Catholic high school athletics
This championship season


As another season of high school athletics is recorded for history, here is a look back at some of the championship teams fortunate enough to hoist their trophies throughout the 2004-2005 campaign.

Football: In the Red Division final, Cardinal O’Hara stunned St. Joseph’s Prep, rallying from a 13-2 halftime deficit to defeat the Hawks, 14-13. The win prevented the Prep from winning its fourth straight crown. In the Blue Division final, Archbishop Wood took its second straight title, beating West Catholic, 29-0, behind Bryan McCartney’s 132 yards rushing.

Volleyball: After giving up the first point of the game, Cardinal O’Hara never trailed again enroute to a 25-14, 25-16 victory over Archbishop Wood.

Girls’ soccer: This was arguably the feel-good story of 2004-’05. After years of coming oh-so-close in the championship, Little Flower prevailed, defeating St. Hubert’s, 1-0, on Nov. 7 to capture the elusive crown. The Sentinels were playing in their eighth championship, but were 0-7 in the final. However, sophomore Kelly Spross’ second-half goal and outstanding defense did the trick in a 1-0 victory over St. Hubert. It was only the second time in Catholic League girls’ soccer history that a Southern Division team seized the crown.

Boys’ soccer: Coach Joe Krantz and his nephews proved to be too much as the Vikings defeated St. Joseph’s Prep, 3-0, to win their first-ever title. Krantz nabbed the prize in his 26th year as head coach while nephews Joe and Pat Taylor combined for all the scoring.

Field hockey: Cardinal O’Hara won, 2-1, in dramatic fashion as Nicole McEntee scored the clincher in double overtime for the Lions.

Girls’ cross country: Cardinal O’Hara dominated. The Lions’ 29 point total was well ahead of second-place St. Hubert’s. The Lions captured both first (Katie Kelly) and second (Beth Kelly) individually. The two sisters were joined by Caroline Grant (seventh), Joni Irwin (ninth), and Kelly Unger (10th).

Boys’ cross country: Sean McGinley placed first, Pat Jeffers fourth, Tim Heck sixth, and Tim Shea ninth to lead LaSalle to its second straight title.

Boys’ basketball: At a sold-out game at LaSalle University, Neumann-Goretti, in its inaugural season since combining schools from St. John Neumann (boys) and St. Maria Goretti (girls), defeated St. Joseph’s Prep, 57-44. Four players scored in double figures for the Saints.

Girls’ basketball: Cardinal O’Hara rebounded from a sub-par first half and defeated Archbishop Carroll, 47-39. A torrid defensive effort turned the contest around and ended Carroll’s two-year championship streak.

Wrestling: North Catholic defeated LaSalle, 51-17, for its third straight championship. A host of individual decisions and pins provided the Falcons with their 11th title in the past 15 seasons.

Boys’ indoor track: For the fifth straight season, Cardinal O’Hara took the crown behind Greg Thomas’ gold medals in the mile and 3,000-meter run.

Girls’ indoor track: Senior standout Nicole Leach set meet records in both the 60-meter and 200-meter dashes, and teammate Nia Ali established a new mark in the 60-meter hurdles, as West Catholic snared the crown.

Golf: Despite an injury to its number-two golfer, LaSalle’s best six hit a steaming 464 and regained the title, defeating second-place St. Joseph’s Prep by 18 strokes. The Prep had ended LaSalle’s eight-year streak in 2004, but behind Sean Ford’s 72 and Rob Waitkus’ 74, the Explorers were once again on top.

Girls’ outdoor track: Cardinal O’Hara outlasted West Catholic by 19 points behind relay victories in the 400, 1600, and 3200. It tarnished an exceptional effort by West’s Nicole Leach, who captured four gold medals.

Boys’ outdoor track: Monsignor Bonner captured its first title since 1965, scoring 90 points behind first-place finishes by Malik Sams (110 hurdles), Bryant Mills (400 hurdles), Mike Tomasco (long jump), and Chris Licci (shot put).

Softball: Conwell-Egan toppled Archbishop Prendergast, 5-1, behind pitcher Angel Bunner. The Eagles have won three straight titles, four in five years, and 22 overall.

Baseball: LaSalle built a 4-0 lead and then rode the complete-game pitching of Matt Zielinksi in a 4-3 victory over Conwell-Egan.

Boys’ lacrosse: League supremacy continued as LaSalle defeated St. Joseph’s Prep, 13-2, for its 11th title in 13 years. The Explorers were led by Jack Forster’s four goals and three each by Rob Forster and Pat Lombard.

Girls’ lacrosse: Jessica Brophy ended her career in fine fashion, scoring five goals to lead Archbishop Carroll to an 11-6 win over Archbishop Wood, thus extending Carroll’s championship streak to five and its overall winning streak to 66.

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