Rockets celebrate successful winter sports season

Parents, coaches, and student athletes gathered on Monday, March 28 to celebrate the 133 athletes and 22 seniors who competed in the exciting and successful winter sports season.

During the Winter Sports Awards program, Athletic Director Drew Schmidt recognized the accomplishments of teams and individuals, applauded the spirit of the Launch Pad and Rocket fans, and thanked the seniors for four-year commitments to their school and their sport.

Mr. Schmidt said, “We’d like to honor and thank each of our seniors for being a part of something bigger than themselves, committing to personal and team goals, and giving us everything they had while competing as a Rocket.”

Mr. Schmidt also honored the nominees for the Bonded Together Award. This award recognizes student athletes who fit the following criteria:

• are exemplary teammates who care for academic success, progress, and integrity
• elicit pride at school events
• go above and beyond what is anticipated in their sport
• respect their peers and community members in a genuine manner
• provide service to the school and to the community
• support the sisterhood and brotherhood that make McNicholas so special

The nominees were senior Trey Gardner for boys’ basketball, senior Kaycie Badylak for girls’ basketball, senior Stephen Fridley for boys’ bowing, senior Cloe Jones for girls’ bowling, senior Emily Simms for cheer, junior Aiden Kelly for boys' swimming, junior Allison Plush for girls’ swimming, and senior Pierce Taylor for wrestling. Special congratulations to Cloe Jones and Trey Gardner who won the award.

Mr. Schmidt also highlighted each team with a 2022 Winter Sports Recap:

Boys Basketball

The Boys Varsity Basketball Team ended the regular season with a 9-13 record, competing in the second round of the OHSAA Tournament. Senior Trey Gardner and junior Tyler Haynes earned 2nd Team League honors and sophomore Andrew Ehlers was named Honorable Mention All-League. The junior varsity team was 10-11 and finished third in the league. The freshman team went 17-5 and 8-2 in the GCL.

Girls Basketball

The Girls Varsity Basketball Team showed growth this year, winning four more games than last year, two more tournament games than the previous season, and competing in the District Semifinals of the OHSAA Tournament. Senior Kaycie Badylak was voted GCL Co-Player of the Year and freshman Jordan Wheatley was Honorable Mention All-League.

Boys Bowling

The Boys Varsity Bowling Team placed in the top 5 of the Sectional Tournament and advanced to the District Tournament. Senior Dean Singleton bowled a 710 at Sectionals to place second individually. Singleton earned 1st Team All-League, senior Luke Righter and junior Shawn Roesel earned 2nd Team All-League, and junior Matthew Robey earned Honorable Mention All-League.

Girls Bowling

The Girls Varsity Bowling Team placed in the top 7 in the Sectional Tournament and advanced to the District Tournament; senior Mara Jones led the way in the Sectional Tournament with the high score for the team. Seniors Nicole Bell and Emily Fridley earned 2nd Team League honors and sophomore Avery Elliott was named Honorable Mention All-League.

Cheer

The cheerleaders brought energy, noise, and passion to the gymnasiums this winter. They were led by seniors Dani Ayers, Zoe Hoffman, and Emily Simms. 

Swimming & Diving

The boys and girls swim teams competed hard this winter. Junior Allison Plush placed in the Sectional Tournament and advanced to the District Championships held at Miami University.

Wrestling

Senior Pierce Taylor went 35-1 this season, earning back-to-back GCL Coed Championships, Sectional Championships, and District Championships, as well as GCL Coed Wrestler of the Year titles. Pierce ended the season and his high school wrestling career as the 144-pound Division 3 State Wrestling Champion!