Our VNN Network schools had an eventful Spring Season. There were records broken, athletes recognized and awarded, and countless state championship titles won across the country. Here are eight of our favorite state champions:
- Ringgold Rams (PA): Baseball
On June 14th, the Ringgold Rams made history for their school at Medlar Field in the PIAA 4A Championship. They overtook Valley View High School 6-4 to earn the first state title in program history. Overall, it was only the second title for the school. The Cougars started off the game strong with a 3-2 lead, but in the second inning, the Rams came back, scoring three runs and bringing the score to 5-4, their lead. With another run brought in during the 5th inning and some outstanding defense, the Rams finished off the game strong.
Read about the incredible win here.
- Lakeshore Lancers (MI): Baseball
In another record-breaking win, the Lakeshore Lancer’s baseball team won the MHSAA Class B/Division 2 state championship on June 16th. With the win, Lakeshore High School passed Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes for the most baseball and softball state titles held in MHSAA history. The baseball team has won three state titles, with this year being their second win in a row. The softball team currently holds seven, with their last one being in 2014. Watch the moment they won the championship below!
Back to Back State Champs!!!! Final Score Lancers 6, Saginaw Swan Valley 3! pic.twitter.com/vYjL7dOyt0
— LHS Athletics (@LHSLancerSports) June 16, 2018
Read more about the record breaking win here.
- Daleville Broncos (IN): Baseball
The Daleville Broncos brought home their second state championship win in the past three years on June 16th. With a tie of 2-2 at the end of the 7th inning, Daleville and University went into extra innings. At the top of the 9th, the Broncos scored two runs, then proceeded to shut down University for their IHSAA 1A State Championship win.
Read more about the lead up to the big day here.
- Fishers Tigers (IN): Baseball
On June 15th, the Fishers High School Tigers defeated Cathedral in the IHSAA 4A State Championship with a score of 4-3 for the school’s first state title in baseball. The Tigers and the Irish had tied at #1 in the IHSBCA Preseason Poll, so it was fate for them to meet in the finals. Fishers High School started off with a decent lead, and as Cathedral began to chip away at it, they kept a tight defense. Matthew Wolff, a senior, received the LV Phillips Mental Attitude Award for Class 4A Baseball after the game, ending the season with two major accomplishments.
Get all the details here.
- Marian Mustangs (MI): Girls Soccer
The Marian Mustangs soccer team became back-to-back state champions on June 16th after a 4-2 win over Forest Hills Northern in the Division 2 state championship final. Along with this fantastic achievement, the team now holds a win record of 46-0-1 over the past two years. The Mustangs and the Huskies were neck and neck until the end of the first half when Annie Bruce and Jansen Eichenlaub both scored, bringing the Mustangs up 3-1. Meet the team in the video below!
Read more about the team’s road to state here.
- Gabriel Richard Catholic Pioneers (MI): Baseball
After the Pioneers had an amazing comeback against Schoolcraft in the Division 3 state semifinals, they moved forward to play Madison Heights Bishop Foley on June 16th. The Pioneers’ starting pitcher, Matthew Silka, was pitching a no-hitter into the 7th inning, but the Ventures’ Liam Pollock was able to break it with a single. The game marked just the fifth 1-hitter game in finals history. The Pioneers won the game with a final score of 3-0.
Read more about the journey here.
- Maple Grove Senior Crimson (MN): Boys Golf
The Maple Grove boys golf team won the team title at the state class 3A golf championship on June 13th. The team began the second round of the tournament in second place but worked their way up the ranks to win by seven. The win marked the team’s first state title and only the second title in the school’s history.
Read more about the day here.
- Forney Jackrabbits (TX): Softball
The Forney Jackrabbits softball team has a truly incredible, touching story behind their June 2nd win this year. In 2017, their teammate Emily Galiano, was killed after a team dinner in a car accident. She was not only a teammate, but a close friend to many on the team and a twin sister to Madison Galiano, who was playing on the JV softball team at the time. This season, they adopted the mantra, “Play for Em.” The game was tied 1-1 going into the 7th inning, but the Jackrabbits scored three runs, taking the 5A state title with a final score of 4-1. The win marked the first state title won in 122 years of school history. Learn more about their story and the moment they won in the video below.
Read more about the Jackrabbits’ incredible story here.
- Andrean Fighting 59ers (IN): Baseball
On June 16th, the Andrean Fighting 59ers took a 6-1 win for the IHSAA Class 3A state title. Going into the 4th inning, pitcher, Michael Doolin was throwing a no-hitter. Although it was broken, it set the Fighting 59ers up for their win. Overall, Andrean has played in seven baseball state championship games with their last state title being won in the 2014-2015 season.
Read more about the day here.
- Olentangy Liberty Patriots (OH): Baseball
On June 2nd, the Olentangy Liberty Patriots went up against Whitehouse Anthony Wayne for the Division 1 state final. By the 3rd inning, the Patriots were leading by four runs. The momentum carried them to an 8-1 win, earning them their first state championship title.
Read more about their journey here.
- Southlake Carroll Dragons (TX): Baseball
The Southlake Carroll Dragons finished off their season with a win rate of 35-6. They had a 14-game win streak leading up to the state championship. In their match against the San Antonia Reagan Rattlers, 6A Finals MVP Kyle Warden held the opposing team to a mere six hits. The Dragons baseball team ended a 16-year title drought with the third baseball state title in school history.
Read more here.
- New Palestine Dragons (IN): Softball
On Saturday June 9th, the New Palestine Dragons took home the school’s fifth state championship. They had a 3-1 victory over South Bend St. Joseph that won them the IHSAA Class 3A title. On top of this achievement, senior Ashley Prange was named the IHSAA’s Mental Attitude Award recipient after earlier being named the Gatorade Indiana Softball Player of the Year. The team also won last year’s state championship with the same pitcher, which is a unique accomplishment.
Read more about the road to their state title here.
This season was full of amazing accomplishments for our schools. Congratulations to all our teams on successful seasons and state championship wins. Best of luck in the next season!