High School Fall Varsity Sports Summaries: Bellevue West

Bellevue West Fall Varsity Sports Summaries for football, softball, volleyball, cross country, boys tennis, and girls golf as provided by the coaches.

Football

• Head Coach: Michael Huffman
• 11th Year as Head Coach at West
• Assistant Coaches: Mike Pokorski, Jake Gentile, Brent Newcomb, Adam Heuertz, JD Culjat , Brent Litz, Zach Acamo, Gene Suhr, Araf Evans, Kenny Staskiewicz, Jake Perez, Charles Rosenthal, Will Smith, and Daryl Clark
• Record Last Year: 7-4
• Returning Starters: 9 on Offense, 5 on Defense

Season Outlook: The 2022 Thunderbirds were decimated by injuries at key spots and lost more than one game in the regular season for the first time since 2014. The 7-4 record has not sat well in the off season. The positive of a season like that is the number of players that were forced into action. That should bode well for the 2023 campaign as key players return at almost all spots.

The offense will be led by a talented set of skill kids headlined by 2024 national recruits QB Daniel Kaelin, WR Dae’Vonn Hall, and WR Isaiah McMorris. All three have multiple Power 5 offers and will look to leave their stamp on Nebraska High School football. WRs Ben Goodwater, TJ Whaley and Omaha South
transfer Dylan Sheard will fill what could be one of the best receiving corps in the Midwest. Running back was a hot mess last season with three players going down to injuries. Both Charlie Gewinner and CJ Gauff return and have the talent to be all-state running backs if they can stay healthy. Gewinner is a home run threat with Gauff being the shifty compliment. The offensive line looks to move to a strength in ’23. We played 11 different players last year in the five positions and nine of them return. Jacob Arop, Ryland Schweiss, Bryce Luehring, and Jeffrey Kunzman are ready to take the next step.

The Thunderbirds have a new coaching staff on the defensive side of the ball led by Coach Jake Gentile.
The 4-3 scheme will have size and speed on all three levels of the defense. The defensive line will be led by seniors Chris Lawson at DT and Aden Morris at DE. Both have the size and speed to be extremely disruptive.

Asher Jenkins leads a linebacker group that will run extremely well and close gaps quickly. South transfer
Dylan Sheard should fit in nicely along with junior OLB Kenyann Hunt along with a handful of others that
should contribute. The secondary should be a strength with Hall and McMorris holding down one corner spot. Safeties will dictate the overall success of the group. Senior Skyler Herring along with youngsters Araf Evans and Kaprice Keith give the Thunderbirds highly talented options.

The Thunderbird special teams return all of their kickers. Senior Ian Shepard looks to be consistent in
getting the squad touchbacks on a regular basis. Kaelin handled most of the punting duties last year and looks to continue that this year. The returners all return and should be a strength. Long and short snappers do need to be replaced but have multiple to choose from.

The team had their first game last Friday Vs #6 Crieghton Prep, winning 27-14. Up next i#4 Omaha North visits Faiman Field this Friday, August 25th for a 7pm kickoff.

Boys Tennis

• Head Coach: Steve Lemon
• 25th Year as Head Coach at West
• Assistant Coach: Matthew Lauritsen
• Dual Record Last Year: 5-4
• Returning Starters: 4

Season Outlook: Losing the school record-holder in career wins (Peyton Lemon) as well as last year’s #2 singles player (who placed 8th at state) will be a task to overcome. However, the team should be competitive once again.

Seniors Tanner Hosick, Tanner Adams, Cooper Moore, and Koen Zimmerman are returning lettermen. Hosick won 38 matches in 2022 and has 73 career wins, good for 6th place all-time at Bellevue West. He is a three-sport athlete (Wrestling, Baseball, Tennis) and recently accepted a baseball scholarship to UNO. Tanner Adams won 20 matches last year, which was his first on the varsity team. Cooper Moore won 21 matches in 2022, which was also his first on the varsity team. Koen Zimmerman won 25 matches last year. He was a 7th seed in the Metro and 16th seed at state. 

The team finished in the top 10, 3 years in a row. They bring back 4 strong players with Hosick & Adams leading the way. They also have some improved JV players and an incoming freshman with playing experience.

Volleyball

• Head Coach: Christina Krajicek
• 10th Year as Head Coach at West
• Assistant Coaches: Christa Roberts, Courtney Morehead, Tatum Anderson, Kacie Anderson (JV), Morgan Whitehead (Reserve), Emma Allison (Freshmen)
• Returning Starters: 5

Season Outlook: We had a very young team last year with only losing one senior – I’m excited to see our growth this season. A couple players Krajicek is counting on as team leaders include Senior outside hitter Kayla Eggiman and Junior setter Madison Emery. Eggiman is a 4-year starter and team captain. Emery is someone who Coach Krajicek mentioned has shown great improvement. “Emery is valued and respected by all of her teammates,” Krajicek said. “She has worked very hard all spring to better herself with extra reps and training sessions!”

The team has their first game this Thursday, August 24th – 6 P.M. at Central High School.

Cross Country

• Head Coach: Larissa Knudson
• 5th Year as Head Coach at West
• Assistant Coaches: Epley and Paul Hamilton
• Returning two girls that qualified for state

Season Outlook: We look forward to continuing to build our program after the dip we experienced following COVID lock-down and restrictions. 

We have had several runners put in many quality miles over the summer. We look forward to seeing how this translates to the racecourse this Saturday. Kara Muller is the leading female runner. She is a 3-time state qualifier for both cross country and track and field. She leads by example, giving consistent effort in all practices. She also encourages the younger runners. 

Bellevue West and Bellevue East’s cross country programs want to build a stronger running community in Bellevue. We provide a great environment to maintain and/or grow your fitness level while forming friendships with teammates. Cross country is a sport that is open to everyone–the running community at large is incredibly supportive.

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.

Softball

• Head Coach: Bre Salgado
• 2nd Year as Head Coach at West
• Assistant Coaches: Liz Kottich, Grace Boganowski, Kierney Skiles, and Stormie Gonzales-Dorn
• Last Year’s Record: 16-15

Season Outlook: We are looking forward to continuing to build off the success and improvement of last year. We have a large freshmen class, and it will be exciting to bring them into the culture and have them contribute. 

Coach Salgado mentioned some players she looks to as team leaders. Taylor Phephles, (C/3B): She is a 4-year varsity starter and brings a lot of experience and vocal leadership to the team. Taylor has a high softball IQ and a competitive nature that helps her lead the team. Aubrey White, (P/2B): As a starting pitcher, Aubrey helps set the tone each game. She also has a strong softball IQ, and she is very good at knowing what her teammates need to help them focus or regroup and then communicating with them. Jillian Hazel, (OF): As our other senior, Jillian is a hard-worker and a great model for the younger players. She is always willing to step up, and that motivates the others to do the same. 

Coach also discussed a couple players she has seen improvement in. Elli Reyes, junior: She was out with an injury all last year and served as the manager. She has worked hard to rehab and come back stronger than before, and she has improved in the mental aspect of the game so much. She is a great teammate, and she is very good about working with others to help them improve. Karmyn Powell, junior: In only her 3rd year playing softball, she has learned so much about the game and improved her physical and mental skills to the point of becoming a varsity starter. She is an incredibly hard worker and a great teammate. 

The 2023 Thunderbirds are going to be highly competitive and fun to watch. We have a lot of talent, as well as great personalities, and we intend to compete each and every day.

Bellevue West had its first game of the season last week at the Lied Center vs Bellevue East. West won by a score of 2-1.

Girls Golf

• Head Coach: Rick Mintken
• 6th Year as Head Coach at West

Season Outlook: Coach Mintken is looking forward to seeing the growth of the players throughout the year. Working with the younger golfers and trying to get them to have some success on the golf course. For team leaders, Coach mentioned Sonny Sobczyk, Brooke Kieser, Braylen Hurley, Megan Klone, and Mia McVay – all seniors who have been around for a few years and know the game – as well as Junior Aspen Glotfelty who Coach says always has a positive attitude and has worked very hard over 3 years to improve on her game!

A couple of golfers that have shown improvement include Junior Chloe Grabenbauer, who took lessons during the summer. According to Mintken, her swing is looking good and she’s hitting the ball well. Sophomore Gabi Merkle also played a lot more this summer. She’s hitting the ball well and improved her understanding of the game.

Regarding his team this year Mintken said, “The Bellevue West Girls Golf team is made up of a great group of girls! They represent BWHS and the community in a positive way. I couldn’t be prouder to be their coach!”

Featured Background Image Courtsey of Phil Davidson