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: Terry Kemp
Years at school: 30
Last Year’s Overall Record (Conference Record): 3rd in SWC
Number of Returning Starters: 4
Athletes to Watch: Victoria Bailey (Sr), Marissa Del Valle (So), Leah Gerke (So), Kaylee Haff (Jr)
2019 Season Outlook: The Comets return four girls with Regional Meet experience, plus several gifted newcomers. If the 2019 squad can get the mix of veteran athletes and young talent to develop, Amherst Steele hopes to add to their streak of qualifying a team to the Regional meet 29 of the last 30 years.
Avon
Head Coach: Matt Nortz
Years at school: 8
Last Year’s Overall Record (Conference Record): 1st in SWC
Number of Returning Starters: 3
Athletes to Watch: Maddy Coppolino (Sr), Amanda Gothier (Sr), Jane Roach (So), Emma Smith (Jr), Meadow Smith (Jr), Liz White (So)
2019 Season Outlook: With several underclassmen on the 2019 team, Avon hopes to repeat as SWC champions.
Avon Lake
Head Coach:
Years at school:
Last Year’s Overall Record (Conference Record):
Number of Returning Starters:
Athletes to Watch:
2019 Season Outlook: Not submitted in time for release.
Berea-Midpark
Head Coach: Tim Barnes
Years at school: 5
Last Year’s Overall Record (Conference Record):
Number of Returning Starters:
Athletes to Watch: Shura Ermakov (Sr), Megan Thai (Sr)
2019 Season Outlook: The Titans cross country team is led by a strong senior class. The two front-runners Shura Ermakov and Megan Thai are supported by a solid junior and sophomore group. The Titans are looking forward to the exciting new talent that their freshmen will bring to the team.
Lakewood
Head Coach: Danielle Hammond
Years at school: 4
Last Year’s Overall Record (Conference Record): 7th in SWC
Number of Returning Starters: 6
Athletes to Watch: Teeghan McGann, Abby Sacha, Nasia Shields
2019 Season Outlook: Coach Hammond is happy with the growth of her program. The Rangers will be adding a few runners from their spring track and field team and a handful of freshmen to round out a successful top 7.
Midview
Head Coach: Kathy Manning
Years at school: 2
Last Year’s Overall Record (Conference Record): 7th in SWC
Number of Returning Starters: 4
Athletes to Watch: Riley Folley, Lydia Henely, Isabel Mraz, Sophia Palazzi, Grace Patchin, Audrey Sanzone
2019 Season Outlook: A roster deep with seniors in 2019, Midview looking forward to their leadership and their love for running to lead the team.
North Olmsted
Head Coach: Marlene Bloomfield
Years at school: 4
Last Year’s Overall Record (Conference Record): 6th place in SWC
Number of Returning Starters: 2
Athletes to Watch: Emma Popik (Fr), Alexis Sarantos (Sr), Kayla Simon (So)
2019 Season Outlook: Coach Bloomfield always encourages her girls to strive for more than they did last year. The Eagles graduated eight seniors and have a small freshman group of runners in 2019. Bloomfield is relying on the veteran runners to step up and improve North Olmsted’s placement in the conference. The team’s goal is to place better in the conference each year.
North Ridgeville
Head Coach: Andy Dohanos
Years at school: 6
Last Year’s Overall Record (Conference Record): 9th in SWC
Number of Returning Starters: 4
Athletes to Watch: Kylie Cope (S0), Alexandra Reed (Jr), Christina Scialabba (Sr), Maddy Wilm (Sr)
2019 Season Outlook: An influx of competitive new recruits, the steady leadership of their senior girls, dedicated training during the summer, and momentum from a strong track season provides the foundation for a big step forward for the Rangers girls cross country program.
Olmsted Falls
Head Coach: Rae Alexander
Years at school: 21
Last Year’s Overall Record (Conference Record): 10th in SWC
Number of Returning Starters: 5
Athletes to Watch: Danielle Andrews (Jr), Mikayla Ellis (Jr), Lillie Katsaras (So), Madi Sobieski (Sr)
2019 Season Outlook: The Bulldogs are looking forward to improving results at every meet. Coach Alexander is guiding the team on instilling a positive attitude with goals for continuous progress in performance, confidence, and racing skill development. She has the team hopeful and anticipating a successful season.
Westlake
Head Coach: Travis Haselswerdt
Years at school: 17
Last Year’s Overall Record (Conference Record): 5th in SWC
Number of Returning Starters: 6
Athletes to Watch: Ashley Boyd (Jr), Grace Holmes (So), Olivia Irwin (Sr), Sydney Peer (Fr), Teagan Walsh (Sr)
2019 Season Outlook: With six returning members from last year’s roster, the Demons have the potential to repeat another top half finish in the always tough SWC while competing for a Regional qualifying spot at the District meet. Replacing star runner Erica Francesconi will be difficult, but Senior Teagan Walsh, one of the top runners in the area, looks poised to qualify as an All-SWC finisher and Regional qualifier for a fourth straight time. Meanwhile, Olivia Irwin and Ashley Boyd look to lead the core of the team while freshman standout Sidney Peer could be the dark-horse the team needs to make a real run as the year enters the post-season.
