Coaching changes and solid state performances take place at Highlands

G. Michael Graham Photo. The Highlands Ladybirds enjoy their 9th Region quarterfinal win over Beechwood last fall. Head Coach Tommy Kearns (bottom right) resigned a few weeks ago because of increased workload at his job at Fidelity. Kearns guided the Ladybirds to a mark of 43-43-13 in five seasons as head coach.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM
Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

There will be some new faces leading Highlands Ladybirds programs this fall.

Tommy Kearns and Whitney Mulroney recently resigned their positions as head coaches of the Highlands girls soccer and volleyball programs respectively. Kearns and Mulroney led the programs for five years both taking over in 2009.

Kearns resigned because of an increased workload at Fidelity and Mulroney and husband Kevin, a former Highlands football player, are expecting their first child in the fall.

The volleyball position has been filled. Katelyn Sallee was named the new head coach recently.

“I definitely think it will help because she knows what she’s doing,” said Kaitlin Hall, Highlands rising senior setter. “She’s had that whole experience of playing and coaching in college (at Morehead State) so it will take us a step further than we already were.”

Sallee takes over a program that’s gone 13-23 in each of the past two years. The last winning season for the Ladybirds came at 22-20 in 2010. Highlands graduated just Abby Schweitzer and Mallory Seidel from that team made of mostly sophomores. Sallee and staff can build around Hall and middle blocker Jessica Ginter.

“I want to say that me leaving Highlands was the hardest decision I have ever had to make,” Mulroney said. “I love Highlands and all of the girls I ever coached there, but this decision was based on my needs for my family and the new baby on the way. Highlands will forever by my home and I am still and always will be a true Bluebird. Highlands will always have a special place in my heart and I will continue to support the school, all athletics and the volleyball team.”

The Ladybirds finished 72-105 under Mulroney. They won the 36th District championship in 2012 and finished 10th Region runner-up in 2010. Mulroney coached at Bishop Brossart before coming to Highlands.

“The most joyful thing for me coaching at Highlands was the players,” Mulroney said. “I had some incredible girls come through the program and I am so blessed I was a part of their lives and their families. Watching the girls grow into athletes was absolutely amazing, but watching them grow into young, successful women made me beyond proud.”

Kearns’ wife and former Highlands Head Coach Nina Kearns also resigned her assistant position leaving just assistant Brian Wiefring on staff. Nina Kearns led the Ladybirds for nine years guiding the Ladybirds to state championships in 2005 and 2006 and a runner-up finish in 2008. The couple has two boys and a girl.

“Everybody liked Tommy. He was a really good coach,” said Lydia Graves, rising Highlands senior. “He’s a really nice guy. We were shocked that he and Nina decided to resign at the same time. Nobody knows what we’re going to do or who the new coach is going to be.”

The Ladybirds finished 43-43-13 under Tommy Kearns’ guidance with four district championships and a region championship in 2010. Highlands finished 8-8-5 this past year losing 3-0 to eventual state champion Notre Dame in the 9th Region championship game. The Pandas did not allow a goal the entire postseason.

“I really appreciate the job that both Tommy and Nina have done for a number of years,” said Dale Mueller, Highlands Director of Athletics. “The job and family situation is forcing them to stop coaching. But I appreciate the experience they’ve given to so many of our girls.”

Mueller noted a number of people have applied for the job. He said the school hopes to name the new head coach before school lets out for the summer. June 5 is the last day for students.

“Our girls are working out all year long in some way, shape or form,” Mueller said. “So the sooner we can name the coach, the better. The girls are interested in being a great team. It is a great situation to be in.”

Lydia Graves said some of the players have reached out to former assistant Stephanie Graves. Coach Graves helped out until a few years ago. The former Stephanie Sandfoss is the school’s all-time scoring leader with 167 career points.

The new head coach will be working with a good core of experienced players. That includes rising seniors Taylor Vaughn, Peyton Bankemper, Allyson Bridewell and rising junior Brooklynn Rivers.

Highlands Boys Track captures state title:

The Bluebirds had been close many times in recent years.

But they finally achieved the goal of winning their first Class AA state championship since 1959 recently. That marked the third title in school history. The other one came in 1920.

Highlands scored 56 points in the meet with second-place Paducah Tilghman and North Oldham scoring 51 points and Covington Catholic taking fourth with 45. Paducah Tilghman has won 28 state championships. That is second in state history behind Louisville Male’s 31 titles.

“It was pretty awesome,” said Ryan Leopold, Highlands Head Coach. “They’ve worked really hard. They really wanted to be able to do it. Having a bunch of guys who are really good runners definitely helped out the situation.”

Alex Veneman and Ethan Shuley won individual events for the Bluebirds and took second in another. Veneman won the 200-meter dash in 21.99 seconds and took second in the 100 in 11.07 seconds. Shuley won the two-mile in 9 minutes, 30 seconds and took second in the 1,600-meter run in 4:24. Also for the Bluebirds, senior John Michael Griffith took fifth in the mile run in 4:31.

Highlands also saw two relay teams place. The two-mile relay team of Matt Gray, Will Backscheider, Shuley and Griffith won in 8:17. The same members also placed fifth in the mile relay in 4:31.

“The philosophy has always been to believe in the process,” Leopold said. “We may not be the strongest team at the beginning of the season. We hope to be the freshest at the end. We push them throughout the season then tailor it back as the season goes on. Three weeks from the state meet, we hones in on speed and not so much work.”

The top eight finishers in each event scored points. The scoring went 10, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and one point respectively.

On the girls’ side, Highlands took fourth with 55 points. North Oldham ran away from everyone to win it with 90.5 points. Junior Hannah Schenck won the triple jump at 35 feet and a quarter of an inch.

Ladybird tennis caps off great season:

A state championship in tennis may not be far off for the Ladybirds.

Highlands brought home 11 wins in the state tournament. Only McCracken County had more with 12. The Ladybirds would have been state runner-up, but the format for determining state champs changed in 2011.

“It was a great year for the team as a whole,” said Kris Laskey, Highlands third-year Head Coach. “The girls realized that with hard work, they can be right there (for a state title).”

The Ladybirds won the 10th Region for the 10th straight year. The top four singles players and top four doubles teams from each region make the state tournament.

Highlands junior Meredith Laskey finished singles runner-up to McCracken County freshman Michelle McKamey, 6-4, 6-1.

“It is hard to play your best tennis for three straight days,” Kris Laskey said. “She did that. That’s the best I’ve seen her play over a three-day period. She came ready. She plays in tournaments year-round.”

Meredith Laskey won five matches to make it to the title game. She beat Lexington Sayre junior Madeline Rolph in the semifinals.

“I tried to focus on trusting how much practice I put into the game in the offseason,” Meredith Laskey said. “I had to have confidence in how well I had been playing. That was a hard three days. I had a lot of hard opponents. Those kept me focused.”

Highlands also saw the doubles team of sisters Abby Herman, a senior, and Lexi Herman advance to the semifinals. They lost to eventual state champion Maci Ferguson and Kiersten Hensley of Russell, 6-4, 6-3.