The upcoming weekend will be quite busy for Saint Ignatius Athletics.
All four fall sports teams are in action and in the midst of postseason competition. It's a do-or-die weekend for the Wildcats, as the weather turns fall-like and the stakes increase.
Here's a look at where the Wildcats will be this weekend.
Cross Country
Scheduling changes have made for an unanticipated break for the Saint Ignatius Cross Country team. The varsity squad has not raced since October 3, so the Cat Pack has had a chance to rest and become healthy.
Head Coach Dr. Mike Gallagher '71 has the Wildcats rested and ready for a deep postseason journey.
The postseason begins for the Cross Country Cats on Saturday. The team will head to Madison High School for the District Meet. The Wildcats won the race in 2016, 2018, and 2019, earning second place in 2017.
Juniors Matt Kelly and Sean Uhran have led the Cat Pack all season long, while seniors such as Aidan Monroe, Peter Fitzpatrick, Connor Geary, Connor McAndrew, Joseph Maloney, and Luke Chesney have all performed aptly, as well.
Golf
At long last, the big dance has arrived for the Saint Ignatius Golf program.
After a record-smashing regular season, the Golf Cats' final goal is in sight. Led by Head Coach PJ Myers '99, the Wildcats crave a state championship, and they have the talent to do it.
Nick Longano is the lone senior, but juniors Topher Reed and Sean Hoagland provide plenty of leadership, too. Connor Malicki and Nick Piesen are talented sophomores, while Bradley Chill, Jr. has been a freshman phenom. All six are great young men who are poised and composed on the course.
The Scarlet Course at The Ohio State University is the site for the State Championship. The course is one of the toughest the Wildcats have faced all season. But with the team's mental training and physical preparation, the Golf Cats are ready for the challenge. This could be a special weekend for the Wildcats.
Football
Following a tough regular season, the Wildcats are beginning to heat up.
The men of Chuck Kyle '69 have rattled off two straight playoff wins, a 42-14 rout of Solon and a 30-20 conquest of Euclid. Medina awaits next in the Regional Semifinal, the Wildcats' toughest playoff test yet this season. The Battling Bees bested St. Edward last week, 35-31.
Resilience amidst injuries and tough competition has defined this team, as has a grittiness embodied by junior running back Marty Lenehan. The West Parker ran for 178 yards on 39 carries to lift the Wildcats to last week's win. Quarterback Joe Pfaff will look to help the offense remained balanced against Medina.
The Bees boast a prolific Air Raid offense with a stout run game. Linebacker Aidan Hubbard, defensive end Bennett Adler and the front six will look to pressure the quarterback, while the secondary will look to limit the downfield attack. The defensive backfield is anchored by Chris Snyder and Cole Smith at cornerback, along with Emmett Hanna, Braeden Lair, and Griffin Taliak at safety.
Friday's Regional Semifinal will be at Byers Field at 7 pm. The SIBN will have live audio-only coverage, since Spectrum is broadcasting the game.
Soccer
Plenty of folks around the state expected 2020 to be a down season for the Wildcats after the graduation of a supremely talented and deep senior classes. Not so.
The Wildcats enter the postseason with a flawless 13-0 record. The team wrapped up the regular season with a dominant 5-0 win over Dublin Jerome, the #3 ranked team in the state. The #1 Wildcats will begin the playoffs with a showdown with Parma in the Sectional Final on Saturday at 3 pm on the SIBN.
The Soccer Cats have allowed just five goals this season, a sign of just how well the defense has gelled and how reliable Liam Sowell has been in net. The backline has been phenomenal and the midfield has been stout and flexible in moving the ball around the pitch.
Offense has been no problem, either, with plenty of goals by a wide range of players. Senior Marko Rimac, junior Luciano Pechota, and sophmore Nolan Spicer are three of the team's top playmakers, but not the only big-time scorers, by any stretch. Just about everyone on the roster has tallied either a goal or an assist this season, showing just how deep this squad is.
The Wildcats could be primed for a long playoff run, if things come together.