Bellevue East High School’s spring varsity sports season is just about ready to go as the Chieftains prepare to compete in baseball, boys’ and girls’ track & field, boys’ and girls’ soccer, girls’ tennis, and boys’ golf. The following season previews and outlooks were provided by the Bellevue East coaching staffs.
Baseball
- Head Coach: Ian DeLaet
- 8th Season as Head Coach
- Assistant Coaches: Jake Weaver, Corby Weaver, Zach Pinkerton
- Last Year’s Record: 12-20
We open up the season in the Cocoa Beach Spring Training event in Florida. We will play Penn-Trafford, PA, on Thursday, March 19th at 10:30 am
This year I am looking forward to seeing how our team meshes with our good blend of returning starters mixed with some new players to our varsity team. I think we have a chance to turn some heads if we can get some good team chemistry & play as a team.
Our captains this year are: Ricky Scarpello (P/1B/OF), Steven Thiede (C/OF), Brody Graham (1B/P), & Dylan Bullard (P). This group has accepted the challenge of leading this team & trying to follow our standards. I have enjoyed working with this group.
I am excited to see some of our newcomers that will join the mix this year: Justin Paine (P), Persim Sohse (IF/P), Liam Dworek (IF/P), Tristan Yechout (OF/IF/P), Fierce Fiala (OF/1B/P), & Braydn Zimmerman (P/1B). Other returners who have really improved are: Ben Shearer (IF/P), Connor Dolezal (IF/P), & Connor Stephens (P/C/OF) have shown that they deserve some roles.
I think this team will play hard & play together. We have had a strong offseason & developed a lot behind the scenes. We are excited to open our season in Cocoa Beach, Florida & see where we are at!
Track and Field
- Head Coaches: Tom Messier (Boys HC – 4th Year), Bryan McKinley (Girls HC – 4th Year)
- Assistant Coaches: Connor Mazzei, Delaney Woodruff, Cameron Decanay, Suzanne Patterson, N’Darria Inge, Josh Peterson
- 2025 Results: Girls – Four State Qualifiers; Boys – 3 State Qualifiers
Season Outlook: We are looking forward to watching the 2025 State qualifiers make big improvements and return to State, and seeing who from the underclass will step up and earn a varsity spot.
We have High standards and expectations for all our student-athletes and coaches, both on and off the track. We want to represent the best of our school and community in what we say and do.
The Varisty season starts on Saturday, March 21st, at the College of St. Mary (indoor), multiple teams, while the Junior Varsity starts a few days later on March 24th, Papio South (outdoor), multiple teams
Boys Team Leaders:
- TayJon Morton-Swift (Senior)- Vocal leader for our program. Has set the tone of expectations for our program. (HJ/200m/400m)
- Calvin McKoy (Senior)- Hard-working athlete who has added some strength for the upcoming se(100mH/300mH/LJ)
- Christian McKoy (Senior) Versatile athlete who has shown a lot of growth through his time in our program. (300mH/TJ/LJ)
Girls Team Leaders:
- Brynn Friedrich: (senior) leads by example, great work ethic. (200m/400m/LJ)
- Emma Friedrich: (sophomore) very competitive, goal-oriented, and communicates well with teammates. (200m/400m)
Boys Most Improved:
- Triston Small-Rodgers (400m): Has spent the offseason in the weight room and conditioning. We are excited to see all his hard work pay off this season.
- Dominic Smith (Pole Vault): Things really started to click at the end of the season and he continued that into a strong summer where he continued to hone his craft.
Girls Most Improved:
- Saniyah Lagette: (400m) came on strong at the end of 2025 and focus and work ethic has carried over to 2026. She was the #1 alternate on the 2025 State qualifying 4×4 relay team.
- Gianna Carranza (200m/400m): 2025 was her first time running track and just about achieved personal records (PRs) every meet. The ceiling is very high for this senior.
Boys Soccer
- Head Coach: Noah Bishop
- 2nd Season as Head Coach
- Assistant Coaches: Karson Jeffrey (Head JV Coach), Liam Parker
- Last Year’s Record: 4-13
Season Outlook: Last year, we spent a large majority of the season building a strong foundation on how we want to play, along with the culture that we want for the program going forward. I am eager to see how we take what we learned from last year and build on it to get the results we are looking for throughout this season full of opportunities.
This season will be another step forward as we shift the overall culture of our program and how this team operates as a unit. Along with developing player skills, our goal as a program is to ultimately develop more involvement, a feeling of belonging, and a sense that everyone is needed to meet the goals that we set for this season and beyond.
The season kicks off next Thursday, March 19, at 7:00 pm at Omaha Bryan.
Team Leaders:
- Cole Conover – He will be returning this year at goalkeeper and took a huge leadership role last season when we needed someone to step up and lead by example. From the classroom to the pitch, Cole leads naturally and emphasizes the culture that our team continues to aim for.
- Alex Bautista – Returning for his senior season in the midfield, Alex will be commanding and directing the guys to produce and push for results on the pitch. He is a vocal leader and steps up in key moments where we need him most.
Most Improved:
- Ryker Lemley – Last season, Ryker was a standout freshman who has a strong desire to improve and make an even bigger impact this year. He will be looking to help the team in any attacking opportunities.
- Eddie Leister – Another freshman last year who will be back and ready to step up and take on a larger role as a playmaker in the midfield. He can play anywhere on the pitch and provides the team with his great attitude and positivity.
Girls Soccer
- Head Coach: Sipres Hoefer
- 1st Season as Head Coach
- Assistant Coaches: Morgan Sheard, Michael O’Dell, Kourtney Caniglia, Kaylie Senior
- Last Year’s Record: 9-8
Season Outlook: I’m looking forward to having strong leadership to build our culture within the program. Our team has some of the most positive, determined, motivated athletes I have ever had the pleasure of working with. They are ready to show heart and grit this season. Don’t count us out, because we’re willing to give every game our all.
The season kicks off on Thursday, March 24, at 5:30 pm at Omaha Burke.
Team Leaders:
- Bailey Jones- D (Positive, relationship builder, culture cultivator)
- Haylie Serrano- M (Easy to get along with, coachable, determined)
- Myah McManigal- M (Motivated, pushes team to give their best, decisive)
- Avery Larsen- M/D (Responsible, level-headed, always gives 110%)
Most Improved:
- Dalilah Hinojosa- Dalilah has been determined to become a better player this off-season. She has been at all preseason conditionings and winter leagues trying to make a difference for her team. She wants to continue her growth throughout the season.
Boys Golf
- Head Coach: Trevor Lenear
- 3rd Season as Head Coach
- Assistant Coach: Josh Schiefelbien
Season Outlook: We have a very fun and coachable group. We have had a lot of students sign up for tryouts so it will be fun to see the competition for the last few spots on the team.
Golf is a community game and we are glad that the sport is growing in popularity at Bellevue East.
The season tees off in two weeks, on Wednesday, March 25th, at Benson Golf Course for The Frozen Open hosted by Omaha Northwest.
Most Improved: We had some football guys try out for golf last year who ended up being pretty important for us. Steven Procko, and Chase Onken, look to build on some momentum that they had at the end of the season.
Girls Tennis
- Head Coach: Krista Tew
- 7th Season as Head Coach
- Assistant Coaches: Ben Dalton, Lilley Gulley, and Brandon Tracy
Last Year’s Results:
- 1S: Mariah Tracy (9) , 22-13 , 6th at Metros , 2nd Round loss at State
- 2S: Mariah Blaha (11), 12-11, did not compete at Metros and State due to injury
- 1D: Kennedy Alwine (12)/Layne Parker (11), 21-17, 9th at Metros, 1st Round loss at State
- 2D: Teagan Hadley (11)/Mya Weber (12), 34-10, 4th at Metros, 2nd round loss at State
Season Outlook: I’m looking forward to half of the top 6 players returning and watching those right behind them battling for those last open Varsity positions! The girls’ team is full of fun, supportive, and competitive players. They bring a great vibe to all of our practices, van rides, and competitions.
The team is full of multi-sport athletes and thrives off of support at their competitions; they would love to see more support at their home duals this season! Those dates are April 22, April 23, and April 28th.
The 2026 season begins at the end of March: Tuesday, March 31st, Varsity is at Papio LaVista, and JV is at Papio LaVista South. Both start at 2:00 pm.
Team Leaders: Teagan Haldey, who will likely be a part of our 1 doubles team, is someone who excels in the leadership position for us. She continues to work hard to improve her skills, which sets the tone for what the rest of the team should be doing as well. She gives the team positive, uplifting advice daily and always maintains a positive attitude.
Most Improved: We have a good-sized group of girls who have improved over the season and will be battling for Varsity positions. Those players are: Willow Gulley, Sophie Janzen, Monica Joseph, Grace Rued and Maleah Chang.
