OLDENBURG, Ind. – It’s called the graveyard. Spirits rise to greatness from its grassy knolls made into a makeshift soccer field and cross country track. Some may call it a field of dreams, but the students of Oldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conception simply call it the Graveyard where many sports practices are held.
It’s rough, uneven terrain bordered by corn fields and Holy Family cemetery. The Graveyard has nurtured and tended many souls in achieving historical distinction in the competitive world of high school sports.
Oldenburg Academy is a small, private college preparatory school located on the Sisters of St. Francis convent grounds and sponsored by them for over 150 years. It was in the year 2000 that boys were first admitted to the school and today 95 boys attend. Located in the heartland of southeastern Indiana, in the small farming community of Oldenburg where for the past 7 years, Coach Ken Getz has done more than just coach the boys’ soccer team. He has created a mighty force in Indiana soccer. And his daughter Kendra, is right in stride as coach for the girls soccer team. Both coaches were recently named ”private school coach of the year”.
Going in to the Semi-State tournament as the 9th ranked boys team, the Twisters, prided themselves for not only on how they play the game, but in what Coach has taught them; to believe in themselves. In fact every email Coach has sent out this season ends with one word – BELIEVE. And boy, do these “Graveyard Boys” as they are known, believe. So much so that for the second straight year they have won their Regional title and went to the semi-state round of play on Saturday, October 25, where they defeated Providence in a rematch for the title. It was unheard of the first time, now, well it’s just believable. They lost in the second round of play to Tri-West, a team that was 18 – 0 – 1 for the season.
What’s even more exciting is that the boys cross country team won their Regional title with Oldenburg resident Curt Eckstein winning the Regional Crown. Joining Curt in the Top 10 was fellow Twister teammate Justyn Fledderman placing 10th.
Curt continued on to Semi-state where he performed exceptionally well placing 4th. Curtis and Ashley Sedler who placed 29 at semi-state, will each advance to the State tournament this weekend!
Who would have thought that this school of 200, nestled in the rolling hills of southeastern Indiana, would write history by challenging the powerhouses of Indiana’s high school teams, all from the Graveyard.
Press release from Oldenburg Academy
