8/9/2012 - West Side Leader
     

COPLEY — Jim Borchik has been at Copley High School for 20 years, serving as the athletic administrator since 2010. During his time with the school, Borchik said he has seen a shift in how student-athletes participate in school sports.

“There seems to be more of a focus by student-athletes, and their parents, on specialization,” he said. “We see fewer and fewer of the two- and three-sport participants.”

According to Borchik, the 2011-12 school year provided many memorable moments at Copley High School.

“Some highlights in the fall included our boys soccer team advancing to the state final four, our girls soccer team winning the Suburban League title and, individually, senior Nick Pupino capturing the Suburban League and Akron District cross country championships on his way to state,” he said. “In the winter, our boys swim team, led by state qualifier senior Chris Lane, were the Suburban League champions; and senior wrestler Isaiah Wheeler and freshman swimmer Madison Myers also qualified for their respective state tournaments. In the spring, our softball team defended their Suburban League title, our boys tennis team also defended their league title on their way to a state final four finish, and Evan Haney (high jump) and Nick Pupino (3200 meters) represented the Indians in Columbus at the State Tournament.”

In addition, Borchik said, one of the team’s coaches earned a noteworthy distinction.

“Andrea Minster, our girls tennis coach, was inducted into the Copley High School Hall of Fame this year,” he said.

Borchik said he is optimistic Copley athletics will be able to excel again this season.

“In Ohio, there is always a lot of attention on football, and I know that coach Ron Viscounte, and all of his players and coaches, are working extremely hard to compete for a league title and return to the state playoffs. And both our boys and girls soccer teams are poised to make a run at a league and district title,” he said. “I would like to think that all of our teams will do well this fall and ‘surprise’ everyone. I know that they will all be prepared to play hard, have fun and do well throughout the season.”

Of note, Borchik said, Copley will have three new coaches this fall: John Roseman in cross country; Steve Coon in boys golf; and Chuck Mussleman in volleyball.

“John comes to us from Stow, where he served as Stow’s head cross country coach for the past 12 years,” Borchik noted. “Steve resigned as our girls basketball coach, and returned to golf, where he previously served for 10 years, winning the 2003 state championship. Chuck comes to us from Northwest, and he has been a long time Junior Olympics volleyball coach.”

Borchik said he is eager to see the fall sports season get under way.

“Every year is a fresh, exciting start for all of the players and coaches,” he stated. “Having spent my career in athletics, I personally can’t wait to get started, and see how the year unfolds.”

For more on Copley’s sports, visit the website at www.copley-fairlawn.org.