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The Lady Centurions overcame a season of adversity to race away to a State Runner-up title, in the Kentucky Cross Country State Championships. The 2013 season was marked by injuries, pain and illness. But the team kept working and adjusting as needed, to score the school’s highest State placing.

After finishing a very close 3 points to North Oldham in last week’s Regional, the team was feeling confident of a strong State finish, as Christin Eckerle was expectedto come back from her stress fracture at the beginning of the week. But news came Monday, that Christin would not be ready for another 2 weeks. Still, the team was hopeful, even though themargin for error had shrunk. Fridayafternoon, the team previewed the course and all felt ready.That was untiltop runner Hannah Herd came down with a 101 degree fever. But the daughter of a sixth generation soldier, would not be denied. Not onlywas she able to racethe next morning, but she earned All-State honors with her 10th place finish. Running right alongside of her, was outstanding freshman Clara Lynch, who finished one spot behind, to also earn All-State honors. Halfway through the race, all therunners needed to move up significantly to find a place on the awards podium.Every Lady Centurion did just that, with all of the top 5 runners moving up 20 or more places throughout the race. Callie Donaldson who has really come on strongin the last part of the season, continued that trend to finish 31st. First year runners Candace Putlak and Kenzie Stovall,rounded out the team score at 154 points, topush Christian Academy 24 points ahead of North Oldham, to secure 2nd place todefendingState Champion Highlands. Caroline Hughes and Maddie Luette also ran well for the team. Joining the team withsilver State Runner-up team medals around their necks on thepodium, were alternates: Christin Eckerle, Katlin Mingari, Savanna Hatfield and Taylor Ross.It was a great way to end a season, demanding so much perseverance. The exciting thing is that all, but Taylor will be back for another run to the podium.

The boys team alsohad a nice finish to the season,with a 7th place team finish,improving on their regular season #8 state ranking. The teamimplemented two tight packs, to earn Christian Academy’s second consecutive top 10 State finish.The five seniors on theRegional/State entry, decided to leave their mark on the cross countryprogram by takingall thescoring positions for the Centurions. Conner Cloyd, AustinSchaper, Eric Lesmeister and Caleb Pryor blanketed the finish between 18:10-18:16, on the challenging Horse Park course. That 6 second window was matched by the remaining Christian Academy runner, as senior Dominic D’Ettorre, led juniors Adam Waggener and AndrewSitlinger,to times between 18:38-18:44. Alternates Casey Diamond, Alex Curry and Michael Good, were also readyto run if needed. Looking to next season,the return of last year’s top runner AJ Ross,who was lost for the entire season for injury, along with the other underclassmen, the team is poised for another top 10.

On a crisp Saturday afternoon, both the boys & girls teams extended their seasons one more week, by qualifying for the State Meet at the Kentucky Horse Park next Saturday.

The boys took the starting line first, in the 13 team Regional, including top-ranked North Oldham. As expected the Mustangs ran away the the Regional Championships, but the Centurions ran strongly to secure Regional Runner-up honors. The Christian Academy runners started the race conservatively and at 2 miles were sitting in 4th place. But then the runners began a nice push to the finish, picking up valuable places. Seniors Caleb Pryor and Eric Lesmeister crossed the line in the same time of 17:59, to lead the way, placing 10th and 11th. Andrew Sitlinger, Conner Cloyd and Austin Schaper formed a nice pack to take the 16-18 spots. Adam Waggener and Dominic D’Ettorre completed the team performance. The team is strongly positioned to improve on their #8State ranking.

The girls race was a titanicbattle between the #2 Lady Centurions and #3 Lady Mustangs. Both squadshave had a key runner out for the last half of the season. North’s # 2 runner Marissa Lowe returned to action last week,enabling their full squaded team to pull out a very narrow Regional Championship title. The Christian Academy runners, with teammate injured Christin Eckerle’s name written on their knuckles, had an outstanding raceto finish only 3 points back of the Mustangs. Clara Lynch and Hannah Herd ran in tandem the entire race, finishing within 1 second of each other, placing 3rd and 4th. CallieDonaldson worked her way through the field, to take the 5th place spot. Freshman Candace Putlak broke 22 minutes for the first time, to finish 12. Kenzie Stovall had a good kick, in spite of back pain toput another Centurion in the top 20. Caroline Hughes and Maddie Luetterounded out the team’sfinish.With Christin expected to join the team next week, the team is looking for a very high placing at the State Meet!

Regional 3 Places & Times for Christian Academy Boys
10. Caleb Pryor, 17:59
11. Eric Lesmeister, 17:59
16. Andrew Sitlinger, 18:11
17. Conner Cloyd, 18:15
18. Austin Schaper, 18:18
20. Adam Waggener, 18:25
23. Dominic D’Ettorre, 18:42

Regional 3 Places & Times for Christian Academy Girls
3. Clara Lynch, 20:16
4. Hannah Herd, 20:17
5. Callie Donaldson, 21:00
12. Candace Putlak, 21:57
18. Kenzie Stovall, 22:28
25. Caroline Hughes, 23:40

Congratulations to CAL Head Volleyball Coach Patty Ernst who was named KVCA Coach of the Year for the 7th Region! 

CAL was 29-10 and ranked #15. The Lady Centurions also took home the District 28th Championship title this year. 

Coach Ernst will be honored at the 2013 KHSAA State Tournament at Valley High School in Louisville in ceremonies directly preceding the State Championship match on Sunday, November 10th. Coaches.  Recognitions were voted on by KVCA member coaches.  

On Monday night, the Lady Centurions faced KCD. Game one was rather uneventful with CAL winning easily, 25-16. In game two, CAL slacked off a bit, opening the door for KCD to take the lead. With the score 18-23, it looked as though a loss was imminent.

Then, one at a time, the Centurions chipped away at the five-point lead and ended up winning, 26-24. This seemed to take the wind out of KCD’s sails. Game three and the match was uncontested with CAL winning, 25-14. With the win, the Centurions earned a chance at the District Championship game.

On Tuesday, the Lady Centurions did not know quite what to expect as they faced the Eastern High School Eagles in the championship game. Earlier in the year, Eastern had trounced CAL during the regular season. The courageous, young Centurions were not about to let this happen a second time. CAL took Eastern by surprise attack in game 1, taking the lead and keeping it to win, 25–19. In game two, Eastern led much of the time with CAL trailing closely behind. At 25’s, the score vacillated between the teams until Eastern finally prevailed, 27-25. The Centurions regrouped in game three and built a five-point lead at 18-13, but when CAL lost intensity, Eastern crept back until the score was tied at 22’s. Again regrouping, CAL launched a couple of solid kills and finished ahead, 25-22. Game five was ALL CAL, as Eastern’s confidence appeared to wane. CAL took the game (15-8), match, and District Championship for the second time in the last three years! Congratulations also go to Abby Davis, Caroline Rassenfoss, and Alyssa Turner as the coaches’ picks for the All-District team.

By winning the District, CAL will get to host the first round of the Regional Championship on Monday night. It’s a great night to come watch some awesome volleyball. Be sure to catch CAL play Atherton in their last home event of the season at 6 p.m. Monday. The winner will move on to the next round against nationally ranked Assumption at 6 pm Tuesday at the Valley Sports Center.

The cross country Centurion girls entered the week ranked 2nd in the state with the boys ranked 8th. The CAL runners validated the ratings by bringing the Private School Championship traveling trophies back to English Station Saturday.

The girls faced a battle with 3rd ranked Presentation and a strong Holy Cross team as the main competition. Clara Lynch and Callie Donaldson led the charge, presenting CAL with 3rd and 4th place overall finishes respectively. Hannah Herd ran the race as a workout run, getting ready for state, but still crossed the finish just six spots behind the leader. Kenzie Stovall and Candace Putlak finished up the scoring, putting CAL in a 43-43 tie for first with Presentation. As the sixth runner tiebreaker, Caroline Hughes sizzled the course with a PR and a Centurion victory.

The boys dominated the closest competitor, DeSales, 63-19. Conner Cloyd claimed his first victory in a cross country race with Austin Schaper and Eric Lesmeister completing the Centurion trifecta that dominated the field. The “Red Sea” of Andrew Sitlinger, Dominic D’Ettorre, Adam Waggener, Caleb Pryor and Casey Diamond flooded the finish with CAL uniforms as eight of the first 11 runners hailed from 700 South English Station Road.

Louisville swim team lands Trinity’s Thomas Cooper, CAL’s Hannah Magnuson and Sacred Heart’s Ashley LeClair

A Christian Academy juggernaut met a DeSales defensive powerhouse Friday night. A CAL defensive Masada met a DeSales offensive blitzkrieg on the same night. The game between two undefeated teams hung on the efficiency of the machine with the best clutch.

The Colts tested the CAL resolve early with a 72-yard, methodical drive, capped by an Adam Nord three yard touchdown run. Nate Smith then kicked CAL into gear when the following Centurion possession stalled. With heavy pressure, Smith managed the beautiful punt downfield. More importantly, DeSales missed the block but tackled Smith for a penalty, giving CAL second life on the drive. Nathan Christmas then handled the clutch with a smooth shift on third and long three plays later when he connected with Smith on a 55 yard touchdown to bring the game to a tie.

“I told Nathan before the game that at some point, the game is going to be on his shoulders and he’d have to make a play,” Coach LeFors said. “He did tonight.”

This was only the first gear for Christmas with more horsepower in store for an estimated crowd of 3,000. The Lewellyn brothers stepped into the clutch next for the Centurions. With DeSales up 14-7, Chad Lewellyn intercepted Rousch’s first pass of the game and returned it 35 yards for excellent field position. With fourth down on his shoulders, Christmas connected with Cal Lewellyn on a 21 yard touchdown. Nathan Bader kicked the Centurions into a 14-14 tie with his second successful point after attempt.

The Centurion defense put the brakes on the Colts offense with a strong line push in the middle from Zach “Bonecrusher” Page, enabling Cody Davis, Zac Passafiume, Rider “JunkYardDog” Sparrow, Michael Lagastee and Jake Paulson clear shots on the DeSales running attack to force a punt. Christmas then shifted the CAL offense into maximum overdrive with 1:58 to go in the half, completing three consecutive passes, concluding with a 19 yard touchdown to Chad Lewellyn.

The Centurion D-line shifted second half gears with a Page, Paulson and Lagestee welcoming committee for running back Dylan Byrd, halting him for no gain. Linebacker Bill Jessee, along with Chad Lewellyn and Smith made second and third down stops to force a three-and-out. Christmas and Lewellyn came through in the clutch again on the ensuing Centurion drive. Lewellyn stretched more impressively than Mr. Fantastic to haul in a 27 yard catch on third down to extend the drive.

“They caught everything I threw to them,” Christmas said.

Nick Payne then found traction on the ground behind Blake Catron and Peyton Griffee, ripping off 12 and 24 yard runs. Christmas then dumped a short pass to Payne who ran over and through the Colts defense for a 13 yard touchdown.

DeSales did not give up, down 27-14 in the fourth quarter, but neither did the CAL defense. The Colts took the ball to the CAL five yard line, going for it on fourth and two. Lagestee, Sparrow and Davis made sure he only got one and a half. DeSales then caught Christmas in the end zone for a safety, putting the CAL defense to another test. Jed Clay and Matthew Arnold brought stamina and pressure to the defense that eliminated the big play, but DeSales again marched inside the ten yard line late in the fourth. Chad Lewellyn then met Byrd on the four and popped the ball loose. Chuck Williams recovered on the five, putting the Centurion offense back on the field in roughly the same spot as the previous drive.

Christmas proved cool within the clutch of a defense that had forced a safety on the previous series. He connected on a 23 yard reception to Sparrow despite the waving arms of the DeSales D-line. The chains continued to move, as did the clock.

DeSales did manage a late touchdown with 30 seconds left, but could not recover the ensuing pooch kick or the District Four championship. CAL finished the game and 2013 district play with the championship for the third year in a row. The Centurions stand at 9-0 for the season with the 27-24 win and is unbeaten in regular season district play for three years running–and passing.

“It was a great win for our program,” said LeFors. “I am extremely proud of the guys. All of their success this season is a direct result of hard work and their will to win. I would like to thank all of the fans that came out. The energy Friday night was awesome. We need more nights like that as we press on toward the goal in the playoffs.”

After this clash of unbeatens, CAL now heads to Male on November 1 to meet a currently unbeaten Bulldogs team that just defeated Trinity. Both teams have done their part and the matchup is sure to be another outstanding contest getting prepared for the playoffs.

The CAL girls’ varsity soccer team defeated KCD and Ballard last Monday and Tuesday, respectively, to capture their fourth consecutive District 28 championship! Kenzi Dannelly, Faith Shepherd and Megan Mintman were named to the District 28 All-Tournament team. Congratulations to the team, the coaches, and to the girls who made the All-Tournament team!

CAL dominated possession time and field position the entire district semi-final versus KCD and the final 9-0 score was proof of both. Kenzi Dannelly led off the goal-a-thon with a sharp strike into net off a Dana Joss assist just 4 minutes into the game. Megan Mintman hit a left-footed goal less than a minute later for a 2-0 lead. Megan scored her second goal at 29:02 after receiving a nice assist pass from Kenzi. Erin Scheiter played a perfect corner kick in front of goal where a patiently waiting Faith Shepherd crushed the ball into net, and Dana Joss scored with just 0:47 left in the first half for a CAL 5-0 lead. In the second half, Lindsey Dunn made a nifty dribble move and crossed the ball to Haleigh Fortuna who rattled it home. 6-0 CAL. Haleigh lofted a high arcing corner to Faith Shepherd who rose above the crowd to hammer a header home for her second goal. CAL 7-0. Kenzi netted her second goal of the evening off a Megan Mintman assist at 24:26 in the second half. CAL 8-0. Perhaps the craziest and most exciting goal of the night was tallied by Emily Meade (her first of the season). With just 9:00 to play, the ball bounced high off the ground in front of KCD’s goal. Dana hit a header that went straight up in the air. A streaking Emily Meade running all the way in from her left back position thundered a header from 15 yards out with such force the goalie never had a chance! The final score was CAL 9 KCD 0. It was the defense’s 8th shutout of the season. Special credit goes to Corinne Warlick who stepped into goal this night in replacement of injured Molly Andres, and recorded the shutout.

Tuesday night’s District 28 championship game was much more difficult. Ballard, after losing twice this season already to CAL, displayed gritty resolve not to go down a third time. Our girls fought hard but could not break through Ballard’s defense for almost thirty minutes. Then, at 10:20, Faith Shepherd collected the ball about 30 yards out, made a nice touch to her left foot, and blasted a smoking hot shot into the upper right V of the goal to make it CAL 1-0! Playing without injured senior stalwart defender Sophie Schulz, CAL’s defense rose to the challenge. Faith stepped into the back line from her normal mid-field position and Emily Meade performed admirably coming off the bench. Annie Beanblossom, Corinne Warlick and Laura English played strong as well. Despite great defensive play, Ballard managed to sneak a goal in mid-way through the second half to level the game at 1-1. But, the CAL girls went masterfully to the attack, wanting no part of overtime or PK’s. Forwards Haleigh Fortuna, Lindsey Dunn, Dana Joss, Cassidy Bennett and Olivia Ashby, along with mid-fielders Megan Mintman, Erin Scheiter and Sara Quinton put incredible pressure on Ballard’s defense for the next 15 minutes. Finally, with 4:34 left in the game, Dana crossed the ball into the box from the right side to Megan who marvelously headed the ball to an open Lindsey Dunn on her left. Lindsey crushed the ball into net for the winning goal! CAL 2 Ballard 1 was the final.

The CAL girls’ team will play at home on Monday, October 21 in the quarterfinals of the Region 7 tournament. Come out and support this aggressive and exciting team!

Congratulations to juniors, Sarah Son and Abby Stivers who will compete in the KHSAA Girls State Golf Tournament at the Bowling Green Country Club next week.  Click Here to view tee times.  Good luck Sarah and Abby!