausler (Sr), M – Hallie Krzys (Jr), GK – Bridget Satow (Sr)
2019 Season Outlook: Golden sparked a fire in her first year at Berea-Midpark, helping the young Titans win the most regular season games in school history. Returning nine starters from last years squad, Berea-Midpark is eager to continue its development in the 2019 season.
Lakewood
Head Coach: Ted Nagel
Years at school: 1
Last Year’s Overall Record (Conference Record): 3-13 (0-9 SWC)
Number of Returning Starters: 7
Athletes to Watch: Quinn Costanzo, Emma Hirsch, Aubree Nagel
2019 Season Outlook: A young team, Lakewood is looking to be competitive in each outing for the 2019 season. Through hard work and discipline, the Rangers are looking to surprise a few teams in the Southwestern Conference.
Midview
Head Coach: John Bena
Years at school: 2
Last Year’s Overall Record (Conference Record): 13-5 (6-3 in SWC)
Number of Returning Starters: 9
Athletes to Watch: D – Amber Allen (Sr), M – Kylie Cline (Sr), F – Arianna Dyer (Sr), M/F – Leah Krajewski (Sr), M/F – Hailey Larkin (Sr), M/D – Izzy Lunato (Sr), M – Natalie Maver (Sr)
2019 Season Outlook: Midview’s goal in 2019 is to compete each and every day, regardless if it is a training session or game. The Middies will look to do their best to make their family, school and community proud and represent Midview in the best way possible!
North Olmsted
Head Coach: Bob Armentrout
Years at school: 2
Last Year’s Overall Record (Conference Record): 4-8-4 (1-5-3 in SWC)
Number of Returning Starters: 7
Athletes to Watch: Madyson Radle (Sr), Mikayla Rollins (Sr), Taylor Weppler (Sr)
2019 Season Outlook: The Eagles are feeling good about their 2019 season, playing with the mindset of “If we give all we have to everyone around us anything is possible for this group”.
North Ridgeville
Head Coach: Chris Moore
Years at school: 2
Last Year’s Overall Record (Conference Record): 3-10-2 (1-8-1 in SWC)
Number of Returning Starters: 8
Athletes to Watch: M – Abby Bernhardt (Sr), M – Lindsey Moore (Sr), F – Mady Rosado (Jr), D – Taylor Wohleber (Sr)
2019 Season Outlook: The Rangers are excited for the 2019 season, with many of their younger players gaining a substantial amount of experience last season, coach Moore is looking forward to that translating into their game play this year. North Ridgeville is continuing to build their culture of commitment, cohesion and caring which will help to carry them throughout the season.
Olmsted Falls
Head Coach: Walter Schlothauer
Years at school: 1
Last Year’s Overall Record (Conference Record): 15-2-1 (7-0-1 in SWC)
Number of Returning Starters: 3
Athletes to Watch: M – Kylie Fitzgerald (Sr), M/F – Megan Francescone (Sr), D – Addie Sandru (Sr)
2019 Season Outlook: The Olmsted Falls Girls Soccer team is coming off of a record breaking season. With only three returning starters and a new coaching staff the Bulldogs are looking for leadership from their returners and looking for the younger players to step up into their new roles. With a very tough SWC schedule ahead Olmsted Falls looks to be competitive every time they step on field.
Westlake
Head Coach: Dane Rimko
Years at school: 2
Last Year’s Overall Record (Conference Record): 8-8-2 (4-4-1 SWC)
Number of Returning Starters: 7
Athletes to Watch: M – Lydia Choban (Sr), F – Sami Jablonski (Sr), F – Sophia Kontak (So), M – Summer Salem (Jr)
2019 Season Outlook: The Demons hope to build upon Rimko’s first season at the helm. While several injuries afflicted Westlake’s 2018 season, Rimko is hoping the experience his younger players saw last year will provide added depth and talent on the pitch in 2019.
