Season rewind: A look back at the year that was

The Class of 2009 Sheboygan Falls Falcons sports programs left their mark in the Eastern Wisconsin Conference and in the WIAA state playoffs, leaving behind some lofty goals for the Class of 2010.

With less than a month before the fall programs start, one can only hope that the cream keeps rising to the top. Twelve of Falls’ 15 varsity sports programs had teams or individuals advance to the sectional or state rounds of competition.

Here is an accumulative list of a few of the accomplishments compiled by the Class of 2009.

Although they were one of three programs that didn’t make it into the playoffs, the Falcon football team has to be recognized, because they achieved their first winning record (5-4) under second-year head coach Mike Nikson. The squad also finished the season with two big wins over Plymouth and Campbellsport.

The boys soccer team set program records, with first-year coach Jim Neiman leading the way.

Neiman won’t be returning this fall, but an 18-6-1 record and a first-ever regional championship will give this year’s team something to shoot for.

The Falls volleyball squad won its third-straight regional title, finishing with a 33-11-1 record.

You could never count the girls out of any match. Head coach Deb Hasler is sure to have the team knocking the down nets again this fall.

The girls tennis squad had three individuals advance to sectional play and one move on to state in 2008.

Coach Sandy Cherveny always has tough competition from the likes of Plymouth, Kohler and Manitowoc Roncalli, but last year the Falcons put together a solid 10-win season.

Girls cross country team came one place short of a fourth-consecutive team trip to state. Altogether the girls and boys sent three individuals to state a year ago. Coach Tom Brown will return to lead the Falcons once again this fall.

Under the direction of head coach Leroy Hamilton, the girls basketball unit finished the season at 15-6 under coach Leroy Hamilton, to post the program’s third winning season in a row.

Although they were upset in the playoffs, they will be hungry for another shot this season.

The boys basketball team finished 15-9 in 2008-09. The squad won its first regional since 2004, and head coach Eric Spielmann has now guided the team to two-consecutive winning seasons.

The Falls wrestling program remained as one of the strongest in the state, posting a 12-5 record under coach Fred Brown.

The Falcons earned their fifth-straight regional crown and advanced three individuals to state.

The Falls golf team probably surprised everyone, including head coach Phil Marr, by advancing to sectional play. The Falls golfers finished in second place at the regional meet and third at the regular-season ending EWC Meet.

The girls soccer team (19-4) won its third-consecutive regional title, and came within one win of the state tournament, before suffering a tough loss in the sectional finals.

Coach Brian Mentink’s teams have averaged 15 wins in each of his five seasons at the helm.

Under the direction of coaches Linda Goedert and Dustin Arthur, the Falcons boys and girls track and field programs each sent many individuals to sectional and state competition. Both coaches feel the best is yet to come.

The boys tennis squad sent three individuals to sectional competition. In team action, coach Leigh Cherveny’s squad noted a solid 9-3 season.

The boys baseball team came up with a climatic end to the 2009 season. Even though a 14-20 record wasn’t to stellar, a second-straight trip to the sectional final helped make coach Todd Struve forget the trails of an up-and-down campaign.