Vikings’ lack of size creates adversity in winning program
By Bryant Garee
NORTHRIDGE - Many thought that the Northridge wrestling program would plummet after last year. Graduating five seniors, the Vikings would have to work hard to keep their reputation of being one of the most elite programs to step on the mat. So far, they have done nothing less. In their last meet, the team finished with an astonishing 28-4 record, bringing home a second place trophy.
Senior captain Jake Adkins is very proud of his team. “Our younger wrestlers have really stepped up. We lack numbers, and that means we have freshman starting. They have grown up a lot and became good wrestlers,” Adkins said.
Adkins is currently 24-1 and will be attending and wrestling for Princeton University next year. “I couldn’t be where I am without my dad pushing me and my teammates, as well,” Adkins said.
The team as a whole is mostly small. Most of them wrestle in the smaller weight divisions. “There was one meet where, if our guys wanted to win, they would have to pin their opponent because our lack of numbers creates a lack of size on the team,” Adkins said. Even though the wrestling team suffers from lack of size and lack of numbers, they still mainly produce winning records as a team.
The biggest difference from past years is, again, a lack of numbers and size. But Jake plans to step his leadership up and keep leading the team to victory. “I don’t think the leadership roles really skipped a beat. Sure, Thomas and Robby were great, great leaders, but I believe that I’m doing a pretty good job being a leader. I also believe that other people on the team have taken leadership roles. Even the freshman. They work just as hard as everyone and it’s very admirable,” Adkins said.
The vikings next meet is a quad meet Feb. 10th home at 5pm.
-Bryant Garee ('15) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
By Bryant Garee
NORTHRIDGE - Many thought that the Northridge wrestling program would plummet after last year. Graduating five seniors, the Vikings would have to work hard to keep their reputation of being one of the most elite programs to step on the mat. So far, they have done nothing less. In their last meet, the team finished with an astonishing 28-4 record, bringing home a second place trophy.
Senior captain Jake Adkins is very proud of his team. “Our younger wrestlers have really stepped up. We lack numbers, and that means we have freshman starting. They have grown up a lot and became good wrestlers,” Adkins said.
Adkins is currently 24-1 and will be attending and wrestling for Princeton University next year. “I couldn’t be where I am without my dad pushing me and my teammates, as well,” Adkins said.
The team as a whole is mostly small. Most of them wrestle in the smaller weight divisions. “There was one meet where, if our guys wanted to win, they would have to pin their opponent because our lack of numbers creates a lack of size on the team,” Adkins said. Even though the wrestling team suffers from lack of size and lack of numbers, they still mainly produce winning records as a team.
The biggest difference from past years is, again, a lack of numbers and size. But Jake plans to step his leadership up and keep leading the team to victory. “I don’t think the leadership roles really skipped a beat. Sure, Thomas and Robby were great, great leaders, but I believe that I’m doing a pretty good job being a leader. I also believe that other people on the team have taken leadership roles. Even the freshman. They work just as hard as everyone and it’s very admirable,” Adkins said.
The vikings next meet is a quad meet Feb. 10th home at 5pm.
-Bryant Garee ('15) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
Softball just around the corner
By Mikaela Pankuch
NORTHRIDGE - Spring sports begin their seasons on Feb. 23. To prepare for this, the Lady Vikings softball team has been hitting the weight room hard.
Northridge softball has had success in the past. Last year, after switching to the Licking Country League, the Vikings finished in the middle of the pack.
“We are looking to improve on that this year. We have been working hard in the weight room, trying to get faster and build muscle to become stronger. The LCL is such a competitive league and we get to compete with some of the best in the state. Preparing early will only better our chances of making a run for the LCL title,” head varsity coach Mike Pankuch said.
This is Coach Pankuch’s second year as head Varsity coach. He has been assistant Varsity coach two years prior, and he has coached multiple teams outside of Northridge.
A new addition to the softball staff is new teacher Ms. Kali Starkey. Starkey will be the head coach of the Junior Varsity softball team.
“We have high hopes for this season, and our team has already been working hard. It shows a lot to us coaches when they show up and work hard. They want a successful season as much as we do,” Coach Pankuch added.
The Lady Vikings finished their 2014 season with a 15-10 record. The Vikings were 0-1 in tournament play, losing in the first round of the state tournament to the Bexley Lions.
“Getting further into the tournament” is a goal that Coach Pankuch has for his team. “Getting prepared early can only help us in the long run.”
“We have been working very hard to prepare for the season,” Megan Hatfield (’15) stated. “As a senior, I am looking forward to starting the season. I think that we will be very successful. We have a good chance at making it far into the tournaments if we put our minds to it.”
The softball team holds conditioning on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 4:30-5:30.
The gym is also open to pitchers and catchers on Sundays from 4-5.
-Mikaela Pankuch (’15) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
By Mikaela Pankuch
NORTHRIDGE - Spring sports begin their seasons on Feb. 23. To prepare for this, the Lady Vikings softball team has been hitting the weight room hard.
Northridge softball has had success in the past. Last year, after switching to the Licking Country League, the Vikings finished in the middle of the pack.
“We are looking to improve on that this year. We have been working hard in the weight room, trying to get faster and build muscle to become stronger. The LCL is such a competitive league and we get to compete with some of the best in the state. Preparing early will only better our chances of making a run for the LCL title,” head varsity coach Mike Pankuch said.
This is Coach Pankuch’s second year as head Varsity coach. He has been assistant Varsity coach two years prior, and he has coached multiple teams outside of Northridge.
A new addition to the softball staff is new teacher Ms. Kali Starkey. Starkey will be the head coach of the Junior Varsity softball team.
“We have high hopes for this season, and our team has already been working hard. It shows a lot to us coaches when they show up and work hard. They want a successful season as much as we do,” Coach Pankuch added.
The Lady Vikings finished their 2014 season with a 15-10 record. The Vikings were 0-1 in tournament play, losing in the first round of the state tournament to the Bexley Lions.
“Getting further into the tournament” is a goal that Coach Pankuch has for his team. “Getting prepared early can only help us in the long run.”
“We have been working very hard to prepare for the season,” Megan Hatfield (’15) stated. “As a senior, I am looking forward to starting the season. I think that we will be very successful. We have a good chance at making it far into the tournaments if we put our minds to it.”
The softball team holds conditioning on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 4:30-5:30.
The gym is also open to pitchers and catchers on Sundays from 4-5.
-Mikaela Pankuch (’15) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
Lady Vikes near the final buzzer
By Mikaela Pankuch
NORTHRIDGE - With the winter sports season winding down, the Lady Vikings basketball team looks to finish out the season strong.
The Vikings started their season on Dec. 3 playing the Johnstown Johnnies. The Vikings have one win on the season but plan to finish out the season on a positive note.
Belinda Marcum (’15) said, “Our team has pushed hard during this season. We are the kind of team that does not give up so we will continue to work hard and finish out our season.”
The team has been in the gym since the end of October and will play until the middle of February. The second half of league plays began on Jan. 7, when the Vikings faced the Johnnies on their court.
“We just have not performed consistently this season,” Jenna DeNune (’17) stated. “If we keep playing well without any hiccups, we will finish out the last half of our season much stronger than the way that we began it.”
The Vikings are coached by the same staff as last season. Head Coach Joe Rucker and assistant Coach Stacey Higgins look to push their team towards the finish line as the season wraps up.
“After doing so well last year, we had high expectations for this season. When we didn’t reach our own expectations, we decided to make new goals for the end of the season. ‘Leave it all out on the floor’ and ‘play with heart and for the girl standing next to you’ are our new goals,” Marcum stated.
The Vikings are left with a short bench rounding out the season. With one player out due to ineligibility, the team has six full-time varsity players to give them four quarters of playing time.
“Our team is going to push through and play hard until the end of the season. We have had many peaks and valleys during the season, but no matter what the outcome is, I am very proud to be a part of this team. We always are there for each other, even during the rough times,” DeNune added.
The Vikings will take on the Watkins Memorial Lady Warriors in their next Licking County League matchup. The game will be held at Watkins Memorial on Wednesday, Feb. 4 with JV starting at 6 p.m. and the Varsity to follow immediately after.
The Licking County League commences on February 11 for girls basketball. Senior Night for the Lady Vikings will be held on Saturday, Feb. 7 when the Vikings host the Licking Heights Hornets. The ceremony, honoring the seniors, will take place between the JV and Varsity games with the JV game starting at noon.
-Mikaela Pankuch (’15) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
By Mikaela Pankuch
NORTHRIDGE - With the winter sports season winding down, the Lady Vikings basketball team looks to finish out the season strong.
The Vikings started their season on Dec. 3 playing the Johnstown Johnnies. The Vikings have one win on the season but plan to finish out the season on a positive note.
Belinda Marcum (’15) said, “Our team has pushed hard during this season. We are the kind of team that does not give up so we will continue to work hard and finish out our season.”
The team has been in the gym since the end of October and will play until the middle of February. The second half of league plays began on Jan. 7, when the Vikings faced the Johnnies on their court.
“We just have not performed consistently this season,” Jenna DeNune (’17) stated. “If we keep playing well without any hiccups, we will finish out the last half of our season much stronger than the way that we began it.”
The Vikings are coached by the same staff as last season. Head Coach Joe Rucker and assistant Coach Stacey Higgins look to push their team towards the finish line as the season wraps up.
“After doing so well last year, we had high expectations for this season. When we didn’t reach our own expectations, we decided to make new goals for the end of the season. ‘Leave it all out on the floor’ and ‘play with heart and for the girl standing next to you’ are our new goals,” Marcum stated.
The Vikings are left with a short bench rounding out the season. With one player out due to ineligibility, the team has six full-time varsity players to give them four quarters of playing time.
“Our team is going to push through and play hard until the end of the season. We have had many peaks and valleys during the season, but no matter what the outcome is, I am very proud to be a part of this team. We always are there for each other, even during the rough times,” DeNune added.
The Vikings will take on the Watkins Memorial Lady Warriors in their next Licking County League matchup. The game will be held at Watkins Memorial on Wednesday, Feb. 4 with JV starting at 6 p.m. and the Varsity to follow immediately after.
The Licking County League commences on February 11 for girls basketball. Senior Night for the Lady Vikings will be held on Saturday, Feb. 7 when the Vikings host the Licking Heights Hornets. The ceremony, honoring the seniors, will take place between the JV and Varsity games with the JV game starting at noon.
-Mikaela Pankuch (’15) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
Northridge boys basketball team overcomes many hardships
By Chad Campbell
(Photo: Head coach Brian Blume watches as Gavin Shank ('15) shoots a free throw in a game on Tuesday, Feb. 3. Photo by K. Garee.)
The Northridge boys’ basketball team (10-8, 9-6) has had a great start to the 2014-15 basketball season and continues to do well in the face of many challenges and injuries.
The boys started the season with a big win against our rivals Johnstown at their place.
“Anyone who has played Johnstown at their place knows how big it is to go into their gym and get a win,” says Bryant Garee ('15).
The Vikings then went on to get a win against their other rival, Utica and two other big wins against the top two teams in the league, Granville and then Lakewood.
The boys then went on to get a second place trophy in the Fairfield Christian Holiday Tournament where they picked up their first loss of the season making them 5-1.
In their next game against Heath, the Vikings suffered a giant loss in their starting center, Brad Wilson, going down with a torn Achilles. Brad Wilson ('15), an Ohio Dominican baseball commit, will have approximately a six-month recovery time following surgery to repair the tendon, forcing him to sit out the rest of the season.
“It sucks not being able to be out there with my teammates, but I’m going to do everything I can to help them keep winning,” says Wilson.
The Vikings went on to lose the game at Heath, putting them in a tie at the top of the league with four other teams.
In their next game against Newark Catholic, Northridge quickly bounced back from the loss of their center, and got a big win. Seniors Matt Simmons ('15) and Evan Wilkoski ('15) stepped up to fill the shoes of Wilson.
The Vikings then picked up two quick losses against a D1 team, Canal Winchester, and a league game against Watkins Memorial.
After the Canal Winchester game, the team learned that they will also have to lose their starting point guard, Brandon Estep ('17) due to eligibility issues with OHSAA. Northridge may also have to forfeit their first six wins of the season.
Northridge has begun the appeals process with OHSAA and may have Estep declared eligible and their wins but will not know the final ruling until February 5th.
In their next game, down two starters, the Vikings picked up a big win against Licking Valley in double overtime.
“Getting the win against Licking Valley was really big for us because it was a giant confidence booster with everything that has happened this year, and it showed the team that we can still get big wins,” says Wilkoski.
Not only did the Vikings suffer a loss Jan. 20 to Licking Heights, but starter Chad Campbell ('15) also suffered a severe knee injury, sending the Vikes into their home confrontation with the Johnnies down three starters on Jan. 23.
-Chad Campbell ('15) is the Sports Editor and a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
By Chad Campbell
(Photo: Head coach Brian Blume watches as Gavin Shank ('15) shoots a free throw in a game on Tuesday, Feb. 3. Photo by K. Garee.)
The Northridge boys’ basketball team (10-8, 9-6) has had a great start to the 2014-15 basketball season and continues to do well in the face of many challenges and injuries.
The boys started the season with a big win against our rivals Johnstown at their place.
“Anyone who has played Johnstown at their place knows how big it is to go into their gym and get a win,” says Bryant Garee ('15).
The Vikings then went on to get a win against their other rival, Utica and two other big wins against the top two teams in the league, Granville and then Lakewood.
The boys then went on to get a second place trophy in the Fairfield Christian Holiday Tournament where they picked up their first loss of the season making them 5-1.
In their next game against Heath, the Vikings suffered a giant loss in their starting center, Brad Wilson, going down with a torn Achilles. Brad Wilson ('15), an Ohio Dominican baseball commit, will have approximately a six-month recovery time following surgery to repair the tendon, forcing him to sit out the rest of the season.
“It sucks not being able to be out there with my teammates, but I’m going to do everything I can to help them keep winning,” says Wilson.
The Vikings went on to lose the game at Heath, putting them in a tie at the top of the league with four other teams.
In their next game against Newark Catholic, Northridge quickly bounced back from the loss of their center, and got a big win. Seniors Matt Simmons ('15) and Evan Wilkoski ('15) stepped up to fill the shoes of Wilson.
The Vikings then picked up two quick losses against a D1 team, Canal Winchester, and a league game against Watkins Memorial.
After the Canal Winchester game, the team learned that they will also have to lose their starting point guard, Brandon Estep ('17) due to eligibility issues with OHSAA. Northridge may also have to forfeit their first six wins of the season.
Northridge has begun the appeals process with OHSAA and may have Estep declared eligible and their wins but will not know the final ruling until February 5th.
In their next game, down two starters, the Vikings picked up a big win against Licking Valley in double overtime.
“Getting the win against Licking Valley was really big for us because it was a giant confidence booster with everything that has happened this year, and it showed the team that we can still get big wins,” says Wilkoski.
Not only did the Vikings suffer a loss Jan. 20 to Licking Heights, but starter Chad Campbell ('15) also suffered a severe knee injury, sending the Vikes into their home confrontation with the Johnnies down three starters on Jan. 23.
-Chad Campbell ('15) is the Sports Editor and a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
Indoor track season starting for students
By Gabrielle Evans
NORTHRIDGE- The indoor track team team started practice and conditioning in mid-January, which is all new this year.
In years past, the indoor track team has been more of a “if you can come to the meet” type of thing, but this year there are actually practices and conditioning opportunities that interested students can participate in. The team practices on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays after school at 3 p.m.
The season lasts the first few months in the year before the spring, and then outdoor track and field will start up with practice and conditioning.
As of right now there are only four to five students that have been coming to practices.
“There are two meets scheduled at this time” says distance coach Devoni Murphy. The first meet will take place at Ohio Wesleyan in early February, and the second one will take place at Ohio State University.
The indoor track is half the size of the outdoor track, so that means more laps, but the meets basically run the same as outdoor meets with the same events, says Murphy.
The coaching staff includes four coaches this year, and they will be the same coaches as the outdoor season. The head coach is Richard Featheringill with the assistant coaches being Devoni Murphy, Nahum Masimer, and Mark Dann.
-Gabrielle Evans (‘15) is the News Editor and a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
By Gabrielle Evans
NORTHRIDGE- The indoor track team team started practice and conditioning in mid-January, which is all new this year.
In years past, the indoor track team has been more of a “if you can come to the meet” type of thing, but this year there are actually practices and conditioning opportunities that interested students can participate in. The team practices on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays after school at 3 p.m.
The season lasts the first few months in the year before the spring, and then outdoor track and field will start up with practice and conditioning.
As of right now there are only four to five students that have been coming to practices.
“There are two meets scheduled at this time” says distance coach Devoni Murphy. The first meet will take place at Ohio Wesleyan in early February, and the second one will take place at Ohio State University.
The indoor track is half the size of the outdoor track, so that means more laps, but the meets basically run the same as outdoor meets with the same events, says Murphy.
The coaching staff includes four coaches this year, and they will be the same coaches as the outdoor season. The head coach is Richard Featheringill with the assistant coaches being Devoni Murphy, Nahum Masimer, and Mark Dann.
-Gabrielle Evans (‘15) is the News Editor and a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
Lacrosse team leaps into second season
By Aili Barbee
NORTHRIDGE - The girl’s lacrosse team plans on beginning their second season with practice on Feb. 24 with their new coach, Stacey Butler.
Butler’s goal for this upcoming season is “that [students] improve on a personal level, that the team improves as a whole, and that we have fun while doing so.”
This will be the lacrosse team’s second season ever at Northridge. There are fourteen girls planning on returning to lacrosse this year. A few returning players are Anita Shultz (’16), Megan Phillips (’16), Audrey Ashbrook (’16) Amy Blumenshield (’15), and Emma Dann (’15). There are nine girls who are planning on trying lacrosse for the first time. A few of them are Aili Barbee (’16), Emily Dalton (’15), and Desiree Ecleo (’17).
All females in grades 9-12 are invited to try this sport. “No experience is needed,” says Haley Trimble (’16). “We will teach you everything you need to know.” It was Trimble who brought the idea of a lacrosse team to the school board last year. Trimble originally got the idea for a lacrosse team by searching for a winter sport to play to stay in shape. “I didn’t like any of the sports that were offered and there was just something about lacrosse that seemed really cool,” she said. “It might have had something to do with the fact that we were all new to the sport. We were all on the same level.”
Conditioning has already started for the lacrosse players. Coach Butler encourages students who are planning on playing to run in order to increase stamina and work on upper body strength. “I’m enjoying conditioning,” says Leyna Varney (’16). “It’s hard work but it will get us all ready for the great season ahead of us!”
“I’m excited to see where our second season takes us,” says Trimble. “This year we will be having real games with actual officials! Trimble is also looking forward to the bonding of the team. “Last year we all got really close,” she said. “I’m looking forward to the same thing this year.”
The equipment required for this year’s lacrosse season is the best lacrosse stick that can be afforded, lacrosse goggles, a mouth guard that is not white, and soccer cleats. This year the team is scheduled to have at least thirteen games compared to last year’s six games
“My coaching philosophy is pretty simple,” stated Butler. “Show up, put in 100%, and be a supportive teammate.”
-Aili Barbee (’16) is The Junior Editor-in-Chief and a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
By Aili Barbee
NORTHRIDGE - The girl’s lacrosse team plans on beginning their second season with practice on Feb. 24 with their new coach, Stacey Butler.
Butler’s goal for this upcoming season is “that [students] improve on a personal level, that the team improves as a whole, and that we have fun while doing so.”
This will be the lacrosse team’s second season ever at Northridge. There are fourteen girls planning on returning to lacrosse this year. A few returning players are Anita Shultz (’16), Megan Phillips (’16), Audrey Ashbrook (’16) Amy Blumenshield (’15), and Emma Dann (’15). There are nine girls who are planning on trying lacrosse for the first time. A few of them are Aili Barbee (’16), Emily Dalton (’15), and Desiree Ecleo (’17).
All females in grades 9-12 are invited to try this sport. “No experience is needed,” says Haley Trimble (’16). “We will teach you everything you need to know.” It was Trimble who brought the idea of a lacrosse team to the school board last year. Trimble originally got the idea for a lacrosse team by searching for a winter sport to play to stay in shape. “I didn’t like any of the sports that were offered and there was just something about lacrosse that seemed really cool,” she said. “It might have had something to do with the fact that we were all new to the sport. We were all on the same level.”
Conditioning has already started for the lacrosse players. Coach Butler encourages students who are planning on playing to run in order to increase stamina and work on upper body strength. “I’m enjoying conditioning,” says Leyna Varney (’16). “It’s hard work but it will get us all ready for the great season ahead of us!”
“I’m excited to see where our second season takes us,” says Trimble. “This year we will be having real games with actual officials! Trimble is also looking forward to the bonding of the team. “Last year we all got really close,” she said. “I’m looking forward to the same thing this year.”
The equipment required for this year’s lacrosse season is the best lacrosse stick that can be afforded, lacrosse goggles, a mouth guard that is not white, and soccer cleats. This year the team is scheduled to have at least thirteen games compared to last year’s six games
“My coaching philosophy is pretty simple,” stated Butler. “Show up, put in 100%, and be a supportive teammate.”
-Aili Barbee (’16) is The Junior Editor-in-Chief and a staff writer for The Viking Vault.