DETROIT — A familiar name and an unfamiliar one from the Catholic League are among the state’s champions this winter.
For Novi Detroit Catholic Central, nipping Davison by three points for the Division 1 wrestling title, it was the third crown in the last four years (and eighth overall in school history).
On the other hand, Riverview Gabriel Richard won the Division 4 bowling championship for the first time, and the school’s first state title since 1993 when boys soccer won and, before that, softball in 1978 and 1992.
So while the celebration on the CC campus may become routine (after all, its display cases are bulging with state championship trophies in its storied history), surprisingly there wasn’t much hoopla downriver for Richard.
“I don’t think the boys understand the magnitude of what they did,” said coach Bob Stempien a couple weeks after the Pioneers outrolled East Jackson, 1355 to 1058, at the Sunnybrook Lanes in Sterling Heights, capping off a perfect 12-0 season in the CHSL West Division.
Slipping past Ravenna by a mere 25 pins in the quarterfinal match, Stempien said the players met on their own and “found a way to come together as a team.” They settled down to defeat St. Louis in the semifinal and set the stage for the finale.
After a shaky start against East Jackson, Stempien — an inductee in the Michigan Majors and Detroit Bowling halls of fame, and a former Detroit All Star — advised the team to play one frame at a time. “Win the frame and the game will take care of itself.”
Richard won the individual matches. Junior Zach Barr led with 224, freshman Austin Kraemer had 159, sophomores Christian O’Callaghan and Jack Jerry combined for 191, and the coach’s sons, junior Zach (185) and freshman Austin (163), rounded out the squad. Pioneer won the two Baker games (each bowler takes a turn bowling two frames), 922-717.
The CHSL came close to copping five other state championship games. Dearborn Divine Child lost by 9.56 points for the third year in a row to Gibralter Carlson in Division 2 cheerleading; Pontiac Notre Dame lost the Division 3 cheerleading title by 2.8 points; Catholic Central lost the Division 1 hockey title by a goal; Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice was runner-up by four points in Division 1 swimming.
And, Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes suffered a fourth-quarter meltdown in its quest for a fourth consecutive Class D girls basketball championship. Tied at 38 heading into the final eight minutes, the Lakers were outscored 21-6 to lose 59-44 to St. Ignace.
CHSL Winter Sports Champs
Here’s rundown of the league’s post-season tournament winners:
CHEERLEADING — Cardinal Division:Clarkston Everest Collegiate; Bishop Division: Dearborn Divine Child.
POM-PON & DANCE — Cardinal Division: Bloomfield Hills Sacred Heart Academy;
Bishop Division: Warren Regina.
SKIING — Girls: Bloomfield Hills Marian; Boys: Brother Rice.
HOCKEY — Girls: Farmington Hills Mercy; Boys Div. 1: Brother Rice; Boys Div. 2: Riverview Gabriel Richard.
BOWLING — Girls: Regina; Boys: Warren DeLaSalle.
BASKETBALL — Girls A-B: Marian; Girls C-D: Our Lady of the Lakes; Boys A-B: Detroit U-D Jesuit; Boys C-D: Madison Heights Bishop Foley.
WRESTLING — Detroit Catholic Central for the 19th year in a row.
SWIMMING — Brother Rice, its 21st consecutive victory.
