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Fall Sports Awards Ceremony

By Eddie Dwyer, 11/22/16, 9:00AM EST

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Another season of success, including more State and National prominence for Coach Mike McLaughlin's Soccer Cats, highlights Monday night's 2016 Saint Ignatius Fall Sports Awards ceremony in The Breen Center for The Performing Arts.

By Mr. Eddie Dwyer, Copyright Credit November 2016

Cleveland, Ohio - In addressing the Wildcats' fall sports teams, their coaches, their parents, family members and friends in attendance at The Breen Center for The Performing Arts on Monday night, Saint Ignatius' outstanding Athletics Director Rory Fitzpatrick '88 spoke of the lineage of success that accompanied Coach Mike McLaughlin's record-setting Soccer Cats, junior Michael McCaffrey's drive to the OHSAA State Golf Tournament, and Coach Dr. Mike Gallagher's Cat Pack, which raced to a seventh-place finish in one of the most demanding State Championship races in the history of Ohio cross country.

In essence, Mr. Fitzpatrick spoke of the character that accompanied the 2016 Soccer, Golf and Cross Country Wildcats, and how their roads to success were paved at home through their wonderful parents and families.

As someone who was privileged to cover and report on Saint Ignatius Athletics since the summer of 2008, let me just say the character and genuineness of the 2016 soccer, cross country and golf athletes brought an Irish-eyes smile to my face every time I sat down and hit the keyboard. I confess there were a few tears of joy, also. 

To the families of these very special young men, you can be so proud of the manner in which you paved the way for them and the class and character they developed along their many roads to success.

HERE IS A CORNER'S VIEW OF ANOTHER FALL TO RECALL

The Wildcats' Men of the Links: Junior Michael McCaffrey highlighted the 2016 Golf Season at Cleveland's Jesuit Preparatory School by qualifying for the 91st annual OHSAA State Golf Tournament on the always demanding Scarlet Course at The Ohio State University.

After the first round of state competition was rained out, the state championship was shortened to 18 holes of stroke play the next day.

"Being a first time qualifier, Michael represented himself and Saint Ignatius very well," said Wildcats Head Golf and Head Basketball Coach Brian Becker '77.  "Battling wind and a soggy, tough golf course, Michael's final score of 83 placed him in the middle
of the field."

Michael, honored this fall as a Saint Ignatius Student-Athlete of the Week, qualified for the State Tournament out of the highly competitive Pine Hills District as one of the top individuals not on a qualifying team. He shot a 39 on the front nine and a 36 on the back nine for a round of 75 at Pine Hills. The calm and cool McCaffrey then pared his playoff hole versus four other players to seal his place in the Division I State Tournament. Showing the same poise he carried with him all season, Michael came up with a big-time birdie in qualifying for the playoff hole.

As a team, Saint Ignatius shot a 312 at the Pine Hills District and finished just three strokes off the final state-qualifying team score.

"Michael, who is just a junior, has next year to look forward to in his quest to be a state champion," Coach Becker continued.

 

Congrats to our Jesuit Brothers from Cincinnati St. Xavier, who brought home the State Golf Team Championship, and all of the best to Michael, now and in the future.

Here are the 2016 Golf Awards from Coach Becker and his staff.

MVP and State Qualifier Award - Michael McCaffrey; Rookie of the Year - Freshman Andrew Kaye; The prestigious Coaches Cup - Senior Angelo Corna; First-Year Letter Winners - John Klym, Conor Warns, Ross Williamson, Ryan Grabowski, Angelo Corna, Owen Bilardo, Ray Kman, Michael McCaffrey, KJ Ripich and Andre Kaye; Second-Year Award Winner - Jake Moraca, and Fourth-Year Award Winner - Hunter Rinkus.

Saint Ignatius' talented and tough-minded harriers: If I may, and for those who missed it, I would like to pass the summary of the Wildcats' Medina District Championship season over to the man who guides the fortunes of the Cat Pack, Head Coach Dr. Mike Gallagher '71, and his highly anticipated and colorful Sunday Night synopsis throughout the season.

It is the final Gallagher Report on what was another Autumn to Cherish in Wildcats Cross Country, one that saw stellar senior C.J. Ambrosio run to All-State Honors in a school-record performance and all seven state competitors garner Academic All-Ohio Honors.   

From the Head Coach of the gifted and resilient 2016 Cat Pack, Dr. Mike Gallagher '71

Runners and parents,

COACH GALLAGHER: Well, the 2016 season is in the books!  This year's state championship meet was another burner. Nearly 40 runners broke 16:00!!  The skies were clear. The temperature was a very runner friendly 55 degrees and the wind was barely enough to fill the windsocks at the adjacent Hebron municipal airport.  FYI. Their web site listed "lots of Ag activity on the airport-spray planes and a spray helicopter!"

The field was expanded to twenty teams and 186 runners this year, so the early race would be chaotic and turns would favor the front runners. The start was reminiscent of coach Ed Eyestone's description. "It's like riding a horse in the middle of a buffalo stampede. It's a thrill to keep up, but if you don't you're nothing but hoof prints."

The gun went off precisely at 12:30 and it was game on.

C.J. (Ambrosio) had a lot of company as the leaders hit the first mile in 4:42. The rest of the field was through by 5:15. With 800m to go, it was still a 10 man race.

Dustin Horter from Lakota East made the decisive move to put the competition away and finish in 15:02. C.J. opened the nitro tank and sprinted to a 4th place finish in 15:15!  That set a new school record and secured his second all-state performance.

Andrew Szendrey was a man on a mission. Smart pacing, even splits and a 65 second last 400 brought him in with a PR time of 15:59. Liam McGuire, all 120 lbs of sinew and muscle, pushed himself to a PR time of 16:29 for 55th place. Nick Saul bested his time from last year to finish in a PR of 16:31.  Running like a veteran in his first state meet appearance, sophomore Andrew Biehl ran through the chute with a new PR in 16:41. Collin Kelly took advantage of his last XC meet to finish with a huge PR of 16:47!  Colin Canigula was in the mix for 400m until the flu bug caught up with him, slowing him to a hard earned 18:17 time.

When the points were totaled, the Solon Comets were the victors with a miserly 79 points. The 'Cats scored 205 points to finish in 7th place in the 20-team field.

Congratulations to all seven runners for being named Cross Country Academic All Ohio!!!!!

Thanks to all the supporters and teammates who made the journey to support the team!  The vocal and creative Wildcat fans (enlarged runner photos, banners and more) were "fan"tastic! Thanks to the parents who provided enough tailgate food to feed several teams. - Doc

Here are the team awards from Coach Gallagher and his staff: Team MVP - C.J. Ambrosio, Senior MVP - Andrew Szendrey, Senior Most Improved - Collin Kelly, Coaches Award - Pat Nolan, Junior MVP - Liam McGuire, Junior Most Improved - Will Deucher, Sophomore MVP - Nick Saul, Sophomore Most Improved - Andrew Biehl, Freshman MVP - Steven Zucca, and Freshman Most Improved - Liam Reilly.

THE 2016 STATE AND NATIONAL CHAMPION SOCCER WILDCATS

The numbers speak for themselves - a 22-0-1 season versus one of the most demanding schedules in the nation, a record third consecutive OHSAA Boys State Soccer Championship, an eighth overall State Championship added to the record seventh that was achieved in 2015, a second consecutive and fourth overall National Championship and, with the 2-1 victory over Columbus area St. Charles Prep in the November 13th OHSAA State Championship Match at MAPFRE STADIUM in Columbus, an unbeaten streak that now stands at 59 consecutive matches.

No, repeating those numbers will never get old. They have a permanent place in my old, but still sharp sports mind, and even a bigger spot in my heart.

It is an honor and a privilege to present the Soccer Cats' 2016 Team Award Winners, courtesy of Nationally Acclaimed Head Coach Mike McLaughlin '85.

Most Valuable Player - Ohio's Mr. Soccer, Stephen Milhoan '17

Most Valuable Player - Stephen Milhoan

Co-Most Valuable Offensive Player - The Soccer Cats' outstanding Head Junior Varsity Coach and Varsity Assistant Mr. Jim Brennan '85, who might have set a state and national record for "own goals" awarded.

Most Valuable Midfielders - Johne Vrablic and Alex Gotsky

Most Valuable Defensive Players - Tommy Patacca, Adam Haas, Patrick Strauss, and unflappable goalkeeper Lodge Dils.

The prestigious Coaches Cup - Kevin Callanan, and the prestigious Magis Award, Thomas Hogan.

Gentlemen, a heartfelt congratulations and Thank You for all of the kindness and respect you gave to this seasoned reporter.

Saint Ignatius is blessed to have such "Men for Others."

Yes, The Boys Were Back in 2016, and now the entire soccer state and nation realizes that.