With the winter athletic season beginning this week, the Southwestern Conference is excited to launch its Southwestern Conference Winter Preview. The preview will be a tradition for faithful Southwestern Conference followers and will signal the beginning of the much anticipated 2019-20 winter 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 Winter sports as they begin their 2019-20 campaigns:
Monday Nov 18 – Bowling & Gymnastics
Tuesday Nov 19 – Swimming/Diving & Hockey
Wednesday Nov 20 – Wrestling
Thursday Nov 21 – Boys Basketball
Friday Nov 22 – Girls Basketball
Amherst Steele
Head Coach: David Dull
Years at school: 2
Last Year’s Conference Finish: 4th in SWC
Number of Returning Starters: 3
Athletes to Watch: Hannah Aschenbach (Fr), Katherine Dull (So), Trinity Miller (Sr), Katelyn Romansak (Sr), Makayla Velasquez (So)
2019 Season Outlook: With last year’s SWC Most Valuable Bowler, sophomore Makayla Velasquez, back in the fold for 2019-20 season, the Comets look to continue to improve on last year’s third place conference finish.
Avon
Does not field a girls bowling team for 2019-20 winter season.
Avon Lake
Head Coach: Bill Gallagher
Years at school: 2
Last Year’s Conference Finish: 6th in SWC
Number of Returning Starters: 6
Athletes to Watch: Grace Gallagher (So), Phoebe Hood (Sr), Rayana Meyers (Sr), Chloe Smith (Jr), Amber Wartham (Sr)
2019 Season Outlook: The Shoregals look to continue their journey to states after lasts years debut at the OHSAA Finals. The dedication of the team shows as they practice five days a week up to their first match.
Berea-Midpark
Head Coach: Sharon Zeszotek
Years at school: 7
Last Year’s Conference Finish: 2nd in SWC
Number of Returning Starters: 3
Athletes to Watch: Emma Diedrich (Jr), Laney Fouts (Jr), Andrea Guzowski (So)
2019 Season Outlook: Several members of the Titans 2nd place team from 2019 return as the program continues to grow from its 14-2 season last year.
Lakewood
Head Coach: Derek Smith
Years at school: 3
Last Year’s Conference Finish: 9th in SWC
Number of Returning Starters: 3
Athletes to Watch: Megan Ashley (Sr)
2019 Season Outlook: While the Rangers team is very young, their roster is full of enthusiastic girls who are eager to continue to grow the program at Lakewood.
Midview
Head Coach: Anthony Qualls
Years at school: 1
Last Year’s Conference Finish: 5th in SWC
Number of Returning Starters: 3
Athletes to Watch: Karissa Haight (Sr), Alexis Qualls (Sr), Savannah Wilson (Sr)
2019 Season Outlook: The Middies girls team will look to challenge for the top spot in the conference, lead by their three returning seniors and getting a nice lift in the addition of two young bowlers with much bowling experience.
North Olmsted
Head Coach: Tom Hart
Years at school: 15
Last Year’s Conference Finish: 3rd in SWC
Number of Returning Starters: 4
Athletes to Watch: Jordan Giraldo (Sr), Mikayla Johnson (Sr), Taylor Stergar (Sr)
2019 Season Outlook: The Eagles team returns a solid nucleus that has had a lot of success over the past few years. They are looking forward to another solid season.
North Ridgeville
Submission not received in time for posting.
Olmsted Falls
Head Coach: Chad Kuchenmeister
Years at school: 3
Last Year’s Conference Finish: 7th in SWC
Number of Returning Starters: 4
Athletes to Watch: Mallory Carrol, Delaney Condosta, Heather Prodan, Katelyn Sharp
2019 Season Outlook: The Bulldogs team will be lead by Senior Katelyn Sharp as they look to defend their Handicap GCIBL title.
Westlake
Head Coach: Rob Button
Years at school: 4
Last Year’s Conference Finish: 1st in SWC
Number of Returning Starters: 2
Athletes to Watch: Taylor Hedges (Jr), Jenny Wisniewski (Sr)
2019 Season Outlook: After graduating two All-Conference seniors, the Westlake Girls will look to repeat again as SWC Champs as returning varsity bowlers Wisniewski (12) and Hedges (11) continue to improve. They will be joined by a number of rising JV bowlers vying for three varsity positions, including Emily Hyland (12), Gabrielle Hansen (11), Gabi Atanaskovic (11), Rema Alsabony (11) and newcomer Annabelle Bodi (9).
