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Magis Athletes of the Week: Wallenhorst, Dinya, Yarian, Kurtz, Metz

By Joe Ginley '12 , 01/15/20, 12:30PM EST

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Camden Kurtz and the Ice Cats will celebrate Senior Day on Saturday.

Believe it or not, we've surpassed the halfway point of the winter sports season. Each sport is on its own schedule, but each sport has played more than half of its contests this season.

The playoffs are still a little ways off, about a month or so for most of the five Saint Ignatius winter sports squads, but not as far away as you think.

With that in mind, many of our Magis Athletes of the Week are student-athletes who have been consistent contributors this season but may not have received a ton of attention so far. All 5 are also great young men.

So, let's learn more about them. As always, this feature is presented by the Carfagna Family Magis Athletic Center.

Basketball – CJ Yarian '22

Many sophomores playing on the varsity team can scuffle or at least be unknowns. Playing on varsity as a sophomore with the Basketball Cats is not an easy feat, as typically only a few per year make the varsity cut.

But CJ Yarian is not your average sophomore.

It helps that Yarian is a household name in Saint Ignatius basketball circles. His older brother, Austen '17, starred for the Wildcats as a big man. In fact, Austen also made the varsity as a sophomore. Braeden '20 also serves as a manager on the basketball team.

But beyond the name, Yarian is a very skilled player who uses his height to his advantage. At 6'8, 185 pounds, Yarian has great size as a forward or center. But beyond his size, Yarian plays with a wisdom beyond his years. He's a smart young man with a great basketball IQ, who always makes the right plays.

Yarian proved to be critical for the Wildcats this weekend. Yarian did not put up big numbers, but his presence and skills were definitely utilized. 

Having Yarian in the lineup allows the Wildcats to play big. Yarian can play the 5 at center, allowing Henry Raynor to play the 4, or a power forward. But Yarian is not a lumbering player, as he can drain 3's and be athletic in the low post. 

Warren Harding struggled to shoot over top of Yarian on Saturday, and that was one of the reasons the Wildcats won. The Raiders were forced to stay outside and shoot treys, while Yarian and Raynor worked together to grab rebounds.

Yarian will be key for the Wildcats in the second half of the season. Collinwood will confront Yarian and the Cats on Tuesday at 7 pm. 

Bowling – Ryan Wallenhorst '21 

All season long, Ryan Wallenhorst has flashed his brilliant skills. Ahead of the regular season Greater Cleveland Interscholastic Bowling League (GCIBL) finale on Saturday, Wallenhorst has been dynamite.

His great efforts started when Wallenhorst burst onto the scene with an outstanding effort vs. Westlake in November. In December, he thrived at the Wildcat Classic. And now in January, he's really hitting his stride.

Wallenhorst helped the Wildcats best Garfield Heights on Saturday by a nice margin. The Alley Cats had little trouble dispatching of the winless Bulldogs, in part because of Wallenhorst's great day.

The junior notched scores of 160 and 170 for a nice 340 series on Saturday. With Wallenhorst's leadership, the Cats excelled in both the two regular games and the three baker games.

You'd be hard-pressed to find a harder worker than Wallenhorst. He models a strong work ethic with his willingness to hit the alleys on for practice and even on offdays to improve.

Wallenhorst and the Wildcats face Olmsted Falls at Brookgate Lanes on Saturday, and then compete the Black & Gold Sectional Warmup Tournament at Rollhouse Lanes in Parma on Sunday. 

Hockey – Camden Kurtz '20 

All season, Camden Kurtz has been a key player for the Wildcats. A captain for the Wildcats, Kurtz is a great team leader, both on and off the ice.

Kurtz is hard-working forward who makes a big impact for the Wildcats every shift. Kurtz is a dynamic player for the Wildcats. 

Kurtz flashed his skills this weekend in Burlington, Ontario at the Blyth Showcase. Playing against some great Canadian competition, Kurtz showed why he's a player not to overlook on the ice. 

The senior did much of his damage on Saturday. Kurtz found the back of the net twice in the Saturday morning game vs. Ottawa Valley. Trailing 3-0, the Wolves looked to make a comeback. Ottawa Valley scored to make it 3-1, but then Kurtz stepped in to end all hopes of a comeback. 

The senior scored the Wildcats' fourth goal of the day in impressive fashion, setting the lead back to 3 goals. Later on in the game, Kurtz added the final dagger, putting the Wolves away and setting the final score at 6-1.

Kurtz was at it again in the weekend finale vs. Pre-Northern University. 

The team leader opened the scoring on Saturday afternoon with a beauty. His opening tally set the tone for the game, which featured another offensive explosion by the Cats.

Later in the contest, Kurtz tallied the final goal of the game and the weekend. Kurtz's 4th goal of the day set the margin at 6-1. With Kurtz's help, the Wildcats outscored their foes on Saturday, 12-2, and their 4 Canadian opponents, 23-7. 

Kurtz and the Wildcats will celebrate Senior Day on Saturday at Brooklyn Rec Center vs. the Pittsburgh Predators. With how close this team is, the day promises to be an emotional one for the Wildcats. 

Swimming & Diving – Thomas Metz '21

In this weekly feature, we love highlighting hard workers.

That's why we've chosen Thomas Metz this week.

An under the radar type of swimmer, Metz is plenty talented. But even more importantly, it's his hard work that sets him apart. His work ethic is unmatched. It's the type of trait that every parent wants to see in their sons and daughters. 

While the Wildcats were not in competition this week, Metz had enjoyed a good season, which is why he's been chosen.

Metz is the type of swimmer who can compete in the 50 free or 400 free, and do either well. Whatever his coaches ask him to do, he does. This season, Metz has swam in the 50 free, 100 free, 200 IM, 200 free, 200 free relay, 200 medley relay, and 400 free relay. 

His coaches have praised his hard work and his attitude. He's the type of young man who coaches love. 

Metz and the Wildcats return to action this weekend after a week and a half away from competition. The team will head to the National Catholic Championships in Baltimore, Maryland. 

Wrestling – Josh Dinya '20 

When the Wildcats needed him this weekend, Josh Dinya stepped up to the plate.

In each of the Saint Ignatius wrestling team’s five matches at the Revere Minutemen Duals Tournament, Dinya earned a big win. 

The senior led the Wildcats notch a 5-0 record at the Minutemen Duals, helping the Clevelanders win the team championship.

Since his arrival at Saint Ignatius, Dinya has been a hard-working Wildcat. Dinya has competed for the wrestling and rugby team for the past few seasons, always leaving a good impression on the coaches. Dinya is a great young man, the type of person you love to root for. Always humble and hard-working, Dinya is the perfect teammate.

Dinya did great on Saturday. He started the day with a hard-earned 5-3 win vs. Marlington. His win proved to be a decisive one, as it helped the Cats best the Dukes. Dinya also provided a nail-in-the-coffin victory in the Cats' second match, a close duel with Revere. This time, Dinya won more handily with a pin. 

His hot streak continued vs. Tuslaw. Dinya worked his magic again with another win via pin, anchoring the Wildcats with a great win. 

Dinya helped the Wildcats advance to the championship match with his next victory, a beauty of a triumph vs. his West Geauga opponent. Dinya needed just 33 seconds to secure a pin. 

The final match presented another challenge and some pressure. The Wildcats had suffered back-to-back losses at 170 and 180. But then Dinya entered at 195 and promptly earned a win. The Wildcats went on to roll past North Olmsted and capture the title.

For his efforts, Dinya won individual MVP honors.

With the win in hand, the Wildcats enter the next stretch of the season with confidence. The march to the postseason starts with the Catholic Invitational Tournament at Elder High School this weekend.