By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Springfield Catholic Fightin’ Irish followed up a highly successful 2018 season, which saw them achieve the program’s third-highest winning percentage and a 20-4 record, with a successful finish in 2019.
The Irish ended the 2019 season with a 17-4 record and Big 8 Conference and Class 2 District 10 titles. The district title was Catholic’s 10th over the past 11 seasons, but the Irish came up short in the sectional round with a 3-2 loss to state-ranked Southern Boone. Three of Catholic’s four losses came to local Class 4 teams Kickapoo, Nixa and Ozark.
Catholic heads into the 2020 season having to replace seven key players lost to graduation.
“For the past three years, Springfield Catholic has averaged graduating 10 seniors resulting in many starting positions to be filled and this year is no different,” said head coach Mike Hines, who was named Class 2 Region 3 Coach of the Year (Private School division) last season. “Colby Fritz, Trey Garoutte, Garrett Weber, Dane Rowe, Ethan Straus, Jacob Ropka and goalie Nick Gomez were lost to graduation and started every game.”
• Colby Fritz, midfielder, earned Class 2 All-State First-Team, Class 2 Region 3, Class 2 District 10 First-Team, All-Big 8 Conference First-Team, Big 8 Conference Player of the Year, and All-State Academic Team honors last year.
• Trey Garoutte, midfielder, was Class 2 All-State Honorable Mention, Class 2 All-Region 3 Team, Class 2 District 10 First Team, and All-Big 8 Conference Second Team.
• Garrett Weber, defender, was named Class 2 All-State First Team, Class 2 Region 3 Co-Defender of the Year, Class 2 District 10 First Team, and All-Big 8 Conference First Team.
• Dane Rowe, midfielder, was a Class 2 All-State Second-Team, Class 2 All-Region 3, Class 2 District 10 First-Team, and All-Big 8 Conference First-Team selection.
• Ethan Straus earned All-District Second-Team honors.
• Nick Gomez, goalkeeper, was named Class 2 All-Region 3, Class 2 All-District 10 First Team and Goalkeeper of the Year, All-Big 8 Conference First Team and Goalkeeper of the Year.
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The Irish have young, but experienced, players returning for this season in Gage Vehr, Ashton Vinton and Keanu Bagio.
• Gage Vehr, a sophomore, earned Class 2 All-District 10 First-Team and All-Big 8 Second-Team honors.
• Ashton Vinton, sophomore, was named to the Class 2 All-District 10 First Team.
• Keanu Baguio, sophomore, was a Class 2 All-District 10 Second-Team selection.
“The players have been attending open field for four weeks, and there are several that will have an opportunity to see a lot of playing time,” Hines said. “Seniors Ty Rogge, Joey Beecher and Zach Olsen were cornerstones on JV, and will be expected to step up on varsity. Returning varsity players Keanu Baguio, Ashton Vinton, Gage Vehr, Jack Gerety, Drew Stufflebam and Carson Morgan will be a consistent, high-level of play as middle classmen. Incoming freshmen Kydon Huttenlocher, Rian Mulherin and Eric Fuentes will have an opportunity to make a strong impact.”
Catholic is scheduled to participate in a jamboree on Aug. 21 at Republic before opening the season at Springfield Central on Aug. 28.
“COVID-19 has introduced a new set of barriers that players, coaches, administrators, and parents are forced to navigate,” Hines said. “MSHSAA has produced a document to be implemented on Aug. 10 regarding how to approach the pandemic with guidelines that provide structure that will hopefully allow us to participate this season. No one wants to lose a complete season like it happened in Spring 2020.
“Our goals are always the same, be competitive in every game and compete for a district title. If both goals are accomplished, then it is a successful season.”
