Athletics

Mr. Larry Rudnicki

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

We’re building a culture of athletic excellence!

Through year-round opportunities to train and compete in a variety of sports, we’re increasing strength and fitness while instilling essential Christian virtues. We believe Athletics, properly and vigorously pursued, mesh seamlessly with our mission at St. Michael High School (SMHS)!

At SMHS, our coaches are considered teachers, and for many students the life lessons of Athletics, such as teamwork, fair-play, and perseverance in the face of adversity, have more immediate relevance than the more abstract insights of the classroom. As with all fields of endeavor, we strive to place Athletics in its proper context, resisting the contemporary impulse to worship at the altar of “Ball.”

We strive to model the fortitude of the saints and martyrs who endured trials and tribulations on behalf of the Gospel. We embrace Paul’s words (from 2 Timothy 4:7) that life is essentially an endurance contest: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Our Gents Cross Country team is off and running in its eighth season this fall with high hopes of building on past successes. Last year, our mighty harriers finished as runner-up at the Regional and placed tenth at the State Finals, the team’s sixth consecutive ‘top ten’ finish! Our Gents were led by All-Staters Cody Bradley and Russell Vandermus.

Meanwhile, our Ladies Cross Country team took fourth at its Regional, qualifying Jane Manthei (of Co-op partner Harbor Light Christian) and Veronica Paga for the State Finals. Jane earned All-State honors for the second straight season!

Our Alpine Skiing program completed its fifth competitive season last winter with more participants than ever! In addition to our Gents team, our Ladies team raced in its second season – with junior superstar Josie Kolka earning All-State honors! Our program is led by Mr. David Kolka and practices at Nubs Nob.

Unfortunately, we were unable to field either Boys or Girls Basketball teams for the 24-25 season. We took the year off of Varsity-level play, seeking to rebuild our programs at an intramural level. We hope to resume our programs this winter.

Our Track and Field teams rebounded from a very slow, ice storm induced, start to finish in grand style at the State Finals! Our Gents team was led by senior Russell Vandermus, who anchored the 4×800 relay to a podium finish, then pulled off a brilliant runner-up finish in the 800 meters. Meanwhile, senior Jane Manthei also anchored the 4×800 relay to a podium finish, then placed third in the mile and second in the 2-mile – leading our Ladies to a best-ever 11th place finish. The Gents finished in an 8-way tie for 12th place, the team’s best finish in three years.

St. Michael completed its second season of Boys Golf last year, placing 10th at its Regional – led by Isaac Paga in 23rd place and Matthew Cesario in 31st place. The team is led by James Cesario.

Our Girls Volleyball team completed its fifth consecutive season of Varsity competition last fall and its first as a member of the Northern Lakes Conference, in which it placed sixth. Ms. Alyssa King leads our team.

Our Athletic Co-ops are successful and expanding! SMHS students participate with: