Fort Zumwalt North - Fall Sports Preview

Fort Zumwalt North – Fall Sports Preview

Football

Head Coach: Joe Bacon (15th year)

Returning # of starters 3 on Offense / 5 on Defense.

- Off.: Andrew Goeke (12) - OL, Brayden Miller (12) & DJ Jones (12) - RB.

- Def.: Colin LaBell (12) – DL, PJ Henderson (12) & Shane Pruitt (11) – RB, Brayden Miller

(12) & Carter Madere (12) - DB.

Offense: Spread Option

Defense: 3-4

Newcomers expected to contribute

- Connor O’Neal (12) – QB.

- Andrew Guthery (12) – LB & RB.

- Carter Madere (12) – SS.

- Austin Bauer (11) – OL & DL.

- Tommy Hembrock (11) – OL.

- Marq Futrell (11) – RB & DB.

- Jacob Sweeten (10) – LB.

Team strengths

- A solid work ethic, grit and a commitment to continue living up to our program’s high

standards.

- A large group of returning players with experience from last year that are stepping in

and filling holes left by graduating Seniors.

- Strong leadership within several classes in our program & a willingness to be about

something more than just themselves.

Goals

- Improve on last season’s accomplishments.

- Be legitimate contenders for Conference & District titles.

- Maximize our opportunities & play great football every week.

- Conduct ourselves with class & dignity regardless of the score of the game and live up to

our motto: “FZN Football: Bigger than the Board.”

First Game: Home vs. Francis Howell on August 26th at 7:00pm.

Season Outlook

“Last season contained several highlights along the way but most people in our program were disappointed that our win total didn’t reflect the hard work invested throughout the year and talent level of our players. Fortunately, the ’22 team is fully committed to doing all they can to keep that from happening again this year. Their commitment in the offseason to developing as athletes, their dedication to being “as perfect as possible,” and their willingness to fill whatever role needs to be filled to make the team strong has been remarkable. I have been impressive with what we’ve done so far this off-season and we’re looking forward to the challenges that this coming season will bring.” Joe Bacon

Boys Soccer

Head Coach: Chad Baldwin (3rd year)

Top Returners: Roman Merris, Patrick Waidmann, Matt Cannon, Alex Cameron, Trent Menke and Colby Thomas

Top Newcomers: Michael Sommerville, and Axell Dominguez

First Game: August 27th v Orchard Farm in the FZ Classic – 8:00 am.

Team goals and expectations: We look to continue to build up the program through the core principles of commitment, effort, attitude, accountability and a team first mentality. With more experience and talent throughout the program we expect to build upon and improve on last season's results and look to compete in each and every match this season.

Quote: "We had nearly 70 boys tryout for the soccer program this year and have added a lot of depth and talent throughout the program. The Varsity squad returns 17 players with at least some Varsity experience which we hope will translate into a successful season." Chad Baldwin

Girl’s Tennis

Head Coach: Gene Miller (1st year)

Top Returners: Mariah Savala, Diana Calzada Torres, Lucy Paro, Ella Rosenberg, Sophia Hakenewerth, Bekah Bacon, Amaya Volz, Faith Rebstock, Danica Ruppel, Mati Skelton, and Bree Waaler

Top Newcomers: Veronica Martin, Maria Martin, Leah Rosenberg

First Match: August 29th v Francis Howell North @ home

Team Goals and Expectations: To build on previous successes by the team. We expect to compete in every match and tournament this season.

Quote: “With over 40 girls already on the team, we are building for thefuture of the program, while having a very successful season this year.” Gene Miller

Girls Volleyball

Head Coach: Scott Clynes (12th year)

Top Returners: Lily Porter, Kayla Tilley, Izzi Bray, and Jenny Prinster

Top Newcomers: Peyton Jones, Mia Felix, and Sydney Soerner

First Game: AUGUST 30, 5PM...@ ST. CHARLES WEST

Team Goals: To build upon last year’s success while putting in the hard work, commitment, and positive attitudes to get us to the next level. Doing these items will hopefully get us a conference title and maybe more. This program will once again be very exciting to watch so please come out and enjoy some great volleyball at all levels.

Softball

Head Coach: Steve Siebert (12th year)

Returning Players: Mckenna Dydell, Shea Northrup, Grace Thorn, Jewel Schade, Lyla Campbell, Sophia Abernathy, Kaitlyn Stevenson

Top Newcomers: Gianna Fleites, Kate Cochran, Kiana Noel, Kyra Jenkins, Mia Knichel, Crystal Mcferren, Kemper Kruse

First Game: August 26th vs Sikeston in the Summit Tournament (Chesterfield)

Team goals and expectations: We hope to encourage growth this season with every player putting forth maximum effort to learn and develop as a teammate and a person. We will strive to compete to the best of our ability with supportive, positive attitudes and good sportsmanship.

Quote: "We have more new young players on varsity this year than we have had in recent memory. We are going to work hard on developing our skills and building team cohesiveness to be able to compete in every game this year. We are excited to see how the girls rise to the challenge." Steve Siebert

Girls Golf

Head Coach: Mike Uffmann (2nd year)

Top Returners: Mackenzie Valentine, Heidi Ketchum, Nora LaChance, Grace Grafton, Miriam Linson

Top Newcomers: Shayna Nobbe

First Match: August 30 vs Winfield

Team goals and expectations: We are looking to get better every day we go to the range or step onto the golf course. We have been focusing on our end result and not where we currently are so we want to end the season much better than where we started. Each player has a goal that they would like to hit.

Quote: "We return 5 girls that have played in a varsity match and will be led by our senior and 4-year varsity player Mackenzie Valentine. Junior Heidi Ketchum brings 3 years of varsity experience to the team and we are hoping that their leadership will help develop our program where we have consistent scores of improvement." Mike Uffmann

Boys Swim & Dive

Head Coach: Alice Maloney (3rd year)

Top Returners: Xavier Harris, Alex Wright, Alex Prieser, Caleb Burgard, Luke Burgard, Ethan Simon, & Brody VanWave

First Meet: August 31st vs. Pattonville at Pattonville

Team goals and expectations: As a team we will build upon last year's successes and continue to commit to improving as an athlete, student, and as an individual. As a swimmer or diver, our goal is to do better than the last time they were in the pool. We will represent FZN with true sportsmanship and have Panther Pride.

Quote: "We have a very mixed team of young and old this year, experienced and very little experience. I am excited to see the seniors leading the group and inspiring them to want to get better. The team is already turning into a big family and having fun. This year looks to be an exciting year! " Alice Maloney

Cross Country

Head Coach: Josh Janisse (10th year)

Top Returners: We are returning our three state qualifiers from last season- Taylor Mason, Blake Margerum & Peyton Spellazza (school record holder)

Top Newcomers: Girls- Zoe Johnson & Kayleigh Spector Boys-Brody VanWave & Ethan Glenn

First Race: FZN Invitational 7/27 – 8:00 am

Team Goals: Go Be Great- Give our best effort in all facets of being a cross country student-athlete. Our team is focused on being great in the classroom, warmups, workouts, nutrition, hydration and sleep.

Quote: “The team has bought in to consistent training in the summer which is one key to success during the cross country season. We are excited to see the work they have put in over the last few months show up on race day.” Josh Janisse