Bellevue East Fall Varsity Sports Summaries for football, softball, volleyball, cross country, boys tennis, and girls golf as provided by the coaches.
Football
- Head Coach: Aaron Thumann
- 2nd Year as Head Coach at East
- Assistant Coaches: Damien Roberts, Bill Patterson, Cameron Dacanay, Joe Mesa, Luke Evans, Jake Weaver, Andrew Wheeler, Chip Procko, Dez Wright, Aden Perry, Antonio Arriola
- Last Year’s Record: 4-5
Season Outlook: We are very excited for the potential we have for this season. We got 4 wins last season. The most in one season in 8 years. We were one series away from earning a 5th, so it is safe to say our student-athletes are hungry and know what they want to go after this season.
We had a good size group of underclassmen have the opportunity to get substantial playing time last year and we saw some awesome growth from those players throughout the season and they have just continued that throughout the off-season and summer.
Our young men know the success they want to have lies in the work that they have been driven to do. They have been growing with every opportunity and they know adversity is only a stepping stone to where they want to be.
As far as naming team leaders, just naming a couple is tough. We have a ton of key pieces coming back and our senior and junior groups have been outstanding guides, teachers, and leaders for our program this off-season and since we started practice. This is just a small list of them: Mason Chandler- LB/QB, Adin Carrera- DB/RB, Dillon Ginter- LB/WR, Ricky Foster- OL/DL, Matt Anderson- OL/DL, Ben Ewing-LB/OL, Julian Lamas- OL/DL, Jack Duncan- OL/DL, Ty Harris- DB/WR, Jacob Dieterich- DB/WR
If I had to choose a skill player leader, it would be Mason Chandler. There is no question Mason is one of the top middle LB prospects in the state. He will also continue his role as our starting QB. A spot he took over in week 3 of last season. He is strong, fast, physical, has a nose for the ball, and is incredibly smart. He led the team in tackles and in TDs last year. He makes everyone around him better, he holds his teammates accountable and he is a tremendous teacher and teammate. He goes out of his way to help his teammates and everyone just rallies around him.
If I had to choose a player up front, it would be Matt Anderson. He is a tremendous guide for our players up front. He answers questions, teaches them their positions, knows everyone’s job, holds them to a very high standard, and brings the players around him up when they need it. He is very smart, very coachable, and wants the team to be as successful as possible.
Dillon is one of the top 2025 LBs in the metro. He finished last season in the top 5 for tackles for Sophomore LBs. He has also become one of our most reliable and strong receivers. He is also an outstanding student with a 3.71 GPA.
He didn’t even start at the beginning of the season last year at either position. He worked incredibly hard and earned those opportunities to start and has now become one of our most reliable players. He has only gotten stronger, faster, smarter, and better since last season until now. He put on 30lbs through our spring and summer program and he is constantly finding ways to help him become better and better.
Our program continues to grow in a very positive direction. We continue to take steps towards what we know this program can be and we also know that it will take time. We will face adversity along the way, but as a team we embrace that and know that the adversity we face is essential for us to grow into the program we can be.
East’s first game is on the road this Friday, August 25th vs Lincoln Northeast. Kickoff is at 7pm at Lincoln High. The first home game is Friday, September 1 at 7pm vs Norfolk.
Boys Tennis
- Head Coach: Krista Tew
- 5th Year as Head Coach at East
- Assistant Coach: Larry Newton
Season Outlook: We are returning all of our Varsity team from last year, So I look forward to them using what they experienced last year to excel in this season. Our 1 Singles, Brandon Tracy (11) is returning to the same division while the remainder of the team has done some shifting around. We hope to find success early in the season, or make changes to grow by the time Metros come.
Team leaders include junior Brandon Tracy and seniors Elijah Carrera and Cole Holbrook. Tracy at 1 Singles helps drive his teammates to play harder. They love being able to beat him in a drill, which gives them the confidence to grow on the court.
Carrera at 2 Singles & Holbrook at 1 Doubles are the two players that have played on Varsity all four years here at East. They are able to give constructive criticism to their teammates while also keeping everything respectful and competitive. Their experience can help our team excel throughout the season.
A couple players showing improvement include junior Jace Taggart and Holbrook. As Taggart’s skill set continues to grow we are able to see the consistency finally click. Taggart has also shown growth in his mental game and can make changes within a match. Holbrook has gained more control in his net play, groundstrokes, and mental game. These improvements can and should produce more success this season.
We have a great group of guys, and a majority of them are also baseball players that are used to bigger crowds at competitions. They would love to have more support showing up and cheering them on throughout the season.
The team has their first match this Thursday, August 24th at 4:00 PM against Gretna. Varsity is AWAY, JV is HOME
Volleyball
- Head Coach: Courtney Smeby
- 11th Year as Head Coach at East
- Assistant Coaches: Megan Pierce-Cramer, Christina McDowall, Arianna Waschkowski, Delaney Woodruff
- Last Year’s Record: 19-15
Season Outlook: With the departure of seven talented seniors, our team is set to undergo a transformative shift this season–embracing a young and energetic roster that is brimming with potential. Despite the loss of experienced players, we are optimistic about the opportunities presented by a youthful roster. We’re thrilled to witness the emergence of fresh talent. These new players are hungry to compete and prove their mettle on the court. We might have a young roster, but we’re not lacking in determination and heart.
All of our juniors have made tremendous efforts to be leaders for us this year. The team voted for Kennedy Alwine (JR RH) and Mya Weber (JR MH) to be two of our captains this season. Both of them were nominated for their positivity, confidence, and coachability. They both have a strong presence and advocate for the team on and off the court.
All of our outside hitters have made a lot of improvement to compete at the varsity level. Layne Parker (sophomore), has really stepped up to be a six-rotation player for us. Last season, she competed in a completely different position–middle hitter. She is constantly asking how to get better and trusting the process while she develops.
The team has been putting in the hard work during pre-season practices, focusing on honing their skills and building cohesion. The challenges ahead are seen as opportunities for growth, but this young roster is ready to make their presence felt and continue to build upon the success attained last season.
The team starts their season this week on Thursday, August 24 with a home game vs. the Millard South Patriots. The first match begins at 7pm.
Softball
- Head Coach: Casie Onken
- 5th Year as Head Coach at East
- Assistant Coaches: Whitney Wilson, Mark Brown, Bri Haley, Nathaly Larios, Michaela Miller
- Last Year’s Record: 14-17
Season Outlook: I’m looking forward to building up a Young Team from last season and seeing them continue to develop and learn to win. We have 4 starting sophomores and 2 starting Freshman this season but most of them have experience and know what it is going to take to get to Hastings.
We have 2 seniors who have taken the leadership role for us this season: Courtney Ehlers and Valerie Fitzgerald.
Courtney is a very focused, hardworking leader. She understands the significance of being a Team Leader and she takes younger players under her wing and helps them develop and adjust to high school softball. She is very approachable and trustworthy and other players look up to her. She is our starting 1st baseman for the 2nd season (transferred from Plattsmouth her junior year) and has started off the year red hot including a Go Ahead DBL yesterday in our 1st Win of the season vs North Platte.
Val is a 4 year letter winner and has started Varsity since her sophomore year. She has the experience of being at the State Tournament and understands the significance of that experience. She wants nothing more than to end her High School career in Hastings. She brings the tradition of Bellevue East Softball and communicates the expectations of what it means to be a BEAST Softball player. She will split time behind the plate and at Shortstop this season.
These 2 seniors fit well together. They both have the same goals in mind and they both bring different leadership skills which mesh well together.
Alisha McMurtry was one of our standout Freshman last season holding down our starting pitcher role and racking up 109 strikeouts as a Freshman. I can tell she has worked very hard in the offseason on her pitching mechanics, control in the zone, and change up. She is also stronger mentally and is able to up her competitive edge in clutch situations. She has also improved at the plate learning to hit pitches that last season she struggled with. I am looking forward to her playing a huge role for us this season and I know she will continue to improve.
Another impact player will be 2nd year starter Cota Barmore. She is a sophomore who will split time behind the plate and at Shortstop. Cota is an exceptional bat handler and she is fast. She always gives 110% and her positivity is contagious among the entire team. She will also make an immediate impact this season with her leadership and knowledge of the game and her constant push to learn more. I am excited for her role this season.
We had 2 juniors transfers from Bellevue West, Hayley deMontel and Maddy Mitchell. We are looking at both players to make an immediate impact on the success of our team. Hayle will split time between 2nd base and OF, as well as pitching some innings and Maddy will hold down an outfield position. Really excited to have them joining our program and Chieftain Nation.
They are Gamers! They work hard and they want to win. They are coachable and they make adjustments. Their goal is to improve 1% everyday and see where that takes them at the end of the season!
Bellevue East had its first game of the season last week at the Lied Center vs Bellevue West. East lost in a close one by a score of 1-2.
Cross Country
- Head Coach: Connor Mazzei
- 2nd Year as Head Coach at East
- Assistant Coach: Laura Heath
Season Outlook: BEAST XC has a large influx of underclassmen to our team, including many who have earned varsity team spots. I am excited to accompany them on their journey as student-athletes, reaching full potential and fostering a positive culture of belonging.
Edward (Alex) Stephens and Marcos Vazquez are two seniors on our varsity team that lead our team members at all times, establishing a sense of integrity and work ethic that is much appreciated by the coaching staff. Victoria Bogatz is a sophomore who brings a level of dedication and excitement to our girl’s team.
Victoria Bogatz and Aiden Lindensmith are two sophomores who have made amazing strides in reducing their 5K times. Their ambition and team comradery makes BEAST XC a positive, welcoming environment centered on achieving individual goals.
We are looking forward to a transformative season and recognize that the collaboration between Bellevue Public Schools cross country programs is developing a greater distance running culture in the city of Bellevue.
The team’s first meet is Class of the Metro, hosted by Papillion-LaVista High School at Walnut Creek Rec Area. All Metro conference schools will be in attendance. The meet is set for this Saturday, August 26 with the first race beginning at 7:20am.
Girls Golf
- Head Coach: Nicole Burns
- 6th Season as Head Coach at East
- Assistant Coach: Leland Johnson
Season Outlook: We are looking forward to watching our players develop their games more and continue to improve as we work through the season.
Team leaders include Ally Cook and Martha Blanco. Cook is a senior leader and she has a great go-with-the-flow attitude and keeps grinding away to improve her game. Blanco has a great no fear attitude and is working to improve her game at practice.
We are excited to have six returners who have shown a lot of improvement throughout last season and at the start of this season including Cook, Blanco, Reese Chandler, Evelyn Carozza, Emerson Schubauer and Abbey Stinson.
Our team has grown in size this season. The last few seasons we had 4-6 golfers and now we are currently sitting with 16 eligible golfers this season.
At the start of the season, the Bellevue East Girls Golf Team was awarded 5 brand new sets of Callaway Golf Clubs and 5 Sun Mountain Push Carts from the PGA REACH Nebraska’s Clubs FORE Youth Program.
The team has already had their first match of the season as last Thursday, August 17th they competed in the Lincoln High Scramble. Their first regular competition is this Thursday, August 24th, at the Lincoln Northwest Invite – however that may be moved to Friday due to the heat.
Featured Background Image Courtsey of Phil Davidson
