by Delaney Warner
Student Life Editor
The following story was written by a student on the staff of The Jaguar Times as part of Hilliard Bradley High School’s Journalism Production course.
The time has come, Bradley students are officially beginning the final sports season of the 2022-2023 school year. Many of these athletes have been preparing for the season since the previous summer and are more than eager to begin competition again. Bradley has a total of eight spring sports, which can be a lot to follow. Here is a simple rundown of each team as they enter the season.
Boys Baseball
Key returners: Carter Hanson, Cameron Collins, Diego Contreras, Alex Koons, Evan Rygalski, Ethan Williams, and Andrew Miller.
Key losses: Joey Lopez, Max Vosters, and Mason Koons.
The boys had an overall record of 10-14. The team is under new leadership this year with the hire of a new head coach, Coach Starling. Coach Starling has big plans for the team including “winning on a consistent basis,” and a personal goal to “change the culture and improve the perception of Hilliard Bradley baseball.” Starling has an impressive reputation, most recently being inducted into the Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. The boys have worked incredibly hard and are a rather talented group. It is expected for them to have a great start to the season.
Keep up with the team on Instagram @hbjagsbaseball
Girls Softball
Key Returners: Chloe Sayer, Hannah Hashman, Loghan Cromer, Jillian Meszaros, Taylor Hopkins, Andrea Day, Cora Moine, and Izzy Scaff.
Key Losses: Grace Good and Kenna McClelland.
The team had a very strong season last year with an overall record of 16-7. They also finished as co-champions of the OCC. Their goals for this season include coming together as a team and playing with joy and confidence. Head coach, Coach Moody, states “I am very excited, we have a very talented group coming back and they are working very hard at becoming a team.” The team has a lot of great players this year and are on their way to a successful season.
Stay up to date with the team @hbhs_jags_softball
Boys Volleyball
Key Returners: Will Swary, Ben Cecil, and Joe Alford.
Key Losses: JJ Moine.
The boys had a record of 4-15 last season. The team has been working incredibly hard during the off-season and feel prepared to have a more successful season this year. Ben Cecil (12) states, “I think overall we have a lot of potential and when it comes down to game time it’s all mental. Individually we have a lot of skill, but we lack experience. Already over the past two weeks, I’ve seen a lot of improvement from last year.” The team’s main goal this year is to have a winning record.
Follow the team on Twitter @BradleyFan4
Girls Track and Field
Key Returners: Taylor Sinceno, Luisi Yetter, Carmyn Vecchio, Leigha Dennison, Haylie Elosh, Hailey Amador, Kiatilinn Young, Autumn Bernava, Madison Kaylor, and Morgan Kaylor.
Key Losses: Ashley Long and Gracelyn Peebles.
The track team is planning to have a great season this year. They have about seventy girls out for the team and Coach Nees hopes for them to “compete at the District, Regional and State level.” Haylie Elosh (12) adds “we have a lot of fun at practice and everyone seems to motivate each other,” Elosh adds “I feel like that will have a positive impact on meet days as well!” This strong team environment will hopefully propel the team into a successful season.
Stay updated with the team on Instagram @runjaguars
Boys Track and Field
Key Returners: Denis Shishlo, Bradyn Fleharty, Trevor Schuler, and Sam Vitale.
The team had a strong season last year, featuring Fleharty earning four all OCC winner. They hope to be one of the top three teams in the OCC this year and have at least one relay and a few individuals qualify for states. Head Coach Heinlen says that he is feeling “excited and a little overwhelmed.” He is “excited for all the interest in the team, but overwhelmed a little with all the interest in the team because we have so many guys.” The team is blessed to suffer no losses because they only had two seniors last year.
Stay updated with the team on Instagram @runjaguars
Girls Lacrosse
Key Returners: Isabella De La Cerda, Kaitlyn Stickler, Katelyn Kuhn, and Delaney Warner.
Key Losses: Alyssa Burnside, Gaby Soto, and Alex Nilsen.
The girls had an overall record of 5-12 last season. The team has worked incredibly hard over the off-season and are hoping for a more successful season this year. Kaitlyn Stickler (11) states, “the team is a positive environment and a great way to make friends.” Hopefully this chemistry will help propel the team to a great season. The team suffers the loss of six seniors, many getting significant minutes the previous season. There is a lot of room for newer players to step up and make an impact on this team.
Follow the team on Instagram to keep up with their season @hbglax
Boys Lacrosse
Key Returners: Mason Miller, Donovan Masters, Sean Tracy, Derek Schweitzer, and Ernie Talone.
Key losses: Andrew Burnett, Alex Seymour, Cole Dickson, Hunter Stickler, and Ryan Enciso.
The boys had a 3-14 record last season and lost by a single goal in the playoffs. Head coach of the boys, Coach Jackson, plans to build this year by “[getting] better everyday as teammates, young men and lacrosse players.” The team has been working incredibly hard and is hoping to have a more successful season this year. Griffin Riley (10) says, “the team is looking solid right now. We’re currently 1-0.” It appears that they are off to a great start already, it’s just a matter of keeping the momentum going.
Follow the team on Instagram to keep up with their season @bradleylax
Boys Tennis
Key Returners: Neil Reddy, Shayan Manoharan, Craig Dixon, Adarsh Patel, Charlie Gill.
Key Losses: Ben Honeck and Jack Whetstone.
The boys had an even 7-7 record last season. Coach Baker is “excited for the start of season” and hopes to make “some big wins this year.” The team finished strong last season and has put in hard work over the off season, so these hopes are in reach. Neil Reddy (12) adds, “it’s going pretty well, we have a lot of kids on the team.” He continues, “there’s a lot of room for improvement between the kids on JV and varsity and I think we’re ready to begin matches.” The boys tennis team is ecstatic to begin competition.
Follow the team on Instagram to watch how this season pans out for them @hilliardbradleytennis
These athletes have put in so much work to compete this season. It would truly mean the world to them if spectators would come to fill the stands in support of them. If you’re free, consider spending a night out at a game with some friends. The Jaguar Times wishes the best of luck in competition to these athletes. And as always, go jags!