Loveland, Ohio - Loveland High School Athletics closes out the 2022-23 academic year with seven teams competing for ECC Championships. Since the last roundup was published in mid-January, Loveland has slipped from 1st to 4th in the ECC All-Sports Trophy race, but the Tigers only sit 13 points behind first-place Milford. If the seven squads put together strong finishes, LHS could climb back into championship contention. As with the previous roundup, below will be a quick recap of all teams’ performances through April 16th.
Baseball struggled out of the gates to a 2-8 record, but have quickly turned things around. The schedule becomes favorable going forward, and with the majority of the league schedule still to play, the Tigers could vault themselves into the top half of the standings. Loveland is led by Callum McGill (12) on the mound and Ryan Cathey (12) at the plate.
Softball, led by a pair of freshman phenoms in Rylee Ripperger (9) and Summer Rohlfs (9), sits at 6th place with a 6-9 record. Ripperger has been a two-way star, throwing 52+ innings in the circle, while also being top-5 in the conference with 3 home runs. The Tigers host Little Miami for an important doubleheader next Saturday at 10am.
Boys and girls track look to build on prior success, which culminated in top-10 finishes at state for both sides last year. The Tigers have a runner in the top-3 of every event thus far, with the ECC Championship Meet and OHSAA Tournament yet to begin. Both groups have the potential to accomplish special feats this spring.
Boys tennis is currently 4th place in the ECC at 3-3. Led by the doubles tandem of Brady Burns (11) and Brad Gray (11), the Tigers have a jam-packed week ahead with four matches in four days, before they compete in the preliminary rounds of the ECC Tournament next Tuesday, April 25th. Loveland will attempt to capture the league tournament crown for the first time since 2019.
Boys lacrosse lost arguably the deepest and most talented class in school history, yet still has a core of returners who have led the team to a 3-2 start in ECC play. Following a state Sweet 16 appearance last spring, Loveland has played a challenging schedule which includes an overtime win over Pope John Paul. Following a 66-goal campaign last year, Jay Christian (11) will lead the Tigers through the back half of the schedule.
Following a Final Four appearance in 2021, girls lacrosse is currently 5th place with a 3-5 record. Alex Nunn (12) leads the team with 26 goals, while goalkeeper Abby Arellano (11) is 3rd in the conference with 74 saves. The opening month included a win over perennial powerhouse MND.
Although it's not an ECC-sponsored sport, boys
volleyball is sanctioned by the OHSAA, and the Tigers have had a hot start to the year. Led by Ben Kirlin (12), Loveland is 10-1 currently.
Also, Unified Track, sponsored by Special Olympics, will have its second and final home meet of the season April 26th, at 4pm.
With a month to go before the end of the school year, all Tiger programs have plenty of competition left, and would love to have your support for the stretch run.
For more information on Loveland Athletics schedules, go to lovelandtigers.org, or follow @LovelandTigerAD and @TigerSpiritClu1 on Twitter.
For more information on the ECC-All Sports Trophy and its history, check out Kate Krabacher’s insightful November article right here: lovelandroar.com