Bowling team’s new coach expects wins
By: Alex Hook
NORTHRIDGE- The school’s bowling team began their season at the beginning of November and is looking for success this season with a new head coach.
Cory Flick will take over as the head bowling coach this winter, and he is very optimistic about the team this season. Flick is no stranger to knocking down the pins, as he bowled all four years in high school and also competed on Wright State University’s team for four years. Most students know him as Mr. Flick, as he is teaches math in the high school.
Flick says that he is happy the season is upon us, and he adds, “I’m excited to be coaching this as it’s been fun watching the bowlers get excited for their upcoming matches because I know what that feeling is like It is a little different being a coach, rather than being the player like usual, but I love seeing the kids getting better and coming together as a team.”
The team has started with a 1-2 record, but Flick says that he has high hopes for what is to come for this team. Flick says, “We have a couple of players that aren’t that experienced, but by the end of the year I could see their average scores increasing by a lot. I also see this year as a building year because we don’t have a single senior on the team, and this is my first year getting to know some of the players.”
Ashton Walters (‘21), is a leader of the bowling team, and is ready for the rest of the season. Walters states, “I am really excited for this year, and I look forward to the sectional tournament by the end of the year. I know that our team is going to be ready for the tournament because we aren’t even a quarter of the way through the season and everyone’s average scores are increasing.”
Walters also said, “I am going to push myself, to not only make sure that I am getting better but to also make sure that others on the team see that and want to push themselves too. We also have a very young team, which means that we are only going to get better as we get more experience.”
The team will have 15 total matches, along with two tournaments that will take place around the end of the year. One of the tournaments is the Muskingum Invitational, and the other is the Licking County League tournament. The team will also participate in the Sectional Tournament, mentioned earlier, which could possibly lead to Districts and States.
Flick says, “I think we could make a run in the state tournament as the season goes on, even though we aren’t a very experienced team. I see a lot of growth amongst the players, and some of the kids are starting to get a taste for what bowling matches are like.”
Also, Flick says, “I am super happy to have taken on the responsibility of being coach because it brings me joy to see the kids celebrating new personal high scores and starting to get better. Words can’t really describe that feeling.”
- Alex Hook (‘20) is a Sports Editor for The Viking Vault [email protected]
By: Alex Hook
NORTHRIDGE- The school’s bowling team began their season at the beginning of November and is looking for success this season with a new head coach.
Cory Flick will take over as the head bowling coach this winter, and he is very optimistic about the team this season. Flick is no stranger to knocking down the pins, as he bowled all four years in high school and also competed on Wright State University’s team for four years. Most students know him as Mr. Flick, as he is teaches math in the high school.
Flick says that he is happy the season is upon us, and he adds, “I’m excited to be coaching this as it’s been fun watching the bowlers get excited for their upcoming matches because I know what that feeling is like It is a little different being a coach, rather than being the player like usual, but I love seeing the kids getting better and coming together as a team.”
The team has started with a 1-2 record, but Flick says that he has high hopes for what is to come for this team. Flick says, “We have a couple of players that aren’t that experienced, but by the end of the year I could see their average scores increasing by a lot. I also see this year as a building year because we don’t have a single senior on the team, and this is my first year getting to know some of the players.”
Ashton Walters (‘21), is a leader of the bowling team, and is ready for the rest of the season. Walters states, “I am really excited for this year, and I look forward to the sectional tournament by the end of the year. I know that our team is going to be ready for the tournament because we aren’t even a quarter of the way through the season and everyone’s average scores are increasing.”
Walters also said, “I am going to push myself, to not only make sure that I am getting better but to also make sure that others on the team see that and want to push themselves too. We also have a very young team, which means that we are only going to get better as we get more experience.”
The team will have 15 total matches, along with two tournaments that will take place around the end of the year. One of the tournaments is the Muskingum Invitational, and the other is the Licking County League tournament. The team will also participate in the Sectional Tournament, mentioned earlier, which could possibly lead to Districts and States.
Flick says, “I think we could make a run in the state tournament as the season goes on, even though we aren’t a very experienced team. I see a lot of growth amongst the players, and some of the kids are starting to get a taste for what bowling matches are like.”
Also, Flick says, “I am super happy to have taken on the responsibility of being coach because it brings me joy to see the kids celebrating new personal high scores and starting to get better. Words can’t really describe that feeling.”
- Alex Hook (‘20) is a Sports Editor for The Viking Vault [email protected]
Boys Varsity hoops
By: Cole Fox
The Boys team is reloaded and ready for the challenges of the 2019-2020 season. The Vikes have had an impressive start to the season already with an impressive first game against Danville, beating the Blue Devils 51-22.
The Vikes have an impressive freshman class who have bright futures ahead of them. Ian Travis (‘23) started in the Vikings Season opener and is one of three freshmen that were on the bench for Saturday's game. The other two were Justin Townley (‘23) and Zach Holder (‘23).
Adding to the team’s youth, the Vikes have a young varsity roster that plays beyond its years including three sophomores: Nic Minder (‘22), J.D. Miller (‘22), and Conner Everts (‘22). The sophomores have been excelling in practice, but Minder (‘22) says, “I struggle with my shot from time to time and when I’m cold, it’s hard for me to heat up.”
The Vikings are going to need higher shooting percentages this year if they are going to compete. Over the past few years, the Vikes have transitioned to a more shooting heavy team due to lack of size in the paint. This year is no different.
The Vikings return three seniors this year. Captains Ben Smith (‘20) and Travis Neumeyer (‘20) will be looked on heavily this season to get things done. In addition to Smith and Neumeyer the Vikings have Senior Jackson Knerr returning to help with the team morale and ball control.
Everts (‘22) says, “It definitely makes things easier having guys like Travis on the court with you. He understands the game so well, and if you get into trouble all you have to do is get the ball in his hands.” In addition, to the three returning seniors they added Dylen Conley (‘20) as their 6’4 Center. The Vikings will have the ability to spread out and leave Conley in the center to keep things balanced.
The Vikings have three juniors who equally shared varsity floor time as sophomores. Forward Adam Ulry (‘21), center Aidan Isler (‘21), and guard Damian Bates (‘21) played on their freshman team as well as JV during their freshman seasons but sophomore year played both JV and Varsity.
“Playing Varsity last year made me realize how more experienced I needed to be this year if I wanted to compete,” said Isler (‘21).
Neumeyer said, “I want to be competitive this year. We may not be big, but we make up for it with our shooting, and that showed in our season opener.” The Vikings started slow but, by the end of the game, it was a complete domination of Danville.
- Cole Fox (‘20) is a Sports Editor for The Viking Vault
By: Cole Fox
The Boys team is reloaded and ready for the challenges of the 2019-2020 season. The Vikes have had an impressive start to the season already with an impressive first game against Danville, beating the Blue Devils 51-22.
The Vikes have an impressive freshman class who have bright futures ahead of them. Ian Travis (‘23) started in the Vikings Season opener and is one of three freshmen that were on the bench for Saturday's game. The other two were Justin Townley (‘23) and Zach Holder (‘23).
Adding to the team’s youth, the Vikes have a young varsity roster that plays beyond its years including three sophomores: Nic Minder (‘22), J.D. Miller (‘22), and Conner Everts (‘22). The sophomores have been excelling in practice, but Minder (‘22) says, “I struggle with my shot from time to time and when I’m cold, it’s hard for me to heat up.”
The Vikings are going to need higher shooting percentages this year if they are going to compete. Over the past few years, the Vikes have transitioned to a more shooting heavy team due to lack of size in the paint. This year is no different.
The Vikings return three seniors this year. Captains Ben Smith (‘20) and Travis Neumeyer (‘20) will be looked on heavily this season to get things done. In addition to Smith and Neumeyer the Vikings have Senior Jackson Knerr returning to help with the team morale and ball control.
Everts (‘22) says, “It definitely makes things easier having guys like Travis on the court with you. He understands the game so well, and if you get into trouble all you have to do is get the ball in his hands.” In addition, to the three returning seniors they added Dylen Conley (‘20) as their 6’4 Center. The Vikings will have the ability to spread out and leave Conley in the center to keep things balanced.
The Vikings have three juniors who equally shared varsity floor time as sophomores. Forward Adam Ulry (‘21), center Aidan Isler (‘21), and guard Damian Bates (‘21) played on their freshman team as well as JV during their freshman seasons but sophomore year played both JV and Varsity.
“Playing Varsity last year made me realize how more experienced I needed to be this year if I wanted to compete,” said Isler (‘21).
Neumeyer said, “I want to be competitive this year. We may not be big, but we make up for it with our shooting, and that showed in our season opener.” The Vikings started slow but, by the end of the game, it was a complete domination of Danville.
- Cole Fox (‘20) is a Sports Editor for The Viking Vault
Lady Vikes dribble their way to wins
By: Megan Payne
NORTHRIDGE - This season, the Lady Vikings Basketball team is looking to change not only their number of wins, but also the culture of the program with the help of a new coach and a new team attitude. The girls Varsity team is led by a new head coach, Kevin Smith, who was the JV coach for the past two seasons, where he led his team to a record of 30-9 across the span of two seasons.
The entire program consists of seven upperclassmen and four freshmen, so obviously numbers is a key issue that the girls program has to overcome this season. Smith realizes this as he says, “The biggest challenge this season is dealing with such small numbers of girls and injuries already to a few of our very key players.”
Lyndsey Stocks (‘21) had been sidelined with a back injury but has now been cleared by her physical therapist and is beginning to participate in practices. Two seniors, Megan Payne and Makayla Harris, both suffered shoulder injuries at the beginning of the season, but both have returned to play.
The team has played in four scrimmages and four games. The Lady Vikes went 3-1 in their scrimmages and 2-2 in games.
Since the number of girls is low this season, conditioning will be key for the Lady Vikes. The team “will have to run in transition for the entire game because we don’t have many subs, but I know we can do it” says Harris.
The Lady Vikes worked really hard over the summer to get in shape and work on techniques and skills needed in order to put together a winning season this year. Lauren Aamodt (‘21) says, “I don’t think I have ever run so many sidelines in my life. I still have PTSD when he tells us to get on the sideline.”
Open gym was held three times a week for two hours each day from May to July. Coach Smith also held a team camp at the end of July which lasted six days and lasted three hours each day. The month of August is considered a “dead period,” according to the Ohio High School Athletic Association, but the girls still put in work by completing workouts that were given to them.
Team chemistry is another point of emphasis for this season. The team and coaches all adventure out on team outings each month which consists of many different things. In October, the team went to Lynd’s Fruit Farm and completed the corn maze competition. For November, the team had Friendsgiving where each person brought a different food item and they all ate dinner together. To get the team into the Christmas spirit, the team will be visiting the Columbus Zoo Wildlights in December.
The girls basketball team plays at Johnstown on December 17th at 7:30. This game will be special because the Northridge boys varsity team will play Johnstown right before the girls play so it will be an exciting environment.
- Megan Payne(‘20) is the chief web editor for the Viking Vault.
By: Megan Payne
NORTHRIDGE - This season, the Lady Vikings Basketball team is looking to change not only their number of wins, but also the culture of the program with the help of a new coach and a new team attitude. The girls Varsity team is led by a new head coach, Kevin Smith, who was the JV coach for the past two seasons, where he led his team to a record of 30-9 across the span of two seasons.
The entire program consists of seven upperclassmen and four freshmen, so obviously numbers is a key issue that the girls program has to overcome this season. Smith realizes this as he says, “The biggest challenge this season is dealing with such small numbers of girls and injuries already to a few of our very key players.”
Lyndsey Stocks (‘21) had been sidelined with a back injury but has now been cleared by her physical therapist and is beginning to participate in practices. Two seniors, Megan Payne and Makayla Harris, both suffered shoulder injuries at the beginning of the season, but both have returned to play.
The team has played in four scrimmages and four games. The Lady Vikes went 3-1 in their scrimmages and 2-2 in games.
Since the number of girls is low this season, conditioning will be key for the Lady Vikes. The team “will have to run in transition for the entire game because we don’t have many subs, but I know we can do it” says Harris.
The Lady Vikes worked really hard over the summer to get in shape and work on techniques and skills needed in order to put together a winning season this year. Lauren Aamodt (‘21) says, “I don’t think I have ever run so many sidelines in my life. I still have PTSD when he tells us to get on the sideline.”
Open gym was held three times a week for two hours each day from May to July. Coach Smith also held a team camp at the end of July which lasted six days and lasted three hours each day. The month of August is considered a “dead period,” according to the Ohio High School Athletic Association, but the girls still put in work by completing workouts that were given to them.
Team chemistry is another point of emphasis for this season. The team and coaches all adventure out on team outings each month which consists of many different things. In October, the team went to Lynd’s Fruit Farm and completed the corn maze competition. For November, the team had Friendsgiving where each person brought a different food item and they all ate dinner together. To get the team into the Christmas spirit, the team will be visiting the Columbus Zoo Wildlights in December.
The girls basketball team plays at Johnstown on December 17th at 7:30. This game will be special because the Northridge boys varsity team will play Johnstown right before the girls play so it will be an exciting environment.
- Megan Payne(‘20) is the chief web editor for the Viking Vault.