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The biggest moments of Springfield High School's first year

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Updated 9:03 PM Saturday, June 6, 2009

July 31, 2008 The first day of official football practice begins with 90 participants. “It’s really the same faces, just a new school, a new coaching staff and a brand new start,” senior Karlos Marshall says.

Aug. 19 Girls tennis records the first team win for the Wildcats, 5-0 against Vandalia-Butler. Victories are earned by Marshal Akhter, Stephanie Brown and Manisha Nezhad in singles, and the doubles teams of Cait Jochum and Jennifer Dibert and Allison Tune and Sana Ahmed. “It’s a great start to the season, and it makes it extra special to be the first win of the combined high school,” head coach Deanna Brougher says.

Sept. 9 Springfield High School opens its doors for the first day of school. “We are once again Springfield High School,” Mayor Warren Copeland says at a dedication ceremony on Sept. 8.

Sept. 26 The football team beats Centerville 7-0, shocking the football world and just about everyone else outside the football program. “I’m pretty sure no one outside of our team and players and their parents and families thought this would happen, but we knew this could happen,” head coach Rick Robertson says. “We have the best defense around, and they showed it tonight.”

Oct. 10 Springfield High School crowns its first homecoming king and queen in a loss to Kettering Fairmont. The game is interrupted by an on-field scuffle between the two teams.

Oct. 14 The volleyball team beats Piqua in the sectional tournament, Springfield’s first postseason victory. The volleyball team finishes the season with an 18-5 record, including two tournament wins. Volleyball is the only varsity sport to have a winning record.

Oct. 30 Widespread rumors of threats of school violence send parents and students into a frenzy. Nearly 800 parents withdraw their children in the middle of the school day. “We have no way of verifying (an alleged posting). We in law enforcement deal in facts,” Springfield Police Department Chief Stephen Moody says.

Nov. 28 The girls basketball team wins its first game of the season against Stebbins, 58-49. Shanay Portis scores 16 points and MaRanda Boddie-Cannon scores 14. The girls win two of their first three games, then two more the rest of the season.

Dec. 6 The boys basketball team beats Hamilton for its first win. Zack Burks scores 21 points and Akeem Freeman 18. “It’s kind of fitting to get the first win against one of our old-time rivals. For the rest of their lives, these kids will always be a part of the first Springfield win,” head coach Bill Slagle says.

Feb. 7, 2009 Jason Wray finishes second with a 3-1 record at 145 pounds in the Greater Western Ohio Conference wrestling meet, the best showing on the team. Wray later finishes fifth in the Division I district tournament.

Feb. 12 Gov. Ted Strickland visits Springfield High School as part of his tour of Ohio high schools after unveiling his education reform plan. “In this school, much of what I would love to see happen all around Ohio is already happening,” he says.

Feb. 14 Band and choir students take top honors at Ohio Music Educators Association Solo and Ensemble Contest.

March 4 The boys basketball team beats Vandalia Butler 71-60 in a tournament game at UD Arena. The boys lose the next game to Trotwood-Madison and finish the season 8-14.

March 7 Andrew Keriazes finishes seventh in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1 minute, 3.15 seconds, for the Wildcats’ best individual showing at the GWOC swim meet. Keriazes advances to the state swim meet in two events.

May 2 Chamber choir and men’s choir each receive an Excellent rating at the state contest.

May 11 The baseball and softball teams lose tournament games to Piqua and Fairborn, respectively. Baseball finishes with a 13-14 record, and softball 6-18.

April 16 “Grease” opens, starting a new chapter in Springfield High School theater.

May 6 The boys tennis team sweeps Wayne, 5-0, to finish the season with an 8-10 record

May 23 The new Springfield High School crowns its first prom king and queen.

May 29 James Moore wins the 100-meter dash at the Division I regional track and field meet at Welcome Stadium. “It was a beautiful surprise,” coach Elliott Shuman says. Moore, Alex Gaskins (110 hurdles) and Josh Bass (long jump) advance to the state meet.

June 12 The first class since 1960 will graduate from Springfield High School.

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