As basketball season approaches, I felt the urge to write an article concerning the past of Calvert Basketball. So here is a history of the all-MAL players that have gone through Calvert up to this year.
1986-87
-DENNIS WYSS (FIRST TEAM, 16 PPG 8.5 RPG, 67% FT)
1987-88
-DENNIS WYSS (FIRST TEAM, 17.5 PPG, 9 RPG, 76% FT)
-JEFF WALTZ (HONORABLE MENTION, 6 RPG)
1988-89
-DENNIS WYSS (FIRST TEAM TOP VOTED PLAYER, 17.5 PPG, 9 RPG, 74% FT)
-JEFF WALTZ (FIRST TEAM SECOND TOP VOTED PLAYER, 18 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 71% FT)
-ADAM SMITH (SECOND TEAM, 8.5 RPG)
1989-90
-ADAM SMITH (FIRST TEAM, 18.5 PPG, 11 RPG)
-DON FERSTLER (HONORABLE MENTION, 8 RPG)
1990-91
-DON FERSTLER (SECOND TEAM, 17 PPG, 9 RPG, 55% FG)
1991-92
-DAN HAMMER (FIRST TEAM, 17 PPG, 3.5 SPG, 55% FG, 7 APG)
-RYAN SHULTZ (SECOND TEAM, 18 PPG, 3 SPG, 51% FG, 4 APG)
1992-93
-RYAN SHULTZ (FIRST TEAM PLAYER OF THE YEAR, 25.5 PPG, 4.5 APG, 77.5% FT)
-AUSTIN SMITH (HONORABLE MENTION, 14 PPG, 8 RPG, 60% FG)
1993-94
-BRAD MEIER (SECOND TEAM, 20 PPG, 55% FG)
1994-95
-JOSH MILLER (HONORABLE MENTION)
-ROMAN RISNER (HONORABLE MENTION, 65% FG)
1995-96
-JOSH MILLER (FIRST TEAM, 17 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 3 SPG, 40% 3PT, 4 APG)
1996-97
-ROMAN RISNER (FIRST TEAM, 14.5 PPG, 9 RPG, 56% FG)
-TOM PUFFENBERGER (HONORABLE MENTION)
-RANDY WAIRE (HONORABLE MENTION, 44% 3PT)
1997-98
-TOM PUFFENBERGER (FIRST TEAM, 15 PPG, 2 SPG, 3 SPG, 72% FT)
-BRIAN FRANK (HONORABLE MENTION, 72% FT)
-DAN WALTER (HONORABLE MENTION, 42% 3PT)
1998-99
-DAN WALTER (FIRST TEAM, 19.5 PPG, 8 RPG, 2 SPG, 53% FG, 34% 3PT, 70% FT)
-DUSTYN RISNER (SECOND TEAM, 7 RPG, 56% FG, 73% FT)
-JOE WALTER (HONORABLE MENTION, 66% FG)
-JOE HARVEY (HONORABLE MENTION, 3.5 APG, 78% FT)
-MATT HAMMER (HONORABLE MENTION, 4.5 APG, 2 SPG)
1999-00
-JOE HARVEY (FIRST TEAM, 17.5 PPG, 34% 3PT, 75% FT)
-DUSTYN RISNER (SECOND TEAM, 14 PPG, 8 RPG, 2.5 SPG)
2000-01
-ANDY RITZLER (FIRST TEAM, 15 PPG, 2.5 SPG, 34% 3PT, 4 APG)
-NICK LUCIUS (SECOND TEAM, 7.5 RPG)
-TONY MASS (HONORABLE MENTION, 2.5 SPG, 34% 3PT, 6 APG, 77% FT)
2001-02
-PHILLIP BORER (FIRST TEAM, 56% FG, 4.5 APG)
-NICK LAY (HONORABLE MENTION, 56% FG)
-TONY MASS (HONORABLE MENTION, 3.5 APG, 72% FT)
2002-03
-PHILLIP BORER (FIRST TEAM, 16 PPG, 3 SPG, 58% FG)
-TONY MASS (SECOND TEAM, 3 SPG, 5.5 APG)
-NICK LAY (HONORABLE MENTION 7 RPG, 58% FG, 75% FT)
2003-04
-AARON MASS (FIRST TEAM, 13 PPG, 9 RPG, 59% FG)
-ERIK HUSS (SECOND TEAM)
-JOSH GRAHAM (HONORABLE MENTION)
2004-05
-AARON MASS (FIRST TEAM PLAYER OF THE YEAR, 16 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 65% FG)
-RYAN KOMMICK (FIRST TEAM, 16 PPG, 43% 3PT, 91% FT)
-JOSH GRAHAM (SECOND TEAM, 4 APG, 36% 3PT, 75% FT)
-BRAD WALLISER (SECOND TEAM, 4 APG, 40% 3PT, 54% FG, 82% FT)
-COREY DEBARBRIE (HONORABLE MENTION)
2005-06
-COREY DEBARBRIE (SECOND TEAM)
-KWAME CHRISTIAN (HONORABLE MENTION, 40% 3PT)
2006-07
-AUSTIN MASS (FIRST TEAM, 14.5 PPG, 72% FT)
-TROY KELLER (HONORABLE MENTION)
2007-08
-AUSTIN MASS (FIRST TEAM PLAYER OF THE YEAR, 18 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 60% FG)
-MIKE RUHLEN (SECOND TEAM, 11 PPG, 6.5 RPG)
-TYLER WISE (HONORABLE MENTION)
2008-2009
-LANDON WARNEMENT (SECOND TEAM, 15 PPG, 35% 3PT)
-RUSH ARBOGAST (HONORABLE MENTION)
Overall, Calvert has had a player named to the first team 12 out of the last 16 years.
Calvert has had four players win Player of the Year (or receive the most votes): Dennis Wyss, Ryan Shultz, Aaron Mass, and Austin Mass. There are a few others who most definitely should have won the award, but I will not get into that debate in this article (I'll save that for later this week).
Calvert has the most league titles, the highest win percentage, and the most league wins in MAL history.
This year the Senecas return two all league players in Landon Warnement, a sharpshooting and explosive guard, and Rush Arbogast, an undersized but freakishly athletic post player, who were 2nd and Honorable Mention selections last year, respectively. The Senecas also return Sophomore Guard Matt Frank who saw significant minutes as a freshman, Senior post player Adam Zahner, Senior guard Collin Debarbrie, and a barrage of younger players from an undefeated Junior Varsity Team. These players include guards Derrick Fry and Brandon Ritzler and the athletic and lanky John Dodson, the goalie for the Soccer team. Also returning is Daniel Raufer, the center on the undefeated JV team.
Good Luck to the Seneca Basketball team this year!
20091102
Some Thoughts on Leadership/Work Ethic
THE DEFINITE DOZEN OF SENECA BASKETBALL
To Stay In The Program:
1. BE COMMITTED TO YOUR ACADEMICS
2. BE COMMITTED TO HAVING CLASS
3. BE COMMITTED TO DOING THE RIGHT THING
4. BE COMMITTED TO THE PROGRAM
To Play Here:
1. BE COMMITTED TO HARD WORK
2. BE COMMITTED TO BECOMING A SMART PLAYER
3. BE COMMITTED TO OUR TEAM ATTITUDE CONCEPT
4. COMMIT YOURSELF TO A WINNING ATTITUDE
To WIN Here:
1. BELIEVE IN OUR SYSTEM OF PLAY
2. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF
3. BELIEVE IN YOUR TEAMMATES
4. BELIEVE IN YOUR COACHES
I do not mean to sound pessimistic but I have been thinking about the lack of true leadership in my Town lately. While there are a select few in my former high school who truly bust ass in everything they do, whether it is athletics or academics, it seems like hard working athletes who lead by example are a dying breed. I feel like I was a successful leader in my days of high school athletics due in part to what I learned from my Dad and my two brothers, who were all incredible leaders.
My Dad having over 250 wins in his coaching career at Calvert, he was a very successful leader who was not afraid to tell players what they needed to hear, not what they wanted to hear. My oldest brother was the Point Guard on a the top ranked team in the state and an undefeated season. He holds the record for steals in a career and would most likely have shattered the career assists record despite having to overcome two very serious injuries throughout his 3-year varsity career. My second oldest brother was a great Center at Calvert who was the leading scorer and rebounder on a team that won back to back League, Sectional, and District Titles. He was the league player of the year and was one of five players on that team to get all-league honors. That year my brother was player of the year, Ryan Kommick also made first team, Brad Walliser and Josh Graham each made second team, and Corey Debarbrie made Honorable Mention. Five Senecas with all league honors. That was my freshman year.
My freshman year was a crucial time in my life. I had grown up admiring the Calvert athletes that came before and hearing stories about them. From hearing stories about Denny Wyss, Ryan Shultz, Dan Hammer, and Dan Walter to watching guys from the class of 2000 to the class of 2005, I picked up many things. My freshman year was a great wake up call for me. I played JV and did not have a particularly good year. I started, but I was an very average player. However, I learned an incredible amount from my brother Aaron and his fellow seniors that year, including Wally, Kommick, and Graham. From them I was given visual proof of the "winning formula" my Dad refers to. "Great kids will make the Great Plays" my Dad would tell me. My JV Coach my sophomore year always told us "Good things happen to Good people." Same concept. It worked for the four seniors and their team my freshman year and I took what I learned from them and incorporated it into my life.
Ryan Kommick played 3 sports yet was always in the gym before school started shooting free throws or threes. Aaron and Wally would lift AFTER going to AAU practice and busting their asses. And I guarantee their lifting was a little more intense than some of the stuff that they call a "workout" at Calvert. As I said before, this does not apply to everyone, but for most it is true. How many basketball players are shooting in the gym before school starts since I have graduated? I am gonna guess zero. Those four guys also NEVER missed open gyms, yet today we got guys who do not play any other sports other than basketball and yet do not come to open gyms, shoot, lift, or do anything to prepare for the upcoming season.
"Failing to Prepare is Preparing to Fail." - John Wooden
"Basketball is played in the winter, but players are made in the summer"
"The will to win is nothing compared to the will to prepare" - Bog Knight
I can recall a few things that I have been told that have stuck with me. When I played a bad game and missed a lot of shots in a fifth or sixth grade game, I was playing video games an hour after the game. My Dad came in and said "Playing video games? That should help you with your Free Throws." Hit me like a kick in the nuts but it was what I needed to hear, NOT what I wanted to hear. Another instance was when Aaron and Wally's team lost in the Regional Finals, making themselves only the second team to make it that far in the playoffs, and everyone was just distraught. Coach Frank, the assistant varsity coach came up to me in the gym after the game and told me "Now is YOUR time to work." From that point forward I can honestly say I did everything I could humanly do to prepare for my varsity career. Within a week I was on an AAU team, waking up at 5 AM to play basketball against guys who I learned a lot from, then going to Calvert to shoot before school. I would then shower in the locker room, grab my things and go to classes for the day. After school I would lift weights religiously then usually head home and then to the YMCA to get more shots in.
Summers did not change anything. While many people see summer as a "time off", I made sure I was working harder than everybody else. LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE. A leader unites others in working together towards a common goal. It was easy to unite my team when they saw what I was doing. I wanted to win. I wanted to dominate games. So I worked countless hours to make sure that every weakness I had became a strength. I played as often as I could against guys who were better than me. That's "Playing Up" as my Dad would call it. That is how you get better. I learned how to be a perimeter player from my brother Tony and how to be a post player from Aaron. I got the best of both worlds. I worked on becoming faster, quicker, a better jumper, stronger, a better ballhandler, a better shooter, and a better penetrater and passer. By the end of summer, the players on our team were supposed to have shot over 20,000 shots on THE GUN in our gym. I had achieved that by the first week of August. I was the only player who got over 20k in but we had other guys commit to working hard as well. Tyler Wise became an all league and all district point guard/wing man and Mike Ruhlen went from being a JV player his junior year to a 2nd team league and district player and Honorable Mention Northwest Ohio player.
There is also mental preparation that goes into being a good leader. Obviously I am writing this from a basketball players perspective, but the same can be said for any type of competition. You may be the best player on the team, but if you can't be a moral and mental leader as well, you are not worth a damn. Now many people who have ever played with me will make the argument that I have some extreme anger issues at time, which I won't ever disagree with. I have gotten incredibly angry at open gyms, weight lifting sessions, etc merely because I demand excellence out of myself and out of those who were going to play on the same team as me. However, when it was time to play games, I never lost my cool on the court ever.
Once again, LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE. It is the only way to lead. I feel that I carried on a tradition that dates back to before I was born. I learned to lead from Aaron, Wally, Graham, and Kommick. They learned to lead from my brother Tony's class. They learned to lead from the 2000 class and so on and so forth.
To continue on about Moral leadership, Coach Mason always told us "good things happen to good people." My group of guys my senior year were good guys. We stayed away from the temptations of high school. Partying, women, booze, tobacco, drugs, and everything else were never an issue with us. While we would occasionally get involved in minor mischief, it was never anything that you could classify us as "bad people." I will take it to my grave that that is a big part of why we accomplished what we did.
In conclusion, I am somewhat disgusted with guys at the school now that are not willing to make the sacrifices that the people before them made. I had the simple goal of leaving Calvert Basketball better than it was when I started there. When I graduated in 2008, we had the most league titles (8), the highest winning percentage, and the most wins. We beat Ottawa Hills and they now do not play us anymore. We set a record for the best ever defensive average by a Calvert Team. We won the sectionals my junior year and went undefeated in the league my senior year. I got to see two of my best friends win all league and all district honors as well as see my Coach win District and League COACH OF THE YEAR awards. As for me, I ended up making it All-State to go with a district and league PLAYER OF THE YEAR award. I became the the 7th highest scorer at Calvert since 1985. I was the first player to score over 30 in a game since Phillip Borer in 2003. I also became the third player to win to MVP awards from my Junior and Senior year, the other's being Jeff Waltz and Phillip Borer. I was player of the week once my junior year and once my senior year (both times against Hopewell Loudon haha). I played in two very fun all star games, one with my good buddy and teammate Mike.
Am I saying all this to brag? Obviously not. I am merely showing proof that the "Winning Formula" works. It worked for me. It worked for Aaron and his team. It worked for Tony and his team. It is so easy it is stupid. You do EVERYTHING YOU CAN BY ALL MEANS NECESSARY to OUTWORK the competition. You stay physically, mentally, and morally sharp. You turn your weaknesses into strengths. You have fun while you do it. Tony always told me that I have the rest of my life to do other stuff, enjoy High School while you can, because it ends sometime and the sports are things you will never forget. I will never forget the incredible noise in the gym for home games, the fans rushing onto the floor after clinching a league title, the adrenaline rush of scoring 30+ points and beating Ottawa Hills, or the ruckus we would cause in the locker room listening to "Kickstart My Heart" and "Glory Days" while showering. When you work hard, play hard, and make good decisions, you have nothing to regret. Even though my career ended in a very sad way, it was out of my control. I have no regrets and I never will...
To Stay In The Program:
1. BE COMMITTED TO YOUR ACADEMICS
2. BE COMMITTED TO HAVING CLASS
3. BE COMMITTED TO DOING THE RIGHT THING
4. BE COMMITTED TO THE PROGRAM
To Play Here:
1. BE COMMITTED TO HARD WORK
2. BE COMMITTED TO BECOMING A SMART PLAYER
3. BE COMMITTED TO OUR TEAM ATTITUDE CONCEPT
4. COMMIT YOURSELF TO A WINNING ATTITUDE
To WIN Here:
1. BELIEVE IN OUR SYSTEM OF PLAY
2. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF
3. BELIEVE IN YOUR TEAMMATES
4. BELIEVE IN YOUR COACHES
I do not mean to sound pessimistic but I have been thinking about the lack of true leadership in my Town lately. While there are a select few in my former high school who truly bust ass in everything they do, whether it is athletics or academics, it seems like hard working athletes who lead by example are a dying breed. I feel like I was a successful leader in my days of high school athletics due in part to what I learned from my Dad and my two brothers, who were all incredible leaders.
My Dad having over 250 wins in his coaching career at Calvert, he was a very successful leader who was not afraid to tell players what they needed to hear, not what they wanted to hear. My oldest brother was the Point Guard on a the top ranked team in the state and an undefeated season. He holds the record for steals in a career and would most likely have shattered the career assists record despite having to overcome two very serious injuries throughout his 3-year varsity career. My second oldest brother was a great Center at Calvert who was the leading scorer and rebounder on a team that won back to back League, Sectional, and District Titles. He was the league player of the year and was one of five players on that team to get all-league honors. That year my brother was player of the year, Ryan Kommick also made first team, Brad Walliser and Josh Graham each made second team, and Corey Debarbrie made Honorable Mention. Five Senecas with all league honors. That was my freshman year.
My freshman year was a crucial time in my life. I had grown up admiring the Calvert athletes that came before and hearing stories about them. From hearing stories about Denny Wyss, Ryan Shultz, Dan Hammer, and Dan Walter to watching guys from the class of 2000 to the class of 2005, I picked up many things. My freshman year was a great wake up call for me. I played JV and did not have a particularly good year. I started, but I was an very average player. However, I learned an incredible amount from my brother Aaron and his fellow seniors that year, including Wally, Kommick, and Graham. From them I was given visual proof of the "winning formula" my Dad refers to. "Great kids will make the Great Plays" my Dad would tell me. My JV Coach my sophomore year always told us "Good things happen to Good people." Same concept. It worked for the four seniors and their team my freshman year and I took what I learned from them and incorporated it into my life.
Ryan Kommick played 3 sports yet was always in the gym before school started shooting free throws or threes. Aaron and Wally would lift AFTER going to AAU practice and busting their asses. And I guarantee their lifting was a little more intense than some of the stuff that they call a "workout" at Calvert. As I said before, this does not apply to everyone, but for most it is true. How many basketball players are shooting in the gym before school starts since I have graduated? I am gonna guess zero. Those four guys also NEVER missed open gyms, yet today we got guys who do not play any other sports other than basketball and yet do not come to open gyms, shoot, lift, or do anything to prepare for the upcoming season.
"Failing to Prepare is Preparing to Fail." - John Wooden
"Basketball is played in the winter, but players are made in the summer"
"The will to win is nothing compared to the will to prepare" - Bog Knight
I can recall a few things that I have been told that have stuck with me. When I played a bad game and missed a lot of shots in a fifth or sixth grade game, I was playing video games an hour after the game. My Dad came in and said "Playing video games? That should help you with your Free Throws." Hit me like a kick in the nuts but it was what I needed to hear, NOT what I wanted to hear. Another instance was when Aaron and Wally's team lost in the Regional Finals, making themselves only the second team to make it that far in the playoffs, and everyone was just distraught. Coach Frank, the assistant varsity coach came up to me in the gym after the game and told me "Now is YOUR time to work." From that point forward I can honestly say I did everything I could humanly do to prepare for my varsity career. Within a week I was on an AAU team, waking up at 5 AM to play basketball against guys who I learned a lot from, then going to Calvert to shoot before school. I would then shower in the locker room, grab my things and go to classes for the day. After school I would lift weights religiously then usually head home and then to the YMCA to get more shots in.
Summers did not change anything. While many people see summer as a "time off", I made sure I was working harder than everybody else. LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE. A leader unites others in working together towards a common goal. It was easy to unite my team when they saw what I was doing. I wanted to win. I wanted to dominate games. So I worked countless hours to make sure that every weakness I had became a strength. I played as often as I could against guys who were better than me. That's "Playing Up" as my Dad would call it. That is how you get better. I learned how to be a perimeter player from my brother Tony and how to be a post player from Aaron. I got the best of both worlds. I worked on becoming faster, quicker, a better jumper, stronger, a better ballhandler, a better shooter, and a better penetrater and passer. By the end of summer, the players on our team were supposed to have shot over 20,000 shots on THE GUN in our gym. I had achieved that by the first week of August. I was the only player who got over 20k in but we had other guys commit to working hard as well. Tyler Wise became an all league and all district point guard/wing man and Mike Ruhlen went from being a JV player his junior year to a 2nd team league and district player and Honorable Mention Northwest Ohio player.
There is also mental preparation that goes into being a good leader. Obviously I am writing this from a basketball players perspective, but the same can be said for any type of competition. You may be the best player on the team, but if you can't be a moral and mental leader as well, you are not worth a damn. Now many people who have ever played with me will make the argument that I have some extreme anger issues at time, which I won't ever disagree with. I have gotten incredibly angry at open gyms, weight lifting sessions, etc merely because I demand excellence out of myself and out of those who were going to play on the same team as me. However, when it was time to play games, I never lost my cool on the court ever.
Once again, LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE. It is the only way to lead. I feel that I carried on a tradition that dates back to before I was born. I learned to lead from Aaron, Wally, Graham, and Kommick. They learned to lead from my brother Tony's class. They learned to lead from the 2000 class and so on and so forth.
To continue on about Moral leadership, Coach Mason always told us "good things happen to good people." My group of guys my senior year were good guys. We stayed away from the temptations of high school. Partying, women, booze, tobacco, drugs, and everything else were never an issue with us. While we would occasionally get involved in minor mischief, it was never anything that you could classify us as "bad people." I will take it to my grave that that is a big part of why we accomplished what we did.
In conclusion, I am somewhat disgusted with guys at the school now that are not willing to make the sacrifices that the people before them made. I had the simple goal of leaving Calvert Basketball better than it was when I started there. When I graduated in 2008, we had the most league titles (8), the highest winning percentage, and the most wins. We beat Ottawa Hills and they now do not play us anymore. We set a record for the best ever defensive average by a Calvert Team. We won the sectionals my junior year and went undefeated in the league my senior year. I got to see two of my best friends win all league and all district honors as well as see my Coach win District and League COACH OF THE YEAR awards. As for me, I ended up making it All-State to go with a district and league PLAYER OF THE YEAR award. I became the the 7th highest scorer at Calvert since 1985. I was the first player to score over 30 in a game since Phillip Borer in 2003. I also became the third player to win to MVP awards from my Junior and Senior year, the other's being Jeff Waltz and Phillip Borer. I was player of the week once my junior year and once my senior year (both times against Hopewell Loudon haha). I played in two very fun all star games, one with my good buddy and teammate Mike.
Am I saying all this to brag? Obviously not. I am merely showing proof that the "Winning Formula" works. It worked for me. It worked for Aaron and his team. It worked for Tony and his team. It is so easy it is stupid. You do EVERYTHING YOU CAN BY ALL MEANS NECESSARY to OUTWORK the competition. You stay physically, mentally, and morally sharp. You turn your weaknesses into strengths. You have fun while you do it. Tony always told me that I have the rest of my life to do other stuff, enjoy High School while you can, because it ends sometime and the sports are things you will never forget. I will never forget the incredible noise in the gym for home games, the fans rushing onto the floor after clinching a league title, the adrenaline rush of scoring 30+ points and beating Ottawa Hills, or the ruckus we would cause in the locker room listening to "Kickstart My Heart" and "Glory Days" while showering. When you work hard, play hard, and make good decisions, you have nothing to regret. Even though my career ended in a very sad way, it was out of my control. I have no regrets and I never will...
20091012
20090925
Coach Brickner's First MAL Title!
Congratulations to the Calvert Senecas Golf Team who captured their first LEAGUE TITLE under the leadership of Coach Scott Brickner! I have always admired Coach Brickner, even in High School. It is great to finally see his dedication to a great school and prestigious program pay off. I could not be happier for him. He was a big influence on me in high school and continues to influence me even now. I know my fellow classmate and bloodbrother Joel Ardner has also been influenced by him as well. It was always great to hear about the success of Joel under the leadership of Coach Brickner and I am sure that he learned lessons that he carries with him today as he golfs for Muskingum. Congratulations to Coach Brickner and the golfers of this years team that have worked hard to earn the title of League Champion.
Calvert Golf Page can be found here.
20090824
Chippendale's Dancers on JibJab
Here is a video Coffman made starring himself, myself, Smith, Blaine, and Joel. Unreal.
Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!
20090519
LOST: Amazing Facial Hair
I thought it would be appropriate to dedicate an article on my blog to the amazing facial hair shown in the hit T.V. show "LOST." I am a huge fan of the show ever since an old colleague of mine introduced me to the show. As season 5 is now over with the incredible finale and we await the sixth and final season of the show, here is an article that will help us appreciate the beards, mustaches, and sideburns of the LOST UNIVERSE.
20090504
Freshman Year In A Nutshell
My freshman year at Tiffin University consisted of many good times and bad times. However, there were COUNTLESS more good times than bad times. The first semester started off rough. With basketball and my many high school friends leaving for the first time, I felt alone in Tiffin and was doubting my choice of Tiffin University as my next step after high school. However, as time went on I finally made the adjustment and began to love Tiffin and it's University more and more.
The following are things that I think are noteworthy events in my freshman year:
1) Got through TU Basketball Conditioning as one of the Top Conditioned players.
2) Earned a varsity uniform although ultimately stopped playing.
3) Made some friends from the basketball team.
4) Got a 3.8 GPA first semester and made DEAN'S LIST.
5) Became very close friends with my Tiffin Crew.
6) Became better friends with Keefe, Smith, and Wertz.
7) Remained in constant contact with my bloodbrothers such as Joe, Ski, Joel, Smorz, and the BG Crew.
8) Visited Ski in Baldwin Wallace a few times.
9) Visited BG many times for some great parties and made some new acquaintances.
10) Coached Calvert's Freshman basketball team through a full season with Coach Wally and became very good friends with him.
11) Made some very good friends at TU (Starr, Adam, Nick, etc)
12) Passed a Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test with a score of 252/300.
13) Improved my Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test score months later with a 266/300.
14) Got to play on a YMCA Basketball league team with my brothers Aaron and Tony.
15) Skipped a day of classes to fly down to Orange Beach, Alabama to stay with my brothers and Bryce for a week of SPRING BREAK! (This bullet point also includes eating at Lambert's Cafe, playing pool volleyball, and witnessing the creation of the "Black Doctor" drink)
16) Hung out with Tony, Bryce, and Blaine and watched Family Guy a lot after Y-League games eating Hot and Ready's!
17) Got to read an article about my bloodbrother Joel "LEONIDAS" Ardner winning a Golf Tournament and being named player of the week!
18) Got to watch my bloodbrother Ski run a race!
19) Went with Coach Wally to Bluffton for Halloween Parties dressed as "V".
20) Bought a US ARMY "Survival Guide" and a US Marine Corps "Hand to Hand Combat Guide."
21) Sledding outdoors in winter with summer clothes on with Ski, Joel, and Bowers.
22) Expanded my shot glass with donations from Tony, Aaron, Hootie, and myself.
23) Shot Whitey's M4 Assault Rifle multiple times.
24) Shot clay pidgeons with Smitty's "Mule" Shotgun.
25) Visited Mookie, Laura, Stover, and Hall in Dayton.
26) Partied and the BG Crew's New House!
27) Went to Yucatan Liquor Stand with my brothers and the Bluffton Guys.
28) Partied at the Meat Market.
29) Jumped into Robbie's pond naked.
30) Got on a "first name basis" with most of the late night workers at Denny's.
31) CAMPER PARTIES with Hootie!
32) Wore a Fu Manchu to a party in BG and a Party at Bryce/Tony's House.
33) Incredible road trip across 10 states with Joe, Keefe, and Bowers.
34) Receiving two citations for "Speeding and Alluding Authorities" while on said road trip.
35) Polar Bear jumps at Carmies and Whitey's.
36) Purchased a Coon Skin Cap.
37) Celebrated the New Year at the Octagon with my good friends.
38) Became friends with former High School rivals in basketball.
39) Increased my iTunes library extensively with over 4500 songs (mostly classic rock)
40) Countless Bonfire's, grilling, shooting, and other fun events at Smith's house.
20090427
Ardner named OAC Men's Golfer of the Week
NEW CONCORD, OHIO, April 27, 2009 - The Ohio Athletic Conference has announced that Muskingum College freshman Joel Ardner has been named OAC Men's Golfer of the Week.
Ardner fired a two-day total of 151 (77-74) to capture medalist honors at the Ohio Northern University Spring Invitational held at Colonial Golf Club this past weekend. He led the field in par-five scoring, pars and eagles. He registered the lone eagle of the tournament on the par-five 549-yard ninth hole.
Ardner's first place finish was the first of his career and the first for a Muskie since Dan Fisher won medalist honors at the 2007 OAC Championships.
20090324
Ski Patrol
As I recently posted an article about Joel "Leonidas" Ardner, I figured one of the major influences behind the Ninety Six Hour Project also deserved to have his accomplishments noted on my blog. Zach "Blewskers" Szablewski (or simply, Ski) in currently running at Baldwin Wallace. As a former brother-in-arms in the 96 Hour Project, Ski became a very close friend of mine through my last three years of high school and continues to be a great friend throughout college. In High School, Ski's accomplishments were many. His picture is currently retired on the athletics part of the Wall of Fame at Calvert. Our class finished with five athletes "on the wall." Next to Zach there is the previously mentioned Joel "Leonidas" Ardner for golf, John Stover for his accomplishments in football, Angela Reino for her incredible gymnastics performances, and myself for basketball.Szablewski was honored in High School in many ways. A team captain, he lead by example through long hours of distance running and constantly striving to improve. His work ethic inspired many, and not just the runners. He won multiple MVP awards in track and cross country and his senior year was named MAL and District Runner of the Year.
Now that Ski is in college, he has been competing his ass off in Cross Country, Indoor Track, and Outdoor Track. His profile on BW's website reads:
| Year | Freshman |
| Event(s) | Distance |
| Hometown | Tiffin |
| High School | Calvert |
| Major | Biology |
While constantly practicing, working, and studying, Ski has little time for play but does manage to come home on a consistant basis to visit "The Tiffin Crew." I was recently able to watch Ski run at Frost Kalnow stadium, where he ran a 16:36 5k. In prime vintage Blewskers fashion, he was not happy with his times. However, As I have seen Ski's work ethic in action on and off the arena, I know that Ski's future for BW is as bright as his future in the "real world." Keep Truckin'.
20090323
Hail to our King, LEONIDAS!!!
I figured I should make a post about my comrade in "the project" and in my graduating class of '08, Joel Ardner. Previously known as "Hot Sauce" and now recognized as "Leonidas" because of his hard core effort in the weight room, Joel attends college at Muskingum and recently has become a prolific performer on the golf team. I enjoy reading about my former classmates and friends from high school and what they are up to nowadays. As I still talk extensively with Leonidas, I thought it would be nice to dedicate an article to his recent accomplishments.Pictured to the right is Leonidas in action while in his Seneca uniform. During his tenure with the Senecas, Joel was a league champion and won MAL Player of the Year, or is it "Golfer of the Year?" Either way, it's impressive. He is also THE ONLY ATHLETE IN THE HISTORY OF CALVERT to be named FIRST TEAM MAL for all four years of High School. From his freshman year to his senior year, Joel was a FIRST TEAM league competitor. Leonidas also holds the record for lowest 18 hole score, with a 70 at the Ottawa Hills Invitational in 2007. Joel is also tied for the lowest 9 hole score with a 35, which he tied with Bill Jones in '94 and Chris Hall in '02. Lastly, he also holds three spots in the top ten best averages in the history of the program: 40.8 in 2005 (Ranks 5th), 39.3 (Ranks 2nd), and 37.6 (Ranks 1st All Time).
While attending Muskingum last semester, Joel did not make the varsity squad. However, through perseverance in the weight room, constant practice on the golf course, and a confident attitude bordering on cockiness, Leonidas has returned with a vengeance for the spring semester of golf. He has emerged as Muskingum's top golfer going into the Muskingum Spring Invitational. Good Luck to Joel "Leonidas" Ardner as his journey continues.
Muskigum Golf Schedule for the Spring:
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20090317
Congratulations to the Senecas!
As a former Seneca basketball player and captain, I still have a devout love for Calvert and the great tradition of excellence that our program has displayed. This year, two Senecas were given all league and all district honors. Landon Warnement (44), a fellow AAU baller and dedicated hooper, received 2nd team all district and 2nd team all MAL. He was Calvert's leading scorer at 15.7 points per game. Landon also made 44 three pointers and was second on the team with assists. His season high in scoring came against Cardinal Stritch, where he ended with 28 points, mixing in long range threes with slashing penetration to the basket and fast break points. Landon also received NW District Honorable Mention.
Rush Arbogast (42), a junior alongside Landon, received honorable mention all district and all league honors. Rush brought strength, quickness, and tremendous athleticism to the post for the Senecas. He finished with an 8 points per game average to go along with 56% FG percentage and 5.3 rebounds per game. Arbogast's season high in points was 15. Both players were among the leading Senecas in efficiency. Great season Rush and Landon.
Also very noteworthy is the record of the Calvert Junior Varsity team. Coach Mason's JV Senecas finished the season with a 20-0 record, with a couple close games at the end of the season to truly test the teams potential. Led by sophomores Derek Fry, Jon Dodson, and Brandon Ritzler, the JV team constantly demonstrated unselfishness, passion, and teamwork. Combining a 20-0 JV year with a Freshman-level championship under the guidance of Coach Brad Walliser, the future is looking good for Calvert if enough guys can commit and outwork everyone else in the offseason.
Rush Arbogast (42), a junior alongside Landon, received honorable mention all district and all league honors. Rush brought strength, quickness, and tremendous athleticism to the post for the Senecas. He finished with an 8 points per game average to go along with 56% FG percentage and 5.3 rebounds per game. Arbogast's season high in points was 15. Both players were among the leading Senecas in efficiency. Great season Rush and Landon.Also very noteworthy is the record of the Calvert Junior Varsity team. Coach Mason's JV Senecas finished the season with a 20-0 record, with a couple close games at the end of the season to truly test the teams potential. Led by sophomores Derek Fry, Jon Dodson, and Brandon Ritzler, the JV team constantly demonstrated unselfishness, passion, and teamwork. Combining a 20-0 JV year with a Freshman-level championship under the guidance of Coach Brad Walliser, the future is looking good for Calvert if enough guys can commit and outwork everyone else in the offseason.
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