Multi-sport athletes aid Liberty’s run to final four
POWELL — Greg Nossaman cut his coaching teeth at smaller schools such as Ridgedale and Willard, which not only encouraged but counted on its athletes to participate in two, three or even more sports.
Why should things be any different at Division I Olentangy Liberty, which has 852 boys?
“I know a lot of coaches who basically tell kids to choose one sport and stick with it year-round or else they can forget about playing,”
Nossaman said. “It’s especially true at larger schools, where more kids tend to specialize. I’ve never advised a kid to do that. To me, it’s about enjoying their four years of high school and making the most of that experience. They’re never going to get to do it again.”
Boasting seven multisport athletes on his roster with big-game experience, Nossaman believes he might have an edge when Liberty (24-4) takes the Value City Arena floor at 8 p.m. Friday in its first state tournament against Akron St. Vincent-st. Mary (23-3).
Five of his athletes played for Liberty’s football team, which has reached the state semifinals three straight seasons. Two more starred on the 2018 state champion baseball team. Another plays volleyball and another lacrosse.
“I don’t think any of us are going to be intimidated being on the big stage,” said senior center Jack Metzger, who pitched a three-hitter when the Patriots beat Whitehouse Anthony Wayne 8-1 last June for their first baseball title. He has signed to play baseball at Dartmouth. “It has become kind of natural for all of us to go from sport to sport. All six of us seniors have played together since third or fourth grade.”
Six-foot-four senior guard Mitchell Kershner, who was a vital member of the football team as a receiver, defensive back, punter and kicker, said Nossaman and football coach Steve Hale work in unison to accommodate dual athletes.
“I would say basketball is my No. 1 sport, but I also enjoy football and consider it a good way to stay fresh and fit yearround,” said Kershner, who will play basketball at Rochester. “Being on the big stage is something many of us are used to. I’ve played in a lot of intense playoff games. To do it in basketball, too, is like a dream of mine.”
Liberty All-ohio swingman Ben Roderick also was a standout receiver for the football team in 2016 and 2017 but was unable to play last fall recovering while rehabilitating after knee surgery.
Reeling from Roderick’s season-ending injury last February, the Patriots finished 11-13 in 2017-18.
“Each of the past three years, we haven’t gotten our football players until the week of our season opener, but I’m not complaining,” Nossaman said. “Having those kids from very successful teams on our team is a big asset … maybe even more so than people understand.
“I mean, these are not only top-notch athletes, but top-notch kids and students as well. They’ve all known and hung out with each other forever and built bonds playing on various teams together. It’s an important part of building team chemistry.”
Metzger has big plans for this weekend.
“We’ll be playing Friday and hopefully again Saturday,” he said. “On Sunday, I’ll be driving to Myrtle Beach (South Carolina) to join the baseball team on our spring trip. As far as I know, I’ll be pitching in our first game on Monday.”