High School Spring Varsity Sports Preview: Gross Catholic High School

Gross Catholic High School Spring Varsity Sports Preview for Baseball, Boys’ and Girls’ Track & Field, Boys’ and Girls’ Soccer, Girls’ Tennis, and Boys’ Golf as provided by the coaches.

Baseball

• Head Coach: Jim Hempel
• 4th Year as Head Coach (25th on baseball staff at GCHS)
• Assistant Coaches: Kevin Handzlik, Jay Hrdlicka, KC Siwa
• Last Year’s Record: 18-8 (3rd Place Class B Finish)

Season Outlook: We return a solid core of players from last season’s third place state tournament team which includes several of our contributing pitchers.  I look forward to seeing our seniors lead the new players to the varsity level as well as seeing all the offseason work show up on the field early in the spring. 

We look to make a run to a third straight state tournament appearance in 2024.  This year’s group will lean more heavily on its pitching staff and defense as hitters develop over the season.

Our season begins on March 14, 5PM at Gross Catholic versus Ralston.

Team Leaders:

• Isaac Bies, LHP/1B/OF: Isaac is one of our top returning pitchers and has pitched in big games during his career.  He is also one of our top hitters and will provide a punch in the batting order.
• Nate Pechar, CF: This will be Nate’s third year on varsity and provides leadership as our top of the batting order guy who can make things happen on the bases.
• Jack Miller, RHP/3B: Jack tied the school record for saves last season and will settle into a more prominent role on the staff this year.  
• Colby Duncan: Colby is a three year varsity guy who will provide stability on the infield and tough approach at the plate.

Most Improved:

• Carson Kozeal returns as a junior shortstop.  He had a real nice second half to the Legion season last year and provides power to the middle of the lineup for us this year.  
• Charlie Yeshnowski had a breakout freshman year on the mound for us, making three appearances in the State Tourney without surrendering a hit or run.  He looks to anchor a staff with some solid varsity experience.

Track and Field

• Head Coach: Anton Rice

Preview Coming Soon – Look for an update to this story.

Boys Soccer

• Head Coach: Robert Greenhagen
• 1st Season as Head Coach
• Assistant Coaches: Chad Lange, Andrew McNamara, Michael Monico, Preston Higginbotham
• Last Year’s Record: 4-14

Season Outlook: I think we will see a much-improved level of talent and teamwork. Our team is set up to succeed now and into the future.  We have several young players that we expect to play at the varsity level (7 freshmen, 3 sophomores).  We also have a returning core of experienced players that will help these young players develop and provide our team with the confidence and ability to compete with the top teams in class B.

Gross Catholic has a great mixture of skilled newcomers and returning personnel to make a run for a state berth.  With a strong and experienced defense, the question is can the Cougars develop enough offense to return to the playoffs?

We open the season at Conestoga High School in Murray on March 14 at 5pm.

Team Leaders:

• Our two senior leaders are Chris Constantino and Will Pelton.  Chris is a four-year starter and an underappreciated defender in class B.  He provides consistent play and strength to our team at the center-back position.  Will Pelton is a three-year returning starter.  He has worked hard to improve his touch and decision-making.  He provides confidence in our midfield, an area that we have struggled with, especially with the elite teams in class B. 
• Our offense is led by junior and three-year starter, Jacob Heffelfinger.  He was the team’s leading scorer in 2023 and will be the motor of our team’s offense.

Most Improved:

• Junior Robert Greenhagen (three-year starter) and Senior Grayson Janulewicz (two-year starter).  With our changes in the game plan and structure in combination with Robert and Grayson’s personal development, we anticipate a significant increase in the number of assists and support that will be provided by our outside defenders.  Their development will provide a much-needed boost on the attacking third and support in the defensive set.

Girls Soccer

• Head Coach: Rick Yanovich
• 4th Season as Head Coach
• Assistant Coaches: Kim Matzen, Eric Yanovich
• Last Year’s Record: 8-7, State Qualifier

Season Outlook: I am looking forward to the journey and watching the team grow on and off the field. Our team is a co-op between two Bellevue schools: Gross Catholic and Cornerstone Christian. Our season kicks off on Thursday, March 14 at 4:30pm at Gross Catholic Field Vs Duchesne.

Team Leaders: Martha Yanovich (D) and Lauren Stuhr (F) are two of the leaders on the team.  They play for the name on the front of the shirt, not the back.  This quality leads others to put the team above all things also.

Most Improved: Mayse Fritz (GK) and Saydie Waldron (M) have improved immensely over the years.  Their hard work and dedication have shown others the path of what it takes to be successful.

Boys Golf

• Head Coach: Taylor Sidzyik
• 2nd Season as Head Coach
• Assistant Coaches: Jocko Ilcisin, Hank Weresh
• Last Year’s Record: Last year we had one state qualifier (David Winkelmann) 

Season Outlook: Last year we had a roster of 7 kids with 4 of them being seniors. This year we have 17 kids coming out for the team. That’s a lot! I am most looking forward to watching these guys develop and learn the game of golf. We plan to be competitive and get better each week. Our team is young but eager to learn and we are excited to get the season going! 

Our season begins on April 3 as we will compete in the Bellevue East Invite at Tara Hills Golf Course.

Team Leaders:

• Merrick Dowling, Sr – Merrick is one returner from last year’s team and is one of 3 seniors on the team this year. Merrick has tournament experience that the guys can lean on. 
• Taylor Ross, Jr – Taylor is another returner from last year’s team, he played in every event for us last year. Taylor has a lot of potential to have a big year for us and compete to medal at events. His leadership skills are exemplified through his work ethic. 

Girls Tennis

• Head Coach: Tristen Riha
• 12th Season as Head Coach
• Assistant Coaches: Alexa Herting, JV coach – 5th year

Season Outlook: I am looking forward to the girls working hard and stepping up to lead the younger girls. Our team is one the most positive and supportive teams not only to our teammates but to other teams. We pride ourselves on good sportsmanship.

We open our season at 4pm on March 21, 2024 at Blair High School.

Team Leaders:

• Grace Riha (senior) #2 singles last year, She is always helping the girls with different techniques and pointers on their swings, she is always supportive and positive by cheering the girls on.
• Makenzie Hughes (senior) #1 doubles last year, Kenzie is everyone’s big sister, making sure they are getting rides and that they are on time.

Most Improved:

• Savana Sweeney (senior) #2 doubles last year and Savanah Schofield (senior) #2 doubles last year. These 2 have improved by putting in hard work in the off season trying to get better.