Daniel J. Gross Catholic High School

Daniel J. Gross Catholic High School
Omaha Gross Catholic
Address
7700 South 43rd Street
Bellevue, Nebraska, (Sarpy County), 68147
 United States
Information
Motto "Dux Esto"
(Be a Leader)
Religious affiliation(s) Roman Catholic
Established 1968
President Beckie Cleveland
Principal Dorothy Ostrowski
Grades 9–12
Average class size 18
Student to teacher ratio 12:1
Color(s) Burnt Orange and Royal Blue         
Athletics conference River Cities
Mascot Cougar
Team name Cougars
Rival Ralston, Skutt Catholic
Accreditation(s) North Central Association of Colleges and Schools [1]
Newspaper 'Paw Prints'
Yearbook 'Imprints'
Alumni over 7,300
Athletic Director Mike Dempsey
Website www.grosscatholic.org

Daniel J. Gross Catholic High School is a Marianist Catholic High school in Bellevue, Nebraska, United States. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Omaha. Gross promotes a traditional high school education while emphasizing Marianist traditions and values. The school motto is "Dux Esto" which means "Be a Leader." The school mascot is a cougar and the school colors are burnt orange and royal blue.

Contents

Mission statement

Daniel J. Gross Catholic High School's mission statement is:
"Daniel J. Gross Catholic High School is a faith and family based community committed to developing Christian leaders through educational excellence in the Marianist tradition."

School history

The Archdiocese of Omaha built a new high school to meet the critical need for Catholic education in Sarpy County and south Omaha. Louise Gross donated much money to the construction of the high school and wished to honor her late husband, Daniel Gross. Thus fore, the newly constructed high school was named Daniel J. Gross Catholic High School.

Archbishop Gerald Bergan invited the priests and brothers from the Society of Mary and the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help to help create the Gross Catholic community. Bro. Leo Willett, S.M., the first principal, opened the school on September 3, 1968 with a freshman class of 175 students. The Class of 1972 became the first graduating class on May 28, 1972. Today, Gross Catholic continues the proud tradition of educational excellence with over 7,300 alumni.

Motto

Dux Esto means “Be a Leader.” Gross Catholic students are challenged, encouraged, and entrusted with a variety of responsibilities through which they can grow to meet the challenges of our society.

Crest

The crest is divided by a cross. The upper left quarter bears an "A" superimposed on an "M". This symbol of the Blessed Virgin Mary represents the Marian consecration of the two religious orders that founded the school, the Marianists and the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. The Franciscan cord appears in this quarter. In the upper right quarter are the scales, the symbol of the law profession which was the career of Daniel J. Gross (1897–1958), a prominent Omaha attorney in whose memory the school was named. The lower right quarter is a torch representative of the school’s seeking achievement and excellence in academics and activities. It is surmounted by a banner inscribed with the school’s founding date, 1968. The lower right quarter bears a part of the coat of arms of Archbishop Gerald T. Bergan, under whose inspiration and leadership the school was conceived.

On the ribbon at the bottom is inscribed the motto DUX ESTO (Be a Leader). At the top are three chain links representing the archdiocesan officials, parish priests and elementary school teachers; the benefactors, parents, and friends of the school; the faculty and staff. All these are fastened by a circle representing the students, who are the real concern and connecting link of the above individuals and groups.

Athletics

Baseball

Omaha Gross Catholic is a historical powerhouse on the baseball diamond. They are tied with Omaha Northwest High School for the most consecutive Nebraska State Championships.[2] In 1971 to 1974, Omaha Gross Catholic won four consecutive Class B State championships. They have qualified for the State Tournament fifteen times since 1971 (1971–1975, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 2000, 2003, 200, 2008–2010).[2] Since 1987, GHS graduated eleven Division I college baseball players. In 2009, after going 13-13 in the regular season, Omaha Gross went undefeated in the state tournament beating Lincoln Pius to be crowned the 2009 Nebraska Class B State Champions. The Cougars repeated as state champions in 2010 which was the school's sixth state championship. GHS was 9-13 and the sixth seed in the tournament.[3] After losing in the first round, the Cougars became the first school to win six games in a row to capture the state championship.[4]

State Championship Results[5]

1971 Omaha Gross 3 Centennial 0
1972 Omaha Gross 4 Dodge 1
1973 Omaha Gross 4 Bancroft 0
1974 Omaha Gross 4 Lincoln Pius X 0
2009 Omaha Gross 4 Lincoln Pius X 2
2010 Omaha Gross 3 - 6 Omaha Skutt 1 - 0

Football

Gross Catholic Football has a long tradition of competitive excellence. In 1983, Omaha Gross Catholic was a runner up to Omaha Creighton Prep in the Class A State finals 25 to 21.

State Playoff Results [6]

1978 Omaha Burke W21-15, Omaha Creighton Prep L3-21 (Class A)
1983

Runner-Up

 Omaha South W24-14, Lincoln East W24-7, Omaha Creighton Prep L21-25 (Class A)
1984 Fremont L12-14 (Class A)
1992 Wahoo W28-20, Auburn W29-0, Elkhorn L21-24
1995 Omaha Roncalli W23-14, Blair W19-14, Lincoln Pius X L7-33
1996 Omaha Skutt W17-0, Elkhorn L7-35
1997 Omaha Skutt L13-20
1998 Ralston W 42-22, Gretna L0-13
1999 Elkhorn L14-48
2000 Lincoln Pius X L20-34
2001 South Sioux City L23-28
2002 Omaha Roncalli Catholic W20-14, Elkhorn W21-20, Ralston L20-21
2004 Elkhorn L21-56
2006 Beatrice L21-43
2007 Norris W28-7, Beatrice L62-63OT*
2008 Crete W17-10, Lincoln Pius X L0-14
2009 Blair L38-28
2010 Elkhorn L27-21

Golf

Boys State Team Tournament Results [7]

1997 Champions - 315-312-627
1998 Runner Up - 319-314-633
1999 Runner Up - 305-303-608
2001 Ninth (Tied) - 354-348-702
2002 Seventh - 344-342-686
2003 Seventh - 325-309-634
2005 Champions - 306-306-612
2006 Third - 330-322-652
2010 Third - 316-318-634

Boys State Individual Tournament Results [7]

1997 2) JJ Sullivan - 77-78-155 3) Sean Huck - 72-83-155 5) Pat Halpine - 83-75-158
1998 5) Sean Huck - 77-73-150
1999 3) J. J. Sullivan - 70-73-143
2001 T9) Matt Burke - 77-83-160
2002 8) Justin Hamilton - 81-82-163
2004 8) E.J. Hamilton - 78-76-154
2005 2) E.J. Hamilton - 69-72-141 T9) Kevin Stanek - 73-76-149
2006 4) EJ Hamilton - 75-74-149
2009 T6) Taylor Sidzyik - 81-72-153 9) Michael Shukis - 80-74-154
2010 6) Michael Shukis - 75-74-149

Soccer

Girls State Tournament Results[8]

1989 Omaha Burke L0-3
1990 Omaha Duchesne L1-2 OT
1991 Omaha Marian L2-6
1999 Lincoln Pius X W1-0, Blair L1-2
2000 Elkhorn W3-2, Blair L1-6

Boys State Tournament Results[8]

1988 Lincoln East L2-3
1989 Millard North L2-3
2000

State Champion

 Lexington W4-0, South Sioux City W2-1 SO, Blair W3-1

Softball

State Tournament Results[9]

1993

Runner Up

 Omaha Central W3-0, Lincoln High W3-2, Millard North L1-10, Lincoln High W3-2,Millard North L6-10
1994 Lincoln Southeast L0-1, Kearney W10-0, Papillion-La Vista W11-0, Ralston W5-3, Millard South L0-8
1997 Elkhorn W10-0, McCook W3-2, Ralston L0-5, McCook L1-3
1998 Holdrege L2-5, Valley W4-1, Columbus Lakeview W0-8, Beatrice L4-7
2004 Omaha Skutt Catholic W3-0, Beatrice L2-3, Seward W6-0, Omaha Skutt Catholic L0-6
2006 Elkhorn L2-7, Ralston L6-7
2008 Seward L0-2, Aurora W7-2, Beatrice W3-2, Seward L3-4

Volleyball

The women's volleyball team continued its winning ways. Since 1999, the team has won 4 state championships. They have made the state finals 6 times in the 11 year stretch and placed third in 2008. Several members of the team have gone onto Division I women's volleyball team including Nebraska (Dani Mancuso), Missouri (Catie Wilson, Emily Wilson), South Dakota (Kendall Kritenbrink), South Dakota State (Kristie Klusaw), and Akron (Mary Delich).

Class B Team State Records[10]

Ace Blocks, One Season 530, Omaha Gross Catholic, 2001
Service Aces, One Match (Tied) 26, Omaha Gross Catholic, 1999
Service Aces, Season Per Match Average 12.06, Omaha Gross Catholic, 1999

Individual Class B State Records[10]

Kills, Career 1,336, Dani Mancuso, Omaha Gross Catholic, 2002
Kills, One Season 621, Dani Mancuso, Omaha Gross Catholic, 2002
Kills, Season Per Match Average 16.32, Dani Mancuso, Omaha Gross Catholic, 2002
Service Aces, Career 285, Kim Druskis, Omaha Gross Catholic, 2001
Assists, Season Per Match Average 35.38, Kristie Klusaw, Omaha Gross Catholic, 2001

State Tournament Results[9]

Matches: 44 Wins: 25 Win Pct: 0.568

1980 Lincoln Northeast L10-15, 8-15
1981 Lincoln Northeast L6-15, 6-15
1983 Millard South L7-15, 10-15
1984 Bellevue East L5-15, 15-13, 15-17
1987 Lincoln Northeast L15-13, 1-15, 6-15
1988 Gering L15-11, 5-15, 14-16
1989 Alliance W15-6, 15-9, Bellevue West L6-15, 8-15
1993 Columbus Scotus L15-9, 5-15, 3-15
1994 Grand Island Northwest L12-15, 13-15
1995 Grand Island Northwest L4-15, 13-15
1996

Runner Up

 Crete W15-9, 11-15, 15-5, Grand Island Northwest W13-15, 15-11, 15-8, Lincoln Pius X L4-15, 6-15
1997 Crete W15-9, 11-15, 15-5, Grand Island Northwest W13-15, 15-11, 15-8, Lincoln Pius X L4-15, 6-15
1997 Lincoln Pius X L8-15, 4-15
1998 Waverly W 15-12, 11-15, 15-6, Aurora L 8-15, 10-15
1999

Champions

 Omaha Skutt Catholic W15-8, 15-2, Lincoln Pius X W16-14, 11-15, 15-3, Aurora W15-7, 15-8
2001

Runner Up

 Gering W15-8, 17-15, Ogallala W12-15, 15-7, 15-8, Aurora L13-15, 15-13, 9-15
2002 Aurora W15-11, 15-8, Elkhorn L10-15, 7-15
2004 Grand Island Northwest W25-15, 25-23, 19-25, 25-16; Lincoln Pius X L18-25, 22-25, 21-25
2005

Champions

 Aurora W17-18, 25-15, 25-10; Fairbury W25-13, 25-12, 25-20; Elkhorn W25-18, 25-19, 26-24
2006

Runner Up

 Scottsbluff W25-13, 25-18, 25-20, Aurora W25-19, 25-12, 27-25, Lincoln Pius X L14-25, 24-26, 25-23, 16-25
2007 Holdrege W25-19, 25-21, 25-22, Lincoln Pius X L13-25, 20-25, 8-25
2008

Third

 Seward W25-15, 25-19, 23-25, 26-24, Lincoln Pius X L17-25, 20-25, 19-25, Aurora W25-20, 25-14, 15-25, 25-20
2009

Champions

 OmDuchesne W25-19, 25-7, 25-11, Lincoln Pius X W27-25, 25-19, 25-21, Northwest W27-25, 25-19, 25-21, 21-25, 15-13
2010

Champions

 Gretna W25-8, 25-15, 32-30, Lincoln Pius X W23-25, 25-17, 25-23, 25-20, Northwest W25-22, 26-24, 21-25, 25-18

Wrestling

Since 1986, the Cougar Wrestling program has finished in Nebraska’s Top Ten every single year with four State Championships in 1993, 1994, 1995 & 1996. The Cougars have produced 31 State Champion wrestlers, 22 since 1993.[11]

Team Top 3 Finishes[12]

First 1993 1994 1995 1996
Second 1997
Third 1987 2000 2002 2003 2004

Individual Champions[13]

1974 John Mascarello, BHwt.
1981 Tom Trout, A105
1982 Tom Trout, A112
1985 Mike DeGeorge, A145
1986 Phil Fenton, A98 Tony DeGeorge, A145
1988 Phil Fenton, A135
1991 Brian Jeanette, A135
1993 Chad Meyers, B160
1994 Chris Blair, B145 Justin Hampton, B152
1995 Matt White, B112 Chris Blair, B151 Jared Ficklin, B215
1996 Jason Sheard, B119 Joel Crosby, B135
1997 Joel Crosby, B135 Mike Mixan, B140 Chris Minardi, B275
1998 Jeff Elsasser, B135 Daryl Mixan, B140
1999 Daryl Mixan, B140 Shane Minardi, B171
2000 Shane Minardi, B189
2001 Dan Mixan, B145
2002 Mark Ludlow, B160
2003 Tom Pulte, B112
2004 Daniel Pedersen, B103
2005 Kyle Mixan, B152
2007 Andrew Totusek, B285
2008 Tyrell Galloway, B119

References

  1. ^ NCA-CASI. "NCA-Council on Accreditation and School Improvement". http://www.advanc-ed.org/schools_districts/school_district_listings/?. Retrieved 2009-06-23. 
  2. ^ a b http://nsaahome.org/textfile/base/bahist.htm
  3. ^ http://nsaahome.org/textfile/base/bastate.pdf
  4. ^ http://omaha.com/article/20100522/HIGHSCHOOLS/705229837
  5. ^ http://nsaahome.org/textfile/base/bachamp.htm
  6. ^ http://nsaahome.org/textfile/fbl/fball.htm
  7. ^ a b http://nsaahome.org/gob.php
  8. ^ a b http://nsaahome.org/textfile/soccer/soall.htm
  9. ^ a b http://nsaahome.org/textfile/volley/vball.htm
  10. ^ a b http://nsaahome.org/textfile/volley/vbrecord.htm
  11. ^ http://nsaahome.org/textfile/wrest/wrstbest.htm
  12. ^ http://nsaahome.org/textfile/wrest/wrall.htm
  13. ^ http://nsaahome.org/textfile/wrest/wrall.htm

External links