December 8, 2006

We are the champions

Story page

Photo caption: Click on the image above to see a PDF file of the print layout -- and pictures -- of this story.

By John Shaughnessy

Every high school sports team dreams of winning a state championship.

To even have a chance of seeing that dream come true requires hard work, extreme preparation, incredible commitment and a touch of good luck.

Five teams from Catholic high schools in the archdiocese lived that dream this fall with Indiana High School Athletic Association state titles.

Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis won the 3A state championship in football.

Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis earned a state title in girls’ golf.

Cathedral High School in Indianapolis won two state championships, one in 4A volleyball and the other in 4A football.

Roncalli High School in Indianapolis captured the 3A state title in volleyball.

Just as impressive, three of the student-athletes on those championship teams won the Indiana High School Athletic Association’s Mental Attitude Award for excelling in scholarship, leadership, mental attitude and athletic ability.

Aimee Neff of Brebeuf won the Mental Attitude Award for girls’ golf. Paige Weber of Roncalli earned the recognition in 3A volleyball. And Bobby Powers of Cathedral achieved the distinction in 4A football.

Congratulations are also due to the football team at Cardinal Ritter High School in Indianapolis, a team that reached the 1A state championship, a game that Sheridan High School won in overtime.

As players, coaches, students, parents and other fans of those teams still savor their state championship seasons, The Criterion salutes the five state championship teams with this photo essay.

We also celebrate the spirit of all the student-athletes in the archdiocese this fall who dared to follow their dream and did their best, win or lose, to reach it. †

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