The 2014-2015 school year was a memorable one for Ithaca High School athletes. From fall through spring, Ithaca athletes were as competitive as any group of athletes in the state.
In the fall, the football team continued its string of success. Looking for its fifth consecutive state title, the Yellowjackets came up just short as they fell, 22-12, to St. Mary Catholic Central in the Division 6 state championship game. Ithaca was led by a number of outstanding players, including junior quarterback Jake Smith and junior wide receiver Spence DeMull, who both earned first-team all-state honors. Junior linebacker Jace Demenov and offensive lineman Jonah Loomis earned special-mention all-state honors.
The girls’ cross country team brought home the first girls’ title in school history when it won the Division 3 state cross-country championship. Courtney Allen placed eighth overall to lead the Yellowjackets, while Amelia Freestone placed 10th, Hannah Thayer 33rd, Blaire Showers 38th, and Alyssa Mankey 45th. All but Thayer are slated to return in 2015.
The winter season also proved to be memorable for Ithaca athletes. The Ithaca girls basketball team enjoyed plenty of success, as it went 21-3 and was a perfect 14-0 in league play. It won a district title before falling to Nouvel Catholic Central in the regional semifinal. Freshman Kayla Belles averaged 14.5 points, 13.2 rebounds, and four blocks per game enroute to earning all-state honors. Belles and junior Brooklyn Dolloff were first-team all-conference, while junior Kylee Chaffin was second-team all-conference. Ithaca head coach Bob Anderson was named the Class C Coach of the Year and set a new state record for most high school games coached.
The boys’ basketball team also turned in a big year. The Yellowjackets went 21-3 and won a district title. Junior Spence DeMull and sophomore Levi Lehman were first-team all-conference players, while Jake Smith and Nick Radak earned second-team all-conference honors.
The Ithaca girls bowling team qualified for the state meet and advanced to the state semifinal before it fell to eventual state champion St. Louis. Arianna Woodrow and Chelsea MacLennan qualified for the girls’ individual finals.
In the spring sports season, the Ithaca girls track team made plenty of headlines. They won their regional meet and then placed fourth at the Division 3 state finals. Junior Erica Sheahan won the state title in the long jump and placed second in the 100-meter and the 200-meter dashes. The 4×400 relay team of Kara Kindel, Kurstin Kalisek, Amelia Freestone, and Sheahan placed fourth.
The Ithaca softball team also turned in a big year. Senior third baseman Courtney Cooley earned first-team all-state honors, while junior outfielder Brooklyn Dolloff hit over .500 and earned honorable-mention all-state honors. The pitching staff of junior Kylee Chaffin and freshman Kayla Belles finished the season with ERAs of less than 1.00.