Several of Roncalli’s spring sports have performed extremely well in the early stages of the IHSAA tournaments offered throughout the month of May. The softball, girls tennis and boys volleyball teams have all won championships at varying levels so far, and both the boys and girls track teams have had individuals advance beyond the sectional round.
The victories began with the boys volleyball team sweeping their way through the sectional (MTI and New Palestine) and regional (Lafayette Harrison and Southport) rounds. They took on Perry Meridian in the state semi-finals at Lafayette Jefferson on Saturday, May 27. A victory propelled them to their second state championship match.
The track teams would be up next, starting with the girls. The 4 x 800 relay and 4 x 100 relay teams, Lydia Stahley in the high jump, Whitney Meinerding in the pole vault and Reagan Turk in the 800 all were automatic regional qualifiers. Stahley also qualified for the June 3 state meet at IU with a personal record high jump of 5 feet 3 inches. The boys would follow by placing athletes and teams into the regional in nine events – Trevor Lauck won the sectional in the shotput, Seth Brosseau in both shotput and discus, Ben Brandenburg moves on in three events (100 meters, high jump and long jump), Brady Rossman in pole vault, the 4 x 100-meter relay team of Dorn Morelli, Liam Kidwell, Judson Lawrie and Bryce Himelick and the 4 x 800-meter relay team of Sam Vaught, David Warner, Ezra Littell and Anthony Litz. Trevor Lauck set a new PR of 56’4.25” to win the regional in the shotput and advance to the State Championship on June 2 at IU.
The girls tennis team also rolled through the sectional round, defeating both Lutheran and Franklin Central by a score of 4-1 to claim the title. Earlier this week the Lady Royals dominated Shelbyville 5-0 in the opening round of the regional but would fall to undefeated Franklin Community in the championship.
The softball team kicked their championship run off by winning the Circle City Conference by virtue of an 11-0 win over Heritage Christian. They would kick off their sectional run two days later with a 14-0 win over Arsenal Tech and an 11-0 victory over Warren Central the following day. Their third consecutive sectional championship was claimed in a 12-0 win over Perry Meridian. They won their 10th regional title and their third in a row by virtue of a 9-1 defeat of the Avon Orioles. Next, they move on to the Semi-State round to play Evansville North Saturday, June 3 at Center Grove. Game time is 11 a.m. and the championship game will start at 7 p.m.
Regarding the high level of success through the department, Athletic Director David Lasouck said, “We’ve been fortunate with some nice weather this spring. Our student athletes have taken advantage of those opportunities and have competed at a high level. That work is allowing them to compete for championships this spring.”
