MY COLUMN - Mike McMurran First Capitol News Sports Editor
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the best part about this gig is meeting the various high school athletes and coaches. Nothing has changed. As regular readers already know, I end the “athlete of the week” column with a rather unique question. It goes something like this: “If you were given a credit card, with unlimited funds, to which restaurant would you go, and what would you order?” The question is not a McMurran original, but was created by a coaching buddy of mine. After practice, in an attempt to get to know our players better, we would put them “in the chair” and ask them that very question. The responses would vary beyond your wildest imagination. Anyway, I decided to use the same question to end the interview with the athletes of the week. By the end of last season most of the young men and young ladies I interviewed knew the question was coming.
On a related note, don’t complain about the selection of athlete of the week if you fail to nominate someone. Contact me and I will do my best to interview deserving student athletes.
Is it my imagination or does a majority of the population of St. Charles County, say between the ages of 6 –12, play “select soccer”? This past weekend as I attended my daughter’s game at Mueller Park, I couldn’t help but notice the number of young boys and girls with uniforms on claiming loyalty to “St. Louis Soccer Club,” “Wolfpack,” “Busch Soccer Club,” and others. It was hard to miss the teams with matching gym bags; at least I think they still call them gym bags, with the children’s names and numbers on them. I heard one young player apologizing for wearing her “home” jersey when she was expected to wear her “away” jersey. I cannot help but think things have gone too far when the coaches wear “official team shirts” complete with logos along with the coaches name on the shirt.
Now of course my wife is going to claim I am out of touch with reality, and maybe I am, but I recall being a child and playing at the park, unsupervised, from right after breakfast until lunchtime. After lunch we would head right back to the park and continue playing until dinner, at least. Of course I can also remember hopping freight trains and riding into St. Charles County to purchase fireworks, and hitchhiking back to Spanish Lake…on second thought, let’s keep the kids active in supervised activities.
We here in St. Charles really do have some of the best organized youth soccer programs I have ever seen. Between CYA, CYC and SCCYSA, there is a league for most anyone wanting to play. And I guess for those looking for some tougher competition, there is nothing wrong with competing in the so called “select” divisions.
I have been told by some, that if your child is not playing select by the time they are in 6th or 7th grade, their chances of making their high school teams are slim, at best. This may be true, but I don’t buy it. An athlete is an athlete – and the cream will eventually rise to the top. Select may give more quality instruction, and for the money it costs I would certainly hope so, but the fact remains if you have enough speed, can throw the ball hard enough, or can jump high enough, your high school coach will take you to the next level. We need only look to one of the most successful athletes of our time, Michael Jordan. Remember, he was cut from his freshman AND sophomore basketball teams before finally making the varsity his junior year.
FOR THE RAGE, IT’S A MATTER OF TRUST
By Mike Thompson
As Rage Head Football Coach Mike Wyatt relays the story, it’s the last regular season game of the year against the Dayton Warbirds. Rage defensive lineman Jay Carmack has been brought to the sidelines after taking an exceptionally hard blow to the head. After being examined by team doctor Gene Bell, he’s told to have a seat on the bench. He’s suffered a concussion, and is too valuable to the team to risk further injury, which could, and most likely would, set him down for the playoffs as well. “So now, it’s Jay the competitor versus Doc, me and good judgment,” said Wyatt in his office last week, “Jay’s telling everyone he can go back in, fighting with my assistant coaches to get back on the field. I asked a coach if Jay could go, and the answer was yes, he says he can. Then I asked Doc, and he said Jay needs to sit it out. I told Coach Edmunds to tell Jay to have a seat. He’s done for the night.” It was then that Wyatt told me something I’ve long suspected after observing his relationship with our valued team physician, Dr. Gene Bell. “I trust Doc’s judgment completely. I mean, he has been absolutely correct in every, and I mean EVERY diagnosis regarding our players since he came on board, from strains to sprains, concussions, pulls, major injuries, surgery decisions, everything. I never doubt Doc, and that’s a comforting thought knowing I have someone working with our players that I can completely trust. When I send in my roster to the league on Thursday before our weekend games, I know I’ve got the best 25 players who are ready to go.”
The education, medical school bio and resume of Dr. Gene Dennis Bell reads like a profiled’ Who’s-Who’ in some medical journal. Admittedly, even I did not know the extent of his Doctorate and Post-Doctorate education until I requested his resume from Coach Wyatt last week to write this article. You gotta be kidding me!! It’s twenty-four, TWENTY-FOUR pages long, neatly typed, 8 by 10. Let’s just say for our purposes, he’s a Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine with his own office on North Hiway 67 in Florissant, a member of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners, a Certified Sports Physician, and a longtime member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association. The former Wisconsin University running back and semi-pro football player also holds teaching certificates in both Missouri and Wisconsin, has conducted medical and chiropractic seminars around the country, is an accomplished musician, and holds a qualified pilot’s license. No, he’s never, at least in my presence, turned water into wine, but he has the trust and respect of everyone on staff at Rage headquarters, and I’m glad to say, over the past year has become a good friend.
Perhaps Coach Wyatt says it best when he told me Tuesday that “Doc never really says a whole lot about himself. You’d never know he’s done as much as he has, but hey, the one’s who do the most usually let the accomplishments speak for themselves.”
And true to form, Doc Bell was eager to talk only about the River City Rage and it’s coaches and players when I spent time with him on Tuesday night. So Doc, tell me a bit about what you do when you’re not doing a hundred other things...tell me what you do for US.
“The most important thing you can do for a player is get a pre-season medical history before the guys hit the field, then couple that history with a physical exam. My four-page questionnaire goes back to the history of their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. The usual questions, any problems with heart disease, diabetes, sudden death and so on. We try to ward off any problems before they occur and this knowledge helps me make an evaluation that I can pass on to the coaches and trainer. At practice, and in games, I constantly watch players, I talk to them, and I look at their facial expressions during breaks in practice, and on the sidelines in games, trying to get a handle on how they REALLY feel, because guys won’t always tell you the truth regarding how they are. I make sure they get plenty of water, because hydration is the number one key.”
With tragedy striking both Missouri University and the San Francisco 49’ers of the NFL, more attention has been given to players and stress levels on the field. Doc Bell readily agrees that “a team doctor and trainer need to be in tune with the players on the field, how they react to environment conditions and the hits they’ve taken. You’re on the sidelines asking yourself things like, is this guy running the way he normally does, is he overly fatigued, short of breath, does he seem to be hurting? Now naturally, with an intense practice, you’re going to have players huffing and puffing, but you need to look for the EXTREMES regarding those conditions, and then act on them. Again, warding off problems before they occur.”
So valued is Bell’s expertise, The Rage are one of the few teams in the league that travel the team doctor with the team on road trips. Consequently, Doc Bell has been called on to help with diagnosis and evaluation regarding opposing players when injuries occur. Even then, his judgment isn’t questioned. As Coach Wyatt stated, “cost on any team is always a concern, so a team doctor becomes a buffer for the organization, the go-between for what’s not only best for the player in question, but the organization as well. If a player needs an M-R-I or some other high-end treatment, then so be it. We will always error on the side of caution, but if such a situation is not warranted, then you have to trust the judgment of your team doctor, and as I’ve said, Doc’s been right on every time.”
The rewards for such service? Doc didn’t hesitate to answer that one as Coach Wyatt and I sat in his Florissant office Tuesday evening discussing everything from football to politics. “Without doubt, the friendships with the coaches and players, my love of football, the excitement and energy you get from the games that you really can’t get anywhere else. It far outweighs any monetary or career type benefits. I just really enjoy it.” Then with the sweep of his hand in our direction, he said, “Just like now, here with you, Mike and you, Coach, sitting around talking about everything and nothing, enjoying friendship, those are the big rewards for me.’ I speak for myself, but I know Coach Wyatt will concur, I second that emotion. And, by now I’m sure you know, the good doctor is not wrong!!
First Capitol News High School Athlete of the Week
Duchesne’s Emily Wandersee steps up when needed
“She gets our momentum going; she comes up with the big block or she’ll come up with the big kill.” Duchesne head volleyball coach, Courtney Bland, commenting on junior volleyball player Emily Wandersee
By: Mike McMurran
Sports Editor Photo by Bob Barton
It may be early in the season, but head coach Courtney Bland’s Duchesne volleyball Pioneers have already made a name for themselves. As of Tuesday the ladies were sitting on a 5-1 record, including a perfect 1-0 in Gateway Athletic Conference action. Much of the team’s success falls on the shoulders of junior Emily Wandersee, this week’s First Capitol News High School Athlete of the Week.
“Emily is clearly our go to player,” said Bland, “She gets our momentum going; she comes up with the big block or she’ll come up with the big kill. She’s one of our captains and has taken on the roll of team leader.”
Statistically the 5’11” junior is among the team leaders in both offensive and defensive categories. “I’ve been playing volleyball since I was in the third or fourth grade,” shared the shy Wandersee, “I started playing at St. Elizabeth/St. Robert as soon as my mom let me start playing. My mom was my first coach, too,” offered Wandersee.
“We’ve really worked hard as a team,” Wandersee said, “and I think it all came together in the Effingham Tournament.” Certainly the highlight of the tournament was defeating defending State Champion Lutheran – St. Charles squad. “We play a very tough schedule. In addition to Borgia (Tuesday evening) we play St. Joseph’s Academy, Cor Jesu and Incarnate Word later in the season. I think Coach Bland does that to get us ready for State.”
State is exactly where Wandersee wants to end the season. “My best volleyball memory is going to State my freshman year,” she said, “Returning to State is without a doubt a goal, a team goal.”
Wandersee’s favorite teacher is Mrs. Schaffner. “She is more than just a teacher to me, she is someone I feel comfortable talking to, no matter what the subject – school related or not.”
“Coach Bland has taught me more about volleyball than I knew there was to know. She just knows so much about the game it is impossible to be around her and not improve,” offered Wandersee.
Her role models are her parents, Mark and Mary Joe Wandersee. “My parents made me what I am today, on the volleyball court, in the classroom, pretty much in all aspects of my life. I am not ashamed in the least to say how much I love both of them.”
Finally, the answer to the question: “Easy, I would have to say Applebee’s and I would order their famous chicken fingers.” She shared that Applebee’s chicken fingers is the team’s unofficial favorite meal.
To nominate an athlete contact Mike McMurran at 314.280.9189 or mcmurran@charter.net
Football roundup…
West Warriors save the best for last (quarter)
Score 14 pts. In final 6 minutes of game
By: Mike McMurran
Sports Editor
The St. Charles West football Warriors overcame a 14-10 deficit Friday evening against visiting Cape Girardeau Central to pull out a 24 – 14 non-conference win. Trailing 14 – 10 with less than 6 minutes remaining in the contest, James Russell broke loose for a 53-yard touch down run. After Zach Ring’s successful PAT, the Warriors were on top 17-14. With less than two minutes remaining in the game, and buried deep on their own 8 yard line, Clifton Brown ended whatever dreams of victory Central possessed, with a 92 yard touch down scamper. Ring’s PAT closed out the scoring and the Warriors walked away with a 24-14 victory, and evened their record for the year at 1-1 (0-1 in GAC North play).
The Warriors travel to Holt this Friday evening for a Gateway Athletic Conference contest. Kick-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Nesslage gets first win as head coach
2nd time is the charm for former Pirate quarterback
After disappointing the home crowd in week #1’s contest against Jennings, head coach Corey Nesslage’s St. Charles Pirates took out their frustration on visiting Timberland as they pounded out a 34-6 GAC North Division victory.
Nick Pope was the offensive catalyst rushing for 223 yards and two scores on 13 carries. The defense was led by K.J. Rufkahr who recorded 10 tackles and 1 interception. The Pirates now stand 1-1 overall and 1-0 in GAC North play.
The Pirates will go for their second straight win Friday evening as they entertain Public High League power house Vashon in a 7 p.m. kick-off.
Defense leads Duchesne to GAC North win
4 fumble recoveries and 2 interceptions spark 31-0 victory
Led by Matt Dalton’s 5 tackles and Joe Genebacher’s 2 fumble recoveries the Duchesne defense held Warrenton to 56 offensive yards (44 rushing/12 passing) while shutting out the Warriors 31-0 in GAC North Division action.
Offensively the Pioneers were led by Mitch Kohnen (15 carries/91 yards) and quarterback Collin Magilligan (1, 10 yd TD runs), as they improved to 1-1 overall and 1-0 in GAC North Division standings.
The Pioneers will have their work cut out for them this week as they travel to West St. Louis County to take on defending Class 4A State Champions Mary Institute Country Day School on Saturday. Kick-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. ttt
First Capitol News Photos by Bob Barton
Prep Sorts Calendar for the week of September 16 – 23
Friday, September 16
Football
Vashon at St. Charles, 7 p.m.
St. Charles West at Holt, 7 p.m.
Principia at Orchard Farm, 7 p.m.
Marquette at Howell North, 7 p.m.
Soccer
Whitfield at St. Charles West, 6 p.m.
Softball
Rosati-Kain vs. Duchesne at McNair, 4:15 p.m.
Saturday, September 17
Football
Duchesne at MICDS, 1 p.m.
Volleyball
Principia, Dupo at Orchard Farm, 9 a.m.
Soccer
Borgia at Duchesne, 7 p.m.
Monday, September 19
Volleyball
Howell North at Duchesne, 7 p.m.
Softball
Timberland vs. St. Charles at Kiwanis Park, 4:15
Duchesne at Zumwalt North, 4:15 p.m.
Hazelwood East at Orchard Farm, 4:15
Howell at Howell North, 4:15
Tuesday, September 20
Volleyball
Duchesne at Zumwalt, 5 p.m.
Montgomery County at Orchard Farm, 7:30 p.m.
Softball
St. Charles vs. Duchesne at Kiwanis Park, 4:15 p.m.
Zumwalt North at St. Charles West, 4:15 p.m.
Zumwalt South at Howell North, 4:15 p.m.
St. John at Orchard Farm, 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, September 21
Volleyball
Orchard Farm at Winfield, 4:30 p.m.
Hazelwood East at St. Charles West, 7:30 p.m.
Soccer
Howell North vs. Hazelwood Central at Koch Park, 6:45 p.m.
Softball
St. Charles vs. Ritenour at Kiwanis Park, 4:15 p.m.
McCluer North at St. Charles West, 4:15 p.m.
Howell North vs. Duchesne at McNair Park, 4:15 p.m.
Thursday, September 22
Volleyball
St Charles at Warrenton, 7 p.m.
Softball
St. Charles at Holt, 4:15 p.m.
Orchard Farm at Westminster, 4:15 p.m.
Howell North at Zumwalt West, 4:15 p.m.
Friday, September 23
Football
St. Charles West vs. Zumwalt North at Lindenwood, 5 p.m.
Howell at Howell North, 7 p.m.
Volleyball
St. Charles West at Parkway North, 4:15 p.m.
St. Charles at Lutheran – St. Charles, 7 p.m.
