Archers roller hockey is a fairly new addition to STLCC’s club sports, with both the STLCC and Meramec teams conceived in the past two years.
BY: Melissa Wilkinson
Editor-in-Chief
Archers roller hockey is a fairly new addition to STLCC’s club sports, with both the STLCC and Meramec teams conceived in the past two years. Their newness, however, failed to stop both teams from competing in the national championship in Fargo, North Dakota in mid-April. Fifty-five teams representing 14 states across four divisions (I, II, III and Junior College) turned out to compete for the title of National Collegiate Roller Hockey Champion.
Both Archers teams competed in the Junior College (JuCo) division, which resulted in the two teams playing against each other to qualify for the semi-finals. Ultimately the STLCC team, coached by Greg Gorman, beat out the first-year Meramec team lead by “Ziggy” Ziegler. According to Gorman, though both teams did St. Louis proud, the STLCC team lost to West Valley Community College from San Jose, California.
Despite the loss and tough competition, Gorman said that his team performed better than last year.
“The thing that is tough for the junior colleges compared to the four year schools is we do not recruit people to come play, whereas a school like Lindenwood gives out scholarships to recruit players. That’s tough to compete with,” said Gorman. “It’s a nod to [the Archers] that they do so well.”
Gorman said that he and Ziegler plan to coach the two teams together next year and attempt to compete in two different divisions so the two Archers teams don’t have to battle each other. The teams, he said, have become one big family over the season.
“That’s what we aim for; that everybody feels part of the big picture. Everyone’s got a role,” said Gorman. “Both groups are very selfless. They play for each other.”
The talent on the Archers roller hockey is nationally recognized. The Great Plains Collegiate Inline Hockey League named STLCC players Jeremiah Keao and Colin Gorman as the season’s top scorer and goalie respectively. Gorman named players Kyle Wedbush, Jacob Murphy, Austin Stainsby, Jonathan Trimburger, Steven Gould and Andrew Zack as phenomenal players during this season. But Gorman said that, despite their talents, he wants to make sure his players aren’t all about roller hockey.
“We don’t want them all going to school just to play hockey. We want them to be successful in real life going forward,” said Gorman. “I want to make sure these kids are taken care of. They’re part of the family.”
As sophomore players near graduation, Gorman encourages them to hone in on their futures. As for the fate of the Archers roller hockey teams, Gorman said that as long as the opportunity is offered, he’ll find students that want to play.
“I believe in all the kids,” said Gorman. “Without them, this doesn’t exist. I’m kind of just along for the ride.”
For team statistics or more information on Collegiate Roller Hockey, visit greatplainshockey.com.
Photo caption:
Top Row L-R: Austin Stainsby (Asst. Capt.), Jared Moleski, Nick Burke, Nate Wellington, Corbin Cunningham, Bale Bulger, Jeremiah Keao, Jeff Reed (Asst. Capt.), Coach Greg Gorman
L-R: Head Coach Ziggy Ziegler, Max Watson, Steven Gould, Kyle Wedbush, Dominic Casola, Dominic Montero, Luke Miller, Bryan Bolte (Captain), Andrew “Boo” Zack, Asst. Coach Steve “Scuba” Wood
Not pictured: Ben Brewington (Asst. Capt.), Landon Landreth, Jonathan Trimberger, Josh Wisely
