Spring Sports Preview: Catonsville High

BASEBALL

Head Coach: Rich Hambor

2010 Record: 12-9

Players to Watch: Senior Ian Baker (P), Senior Theo DiPace (C), Senior Robert Hopp (1B), Junior Tyler Armstrong (P)

Outlook: Hambor’s squad, which fell in the region semifinals last year to eventual state champion C. Milton Wright, will rely on the pitching tandem of Baker and Armstrong, as well as a veteran outfield, to contend for the county, region and state titles this season. While the outfield is seasoned, the Comets trot out an inexperienced infield aside from Hopp at first base.

SOFTBALL

Head Coach: Bill Nelson

2010 Record: 15-5

Players to Watch: Senior Maggie Waters (3B), Junior Shelby Alther (1B), Junior Katie Morsberger  (P/3B), Senior Lisa Meyd  (SS)    

Outlook: With 12 players from last year’s squad taking the field this year—including the entire starting infield, Nelson firmly believes his squad is a team to be reckoned with in the county. However, consistency on the mound appears to be this experienced squad’s one limitation, as Morsberger assumes the primary pitching duties after playing third base a season ago.   

BOYS LACROSSE

Head Coach: Aaron Stubbs

2010 Record: 14-2

Players to Watch: Senior Brendon Healy (attack), Junior Joe Tebo (defense), Junior John Reyman (goalie), Freshman Dillon Hannah (attack), Sophomore Tyler Westphal (attack)

Outlook: Having watched his squad during all of the preseason leading up to the Comets opening game against Centennial (Monday, 5:15 p.m.), Coach Stubbs hails his team as a unified squad with state championship aspirations. Stubbs is looking at “hard work, commitment and teamwork” as his focal points to create a successful season. The defense of Tebo, senior Steve Wheely, and freshman Steve Ruppel will help protect Reyman in goal. 

GIRLS LACROSSE

Head Coach: Becky Clipp

2010 Record: 8-6

Players to Watch: Senior Alex Wallace (mid), Senior Kelly Beard (mid), Sophomore Deb Milani (mid), Junior Rachel Schwaab (attack)

Outlook: Coach Clipp is banking on a mixture of young talent and senior leadership to pay dividends for a team looking to improve on their winning season from a year ago. The Comets will do all they can to use their speed in the midfield to their advantage when it comes to their transition attack while using the same type of high energy play to put pressure on the ball defensively and set the tone game-in, game-out.

TENNIS

Head Coach: Jeffrey McDaniel

Players to Watch: Boys – Theo Blou, Tyler Evans, Jacob Lorenz, Sebastian Ritschel; Girls – Lindsey  Moschler, Breona Alston, Christina Bassler, Courtney Burton

Outlook: Coach McDaniel returns to head up the squad he coached from 1995-2006 before making his comeback to the courts this season. Awaiting him is French exchange student Theo Blou who headlines a boys' team loaded with strong players. Blou, who was nationally ranked in the 16-and-under division in France will compete for a county title. The girls’ side is led by its No. 1 singles player, Moschler.  Although overall they may be lacking in talent and experience, McDaniel does like the enthusiasm he’s seen out of his girls’ squad so far.

BOYS' TRACK

Head Coach: Sandra Gallagher-Mohler

Players to Watch: Vincent Randlett-Tydings (sprints), DeAndre Lane (sprints), Ryan Jiggetts (high jump, hurdles), Nick Nonn (distance), Alex Clark (discus)

Outlook: Despite having a lot of new faces this season, Gallagher-Mohler sees her team being as deep as it’s been, across all the events, in recent years. The coach is particularly pleased in the field portion of her team where athletes like Damian Huff make the Comets more of a competitor in the high jump and pole vault events. She tabbed her squad as “eager and ready to work hard.”

GIRLS' TRACK

Head Coach: Sarah Sheetz

2010 Record: 2nd in Counties, 3rd in States

Players to Watch:   Zoey Whittington (200m, 400m), Jessica Garry (shot put/discus); Molly Curry, Francois Mandengue, Maria Randlett-Tydings, Emilia Ramos (relay).

Outlook: Returning several athletes from last year’s talented squad, Coach Sheetz is amped for another solid season of outdoor track and field. Expect a strong showing from Whittington (a state medalist from a year ago) as well as the relay team of Curry, Mandengue, Randlett-Tydings and Ramos, which placed second in the state championships during the indoor season this winter. With so much experience, Sheetz intends to send out tough competitors in every event.