Ten years ago on Aug. 11, 2011 tragedy struck the West High volleyball team when their beloved setter Caroline "Line" Found passed away in a moped crash. 24, 2023 5:00 am12h ago, Guest Columnists Jul. The fifth set was different than the other four. Against all odds, particularly in the five-set championship match against rival City High, West won a second consecutive state title Saturday at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena. Your donation will support the student journalists of West High School. Knights said Ernie Found and former West High volleyball coach Kathy Bresnahan helped brainstorm the April 8 helmet giveaway and fitting, hoping to make the premiere of The Miracle Season as meaningful as possible. McNamara, the director, also knew he had to get the volleyball right. West High School District Home Our Schools Latest News Summer Food Service Program We are once again participating in the Summer Food Service Program. Volleyball preview 2022:Iowa City High looks to raise the bar behind two young leaders. I can't be prouder of my team. St. Mary's scored three in the bottom of the sixth and Ortmann gave up a leadoff hit in the seventh, but worked out of trouble in the Class 1A quarterfinal. Dargan Southard covers Iowa and UNI athletics, recruiting and preps for the Des Moines Register, HawkCentral.com and the Iowa City Press-Citizen. Proof came last Thursday, when the MVC trio of Cedar Rapids Kennedy, Cedar Rapids Prairie and Iowa City West won six of nine matches against the Mississippi Athletic. Line died the night of Aug. 11, 2011, after losing control on the moped she was driving around a curve on Mormon Trek Boulevard in Iowa City. Raven Moore Iowa City Press-Citizen 0:05 0:49 Eleven years after the tragic death of star volleyball player Caroline "Line" Found, the Iowa City West Trojans continue to honor her. Parent Student Teacher Organization (PSTO). She earned honorable-mention all-state honors. Iowa City West High School is a public high school in Iowa City, Iowa. "The first two games we weren't playing West High volleyball," Infeldt said. So, after backing up older players, this year will be the year that I can step into a bigger role. With City serving to win the championship, their serve went straight into the net, and West rallied to win 18-16 and take the state championship. Family, friends recall Found's selfless spirit, infectious smile. West finished 37-7 and swept Ankeny in the championship match. "I put such a tremendous burden on that young woman, Bresnahan said. No matter how good the actors were, if thevolleyball looked fake, the movie would feel off. "It was on me to train her to take Caroline's spot.". If they had to, players would leave the court and go cry under a nearby tree outside the gym. Found, who would have been a senior this year, was also a reserve on the school's softball team. It was so precarious. If you are having trouble accessing any portion of this website or its content or would like to request materials in an alternate format, please contact the Webmaster at webmaster@iowacityschools.org or (319) 688-1000 for assistance. (September 2020) Athletics The Trojans compete in the Mississippi Valley Conference in the following sports: [3] Cross Country Boys' 1988 Class 3A State Champions [4] Girls' 5-time State Champions (1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2004) [5] Volleyball 2-time Class 4A State Champions (2010, 2011) [5] Football Required fields are marked *. G. Volleyball Home; Teams; States; Scores; Rankings; Stat leaders; Photos; . The film's director, Sean McNamara, said he hoped audiences would be "moved to tears, but I hope people feel they got to meet a person who lived on this earth:Caroline Found.". A memorial for teen Caroline Found of Iowa City has been created at the site of her fatal accident Thursday night on Mormon Trek Boulevard in Coralville. The community was devastated by the loss. West High volleyball retires Caroline Found's number 9 While the talents of this year's new-look Trojans' squad may not be felt immediately, they figure tobe a tough team to stop as the season winds down. Carey, Johanna . Sometimes I tell Ernie that I wished I had never written that letter, that our lives were just more normal and wed just go on with the loss, Bresnahan said while sitting at a packed Iowa City sports bar. Caroline Found was such a unique person. The team members (the Ladies of Troy) jumped up and down and screamed with excitement. Daubenmier, Ellie . "You could feel Line here," Hannah Infeldt said in the Press-Citizen that day. Former Iowa City West High School volleyball coach Kathy Bresnahan says a Hollywood movie is more proof that the story of Caroline Found and the resilience of her teammates after her. "We were composed the first two sets and then that third set I think it was like 15-all or something close to that, and then all of a sudden our passing became one-dimensional, and West is not a dumb team," City coach Craig Pitcher said. It has been 10 years since she passed away in a moped accident during the beginning of her Senior season. The team was littered with experienced seniors eventual first-team All-State players Anna Pashkova, Olivia Fairfieldand Shelly Stumpff, eventual second team All-State players Hannah Infelt and Kelley Fliehler, Caroline Hartman and Mekies but no amount of experience could prepare the team for how to handle a tragedy. 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West High School Dedicated to excellence in education . Team camp for high schoolers is the week before practice begins. Still, the third set looked like City was off to a sweep before West put together an 8-0 run to take a 22-15 lead. 'The Miracle Season': Meet the real people who inspired the movie I am excited to do that, especially because we have so many young players.". Iowa City West's 2011 'Miracle Season' was even more dramatic than At the end of "The Miracle Season," when the team has won the championship, the movie shows Hurt as Ernie Found holding a framed photo of his daughter. Head coach, Kathy Bresnahan, held tryouts for Lines positiona role that nobody really wanted to take. ", 2022 volleyball preview::Solon Spartans excited to get the 'Mikayla Long era' underway. The whole season, Ernie Found would be at each match and the grieving coach and father would lock eyes at least once during the competition. 'The Miracle Season': Meet the real people who inspired the movie, 'The Miracle Season' premiere in Iowa City: What you need to know, Hollywood, Iowa City come together at 'The Miracle Season' hometown premiere, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Then everything changed. Together, theteam resolved to not cry during practice. More: 'The Miracle Season' premiere in Iowa City: What you need to know. 2023-24. Contact UsAthletic OfficePhone: (319) 688-1055Fax: (319) 688-1315BJ MayerAthletic DirectorEmail BJBrianna NiggAthletic SecretaryEmail BriannaFollow us on Twitter, Visit Bound for all of your athletics information in one place. The Trojans kick off their seasonAug.23against Cedar Rapids Washington at home. The sophomore outside hitter racked up 583 kills, good for fourth best in the state. Iowa City West volleyball honors legacy of Caroline Found with annual Top stars, best performances from the Iowa high school baseball state 2023 www.press-citizen.com. Both Nelson and Rachel Rinehart were giving West fits from the outside. Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). Starring Oscar-winners Helen Hunt as Bresnahan and William Hurt as Ernie Found, the movie is bringing a new round of national attention to Line and the team. Parent Student Teacher Organization (PSTO), How to Register Your Trojan Student-Athlete at. They lost the first two sets 23-25 and 27-29 before taking the third set 25-16 and the fourth 25-15. Volleyball - Linn-Mar High School (IA) - rSchoolTeams The phrase Live Like Line and Neil Diamonds song Sweet Caroline became the heartbeat of the West High community. Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). Getting back on the court is going to be hard for the kids, she said. She told me the team was going to be better than they were last year, Reiland said. Volleyball- Keeley Arnold (strand.keeley@iowacityschools.org) . Though Bresnahan and Ernie Found knew the movie was slowly coming together, it was the casting of Helen Hunt in the late spring of 2016 that showed them both that LD Entertainment meant business. The first person Bresnahan ran towards after the win was Ernie Found. Varsity- Paola (PJ) Jaramillo, paola.jaramillog@gmail.com But tragedy struck in August 2011 when Found lost control of her moped, struck a tree, and died instantly. Sioux Center outlasts Solon to advance to the Class 3A title game. 2023 The Gazette | All Rights Reserved. Abby Saehler's ace gave City a 2-0 lead, and West had to regroup. Previous Seasons All-Time Roster. I really did want to keep that legacy of her passion for life, her empathy and how she embraced everybody alive," Brenahan said. Everybody was her friend. Iowa City West High School - Wikipedia Schedule at a Glance Full Schedule Tue, 8/22 @ Washington 5:30 PM Tue, 8/29 vs Western Dubuque 5:30 PM Tue, 9/05 @ Linn-Mar 5:30 PM Team Leaders Player Stats have not been entered Stats are entered by the coach or designated team statistician in the admin. I think that we can beat them again this year and the entire team is just as excited for that game as I am.". Bound; 2901 Melrose Ave, Iowa City, IA 52246. Ten years later in the same gym that Caroline herself played in the West High volleyball team and current Head Coach Keeley Arnold honored Caroline by officially retiring her number 9. After reaching the Class 5A Region 7 volleyball championship match in back-to-back years, the Iowa City West High Trojans could be viewed as state-bound in 2022. 1:36 For years, coach Kathy Bresnahan and Ernie Found had no desire for Hollywood to touch the story of the miracle season they had lived through. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Found, the team's setter, led the team on the court for each match. basketball. There's not a person that Caroline met that wasn't her friend, Bresnahan said Friday, after accompanying her team and other students in placing a memorial where Found died on Mormon Trek Boulevard in Coralville. Then theycarved out a strong tournament run to reachtheir region's championship game. Finally, City's fifth service error in the set gave West another opening, and Stumpff's kill down the line won it 18-16. 10 years later: Remembering Caroline Found, and celebrating her life In the fall of 2010, Iowa City West High School women's volleyball team won its first state title. How to Register Your Trojan Student-Athlete at Bound.comHead over to Bound, then "Registration"Login or click 'Create Your Account Now'Click 'Add a Student' and then search for your student. But the Trojans also mixed up their attack along with their more active blocking schemes. Introducing the Iowa high school volleyball 2021 All-Iowa teams The teams include an elite team, made up of the states best players regardless of class, as well as first-team selections for all fiveof Iowas classes. "Every week, every single match, I thought the wheels were going to fall off.". Nov. 1, 2021 7:50 am, Updated: Nov. 1, 2021 8:56 pm Caroline Found (9) led Iowa City West to a state championship in 2010. "The rawness of it, we were reluctant to have Hollywood potentially play with our hearts," Ernie Found said. They stuck around Iowa City, went to Hawkeye games and explored Iowa City for a few days. Based on the story of Caroline Found and the Iowa City West High School volleyball team she led before her untimely death right before the team's 2011 season began. And that story will be memorialized in film, The Miracle Season (LD Entertainment), which will premier this April. Jeff Linder Nov. 12, 2011 7:44 pm, Updated: Jun. Last season, theHawks were victorious in their first match 3-0. Iowa City West High School . "It is always a fungame," Stammeyer said. So, we just have to have a good mindset and focus on coming back stronger this year. Ten years ago on Aug. 11, 2011 tragedy struck the West High volleyball team when their beloved setter Caroline Line Found passed away in a moped crash. Bresnahan recalled seeing Ernie Found at his wife's wake and being speechless. The Trojans compete in the Mississippi Valley Conference in the following sports:[3]. It feels so good getting it back for her again. Both of the first two sets were close. 24, 2023 6:00 am11h ago, Jim Ross Lightfoot Guest Columnists Jul. Elite Team Cassidy Hartman, soph., Iowa City Liberty. Editor's Note: This story was originally published in 2011 but has been republished following the news that LD Entertainment is producing a movie that tells the story of West High's 2011 state volleyball championship run. Found, the teams setter, led the team on the court for each match. Know that you are exactly where you need to be." I can't even describe it," West senior Shelly Stumpff said. Owen Aanestad, Online Editor-In-ChiefOctober 5, 2021. Introducing the 2020 All-Iowa volleyball team - The Des Moines Register Iowa City West wins 'Spike' volleyball trophy for 1st time since 2018 Iowa City West repeated as statechampions. Upload it here Invite the coach A total of 16 high schools and two colleges were represented at the CHRISTUS Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute on Monday for a fall sports media day. ", "Olivia and Hannah were everywhere closing everything," West senior setter Kelley Fliehler said. "But I think people are going to be so moved by this film. Found averaged 10 assists per game last season as the Women of Troy captured their first volleyball title. We did win it again. Copyright 2022 Finalsite - all rights reserved. We were so happy. "I don't know how they won," Bresnahan said. "It's always loudbecause each team brings their student section, so that makes it even better. [5] "That was a holy (expletive) moment for me," Bresnahan said. For the two key volleyball-playing roles, McNamara cast young, athletic women with seriousHollywood credentials. Twenty honorable mention picks were also selected. In coachKeeley Arnold's first full season at the helm, the Trojans had an up-and-down regular season,finishing 16-17. Iowa City West Volleyball (2021) Roster - High School Sports Volleyball notes: Kennedy, Prairie and Iowa City West are early-season The teams were picked based on in-season results, observations from Register and Iowa City Press-Citizen staff writers and consultations from coaches around the state. Tragedy to triumph: West repeats | The Gazette "We just knew we weren't going to go out that easy, going 3-0, there was no way that was going to happen," Stumpff said. With the help of Coach Kathy. Athletics Overview - Iowa City Community School District He just said 'Kathy, my life has been blessed to have had.' Head Coach: Scott Sanders. Grade . The moviedetails Line's infectious personality, the accident that took her away and the story of her teammates, her coach and her father overcoming the tragedy to win an improbable championship. To help steer that ship will be Arnold, who has the support and enthusiasm of her players as they enter the second full season withher as their coach. Sophiais about 6-foot-3,and I think she is going to rock the socks off of some people.". The writer of this article Mathew Paris did an excellent job getting to the points and with feeling. Found, 17, of Iowa City, was the setter for West's Class 4A state-championship squad last year. Still, Arnold said shefeelsher current players have the versatility to cover up any possible deficiencies. Claim this team Do you have a team photo? The team had a huge gap to fill, too. Investigators spoke to witnesses and determined Found was southbound when she struck a curb near a curve in the street and lost control. They blocked, and then we started playing individualized as opposed to team ball. More awards:Introducing the Des Moines Registers 2021 All-Iowa softball teams. We just didn't know we were going to do it without her on the court. A staple on this Elite Team throughout her career, Kubik ends a dominant prep run as one of Iowa's fiercest outside hitters. Then they carved out a strong tournament run to reach. But she was with us.". But it was awesome. But, after starting slowly, the team began gaining momentum and made it back to the state tournament. Thanks to the deft guidance of Deford and producer Lisa Bennett, HBO will present the story of West High School volleyball and Caroline Found, the West student who died on Aug. 11, 2011. All rights reserved. As an assistant copy editor, being a perfectionist is her full-time job. Opinion: The world needs to take action for the people of Sudan, Speech and Debate team qualifies for 2023 nationals, Theatre West announces 2023-2024 show lineup, West High Math Club wins Mathleague Nationals, The student news source of Iowa City West High, Your email address will not be published. Xavier Iowa City High Clear Creek Amana Iowa City Liberty Iowa City West Cedar Rapids Jefferson Kennedy. ", "It's totally unbelievable. The Drake signee led the state with 639 kills and helped West Liberty to a runner-up finish in Class 3A. Her team was either crying or goofing off that season and she knew she couldn't meet their emotional fragility with typical coach gruffness. The student body wore shirts with Carolines name and number, #9. It makes it rough. Fall Athletics / Fall Athletics - Iowa City Community School District "As soon as we started blocking, they didn't know. (10-6-21) Last night Iowa City West High School retired the #9 uniform of Caroline Found. 5'7" 11 . 2023 www.press-citizen.com. "Before the season, 'Line' said we were going to win it all again, and I was about ready to (smack) her for that," West High coach Kathy Bresnahan said. Stay Connected. Varsity- Paola (PJ) Jaramillo, paola.jaramillog@gmail.com. Reach Zach Berg at 319-887-5412, zberg@press-citizen.com or follow him on Twitter at @ZacharyBerg. We were so fragile," Bresnahan said of her 2011 team, which had won the state championship the previous season. Stammeyer was described by Arnold as the team's "quarterback," who will be responsible for running the offense. Iowa City Regina bounced from state tournament in quarterfinals. A couple to note are seniors Alaina Greenlee andSophia Deyak. Ernie and Ellyn Found called her a "rule bender.". 10 . They couldn't hit around us," Fairfield said. Found lost control of her moped, struck a tree, and died instantly. Erin Moriarty, who playsFliehler, played a pivotal role in the Netflix Marvel show "Jessica Jones.". "I had really kept copious notes that year, I had never done that before. Four days after the accident, thousands attended the visitation for Found inside the West High gym, including several rival teams and the entire University of Iowa volleyball squad. DS . High School. School Year: 2022-2023 . Carolines father Ernie Found alongside Bresnahan emotionally addressed the team and crowd after the ceremony inspiring people to Live Like Line. 15, 2021 2:24 pm Iowa City West's Mollie Mason (left) jousts with Iowa City High's Erin Muir during their class 4A state championship. Though it's been years since Bresnahan coached the miracle season, years since the teenage Mekies would take her coach's hands during difficult times in the season and tell her to breathe, it's all fresh in the coach's memory. "And the trophy is for sure in our hands, and it was just unexplainable joy. Found, the team leader and its heartbeat, was killed in a moped accident in August, and no one short of Pollyanna thought West would find a way to make her prediction come true. It makes it rough. On Aug. 23, days after Line's death, her mother Ellyn Found died of cancer at the age of 55. A look at the top Iowa high school volleyball players in 2020. . It's just one of those tragedies you hope you never have to deal with, Reiland said. "Sydney and the other seniors aregoing to be hard to replace," Arnold said. Documents & Forms (Permission to Practice & Physical). #9 RetiredRemembering Caroline Found - Stateline Sports Network Coming tomorrow: Iowa City Liberty. It serves grades 9-12 for the Iowa City Community School District. Another year of Iowa high school volleyball has concluded, again showcasing abevy of players deserving accolades and recognition. A repeat Elite Team selection, Hartman shined again for a potent Iowa City Liberty squad. Found and the mo-ped struck a tree in the median. Height . She struck a curb and then hit a tree in the median. West High volleyball retires Caroline Found's number 9 One of the most prolific setters this state has ever seen, Ruff finished off a magical career with Pleasant Valley's first volleyball championship. A menacing outside hitter who struck fear with every swat, Daufeldtconcluded a decorated career with an emphatic senior season. How Accurate Is 'The Miracle Season'? The Moving True Story - Bustle Iowa City West High School Volleyball; Volleyball Schedule; Iowa City West Volleyball Schedule. Greenlee will be taking over for last year's starting libero, Katherine Kouba, who was second on the team with 35 aces. Before the Trojans faced off against Dubuque Senior for their last regular season home game on Oct. 5, West held a ceremony officially retiring the number 9. Overall 0-0 0.00 Win % Conference 0-0 1st in . (Kenny Knutson/The Gazette). The winner will be announced at the Iowa High School Sports Awardsin 2022. In 2011, 17-year-old Caroline "Line" Found died in. Tight the whole way, back and forth, drama in every swing. Introducing the Des Moines Registers 2021 All-Iowa softball teams, Introducing the 2021 All-Iowa boys' high school cross country honorees, Tipton's Eric Walsh named 2021 All-Iowa boys' high school cross country coach of the year, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy, Molly Shafer, fr., Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont, Morgan Brandt, sr., Sumner-Fredericksburg, Gabby Lombardi, soph., Des Moines Christian, Kassi Randolph, sr., Holy Trinity Catholic, Molly Romano, soph., Council Bluffs Lincoln, Stella Winterfield, jr., Western Christian. At the advice of legendary Iowa volleyball coach Tom Keating, the coach knew she couldn't let her team put the season on hold, so practices and games were kept on schedule. There was an issue submitting your request. Conference: Mississippi Valley - Valley; Division: Division 5A; . About a year later, Found and Bresnahan were receiving offers from Hollywood. Arnold and the West volleyball team will travel to Cedar Rapids Jefferson this weekend Oct. 9 to compete in the Westside Tournament. She wasa student who would order a pizza to be delivered to West High for lunch, but she was also someone Bresnahan said would tryto befriend everyone she met. Comments (-1) Links. Teams - Iowa City West Trojans Volleyball (Iowa City, IA) - MaxPreps "I got to him and we just sobbed and sobbed," Bresnahan said. "There was definitely some relief, like, 'Oh, we did it,'" Infeldt said. "Melae' Lacy is going to have a huge impact on this team. "From what we have seen in my freshman and sophomore years, I know that we are a better team. More details about the program coming soon. Your contribution will allow us to purchase Scholarship Yearbooks, newsroom equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs. Pitcher said the serving problems were just part of the story. "I have always wanted to be a leader for this team. That really motivated us to get to our spots and get up and just shut 'em down. (The Gazette) Lauren Larson (center, left) kisses Iowa City West's Olivia Fairfield as Fairfield carries a photograph of teammate Caroline Found past the fans in the stands after their Class.