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As a high school senior, Mackenzie Soldan was the top-ranked member of the U.S. Juniorwheelchair tennisteam, and she was ranked number one in the Women’s division, too. She also loved wheelchair basketball, and in 2010 she was recruited to play for the University of Alabama’s women’s wheelchair basketball team, ranked number one nationally. Mackenzie thought her days of playing tennis were on hold, at least until after college.

Then, in late October 2011, Soldan received a phone call telling her a member of the U.S. tennis team had dropped out of the Parapan American Games, and she was next in line to compete. Despite her lack of practice, Soldan decided to go – and she brought home gold medals forsinglesand doubles.

Those wins also brought another prize: the right to compete in the 2012 Paralympic Games in London.
Mackenzie, who lost the use of her legs after surgery for a spinal cord tumor, admits she’s very competitive. Her mother tells a story of young Mackenzie at her first national track meet. “No one told her where the finish line was, so she just kept going and going until people flagged her down!” Mackenzie won that race.

As a tennis player, Soldan has represented the U.S. at competitions in Sweden, Italy, England, France, Mexico, and Turkey. She says her favorite stroke is her forehand, “because I can just smash it.” In preparation for London, she and her coaches are working on speed, endurance, and explosiveness.

Article Posted http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/medal-quest/athletes/detail/mackenzie-soldan/

Mackenzie is 2010 CAL graduate.  Watch the video below to see Mackenzie’s story.

Kentucky High School Track and Cross Country Hall of Fame coach, Harry Greschel passed away on Thursday, April 19th. Mr. Greschel taught at Christian Academy of Louisville from 1984-1989 and was the Athletic Director for two years and Cross Country Coachfor eight years. This past year was CAL’s 5thannual invitational in his honor with 23 schools participating.

Coach Greschel started the track program at Valley High school in the mid-fifties where he taught and also coached swimming for 13 years. He and three others started track as a sport in Jefferson County Schools.

“Harry was an outstanding coach, official and mentor. He did so much to further the sport at Valley and CAL. He was like a dad to me growing up and will definitely be missed, ”said Linda Sarrett, KHSAA and USATF cross country and track official and Youth Chair for Kentucky USATF.

“I have very fond memories of Mr. Greschel. I played basketball at CAL starting my 7thgrade year and he was my coach for several of those years. I remember he was always so soft spoken but pushed me to my limits on the basketball court. One of my fondest memories is sitting in his US History class, listening to him read out of the book. He would put one foot up on a chair, lay the book across his knee and read…and occasionally look over his reading glasses, that he wore at the very end of his nose, making sure everyone was awake and listening. I can still see his expression over the glasses when he caught us not paying attention…It was priceless. Heaven has gained a true angel! I am proud to say that I knew him well and he will be truly missed!”

Kristin (Mills) Marshall-1990 CAL graduate

“Mr. Greschel was the kind of guy that just made you feel like you were his own child. I remember going to his classroom and chatting with him during lunch and even before and after school. He would always give me a hug and made me feel like I was special.Mr. Greschel will be greatly missed. He was a wonderful, wonderful human being and made a remarkable impression on so many lives. He is celebrating in Heaven today.”

Ginger Halliburton Torrens – 1991 CAL graduate

Harry Greschel was also an Air Force and Navy veteran and retired from Kentucky Air National Guardas a full Colonel. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Edith McCamish Greschel; sons, Brad Greschel and Brian Greschel (Leanne); grandchildren, Shawn Greschel and Zachary Bloyd; and brothers, Alan Greschel (Gene) and Phillip Greschel (Merrill).

CAL hosted the 5th annual Harry Greschel Invitational, one of the largest track meets in the state.  CAL’s Hannah Herd won the elite 5K held the evening before the meet, awarding her the 11th fastest time in the country for high school runners.  The highly competitive invitational produced state leading marks in 6 girls’ events and 7 boys’ events.

Twenty four of the toughest squads in Kentucky came to the campus for the meet.The competitive weekend began with the KYtrackXC.com 5K Showdown onFriday,where national level marks were turned in by the elite runners.

A 5000 meter track competition was included in the meet in 2011, but by picking up a race sponsor the website KYtrackXC.com, the race attracted a stellar field. Christian Academy had two runners invited to participate in the field – freshman Hannah Herd and senior Jenna Gipperich. With great support from the home crowd, Hannah stayed in the lead pack of six runners during the early portion of the race.At 4000 meters, Butler’s Rose Jolly tried to break away, pulling Hannah and Erin Edmundson of North Oldham away from the pack. With 500 meters to go, Edmundsonmade a bid to take the race, but could not shake Hannah. Hannah waited until the final homestretch to seize the lead and powered away with agreat kick to win by 1.5 seconds.Her time of 19:24.73 is currently the 11th fastest time in the country for high school runners! Recent Mercer signee Jenna ran a very well paced race and was rewarded with a PR of 20:48.80. It was an incredible atmosphere, but unfortunately the weather postponed the boys race until Saturday morning at 8 AM, before the rest of the invitational. The early risers were rewarded with the opportunity to see some of the best high school competition in the country, headed by local runners – junior Jacob Thomson of Holy Cross and sophomore Patrick Gregory of Butler. The pair both broke the 15:00 barrier, to put themselves on top of the national list for 5000 meters. Thomson won the race with an outstanding time of 14:49, to Gregory’s 14:57. 6 of the 10 fastest times in the country so far this season, were recorded in the race. It was an incredible way to start the Harry Greschel Invitational.

The Manual girls and St. X boys, won the team competitions. The Lady Centurions finished a solid 11th place in the team standings, which could have been higher, but the elite 5K was a non-scored event toward team scores. The boys fought hard to finish 17th, among some of the toughest track & field teams in the state. Relays led the way for the girls,as they scored in 3 of the 4 relays.After running grueling 5K’s the previous evening, Hannah & Jenna bounced back to run the 4×800 relay. They were joined by Alli Lawson and Sarah Burnett, to runa seasons best 10:27 and place 4th. Kenzie Dannelly, Chalisa Helm and Sophie Schulz teamed upwith Nicole Athanasakes (4×200) & Kate Joss (4×100), to bring home a pair of 5th place finishes. Chalisa added a third 5th for the day in the 100 meter.Tessa Sipe placed in both hurdle events, while Lilli Popovich threw a personal best 77′ 1″to place in the discus.The boys team earned all their points in the pole vault, with Drew Shadburne placing 4th and Steven Rowland 6th. Earlier in the week, Drew broke the school record in the pole vault, by clearing a height of 10′ 7 1/2″.

As well as the team performed in the competition, the real opportunity to be a light for Jesus, was in hosting the event. Many of the coaches,athletes and fans, expressed great appreciation for the well run event.It took the effort of all those associated with the program and the great support of the school, to pull off a meet that has grown to approximately 1200 athletes. The individual Christian Academy athletes,each have been assigned participating schools for which to pray for the remainder of the season. Also, many of the teams brought shoes to donate for Edge Outreach. Thanks to all who helped!

Christian Academy of Louisville will be hosting the John Calipari Satellite Basketball Camp June 21st.  The camp is open to Grades K-12.  Sessions are 9-noon & 1:30-4:30 pm.

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Conner Slade, a senior at Christian Academy of Louisville, signed a letter of intent on Monday, March 5, to play golf at Cincinnati Christian University (CCU) next year.
Slade has played golf since middle school at CAL and placed 29th out of 156 competitors at this year’s KY State Tournament. In addition, Slade has won tournaments with the Musselman Dunn Summer Golf Tour and Pepsi Golf Tour.

“This is CCU’s fifth year having a golf team. We have quality players and a competitive team. Conner is a fine gentleman and we are happy to have him join us,” said Jack Schlueter, head golf coach at CCU. Schlueter attended the signing with two CCU golfers and Quentin Davis from the admissions department.

CAL golf coach, Scott Duncan, said, “It has been an absolute joy to work with Conner. He’s a great golfer and can hit it a mile, however, he is a better person than he is a golfer. You have a winner in Conner Slade. I am so thankful for the journey I’ve had with him and his family.”

Slade also made official visits to Transylvania University and Georgetown University. Conner chose CCU because he wants to pursue God’s calling into ministry.

“It’s sad to see Conner’s time here at CAL come to an end, but we are joyful for this next phase. This has been a breakout year for Conner in his spiritual walk and we are so grateful for that. I want to thank his teachers here at CAL for their influence. I am humbly proud to be his dad,” said Bryan Slade.

Slade thanked his parents, Bryan and Candyce Slade for their support, as well as his friends, Coach Duncan, and his teammates. He thanked Coach Schlueter for helping in his decision to play golf at CCU. Conner is excited to learn more about the Bible and major in Youth Ministry.

Senior Christian Academy of Louisville athlete, Jenna Gipperich, signed a letter of intent to run Cross Country at Mercer University next year.

Despite Gipperich having run cross country at CAL for only one season, her parents and coaches saw natural talent and potential from the beginning.

CAL’s current cross country coach, Lowery Stallings, said, “Jenna has a deep desire to improve and has tremendous potential as a runner. It has been a pleasure working with her.”
Assistant coach Derrick Dixon added, “Jenna is one of the friendliest people you’ll meet. She always has a big smile and is pleasant.”

Addressing her peers and teammates at the signing, Gipperich thanked her teachers, coaches, and her parents, Connie and Chuck Gipperich for their support.

“Coach Stallings and Dixon are the best coaches. They put me through some of the most physical pain I’ve ever experienced but it has made me better,” said Gipperich.

“Running is her niche. Jenna loves to run and we are so thankful for the training she has received from her coaches,” said Mrs. Gipperich.

Gipperich chose Mercer University because she liked the cross country program and already knows several of her future teammates. Jenna is eager for this next chapter in her life and looks forward to running as a Mercer Bear next fall.