By Ian Christopher Beck ’12 & Michael Moroney ’13
THE ROUNDUP
Brophy’s fall sports season saw the varsity football team go undefeated in the regular season, the golf team win state for the first time in 12 years, the swim team capture its 23rd consecutive state title and a fourth place finish by the cross country team in their state meet.
And now that the fall semester is over, on-field success for Bronco athletics has been translating to a haul of awards.
Varsity quarterback Tyler Bruggman ’13 had a record-setting season for the Broncos, leading them to a 10-0 regular season record and setting four single-season school records including passing yards and touchdowns in a single season and passing yards in a single game.
After his first year as the starting quarterback was cut short last season due to an ankle injury, Bruggman rose to second place among the Broncos’ all-time leaders in career passing yards and touchdowns in 2011.
Bruggman was also named to either an All-State or All-Arizona team by five different organizations including The Arizona Republic, The East Valley Tribune and high school coaches.
He was also named Phoenix Player of the Year by The Arizona Republic, Offensive Player of the Year for Division 1 Section 3 and a Player of the Year finalist for The East Valley Tribune.
Scout.com also named Bruggman the top quarterback recruit in Arizona for the class of 2013 and a top five recruit overall out of Arizona.
Bruggman was not the only Brophy football player who was honored in the offseason.
The East Valley Tribune named wide receiver Devon Allen ’13 to the All-Tribune First Team Offense after Allen set Brophy records for career receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.
The local Phoenix edition of The Arizona Republic named Allen to their All-Phoenix Football team along with offensive lineman Charlie Renfree ’13 and All-Purpose Player Fred Gammage ’12.
Brophy defensive players lineman Dom Riccitelli ’13, linebacker Andrew Curtis ’13 and defensive back Robert Relf ’13 were also named to the All-Phoenix team.
After the Brophy golf team captured its state title in late October, The Arizona Republicplaced Tyler Kertson ’13 on its All-Arizona team.
Kertson achieved the Broncos’ best score at the state tournament and finished in the top five of the entire tournament field.
Brophy’s swim team and head coach were also awarded top honors following their successful 2011 championship season.
The National Federation of State High School Associations named head coach Mr. Pat O’Neill the Arizona State High School Swim/Dive Coach of the Year. This statewide award puts Mr. O’Neill in the running for the National Coach of the Year.
“I have received recognition in the past from other organizations, but none as prestigious as the NFHS,” Mr. O’Neill said.
Back in December, The Arizona Republic named numerous swimmers to the All-Arizona including Chris Webb ’12, who was awarded the Arizona high school boys’ swimmer of the year.
Webb was awarded All-Arizona honors for the 200- and 500-yard freestyle while fellow Bronco Mike Nelson ’12 was named to the team for the 100-yard breaststroke.
Also, Brophy’s 400-yard relay team of Brad Dorsey ’14, Luke Williams ’13 and Gabriel Espinosa ’13 was also put on this All-Arizona team.
Athletes participating in Brophy club sports also garnered some notable achievements this fall in lacrosse and crew.
WestSideLAX named Lacrosse player Brock Ghelfi ’12 the 2011 Arizona Player of the Year in late August.
Also, Matt Nelson ’12 rowed with Alex Douglas ’10 to break the world record for the 100,000-meter by rowing it in 6:38:27.7.