EXCELLENCE IN THE CLASSROOM CARRIES OVER TO THE ATHLETIC FIELDS.
SAINT IGNATIUS RECOGNIZES ITS STATE CHAMPION SOCCER TEAM, STATE RUNNER-UP CROSS COUNTRY TEAM AND A VARSITY GOLF PROGRAM THAT FEATURED THE POISE AND SKILLS OF THE GIFTED BEAU TITSWORTH.
BY EDDIE DWYER, COPYRIGHT NOVEMBER 2011
Before Saint Ignatius' highly successful soccer, cross country and golf teams broke bread with their families, classmates and coaches in the Rade Dining Hall, Principal Peter H. Corrigan, Jr. congratulated the athletes and emphasized that Saint Ignatius' excellence this fall also continued on the academic levels of National Merit Scholars and Commended Students.
That success, both academically and athletically, speaks volumes about the Jesuit Preparatory School and its mission of building "men for others."
Thursday night, several of those well-rounded young men received a well-deserved round of applause for, as Wildcats Athletic Director Rory Fitzpatrick '88 said so well, putting in the endless time and effort that go hand-in hand with their outstanding accomplishments. Rory also thanked the parents, not only for the support they give their sons, but also the dedication they have for the entire athletic department.
Coach Mike McLaughlin's nationally acclaimed soccer program, which brought home a record fifth state championship, was not only recognized for its will-testing and skillful play, but once again earned its spot as an All-Academic All-Ohio team. The Wildcats finished 22-1 and will enter next season on a 17-match winning streak and winners of 45 of their last 46 matches.
In summing up a season that saw Saint Ignatius win three consecutive tournament games - a district final and two regional matchups – in Golden Goal overtimes, Coach McLaughlin '85 said it was challenging, but a lot more satisfying.
"And the best part was that we started and ended each day with a prayer," said the man who has molded the Wildcats into one of the most consistent programs in the Unites States.
Saint Ignatius' brilliant senior midfielder/forward Matt Foldesy, a University of Akron recruit, was chosen as Ohio 's Mr. Soccer (State Player of the Year and Division I Player of the Year).
Foldesy, who in the words of Coach McLaughlin is probably the best soccer player ever to come out of Saint Ignatius, is the fourth Wildcat to garner Ohio's Mr. Soccer. Vaughn Spurrier was Mr. Soccer in 2009, Mark Blades was Mr. Soccer in 2005 and Gavin Blades was Mr. Soccer in 2004. Foldesy ended his two-year career with 42 goals, 31 assists and 16 game-winning goals.
The Wildcats' unflappable senior defender and Indiana recruit Zach Martin earned second-team All-Ohio. Martin and Foldesy are the program's 25th and 26th All-Ohio players since 1995. This marks the third consecutive season Saint Ignatius has placed two players on the All-Ohio team.
After honoring each one of his players individually, Coach McLaughlin thanked his coaching staff of Jim Brennan '85, Joe Popelka '84, Dan Crew '99, Tara Henderson, Paul Kobe '79 and Barry Rice '06. He then acknowledged the tireless and outstanding work of Head Trainer Hank Gaughan A.T.C., and the efforts of Team Managers Kevin Henry and William Malley, Team Videographer Andreas Saldanas and the Saint Ignatius Broadcasting Network crew of Lewis Backus, Lucas Matheson, Evan Frost and Greg Ziton.
Rory Fitzpatrick also thanked the SIBN and its Moderator Jeff McCormick '83, Hank Gaughan, Pat Cummings A.T.C. and Wildcats Varsity Sports Team Chaplain, Fr. Jack Murphy.
Below are the various team awards (as presented by the coaches) for soccer, cross country and golf. Coach Mike Gallagher '71 guided his harriers to a second-place finish at the annual OHSAA state meet, which this year was run on the National Trails Raceway course in Hebron, Ohio. Coach Gallagher's team was ranked No. 1 in Ohio by the state's coaches association.
SOCCER
Co-MVP's - Matt Foldesy, Zach Martin
Most Valuable Offenive Player - Matt Foldesy
Most Valuable Midfielder - Tyler Sanda
Most Valuable Defender - Brendan Cash (a two-year record in goal of 42-1 with 22 shutouts)
Magis Award - David Mog
Coaches Cup - Jimmy Forde
CROSS COUNTRY
Captains: Mitch Baum, Tim Galla, Rob Purgert
MVP: Mitch Baum
Coaches Cup: Pat Lipaj
Most Valuable Senior: Drew Galang
Most Improved Senior: Brian Keaton
Most Valuable Junior: Jack Miller
Most improved Junior: Vince Bartram
Most Valuable Sophomore: David Meler
Most Improved Sophomore: Jeff Foerg
Most Valuable Freshman: Michael Kraft
Most Improved Freshamn: Brendan Leitch
Golf
4th Year Award
Beau Titsworth
Matt Gerard
3rd Year Award
Christian Wagner
2nd Year Award
Conor McKiernan
Team MVP
Beau Titsworth – 4 year letterman, 2 year team captain, District All Scholastic, Plain Dealer Player of the Year, First-Team All-Ohio, State's big-school co-medalist.
Matt Gerard - 4 year letterman, 2 year team captain, District All Scholastic.
Christian Wagner – 3 year letterman, District All Scholastic.
Conor McKiernan – 1 year letterman.
Joe Malone – 1 year letterman.
Clay Holizna – 1 year letterman.
PJ Malik - 1 year letterman.
****Beau Titsworth ended his outstanding career at Saint Ignatius by earning Division I co-medalist honors at the OHSAA state tournament. An Oklahoma recruit, Beau had a two-round total of 150 on the demanding Scarlet Course at The Ohio State University.