O’Rourke’s titles highlight 2006

by Eric Keppeler
Grand Island Dispatch, December 29, 2006

The rapidly receding year of 2006 was a good one for Grand Island High School athletics, both for individuals and for teams.

The Vikings began the calendar year with a strong finish to the winter season, and then carried on that success into the spring. After a brief hiatus over the summer, they picked up the pace in the fall, and they’ve started off strong again in the winter.

Here is a look at some of the top performances.

•In March, junior Ian O’Rourke capped off the winter season by repeating as the New York state public high school diving champ, and added a Federation crown to his already impressive resume.

“Last year was great, but this is even more special,” O’Rourke said afterwards. “It’s a cool honor, because now I can say that I’m the best high school diver in the entire state.”

After winning more medals at the Empire State Games over the summer, O’Rourke is looking for another state title in this, his senior year. He also could become a four-time All-America selection.

•The spring season was highlighted by a pair of track athletes who qualified for the state meet. Senior John Connors ran in the 400 hurdles for the boys, while freshman Jamie Raepple competed in the triple jump for the girls.

“Jamie went into it ranked 13th and she finished 12th,” said GI girls track coach Craig Davis. “She jumped 33-10, which isn’t within a foot of her best distance. But she usually gets better later in competitions, and she only had three jumps. She was the only freshman in an unfamiliar place, so it was a great experience. She’s got a great future.”

Connors clocked in at 58.12, which is almost two seconds off his personal best.

“He actually ran a better time at sectionals,” GI boys track coach Don Sauer said. “He went into states seeded 13th, and that’s about what he finished. It was an off day for him, because I know he’s capable of more. But it’s still a tremendous accomplishment to get that far. He should be proud.”

•Also in the spring, the baseball team went 12-7 and made it as far as the sectional quarterfinals before falling to top-seeded Williamsville South ... The softball team wound up 3-16 and was knocked out of the playoffs by a perfect game against Kenmore East ... The boys lacrosse team went 12-8 and made it as far as the sectional semifinals before bowing to eventual champion Amherst.

•In the fall, the GI boys cross country team took third place at a snowy Section VI championship. The top Viking finisher was sophomore Evan Tsembelis in ninth place, followed by senior Tim Fargino in 10th. Both just missed out on a trip to the New York State Championship.

Also in the fall, the football team was riddled by injuries and wound up 3-6 ... The girls soccer team fell to Williamsville East in the sectional finals, ending the string of four straight trips to the state semifinals.