Hazelwood West Boys Soccer, Swimming Ready For 2011 Seasons

varsity soccer coach Jason Sellers has an interesting dilemma. It’s the kind of problem few coaches ever have, and every coach would love to experience.

Sellers just can’t decide which players he should use at whichever position.

“We’ve got 22 good players, really good players, and I’m still not set on a lineup,” Sellers said. “Competition is what breeds success, and hopefully, that’s what we’ll see out here. It seems like we’re going to be very versatile as far as being able to move people around.”  

One player certain to find himself in West’s starting lineup is senior Jeff Cameron, who led the Wildcats and the entire Suburban North Conference in scoring last year, with 18 goals and nine assists.

Cameron is a three-year varsity starter for West, and has 30 goals in his Wildcat career. He has a chance to move near the top of the school’s all-time scoring list with another big season.

Also returning for West this year, and likely to join Cameron on the frontline, are senior Luke Promarolim, who had 10 goals in ’10 season, and junior Jamie Lawrence, who had eight goals.

“We’ve got some kids that play center-mid that we can put up top,” Sellers said. “Or we’ve got some wing-backs that we could move up to wing-mid. There’s just different things we’re going to be able to do and move people around.”

West will also feature several new players including junior varsity call-ups Kris Ross, Dylan Tampau, John Homeyer and David Perez, along with Hazelwood Central High transfer Daniel Jacob.

“I have to give credit to our lower-level coaches Steve Mays (JV) and John Leiber (freshman) for the job they do getting these guys ready for varsity,” Sellers said. “I can’t hype them enough for what they’ve done with the boys programs here.”

West also brings back its top two goalkeepers from 2010, in seniors Nick Ehlers and Matt Leinberger.

Leinberger, who was also a hitting star and shortstop for the Wildcats varsity baseball team last spring, will serve as the backup keeper. Ehlers, who ranked among the area’s best with 15 wins last season, will work as West’s primary net-minder for the third straight season.  

The Wildcats will open their 2011 season by playing in the Northwest/Parkway West Tournament during the final week in August.

On August 29, West will face Washington (MO), followed by an August 30 game against host school Parkway West, and an August 31 contest against Bishop DuBourg.

All three of those meetings are at Parkway West, and are scheduled for 4:15 p.m. opening kicks.

West’s first true home game this season is September 9, when the Wildcats will host MICDS, at 4:15 p.m.

The Hazelwood West boys swim team will also begin its 2011 campaign during the final days of August.

In fact, the Wildcats' first meet of the season is on the final day of the month, August 31, when they’ll host De Smet High at the West High pool at 4 p.m.

Back to lead the Wildcats in the pool are several top swimmers from last season, including junior LaTrae Lane, top competitor in the 50- and 100-meter freestyle competitions.

Also back are junior Wesley Pittman, a top performer in the backstroke, and sophomore Tanner Juch, one of West’s best distance swimmers.