Leo's 10-0 win over Bluffton on Thursday clinched at least a share of the ACAC championship for the Lions.
The shutout came courtesy of sophomore Brandon Alger. Leo also beat Adams Central 7-4 Tuesday behind senior Ryne Harding.
Leo (12-4) is 6-1 in the ACAC.
- By Greg Jones, The Journal Gazette
I think I blog on this every year (or at least the couple that I have had a blog) but why does it rain every single year the ACAC track meet is at Bluffton.
On Friday, it was a constant rain that didn't really affect the competitors, but the fans didn't seem to like it.
It wasn't as cold and stormy as some years at Bluffton, but it was miserable enough.
"Luckily our coaches constantly tell us (the weather) is going to suck," Leo senior Jackie Cottrell said. "Whether it is good weather or bad weather, that is just the mindset we have. Yesterday someone said it was going to be 60-70 (degrees) and no rain, and I was the first person to say no it won't be."
Last year when they held the meet at Garrett, it was almost perfect weather. Good thing they are now rotating the meet between Bluffton and Garrett so there will be good weather every other year.
- By Greg Jones, The Journal Gazette
Not as splashy as their last big hire, but Northrop's choice for football coach seems to be a solid one.
According to multiple sources, Bishop Luers line coach Greg Gehl will be the next Northrop football coach. It is all pending Fort Wayne Community Schools board approval, which could come Monday.
A Bishop Dwenger graduate, Gehl's been around football for 20 years as an assistant coach at places like Luers, Dwenger, South Side, Alabama State, Cincinnati, Ohio Northern and Saint Joseph.
This will be his first head coaching position, which is why he is not a household name like boys basketball coach Al Rhodes, who was hired last year after stints at Warsaw and Logansport.
But Gehl comes from a program known for winning in Luers. He has been part of three of the Knights' recent state titles, 2001, 2002 and 2007.
He'll have his work cut out for him at Northrop, a program with only one sectional championship and no winning records since 2003.
But it appears that Northrop athletic director Bob Shank has made another good hire.
- By Greg Jones, The Journal Gazette
Just a hunch, but watch out for Snider in football come this fall.
After watching the 196 players at the Northeast Indiana Football Skills Camp on Wednesday at Homestead, Panther players were among the ones to stand out.
From quarterback Matt Elliott to running back Ivan Neghaban to receiver Cam Bailey to defensive back Dillion Painter, Snider has some quality skill players coming back into the fold next season.
If Snider can get some solid play for the offensive and defensive line, the Panthers will again be among the teams to beat in the SAC.
Like that is really any big surprise.
- By Greg Jones, The Journal Gazette
Columbia City senior Braxton Smith won two indiviudal events at the NHC meet Tuesday at New Haven. Both at the expense of a teammate.
The same teammate in fact.
Smith won the 200 and 400 meters, beating out junior teammate Kory Bailey. He won the 200 in 22.97 to Bailey's 23.04. He won the 400 in 49.85 to 51.24.
Smith was also part of the 1,600 relay team that took first, but this time Bailey was with him also running a leg on the team.
- By Greg Jones, The Journal Gazette
Adams Central’s Rachel Barger won the ACAC singles title Saturday by beating teammate Chelsea Selking 6-1, 6-4 in the finals, a rarity in conference tennis meets.
Both players were unbeaten at 11-0 entering the championship, but Barger (14-0) plays No. 1 singles and Selking (14-1) at No. 2.
All the singles players as well as the doubles teams were put into one singles and one doubles competition.
Selking beat No. 1 singles players from Bluffton (Amy Baker) and Leo (Hillary May), both in straight sets.
Barger was named All-ACAC at No. 1 singles, and Selking at No. 2 singles. Leo's Megan Kiley, who Barger beat in the semifinals, was all-conference at No. 3 singles.
Adams Central also won an all-conference position at No. 2 doubles with Janelle Bertsche and Katie Johnson.
Before two years ago, coaches nominated and voted on who was all-conference. Then the coaches decided to let the players decide in a tournament setting.
- By Greg Jones, The Journal Gazette
One area basketball coaching spot could be opened Monday with the fate of Warsaw boys coach Doug Ogle possibly being decided at an executive session of the school board.
And another is rumor to be filled.
Huntington North might be closing in on hiring a girls coach at a school board meeting, also Monday.
Two names are being presented to the board for their consideration.
The names are reportedly Huntington North assistant girls coach Scott Bower and former Northrop and Indiana Tech coach Bonnie Bonelli.
- By Greg Jones, The Journal Gazette
Not only does Al Jennings look like Tiger Woods, but he tinkers with his game just like Tiger.
The Homestead sophomore is also a pretty good golfer as well. Maybe not to the caliber of Tiger (when he was in high school or any other time), but Jennings is pretty good.
So it is interesting to hear Jenning talk about changing his swing like Tiger always seems to do. Well, it must have worked for both golfers.
Tiger is well on his way to being the greatest golfer of all time, and Jennings has the makings of a good career as well.
Jennings earned medalist honors with a 74 at Saturday's Homestead Invitational, showing the swing changes seem to be paying off.
- By Greg Jones, The Journal Gazette
Senior John Goodman has been a no-show most of this season for the Bishop Dwenger boys track team.
He was absent the last two meets, the New Haven Relays and the SAC meet.
Apparently Goodman pulled a hamstring early in the season and has been shut down from competition.
A pretty good sprinter, Goodman needs to be healthy for his "day" job in the fall as a member of the Notre Dame football team.
- By Greg Jones, The Journal Gazette
Copyright 2007 -- The Journal Gazette
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