Young Vikes getting court time
By: Cole Fox
NORTHRIDGE - The Vikes haven’t had the best season this year but a lot plays into what their record shows. The Vikings have been plagued by the injury bug this year no doubt as well as having some sickness here and there. The Vikes, although 4-12 on the year, have had some impressive games where they were close up to the final whistle.
This year the Vikings have relied heavily on their younger guys to help out on the varsity. They’ve had at least one freshman starting in every game this season with a mixture of five on the varsity roster. Whether these freshmen were ready or not, they were going to have to step up after the loss of center Adam Ulery (‘21) and Guard Travis Neumeyer (‘20). On top of those freshmen that start, there are also three sophomores that see the floor.
Dylen Conley (‘20) stated, “This year we haven’t been as big of an offensive threat, partly due to being so young, but I think the biggest problem is our number one scorer Travis has been face-guarded. With Travis out of the offensive, it’s tough to get something going and now that he’s hurt we have to find a new way to put points up.”
With both of the Vikings point generators out for a period of time, the Vikes will replace them with guard J.D. Miller (‘22) and center Justin Townley (‘23). Neumeyer and Ulery have been selected as Player of the Game multiple times this season along with freshman point guard Ian Travis (‘23). Neumeyer (‘20) says, “It’s been frustrating this season. Having every team faceguard you is tough because you are almost forced to sit there and watch unless you get really aggressive, which can sometimes lead to fouling.”
The Vikes lost their leading rebounder, Ulery (‘21), against Lakewood after suffering a broken ankle in the first half. The Vikes would go on to lose that game by a total of two points. Ulery (‘21) will not return this season after having surgery done to his ankle. Neumeyer (‘20) went down only just two games ago with a high ankle sprain and so far it’s proven to be bad for the Vikings as they’ve dropped two straight.
Neumeyer’s (‘20) counterpart, Ben Smith (‘20), has become the new point generator alongside Travis (‘23), Townley (‘23) and Miller (‘22). Smith (‘20) said, “I’ve matured a lot since last year, becoming more physical and adding a soft touch to my shot.”
With a record of 4-12, the Vikes won’t be getting a high seed in tournaments; however, they still will have a shot in the tournament based on who they draw. “We will be returning a lot of talent next season, which is going to be great for us,” said Miller (‘22).
The Vikings will close out their season with games against Watkins Memorial, Heath, West Jefferson, and East Knox.
- Cole Fox (‘20) is the Sports Editor of the Viking Vault.
By: Cole Fox
NORTHRIDGE - The Vikes haven’t had the best season this year but a lot plays into what their record shows. The Vikings have been plagued by the injury bug this year no doubt as well as having some sickness here and there. The Vikes, although 4-12 on the year, have had some impressive games where they were close up to the final whistle.
This year the Vikings have relied heavily on their younger guys to help out on the varsity. They’ve had at least one freshman starting in every game this season with a mixture of five on the varsity roster. Whether these freshmen were ready or not, they were going to have to step up after the loss of center Adam Ulery (‘21) and Guard Travis Neumeyer (‘20). On top of those freshmen that start, there are also three sophomores that see the floor.
Dylen Conley (‘20) stated, “This year we haven’t been as big of an offensive threat, partly due to being so young, but I think the biggest problem is our number one scorer Travis has been face-guarded. With Travis out of the offensive, it’s tough to get something going and now that he’s hurt we have to find a new way to put points up.”
With both of the Vikings point generators out for a period of time, the Vikes will replace them with guard J.D. Miller (‘22) and center Justin Townley (‘23). Neumeyer and Ulery have been selected as Player of the Game multiple times this season along with freshman point guard Ian Travis (‘23). Neumeyer (‘20) says, “It’s been frustrating this season. Having every team faceguard you is tough because you are almost forced to sit there and watch unless you get really aggressive, which can sometimes lead to fouling.”
The Vikes lost their leading rebounder, Ulery (‘21), against Lakewood after suffering a broken ankle in the first half. The Vikes would go on to lose that game by a total of two points. Ulery (‘21) will not return this season after having surgery done to his ankle. Neumeyer (‘20) went down only just two games ago with a high ankle sprain and so far it’s proven to be bad for the Vikings as they’ve dropped two straight.
Neumeyer’s (‘20) counterpart, Ben Smith (‘20), has become the new point generator alongside Travis (‘23), Townley (‘23) and Miller (‘22). Smith (‘20) said, “I’ve matured a lot since last year, becoming more physical and adding a soft touch to my shot.”
With a record of 4-12, the Vikes won’t be getting a high seed in tournaments; however, they still will have a shot in the tournament based on who they draw. “We will be returning a lot of talent next season, which is going to be great for us,” said Miller (‘22).
The Vikings will close out their season with games against Watkins Memorial, Heath, West Jefferson, and East Knox.
- Cole Fox (‘20) is the Sports Editor of the Viking Vault.
More Like Family (Girls Basketball)
By: Sydney Koker
NORTHRIDGE- The vikings girls basketball team success rate is higher than it has ever been in recent years. With five seniors, two juniors, and four freshmen, the girls are working hard for a winning record.
New coaching staff brought in by first year varsity Coach Kevin Smith, Rebecca Levings and Sarah Thomas, have brought even more basketball knowledge to the court. Their record is currently 7-9. Their last seasons ending record was 5-18 and they are already blowing those numbers out of the water. Beating four LCL teams, the team is stirring the league's expectations.
Preparing for games is not easy; the girls have been working hard on and off the court. “Practices are far from easy but they benefit us all in the long run,” says Lauren Aamodt (‘21). Conditioning is a strong aspect of the team; with only having six subs on the bench with most being inexperienced underclassmen meant everyone needed to step up their game.
The team chose the word “Family” to represent the program.
“We chose this because the word perfectly describes our team as a whole. We are all so close and we always have each others backs, on and off the court.” said Lyndsey Stocks (‘21).
The girls have put in the work this season on and off the court. Team outings have made the teams bonding better than it has been in previous seasons. Shelby Yorde(‘20) and Megan Payne(‘20) have been through the programs ups and downs, and are happy to end their last season on a high.
- Sydney Koker (‘21) is the head of Viking Vault Media.
By: Sydney Koker
NORTHRIDGE- The vikings girls basketball team success rate is higher than it has ever been in recent years. With five seniors, two juniors, and four freshmen, the girls are working hard for a winning record.
New coaching staff brought in by first year varsity Coach Kevin Smith, Rebecca Levings and Sarah Thomas, have brought even more basketball knowledge to the court. Their record is currently 7-9. Their last seasons ending record was 5-18 and they are already blowing those numbers out of the water. Beating four LCL teams, the team is stirring the league's expectations.
Preparing for games is not easy; the girls have been working hard on and off the court. “Practices are far from easy but they benefit us all in the long run,” says Lauren Aamodt (‘21). Conditioning is a strong aspect of the team; with only having six subs on the bench with most being inexperienced underclassmen meant everyone needed to step up their game.
The team chose the word “Family” to represent the program.
“We chose this because the word perfectly describes our team as a whole. We are all so close and we always have each others backs, on and off the court.” said Lyndsey Stocks (‘21).
The girls have put in the work this season on and off the court. Team outings have made the teams bonding better than it has been in previous seasons. Shelby Yorde(‘20) and Megan Payne(‘20) have been through the programs ups and downs, and are happy to end their last season on a high.
- Sydney Koker (‘21) is the head of Viking Vault Media.
Swimmers making splash in LCL
By: Alex Hook
NORTHRIDGE - The season has been going “swimmingly” for the boys and girls team this season, and they hope to keep this up in the upcoming Licking County League and Sectional meets.
The girls team is currently breaking new records week in and week out. The girls have broken the 200 free relay by over six seconds from the previous school record. The relay team consists of Riley Bunstine(‘20), Alex Cannone(‘23), Chloe Rowe (‘22), and Hannah Vance(‘22).
Bunstine says, “I am extremely happy for how the team continues to push themselves, and continue to break school records. Not only are we breaking school records, people are setting personal bests for themselves every race, which is why I am so excited to be a part of this team.”
Bunstine currently holds nine of the 11 school records for 50 meter free, 100 free, 200 free, 100 back, 100 breast, 200 individual medley, 200 and 400 free relays, and the 200 medley relay. Bunstine is currently committed to Ohio University to continue her swimming and academic career. She said, “I am super excited for college, but I am also excited to see how the team is going to finish up the season. Everyone is working really hard for our upcoming meets.”
The LCL meet is taking place this week on February 1st, and the week to follow will be Sectionals. Depending on how the team does at Sectionals they could then go on to Districts, and then on to States. Bunstine says, “I am very optimistic for the near future. I think we have one of the best teams in the LCL, and I believe we will do very well at Sectionals.”
Bunstine also wanted to add, “I am very happy for the boys team because they have been breaking the 200 meter free relay records week after week, and I can’t wait to see how they finish out their season.”
The boys team is also having a very good season. The record-breaking 200 meter relay team features Christian Best (‘20), Noah Fuller (‘22), Gabe Farthing (‘20), and Jack Rahde (‘22).
One of the team captains, Jason Roser (‘20), said, “I am proud of how the boys on the 200 meter relay have done this year. They keep challenging each to get better and better each and every week.”
When asked about how the team would finish the season, Roser said, “We as a team should do very well in the LCL meet. We are around the top three in the league and have a very good chance at coming second.”
Both the girls and boys LCL meet will take place at New Albany this Saturday, and then Sectionals will be on February 8th. Roser said, “I am super excited for what the future holds for this team this season. Everyone is practicing hard and we should finish the season strong.”
Bunstine also wanted to say, “I think even after this season, the team is going to be doing very well next season because the team continues to get better every year and they are getting more and more competitive.”
- Alex Hook (‘20) is a Sports Editor for The Viking Vault. [email protected]
By: Alex Hook
NORTHRIDGE - The season has been going “swimmingly” for the boys and girls team this season, and they hope to keep this up in the upcoming Licking County League and Sectional meets.
The girls team is currently breaking new records week in and week out. The girls have broken the 200 free relay by over six seconds from the previous school record. The relay team consists of Riley Bunstine(‘20), Alex Cannone(‘23), Chloe Rowe (‘22), and Hannah Vance(‘22).
Bunstine says, “I am extremely happy for how the team continues to push themselves, and continue to break school records. Not only are we breaking school records, people are setting personal bests for themselves every race, which is why I am so excited to be a part of this team.”
Bunstine currently holds nine of the 11 school records for 50 meter free, 100 free, 200 free, 100 back, 100 breast, 200 individual medley, 200 and 400 free relays, and the 200 medley relay. Bunstine is currently committed to Ohio University to continue her swimming and academic career. She said, “I am super excited for college, but I am also excited to see how the team is going to finish up the season. Everyone is working really hard for our upcoming meets.”
The LCL meet is taking place this week on February 1st, and the week to follow will be Sectionals. Depending on how the team does at Sectionals they could then go on to Districts, and then on to States. Bunstine says, “I am very optimistic for the near future. I think we have one of the best teams in the LCL, and I believe we will do very well at Sectionals.”
Bunstine also wanted to add, “I am very happy for the boys team because they have been breaking the 200 meter free relay records week after week, and I can’t wait to see how they finish out their season.”
The boys team is also having a very good season. The record-breaking 200 meter relay team features Christian Best (‘20), Noah Fuller (‘22), Gabe Farthing (‘20), and Jack Rahde (‘22).
One of the team captains, Jason Roser (‘20), said, “I am proud of how the boys on the 200 meter relay have done this year. They keep challenging each to get better and better each and every week.”
When asked about how the team would finish the season, Roser said, “We as a team should do very well in the LCL meet. We are around the top three in the league and have a very good chance at coming second.”
Both the girls and boys LCL meet will take place at New Albany this Saturday, and then Sectionals will be on February 8th. Roser said, “I am super excited for what the future holds for this team this season. Everyone is practicing hard and we should finish the season strong.”
Bunstine also wanted to say, “I think even after this season, the team is going to be doing very well next season because the team continues to get better every year and they are getting more and more competitive.”
- Alex Hook (‘20) is a Sports Editor for The Viking Vault. [email protected]
Beaver and softball fever
New coach has team gearing up for season
By: Megan Payne
NORTHRIDGE - With the 2019-2020 winter sports season coming to a close, softball season is right around the corner but the new varsity head coach, Mike Beaver, has been preparing for this upcoming season for several months. After being named the head coach in the fall, Beaver has been working hard to improve the quality of equipment and facilities for the players along with organizing open gyms for the players during the off season.
Working hard in the off season is crucial to having success on the field during the season and every girl seems to understand that. Attendance has been good at the open gyms but senior pitcher, Alyson Quinlan, says, “It is really important for the younger girls to come because it builds team chemistry and they are the future of our program.”
The Lady Vikings were competitive in previous seasons, but this year they are looking to take it to the next level. Quinlan (‘20) says, “I think this will be one of our most competitive seasons because we feel more like a team than ever before and we are putting in the work that is necessary to be good.”
Sarah Moore (‘21) is really excited for this season because she gets to “play with some of [her] best friends while playing a sport that [she] loves. Coach Mike Beaver is excited “to get outside and see the girls compete in a very challenging league.”
Open gyms are held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays of every week from 6-8 in the high school cardio room.
- Megan Payne (‘20) is the chief web editor of the Viking Vault.
New coach has team gearing up for season
By: Megan Payne
NORTHRIDGE - With the 2019-2020 winter sports season coming to a close, softball season is right around the corner but the new varsity head coach, Mike Beaver, has been preparing for this upcoming season for several months. After being named the head coach in the fall, Beaver has been working hard to improve the quality of equipment and facilities for the players along with organizing open gyms for the players during the off season.
Working hard in the off season is crucial to having success on the field during the season and every girl seems to understand that. Attendance has been good at the open gyms but senior pitcher, Alyson Quinlan, says, “It is really important for the younger girls to come because it builds team chemistry and they are the future of our program.”
The Lady Vikings were competitive in previous seasons, but this year they are looking to take it to the next level. Quinlan (‘20) says, “I think this will be one of our most competitive seasons because we feel more like a team than ever before and we are putting in the work that is necessary to be good.”
Sarah Moore (‘21) is really excited for this season because she gets to “play with some of [her] best friends while playing a sport that [she] loves. Coach Mike Beaver is excited “to get outside and see the girls compete in a very challenging league.”
Open gyms are held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays of every week from 6-8 in the high school cardio room.
- Megan Payne (‘20) is the chief web editor of the Viking Vault.
Taking strides inside
Indoor Track and Field
By: Darian Dick
NORTHRIDGE - Indoor track and field athletes have competed in their first meet, which took place on January 26th. Athletes competed at Capital University to kick off the season as the college hosted its only High School track meet for this season.
Indoor track isn’t run through the school, but by a volunteer coach, Coach Featheringill. He is also the official track coach and cross country coach for Northridge. While the athletes are representing Northridge at the meet, it isn’t an official school sport.
Coach Featheringill leads practices about three days a week, and often a group of students self-lead themselves on the other two days. Practices consist of running around the inside of the high school and the middle school, going to the weight room or cardio room, and doing workouts in the hallways.
Olyvia Ashbrook (‘21), says “Indoor track is different because the track is only half the size of an outdoor track, which makes it confusing when you’re running, but the weather is never a problem and that makes your times a little bit faster usually.”
Ashbrook competed in the 400 at Capital and placed tenth and also competed in the 800 to place fifth. There were 24 schools competing.
Coach Featheringill says “Indoor track is the best way for spring track athletes to get in shape and go into outdoor with the stamina and training to prepare them for a successful season.”
Some athletes only train with the indoor team but don’t actually compete. Gabi Smith (‘22) says “I train with the indoor team to get in shape for outdoor, but I don’t have time to compete on the weekends with club volleyball going on. I’m hoping that training a few months earlier will get my times to drop when outdoor meets come around instead of having to get back into shape when we do start outside.”
Meets are more of an individual thing, so athletes can enter as many or as few as they’d like. Some athletes will be competing at Lake Erie on February second and others won’t be running again until the OSU indoor meet on the eighth.
- Darian Dick is a senior spotlights editor for The Viking Vault [email protected]
Indoor Track and Field
By: Darian Dick
NORTHRIDGE - Indoor track and field athletes have competed in their first meet, which took place on January 26th. Athletes competed at Capital University to kick off the season as the college hosted its only High School track meet for this season.
Indoor track isn’t run through the school, but by a volunteer coach, Coach Featheringill. He is also the official track coach and cross country coach for Northridge. While the athletes are representing Northridge at the meet, it isn’t an official school sport.
Coach Featheringill leads practices about three days a week, and often a group of students self-lead themselves on the other two days. Practices consist of running around the inside of the high school and the middle school, going to the weight room or cardio room, and doing workouts in the hallways.
Olyvia Ashbrook (‘21), says “Indoor track is different because the track is only half the size of an outdoor track, which makes it confusing when you’re running, but the weather is never a problem and that makes your times a little bit faster usually.”
Ashbrook competed in the 400 at Capital and placed tenth and also competed in the 800 to place fifth. There were 24 schools competing.
Coach Featheringill says “Indoor track is the best way for spring track athletes to get in shape and go into outdoor with the stamina and training to prepare them for a successful season.”
Some athletes only train with the indoor team but don’t actually compete. Gabi Smith (‘22) says “I train with the indoor team to get in shape for outdoor, but I don’t have time to compete on the weekends with club volleyball going on. I’m hoping that training a few months earlier will get my times to drop when outdoor meets come around instead of having to get back into shape when we do start outside.”
Meets are more of an individual thing, so athletes can enter as many or as few as they’d like. Some athletes will be competing at Lake Erie on February second and others won’t be running again until the OSU indoor meet on the eighth.
- Darian Dick is a senior spotlights editor for The Viking Vault [email protected]