With 14 returning players, nine of them starters on the 2011 team, the Corona boys lacrosse team once again successfully attained its standing goal of a winning season (8-6) and competing in the 2011 state championship playoffs, according to coach Craig Fertelmes.
Coach Fertelmes had several players he could count on for leadership almost any place on the field after returning over two-thirds of the previous season’s team.
“Ryan Berns displayed a strong mental aptitude for the game and constantly assisted in keeping the defense in the right position,” said Fertelmes. “Jeff Smith, Hunter Wall and Neal Ortiz led by example, always giving their best effort in games and in practice.”
“Cody Wagner was a leader for the midfielders and could often rally the team’s momentum at critical moments.”
The Aztecs played some close, highly contested regular season games against Saguaro and Mesa, two teams they have developed a healthy rivalry with over the last two years. But their greatest win may have been against Catalina Foothills this season.
“Catalina Foothills had beaten us badly in a pre-season tournament,” said Fertelmes. “But thanks to a strong defensive effort from seniors Ryan Berns and Hunter Wall, as well as opportune scoring from offensive leaders Cody Wagner and Jeff Smith, we were able to defeat them in the regular season.”
In the state playoffs, teams such as Brophy and Chaparral have always been major roadblocks that prevented the Aztecs from going deep into the playoffs. This year was no exception.
The Aztecs put forth a great effort April 30 against the eventual state championship team, Chaparral, and actually tied the score leading after the first half in the first round of the Division I state championship.
“The Aztecs fought their way to a 3-3 tie at halftime and we felt we had the momentum,” said coach Fertelmes.
“However, Chaparral made a few adjustments in the second half that allowed them to maintain the ball and put us back on our heels. We were never able to regain the momentum eventually losing.”
The team lost eight seniors to graduation in May but had some younger players gain valuable experience on offense, defense and at the goal during the 2011 season.
“Senior Cody Wagner was our playmaker, initiating most of our scoring opportunities from the midfield position,” said Fertelmes. “Another senior, Richard MacQueen, along with freshman Garret Howell, contributed heavily to the team’s success on attack, each averaging nearly three points per game.”
”Jeff Smith, as a junior, was a consistent headache for most teams. His foot and shot speed allowed him to become the team’s leading scorer, averaging 3.87 points a game.”
Corona next season will miss one of their key players on defense. “Senior Ryan Berns, the central figure in our defensive schemes, was usually matched up against and took care of the leading scorer on our opponent’s team,” said Fertelmes. “He has an understanding of the game that is well ahead of most players his age.”
Berns will be playing lacrosse at ASU next season.
In addition to Berns, the Aztecs had other strong defensive players on the field and at the net this season.
“Another ASU-bound player, senior Hunter Wall, was also a key figure on defense,” said Fertelmes. “His size and strength presented a formidable challenge to any opponent looking to attack the goal.”
“Sophomores Will Morgan and Zac Cope both stepped up big this year on defense and were vital to our success,” said Fertelmes.
“Defensively, EJ Burkholder was ready to provide quality help when called upon and Brandon Moreno, our senior goalie, was steadfast and a key reason why we won games.”
Backup goalie Alexander Tunberg, a freshman, saw action in five games, saving 33 out of 58 shots at goal.
One of the toughest positions to play in lacrosse is the midfield because players are required to perform at both ends of the field, according to Fertelmes. “Our midfielders who were essential for our success this season included seniors Cesar Diaz and Neal Ortiz, juniors Ivan Hunter and Sean Mayall, and sophomore Paul Sion,” said Fertelmes.
“These players were usually assigned a specific role in each game. All of them did what was asked of them and often much more.”
Other players contributing to the success of the team on and off the field were freshman players Ben Fitzhugh, Matt Hoh and Patrick Surcouf.
More information about Aztec Lacrosse can be found at http://www.azlax.com/ or by contacting Cliff Prausa at tempelacrosse@aol.com.
Corona Track and Field Wrap-Up
This spring’s track and field season was one of the more successful in recent history. The Aztecs won the Paradise Valley and Basha Relays, took second in the City Meet, third for the girls and fourth for the boys in the ASU Classic, and finished in the top six in all other tournaments they entered.
Corona’s boys team also won four dual meets while the girls won three.
In addition, Corona qualified 25 athletes in 33 Division I events at the AIA State Track and Field Championship Meet May 11-14 at Mesa Community College.
“In the state meet we broke several school records for both the boys and girls 4×800 relay teams,” said head coach Tim Kelly. “Additionally, the girls team made an impressive sixth place finish out of 67 teams, while the boys finished 11th, just seven points shy of a fourth place finish at the state meet.”
Corona top 10 finishers included Lakevia Stormer taking third in the 400 meter run, Dana McKenzie third in the high jump, Cody Jackson fourth in the 800 meter run, Megan Benson fifth in the 100 hurdles and 10th in the 300 hurdles, Nick Siefker seventh in the 110 hurdles, and Hallie Swenson ninth in the 800 meter.
The boys 4×800 relay team of Dillon Baker, Michael Seall, Cody Jackson and Jarred Hirschl finished an impressive second while the girls 4×800 relay team of Dani Lemieux, Ellen Dunn, Hallie Swenson and Sarah Williams came in fifth.
The girls 4×100 relay team of Taylor Johnson, Benson, Gabrielle Dotson and Stormer came in fourth as did the boys 4×400 relay team of Matt Hayhurst, Dominique Branscumb, Jackson and Seall.
Although Corona will miss the seniors who helped build Corona’s program such as Bransumb, Matt Hayhurst, Seall, Baker, Jared Hirschl, Daniel Wrapp, Alex Bernal, William Lee, Cutler Nance, Paul Rosendahl, Conrad Laboy and Seifker on the boys team and Stormer, Lauren Milovich, Williams, Dunn, Hanna Snyder, Alyssa Ramsland, Kaylyn McGowan and Leanne Wittilles on the girls team, coach Kelly is optimistic about the future of Corona track and field.
“We will miss the seniors’ leadership and dedication. They leave our program in a better place than when they entered it,” said Kelly. “They have helped us continue a rich Aztec tradition that will be followed by the underclassmen in years to come.”
“Our outlook for the next season is to be better than this past year. We’re not facing a rebuilding season but one where our current athletes should all improve over the summer and come back next spring stronger and faster than ever.”
Season-Ending Awards
Corona’s Kyle Jorgenson, third base, and Aaron Siple, outfielder, were named to the first team 5A Central All-Region Baseball team. Jorgenson, who batted .474 with seven home runs and slugging .897, was placed on the All-Tribune Second Team while senior Siple received honorable mention.
Corona’s softball team had several members on the Central All-Region team. First team selections included Katie Tripp for catcher and Abby Spiel for outfielder.
Selected to the second team were pitcher McKenna Isenberg, outfielder Taylor Eno and utility Paige Vallejos. Honorable mention went to Tayler Tometich and Nicole Giannohatti.
Corona track star Dana McKenzie was named to the All-Tribune Second Team after placing third in the Division I state track meet with a personal best 5 foot 6 inch high jump.
