CYC Sports

Archdiocesan Playoffs in Soccer and Volleyball started in mid-November and concluded December 9th.  Players, coaches and fans are anxious and excited about playing for the "City-County Championship".  That type of atmosphere can lead to a lot of different emotions.  At times those can be negative, but when sportsmanship shines through in this environment, it is a wonderful thing to witness.  Here are just some of the great sportsmanship that was on display during the CYC playoffs. 

 Mackenzie Daiber is a spark plug of positive energy and enthusiasm.  As her St. Joachim and Ann Crusader team (above left) played in their first round game, she was cheering on her teammates, congratulating them when they made a good play and helping keep their spirits up if they made an error.  In their first round game against Mary Queen of Peace, both teams started a little tentative and nervous.  But soon Mackenzie's energy spread to her entire team and they played high level volleyball.

Melissa Eichorn coaches the St. Catherine Laboure (SCL) Crusader girls volleyball team (above right in blue).  Her team was locked in a very tight, tense match with the defending Champions, St. Alban Roe.  In the middle of the third and deciding game the ball was hit through the ceiling rafters to the other side... or did it hit the rafters.  The officiating crew got together to be sure to get the call right.  The call was made, and it went against SCL.  Some of the loyal SCL fans began to voice their displeasure with the decision.  Coach Eichorn calmly stood up and said "Parents and fans, that will be enough."  The fans obliged.  The coach took quick and decisive action to make sure the fans didn't get out of hand, and put the focus back on playing the game.  Her act of sportsmanship help everyone in the gym stay focused on their roles:  Players Play, Coaches Coach, Officials Officiate and Fans cheer positively for their team. 

A team RAS (Random Act of Sportsmanship) goes to the St. Norbert Intermediate Boys Open team that played Thursday night at CVAC-B8.  Coach Scott Enstall and his team came up against a very good Ascension team in the first round of the playoffs.  In fact, Ascension went on to win the championship.  Ascension controlled the game, however the St. Norbert crew continued to work hard, never giving up and never turning the game into a rough, chippy contest.  They had a few second half scoring opportunities, but were never rewarded with a goal.  The should be very proud of their effort in a 4-0 loss.

Austin Blom plays 8th grade soccer for St. Gerard Majella.  He earns a RAS for encouraging and cheering on his teammates through out the game.  Quite often you could see him pat a teammate on the back for a nice effort and give compliments to teammates.  But the most impressive act came when there was a 50-50 ball that he was a tad late getting to.  He tripped his opponent.  Not a dirty play.  A foul was called.  But his opponent was down for a while.  He immediately went over to the downed opponent to make sure he would be alright, and apoligized.  Good Sportsmanship Austin!

Finally, two RAS were given out during the Junior Boys game between Ascension and St. Cecilia at CBC on Friday night, November 30th.  The first to Ascension coach, Tom Church.  He had a large team that evening and had a set rotation where his players played a very even amount of time through out the game.  Then the game went to overtime, and he kept his rotation, giving all his players plenty of playing time in an elimination game. 

On the St. Cecilia side, we were impressed by #11, Daniel Nyugen, and gave him a RAS when he collided with an opponent.  There was no foul, but his opponent went to the ground.  While the ball was still in play near him, he did not pursue the ball.  Instead he turned around and offered his hand, and helped the opponent up.  No doubt everyone saw that act of sportsmanship, as the ball was in the same area.  At the end of the half, both officials commented on Daniel's act of Sportsmanship.  Way to go Daniel!

CYC Officials Fleming & Picha    Tom Church's Ascension Jrs.    St. Cecilia Jrs, Daniel Nyugen in headband

Please keep your eyes open and let us know if you see a Random Act of Sportsmanship at a game.  It can be by a player, coach, official and even by fans.  If you see one, drop us a note describing it.  Send it to buzzswanston@archstl.org .  Thanks!

                                         Klages                Wilson             Friedman              Blood                   Mahl 

Many players that started playing sports in the CYC advance to play in high school and college.  As the fall sports season comes to an end, here are a few that have earned some academic and athletic honors at their universities.

• Katie Klages and Hannah Wilson are teammates on the Evansville University volleyball team.  Katie is a Junior defensive specialist, and Hannah an outside hitter.  Katie led the team in digs and was third in aces.  While Hannah was second in both kills and digs for the Aces.
• Maddie Friedman is a freshman at Ole Miss, and played a key role in the defensive backfield for the Rebels.  Mississippi finished with a 13-9 record and Maddie logged the most playing time on the team.
• Tessa Blood helped the Washington University Bears to a 31-4 record this season.  She has worked hard to recover from a back injury suffered last year.  Mid way through the season she earned her spot on the right side back.
• Victoria Mahl is a junior defensive specialist for the Rockhurst Hawks, which finished the season with a 28-7 record.  Victoria had 619 digs on the year, almost double the amount of any other teammate.  That helped her earn 3rd team honors in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.
• The MIT men's volleyball team has 3 former CYC players on it.  Junior Matt Hohenberger was just named Academic All-District.  He led his team with 365 kills and a hitting percentage of .323.  Teammate Pat Vatterott led the team in blocks, with 120 this season.  And Junior Kenny Siebert finished the year with a team high 51 aces and had 338 kills for the Engineers.
• Jason Grant scored 5 goals and had 7 assists as a sophomore forward for Western Michigan's soccer team.  WMU finshed with a record of 11-6-2 and helped the Broncos to the highest collective grade-point average (3.45) among all Division I soccer programs.
• Senior Nick Maglasang and the St. Louis University Billikens finished the season ranked in the top twenty.  Nick will never forget his overtime goal at the homecoming game to give SLU a 1-0 victory over Drake.
• Junior roundballer, Mike Mayberger was named to the all-tournament team of the Lopata Classic played at Washington Univeristy.  Mike scored 22 points in the title game, but his Illinois Wesleyan team lost to the Wash. U. Bears 67-57.
• IF YOU HAVE A STORY TO SHARE ABOUT A FORMER CYC PLAYER, PLEASE PASS IT ON TO Buzz Swanston at buzzswanston@archstl.org .  We love hearing about folks that Played CYC Sports!

You may not recognize these girls when they are not on the field, but that is the St. Joseph-Manchester Juvenile girls soccer team.  They, along with their coach, Pam Bowen, and some of their parents are being recognized for their Random Act of Sportsmanship (RAS) off the field.  Most times we are honoring players, coaches and teams for what happened at the game.  But in this case, it is for what happened after the game.  After their game on November 3rd, these girls along with the coach and other parents gathered at one of the players house to do yard work.  They raked leaves, cut grass, cleaned the gutters and patio and mulch flower beds.  That player's father is undergoing chemotherapy treatments, so they all wanted to pitch in and help.  What a wonderful act of kindness and yes, sportsmanship!  Thank you girls for being such a great example of Christian athletes and friends.

If you see a Random Act of Sportsmanship by a player, team, coach, official or fans, please let us know.  We would like to share it with the whole CYC family.  Email the description to buzzswanston@archstl.org .

A benefit to celebrate over 20 years of devoted service to the St. Bernadette Athletic Association is being held Sunday, November 18th, at 6pm in the St. Bernadette Gym at 74 Kearney, St. Louis, MO 63125.  Mac has been diagnosed with advanced dementia.  He is unable to work and Mary has had to leave her job in order to care for him.  The Boerschigs could use some assistance with mounting medical bills.  The Boerschig family has spent over 20 years managing the gym and being part of the Athletic Association.  If you would like to attend the benefit please contact Ken Kelly at kkelly53@charter.net or call Mary at 314 892-5549.  If you can not attend but would like to donate a gift certificate to the family for food, houshold items, prescriptions or clothing you may send your donations to Mike Bander at 5541 Seagrave Ct, St. Louis, MO 63129.  For more details click here.