New scoreboard honors Lions swim coaches
A new scoreboard at the New Richmond High School pool was dedicated Dec. 18 in honor of Judy and Joe Middeler who have coached the Lions swimmers for a combined 50 years.

New Richmond athletic director Doug Foote and former Lion swimmers Mark Miller and Alex Lewis spoke in honor of the Middelers.

Click on the photo below to watch a video of the dedication ceremony which preceded the benefit for former Lion swimmer Nate Kramer.
                    

2011 NRHS Cross Country wrap-up show

Click on the photo below to watch the 2011 New Richmond Cross Country wrap-up show featuring the 2011 Southern Buckeye Conference American Division champions.

2011 New Richmond Golf wrap-up show

Click on the photo below to watch the 2011 New Richmond golf wrap-up show featuring the 2011 Southern Buckeye Conference American Division champions hosted by coach Phil Heflin.

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Fall colors highlight NRHS' baseball/softball complex


This aerial photo showing the fall colors highlighting New Richmond's baseball/softball complex is courtesy of New Richmond pilot Ray Perszyk .

2011 New Richmond homecoming parade

Click on the photo above to watch a video of the 2011 New Richmond Homecoming parade.

New Richmond cheerleaders get top rating

(Front row from left): Rachel Benton, Katie Gelter, Kirstin Mattingly, Nicole Payton, Emilee Bateman, Mariah Corbin, Ally Meadors, Emma Feld (Back row from left) Jordan Berger, Amanda Nguyen, Jenny Roberts, Kelsi Curry, Jade Stamper, Paige Willhoff, Lexi Cook, Kelsey Kirschner, Alyssa Hallahan, Not pictured Nikki Dillow.

New Richmond High School’s cheerleaders came home with three blue superior ribbons and a superior team trophy from the Universal Cheerleaders Association camp at The Ohio State University July 18-21.

Senior Nicole Payton was named an UCA All-American and was invited to attend the UCA’s 2012 London Varsity Tour in London, England.

The Lions cheerleaders are coached by Heidi Nieto and Abigail Mineer.

Pictured are seniors Nicole Payton, Kirstin Mattingly, Emilee Bateman, Jordan Berger, and Nikki Dillow; junior Katie Gelter; sophomores Lexi Cook, Alyssa Hallahan, Amanda Nguyen, Kelsey Kirschner and Paige Willhoff; and freshmen Emma Feld, Mariah Corbin, Kelsi Curry, Ally Meadors, Jade Stamper, Rachel Benton and Jenny Roberts.

“The girls worked hard all week and are excited to perform new material during the 2011-2012 school year,” said Nieto.

Sports Foundation Golf Outing a huge success

The winners of the 2011 NRSF Golf Outing (from left): Zack Kirkpatrick, Cole Kirkpatrick, Darren Flack, and Mike McCleary.

The 2011 New Richmond Sports Foundation Golf Outing at Lindale Golf Club was a huge success with 22 teams participating in the 4-man scramble tournament.

The scramble was won by the team of Zack Kirkpatrick, Cole Kirkpatrick, Darren Flack, and Mike McCleary. Second place went to the team of Dean Johns, Craig Fischer, Todd Huss and Mark Majick.

Click here to listen to interviews from the New Richmond Lions Sports Foundation golf outing at Lindale Golf Club. NRSF president Joel Loyd, superintendent Adam Bird, NRHS principal Diane Spinnati, NRHS AD Doug Foote and current and former NRSF officers Lana Silcott, Liz Buckingham and Mary Binder talk with Dave Hawkins and Enos Pennington.

Sports Foundation elects new officers

The New Richmond Lions Sports Foundation has elected new officers for the 2011-12 school year with Joel Loyd serving as president, Shelly Glenn as treasurer and Liz Buckingham as secretary.

New Richmond schools greatly appreciates the work of outgoing NRSF president Lana Silcott, vice-president Davd Bosse and treasurer Mary Binder and secretary Martha Glenn who served two-year terms.

The Sports Foundation assists New Richmond Schools by supporting New Richmond athletic activities and promoting excellence in education, values, leadership, physical fitness, discipline, sportsmanship, and equal opportunities for all.

The Sports Foundation helps high school teams with fund raising efforts and raises money to support all sports at the New Richmond High School.

One of the events the NRSF sponsors is the annual Meet the Teams pig roast at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 11 at the Stadium. The pig roast will be preceded by the OHSAA mandated parents meeting at 6 p.m. at the middle school. Charge for pig roast is $3.00 per person for non NRHS athletes. Anyone who joins NRLSF for 2011-2012 school year eats free.

NRSF memberships are $10 for individual, $20 for families and $40 for a business membership.

Download NRSF membership form

Download business membership form

One of the NRSF fund raising efforts is its annual golf outing July 30 at Lindale Golf Club. Registration for the four-man scramble is at 8:00 AM with tee-off at 9:00 AM.

Download golf outing entry form

Olivia Behymer finishes 6th in state 400 meters


New Richmond freshman Olivia Behymer stands next to a statute of Jesse Owens after finishing 6th in the Ohio Division II 400-meter dash June 4 at Ohio State's Jesse Owens Stadium. She qualified for the State finals in the 400-meter dash with a time of 57.73 in the previous day's preliminaries. Her time was 58.11 in the championship heat..

Six NR athletes pick colleges

New Richmond High School athletes (seated from left) Veronica Burnam (Wilmington College), Marty Mahaffey (Campbellsville), Kallie Long (Northern Kentucky University), (standing from left) Austin Warden (Miami University), Garrett Myers (Campbellsville) and Zach Ritter (Mt. St. Joseph) plan to continue their athletic careers in college

Six New Richmond athletes have picked their colleges where they hope to continue their athletic careers.

Football players Marty Mahaffey and Garrett Myers will be attending Campbellsville University in Campbellsville, Ky. where they hope to be teammates for the Tigers who compete in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

In baseball, pitcher Austin Warden in headed to Miami University where he has been given preferred walk-on status while his catcher, Zach Ritter, will attend the College of Mt. St. Joseph.
Track and cross country runner Veronica Burnam has picked Wilmington College and four-year softball starter Kallie Long will attend Northern Kentucky University.

Mahaffey is looking at business administration as his major while Myers has chosen criminal justice.

“Campbellsville coaches plan to put me at outside linebacker and I will redshirt my freshman year,” said Mahaffey. “I hope to play special teams or get on the field in some other capacity my sophomore.”

“We’ve talked about me playing defensive back and possibly a little at tailback,” said Myers, who played quarterback, tailback, corner back and safety for the Lions.

Warden, a four-year baseball starter for New Richmond, will be following in the footsteps of  his father, Chuck Warden, who was a scholarship pitcher at Miami.

“Miami is losing two lefthanders and they have signed one and are looking to pick up another one so I’m getting a preferred look this fall as a walk-on,” said Warden, who is planning on a science major at Miami with future plans to attend chiropractor school.

Ritter, who plans to major in athletic training at Mt. St. Joseph, was also looking at playing soccer in college until this spring.

“I decided I was going to base my decision on how I did in baseball and after this season I feel I have the potential to play college baseball,” said Ritter.

Burnam also plans to major in athletic training and picked Wilmington over Northern Kentucky and Shawnee State. She will run both cross country and track for the Quakers.

“Wilmington’s a small community and I really liked their athletic training program,” said Burnam.
Long, who pitched and played the outfield for the Lady Lions, plans to major in elementary education at NKU.

“I had an offer from Ohio Valley University in West Virginia but NKU is where my heart was,” said Long.

New ball fields dedicated

New Richmond's new baseball and softball fields were dedicated Monday, March 28 with a baseball game against Norwood and a softball game against Fayetteville. New Richmond split the games, winning 4-3 in baseball and losing 5-3 in softball.

Todd Benzinger threw out the ceremonial first pitch in baseball and Darcy Strickmeyer, a pitcher on New Richmond's first fast-pitch team, threw out the first pitch in softball. Mr. John Hale sang the National Anthem before the baseball game and senior Kallie Long sang the Anthem before the softball game.

Click on the photo below to watch the baseball first-pitch ceremony.

Click on the photo below to watch the softball first-pitch ceremony.

2 honored for leadership and courage

Two New Richmond football players were honored March 3 for their leadership on and off the football field during the 2010 championship season.

New Richmond senior Austin Warden ass a finalist for the 44th National Football Foundation’s “That’s My Boy” Award banquet, which is based upon the accumulation of points in three areas: football achievement, academic achievement, and extracurricular and community activities.

Zach Gelter, who would have been the starting center on the 2010 team, will receive the Tom Potter Memorial Award of Courage for overcoming a near-fatal automobile accident last year.

Lions head coach Dan Scholz with That's My Boy finalist Austin Warden (left) and Courage Award winner Zach Gelter.

“To have two of our players recognized by the National Football Foundation is awesome,” said Lions head coach Dan Scholz. “To be a part of a Cincinnati wide event is special for our program, for New Richmond, and even more so for Austin and Zach. I am very happy they are being recognized.”

The That’s My Boy award went to Jarrett Grace of Colerain which was announced at the Scholar-Athlete Dinner held in the Presidential Ballroom at the Westin Hotel, Thursday March 3, 2011.

“It’s a great honor just to be nominated and to become a finalist puts you in an elite group,” said Scholz.

Other finalists for Ohio’s award were: David Brausch, Batavia ; Will Duncan, Cincinnati Country Day; Sam Fernandez, Ross; Ryan Haynes, McNicholas; Michael Millikin, Turpin; Aaron Patton, Winton Woods; Jonathan Tighe, Wyoming; and Joe Tull, Moeller.

“Austin Warden is everything you want in a player, a student, and a friend to your kids,” said Scholz. “He is a great leader by example and his hard work and effort helped our team reach the playoffs, and a league championship in his playing time on the varsity.”

 Warden, a two-time first-team All-SBAAC football player, plans to attend Miami University and major in dietetics. A four-year varsity pitcher-outfield on New Richmond’s baseball team, Warden hopes to play baseball at Miami either as a scholarship player or walk-on.

“I’m hoping to receive a partial scholarship for baseball but if I don’t I plan to try walking on,” said Warden, whose parents Debi and Chuck Warden are both Miami University graduates. Warden has received a $2500 academic scholarship from Miami.

Gelter was prohibited from playing any contact sport for five years after his automobile accident last spring. He still made every practice during the 2010 season, even two-a-days and worked as a team manager. Coach Scholz dressed  him for senior night and he got in as the safety during a victory formation.

“That was a great moment for me that night,” said Gelter. “Not being able to play was the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through.”

Gelter plans to attend Northern Kentucky University and major in physical education.

“I want to be a high school football coach,” said Gelter.

“Zach Gelter receiving the Courage Award is well deserved,” said Scholz. “His overcoming the tragedy of his accident, and his work ethic had a huge impact on our team and spurred us on to win the League Championship. I am proud of Zach and how he lived out his commitment to our team, and was an example for all of the players in the football program.”

State champions Ben Bird and Justin Fender honored

Two-time state discuss champion Ben Bird (1991-1992) and state golf champion Justin Fender (2001) have been honored with wall banners at the New Richmond High School gymnasium. They were honored prior to the Hall of Fame game Jan. 29, 2011.

Click here or on the photo below to watch the banner unveiling.

Congratulations 2011 Hall of Fame inductees
Click here or on the photo below to watch the 2011 Hall of Fame inductions

               Brian McMonigle

Lions native Brian McMonigle graduated from New Richmond High School in 1998. Brian displayed his outstanding athletic ability during his high school career while playing four years of basketball and baseball, three years of soccer and two years of football.   Brian was named 1st team All Conference in both football and baseball his junior and senior years. In baseball he led the team in batting averages his last two years and was named 1st team All City and 3rd team All State his senior year.

It was basketball, though, where Brian would truly shine. As a junior, Brian was named team MVP,  1st Team All Conference, Honorable Mention All City and Enquirer’s Player of the Week. Entering his senior year great things were expected from Brian and he accomplished them. He was named team MVP and received the John Frey Award, he was also named 1st team All Conference, SBC Player of the Year, 1st team All City, 1st team All Southwest District and third team All State. Brian was also selected as a McDonald’s All American Finalist, Enquirer Player of the week twice and Enquirers top 100 Athletes of the 90’s. In his senior year, Brian led the city in scoring at 25.6 ppg. He holds school records in ppg (25.6), field goal percentage (66.2%) and rebounds in a single game (29), and is one of four 1000 point scorers in school history with 1000 total points.

Brian attended Otterbein College and then transferred to University of Cincinnati, where he was inducted into the Clermont College Hall of Fame.  Brian coached high school basketball for nine years before bringing his talents back to his alma mater where he has spent the past two years as the head coach of the boys’ varsity basketball team.

Greg Hawkins

Greg Hawkins graduated from New Richmond in 1979 with several honors in the athletic field. Greg lettered nine times in three different sports with three varsity letters in football and four in baseball as well as two in basketball. Greg was selected Team Captain in football, basketball, and baseball, and he also carried titles such as Most Valuable Player in football and  2nd team All Conference in football and baseball. Greg played baseball at Wright State University where he played a key role in his team’s appearance at the NCAA Regional Finals in 1980. After attending Wright State, Greg returned to New Richmond as a wrestling coach for the Middle School where he received League Runner-Up for four years and League Champions for two years. Returning to the plate in 1988, this time as a coach, Greg would bring home two years of League Champion titles and be awarded Coach of the Year for two years in 1995 and 1996.

After coaching 27 years of football at the high school and middle school levels and holding various positions from Varsity Assistant to Offensive Coordinator, he would be an intricate part in the huge success of seven League Champions, four playoff appearance, and three playoff wins. Greg has left an impact on many New Richmond students in the last 27 years and in the 407 games he has coached.

Lisa Taylor

Lisa Taylor Sturgeon attended New Richmond High School from 1981 to 1985. During that time she participated in many activities. She was the 1984 New Richmond Homecoming Queen and a member of Student Council and the National Honor Society for two years.  She graduated with honors in the top 10% of her class in 1985. Lisa also participated in soccer and track for all four years and basketball for three years. Lisa is among the elite in receiving a varsity letter in all three sports, but track was always her first love. As a member of the track team, Lisa was a C.C.L. All-Star member for three years, named MVP two years, middle distance MVP one year and freshman MVP one year. She was also 2nd  Team C.C.L all star in basketball in 84-85.  She has held the school and league record in the 400m run since 1985 with a time of 60.01. Lisa was also named NRHS Senior Athlete in 1985 as well as the US Army Reserve National Student Athlete Award and the Presidential Academic Physical Fitness Award. Lisa went on to further her education at DePauw University and later transferred to the University of Indianapolis.

                    Matt Godsey

Matt Godsey was a 2001 graduate of New Richmond High School, but more so a leader and role model for his peers. Matt was a four year varsity letterman in track and a three year varsity letterman in football and basketball. During Matt’s high school career he received numerous awards which would include being selected twice for 1st Team SBAAC All Star and a 2nd Team All Star in track. Matt would continue on his journey while earning honors in football such as Southwest District Special Mention his sophomore year, 1st Team SBAAC All Star for two years, 1st Team Southwest District both his junior and senior years, All Ohio Special Mention his junior year, 1st Team Cincinnati Enquirer/Post All Stars, 2nd Team All Ohio, and, to top off his senior year, he was mention as a player to watch in Ohio in the Sprint Factory Magazine. Matt was also the captain of the 2000 Football Playoff Team as well as co-captain his senior year in basketball. Matt holds several school records with nine interceptions in a season, most interceptions in a game vs London – 3(tied) and 96 yards for longest interception return vs Hillsboro.

The Induction Ceremony will be held during the Hall of Fame Banquet on Saturday, January 29, 2011.

The new inductees, as well as all current Hall of Fame members, will be recognized at half time of the Varsity Boys Basketball game that evening.

The planned order of events is as follows:
1:00 p.m. Alumni Game
2:30 p.m. JV Basketball Game vs. Clark Montessori
4:00 p.m. State champions Ben Bird and Justin Fender honored
4:05 p.m. Varsity Game vs. Clark Montessori

Halftime of the varsity game – recognition of current members of the Hall of Fame, followed by introduction of new inductees

6:00 Banquet The Hall of Fame Banquet will be catered by Lake Manor and will be held in the High School Cafeteria.

Cost to attend the banquet is $15 per person. Make your reservation by contacting Athletic Director, Doug Foote at 513-553-3191 ext. 10003 or foote_d@nrschools.org.

Links to download Hall of Fame Nomnation forms and Hall of Fame Eligibility requirements are available on the left navigation panel.

NRHS Athletic Handbook available online

Dear New Richmond High School Student-Athlete and Parents/Guardians:

This handbook is presented to you because your son/daughter has indicated a desire to participate in interscholastic athletics, and you have expressed your willingness to permit him/her to compete. The New Richmond High School Athletic Department believes that a dynamic program of student activities is vital to the educational development of the student. Its Athletic Program will provide a variety of experiences to aid in the development of favorable habits and attitudes in students that will prepare them for adult life.

The New Richmond School District is very proud of the wide variety of opportunities for athletic participation. These opportunities are believed to be a critical part of a student’s total development as they assist in the building of positive character and leadership traits.

Young people learn a great deal from their participation in interscholastic athletics. Lessons in sportsmanship, teamwork, competition and how to win and lose gracefully are integral parts of each team in our athletic program.

Likewise it is felt that you have committed yourself to certain responsibilities and obligations. It is the athletic department’s intent through this handbook to acquaint you with policies that are necessary for an organized program of athletics.

This handbook originated for prospective athletes and their parents/guardians to become familiar with the Interscholastic Athletic Code of Conduct and the policies of the New Richmond High School Athletic Department.

These rules need broad-based community support to be fully effective. This is only achieved through communication amongst all parties involved. It is our hope that this handbook serves as a means to accomplishing this objective.

Yours in Sports,
Doug Foote Athletic Director/Dean of Students

Watch the 2010 Homecoming Parade

The 2010 New Richmond High School Homecoming Parade filled Front Street from Main to the Bandstand.

Click on the photo below to watch the Homecoming Parade.

NRHS promoting safe teen driving

The New Richmond High School athletic department is teaming with American Family Insurance to promote safe driving by teenagers and can win $15,000 in a contest to see which high school can get the most pledges. New Richmond is currently in 4th place in its division.

You can help New Richmond win the $15,000 by going to www.teensafedriverpledge.com and filling out the pledge form. Anyone 14 or older (including students, parents, siblings, relatives and friends) can complete the Teen Safe Driver Pledge so please forward this information to your contacts and ask them to take the pledge for New Richmond High School.

BP Express buys SBAAC banners for high school

New Richmond High School principal Diane Spinnati (left) is pictured with River City Express PB owners John and Jennifer Jones under the SBAAC team banners on display at the high school gym. John and Jennifer donated $3000 to the high school for the purchase of team banners in addition to their sponsorship of the school's internet radio site www.newrichmond.localsportsradio.com.

"We're from New Richmond and want to give something back to the community," said John Jones. "We were already a sponsor of the school's radio broadcasts so when athletic director Doug Foote approached us about the need for the team banners we were happy to help."

In addition to fuel products, River City Express PB offers a complete line of convenience needs along with take-out meals including Lil' Chet's Chicken..

2010 Hall of Fame Inductees

Congratulations to the New Richmond High School Athletics Hall of Fame 2010 Inductees who were inducted at the 2010 Hall of Fame dinner Saturday, Jan. 9.

John McMonigle, class of 2002
Jeremy Dees, class of 1993
John Frey, class of 1953
Ralph Shepherd - Pride of the Lions Award



Hall of Fame bios

John McMonigle

John is a rare four-sport letter winner for the Lions and excelled at all four of them. Playing baseball only his senior year, he was named 1st Team All-SBAAC, 1St Team All-City, and led the team in hits, on base percentage, batting average, and stolen bases. Before switching to baseball, John was a standout on the track team for three years. He tied the school 100 meter dash record and was selected 1s' Team All­Southwest District in 2001. John was twice named to the 1st Team All-SBAAC.
On the basketball court Mr. McMonigle averaged a double-double and was selected to 2nd Team All-SBAAC in 2001 and 2003. At the time of his induction, John holds the career rushing and scoring records for New Richmond Football. He was chosen 1st Team All-City and 1st Team All-SBAAC, two times each. He was named 2nd Team All-State and was the SBAAC Player of the Year in 2001 as well as the Enquirer Division III Player of the Year.

Ralph Shepherd

New Richmond Board of Education 1974-79 and 1993-2009

During his 20 years on the school board, Ralph was involved in the building of two new schools, the remodeling of three others, and the construction of two athletic complexes. He cast the deciding vote for the completion of the stadium complex. It was important to Ralph that all of this was done without any additional tax money from district residents.

Shepherd moved to New Richmond in 1951 from Bracken County, KY. A staunch supporter of New Richmond athletics, Mr. Shepherd ran the concessions for many years and was an active member of the original athletic boosters. He founded the New Richmond American Legion Baseball Team in the late 1960's and was a founder of the original New Richmond High School Sports Hall of Fame. In addition to his involvement with New Richmond Schools, Ralph has been active in local and regional veterans programs and was inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame in 1998.

Jeremy Dees

Jeremy Dees was selected to the Southern Buckeye Athletic and Academic Conference 1St Team his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons in track, as well as his junior and senior years for football. In 1991 he set the individual single season record for kickoff returns with 358 yards. In 1992 and 1993 Jeremy lead Clermont County in kickoff and punt return yards. Jeremy was selected to play in the Cincinnati East-West Football All-Star Game in 1992 and 1993.

The track accomplishments of Mr. Dees were equally as impressive as his football feats. He was a 3-time league champion in the 300 meter intermediate hurdles as well as a 3-time league champion in the 4x400 and 4x100 meter relays. Jeremy competed in the 300 meter intermediate hurdles at the Regional Division II track meet in 1992 and 1993. He also competed in the 4x800 meter relay regional division II track meet setting a new school record of 8:12. Jeremy received the most valuable sprinter award in 1992 and 1993.

John Frey

John was a four sport varsity athlete while at New Richmond, graduating in 1953. He played varsity basketball for 3 years, and varsity baseball, track, and volleyball all 4 years. John excelled in all sports at a time when they did not recognize League and County All­Stars with the exception of basketball, for which he was named All­Clermont County League 3 consecutive years. John was also chosen All-City 2nd Team and Honorable Mention All-State his senior year in basketball.

Following his untimely death soon after graduating from high school, the John Frey Memorial Award was begun in John's honor. This award goes to a senior basketball player who demonstrates outstanding athletic and scholastic ability, sportsmanship, citizenship, and a competitive spirit - all qualities for which John was known.

Alex Lewis signs with Cleveland State

Alex Lewis holds up the letter of intent he signed with Cleveland State Monday. He was joined by his swim coaches Judy and Joe Middeler (left) and his mother, Becky Lewis.

New Richmond High School senior Alex Lewis has signed a letter of intent to swim for Cleveland State University.

"I also looked at Wright State and Eastern Michigan," said Lewis, who was a state qualifier in the 100 butterfly. "Cleveland State was the best fit for me. I loved the campus and the program."

Lewis, a sprint specialist, will train with the sprint group at Cleveland State. He said he will be in the middle speed wise on the team which will motivate him to improve.

"I will be training with the sprint group which is mainly the 50 and 100 free and the 100 fly, but he (Vikings swim coach Wally Morton) said if he needs me in the 200 fly he’ll put me in there."

"It was a great day yesterday for the high school swim program," commented Judy Middeler, who begins her 34th year as New Richmond’s swim coach. "This has been a goal for Alex since he started swimming in the 7th grade."

Lewis, who also swims with the Anderson Barracudas, will be trying to joined Debbie Kyle and Nate Kramer as multiple state qualifiers for New Richmond. However, the true gauge of his career may be the influence he has had on his high school team.

"His drive and goals have encouraged the other swimmers to step up their workouts to set higher goals for themselves," noted Middeler.

"A wonderful comment that Alex made yesterday on what is one of your most memorable moments in your swimming career and he said, 'when the 200 medley relay team made it to Districts last year'. He is truly a great team player."