The CJ winter sports teams brought heat to the basketball court, pool, bowling alley, track and mats even with the cold weather outside. The season ended with two teams sending students to the state level competition and several athletes receiving post-season awards.
Update: The results from the indoor state track and field competition on Saturday, March 5 were:
UPDATE: Moran placed 7th in the 500 and 11th in the 200 freestyle events. Zelina placed 12th in the 200 and 20th in the 100 freestyle events. Congratulations!
Road to State: To a school full of cheers, swimmers Macleary Moran '18 and Jorge Zelina '19 participated in the traditional "walk to state" around the CJ hallways on Wednesday, February 24.
"I am most looking forward to competition," Zelina said. He will be competing in the 100 and 200 freestyle events.
The Class of 2016 women golfers will not be playing for CJ in the fall, but their dedication to the team is still seen when they attend current CJ golf practices.
"We hope to carry on the legacy," shared Lizzi Yeazel '16. "It's nice to see all the new girls and how excited they are to play. I hope that I can help build up their work ethic and hopefully inspire them to work really hard."
Head Coach George Menker '55 said current seniors and golfers who have graduated have always been welcomed back for the winter, spring and summer practices.
Smiles of proud friends, family and coaches filled the library on Thursday, February 11 as Derson Pratt ‘16 signed to play football at Cincinnati Christian University.
“He’s going to be hard to replace,” said CJ Football Head Coach Marcus Colvin. “Derson really grew in four years, both academically and physically. Those are all the things you want at CJ. I’m proud that he is going to go on and has a good foundation to continue playing in college.”
Also attending the signing ceremony were coaches from Cincinnati Christian University.
"Opponents would have to beat Anna to beat CJ."
That was just one of the many things women's soccer Head Coach Roy Craig had to say about Anna Money '16 before she signed her letter of intent with The University of the Cumberlands. Money was the only senior to take part in National Signing Day, Wednesday, February 3.
"I've always wanted to be a part of this," Money shared. "To sign on National Signing Day is pretty cool."
The 2015 GCL North-winning CJ varsity baseball players spent the first two days of their winter break mentoring and coaching younger baseball players eager to learn more about the sport.
The CJ baseball winter camp was split into two sessions this year; one for students in Grades 3-5 and the other for students in Grades 6-8.
"We thought it would be better to split the campers up that way they can focus on what they are able to do ability-wise," said CJ assistant varsity baseball coach Mike Hoendorf '03.
On Friday, December 18, in front of a sold out crowd of students, parents, alumni, and supporters, head men's basketball coach Joe Staley '72 was recognized for his 400th win at CJ.
"The team would not be the same without Joe," said assistant varsity coach Charlie Szabo '98. "We have had a good tradition, but this current CJ basketball is all him - he has built this."
Staley came back to CJ to be the head men's basketball coach in 1985. His first game was against Carroll, the same school the Eagles defeated on Friday with a score of 57-50.
"In order to win, you have to have strength."
R.D. Caldwell Junior knows a thing or two about what it takes to have strength. Caldwell, the 2014 NPC Mr. Universe middleweight and overall champion, recently spoke with the CJ wrestling team and shared his nutrition tips along with what motivates him.
"I saw Caldwell recently at the YMCA," shared CJ Wrestling Head Coach Larry Dryden. "I have known him since he was in grade school. So when I saw him, I asked him to talk to the wrestlers about proper nutrition; but I believe they got a whole lot more out of his talk."
The second senior of the award-winning 2015 women's golf team signed her letter of intent on Tuesday, November 24.
Ellie Cronin '16 will be playing golf for Cleveland State University next year.
"I like that it's in the city," said Cronin. "My sister went there too so I think it's cool that I can have a shot to go where she went."
CJ women's golf coach George Menker '55 said Cronin was one of the top players he has seen in the women's golf program's entire existence.
