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: Mary Bartek
Years at school: 7
Last Year’s Conference Finish: Girls – 4th, Boys – 1st
Number of Returning Starters: Girls – 9, Boys 14
Athletes to Watch: Chase Aruskevicius (Jr), Ethan Belak (S0), John Belak (So), Kevin Heyd (Sr), Jeremy Onacila (Sr), Aubrey Pluta (Sr), Emma Sekerak (Jr), Gabby Smith (S0).
2019 Season Outlook: The Comets are primed for another great season, having nine seniors to lead this year’s roster and the girls roster has some freshmen who are ready to step in the spotlight.
Avon
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Avon Lake
Head Coach: Daniel Smith
Years at school: 6
Last Year’s Conference Finish: Girls – 1st, Boys – 3rd
Number of Returning Starters: 9
Athletes to Watch:
2019 Season Outlook: With 22 freshmen on the roster this winter, Coach Smith hopes to bring the young squad up to speed with the help of his large senior class. Avon Lake will look to focus on the elements of swim technique and lead the conference with heart and hard work.
Berea-Midpark
Head Coach: Ty Morgan
Years at school: 2
Last Year’s Conference Finish: Girls – 5th, Boys – 6th
Number of Returning Starters: Girls – 14, Boys – 9
Athletes to Watch: Abigail Calaway (S0), Michelle Dranuski (Jr), Mallory Redetzki (Sr), Megan Thai (Sr), Eliza Wegner (So), Jadyn Zahursky (Jr), Ethan Barker (S0), Caden Dees (Sr), Jacob Hoessle (Jr), Eli Washburn (Sr), Roman Wentzel (Jr), Mitchell Windahl (Jr).
2019 Season Outlook: The Titans boys and girls teams are young and leaning on their upperclassmen to help guide them through the season. They are working very hard and putting in quality time in the pool.
Lakewood
Head Coach: Doreen O’Malley
Years at school: 2
Last Year’s Conference Finish: Girls – 6th, Boys – 8th
Number of Returning Starters: Girls – 8, Boys – 4
Athletes to Watch: Beno (Fr), Bussert (Jr), Miranda (Sr), Polen (Sr), Saracina (Jr), Simcox (Jr), Tucker (So), Woodford (Jr).
2019 Season Outlook: The Rangers will be looking to build upon last year. With several returning swimmers, Lakewood looks to expand on their achievements they made in the pool in 2018-19.
Midview
Does not field a swimming and diving team for 2019-20 winter season.
North Olmsted
Head Coach: Bonnie Greer
Years at school: 5
Last Year’s Conference Finish: Girls – 9th, Boys – 7th
Number of Returning Starters: Girls – 3, Boys – 5
Athletes to Watch: Jamie Kennedy (Sr), Elena Kobak (So), Eve Kobak (Sr), Braden Martens (S0), Nathan Wenger (Jr)
2019 Season Outlook: Graduating seven last year, the Eagles are young but hungry. They are working hard in the pool and anticipating a lot of growth this season.
North Ridgeville
Head Coach: Jason Young
Years at school: 1
Last Year’s Conference Finish: Girls – 8th, Boys – N/A
Number of Returning Starters: N/A
Athletes to Watch: Aaron Dunstan (So), Lilly MacDonald (Sr), Andrew Margolin (Fr), Jolie Roussat (S0), Lauren Steinbrunner (So)
2019 Season Outlook: The Rangers are young and still building their swim program this season, but Coach Young is optimistic that his group can continue to build from last year.
Olmsted Falls
Head Coach: Rich Szczepinski
Years at school: 1
Last Year’s Conference Finish: Girls – 7th, Boys – 4th
Number of Returning Starters: 5
Athletes to Watch: Evan Bolton (Jr), Delaney Burton (Sr), Lillie Katsaras (So), Quinn Kennedy (Jr), Hannah Kho (Sr), Grace Kolesar (Fr), Jack Surtman (Sr), Lucas Trupo (Sr).
2019 Season Outlook: Olmsted Falls is excited to begin a new era. New opportunities in and out of the pool should fuel an exciting season. Under the first-year coaching staff of Rich Szczepinski, Katie Pierce, Adam Crabtree, and Kevin McCaffrey the swimmers are looking forward to seeing tremendous improvement. Led by a senior class of 14, including returning SWC scorers Hannah Kho, Ari Ponticelli, Andrew Schroth, Jack Surtman, and Lucas Trupo and impact newcomers, the Bulldogs look to rise in the SWC rankings.
Westlake
Head Coach: Emily Stephenson
Years at school: 3
Last Year’s Conference Finish: Girls – 3rd, Boys – 2nd
Number of Returning Starters: 20
Athletes to Watch: Olivia Irwin (Sr), Grace Kelsheimer (Jr), Taylor Malin (Sr), Isabella McFadden (Sr), Abby Prout (Sr), Katie Sanchez (Sr), Emilie Tobin (Jr), Kara Wilkinson (Sr), Stephen Blair (Sr), Landon Clarke (Fr), Lance Clemons (Sr), Aidan Cockburn (Jr), Ethan Drake (So), Ryan Forshey (So), Luke Heberle (Jr), Max Lee (Sr), Aedan Prout (Jr), Shane Quinn (Jr), Hussein Said (Sr), Jack Williams (Sr), Jacob Wylie (Jr)
2019 Season Outlook: The Westlake swimming and diving teams have started their preseason with strong work ethic and determination. They have set goals, both individually, and as a team, and are working hard in and out of the pool to achieve those goals.
