Rocket athletes commend strong winter sports season

Parents, coaches, and athletes gathered to celebrate the 169 athletes and 31 senior athletes that participated in the successful winter sports season. 

During the Winter Sports Awards, 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 also honored the nominees for the Bonded Together Award. This award recognizes 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 community
• support the sisterhood and brotherhood that make McNicholas so special

The nominees were Grant Waters for boys basketball, Ava Strange for girls basketball, Hayden Shelly for boys bowling, Katie Noble for girls bowling, Kennedy Kramer for cheer, Brigid O'Malley for swimming, and Solomon Snyder for wrestling. Congratulations to Kennedy Kramer and Hayden Shelly who won the award. 

Mr. Schmidt also highlighted each team with a 2025 Winter Sports Recap: 

Cheer

Cheer had their biggest varsity squad for basketball season than in recent years. Led by eight seniors, they were loud and proud with new cheers and performances to get the Launch Pad fired up! They've put in the practice and attention to elevate the boy's basketball games for our Rocket fans. 

Wrestling

The wrestling program has grown leaps and bounds over the last three seasons. Just a few seasons ago, there was uncertainty if the program would continue with just one wrestler. This season, the boys had 16 wrestlers and the addition of the first McNicholas female wrestler! More boys wrestlers made the podium at the league meet than in the previous seven seasons with Gio Scorti, Solomon Snyder, Max Monahan, and Spencer VonBusch all advancing to the District Championships. Freshman Cici Snyder is the first McNicholas girls wrestler to compete in the OHSAA as a sanctioned sport for girls wrestling and finished the season in 6th place at Regionals, just one win short of advancing to the state championships. 

Bowling

The girls bowling team placed in the top-5 at sectionals and went on to compete at the District Championships where they finished in the top-20 of the region. The boys team earned King of the Hill beating Anderson and Turpin and finished the GCL Coed League season with an undefeated record. They were the league champions for the first time ever and went 15-1 overall in their matches. Five bowlers placed all-league and junior Tyler Sanders earned bowler of the year honors. They also competed at the D1 level for the first time in program history and placed in the top-5 at sectionals and top-15 at the District Championships. 

Boys Basketball

Five seniors led the team this season beating Turpin and Anderson to earn King of the Hill. The boys finished their season in the 2nd round of the District tournament. Individual players, sophomore Grant Waters and senior Charlie Clark, were named 1st team all-honorees. Waters also broke the single season and all-time career records for most three pointers. The freshman team was crowned GCL Coed league champions in their season. 

Girls Basketball

Three four-year varsity contributors led the girls team this season. Starting their season strong with and 8-2 record, the girls claimed Queen of the Hill. After a brief losing stretch, they wrapped up the season winning eight of their last 11 games. Seniors Jordan Wheatley and Mia Nienaber both joined the 1,000-point club this season and Wheatley also surpassed 500 career rebounds. They finished the season as District Champions and Regional Runner-Ups, the furthest the program has gone in 20 years. 

Swim

The school record breaking relay team consisting of sophomores Annabel Comer, Brigid O'Malley, Charlotte Jenkins, and junior Emma Rosenbaum and alternate freshman Kelsey Litkenhaus made it to the District Championships as a team with Rosenbaum and Jenkins also competing as individuals. Charlotte Jenkins had a record-breaking season advancing to the state championships for the first time where she broke the school record in the 100 breaststroke and finished 23rd in the state. Emma Rosenbaum advanced to the state championships for the third consecutive season breaking numerous records along the way. She finished the season 5th in the 200 freestyle and 8th in the 100 butterfly.