V3-I1 Sports
New rivalry tradition develops
By: Gabrielle Evans
(Photo: Johnstown and Northridge cross country teams. Photo by K. Garee.)
NORTHRIDGE- The cross country teams from Northridge and Johnstown high schools kicked off their seasons with the First Annual Rivalry Meet, hosted by Johnstown at Infirmary Mound Park Wednesday, August 20, 2014.
The meet consisted of high school and middle school teams following an altered course designed by Johnstown’s head coach. The race wasn't set up like a normal cross country meet. It was designed to be a “fun way for the kids to build the idea that they are part of a bigger running community and that even though they are rivals they can still be friends” says head Johnstown coach Patrick Helgerman.
The teams competed on co-ed teams for the trophy made by Northridge’s Mat Scott (‘15) and Zach Smith (‘16). The trophy is a platform with a pair of shoes--one green and one red--with a miniature Route 62 sign.
The rules were made by the Johnstown team, and it was agreed upon that the losing team gets to make the rules for the following year and choose the location. Both teams hope to continue the tradition and have the battle of 62 every year.
This year Northridge got the traveling trophy taken away from them with a score of 6-7. Next year Northridge will be in charge of the course and plans on getting the trophy back. The teams plan to keep the race and rivalry going for many years to come.
-Gabrielle Evans (‘15) is the New Editor for The Viking Vault.
By: Gabrielle Evans
(Photo: Johnstown and Northridge cross country teams. Photo by K. Garee.)
NORTHRIDGE- The cross country teams from Northridge and Johnstown high schools kicked off their seasons with the First Annual Rivalry Meet, hosted by Johnstown at Infirmary Mound Park Wednesday, August 20, 2014.
The meet consisted of high school and middle school teams following an altered course designed by Johnstown’s head coach. The race wasn't set up like a normal cross country meet. It was designed to be a “fun way for the kids to build the idea that they are part of a bigger running community and that even though they are rivals they can still be friends” says head Johnstown coach Patrick Helgerman.
The teams competed on co-ed teams for the trophy made by Northridge’s Mat Scott (‘15) and Zach Smith (‘16). The trophy is a platform with a pair of shoes--one green and one red--with a miniature Route 62 sign.
The rules were made by the Johnstown team, and it was agreed upon that the losing team gets to make the rules for the following year and choose the location. Both teams hope to continue the tradition and have the battle of 62 every year.
This year Northridge got the traveling trophy taken away from them with a score of 6-7. Next year Northridge will be in charge of the course and plans on getting the trophy back. The teams plan to keep the race and rivalry going for many years to come.
-Gabrielle Evans (‘15) is the New Editor for The Viking Vault.
Cross Country has a full team
By: Gabrielle Evans
NORTHRIDGE- Cross country team competed this fall as a full team for the first time in many years.
Teams score with the times of the top five runners for the boys and the top five runners for the girls. This year the team consists of four seniors: Emma Dann, Gabrielle Evans, Amelia Kyle, and Mat Scott. The only returning high school runner is Colin Evans ('16). The remaining members of the team are Zach Smith ('16), Caleb Garee ('18), Graham Garee ('18), Alex Rahde ('18), Anna Edwards ('18), RJ Langly ('18) and Stephen Padilla ('18). Most of the runners this year are first-time runners to the team.
Also new this year to the team are coaches Kim Garee and Devoni Murphy. Garee served as assistant coach twice before and is now head coach. The new coaches are working alongside the team to prepare for meets.
Team captain is C. Evans who has been running since he was in 7th grade, along with G. Garee who has been running since his 7th grade year also are the only experienced members of the team.
Coach Garee says “It's great to actually have a team this year instead of two to four runner like in years past.”
The team has been doing different types of workouts to get them ready for races including running the bike trail in Johnstown, running the bleachers of the football stadium, and running speed and distances. The team practices through all types of weather: hot, cold, wind or rain in an effort to improve their times. They have also had an occasional “fun” practice: running all over the school campus searching for clues that were hidden by the coaches to add variety to what they do at practice.
The team expanding has opened up new opportunities for the team and developed a bond where each person is supported by the whole team. “I have never felt supported by so many people for just running” says G. Evans. “I think the team is developing really great camaraderie and everyone’s improving greatly” says Scott.
Though there have been a few injuries, the Viking runners still push through and meet their goals.
The team has traveled all over the county and run in different schools in the league and more. Bus rides range anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and a half. The team runs 3.1 miles (5000 kilometers) each race, with each course being different and involving different types of terrain so the runners gain experience in different types of running conditions. Each meet features different weather conditions too.
The team as a whole hopes to grow over the years and get more people involved in the running community.
-Gabrielle Evans (‘15) is the New Editor for The Viking Vault.
By: Gabrielle Evans
NORTHRIDGE- Cross country team competed this fall as a full team for the first time in many years.
Teams score with the times of the top five runners for the boys and the top five runners for the girls. This year the team consists of four seniors: Emma Dann, Gabrielle Evans, Amelia Kyle, and Mat Scott. The only returning high school runner is Colin Evans ('16). The remaining members of the team are Zach Smith ('16), Caleb Garee ('18), Graham Garee ('18), Alex Rahde ('18), Anna Edwards ('18), RJ Langly ('18) and Stephen Padilla ('18). Most of the runners this year are first-time runners to the team.
Also new this year to the team are coaches Kim Garee and Devoni Murphy. Garee served as assistant coach twice before and is now head coach. The new coaches are working alongside the team to prepare for meets.
Team captain is C. Evans who has been running since he was in 7th grade, along with G. Garee who has been running since his 7th grade year also are the only experienced members of the team.
Coach Garee says “It's great to actually have a team this year instead of two to four runner like in years past.”
The team has been doing different types of workouts to get them ready for races including running the bike trail in Johnstown, running the bleachers of the football stadium, and running speed and distances. The team practices through all types of weather: hot, cold, wind or rain in an effort to improve their times. They have also had an occasional “fun” practice: running all over the school campus searching for clues that were hidden by the coaches to add variety to what they do at practice.
The team expanding has opened up new opportunities for the team and developed a bond where each person is supported by the whole team. “I have never felt supported by so many people for just running” says G. Evans. “I think the team is developing really great camaraderie and everyone’s improving greatly” says Scott.
Though there have been a few injuries, the Viking runners still push through and meet their goals.
The team has traveled all over the county and run in different schools in the league and more. Bus rides range anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and a half. The team runs 3.1 miles (5000 kilometers) each race, with each course being different and involving different types of terrain so the runners gain experience in different types of running conditions. Each meet features different weather conditions too.
The team as a whole hopes to grow over the years and get more people involved in the running community.
-Gabrielle Evans (‘15) is the New Editor for The Viking Vault.
Volleyball team hosts Volley for the Cure game
By: Lilly Chesser
(Photo: (left to right) Jamie Swickard ('16), Savannah Legg ('16), Haley Trimble ('16), Hunter Adkins ('15), Faith Miller ('15), Megan Dalton ('16), Morgan Hatten ('16), Megan Hatfield ('15). Photo by J. Hatfield.)
On September 25th, Northridge held its 8th annual "Volley for the Cure" Volleyball game against Heath High School to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation, a charity for breast cancer education, research, and advocacy. The match ended 3-0 in Heath's favor, and raised over $700 through ticket sales, a raffle, a silent auction, a bake sale, balloon sales, and games.
Volley for the Cure began in 2006, when two volleyball teams in Cincinnati wanted to use their upcoming match to raise money for and honor women in their lives who had battled breast cancer. This idea spread to Northridge in 2007 similarly to help raise money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation and pay homage to those in the community who had been affected by breast cancer. It continues today with special consideration for Lori Garrabrant, a late Northridge mother.
Both teams wore pink ribbons and shoe laces, a color synonymous with breast cancer awareness, along with coaches and supporting crowd members. Though this was a fundraising event, it was also a regular season match. Northridge had 27 kills from members Savanah Legg (’16), Megan Hatfield (’15), and Jamie Swickard (’16), 72 assists from Faith Miller (’15), and 42 digs from Hunter Adkins (’15).
The additional attractions alone raised a large portion of the profit. One of these attractions was a game during halftime in which crowd members would pay to serve a volleyball to members of the volleyball team holding gift cards; if they hit the prize, they would get it. The bake sale included goods that were donated by parents of the players. The raffle and silent auctions had prizes like gift cards, coupons for local businesses, and other small items.
One participant of the silent auction was Hunter Adkins (’15), a Northridge Volleyball player, who donated $10 in total and won salon-quality hairspray, a candle, and a gift certificate to the Village Spa in Alexandria. Adkins believes her donation was important because it was donations like hers from many generous people that helped make Volley for the Cure a success.
Tanya Orhood, event organizer and Northridge mother, wanted this event to serve as a reminder that no-one was immune to developing breast cancer, and cautioned everyone to stay aware of the signs and symptoms. All money was donated in Lori Garrabrant's name and presented with a rose to her daughter, Olivia Garrabrant (’17). Northridge's volleyball team hopes to continue this event into the future and thanks all who watched the game and donated.
-Lilly Chesser ('15) is the Print Copy Editor for The Viking Vault.
By: Lilly Chesser
(Photo: (left to right) Jamie Swickard ('16), Savannah Legg ('16), Haley Trimble ('16), Hunter Adkins ('15), Faith Miller ('15), Megan Dalton ('16), Morgan Hatten ('16), Megan Hatfield ('15). Photo by J. Hatfield.)
On September 25th, Northridge held its 8th annual "Volley for the Cure" Volleyball game against Heath High School to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation, a charity for breast cancer education, research, and advocacy. The match ended 3-0 in Heath's favor, and raised over $700 through ticket sales, a raffle, a silent auction, a bake sale, balloon sales, and games.
Volley for the Cure began in 2006, when two volleyball teams in Cincinnati wanted to use their upcoming match to raise money for and honor women in their lives who had battled breast cancer. This idea spread to Northridge in 2007 similarly to help raise money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation and pay homage to those in the community who had been affected by breast cancer. It continues today with special consideration for Lori Garrabrant, a late Northridge mother.
Both teams wore pink ribbons and shoe laces, a color synonymous with breast cancer awareness, along with coaches and supporting crowd members. Though this was a fundraising event, it was also a regular season match. Northridge had 27 kills from members Savanah Legg (’16), Megan Hatfield (’15), and Jamie Swickard (’16), 72 assists from Faith Miller (’15), and 42 digs from Hunter Adkins (’15).
The additional attractions alone raised a large portion of the profit. One of these attractions was a game during halftime in which crowd members would pay to serve a volleyball to members of the volleyball team holding gift cards; if they hit the prize, they would get it. The bake sale included goods that were donated by parents of the players. The raffle and silent auctions had prizes like gift cards, coupons for local businesses, and other small items.
One participant of the silent auction was Hunter Adkins (’15), a Northridge Volleyball player, who donated $10 in total and won salon-quality hairspray, a candle, and a gift certificate to the Village Spa in Alexandria. Adkins believes her donation was important because it was donations like hers from many generous people that helped make Volley for the Cure a success.
Tanya Orhood, event organizer and Northridge mother, wanted this event to serve as a reminder that no-one was immune to developing breast cancer, and cautioned everyone to stay aware of the signs and symptoms. All money was donated in Lori Garrabrant's name and presented with a rose to her daughter, Olivia Garrabrant (’17). Northridge's volleyball team hopes to continue this event into the future and thanks all who watched the game and donated.
-Lilly Chesser ('15) is the Print Copy Editor for The Viking Vault.
Injuries can’t keep Vikings down
By: Chad Campbell
(Photo: Garee dodges a tackle to make a pass. Photo by K. Kelly.)
NORTHRIDGE - This preseason, the football team did a lot to prepare for the upcoming football season through football camp and daily practices, which have helped them bounce back from a mid-season onslaught of injuries.
One way that they prepared for the season is by going to the Otterbein football camp along with West Jefferson High School.
Most of the time the two teams practiced separately at camp, but sometimes at the end of the day, they played 7 on 7 and/or practiced together. “The camp was awesome, it was by far the best thing we’ve done as team since I have been here. It helped a lot with team chemistry and bonding,” says Coach Darby Riley.
So far the Vikings are 1-4, beating Fairfield Christian and losing four tough games to Arcanum, Mt. Gilead, Licking Heights, and Licking Valley.
“We are learning a lot about each other this season. When things get tough, you have to stay together” says Coach Riley.
The Vikings this year are kind of short on players, starting six sophomores. One of the main losses the Viking have had at the beginning of the season is losing their starting quarterback, Bryant Garee ('15), who broke the thumb of his throwing arm. The injury of Garee has forced sophomore quarterback, Daniel Hatfield ('17), to step up and play his best.
Coach Riley compared losing Garee to losing Jacob Burke last season. “They were both the main leaders of the team, and whenever you lose a leader you suffer a pretty great loss,” he said.
“Daniel has done a very good job stepping up and replacing Bryant; I’m proud of how he has played,” says Coach Riley.
Luckily, Garee was back in time for the Homecoming game against Licking Valley.
Other players have suffered injuries through the season, as well, thinning the Viking lineup even more. Sam Shultz ('16) hasn’t played due to two fractures in his leg, and several have suffered concussions. Daniel McNamara ('15) suffered an ankle injury, while Chase Hess ('15) had a strained neck muscle.
Another tough thing that the Vikings have to overcome this season and every season that they play in the LCL is the fact that they are one of the smallest teams in the league. Northridge is Division 4 when most other schools in the league are Division 3 or 2.
Even though Northridge is one of the smaller teams in the league, they should be able to win or at least compete in most of our games in the LCL, according to Garee. The big LCL challenge this season was Licking Valley.
“Again, the biggest problem with playing Valley is numbers. We only have around 15 or 20 kids who are varsity ready whereas the bigger teams have 30 or 40", Coach Riley said.
-Chad Campbell ('15) is the Sports Editor for The Viking Vault.
By: Chad Campbell
(Photo: Garee dodges a tackle to make a pass. Photo by K. Kelly.)
NORTHRIDGE - This preseason, the football team did a lot to prepare for the upcoming football season through football camp and daily practices, which have helped them bounce back from a mid-season onslaught of injuries.
One way that they prepared for the season is by going to the Otterbein football camp along with West Jefferson High School.
Most of the time the two teams practiced separately at camp, but sometimes at the end of the day, they played 7 on 7 and/or practiced together. “The camp was awesome, it was by far the best thing we’ve done as team since I have been here. It helped a lot with team chemistry and bonding,” says Coach Darby Riley.
So far the Vikings are 1-4, beating Fairfield Christian and losing four tough games to Arcanum, Mt. Gilead, Licking Heights, and Licking Valley.
“We are learning a lot about each other this season. When things get tough, you have to stay together” says Coach Riley.
The Vikings this year are kind of short on players, starting six sophomores. One of the main losses the Viking have had at the beginning of the season is losing their starting quarterback, Bryant Garee ('15), who broke the thumb of his throwing arm. The injury of Garee has forced sophomore quarterback, Daniel Hatfield ('17), to step up and play his best.
Coach Riley compared losing Garee to losing Jacob Burke last season. “They were both the main leaders of the team, and whenever you lose a leader you suffer a pretty great loss,” he said.
“Daniel has done a very good job stepping up and replacing Bryant; I’m proud of how he has played,” says Coach Riley.
Luckily, Garee was back in time for the Homecoming game against Licking Valley.
Other players have suffered injuries through the season, as well, thinning the Viking lineup even more. Sam Shultz ('16) hasn’t played due to two fractures in his leg, and several have suffered concussions. Daniel McNamara ('15) suffered an ankle injury, while Chase Hess ('15) had a strained neck muscle.
Another tough thing that the Vikings have to overcome this season and every season that they play in the LCL is the fact that they are one of the smallest teams in the league. Northridge is Division 4 when most other schools in the league are Division 3 or 2.
Even though Northridge is one of the smaller teams in the league, they should be able to win or at least compete in most of our games in the LCL, according to Garee. The big LCL challenge this season was Licking Valley.
“Again, the biggest problem with playing Valley is numbers. We only have around 15 or 20 kids who are varsity ready whereas the bigger teams have 30 or 40", Coach Riley said.
-Chad Campbell ('15) is the Sports Editor for The Viking Vault.