Meagan Lawrence, Hannah Sterling, Kaila McCracken and Kayla Gelinas, all Juniors, show their support at the 2009 Boy’s Class C Soccer State Championship

Athletic Corner

By Lee Hixon

One state championship title, one state championship runner-up title, three Mountain Valley Conference titles, a perfect season, a Coach of the Year, and one Mountain Valley Conference player of the year sums up this fall season. St. Dom’s student-athletes and coaches clearly came into this past season determined and focused. Not knowing what to expect as we entered a new conference this year, the Saints rose to the occasion.

The 2007 and now 2009 state champion boys’ soccer team entered this season charged up and ready to go. The boys’ team trained hard in the preseason not knowing what the MVC would bring in the games ahead. The regular season showed a lot of competition, but the boys stayed focused and determined as they came out on top going undefeated in regular season and winning the MVC Championship title. Post season came and the boys’ team kept their eye on the prize, finishing the postseason with a record of 17-0. Making it to the state game fulfilled the dream as the boys finished their perfect season going 18-0.

The 2007 and 2008 state championship golf team had an incredible season again this year. With a lot of young talent and some experienced veterans, the golf team shined this season going undefeated in the regular season. The team then carried on their regular season success as they went on to win the MVC Championship title. With the challenge ahead of them to win states three years in a row, the golf team accepted the challenge with integrity and class. Unfortunately, they came up just four strokes short of the title and the golf team ended their season as state runner-up. The success that this program has had over the past few years was recognized this season when their coach, Kevin Cullen, was named 2009 Golf Coach of the Year.

The girls’ soccer team had three major goals in mind heading into this season. Goal #1, win the MVC Championship. Goal #2, make it into the post-season by finishing in first place in heel points. Goal #3, win the state championship. With the tenacity and fight of this team, the girls successfully completed two out of their three goals. They beat Georges Valley to become the MVC champs and finished their regular season with a record of 12-0-2 which placed them in first place in heel points heading into playoffs. The girls may not have been named state champions this season, but with the heart, hard work, and strength they played with, they felt like champions.

Cross country had a great season this year, even while making the adjustment to two new coaches and being plagued by injuries this season. Despite these changes and struggles, the Saint runners proved that they could run and earned the respect of other teams and coaches. This season the girls’ team placed third in the MVC and headed to Regionals where they had three of their runners place in the top thirty which qualified the three for states. Each of the girls who made it to states ran their best times of the year. The boys’ season was one that saw a great work ethic and team camaraderie. The boys fell just short of their goal of reaching the states, but the season was filled with teamwork and commitment.

This year’s field hockey team took a new approach on the season as this year was a learning and rebuilding year. Starting in a new conference with a lot of underclassmen, most of which having never played field hockey, the girls bonded and learned what it was to work hard and keep motivated. The girls’ field hockey team this season fought and battled hard in every game no matter what the scoreboard read.

Congratulations to all of our student-athletes and coaches this year on a job well done. We wouldn’t have had the success we did this season without their hard work and dedication. Thanks to all student-athletes and coaches for representing St. Dom’s with integrity and excellence.