Christian Academy of Louisville (CAL) seniors, Gabi Albiero, Mia Beam, Shelby Calhoun, Olivia Lawson, Elizabeth Fortuna and Caroline Donovan all signed letters of intent on Wednesday to play at the collegiate level.

The signing ceremony was opened in prayer by High School Assistant Principal, Robbie Brown.

“It takes so much hard work and sacrifice to get to this level,” said CAL Director of Athletics, Brad Morgan. “It’s exciting to celebrate each of these athletes as individuals, but each of them have been key contributors to their teams’ successes as well.”

The athletes took the podium to thank parents, teammates, coaches and friends for their support.

Each athlete was recognized by their coach who shared stories and encouraged them to continue their success on their respective campuses.

The ceremony concluded with all 6 athletes officially signing letters of intent to the following schools:

Gabi Albiero, swimming – University of Louisville 
Mia Beam, basketball – Cornell University 
Shelby Calhoun, basketball – Virginia Tech University 
Caroline Donovan, soccer – Samford University 
Elizabeth Fortuna, soccer – University of Cincinnati 
Olivia Lawson, soccer – Xavier University

Varsity football began its revenge tour on Friday night, traveling to Mercer County to face the Titans in the first round of the playoffs. Seeking to avenge a regular season loss to the Titans, the Centurions took immediate control and scored on their opening drive. Senior Anthony Sabatino’s pass to junior Gage Geren set up the score, with junior Brandt Babin running in for 6. After an unsuccessful PAT attempt, the score was 6-0, CAL.

The Titans answered quickly with a touchdown and successful PAT of their own, putting the score at 7-6, Mercer County. Not to be deterred, the CAL offense took the field again, and a Sabatino 65 yard pass to Geren was good for another CAL touchdown. Sophomore Dylan Cornett’s PAT kick was good, and the score was now CAL 13, Mercer County 7.

After the CAL defense forced the Titans to punt, CAL marched down the field again with good runs by senior Luke Leeper and Babin. Sabatino’s pass to senior Harrison Zimmerer was good for another CAL touchdown. Cornett’s PAT kick was good and the score moved to 20-7, CAL. After strong defense by seniors Jake Taylor, Kevin King, Ma’khei Mayes, Nate Dobbs, juniors Will Minrath, Will Paar, Brandt Babin and Braeden Babin and sophomores Matthew Mauzy and Andrew Dupps, the Centurion offense hit the field again, this time scoring with a 52 yard Sabatino strike to Leeper. The PAT kick was good, and the Centurions now led 27-7.

While Mercer was able to score on a long run during their next drive, CAL quickly answered with another touchdown of their own, this time with a Babin run. Cornett’s PAT kick was good, and the Centurions headed into the half with an impressive 34-14 lead.

The second half was a defensive duel, with neither team putting any more points on the board. Despite a scoreless second half, CAL left no doubt that they are playing their best football of the season and intend to show up to round two of the playoffs ready to fight. Next up the Centurions will travel to rival DeSales, where they will seek to avenge the regular season double overtime loss and continue their quest for a third state championship. Come out to DeSales on Friday night and support your Centurions! Go CAL!

The regional meet served as a warmup for the state meet held this past weekend at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. With team spots secured, the runners focused on attacking the 5k open, hilly course on a cool windy day. For the ladies, 234 runners representing 30 teams started at the gun. As the race progressed, one Centurion started to pull away to lay claim to the fastest runner in the field. CAL’s Addi Dewey crossed the finish line first with a time of 19:13, 18 seconds ahead of the next runner, to take the State Championship Title!!!

She was quickly followed by Kaylee Wilson, placing 5^th with a time of 19:43. The remaining Centurions were Emma Wilkins (16^th, 20:22), Janna Leef (39^th, 21:17), Allie Melhorn (42^nd, 21:19), Caroline Bobnar (55^th, 21:39) and Kaitlyn Bader (106^th, 22:49). Their combined times were good enough to lead the ladies’ team to a 2^nd place overall in the State Class 2A division.

The boys’ team, inspired by the success of the ladies, took the line next. A total of 251 runners took off, battling each other and the difficult course. Josh Starmer was the first Centurion to cross the finish line in 50^th place with a time of 17:57. He was followed by teammates Tommy Ott (61^st, 18:09), Matt Rosenbaum (97^th, 18:39), Josh Jordan (104^th, 18:44), Cameron Tapp (115^th, 18:54), Carson Guilford (141^st, 19:18) and Zach Siegel (145^th, 19:22). This group of runners led the men’s team 14^th place, out of 32 teams, in the state!

Overall, the CAL cross county teams, lead by coach Brian Dewey, enjoyed a fantastic season that matched and exceeded expectations. With only a handful of seniors on the teams this year, the Centurions look to be well positioned for equally great seasons in the near future.

Tuesday, October 15^th was the date, Seneca Park was the place and the event was the 2019 Louisville Private School Cross Country Championship where the Centurions were ready to rumble. A smaller field of runners lined up for the boys first on a hotter than expected day. Sixty-four runners toed the start line with 3 Centurions crossing the finish line 3.1 miles later in the Top 10 to give CAL 2^nd place overall.

The CAL runners were led by Tommy Ott finishing 5^th (17:33), followed by Josh Starmer in 9^th (17:55) and Cam Tapp in 10^th (season best 18:07). The other CAL runners were Matt Rosenbaum (14^th, 18:48), Josh Jordan (15^th, season best 18:49), Zach Siegel (18^th, season best 18:59), Drew Bryan (23^rd, 19:30), Carson Guilford (28^th, 20:33), Isaac Nelson (32^nd, 21:12), Andrew Lampe (40^th, 21:554), Evan Surran (52^nd , 23:40) and JT Sitlinger (55^th, 24:14).

Not to be outdone, the lady Centurions rocketed off the start line and didn’t let up. Five CAL runners placed in the Top 10 leading the team to a 1st place overall finish. The team was paced by Addi Dewey who came in 1^st (19:06) with Kaylee Wilson on her heels (19:06) for second. Rounding out the top 10 were Emma Wilkins (5^th, 20:35), Janna Leef (8^th, 21:08) and Caroline Bobnar (10^th, 21:33). The remaining CAL runners were Kaitlyn Bader (12^th, 22:07), Macy Stitzinger (14^th, 22:07), Abbie White (23^rd, 23:50), Ashlyn Clark (37^th, 27:17) and Hanna Talbot (38^th, 27:45).

This past Saturday, members of the CAL Softball team volunteer at the Miracle League, a baseball league for children with physical, cognitive, and or emotional disabilities. Our players were paired with a Miracle team player and were their “buddy” for the game.

Together, they hit the ball, ran or rolled the bases, and played the field for an action packed game of baseball. It was a beautiful day of fellowship and a blessing for all that volunteered.

On Saturday, September 28th, 7th grader Landon Stilwell and 8th grader Brady Smith played in the Middle School State Golf Championship which was held at Quail Chase in Louisville. Both Landon and Brady shot one-under par for a score of 71, which put them in a two-way tie for first place. A sudden death playoff would determine the winner. It took a par on the 6th playoff hole by Landon to come away with the win. 

NET GAINS: CAL girls soccer coach keeps emphasis on Christ during undefeated season

Christian Academy of Louisville’s girls soccer team is undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the state, but for head coach John Zutt, soccer is about more than just wins and losses. 

In fact, he doesn’t even know his team’s record.

“I get asked this often, and I should know,” said Zutt, 61. “Honestly, I don’t keep up with it.”

“He doesn’t focus all his attention on soccer,” said player Olivia Lawson. “Something special he does is he’ll take five to 10 minutes to talk about the sunset. It’s just like the little things he brings to practices and games. He always tries to help each of us grow in our faith and at soccer. He has a perfect balance between a coach and a role model.”

A four-year starter, Lawson has played for Zutt through great victories and heart-breaking losses.

“One thing I’ll never forget is after every email he will always leave it with a quote from (Clemson football coach) Dabo Swinney: ‘Let the light that shines in you be brighter than the light that shines on you,’” Lawson said.

Zutt emails his players a devotional each Wednesday and Sunday night.

The Centurions are 12-0-2, and three players have committed to play for Division I schools. As expectations of remaining unbeaten and winning a championship rise, Zutt’s goal is that his players, opposing coaches and players, fans and referees experience Christ.

“I have been incredibly blessed over the past 16 years coaching to help our teams come together each season to train and compete at the highest level possible and to use the platform of athletics and our talents to impact others for Christ with every opportunity,” said Zutt, a Southeast Christian Church member since 1997.

Sweet 16

As his daughters grew up, Zutt helped coach their club and youth soccer teams.

When his two oldest played at CAL, Zutt cheered for his girls from the stands, but then the chance to coach came knocking.

“Our youngest daughter, Kara, was a sophomore and the coach at that time was from England and relocated back home,” Zutt said. “They needed someone to take over and coach. The school reached out to me. The intention was to try to step in and coach for a year or two. It’s been 16 years.”

Zutt also coaches his granddaughter’s soccer team at Southeast, and the CAL team puts on a one-day youth clinic for players and coaches at Southeast to kick off the season every year.

Emotions can run high on and off the field during games, but Zutt said his players share their Christian witness by staying composed, yet playing competitively.

“I have a huge amount of respect for them to play in a very physical and competitive environment and to always stay composed,” Zutt said. “To know they are carrying a bigger responsibility. You can have a warrior mentality, but have a Christian witness about you throughout the game.”

Before games, CAL’s 20 soccer players each write “BHS” on their wrists, which means “By His Spirit,” taken from Zechariah 4:6, which says, “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit.”

After every home game, they invite the other team to pray with them.

Zutt said it’s no different during road games.

“When we go on the road, I’m often reminding the girls that we are representing not only our school, program and families, but our faith,” Zutt added. “To be a beacon of that every time they go into a game situation. They have an opportunity to impact someone or many with how they handle themselves throughout the course of a season.”

Taking down Goliath

That sentiment is easy when games are going well, but harder when adversity strikes.

“There’s going to be adversity through the course of a season through injuries and things that don’t go as planned, but to come together and persevere is something individually and collectively as a team we talk about,” Zutt said.

That adversity came early on.

On Aug. 19, CAL was playing No. 1 team and defending state champs, Sacred Heart Academy. It was a tight game and during a physical play, CAL’s goalkeeper hit her head and had to sit out to go through concussion protocol.

The team with seven seniors, six of whom have been four-year starters, united together.

“I challenged the girls to rally around, and we had a field player step up and move in as goalkeeper,” Zutt added. “She did something she didn’t really want to do … and we played through that as a team.”

CAL won the game 1-0 and gave Sacred Heart its first loss to a Louisville opponent in nearly four years.

It’s been a sweet 16th year for Zutt and his team, but the reward isn’t in their record.

“Regardless of our record, our next game up is our next opportunity,” Zutt said. “I challenge the team to be the very best version of themselves for a full 80-minute game. If they do that, more times than not, the result will go in their favor.”

The Centurions have one regular season game left before tournament play starts.

While CAL sits at No. 1 in the state, Zutt says his No. 1 fan is his wife, Susan, who stands by him in complete support.

“I’m grateful for my greatest blessing, my wife, and the sacrifice she makes during every season,” Zutt said. “Susan is the first person I look for after a big victory, and she’s also the first person there in those tough losses.”

Article Posted 10/3/19 BY TONY NOCHIM | tnochim@secc.org
http://www.southeastoutlook.org/news/article_7ee9be12-e541-11e9-b38a-67e5a43035d0.html

This past weekend, the CAL high school Cross Country team sent their top 7 boys and girls to the Franklin County Invitational, held at the Kentucky Horse Park. Under a clear sky, 287 ladies lined up to take on the open, hilly 5k course. The gradual, uphill start separated the pack as the runners entered the first of several tight turns. As has been the norm this season, Kaylee Wilson and Addi Dewey led the lady Centurions throughout the race, charging to the finish in a lighting fast 19:46 and 19:48, respectively, to finish in second and third places overall. They were followed by teammates Emma Willkins (21:24, 40^th), Janna Leef (22:12, 61^st), Caroline Bobnar (season best 22:44, 82^nd), Macy Stitzinger (23:26, 110^th) and Kaitlyn Bader (23:59, 135^th), running to an overall 5^th place team finish out of 36.

Grace Walker and Chrissy Popovich traveled to Bowling Green for the Bowling Green High School Invitational played at Bowling Green Country Club. Chrissy Popovich holed out her 2^ndshot from 108 yards on a par 4 to record an EAGLE! She also had a birdie to finish with a very solid 82. Grace had one of her best rounds of the season which included 4 birdies! Her 1 over par 73 was good enough for 2^ndplace in the field of 86 girls from across the state.