St. Joan of Arc CYO Champions

The Chargers brought home St. Joan of Arc's first ever CYO championship with a two-game sweep of Royal Oak Shrine in the best-of-three baseball finals. The Chargers finished the season with a 11-1-1 record; including a 7-1 league record which led the Chargers into the CYO playoffs. In 1957 there were 88 varsity baseball teams competing in the CYO league and only the 16 division champions qualified for the post-season. SJA's tie came in the CYO semi-final game against Detroit Guardian Angels. The teams battled to a scoreless tie but SJA got the victory when the game was called after nine innings. The Chargers were awarded the win because SJA had not allowed a hit in the game!
The victory over Guardian Angels put SJA into the CYO baseball finals. At the time it was a best of three series. The Chargers met CYO powerhouse Shrine, a school that was dominating the CYO at the time and the same school that produced Detroit Tiger great Bill Freehan. After winning game one of the series 1-0, SJA erupted for an 9-0 blanking of the Knights to win SJA's first ever CYO championship in any sport.
Members of the championship team were; Tony Gramer, Jack Herbertson, Sam Fodale, Jim LaRose, Glenn Cross, John Davis, Tom Quilter, Joe Di Angelo, Dave Kulinski, Bill Blake, Earl Meyers, Bill Fournier, Mike Orosz, Dan Steffes, Larry Day, Jerry Bultinck, and Bob Lenneman. The Chargers were coached by Mr. Bill David, who was assisted by Mr Jack David. The Chargers won the CYO's Northeast Division title with a 10-0 record and headed to the 94 team CYO basketball tournament as a long shot for the city-wide crown. After edging OL Star of the Sea in the opening round of the tournament 42-38, SJA won the remaining games of the tournament by an average of 20 points a game.
To get to the title game SJA defeated unbeaten and Eastside favorite St. Juliana by six to advance to the semi-final round. In the semis, SJA bested Holy Name 41-34 to advance to the CYO championship game. SJA had advanced to the final twice prior to 1971, both times coming up empty.
On Sunday, March 28, 1971 at Redford St. Mary High School, SJA won it's first ever CYO boys basketball title, and the parishes first CYO title in any sport since 1957. To win the title the Chargers defeated unbeaten, Westside champion Dearborn Hts. Our Lady of Grace. The Trojans had won the CYO title in 1970 and took a 30+ game winning streak into the title game.
The Chargers were coached by Mr. Jerry Bultinck. Members of the championship squad were; Larry Calus, Mark Simon, Rick Shaheen, Henry Bender, Rick Deneweth, Bill Fausone, Bill Halloway, Jasper Sciuto, Bob Hallop, Greg Hipple, Frank DeMartino, Tom Dype, and John Ruemenapp.
SJA 1971 Boys Basketball

1971 Basketball

The Chargers completed the season with a 28-1 record. The Chargers were kings of the Northeast #2 Division which consisted of Detroit Our Lady of Good Counsel, Detroit St. Matthew, Detroit Guardian Angels, East Detroit St. Veronica, and Grosse Pointe St. Clare. In addition to their 10-0 league record,SJA also won the De La Salle and Austin holiday tournaments. SJA's only loss came in the championship game of the Notre Dame Christmas tournament against Assumption Grotto, 44-28. The Chargers avenged this loss on a much larger stage, defeated Grotto 31-19 in the Eastside championship at St. Clement High School to advance to the CYO Championship game.
In the title game, SJA got the best of westside champion Detroit St. Christopher 35-29. The championship was SJA's second in five years.
Members of SJA's championship team were; Larry Vargo, Jeff Spicuzzi, Marshall Parker, Jim Gaston, Kevin Pilarski, Bill Fetterman, Dave Ruemenkapp, Ken Sesto, Ed Vogt, Jim Jara, Jim Meldrum, Dick Coury, Jerry Sullivan, and Tom Livernois. The Chargers were coached by Mr. Tom Brown.

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SJA won their first baseball title since '57 with a 10-4 over Dearborn Heights Our Lady of Grace in the CYO Championship game at the University of Detroit.

After completing league play with a 10-0 record, the St. Joan of Arc Chargers defeated four opponents to win the CYO City Championship, the first CYO City Volleyball title in school history.
In opening-round playoff action, the Chargers swept Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes 15-7, 15-4 and 15-6. Next SJA eliminated Roseville Holy Innocents 15-7, 15-2 and 15-11. In the East Side Final, the Chargers stopped St. Clare 15-0, 13-15, 15-5 and 15-13. SJA charged past Bloomfield Hills St. Hugo 15-13, 15-9 and 15-10 to take the CYO Championship.
Pictured in the top row are Natalie Curtis, Mary Helen Ciaravino, Amy Ostowski, Coach Dave Hines, Erica Barr, Jennifer McMann and Shannon Kurty. In the bottom row are Collen O'Shell, Buffy Miriani, Lea Mascia, Stephanie Gore, Susan Kurty and Diane Schultz.
Hines was presented with the "CYO Coach of the Year Award."

1987 Volleyball

The St. Joan of Arc Varsity No. 1 Volleyball team defeated four opponents to win the CYO City Championship, the school's second CYO City Volleyball title in three years.
In opening-round playoff action, SJA No. 1 stopped SJA No. 2 15-3, 15-1, 5-15, and 15-5. Next, the Chargers eliminated St. Clare (who had beaten SJA twice during the regular season) 15-12, 4-15, 15-3, and 18-16. In the East Side Final, SJA swept Shrine 15-4, 16-14, and 15-10. SJA charged past St. Anne 15-9, 15-1, 14-16, and 15-5 to take the CYO Championship.

1989 Volleyball
Pictured in the top row are Renee Adamcik, Samantha Ciaravino, Becky Baranek, Coach Dave Hines, Kim Piotruchowski, Stacey Torgl, and Valerie Urbas. In the bottom row are Nicole Sorgeloos, Darlene Aquino, Maureen Zolik, Kristen Loeher, Danielle Greene, Jamie Nevedal and Sara Arndt.
Hines was presented with the "CYO Coach of the Year Award."

The St. Joan of Arc Varsity No. 1 Volleyball team finished as league champions and then defeated four opponents to capture the CYO City Championship, the school's third CYO Volleyball title in four years.
After stopping Star of the Sea No. 2, 15-6, 14-16, 15-2, and 15-4, the Chargers eliminated Star of the Sea No. 1, 15-9, 15-0, 12-15, and 15-3. In the East Side Final, SJA swept Shrine, 15-6, 15-10, and 15-4. The Chargers took the CYO crown by downing St. Anne, 15-13, 15-5, and 15-10.
Pictured in the top row are Coach Dave Hines, Lisa Albrecht, Sara Arndt, Beth Baulch, Allison Licavoli, Sarah Smigels, and Anna Garretson. In the bottom row are Maria Kady, Ann Morgan, Kristen Loeher, Maureen Zolik, Keri Muccioli, and Julie Kirchinger.
Hines was presented with the "CYO Coach of the Year Award."

1990 Volleyball

The St. Joan of Arc Varsity Baseball team finished with a perfect 10-0 record capturing the school's second consecutive Eastside Division title. The Charger playoff run began with a 19-1 pasting of Hamtramck St. Ladislaus, and then a 7-0 blanking of Roseville Holy Innocents to advance to the East Side Final. In the East Side Final SJA routed Warren St. Anne 8-0 to advance to the CYO Championship.
On Sunday, June 14, 1992 at the University of Detroit Mercy, the St. Joan of Arc Chargers avenged their only loss of the season with a 7-4 victory over Farmington Our Lady of Sorrows in the CYO Baseball championship. John Spath, who won all four of the playoff games, tosses a five hitter striking out seven for the Chargers, who put the game away with a four-run rally in the third on hits by Spath, Dan Sylvester, a walk to Joe Evola and singles by Frank Orlando and Steve Champine. Pete Ciaravino and John Fincham also had RBIs. The victory was SJA's 14th in a row.

1992 Baseball
Bottom Left: Kevin Halicki, Nick Accardo, Steve Champine, Joe Ellis, Dan Sylvester
Middle Row: Vince Frabotta, Frank Orlando, Joe Evola, John Spath
Top Row: Asst. Coach Keith Knight, Kevin Collins, Pete Ciaravino, John Fincham, Jim Simon, Head Coach Mike Lopiccolo

The 1996-97 St. Joan of Arc Girls Basketball team captured the school's first girls basketball title. After winning the Eastside Division with a perfect 10-0 record for the fourth consecutive year, the Chargers got on a roll in the CYO Tournament and brought home a CYO Title.

1997 Girls B-Ball

The St. Joan of Arc Girls Basketball team won their second CYO Championship in three years. After winning the CYO Eastside Division, SJA got hot in the tournament. In the regional championship the Chargers knocked off league rival Star of the Sea adavncing to the East Side Final. Before a packed house at Harper Woods Notre Dame SJA took the East Side Championship with a double overtime thrilling victory over Pontiac Marist Academy.
In the CYO Championship SJA demolished Dearborn Divine Child, jumping out to a 19-4 first quarter lead.

1999 Girls B-Ball

The 2000 St. Joan of Arc Girls Soccer team won the school's first ever soccer championship. SJA finished the regular season 9-0-1 edging Queen of Peace for the Eastside Division title.
In the playoffs SJA defeated Royal Shrine (2-1), Livonia St. Edith (1-0), and in the CYO Championship at Madison Heights Bishop Foley the Chargers scored 30 seconds into the game and held off St. Dennis to win the CYO Championship.

2000 Girls Soccer

The St. Joan of Arc baseball team finished the season with an 18-1 record setting a school record for wins. The Chargers won a thrilling down to the wire race with OL Star of the Sea to capture the Eastside Division crown, avenging their only loss by defeating the Sailors on the last day of the regular season. In the CYO Playoffs SJA continued to roll. After escaping OL Star of the Sea #2 4-0 in the first round, SJA ran to the CYO title. A victory of St. Hugo gave SJA the regional title and a 7-2 win over St. Paul gave the Chargers the Eastside Championship. The Chargers brought the championship home with an 8-2 win over Redford St. Robert Bellarmine in the CYO Championship game. The team was coached by Larry Kalich and Dennis Shubnell. Members of the championship team were eighth graders Andy Bennett, Justyn Bensett, Mike Gino, Brian Kies, Ryan Knight, Ryan Smith, and Don Thill; and seventh graders Jason Aubrey, Jake Bloomhuff, and Robbie Knight.

2001 Baseball

The SJA Varsity Girls softball team made St Joan history on Saturday June 11, as they claimed the schools first ever CYO City Championship by beating St Raphael 3-1. The girls were losing 1-0 entering the bottom of the fourth when Katie Martin scored on a wild pitch and the girls then added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth on runs scored by Meghan Perna and Sam Matthew. The girls faced one of the best pitchers in the CYO. The girls battled her all day and forced a handful of walks and with some timely hits from Madie Kent, Paige Shields and Sam Matthew capitalizing on their opportunities. Madie Kent kept the St Raphael hitters off the bases scattering 3 hits and 2 walks. The girls played excellent defense as the St. Raphael Rebels tried to bunt their way on in the early innings. Paige Shields made some nice plays at shortstop including a diving catch. Outfielders Nicole DeLaere and Katie Surzyn made nice catches late in the game to preserve the win. Sam Matthew gunned down a runner leading off first in the sixth inning to extinguish any Rebel rally. Melissa Richards made her patented stretches to get some tough outs including the tag on the pick off and Jourdan Heythaler caught the final out. Aja Caudill, Erin O'Donnell and Lindsey Parks kept the girls focused and spirits up when the girls were down through the fourth inning. The girls made it to the title game by beating St. Angela's 10-4, St Clement 7-1 and Holy Family Regional 5-2. The Holy Family game also set St. Joan history as the longest game ever played, 25 hours 9 minutes. The game was rain delayed (monsoon) with the girls leading 5-2 in the seventh inning and they had to come back the next night to finish the game. The girls are coached by Wendy Richardson, Molly Pesto and Jessica Richardson and directed by Athletic Director Don Pomaville.

2005 Softball

The SJA Varsity Boys baseball team capped an undefeated season going 15-0 and claiming the schools 5th CYO Title on Sunday June 10, by beating St. Raphael Rebels 4-2. Team members are Nick Dozek, John Dubay, Nick Ellery, Adam Hilu, Matt Hilu, Kevin Jones, Stephen Kent, Michael Kostuch, Connor McCarron, Tristan Richardson, and Josh Wilk. The Chargers got to work early and hopped on the Rebels in the bottom of the first. Tristan Richardson started it off with a double, then Josh Wilk reached first safely and Michael Kostuch hit an inside the park homerun scoring all three. Kevin Jones followed with a single and Stephen Kent moved him to third on a single to center. Jones then scored on a perfectly executed suicide squeeze by Nick Dozek. From there the Chargers threw their mitts at the Rebels. Adam Hilu, Matthew Hilu, and Nick Ellery all made nice plays in the field to preserve the lead. With no outs in the seventh inning Connor McCarron and the rest of the Charger defense almost pulled off a triple play to extinguish a Rebel rally. John Dubay kept the boys intensity up in the 90 plus degree heat and collected the championship trophy from the CYO Athletic Director. St Joan made it to the title game by beating St. Lawrence #2, Our Lady of LaSalette and St. Lawrence #1. The Chargers are coached by Charles Kaiser, Tony Talerico, Charles Mackinon, Mark DiMaso, James Calcaterra and Stephen Schwartz and directed by Athletic Director Don Pomaville. Some notable Parish members in the stands included Msgr. Bugarin, Father Lam, Father Acervo, Principal Don Ancypa, teachers Mrs. Marion Krymski, Mrs. Josie and Deacon Tom Strasz , and Mrs. Amy Pattie.

On Sunday, June 9, 2013, the St. Joan of Arc Varsity #1Baseball team defeated St. Michael’s of Livonia to claim the 2013 CYO Baseball Title. This is the 16th SJA CYO title in nearly 60 years of competition, and the second consecutive baseball title, adding to the 2012 baseball title. The boys finished the season at 12-3 overall. They were CYO Division Co-Champs (with St. Clare), District Champs vs. St. Lawrence (2-0), Quarter Final winner vs. Shrine Catholic (5-2), Eastside Semi Final Champs vs. St. Patrick's of White Lake (10-3) & CYO Champs vs. St. Michael (5-2).

The team was led by Head Coach and Assistant Athletic Director Charles Kaiser, Assistant Coach Mark DiMaso, Assistant Coach Charles Mackinon and Assistant Coach Tony Talerico. Returning shortstop Connor McCarron helped lead the team to victory while earning back-to-back titles. Sam Cross pitched a complete game. Offensively, the big hits came from Brennan Buszka, Conner McCarron and John Cwiklinski. In the field, Evan Fennell and Tom Riley played an outstanding defense.

While this was the first year for this group of young men to play together on the baseball diamond, many of them have played together for years in other CYO sports. Cwiklinski, Kloka, Race, Meyers, McMann, Krotche and Zschering all played on the St. Joan Varsity Football team. Additionally, Buszka, McCarron, Cross, Race, Meyers, Kloka and Fennell were on the 2012 -2013 Varsity #1 Basketball team which was the CYO runner up this past season. McMann, Krotche, Zschering and Riley played together on the Varsity #2 basketball team. Their athleticism and ability to work together as a cohesive team surely helped them capture this baseball win.

Many of the members of the 2012 SJA Championship team came to cheer on their successors. In addition to parents, classmates, teachers and staff, Monsignor G. Michael Bugarin, Associate Pastor Fr. Hoang Lam and Athletic Director Don Pomaville joined the crowd to support the team.



The St. Joan of Arc 2013 Varsity #1 team poses for a picture after capturing the CYO title. Pictured left to right, back row: Coach Tony Talerico, Coach Mark DiMaso, Conner McCarron, Msgr. G. Michael Bugarin, Ryan Race, Brennan Buszka, Sam Cross, John Cwiklinski , Principal Don Ancypa, Fr. Hoang Lam, Athletic Director Don Pomaville and Coach Charles Kaiser. Pictured front row left to right: Tom Riley, Jack Kloka, Jack Liagre, Brendan Krotche, Colin McMann, Tim Meyers, Evan Zschering and Evan Fennell. Photo courtesy of Michael Counsman.

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