News

On the gorgeous Saturday morning this past weekend, the CAL HS Cross Country team started the season with a strong showing in the 5k Tiger Run. The meet featured over 500 total varsity high school runners from across Kentucky, Indiana and Tennessee with the top 5 runners of each team scoring.

The Varsity girls’ team had a fantastic day placing 5^th out of 25 teams with two top 5 runners: sophomore, Addi Dewey, 4^th with a time of 19:07 and junior, Kaylee Wilson, 5^th with a time of 19:39. These two runners also were recognized by MileSplit as achieving Silver Elite Performances. Way to go Ladies!

Rounding out the CAL top 5 finishers were freshman, Emma Wilkins (21:21), junior, Janna Leef (21:36) and senior, Allie Melhorn (21:52).

The Varsity boys race consisted of 302 runners with sophomore, Tommy Ott leading the way for the Centurions with a time of 17:55 (placing 89^th overall). In the top 5 for CAL, he was joined by senior, Josh Starmer (18:10), senior, Chris Williams-Harris (18:39), junior, Drew Bryan (19:18) and freshman, Carson Guilford (19:43).

The performance was a great way to kick off the season, one in which the team is focused on improving to peak at the state meet in November.

These boys and girls will have a busy week again this week with the Fern Creek Relays on Tuesday and the Run for the Gold in Elizabethtown on Saturday.

The CAL varsity football team was forced to dig deep on Friday night, standing strong on defense and giving everything it had on offense to leave the field with a 6-0 overtime victory against the Dragons of South Oldham. Moving its winning streak to 16 games was truly a team effort, with every player on the field giving everything they had and more to ensure the win. Not one player stopped until the battle was won, leaving Coach Hunter Cantwell with one word to describe the team’s win: PERSEVERANCE.

On a beautiful Friday night, the CAL faithful filled the stands and welcomed an excited group of South Oldham fans for the first official game of the season. Both teams brought their running game, but soon it was clear that defense would be the theme of this week’s battle, as both teams struggled to put any points on the board.

CAL relied on the two headed monster of Brandt Babin and Harrison Zimmerer to control the time of possession. Babin rushed for a game high 131 yards on just 21 carries. The veteran offensive line showed why they rank among the best in the state, continually opening up big holes for the running game. Junior quarterback Connor Masters orchestrated the offense that tested the Dragons defense all night. Each team had its share of chances to score but the CAL defense was too much for South Oldham. Andrew Dupps and Issac Saterfield played outstanding against the run and the pass, and the strong running game of South had met their match with linebackers Jake Taylor and Braeden Babin. The total team effort on defense shut out the 5A powerhouse of South Oldham and their trio of top skill players.

At the end of regulation the score was tied at 0-0. The second coin toss of the night went to South Oldham and they deferred, giving CAL the first chance to score from the ten. Brandt Babin gained 4 yards on first down and Harrison Zimmer packed the rock through the right side of the big CAL offensive line for the first score of the game. The point after attempt failed and CAL led 6-0.

South Oldham now had their shot from the ten. The first down run gained only one yard, followed by a three yard rush. After a timeout, the third down pass was blown up by Jacob Sutherland. It all came down to fourth and six with a pass play to the corner that was too tall for the South receiver. CAL wins in OT 6-0.

It was certainly a team victory, and a great start to the Cantwell era at Christian Academy. CAL takes its 16 game winning streak to Christian County this week and continues the run to Kroger Field and another State Title. Go CAL!

The Kentucky men's basketball team will take the John Calipari Satellite Camp Tour back on the road in June.
 
This season's tour includes nine stops throughout the Bluegrass State. The Wildcats will branch out away from Lexington (within a 100-mile radius of campus, per NCAA rules) to bring hands-on skill instruction to the state's youth.
 
The camps offer the unique opportunity for Kentucky basketball fans to learn from and interact with Calipari, the UK coaching staff and available Kentucky players. The camps allow participants to learn the game of basketball through a fundamental, intensive learning environment. They will also give individuals the chance to learn more about the game, including introducing drills that can be used at home.
 
All camps are open to both boys and girls ages 7 to 17. A limited number of spots are available for all camps and are based on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
The cost for each camp is $99 per camper and includes a camp T-shirt, three hours of instruction with Coach Calipari and the Kentucky basketball staff and available players, competitions, autograph sessions, along with question and answer sessions with Coach Cal.

Register Online at UKathletics.com/camps

June 21 

Christian Academy of Louisville
2:30-5:30 p.m.

CAL’s very own Claudia Thomas just returned from Cologne, Germany where she played field hockey for the U17 National Women’s Field Hockey Team in the Three Nations Tour at the Rot-Weiss Koln Tennis and Hockey Club. As one of the 18 top players selected from across the US, she spent a week in Cologne with Team USA at practices, team events, and eventually games against Germany and Belgium.

After two days of practices, Team USA scrimmaged Germany, giving our girls a chance to get used to the European style of play. While their first exposure to international hockey ended in an exhibition loss, they learned a lot about what it takes to be competitive on the world stage. In an excerpt from the USA Field Hockey website, Claudia was one of the players named by head coach Katie Bam (Maryland) for executing the adjustments and upping the on-field energy.

To kick off the official games of the Three Nations Tour, Team USA once again faced the German National Team. Our girls took the lessons they learned from the practice game and executed beautifully. Although the team fell one goal short and lost 3-4, they made solid on-field adjustments and turned in a very competitive performance. Claudia once again received a shout-out on the website for an assist on one of Team USA’s goals.

On Saturday, Team USA faced their second international opponent, the Belgian National Team. Team USA played their best game with repeated attacks and dominant time of possession. The Red, White & Blue scored first in the hard fought game, and Team Belgium came back to tie the game in the second period. Two additional goals by Team USA were called off by a reversal and a penalty. Ultimately, the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

Although a long way to travel for just two official games, it will be forever a memorable experience for Claudia representing CAL, Louisville, KY, and Team USA. Claudia is now looking forward to playing for the CAL Centurions this upcoming fall, and hopefully earning another Kentucky State Championship!”

CAL Athletics is pleased to welcome Cameron Pridemore as our new head girls’ basketball coach.

Pridemore has coached basketball for 8 years and has been the head girls’ basketball coach at Tipton Rosemark Academy in Millington, TN for the last three years, where he also taught high school history. Pridemore was 67-20 in his 3 years at Tipton Rosemark and posted a 25-5 season record last year, advancing to the final 12 in TN (Division 2).

When the job at CAL opened up, I saw a special opportunity to help girls grow not only as basketball players, but as Christians, students and people,” said Coach Pridemore. “CAL has that same desire throughout the entire school and its athletic programs. The environment and culture around CAL make it a special place to work and coach.”

“We are excited about Coach Pridemore joining our coaching staff. He brings a great passion for developing players and understands the strengths of our program," said CAL Director of Athletics, Brad Morgan. "Cameron’s experience working at a school with youth programs, along with being able to have him be full time in the building, makes for a great fit for our school and our girls’ basketball program."

“The goal for this year’s team will be to continue to build on the success that the Lady Centurion basketball program has had in the past,” said Pridemore. “My vision is to consistently be a program made of high character players who love the Lord, love their teammates, and love playing the game of basketball. I want all of our teams to consistently be known as tough, fundamental teams that play hard, smart, and entertaining basketball.”

Cameron and his wife, Sydney, will be relocating to Louisville this summer and both will be joining the CAL middle school teaching staff for the 2019-2020 school year.

“I look forward to not only coaching and building the CAL girls’ basketball program, but also becoming part of the Louisville and CAL community!” said Pridemore.

The 2019 CAL Golf Classic will be held on Monday, May 13th at Persimmon Ridge Golf Club. Our annual golf classic has played a major fundraising role in the ongoing support of Christian Academy. Our golf classic proceeds benefit the CAL athletic department and all teams (KY campuses) towards equipment, facility improvements, uniforms, coaching development, and training needs. Previous golf classics have provided funds to build a concession stand for the soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey fields, as well as new scores table and chairs for the CAL basketball programs.

Your participation enables the fine tradition of Christian Academy Athletics to continue. It is through the generosity of sponsors and participants that will make this event a success!

CLICK HERE to register!

CAL Athletics announced the hire of head football coach, Hunter Cantwell.  Cantwell played quarterback for the University of Louisville from 2005-2008 and was later signed by the Carolina Panthers in 2009 and the Baltimore Ravens in 2010. In 2012, he became the quarterback coach at Campbellsville University for four seasons and was hired by Carroll County High School as head football coach in 2016. Cantwell most recently led Carroll County to their first winning season since 2012, as well as a first round home playoff win.

“The opportunity to influence young men with the Gospel has always been a strong desire in my life. I think the sport of football is a great vessel to teach character building and spiritual lessons that will carry over into life,” said Cantwell. “CAL has been doing this not only in the classroom but also in athletics since its inception. That is what drew me to this exciting opportunity to be a part of the work the Lord is already doing through CAL.”

“We are excited that Hunter will be leading our football program,” said CAL Director of Athletics, Brad Morgan. “His knowledge and experience, along with his love for Christ and drive to mentor young men, make him a great fit. I am confident that his vision of capitalizing on our strengths at CAL will continue the great success of our football program.”

“Our goal this year will be to once again win the district championship, regional championship, and become state champions in 3A,” said Cantwell.

Cantwell has also accepted a position as scheduling coordinator in the athletic department at Christian Academy of Louisville.

It was an exciting weekend for the Christian Academy Boys and Girls Swim Teams as they participated in the KHSAA State Swim Meet at the University of Louisville Natatorium. Combining to finish in the top-10, CAL was represented by eleven swimmers competing on relay teams and in individual events. The best performance of the meet belonged to junior Gabi Albiero, as she was crowned champion in her two individual events, set a state record, named to first team All-State and voted Most Outstanding Female Competitor.

The boys meet was held Friday with Jake Burd, Robert Ehrenborg, Broder Magnuson and Caleb Mullikin swimming for Christian Academy. The boys combined to form two relay teams that were both seeded 19th at the beginning of the meet, but by the end of the evening Friday, finished an impressive 9th and 12th overall. Their performances earned them a top-10 and top-15 finish. Well done!

A top-8 individual performance was swum by senior Jake Burd in the 100 yard breastroke. Jake finished 4th overall and achieved a personal best time which also earned him an All-American consideration status. Jake also received second team All-State honors. Congratulations Jake!

Also competing in individual events for the boys were: Broder Magnuson-50 yard Freestyle Caleb Mullikin-500 yard Freestyle

On Saturday, the girls meet began with seven swimmers representing Christian Academy. Competing in preliminary heats were Gabi Albiero, Gentry Cheek, Catherine Eckerle, Avery Guilford, Savannah Smith, Kalin Tenbarge and Caroline Wilson. After a heart breaking disqualification in the first event, the 200 yard medley relay, the girls finished the morning with outstanding performances in relay and individual races. By the end of the meet, the girls earned four top-10 finishes and four top-25 finishes.

The top performer for Christian Academy was Gabi Albiero. Breaking her own state record, Gabi repeated as State Champion in the 50 yard freestyle and 100 yard butterfly. This brings her total number of individual state titles to 7! She was selected as the Most Outstanding Female Competitor and earned first team All State recognition. Congratulations Gabi!

Also, earning an individual top-10 finish was 7th-grader Caroline Wilson in the 50 yard freestyle. Well done Caroline!

The other top-10 finish belonged to the 200 yard freestyle relay team of Gabi Albiero, Gentry Cheek, Catherine Eckerle and Caroline Wilson. The relay entered the meet seeded 10th and finished 3rd overall and earned All-American consideration status.

Top-25 finishes belonged to senior Catherine Eckerle in the 100 yard backstroke and 200 yard individual medley and to Caroline Wilson in the 100 yard backstroke. The 400 yard freestyle relay team of Gentry Cheek, Avery Guilford, Savannah Smith and Kalin Tenbarge finished an impressive 23rd overall after entering the meet seeded 35th.

Congratulations to all members of the 2018-19 CAL SWIM TEAM!!!

Congratulations to the following seniors, Arina Khlopkova, Dalton Kilner, Elijah Smith and Jake Saathoff, who 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.

“I want to thank all of the parents for trusting Christian Academy and valuing the importance of Christian education,” said AD Morgan. “It is your kids that make this place special.”

The ceremony concluded with all 4 athletes officially signing letters of intent to the following schools:

Arina Khlopkova – University of Texas at El Paso (basketball) 
Dalton Kilner – Bellarmine University (bowling) 
Elijah Smith – University of Dayton (football) 
Jake Saathoff – Murray State University (football)