Roncalli High School (Indiana)
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Roncalli High School is a Catholic high school located in Indianapolis, Indiana. It is located on the south side of Indianapolis and run by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Roncalli is named for Pope John XXIII, Angelo Giuseppi Roncalli.
The school was established in 1969 as a result of the consolidation of two schools, Kennedy Memorial High School (opened as Sacred Heart High School in 1914 whose name was changed to Kennedy in 1966) and Chartrand High School (opened in 1962). Roncalli is the only high school in the state of Indiana to be named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence on three separate occasions - 1993, 1998, and 2003.
[edit] Athletic Excellence
Not only is the school known for its history of excellent academic performance, but it is now making a name for itself in athletics as both the men's basketball and cross country teams have had success. In 2006, the men's cross country team set a new school record with the lowest average 5K top five team total. The football team has had great success as well, amassing 8 state championships since 1985. Head Coach Bruce Scifres has an amazing win/loss record and is hailed as one of the best coaches in the state of Indiana. The Rebel football team also had back to back state championships in 1993 and 1994, as well as, a three-peat in 2002,2003,and 2004.
Roncalli High School has a great athletics program. They enjoy many rivalries with schools around the state, including Cathedral High School, Chatard High School, and Franklin Central High School. This past year, the Girl's golf team finished 5th at the state tournament. The Boy's Cross Country team finished 5th in semi-state competition, and the girl's team had a state finalist. The boys soccer team really turned it on at the end of the season for the IHSAA State Tournament winning their second consecutive Sectional over Lutheran and going on to win their first ever Regional Title over New Palestine. The team would eventually lose to Zionsville in the first round of Semi-State capping off a record breaking season of 19-5-0. They are expecting an excellent season, only losing one starter. The boy's tennis team had won four straight sectional championships before being upset by sectional rival Franklin Central this past fall. The boy's golf team reached regionals last spring before falling victim to strong winds at Hickory Stick Golf Club in regional competition. This year, the boy's team has a new coach, Gary Huston who is preparing the Rebels for big things this year. They have been training hard all winter under the wing of Mr. Gary Huston. He is expecting big things out of this young group. They are sure to please. The boy's volleyball team is also expecting another great season this spring. The boy's track and field squad is also expecting a strong season. Coach Robert Kratoska "Rob K" has been training the boys all season and is ready for a break out year from a few young studs.
[edit] Coaches
Bruce Scifres-Football Coach
Bruce graduated from Plainfield High School where he starred in football, basketball and track. He played tailback at Butler University where he set three school rushing records and was named MVP and ALL Conference. As a senior he was the recipient of the Hilton U. Brown Mental Attitude Award. Bruce was recently inducted into the Butler University Athletic Hall of Fame. Bruce teaches Advanced Physical Conditioning at Roncalli.
After leading the Rebels to an undefeated state championship season in 1993, Bruce was named AAA Coach of the Year and was selected to coach in the 1994 North-South All-Star game. After leading the Rebels to a second consecutive state championship in 1994, Bruce was named Indiana’s Coach of the Year for all classes! Bruce was again named AAA Coach of the Year as he led the 1999 Rebels to a perfect 15-0 State Championship season. After leading the Rebels to three consecutive AAAA State Championships in 2002, 2003 and 2004 he was named Indiana Coach of the Year for all classes once again!
Kathy Nalley-Schembra-Women's Volleyball
A product of Fountain Square and a lifelong southsider, Kathy is a 1968 graduate of Kennedy High School. She received her Bachelor of Science and Master’s of Art degrees from Ball State University in 1972 and 1976. Kathy serves as the department chair for Health/Physical Education. She teaches Health, Child Development and Driver Education at Roncalli.
2007 will mark 36 years as teacher and Varsity Volleyball Coach for KNS. Named Ball State Alumnus of the Year in 1981, 1998 and again in 2006, she also has been named Metro Coach of the Year 7 times. Kathy was named South Coach of the Year in 2005 and was honored as 3A State Coach of the Year in 2006. Schembra stands as the first Roncalli coach to win a state championship in any sport…back in 1981. Besides winning 3 State Championships, KNS has also coached 4 semi-state teams, 23 sectional championship teams, 11 regional championship teams, 10 city and 5 county championship teams. She has coached 31 All State players, 40 All Metro players, 77 All City players, 20 All County Players and 11 Indiana All Stars, the 2006 Gatorade Indiana Player of the Year, and the 2006 National Setter of the Year. Under her direction Roncalli volleyball now stands as the 2nd “winningest” volleyball team in the history of Indiana volleyball. In 2000, she was featured in Sports Illustrated Magazine for her career achievements. She will seek her 900th win in 2007.
Bryce Cooper-Boy's Soccer
Coach Cooper was hired as head Boys' Soccer coach in 2005, and shortly after was deployed with his National Guard Unit. He will begin his first true season as varsity head coach for the team this year. He played soccer and graduated from Perry Meridian High School as well as the University of Southern Indiana. He has been a club/travel coach for over 7 years with both boys and girls; first with S.W.I.S.A. and now with Center Grove. Cooper also was varsity assistant at Bloomington North High School from 2004-2005 and recently received his "D" license. He is 26 years old, single and lives in Indianapolis. ?He is currently a 1LT in the Indiana Army National Guard and is a graduate student at IUPUI.
Andy Niewedde-Boy's Cross Country
Andy is beginning his 12th year at RHS as a math teacher, cross country coach and track and field coach. He is a 1995 graduate of Butler University and a 1991 graduate of Brownstown Central.
Michael Wantz-Boy's Basketball
Michael Wantz begins his sixth year as the Roncalli boys' basketball coach. In his first five years, he has led the Rebels to 13, 10, 19, 14 and 20 wins respectively. These 76 wins are the most of any five year period in the history of the school. It also marks the first time since 78-79 through 82-83 that the Rebels have put together five consecutive double figure win seasons.
Wantz is a 1993 graduate of Union City Community High School where he lettered in basketball, baseball and tennis. He received his bachelor’s degree from Ball State University where he was a student assistant with the men’s basketball team. Wantz has also served as an assistant coach at Wilberforce University and the University of Indianapolis.
Wantz has a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Indianapolis and is currently teaching in the Business Department at Roncalli.
Robert Kratoska-Boy's Track and Field Rob has been a teacher at Roncalli for 10 years in the physical education department. He has been head coach since 2000 and was assistant coach the prior 3 years. Rob has been CSCS certified for 6 years. He graduated from Roncalli in 1985.
