August 21, 2003

SPORTS

New YSHS golf coach says success is up to players

Though Seth Bothwell is new to the Yellow Springs High School golf team, it didn’t take the first-year coach long to see the team’s potential to finish the fall season on top of the league. But he will take little credit for the success of the team’s six golfers because the outcome depends mostly on their drive to set goals, practice diligently and cultivate consistency, he said.

Bothwell wants to keep his players focused on the goals they choose to address. He sees his role as coach as being less of a navigator and more of a positive signpost.

“I think it’s important that this is those six people’s team because they’re the ones out there playing, practicing and setting goals for the team,” he said. “I’m there to help them and try to steer us down the right road.”

A 1985 graduate of YSHS, Bothwell has lived in the village all his life except for the six years he spent in the U.S. Air Force traveling to different parts of the world and playing golf. Basketball and football took up most of his time in high school, and he had never played golf before his stint on a base in Mississippi, where he said he “got hooked.”

“It’s a challenge, a game you can play against yourself where every time you go out something different happens,” he said. “One day you can drive the ball real well, another day you’ll putt the ball real well, there’s always something different to work on.”

Consistency is one big thing the YSHS golf team, now in its third year, has decided to work on this year. Everyone wants to hit the ball the farthest, but there will always be someone who can do it better, Bothwell said. The key, he added, is playing “within yourself” and having a tough mental game.

Bothwell feels most of the golfers are already well seasoned, and that the four returning players are particularly invested because they started the sport at YSHS.

“They want to do well because they know they’re setting a precedent for the upcoming season,” Bothwell said. “They’re the first, and they really have the drive and the talent to do well.”

The team has done most of its practicing at Locust Hills Golf Course in Springfield, where all the home matches will be held. Adjusting to new courses is one of the challenges Bothwell has identified so far. When the team practiced the course for the first away match, it helped them secure a win, he said. The team has had more trouble at the away matches.

During a match, Bothwell hangs back at the first tee to see off the first six flights. Then he likes to bounce around from hole to hole and give his players advice on adjusting a swing or recovering from a wayward shot. Bothwell said it sometimes takes him awhile to make it all the way to the front player, but he has confidence that when he gets there he will find that things are in good shape.

Bothwell has a laid back style, perhaps cultivated over the years by raising three girls. The eldest, Jill, is planning on coming out for the team as a freshman next year. Not that her father has tried to influence her. He said he wants to let his daughters choose their own path.

The same thing goes for his team. Bothwell is most interested in creating a positive experience for everyone involved.

“Winning’s nice, but my main responsibility as a coach is that we have a good time,” he said. “I want them to be able to look back and say they had fun.”

—Lauren Heaton

Alumni soccer games 2003
Alumnae vs. YSHS girls
The air was hot and muggy as the alumnae kicked off against the Yellow Springs High School girls soccer team Saturday, Aug. 16, a 5:30 p.m. for the first of the annual alumni soccer games. YSHS scored first, with an outside goal by Erin Silvert-Noftle. The score was evened by the alumnae before the half by Jessica Zagory, assisted by Louisa Bradtmiller.

In the second half both teams tired in the heat and suffered defensive breakdowns, but they also dug deep for truly inspired offensive efforts. The alumnae started the second-half scoring with a pair of goals, the first by Schelle Crosswhite, assisted by Katie Duckwall, and the second by Bradtmiller, assisted by Duckwall.

YSHS returned the favor with their own pair of back-to-back goals, both scored by Megan Burrick, with Emily Dozeman assisting the first. Burrick’s second goal, a lofting shot from the corner of the penalty box, proved so inspiring that Duckwall and Bradtmiller teamed up for a quick combination off the restart, resulting in a blistering shot by Duckwall, which ended the scoring for the game at 4–3 in favor of the alumnae.

Outstanding defensive play for YSHS was anchored by Lila Jensen in goal, who came up with numerous saves, supported by Kara Deardorff and India Scarver as stopper and sweeper, Becky Pasch and Lydia Gerthoffer as defensive backs. Alumnae defense was led by Mindy Fogt in goal, Katherine Grubbs and Jocelyn Hardman at stopper and sweeper, with consistent tackling by Myra Malishenko and Luisa Bieri on each wing. Finally, both teams benefited from the work ethic and play making of their center mid-fielders, Silvert-Noftle and Sarah Wallis.

Alumni vs. YSHS boys
Playing the nightcap of the Boys/Girls Alumni doubleheader, this year’s boys varsity soccer team did something that no high school squad has ever done over the years — they shut out a talented alumni squad, defeating them 3–0.

Noah Woodburn opened the scoring in the first half by lifting the ball over the head of the alum’s goalkeeper. Duncan Silvert-Noftle collected the assist.

Silvert-Noftle added to the lead midway through the second half, and Anthony Brandon closed out the scoring just minutes before time expired, giving the ’Dogs the victory.

A stingy defensive line led by senior goalkeeper Matt Phillips and senior sweeper Aaron Zagory turned back every offensive push by the alumni. With this win, the Bulldogs completed a perfect preseason, beating Stebbins 3–1, Graham 8–0 and the alumni 3–0.

Girls soccer team starts fall with win
The Yellow Springs High School girls soccer team won its season opener, defeating Springfield Shawnee, 6–5, on Monday.

Playing on the road, the Lady Bulldogs passed well and communicated well, and most of the goals were scored through strong teamwork, assistant coach Sarah Wallis said Tuesday.

Emily Foubert, playing center-forward, scored on a header off of a corner kick from Erin Silvert-Noftle. Foubert and Silvert-Noftle combined to score five goals in the game. Silvert-Noftle was one of three starting freshmen, who, along with India Scarver and Kara Deardorf, put forth strong defensive efforts.

Megan Burrick also scored once and had two assists, while goalkeeper Lila Jensen had 14 saves.

“The team had good, even distribution across the front line, and everyone stepped up and played hard,” Wallis said. “It was a good way to start the season.”

The Lady Bulldogs play again on Saturday, Aug. 23, when they travel to Urbana. Game time is 5 p.m.

The junior varsity plays its first game of the year Monday, Aug. 25, against Carroll at 7 p.m., at home. The varsity’s first home game comes against Northridge on Tuesday, Aug. 26, at 7 p.m.

Golf team swings to early 4–1 mark
The Yellow Springs High School golf team had its early winning streak snapped when the Bulldogs lost to Miami Valley at a tri-match on Monday.

Miami Valley came in ahead, shooting 164. Yellow Springs trailed behind with 180 and Xenia-Christian had 199.

On Thursday, Aug. 14, the Bulldogs won their second match of the year, defeating Ridgeville Christian, 176–255.

The Bulldogs are now 4–1 this year.

Leading the team into its third consecutive season are three returning seniors, Rory Hotaling, Francis Gayek and Alex Melecki, and one returning junior, David Warren. Senior Dustin Rudegeair and freshman Alex Visbal also joined the team this year, which altogether makes for a formidable challenge for the rest of the Metro Buckeye League, coach Seth Bothwell said.

The Bulldogs will host their home opener, at Locust Hills Golf Course in Springfield, today (Thursday), at 4:30 p.m., against Cedarville. The Bulldogs host a tri-match against Troy Christian and Ridgeville on Monday, Aug. 25.

’Dogs celebrate swimming season
The Sea Dogs celebrated the finish of their season with their annual banquet on July 29. The swimmers age 10 and under were awardedgoggles and recognized for the qualities that made them so valuable to the team. The Sharks were fierce, determined swimmers and racers. They were Logan Chapman, Erika Chick, Erin Grote, Jesse Jewell, Mary Lewis, Rachel Meyer and Tyler Qualls.

The Dolphins were smooth and consistent swimmers. Leaping through the waters were Mary Claire Greco, Olivia Greco, Liam Weigand, Nancy Epling, Fielding Lewis, Rachele Orme, Desert Revels, Liana Rothman, Mary Triplett and Ivy Welsh.

Piranhas were dedicated, hard workers. Cruising these lanes were Roy Barnett, Jenna Boettcher, Hollister Fitch, Marlee Layh, Theron Orme, Mychael Roberts, Katie Triplett, Jade Turner, Anne Weigand and Robby Weigand.

And the Fish? These kids just wouldn’t leave the water. They were the committed, serious waterbugs Ian Chick, Olivia Chick, Aprile Doubt, Alex Kellogg, Sam Lovering, Zeb Reichert and Eli Seitz.

The older groups were awarded trophies for most valuable swimmer and most improved swimmer.

Boys 11–12: most valuable swimmer, Owen Sanders; most improved swimmer, Jeremy Paul

Girls 11–12: most valuable, Maiya Thornton; most improved, Chloe Ramsay

Boys 13–14: most valuable, Kelby Dierking; most improved, Evan Gerthoffer

Girls 13–14: most valuable, Lasena Badger; most improved, Danielle Doubt

Boys 15–18: most valuable, Michael Hosket; most improved, Thomas Kent

Girls 15–18: most valuable, Eve GunderKline; most improved, Cait Watson

After dinner and speeches, the kids and parents took to the water for the three-legged swimmer and the sweatshirt relays. As much fun as it was to race, it was the spectators who witnessed a high point of the evening, which was watching coach/swimmer Spencer Jordan, power-backstroking down the lane while balancing a plastic egg on a spoon clamped in his mouth.

—Ali Thomas

Cross country team practicing weeknights
Yellow Springs students in grades 7 through 12 are invited to participated in the McKinney School and Yellow Springs High School cross country teams.

The squad is practicing Monday through Friday, at 6 p.m., until school starts, at the Yellow Springs High School athletic field.

The Bulldogs are coached by Vince Peters, now in his 20th year as the head cross country coach at YSHS.

For more information, call Peters at 767-7424 between 7 and 10 p.m. Schedules and physical forms will be available at practice.

YSHS, McKinney School ‘meet the team’ night

Yellow Springs High School and the McKinney School will host a “Meet the Team Night” on Friday, Aug. 22, 7:30 p.m., at the high school athletic field.

All fall teams (grades 7–12) will be introduced to the public. Contests and prizes will also be held.

19th annual Fun Run to benefit XC team
The 19th annual Village Fun Run will be held Sunday, Aug. 24, 7 p.m. The start and finish for the trek through the village will be Yellow Springs High School.

The fun run is open to runners, joggers and walkers of all ages. Refreshments will be available after the race. There is a $3 donation for the event. All proceeds will go to the activities of the YSHS cross country team.

For more information, call coach Vince Peters at 767-7424.

Youth recreational soccer league sign-up
Registration for the upcoming fall season of the Yellow Springs Recreational Soccer League will be held on Saturday, Aug. 23, 10 a.m., on the soccer fields behind the Morgan Building.

Registration will be followed by a skills clinic for players who are 7–13 years of age. The clinic will be held from approximately 10:45 to 11:45 a.m.

The recreational soccer league is open to any child between the ages of 5 and 13.

For more information, call Jim Hardman at 767-2200.