Vikes look to seniors to get over the hump
By: Cole Fox
NORTHRIDGE - The Vikes play at home for the second time this season Friday night, and it just so happens to be Homecoming - a win would put the Vikings up in their region after falling 0-3 in the first three weeks. The Vikes fell to Centerburg last week 7-6, in their first home game.
In order to take steps forward from last season, the Vikings are relying on heavy senior leadership to push everyone to go the extra mile. Week one saw a disappointing score of 41-0 against an impressive East Knox team. After the loss, running back Dylon Parman (‘20) stated, “I was extremely upset with the way our first game turned out because nobody likes to start out with a loss, let alone us seniors.” The Vikes put in a lot of hard work in the week that followed; however, they still fell short against Shenandoah 28-14.
In the first two weeks the Vikes have had no problem moving the ball, having logged roughly 300 yards per game. “It's the execution part were having trouble with,” Quarterback Travis Neumeyer (‘20) said. “We have a good drive going and then all of a sudden we get a penalty or a fumbled snap and it sets us behind the chains.”
The Vikings run a Wing-T style offense that is designed to grind a team out and make them tired. Tackle Dylen Conley (‘20) says, “The biggest problem we’ve had offensively is thinking too much. Our line has blocking rules that we follow but when we think, we forget.” Conley (‘20) adds, “We just have to block down or get a kick out and we will be firing on all cylinders.”
The Vikings’ defense has been a roller coaster this year. In week one they gave up big play after big play. Linebacker Adam Ulery (‘21) said, “We were in great positions - we just never collected, and that's what hurt us the most.” In week 2 the Vikings played pretty solid defense, forcing turnovers, and really only allowing a couple big plays. Lineman Dustin Chalfant (‘20) said, “If we can just eliminate those big plays, we’re a solid team.” In Week 3 the Vikings’ defense nearly shut Centerburg out, only allowing one touchdown the entire game.
The Vikings have had a hard week of practice in preparation for the heat wave that's supposed to be bearing down on Friday. In addition, the team even practiced with balls soaked in water buckets to ensure no fumbles occur. Jake Reese (‘20) stated, “Execution and not giving up big plays is gonna be crucial in winning against Lakewood this week.” Reese (‘20) added, “Last year we won in overtime against these guys, and we want to blow them out this season.”
Parman (‘20) stated, “This season is different than most for some of us seniors it's all we have left so we intend to make the most of it. All it takes is one block or one tackle and we’re right there.”
- Cole Fox (‘20) is a sports editor for The Viking Vault
By: Cole Fox
NORTHRIDGE - The Vikes play at home for the second time this season Friday night, and it just so happens to be Homecoming - a win would put the Vikings up in their region after falling 0-3 in the first three weeks. The Vikes fell to Centerburg last week 7-6, in their first home game.
In order to take steps forward from last season, the Vikings are relying on heavy senior leadership to push everyone to go the extra mile. Week one saw a disappointing score of 41-0 against an impressive East Knox team. After the loss, running back Dylon Parman (‘20) stated, “I was extremely upset with the way our first game turned out because nobody likes to start out with a loss, let alone us seniors.” The Vikes put in a lot of hard work in the week that followed; however, they still fell short against Shenandoah 28-14.
In the first two weeks the Vikes have had no problem moving the ball, having logged roughly 300 yards per game. “It's the execution part were having trouble with,” Quarterback Travis Neumeyer (‘20) said. “We have a good drive going and then all of a sudden we get a penalty or a fumbled snap and it sets us behind the chains.”
The Vikings run a Wing-T style offense that is designed to grind a team out and make them tired. Tackle Dylen Conley (‘20) says, “The biggest problem we’ve had offensively is thinking too much. Our line has blocking rules that we follow but when we think, we forget.” Conley (‘20) adds, “We just have to block down or get a kick out and we will be firing on all cylinders.”
The Vikings’ defense has been a roller coaster this year. In week one they gave up big play after big play. Linebacker Adam Ulery (‘21) said, “We were in great positions - we just never collected, and that's what hurt us the most.” In week 2 the Vikings played pretty solid defense, forcing turnovers, and really only allowing a couple big plays. Lineman Dustin Chalfant (‘20) said, “If we can just eliminate those big plays, we’re a solid team.” In Week 3 the Vikings’ defense nearly shut Centerburg out, only allowing one touchdown the entire game.
The Vikings have had a hard week of practice in preparation for the heat wave that's supposed to be bearing down on Friday. In addition, the team even practiced with balls soaked in water buckets to ensure no fumbles occur. Jake Reese (‘20) stated, “Execution and not giving up big plays is gonna be crucial in winning against Lakewood this week.” Reese (‘20) added, “Last year we won in overtime against these guys, and we want to blow them out this season.”
Parman (‘20) stated, “This season is different than most for some of us seniors it's all we have left so we intend to make the most of it. All it takes is one block or one tackle and we’re right there.”
- Cole Fox (‘20) is a sports editor for The Viking Vault
Poe’s RAVEN haunts marching band’s contest show
By: Charlotte Dunlap
NORTHRIDGE - As fans head out to football games, they may also be wondering what’s new with the 2019 marching band’s contest plans. Well, wonder “nevermore”!
Each year, the marching band learns and performs a new show featuring music and costumes to fit the show’s theme, taking the performance to contest as well as to halftime shows.This year, the show’s theme is “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe.
“‘The Raven’ is a show that takes Edgar Allen Poe's narrative poem of the same name and brings it to life on the football field,” Cassandra McCall, director of the Northridge Marching Band, explains. “The narrator's girlfriend, Lenore, has passed away recently, and he is going through a grieving period. He cannot bring himself to move on with his life and feels stuck in his own mind.”
McCall goes on to explain how the story is expressed through the music and drill/routine. “The pre-show into the first movement of the show depicts the beginning half of the poem where the narrator hears something knocking on his door in the dead of night. However, when he opens the door, he only sees darkness. This is his initial descent into madness. During the first movement, the Raven enters the narrator's home and keeps muttering the word ‘Nevermore,’ meaning that he will never get over this and will be stuck in darkness forever. During this scene, the narrator notices that he is beginning to lose his mind and is in a constant struggle with himself.
“The second movement is the slow movement of the show. This movement displays the narrator (portrayed by Chris Curran) and Lenore (Luci Holbrook) in a flashback scene of when she was still alive. The duo dance in remembrance of their time together. The Raven (Katie Debolt) then emerges from the door and steals Lenore away from the narrator, taking her away through the door, never to return. This leads into the third and final movement of the show where the narrator completely loses his mind and darkness takes over.”
In the past, the band has done various shows such as: “Company B,” “Sideshow,” and “America’s Pastime” which featured “An American Heritage,” “Field of Dreams,” and “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” Between 2017’s “To the Grave” and 2018’s “Sideshow,” the past two years have also had dark themes.
McCall says “The Raven” is special, though. “This show has a bit of a different approach from last year's circus-themed show,” she explains. “This one has a darker theme and uses a few narrations throughout the performance along with visuals and music to make the story come to life. A lot of other bands do not always take this approach, so I am looking forward to bringing this show to our first competition at Licking Heights very soon.”
Band member Aidan Dunlap (‘25) explained what it’s like to be a middle-schooler in a high school band. “It’s weird,” he begins. “Everyone else is older and more experienced than me. They know a lot more than I do. It’s nice, though, because I have so many people to guide me. Everyone’s really nice and are always willing to help,” he continued.
Anyone that has ever been a part of a team knows that you must set goals in order to be successful. “One main goal for the season is to make it to OMEA State Marching Band Finals!” McCall exclaims. “In order to do so, the band needs to receive a 'Superior' rating from the judges during at least one of our contests throughout the season. We have a bit of a younger band this year, but they are all working extremely hard and are becoming better versions of themselves each and every day. I am excited to get the competition season underway very soon, and I look forward to seeing all the progress we will continue to make this season!”
- Charlotte Dunlap (‘21) is a staff member of the Viking Vault@[email protected]
By: Charlotte Dunlap
NORTHRIDGE - As fans head out to football games, they may also be wondering what’s new with the 2019 marching band’s contest plans. Well, wonder “nevermore”!
Each year, the marching band learns and performs a new show featuring music and costumes to fit the show’s theme, taking the performance to contest as well as to halftime shows.This year, the show’s theme is “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe.
“‘The Raven’ is a show that takes Edgar Allen Poe's narrative poem of the same name and brings it to life on the football field,” Cassandra McCall, director of the Northridge Marching Band, explains. “The narrator's girlfriend, Lenore, has passed away recently, and he is going through a grieving period. He cannot bring himself to move on with his life and feels stuck in his own mind.”
McCall goes on to explain how the story is expressed through the music and drill/routine. “The pre-show into the first movement of the show depicts the beginning half of the poem where the narrator hears something knocking on his door in the dead of night. However, when he opens the door, he only sees darkness. This is his initial descent into madness. During the first movement, the Raven enters the narrator's home and keeps muttering the word ‘Nevermore,’ meaning that he will never get over this and will be stuck in darkness forever. During this scene, the narrator notices that he is beginning to lose his mind and is in a constant struggle with himself.
“The second movement is the slow movement of the show. This movement displays the narrator (portrayed by Chris Curran) and Lenore (Luci Holbrook) in a flashback scene of when she was still alive. The duo dance in remembrance of their time together. The Raven (Katie Debolt) then emerges from the door and steals Lenore away from the narrator, taking her away through the door, never to return. This leads into the third and final movement of the show where the narrator completely loses his mind and darkness takes over.”
In the past, the band has done various shows such as: “Company B,” “Sideshow,” and “America’s Pastime” which featured “An American Heritage,” “Field of Dreams,” and “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” Between 2017’s “To the Grave” and 2018’s “Sideshow,” the past two years have also had dark themes.
McCall says “The Raven” is special, though. “This show has a bit of a different approach from last year's circus-themed show,” she explains. “This one has a darker theme and uses a few narrations throughout the performance along with visuals and music to make the story come to life. A lot of other bands do not always take this approach, so I am looking forward to bringing this show to our first competition at Licking Heights very soon.”
Band member Aidan Dunlap (‘25) explained what it’s like to be a middle-schooler in a high school band. “It’s weird,” he begins. “Everyone else is older and more experienced than me. They know a lot more than I do. It’s nice, though, because I have so many people to guide me. Everyone’s really nice and are always willing to help,” he continued.
Anyone that has ever been a part of a team knows that you must set goals in order to be successful. “One main goal for the season is to make it to OMEA State Marching Band Finals!” McCall exclaims. “In order to do so, the band needs to receive a 'Superior' rating from the judges during at least one of our contests throughout the season. We have a bit of a younger band this year, but they are all working extremely hard and are becoming better versions of themselves each and every day. I am excited to get the competition season underway very soon, and I look forward to seeing all the progress we will continue to make this season!”
- Charlotte Dunlap (‘21) is a staff member of the Viking Vault@[email protected]
More than three miles
An inside look at our 2019 XC teams
By: Alex Hook
NORTHRIDGE - “Bang” - the sound of a starter gun cracks, and everyone within one mile is startled from the booming sound. Hundreds of runners start running at a pace that would allow them to run for about twenty minutes - sometimes faster, some a little longer. It’s a blur of runners shooting out of grass boxes, trying to set their own personal records, a personal record these runners have been working for their high school careers. Working hard everyday in practice to hopefully one day become the best runner they can be, the runners come from dozens of different high schools. Some of the runners know each other and others have never met.
These are just some of the many things that are going on in a Cross Country event.
The NHS Cross Country teams have been putting in many practice hours every day, summer and fall, to prepare for the rest of their season. And it has been paying off for them up to this point in the season.
Both the boys and girls have been enjoying success this season and are hopeful for Districts. The girls division three District meet is on October 19th at Watkins Memorial High School. The boys District meet will be the same day at Hilliard Darby High School.
Olyvia Ashbrook (‘21) has had much success in the past, making it all the way to the State meet, and is looking for what the future has to offer. When asked about how she felt about the season, she said, “I’ve been doing alright as an individual, but I am going to continue to work hard to drop my time.” Ashbrook holds the fifth best time, which is a 19:53, for any Cross Country runner in the history of the school.
The girls’ team was hit hard when they lost five seniors this past season. One of those runners was three-time All-State runner Megan King (‘19), who is currently running in her freshman season Wright State University. Ashbrook said, “It really hurt to lose Megan [King] the past season, but the future is still bright for Northridge, and I’m excited to still be running for the school.”
The boys have also been enjoying their own success this season, led by their top two runners Zion Carpenter (‘20) and Nick Houck (‘21). Carpenter set the school record this season with a 16:53 at the Watkins Memorial Invitational. Houck ran 17:23 at the same invitational, which would have also beat the school record if it wasn’t for Carpenter. The team ended up placing fourth out of 23 teams at the event.
Gerran Small (‘20) is the captain of the team and is looking forward to Districts. He said, “It has really helped to have Zion and Nick doing well this year, and even the rest of the team has been setting their own personal records all year long.” Small set a personal record at the Watkins Invitational with a 20:43.
When asked about the success of the team, Small said, “We are working really hard in practices and pushing each other to get better everyday. I am really excited for what the future has in store for us.”
- Alex Hook (‘20) is a Sports Editor for The Viking Vault [email protected]
An inside look at our 2019 XC teams
By: Alex Hook
NORTHRIDGE - “Bang” - the sound of a starter gun cracks, and everyone within one mile is startled from the booming sound. Hundreds of runners start running at a pace that would allow them to run for about twenty minutes - sometimes faster, some a little longer. It’s a blur of runners shooting out of grass boxes, trying to set their own personal records, a personal record these runners have been working for their high school careers. Working hard everyday in practice to hopefully one day become the best runner they can be, the runners come from dozens of different high schools. Some of the runners know each other and others have never met.
These are just some of the many things that are going on in a Cross Country event.
The NHS Cross Country teams have been putting in many practice hours every day, summer and fall, to prepare for the rest of their season. And it has been paying off for them up to this point in the season.
Both the boys and girls have been enjoying success this season and are hopeful for Districts. The girls division three District meet is on October 19th at Watkins Memorial High School. The boys District meet will be the same day at Hilliard Darby High School.
Olyvia Ashbrook (‘21) has had much success in the past, making it all the way to the State meet, and is looking for what the future has to offer. When asked about how she felt about the season, she said, “I’ve been doing alright as an individual, but I am going to continue to work hard to drop my time.” Ashbrook holds the fifth best time, which is a 19:53, for any Cross Country runner in the history of the school.
The girls’ team was hit hard when they lost five seniors this past season. One of those runners was three-time All-State runner Megan King (‘19), who is currently running in her freshman season Wright State University. Ashbrook said, “It really hurt to lose Megan [King] the past season, but the future is still bright for Northridge, and I’m excited to still be running for the school.”
The boys have also been enjoying their own success this season, led by their top two runners Zion Carpenter (‘20) and Nick Houck (‘21). Carpenter set the school record this season with a 16:53 at the Watkins Memorial Invitational. Houck ran 17:23 at the same invitational, which would have also beat the school record if it wasn’t for Carpenter. The team ended up placing fourth out of 23 teams at the event.
Gerran Small (‘20) is the captain of the team and is looking forward to Districts. He said, “It has really helped to have Zion and Nick doing well this year, and even the rest of the team has been setting their own personal records all year long.” Small set a personal record at the Watkins Invitational with a 20:43.
When asked about the success of the team, Small said, “We are working really hard in practices and pushing each other to get better everyday. I am really excited for what the future has in store for us.”
- Alex Hook (‘20) is a Sports Editor for The Viking Vault [email protected]
Color guard seniors lead with flare
By: Megan Payne
NORTHRIDGE - The 2019 color guard team is under new direction this year and with a new and exciting performance routine, the seniors are looking to make this season the best one yet. As a senior, Katie Debolt (‘20) is approaching this year with a new attitude as she says “I realize that this is my last year doing something that I love, so I am trying to soak up every last moment.”
Change is no longer a rarity to the color guard team in terms of the 2019 season so far. With new coaches and a new routine, the team hopes their success from past years doesn’t change. Advisors Yasmine Wilford and Alondra Mejia have taken over the Northridge team after Lauren King left because she wanted to spend more time with her family. Both seniors on the squad, Katie Debolt and Luci Holbrook (‘20), agree that this season is “different but a good different.” Holbrook said, “We are learning more techniques and mechanics right now, which is good for us since we have a lot of younger girls this year.”
The team has practiced all summer and fall to perfect their new routine called “The Raven,” which is based off of Edgar Allen Poe’s narrative poem called “The Raven.” Debolt acts as the raven in the performance and Holbrook acts as Lenore. Holbrook said that this routine was different than any of the ones that they have done before so she was excited when the coaches revealed it to them. The color guard team will be travelling to six competitions to compete against Licking Heights, Dublin Jerome, Licking Valley, Newark, and Tri Valley.
Debolt is most excited to perform at the Buckeye Invitational on September 28th because the team gets to perform on The Ohio State University’s football field inside of “The Horseshoe.” She says, “I don’t know what it is, but something about performing on the same field as the OSU Marching Band, which is one of the best bands in the country, seems so cool to me so I can’t wait.”
With only two seniors, the team is made up of mostly underclassmen which means that Debolt and Holbrook have had to take leadership of the young program. Both of them said that it is all about “being nice to everyone and making sure that everyone feels included along with having fun and coming with positive attitudes everyday.”
Katie has been involved in color guard for four years, while Luci has been competing for five years, so the program will lose some experience when they graduate ... which means this year is about making sure that they leave the program is a successful state. “We want to leave our mark on this program, and I think this will be the year to do it,” Holbrook said.
Fans can see the color guard team perform their new routine every Friday night during halftime of the football game.
- Megan Payne (‘20) is the chief web editor of The Viking Vault.
By: Megan Payne
NORTHRIDGE - The 2019 color guard team is under new direction this year and with a new and exciting performance routine, the seniors are looking to make this season the best one yet. As a senior, Katie Debolt (‘20) is approaching this year with a new attitude as she says “I realize that this is my last year doing something that I love, so I am trying to soak up every last moment.”
Change is no longer a rarity to the color guard team in terms of the 2019 season so far. With new coaches and a new routine, the team hopes their success from past years doesn’t change. Advisors Yasmine Wilford and Alondra Mejia have taken over the Northridge team after Lauren King left because she wanted to spend more time with her family. Both seniors on the squad, Katie Debolt and Luci Holbrook (‘20), agree that this season is “different but a good different.” Holbrook said, “We are learning more techniques and mechanics right now, which is good for us since we have a lot of younger girls this year.”
The team has practiced all summer and fall to perfect their new routine called “The Raven,” which is based off of Edgar Allen Poe’s narrative poem called “The Raven.” Debolt acts as the raven in the performance and Holbrook acts as Lenore. Holbrook said that this routine was different than any of the ones that they have done before so she was excited when the coaches revealed it to them. The color guard team will be travelling to six competitions to compete against Licking Heights, Dublin Jerome, Licking Valley, Newark, and Tri Valley.
Debolt is most excited to perform at the Buckeye Invitational on September 28th because the team gets to perform on The Ohio State University’s football field inside of “The Horseshoe.” She says, “I don’t know what it is, but something about performing on the same field as the OSU Marching Band, which is one of the best bands in the country, seems so cool to me so I can’t wait.”
With only two seniors, the team is made up of mostly underclassmen which means that Debolt and Holbrook have had to take leadership of the young program. Both of them said that it is all about “being nice to everyone and making sure that everyone feels included along with having fun and coming with positive attitudes everyday.”
Katie has been involved in color guard for four years, while Luci has been competing for five years, so the program will lose some experience when they graduate ... which means this year is about making sure that they leave the program is a successful state. “We want to leave our mark on this program, and I think this will be the year to do it,” Holbrook said.
Fans can see the color guard team perform their new routine every Friday night during halftime of the football game.
- Megan Payne (‘20) is the chief web editor of The Viking Vault.
Hurt but still on the team
Fall athletes cope with injuries
By: Lyndsey Stocks
NORTHRIDGE - For most athletes, sports feel like their entire lives. They eat, sleep, and breathe the sports they play in any given season. All of that can change in a split second with an injury, though no matter how much talent is involved. These injuries can take an athlete completely out for a few days or an entire season, but many still play an important role on their team.
Dylen Conley (‘20) says, “It sucks being injured senior year because it is your final year of playing and once you get hurt, you can’t play.” Conley is a right tackle on the Varsity football team and has started Varsity on the team for two years. This year, a fractured wrist sustained during a block has him casted and on the sidelines.
Athletes can learn many life lessons while playing on the court or field. Injuries are another way some of those same kinds of lessons can be taught, including life lessons about staying positive and upbeat while facing adversity. These struggles can have a lasting impact on student athletes and can even help them once they start to get back into playing their sport.
When asked on what he's learned from injury, Conley says, “This has taught me that that one injury could ruin your whole career.” Still, Conley is determined he will be back and ready to play during this football season.
On many sports teams, seniors are seen as the leaders. Most have put in the work for four high school seasons and are ready to see it pay off in their final year. Not all seniors are able to experience this though; injuries can happen to anyone, no matter how much time and effort they have contributed to their sport.
Rex Bammerlin (‘20) plays on the Varsity soccer team and suffered a break in his collar bone while playing. He explains, “Getting hurt senior year, especially with it being this severe, has really been hard on me because I was looking forward to this year so much. My injury taught me a need to keep a positive mindset throughout the process.”
Injured athletes are still very important to their teams and can still have a huge role in contributing to their team's success. Head football coach Jay Campbell explains, “If an athlete suffers an injury, we try to keep them as involved as possible on the team so that they can continue to contribute. Often times, our injured players will take care of water duties, film practices, or help with the equipment.”
Not all injuries are preventable, but there are ways athletes can be taking care of their bodies to lessen their risk. Campbell states, “The stronger and more flexible your muscles are, the more likely you are to stay healthy.”
Athletes’ bodies are worked for hours and hours each day and need treatment to be able to recover properly and help reduce the amount of injuries suffered to keep athletes participating in their sports.
- Lyndsey Stocks (‘21) is the assistant web editor for the Viking Vault
[email protected]
Fall athletes cope with injuries
By: Lyndsey Stocks
NORTHRIDGE - For most athletes, sports feel like their entire lives. They eat, sleep, and breathe the sports they play in any given season. All of that can change in a split second with an injury, though no matter how much talent is involved. These injuries can take an athlete completely out for a few days or an entire season, but many still play an important role on their team.
Dylen Conley (‘20) says, “It sucks being injured senior year because it is your final year of playing and once you get hurt, you can’t play.” Conley is a right tackle on the Varsity football team and has started Varsity on the team for two years. This year, a fractured wrist sustained during a block has him casted and on the sidelines.
Athletes can learn many life lessons while playing on the court or field. Injuries are another way some of those same kinds of lessons can be taught, including life lessons about staying positive and upbeat while facing adversity. These struggles can have a lasting impact on student athletes and can even help them once they start to get back into playing their sport.
When asked on what he's learned from injury, Conley says, “This has taught me that that one injury could ruin your whole career.” Still, Conley is determined he will be back and ready to play during this football season.
On many sports teams, seniors are seen as the leaders. Most have put in the work for four high school seasons and are ready to see it pay off in their final year. Not all seniors are able to experience this though; injuries can happen to anyone, no matter how much time and effort they have contributed to their sport.
Rex Bammerlin (‘20) plays on the Varsity soccer team and suffered a break in his collar bone while playing. He explains, “Getting hurt senior year, especially with it being this severe, has really been hard on me because I was looking forward to this year so much. My injury taught me a need to keep a positive mindset throughout the process.”
Injured athletes are still very important to their teams and can still have a huge role in contributing to their team's success. Head football coach Jay Campbell explains, “If an athlete suffers an injury, we try to keep them as involved as possible on the team so that they can continue to contribute. Often times, our injured players will take care of water duties, film practices, or help with the equipment.”
Not all injuries are preventable, but there are ways athletes can be taking care of their bodies to lessen their risk. Campbell states, “The stronger and more flexible your muscles are, the more likely you are to stay healthy.”
Athletes’ bodies are worked for hours and hours each day and need treatment to be able to recover properly and help reduce the amount of injuries suffered to keep athletes participating in their sports.
- Lyndsey Stocks (‘21) is the assistant web editor for the Viking Vault
[email protected]
Northridge volleyball on the rise
By: Sydney Koker
NORTHRIDGE - “This is the season,'' said Amanda Townley (‘21).
The Lady Vikings have had quite a comeback season compared to years past. The girls’ record is currently 10-2, with plenty more wins planned for the weeks ahead. The program has grown in numbers and wins since the arrival of Head Coach Rex Carr a few years ago.
“The team looks so much better this season. I don’t know what has changed, but the team is on the rise,'' said devoted student section supporter Lauren Aamodt (‘21), who says she has noticed the way the varsity players have grown this season.
At the beginning of September, the girls made history when they beat Licking Heights for the first time since Northridge joined the Licking County League.
The team is averaging 12 kills and almost four aces per set. Claire Wasem (‘20) has 71 kills and 14 blocks so far this season. She also represented her team when she was awarded Athlete of the Week by The Athletic Boosters.
Townley, another stat leader, has 66 kills and 26 aces so far.
“Serving is an important aspect to the game. It really sets the tone for plays,” said Townley.
Clayton Laslo(‘21) has been to almost all of the girls games this season as part of the biggest student section volleyball players ever remember seeing and confirms the team is more impressive than ever before.
“The girls gel and look like they know what they’re doing,” Laslo observed, but he laughs and admits, “I don’t always pay attention. I often get lost in conversation with other students there to show their support.”
Though the team is just past mid-season, the girls say they are really hoping to continue a winning season.
“I hope to see some more students attending and supporting our team,” said the team’s setter, Claire Shank (‘22).
- Sydney Koker (‘21) is the Media Editor for The Viking Vault. [email protected]
By: Sydney Koker
NORTHRIDGE - “This is the season,'' said Amanda Townley (‘21).
The Lady Vikings have had quite a comeback season compared to years past. The girls’ record is currently 10-2, with plenty more wins planned for the weeks ahead. The program has grown in numbers and wins since the arrival of Head Coach Rex Carr a few years ago.
“The team looks so much better this season. I don’t know what has changed, but the team is on the rise,'' said devoted student section supporter Lauren Aamodt (‘21), who says she has noticed the way the varsity players have grown this season.
At the beginning of September, the girls made history when they beat Licking Heights for the first time since Northridge joined the Licking County League.
The team is averaging 12 kills and almost four aces per set. Claire Wasem (‘20) has 71 kills and 14 blocks so far this season. She also represented her team when she was awarded Athlete of the Week by The Athletic Boosters.
Townley, another stat leader, has 66 kills and 26 aces so far.
“Serving is an important aspect to the game. It really sets the tone for plays,” said Townley.
Clayton Laslo(‘21) has been to almost all of the girls games this season as part of the biggest student section volleyball players ever remember seeing and confirms the team is more impressive than ever before.
“The girls gel and look like they know what they’re doing,” Laslo observed, but he laughs and admits, “I don’t always pay attention. I often get lost in conversation with other students there to show their support.”
Though the team is just past mid-season, the girls say they are really hoping to continue a winning season.
“I hope to see some more students attending and supporting our team,” said the team’s setter, Claire Shank (‘22).
- Sydney Koker (‘21) is the Media Editor for The Viking Vault. [email protected]