by Brad Schertle Joe Curreri, a MIAA swimming champion and 1998 alum of Loyola Blakefield and the University of Southern California, recently passed away in the Philippines while on a training dive, serving the United States as an Army Ranger. Curreri had a storied and decorated career at Loyola Blakefield.  In each of his four years, hey was an individual MIAA Champion, leading Blakefield’s swimming team to four straight A Conference Team Titles (1994-1998).  During his sophomore and senior years, he led Loyola to a second place finish at the National Catholic Swimming Championships and, as a junior, the school’s first ever first place finish. After graduating from Loyola he went on to swim for Mark Schubert and Erika Hansen at the University of Southern California, where as a senior he was named team captain.  When Curreri went off to college he had set more Maryland Swimming LSC records then any previous male, held National Age Group Records, competed at the U.S. Nationals and several Junior National Championships.
Loyola graduate Joe Curreri, who was killed during a training dive while serving as a U.S. Army Green Beret, recently, was a highly decorated swimming champion with the Dons and instrumental is the start of the school’s water polo team.

His accomplishments in the pool were rivaled only by those outside.  Those who knew Joey (as his friends and family referred to him) remember him for what he did out of the pool. They saw him as a constant competitor, with a never quit mentality. Whether it was the pool, classroom, or a round of video games, Joe gave a 100% effort. He was a caring individual who gave everything he had into every endeavor he undertook. It was this that made him one of the most respected swimmers in the MIAA.  People marveled at Curreri’s hard work, dedication and unrivaled care for others.

These characteristics were never more visible than during his senior year.

Curreri decided he wanted Loyola to start competing in water polo.  During the Christmas vacation of 1997, while his classmates were enjoying their new Nintendo 64’s, he was leading 10 of his teammates in Loyola’s first 100 Mile Relay.  Curreri organized the event, raised funds, and helped his team complete 100 miles in less then 33 hrs.  Through the raised funds, he was able to purchase water polo balls, caps and goals to start a program.

The team played a few games in the spring of 1998 against Calvert Hall and started a club team schedule in the fall of 1998, after Curreri graduated.  Since then the Loyola Swim Team has continued this tradition, donating their raised money to a charity of the team’s choice.  

After college, Curreri stayed on the west coast where he met his wife Athena. On his semi-regular trips back to Baltimore, Curreri always made a point of connecting with his roots. He would walk Loyola’s campus, stop by practices and catch up with high school teammates, classmates and teachers.  Loyola’s mission is to send “Men for Others” into society upon graduation.  Anyone who had the privilege of meeting Joe Curreri knew this mission was never more accurately executed than in his case.

Editor’s Note:  Brad Schertle is an assistant water polo and swimming coach at Loyola, as well as the son of head coach Keith Schertle.  He is a 2001 graduate of Blakefield and was a freshman swimmer for the Dons during Joe Curreri’s senior year.

BRUINS & SABRES CLAIM FINAL B PLAYOFF SPOTS

The Park School withstood a late charge from Glenelg Country, earning its first win against the Dragons in three years, 2-1, as well as a berth into the MIAA B Conference playoffs. Saints Peter & Paul also advances with 1-0 win over Key.

The Bruins led, 2-0, as Nick Ryugo assisted goals by Colin Smith and Noam Yaffe against league
rival Glenelg Country School in a key matchup that would determine the third and final playoff spot from Division II of the B Conference.

And as the clock wound down, the Bruins had the playoffs already in sight.  But, with a minute and 10 seconds to play, John Jones converted a feed from Kelson McAuliffe to put Glenelg Country on the board and make things interesting.

The Dragons continued pressured Bruins goalie Jon Hettlemen, forcing him to making a key save to perserve the 2-1 victory.

“It was real tough at the end, and this was the first time we’ve been able to beat them in three years,” said Hettlemen, who, “came up very big at the end,” according to his coach, Lucky Mallonee.

“The kids have played hard all season, and I’m very proud of them,” said Mallonee. “I would have been very proud of their performance, even if we had been on the losing end today.”

After a scoreless first half, the Bruins (10-4-1 league, 11-5-1 overall) went ahead, 1-0, on a beautiful feed from Ryugo to Smith, who headed the ball into the net.

“It felt real good to score in a big game,” said Smith, whose goal was his first of the season.

Seven minutes later on another great throw-in from Ryugo, Yaffe put Park ahead 2-0.  

“It was a great team effort,” Yaffe said. “We played real hard, and we’re looking forward to the playoffs.”

“We had trouble scoring all season, and after we went up by two we went into a defensive shell,” Mallonee said. “We had to stop Kelson from scoring again. I assigned Pat McMahon to hound him, and we managed to pull out the win.”

The win ousts the Dragons (10-5, 11-5) from playoff contention, as they finished one point behind the Bruins in the race for the final spot in postseason play.  Missing the playoffs will certainly be tough to digest for the Dragons, who finished with 30 points which would have been enough to tie for first place in Division I, which was won by Annapolis Area Christian.  By contrast Saints Peter & Paul, which edged Key, 1-0, yesterday to claim the third seed in Division I, finished with just nine points.

The Sabres qualified for the playoffs on the strength of a first half goal by John Kaestner, with about 10 left.  Both teams had numerous opportunities to score, but only Kaestner was able to capitalize.

Saints Peter & Paul employed two goalkeepers as Micah Steinmiller and John Paul Pellerin combined for 10 saves and the first shutout of the season for the Sabres.  In addition, Seth Whaley and Grant Harrison anchored the defense in front of the Sabre keepers.

With the victory Saints Peter & Paul (4-13, 3-11) slipped one point in front of Key (5-12-3, 2-10-2) to take the final playoff berth in Division I.

With the final two positions now filled, here is how the B Conference playoffs shape up:

The two division winners Boys’ Latin (13-5-1, 12-2-1) and AACS (10-5, 10-4) have earned first round byes and each will host semifinal contest on Tues., Nov. 6.  The remaining four teams will kick off the playoffs tomorrow with a pair of quarterfinal games.

Saints Peter & Paul will visit Friends (13-3-1, 12-3), the second seed in Division II, while Park will travel to Severn (11-5-1, 9-4-1) to face the Admirals in the other quarterfinal.

In the semifinals, BL will face the Severn/Park winner and AACS will take on the Friends/Saints Peter & Paul survivor.  The MIAA B Conference Championship Game will be played as part of championship triple header, with the C and A Conferences, on Nov. 10 at Calvert Hall.

Click here for the complete MIAA B Conference Playoff Bracket.

YELLOWJACKETS: THREE-PEAT THREAT

Chapelgate Christian readies itself for yet another title chase, following a 2-1 victory over St. John’s Catholic Prep that ends its regular season.

After a fairly uneventvull first half, Becker took advantage of a pass by Chris Carlson to shoot in a ball just out of the hands of St. Johns’ keeper John Kubala (nine saves).
 
The Yellowjacket defense, led by senior Mike Lovaas, was unable to shut out an equalizer goal by Matt Grus, sending the game into overtime.
 
Chapelgate was finally able to pull ahead for the win in sudden-death, when Alex McCurry took a pass from Jarod Bowersett and put up the winning goal.

The Yellowjackets enter the MIAA C Conference playoffs with an 11-1 league record, looking to earn their third straight tournament title
 
Final score: 2-1
Halftime score: 0-0
 
Goals: CC-J. Becker, A. McCurry. SJ-M. Grus.
Assists: CC-C. Carlson, J. Bowersett.
Saves: CC-M. Siggins 6. SJ-J. Kubala 9.
 
-Laura Bradley
 

MALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: KING OF THE (WATER) WORLD

Mike Helou dominated the water polo scene, leading the Cardinals to their seventh straight MIAA A Conference title.

KRUGANSKY LIFTS ST. PAUL’S OVER BL

Nick Kurgansky netted the only score of the contest when he followed up a shot by teammate Josh Du Coudray, with just under six minutes remaining in the second half.

St. Paul’s defense, led by eight stops from goalkeeper Peter Windsor, then finished off the shutout

St. Paul’s (1-14-2 overall), which was coming off an A Conference tie with playoff bound Calvert Hall, won for the first time this year.  The Crusaders will have one final opportunity to get in the win column in the A Conference when they close their season at John Carroll on Wednesday.

BL (13-5-1 overall) has now completed its regular season.  The Lakers will enter the B Conference playoffs as the top seed from Division II and will host a semifinal playoff game next week.

Some young spectators got the opportunity to enjoy the main court at the Kilby Athletic Recreation Center Saturday afternoon. The $10 million dollar facility at Annapolis Area Christian School in Severn was officially dedicated Saturday.

NO PLACE LIKE HOME

Annapolis Area Christian School debuts its new Kilby Athletic Recreation Center

     Annapolis Area Christian Athletic Director Joe Palumbo said he dreaded each weekday afternoon. The last several years, Palumbo would watch many of his athletic teams leave campus for practice miles away.

     “I hold my breath every day because I know I got kids out on the road,” said Palumbo. “I just dread that call from a coach saying Suzie or Johnny haven’t made it to practice yet and I know they’ve left the school. Luckily, I’ve never had that call.”

      Palumbo’s concerns have started to alleviate with the Herndon Kilby Athletic Recreation Center on Annapolis Area’s upper school location in Severn. The building, which opened in August, was dedicated Saturday afternoon.

      The Eagles hosted their first athletic event Monday evening with a boys’ volleyball game against Mount St. Joseph’s. The $10 million dollar facility features two gymnasiums, an auxilary gym, indoor turf field, wrestling room, weight room, four locker rooms with two offices for coaches, athletic trainer office, adminstrative offices and a dining hall, which school officials said is the biggest centerpiece.

      “It’s come to pass before our eyes. It was a little bit touch and go during the summer,” said Annapolis Area Chrisitan Principal Don Wiley. “We got the official inspection the day before school started. It’s been a blessing to be able enjoy the dining hall as well as students having a place to congreate and, of course, the amazing athletic facility.”

      “It’s taken the kids out from being right under the teachers all the time,” said Palumbo. “The teachers are so much more relax. They have their time in the morning to do devotions and prepare for the day, and the kids are over here. The kids want to be here.”

      Students along with alumni and parents could be found in virtually every area of Kilby as the skies began clearing outside Saturday afternoon after several days of rain. Palumbo said rain spoiled many homecoming events for alumni last year. A year later, some former soccer players were able to enjoy the indoor turf field.

       “That’s probably going to be the most popular place on campus,” said Annapolis Area Christian football coach and assistant athletic director Kenny Lucas.

       “The alumni have come back and embraced the school,” said Palumbo standing in the lobby. “It’s a different school they graduated from, but it’s a good way to cement the bond with AACS alumni.”

        Annapolis Area Christian’s upper school was previously located on Bestgate Road in Annapolis. In 2004, it relocated to its 64-acre location in Severn which was donated by Emma G. Sulin. An academic building in her name was the only structure on campus before ground was broken for the athletic facility in 2006.

         Palumbo said a pool will added to the facility next year for summer club programs and hopes to establish a team. Palumbo added fields for baseball, football and softball are also among the school’s future plans. The Eagles’ football team, in its inaugural campaign, plays home games at Broadneck High School, while baseball and softball plays at Joe Cannon Stadium and Randazzo Park, respectively.  

        “We got excellent game facilities, some of the finest facilities in the county,” said Palumbo, “but it’s not the same as being home.”

        The Kilby Center is the latest in the trend of local private schools improving their athletic facilities. Palumbo said it’s part of the bigger picture.  

        “It’s such competition for enrollment in private schools,” said Palumbo. “That’s not going to be the only factor you look at, but it might be the factor that tips the scale.”

        Wiley said the new building will be able to serve all three of Annapolis Area’s campuses. The Eagles are now finally able to say there’s no place like home.

        “It’s going to be one of the finest facilities in the state,” said Palumbo. “Kids want to stay and support their classmates. It’s wonderful they can do that here and not have to travel.”

FRIARS ANSWER EARLY WAKE-UP CALL

SEVEN STRAIGHT FOR CALVERT HALL

The Cardinals routed Loyola’s water polo team, yet again, for another crown.

In two prior meetings this season (the most recent last Monday), the Cardinals won 10-5 and 15-9.
In both of those games, the Dons were in the game at halftime.
 
After yielding the first goal to the Dons’ Tyler Thein, a short-lived, 40-second lead evaporated as the Cardinals built an 11-3 halftime advantage.

Thein scored three of the Dons’ goals. Charlie Waesche and Brendan Moynihanm scored one goal each.

“We really work hard,” said Cardinals’ goalie Dan Kaun. “And that work has paid off.”
 
The Dons won their semifinal, 13-6, over Mount St. Joseph, while the Cardinals routed Gilman School, 20-2.

“It was tough playing 90 minutes after the semi-final win, but they were the top seed, and they had a little more rest,” said Dons’ coach Keith Schertle.

“We came in ready to play,” said Loyola captain Evan Danz. “But they always seem to step it up in the second half.”

“I can’t take all of the credit. I have great teammates,” said Helou, who has scored 65 goals and is considering Harvard, Princeton or Penn. “Now we’re looking forward to a rematch with Grenich in the Eastern Preps. We work really hard, and we can’t wait to play them again.”

Grenich, Conn., handed the Cardinals their lone loss, 7-5, in last month’s Beast of the East tournament.
                                  
“Today, I’m happey. We only gave up six goals, and they’re a pretty good team,” said Cardinals’ coach Don Anderson, who was tossed into the pool following the win.

“I’m really pleased with our effort today,” Anderson said. “I told the guys I’m still waiting for their best game of the season, and today they played their best game. It’s been an unbelievable run.”

Calvert Hall 15, Loyola 6

Calvert Hall   5    6    4     0     15
Loyola          2   1     1     1       6

SCORING
Calvert Hall-Helou, 5; Arny Warren, 4; Ben Brown, 3; Mike Brown; Matt Kolb; Archie Warren.
Loyola-Tyler Thein, 3; Charlie Waesche; Brendan Moynihanm.

HUTCHERSON HURTS CARDINALS

Mount St. Joseph senior Nick Hutcherson scored in a variety of ways in a rout at MIAA A Conferenc rival Calvert Hall that has the Gaels in sole possession of first place in the league.

“I told the coaches during the week,” said Hutcherson, “that if they gave me the opportunity that I would come through.”

Hutcherson had a 50-yard punt return that set up one score, caught scoring passes of 4 and 55 yards and rushed for a 60-yard touchdown as the Gaels dominated a 38-0 victory at MIAA A Conference rival Calvert Hall, giving them sole possession of first place in the league.  The Gaels (4-4 overall) are now in the A Confernce and half game in front of Loyola and McDonogh (each 2-1).

The Gaels, who are attempting to win their program’s first league title since being back-to-back co-championships in 1995 and 1996, were coming off of last week’s 24-7 rout of defending tri-champion Loyola, whose 10-game winning streak was ended.
 
“We’ve only given up one touchdown in the past 10 quarters,” said Gaels’ coach Chip Armstrong. “And we haven’t been scored upon in the last six. We played a very solid game today, on both sides of the ball.”

Hutcherson, a third-year starter, is considering Bucknell, Holy Cross and Hofstra.

“We’re executing well, and the only thing that can stop us now is ourselves,” said Hutcherson. “We seem to be on a roll.”