Changes
In the not-too-distant future, the Bishop Ireton athletic program will experience a seismic shift when veteran athletic director Mark Heiser steps down at the conclusion of the current academic year. The 86 Cardinal alumnus has been on the job eight seasons, and is scheduled to relocate in Memphis in the upcoming weeks.
During his tenure, Heiser has also coached boys baseball and girls softball at the Alexandria private school.
Former Ireton head football coach Peter Rotkis announced his plans to step down a number of weeks ago as well. As of now, no successor has been named for Rotkis.
Tennis turnaround
Upheaval already occurred weeks ago regarding the Ireton boys tennis leadership.
This tennis season, former head coach Steve Pfeifer stepped down just days before the current campaign was scheduled to begin.
Former Ireton standout Hillary Breheny (04) was thrust into the boys job with little advance notice.
According to Breheny (who played tennis at Ireton for former head coach Mike Hutton) I went in to apply for the girls head coaching job which was scheduled to commence in the fall of 07. The next thing that I knew I was sort of thrust into the boys job.
Currently, under Breheneys leadership, the Cardinals weigh-in at 2-5 overall without a single senior in the top six players.
Ireton has defeated both St. Marys Ryken and Bishop McNamara on the season.
The Cardinals top six singles players include sophomore Dexter Phan (#1), junior Alex Cruz (#2), sophomore Michael Parente (#3), junior Jake McConville (#4), junior Frank Hamer (#5) and junior David Habib (#6).
Parente, with a 5-2 record as well as McConville and Habib (both 3-3) lead the Cardinal and Gold so far in 07.
Parente said, We all really like coach Breheny. We all do a lot of stuff together. She has really helped us with our conditioning and strengthening off of the court.
The WCAC is one of the better leagues in the entire area. I would have liked more time to have prepared for this season. Next season, I will be able to recruit, said the coach.
