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Photo by Leon Chuck
Head coach Aaron Oakes has a half-time huddle with Jills basketball team during Miami Valley School bout.
By Alan Livada
The team had hoped at least one of their seven qualifiers for Districts would move on to the state level competition next week in Columbus but it didn’t happen that way. The competition was extremely tough in the 42-team double-elimination tourney held at Fairmont, as traditional powers Troy Christian and Coldwater and Blanchester captured top honors. For seniors Matt Werst, Joel Turner and Alec Livada this was their last shot, and they acquitted themselves well with spirited performances. Junior John Harmon with three super sophomores, Daniel Jacobs, Paul Hochwalt, and Brandon Bustillo, also wrestled tough and will get another chance next year.
Last week nine wrestlers had put themselves into great position for Districts by needing only to win their last match to qualify. This time, only Paul Hochwalt had that opportunity. He started strong as the Oakwood’s lone number one seed (32-4 record), recording two straight workman-like pins. Unfortunately, Paul lost twice in a row to Troy Christian and Bluffton opponents and finished just out of state qualifying.
As for the seniors, Matt Werst was still suffering from a previous injury, though this didn’t stop him from giving a great effort. After a nice first round pin and second round loss, Matt bowed out only after a hotly contested 2-0 loss to, you guessed it, a Troy Christian wrestler who’s early reversal held up to a furious attempt at a game-tying takedown. Matt ended his superb season at 32-9. Joel Turner at 26-12 started slow with a first round loss to the number two seed but came back aggressively with
two victories - one a well-executed pin, before a tech fall ended a great run for Joel. Alec Livada at 13-13 lost two tough matches, especially when he had his second opponent with a gaudy 23-9 record in a near fall position but couldn’t maintain the hold.
Photo by Leon Chuck
OHS sophomore Paul Hochwalt’s (119 pounds) outstanding wrestling season comes to an end. Before the Divison III District Wrestling Championship, Hochwalt’s record was an amazing 32-4 and was the number one seed. Paul Hochwalt finished sixth in the district championship.
For the three others coming back with Paul Hochwalt, they all wrestled hard and gained a great deal of experience. Daniel Jacobs brought his 24-11 record into Districts and started out well with a second period pin over Stivers. DJ lost a tech fall, but bounced back strong with a 7-1 win in the third round over Dixie. However, like Matt Werst, DJ lost another tight 2-0 contest as his Covington opponent parlayed an early takedown into victory with stifling defensive tactics. Brandon Bustillo, 22-17, was pinned by the bracket’s #2 seed then took out an Allen-East wrestler 10-8 in a great back and forth match. Brandon ended the year with a tough loss to a Versailles wrestler who had given the bracket’s top seed all he could handle. Finally, Junior John Harmon at 18-16 had the toughest draw getting the number one seed from Lima. He wrestled very well before dropping a third period decision. His season ended with a close 3-1 decision to Clinton Massie.
Photo by Leon Chuck
Coaches Paul Seim and Gary Kesler discuss strategies before the match.
Coach Gary Kesler remarked this team was very tight as a group and a real pleasure to coach. He’s looking forward to next year as a strong core of talent will be coming back and he’ll be adding some excellent help from the junior high squad. The team wants to thank everyone for all their support during the year and hopes for an even better outcome in 2007-08!
1. Troy Christian 224; 2. Carlisle 124; 3. Coldwater 112; 4. Mechanicsburg 110; 5. Blanchester 105.5; 6. Miami East 94.5; 7. Greeneview 75.5; 8. Bluffton, W. Liberty-Salem 69.5; 10. Versailles 58.5; 11. Madeira 57; 12. Reading 56.5; 13. Jefferson 55; 14. Allen East 52; 15. Dixie 50; 16. Spencerville 45.5; 17. St. John’s 42; 18. Clinton-Massie 40; 19. Madison 34.5; 20. Covington 32; 21. Miami Valley School 27; 22. Oakwood 24; 23. Preble Shawnee 22; 24. Northeastern 18; 25. Triad 16.5; 26. Lemon-Monroe, Williamsburg 12; 28. Lima C.C., Waynesville 11; 30. Brookville, Cin. Hills Chr., Lehman 7; 33. Lockland 6; 34. Columbus Grove, Day. Christian 4; 36. Arcanum, Deer Park, Jefferson Twp., Lincolnview, Purcell Marian, Stivers 3; 42. Mid. Christian 2; 43. Cin. Country Day 1
The successful season of OHS girls basketball comes to a post season end by falling to Little Miami by a score of 40-50. The two high scorers were sophomore Cathryn Hardy with 16 points and junior Brittany Moore with 15 points.
Brittany Moore sets up the offense.
Cathryn Hardy checks the defense.
Name: “The Miami Valley Super League”
What: 7th & 8th Grade/ 13U & 14U Spring Boy’s and Girl’s Basketball Leagues.
Select & AAU Teams only, no individual players.
Where: The Miami Valley Schoo l- Washington Township
(2 College Length Gymnasiums - One is Air Conditioned)
When: From April 3rd - June 7th, 2007
How Much: $400 Per Team
Contact: Ken Laake 937-434-4444 (116)
At the New Balance Big South Indoor Track Championships on Sunday, the Lady Flames finished as runner-up behind Coastal Carolina for the second-straight year at the event hosted by Clemson.
Arlene Zelinskas (Sr., Dayton, Ohio) totaled 36 of the Lady Flames’ tallies, winning two events and taking a pair of runner-up finishes. Her second event win came on Saturday, as the senior won a fast 60-meter hurdle final, by 0.02 seconds over Coastal Carolina’s LeAuna Sistrunk.
Zelinskas’ time of 8.47 broke her own school record and meet record. It equals Sistrunk’s time from earlier this season as the all-time fastest mark by a Big South athlete. In the two-day conference meet, Zelinskas won the 60 hurdles and high jump and was the long jump and pentathlon runner-up.
The 2006 Big South Women’s Track Performer of the Year, Zelinskas shared the award with Coastal Carolina distance runner, Felicitas Mensing this season. Zelinskas also earned a spot on the Big South All-Academic roster.
Gary Kesler, Harman Elementary physical education teacher and OHS varsity wrestling coach, has recently become certified as a National Strength and Conditioning Coach.
This certification is a highly specialized credential that identifies those who have demonstrated the ability to design safe and effective strength training and conditioning program for athletes. “Gary is working with coaches and student/athletes to develop sport specific programs and emphasize proper technique and safety procedures,” said Mark Hughes, OHS director of athletics.
Adult Open Gym
Open Gym is held Tuesday nights to area men and women interested in a game or two of pick-up basketball. There is no residency requirement; however proof of residency is required. $1 for Oakwood residents and $2 for non-residents.
Spring Sports
Hey Kids! Sign up now for
Kickball, T-Ball, and Coach Pitch.
2-on-2 Basketball Tournament
Sign up for the 15th Annual Family 2-on-2 Basketball Tournament, Saturday, March 10. This is for Oakwood children in grades 3, 4, 5, & 6, and family members 18 years of age or older.
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