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Magis Athletes of the Week: Reed, Lang, Paez, and Kelly Lead the Way

By Joe Ginley '12 , 10/23/19, 9:45AM EDT

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Topher Reed and his coach, PJ Myers '99, discuss a shot at States.

It was a busy weekend filled with travel for Saint Ignatius Athletics.

The Golf Cats headed to Columbus for the State Tournament, the Football Cats journeyed to Cincinnati, and the Cross Country Cats trekked to Lorain Community College. The Soccer Cats began the playoffs at home.

This week, we selected several great young men, including one young man who's made an indelible impact, though not on the field. 

As always, the Magis Athletes of the Week are brought to you by the Carfagna Family Magis Athletic Center. 

Cross Country – Matt Kelly '22

Before the start of the season, head cross country coach Dr. Mike Gallagher '71 predicted that some young runners would find their way onto varsity as impact athletes by year's end.

Kelly has made Gallagher's prediction come true.

The talented sophomore has worked his way onto the varsity team for the postseason. And Kelly proved his worth with a nice effort at Districts. Just as he's done all season, Kelly quietly excelled and helped the Wildcats win the race.

Thanks in part to Kelly's efforts, the Wildcats won the District Championship at Lorain Community College on Saturday. And the Wildcats look poised to compete for the Regional crown at Boardman this coming Saturday.

Beyond his efforts on the course, Kelly plays a large role in promoting the team. All season, Kelly has helped to cover the Cross Country Cats. Every week, Kelly sends us pictures for Twitter and Instagram. In races when he's not running, he posts videos to Instagram and Snapchat.

As an SIBN broadcaster, Kelly also calls basketball and lacrosse games during his free time. He's an excellent young man with good things ahead.

Football – Jake Lang '20

When he needs a big third-down conversion, quarterback Griffin Hanna often looks to Jake Lang, and with good reason.

Lang is a reliable tight end with good hands. At 6’3", 195 pounds, Lang is an athletic player with good range. Add a never-say-die attitude to his God-given talents, and you have a helluva football player. 

Lang made his mark on Saturday's game in a big way. The senior hauled in 7 passes for 110 yards, including a 46-yard touchdown. Every time Hanna needed a big play, he turned to Lang, and the big man delivered.

On the season, Lang has 27 catches, tied for tops on the team. He has 423 yards and 1 touchdown, both very good marks. Many of the yards come after the catch, as Lang always fights for extra yards. Lang is never easy for an opposing tackler to bring down. 

Lang is also a multi-sport athlete. He played an important role for the Saint Ignatius baseball team in its journey to a State Championship in 2019. Along with the rest of the team, Lang served food to our those in need through the Labre Ministry to the Homeless this spring. 

Look for Lang to compete for some Magis Awards in the spring on the baseball diamond, too. 

Golf – Topher Reed '22

The last, but certainly not the least, Magis Athlete of the Week of the season for the Golf Cats is a special student-athlete.

Not so often does a golfer like Topher Reed pass through the halls of Saint Ignatius. Reed combines his God-given talents with an excellent mental aptitude on the course. Few golfers have the intestinal fortitude to attempt the shots Topher Reed does. 

Reed may have won this award several other times this season, but any Saint Ignatius fan could have predicted an outstanding tournament by the sophomore.

Indeed, the talented young Wildcat showed his stuff at the State Tournament this weekend, tallying a 79 (+7) on Friday and a 77 (+5) on Saturday. His finishing effort on his final 9 holes of the season on Saturday showcased his jawdropping talents. 

Reed is a sign of great things to come for the Saint Ignatius golf program.  

Soccer – Julio Paez

We might have chosen any one of a number of Wildcats after an 11-1 Sectional Final win over Valley Forge. But we're going to break the trend this week and choose a young man not "on the team."

Any student-athlete who has played a sport at Saint Ignatius will tell you the importance of managers and trainer aids. Dating back to the 1950s, students have helped as managers, statisticians, and videographers. Two years ago, Saint Ignatius Athletics honored Gus Schindler '58 for his contributions. The Four Year Letterman Award was named in his honor, which is presented to our students who participate as managers, trainers, broadcasters, videographers, announcers or statisticians all four years of their high school career. 

Any player, coach, or parent who has been a part of the Saint Ignatius program in the last few years will tell you about Julio Paez and his great impact.

For the last three years, Paez has been a rockstar of a manager for the Saint Ignatius soccer program. As a manager, Paez handles a wide range of responsibilities and obligations. He's at every practice and every game, always ready to help in any way needed.

Head Coach Mike McLaughlin '85 calls him an indispensable member of the program. Along with the huge senior class, Paez will be missed next season. He's a humble young man with a great sense of humor. 

Many times, managers don't get the credit they deserve. We want to be sure that's not the case. The Soccer Cats feel lucky to have him as part of the family. He'll always have a place in the program.

Julio has a bright future ahead of him, as do his fellow managers, Nate Brej and Joey Enright. All three are the definition of Men for Others.