Bulldog Pride

Ten Decades of Bulldog Pride

For decades, Notre Dame has proudly upheld a tradition of athletic excellence, blending faith, leadership and determination into its athletic program. From St. Mary High School, to Cape Catholic, to Notre Dame, the school has produced numerous championships and exceptional athletes, held up by a strong Bulldog fan base that spans generations. 
1930s
The first record of athletic competition at St. Mary High School was track in 1931. The school hosted a track meet between Perryville, Ste. Genevieve and St. Mary, at Perryville. St. Mary won the meet. 
Intramural sports were played that year in baseball, volleyball and “play yard recreation,” as the school had no gym or indoor playing space. 
In 1935, St. Mary began the sport of basketball, which quickly grew to be the school’s major sport. Coaches Elmer Niemann and William Milfert lead the team to a 3-5 season, which included winning the school’s first athletic trophy. During the season, the boys team wore jerseys consisting of white mole-skin shorts and blue silk tops, with the St. Mary name and number in white. The jerseys were worn for the first time in a game against Parma. Both boys’ and girls’ basketball games were played this season.
In 1939, a “Student Activity Ticket” was introduced at 25 cents. The ticket admitted students to all basketball games for the school year, with proceeds being used to buy new athletic uniforms. 
1940s
The St. Mary High School Bulldogs were invited to participate in a basketball tournament in Cairo, Illinois, in March of 1941. Teams in the tournament included Cairo, Paducah, KY, and Fancy Farms, KY. While the boys basketball team finished 1-14 that season, they took home the Sportsmanship Cup from the Cairo Tournament. 
The Bulldogs fielded a mens softball team in the spring of 1945.
An article in the 1946-1947 Hi-Lites detailed a dismal boys basketball season, but hope for the future. “Great deeds were expected of this year’s basketball team, but despite a skillful coach, Willard Fox of State College, and an energetic team, the Bulldogs snapped only two victories. Coach Fox next lost his optimism and his trust in his team in the face of so many disheartening failures and blunders. But why be crepehangers, especially when there is another year before us and we’re sure that some of the players will be back in the basket brigade. The students have great faith in their team as was evidenced at every game demonstration. This year the Bulldogs lose four lettermen: James Crites, Charles Schlitt, Charles Rogers, and Bill Dannenmueller. The pep squad with their fine leaders played an important part in bolstering the morals of our Bulldogs.” 
In November 1948, St. Mary baton and flag twirlers participated in Southeast Missouri State College’s 75th anniversary parade. The flag twirlers sported new uniforms consisting of royal-blue gabardine jergens, white Ramona cloth flared skirts and white Hussac boots. Nancy Ligon (‘50) was the leader of the group with members Doris Brown, Mary Louise Greaser (‘50), Betty Jo Pobst (‘50), Anna Marie Schmittzehe (‘50), Verena Blechle (‘50), Marie Kirchdoefer (‘50) and Betty Weiss (‘52). 

1950s
The 1949-1950 girls softball team captured the SEMO trophy. 
The 1950 boys basketball team beat Cairo for the first time in nine years, thanks to Jim Roloff’s (‘50) last-second shot. He was carried off the court on the shoulders of his teammates. The team wore new blue and white satin and uniforms that season. 
The 1951 St. Mary Bulldogs boys basketball team was the first undefeated team in school history with a 27-0 record under Coach Anthony Rubich. The team was the first to be awarded the Sub-Regional Trophy. This team also received the school’s first invitation to play in the Christmas Tournament. Under Rubich’s leadership, sports became an integral component of the school.
In 1956, the first ever cross country race was held at Cape Catholic. That same year, the school sported its first male cheerleaders, five in total, wearing heavy navy blue sweaters inscribed with a large white “C” with a stripe on one arm and a Bulldog on the other.

    • 1956 Bulldog Cheerleaders: Dick Fox, Bob Rathburn, Bob Reiker, Joe Keller, Dan Schmittzehe, Elaine Moyers, Mark McMullen, Becky Hohler, Sandy Miller and Helen Ressel.

During the 1956-1957 school year, Albert “Red” Schoendienst, second baseman with the New York Giants and formerly with the St. Louis Cardinals, spoke at Cape Catholic on baseball and sportsmanship. Joe Garagiola, veteran baseball star and sports announcer, was the guest speaker at the monthly meeting of the Home and School Association. He enjoyed the distinction of being one of St. Louis’ foremost Catholic laymen.
In May of 1959, Coach Rubich and students in his physical education classes helped manicure the baseball diamond on the school grounds, creating a smooth infield and grassy outfield. The upgrades allowed the Bulldogs to play and practice more at home, rather than at Capaha Field.
1960s
The autumn of 1964 saw the construction of a new track to give Notre Dame an adequate training facility. The track was named Foli Field in honor of Mr. Marion Foli who supported the completion of the project. The track was initiated on April 2, 1965, when Notre Dame hosted Kelly High School.
At the close of the 1965-1966 school year, beloved coach and teacher Anthony Rubich resigned to take a physical education instructor position at Saint Louis University High. The 1966 Silhouette was dedicated to him.
1970s
On September 30, 1971, the Notre Dame Athletic Booster Club held its first meeting. Bob Miller served as the club’s first president. At its founding, the club provided financial and team support to five Notre Dame sports. It raised $1,500 in its first year.
The first Bulldog Award was given in the spring of 1972 to honor outstanding male senior athletes who excelled in athletic achievement, character, leadership, practice ethics, teamwork and sportsmanship for four years at Notre Dame. The first recipient was Don Beussink (‘72). The Lady Bulldog Award was given in 1979 for the time, to Lisa Robert (‘79). These awards are still given annually to senior athletes. 
The spring of 1975 track season stunned Bulldog fans. The record-breaking mens team won the East Prairie Invitational and finished second in the District Track Meet. Nine track athletes qualified for state. 
Ever wonder how the “Let’s Go Blue” chant came to be? While the boys basketball team was making a run for the state championship in 1977, 1939 alumni Kenneth P. Haas started the cheer that is still used nearly 50 years later. After its introduction, Notre Dame fans donned t-shirts to the state games that said “Let’s Go Blue.” The team, under Coach Ed Arnzen, won third place in the Class 2A state basketball championships in Columbia, Missouri. Notre Dame beat the Forsythe Panthers 70-68 to finish 23-9 on the season.
Named after Booster Club founder Bob Miller, the Bob Miller Award was given to Fred Meystedt (‘55) in 1977. This award has been given in recognition of continuous and meritorious service that best upholds the name and tradition of the Notre Dame Athletic Program and of Notre Dame Regional High School since then.
In the spring of 1978, the girls tennis team was discontinued. Replacing tennis was a reinstated girls basketball program. The girls basketball program was the result of a petition campaign organized by 35 girls, with promised financial backing by the Booster Club.
The Blizzard of ‘79 resulted in 24 inches of snow on February 25, 1979, paralyzing Cape Girardeau and canceling school for five days. The boys basketball team played their sub-state game in Sikeston on February 27, but due to the snow accumulation, Tim (‘79) and Brad Beussink (‘81) had to walk four miles before they could be picked up by vehicle to travel to Sikeston.
1980s
In February of 1983, track was officially dropped as a school sport due to declining interest and lack of adequate facilities. Track was replaced with a boys soccer club team, which finished 4-3-1 in its inaugural season. This move allowed Notre Dame to better balance its boys and girls sports offerings, as the school then consisted of volleyball, basketball and softball for girls, and soccer, basketball and baseball for boys. 
The 1983 and 1984 baseball teams won back-to-back Class 2A Baseball State Championships. The 1983 squad beat Crystal City 4-3 in the state semifinal game, and then knocked off Licking 7-0 for the program’s first state championship. The next season, the Bulldogs didn’t start the year with high hopes, returning only three starters. However, the Bulldogs rallied to beat Scott City in the district championships, and then beat Crystal City in a close 9-8 game to win home field advantage against Ellsinore. With an enthusiastic home crowd, the Bulldogs were propelled to state with an 8-1 win. With a final four win against Brentwood, the Bulldogs defeated Mansfield 11-4 with Tim Menz (‘85) taking the win and Brad Elfrink (‘84) the save. Both teams were coached by Jim Glastetter (‘63). 
For the second year in a row, the varsity cheerleading squad brought home the top squad trophy from camp in Warrensburg, Missouri, in the fall of 1984. Over the summer of 1986, the squad won the championship trophy at the Universal Cheerleading Camp at the University of Missouri-Rolla.
From August 31 - September 2, 1984, the Notre Dame Booster Club held its annual Boosterfest on the Notre Dame campus. The three-day event featured kiddie rides, games, food stands and live entertainment, with the proceeds helping support the Notre Dame athletic department.
On January 19, 1985, Anthony Rubich became the first inductee into Notre Dame’s Athletic Hall of Fame, during a ceremony held during the Booster Club Alumni Night. Since then, 116 individuals and teams have been inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
The 1986 Silhouette summarized the Bulldogs’ 1986 boys basketball season perfectly. “Take nine returning players from the 1984-85 year, add a new head coach and four talented juniors, mix in height and you get basketball excitement - N.D. Style. The team’s ambitious goal was to take the State title. The chant began: ‘Last year Districts; this year State.’
The journey began with the trip to Bloomfield, a well performed game and a shut out of 74-52. Bernie Mules were next on the list. The team’s court performance made basketball look as easy as counting 1, 2, 3. No one will ever forget the game against Portageville. The Bulldogs pulled together and won by 3 points. This won the District Championship.
The chant was even louder now. The radio rang out ‘Holy Cow Bulldogs’ as the team took another step to the state playoffs by defeating Twin Rivers. Once again the Bulldogs posted a shutout. The team defeated Ellington, the last obstacle in the journey to state. 
The Bulldogs were Springfield bound! They played exciting ball for the fans. They defeated Monroe City 89-76. Nixa was the final battle, and the Bulldogs were ready. The first place trophy was waiting to be taken. ‘Holy Cow Bulldogs, You did it!’ Bulldogs defeated Nixa 66-47. We present the 2A State Champs - the NOTRE DAME BULLDOGS!”
The team repeated the state championship in 1987. This was a year of records, as the team beat Scott County Central to win its first University High Christmas Tournament. Senior Danny Dohogne broke the school rebound record, notching 463 boards on the season, and was the team’s leading scorer averaging 19.8 points a game. Ronnie Ressel (‘87) had 358 assists on the season, also setting a school record. Coach Brad Wittenborn won the Coach of Year award for his second consecutive year. The 1987 team also won the Sportsmanship Award.

    • The Lady Bulldogs captured first place at the Woodland Invitational Tournament on January 20, 1990, by defeating Delta 54-44. Top scorers were Michelle Ressel with 23 points and Theresa Sander with 15.

1990s
The boys baseball team captured the Class 2A State Championship in May 1993. The Silhouette that year described the season as “power, defense, and stamina were the keys to the Bulldog’s success…that enabled them to strive with determination and vigor.”
The inaugural season for the girls soccer program was 1996. On March 24 of that year, the team played its first home game on the new Notre Dame soccer field. A christening of the field took place before the game with team captains, Principal Sister Mary Ann and coaches Brad Wittenborn and Jeff Worley (‘88) making ceremonial “first kicks.”
Sporting bleach blond hair, the boys soccer team finished the 1999 season with a 21-5-1 record.

2000s
Notre Dame athletics had a formidable decade in the 2000s, winning six state championships in four sports. 
In 2002, the girls basketball team captured the Class 2A State Championship. During the 2001-2002 season, the Lady Bulldogs beat their opponents by an average of 30 points per game. In the district title game, the team defeated Kelly 69-29 to win their sixth consecutive district championship. They won their sectional game beating John Burroughs, and faced the defeating state champions, Stockton, in the semis. With the semifinal game tied 39-39 near the end of the fourth quarter, Senior Deana McCormick (‘02) hit the game winning shot with two seconds remaining to send the Lady Bulldogs to the state title contest. The Lady Bulldogs defeated Elsberry 63-57 to win the state championship; the first girls state title for any sport in school history at the time. The team was coached by Jerry Grim, Ann Dohogne, Tim Drury (‘79), Darren Heuring (‘97) and Craig Millham. 
The 2002 Notre Dame boys soccer team, coached by Brad Wittenborn, claimed the program’s first state title and finished with a 20-5 record. The team’s district run included victories over Windsor (10-0) and St. Pius (3-0). They beat Rosary 3-0 in the sectional game with two goals from Adam Prasanphanich (‘03) and one from Tyler Cuba (‘03), and assists from Blake Urhahn (‘04) and Jonathan Market (‘04). The Bulldogs then went on to defeat Marshall 2-0 in the semifinal matchup. Jeff Brosey (‘03) headed in the first goal of the game off a pass from Josh Essner (‘03). A second goal from Dustin Tatum (‘03) quickly followed, assisted by Urhahn. Travis Siebert (‘03) had six saves in goal to get the Bulldogs to the state final. With two minutes and thirty-four seconds left in the fourth overtime, Brosey scored the go-ahead goal on an assist from Urhahn to beat St. Francis Borgia 1-0 in the Class 2 state championship game, making Notre Dame history.

During the 2005-2006 season, Jameson Kuper (‘06) broke every boys’ swimming individual record for the Bulldogs, earning all-state honors five times as a Notre Dame student.
After placing second at state in 2003, and fourth in 2004, the 2005 boys cross country team captured the Class 2 State Championship. The team time was 1:28:36.18, averaging 17:43.24 and scoring 66 total points. Senior Matt Pfau (‘06) was the highest ranking Bulldogs, coming in fourth place, with senior Greg Kanneberg (‘06) close behind in eighth place. Other runners included Logan Davis (‘09), Neil Kanneberg (‘08), Dillon Klaffer (‘09), Jonathen Ramsey (‘07), Richie Bohn (‘08), and alternates Adam Reinagel (‘06), Chris Seyer (‘06), Cody Essner (‘06), Ben Beussink (‘08) and Matt Reinagel (‘09). The squad was coached by Bill Davis and Karen Roggow.

    • Soccer moms perform a good luck cheer at a send off assembly before the 2002 soccer state championship.

    • Seniors Kelsie Neff, Sharde Armour, Jordan Seabaugh, Libby Brauss, Kelsey Gaines, Paige Schumer, Kristen McClain, Stephanie Ross, junior Theresa Kiblinger, and Brother David celebrate the 2007 boys soccer state championship win.

The boys soccer program won back-to-back Class 2 state championships 2006 and 2007, coached by Brad Wittenborn, Jeff Worley and Matt Vollink (‘97). In the fall of 2006, the team had a record of 26-1, beating Lutheran South in the state semifinal game, and shutting out St. Dominic 2-0 in the championship game. Despite graduating 10 seniors from the 2006 state title team, the 2007 team rallied to amass a 22-5 record, beating Smithville 4-1 in the state championship game. Senior forward Ty Williams (‘08) scored 25 goals that season, while junior goalie Ryan Bass (‘09) tallied 14 shutouts. 

In the spring of 2007, Notre Dame named its basketball court “Jerry Grim Court” in honor of coach and teacher Jerry Grim, following his 25th year of coaching girls basketball at Notre Dame.
Despite a disappointing second place finish in state in 2007, the boys basketball district championship that year is still talked about by Bulldog fans. With less than three seconds left on the clock, senior Abe Dirnberger (‘07) hit one of the most famous shots in Bulldog history, draining a three-pointer to beat Sikeston at the buzzer in the district championship game. 
Building upon the 2006-2007 season, the 2007-2008 boys basketball team brought home the Class 4A State Championship. The team, coached by Paul Hale, beat Lincoln College Prep in a tight 67-57 matchup in the semifinal game, to then beat St. Charles West 48-36 in the championship game.
The 2009 baseball team compiled an impressive 29-1 record, winning the Class 3 State Championship. The team tied the 1999 baseball team with 29 homeruns in a season, and was coached by Jeff Graviett. 
The girls softball team quickly followed with a state championship of their own in the fall of 2009 for the program’s first state title. The team finished with a 30-2 record, and won the state title game 3-0 over Kirksville. Senior Lauren Reinagel (‘10) threw a perfect game, and she, Mallory Siebert (‘10), Jane Morrill (‘10) and Brianne Sanders (‘12) were all named All-State. Other team members included Ashton Elfrink (‘12), Summer Burger (‘12), Hali Rendleman (‘12), Courtney Reinagel (‘11), Alecia Glaus (‘10), Brooke Glastetter (‘10), Nicole Blattel (‘11), Emily Lawrence (‘11) and Savanna Ayers (‘12). The Lady Bulldogs were coached by Jeff Graviett and Ray Reinagel (‘76). 
2010s
The 2010s saw just as much success athletically as the previous decade, with the addition of several sports to the school’s athletic program.
In the fall of 2010, the girls varsity cross country team went to state for the first time, defeating Farmington in Class 3 Districts. The team took second place at state.  
Ryan Harter (‘11) was the school’s first district champion in wrestling in 2011. Harter, along with Austin Kight (‘11), Jacob Murphy (‘11), Trever Foltz (‘13) and Trenton Gross (‘13) qualified for state. 
In its inaugural year for girls golf in the fall of 2011, the team won the district championship and sent three golfers in Kiera Soutar (‘12), Morgan Schumer (‘13) and Camille Brewer (‘14) to state. 
The 2011-2012 school year also saw the introduction of girls and boys tennis at Notre Dame. A new tennis complex, donated by the Kapp family and dedicated to Brother David Migliorino, was added to the school that year.
The varsity and junior varsity cheer squads took first place at the UCA Camp in Columbia, Missouri in the summer of 2012. That school year was also the first time in history the dance team fielded both a varsity and JV team.
On February 1, 2013, the soccer complex was dedicated to Coach Brad Wittenborn, honoring him for his service and commitment to the soccer program.
In the spring of 2013, the boys golf team finished second at state, and freshman Jack Litzelfelner (‘16) won the individual state championship for class 3. Litzelfelner also took the state title in 2016 as co-medalist and all-state golfer. 
In 2014, boys tennis produced its first ever state qualifiers. Ben Wedemeier (‘14) competed in singles, and teammates Mason Seesing (‘14) and Brendan Boswell (‘15) competed in doubles. 

ND boys volleyball competed in its inaugural year in 2014, finishing third in districts. Notre Dame was the first school south of greater St. Louis to field a boys volleyball team. The following year, the team placed second at state.

On April 16, 2015, the Notre Dame boys baseball team played its first game at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Later that season the team won the Class 4 state championship, defeating Sullivan 17-0. The team advanced to state after taking first place in districts, sectionals and quarterfinals. They also placed second in the SEMO Conference Tournament. The team finished the season at 28-4.

In 2016, the girls golf team claimed its first ever state championship. Sarah Bell (‘18) finished as the Class 1 individual champion with a score of 146 over two rounds. The team followed up with another state title in 2017, with Bell once again taking the individual win.

The spring of 2017 saw stellar girls track and field and soccer seasons. The girls soccer team won its first state championship as a program, with a 2-1 victory over Springfield-Catholic. 

The girls track and field team won districts and sent several qualifiers to state, where Riley Burger (‘20) won a state title in the triple jump. The 4x400 relay team of Claire Morrill (‘18), Megan Jansen (‘18), Natalie Timpe (‘20) and Burger finished fourth at state. Over the course of the season, Burger broke seven school records, and Jones broke the girls’ high jump record.

    • Riley Burger competes at a home track meet. Burger was a four-time state champion in fielding events for the Notre Dame girls track & field team.

In 2018, girls track and field once again won districts, and finished first in sectionals for the first time in history. The team sent nine girls to state, finishing sixth overall. Carly Pujol (‘19) took first in the pole vault, and Burger repeated as the state champion in the triple jump. In 2019, Burger took first in both the triple jump and the long jump. 
On May 30, 2019, the girls soccer team won the class 2 state championship, defeating Visitation Academy 4-0. Megan Heisserer (‘19) finished her high school soccer career with 156 career goals, surpassing the previous record of 88 goals. 

In the fall of 2019, the girls tennis team won districts for the first time in history, qualifying for the team state championships. The squad placed fourth.
2020s
2020 was the first year Notre Dame fielded a girls wrestling team. Members were Jona Vercide (‘20), Madeline Mullen (‘20) and Emma Steimle (‘23).

In March of 2020, the boys and girls basketball teams made history by both earning a spot in the class 4 final four during the same season. The Show-Me Showdown was supposed to take place in March, but MSHSAA cancelled the class 4 and class 5 championships due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the season, the girls basketball team won the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament, the SEMO Conference Tournament and districts to finish the season at 25-4. The boys team took second place at the 75th Annual Southeast Missourian Boys Basketball Christmas Tournament. They won district and conference championships, finishing the season at 26-4. Boys basketball Coach Paul Unterreiner (‘02) was named the 2020 MBCA Class 4 Coach of the Year.

In the fall of 2020, the boys soccer team finished second at state. Will Dodson (‘23) became the most prolific scorer in Bulldog history by netting 63 career goals. He also broke the scoring record for a season with 40 goals. The team collectively scored over 100 goals during the season.

The 2020 boys swimming season was a successful one, with the team taking first place in the SEMO Conference meet for the first time since 2009. Several swimmers qualified for state, with Drew Barber (‘21) finishing second in the 50 freestyle and fourth in the 100 freestyle. Barber broke school records for the 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, 100 backstroke and 100 butterfly during the season. The team also took first place in the Cape Rock Invitational for the first time in school history.

In 2021, the boys track team won its first-ever district title. Evan Bruenderman (‘21) took first place in state in the triple jump and seventh place in the long jump. 

In 2022, Notre Dame wrestlers Owen Dowdy (‘22) and Trey Schreckenberg (‘22) made history becoming the first Notre Dame wrestlers to medal at the state championship meet. 

In February of 2023, Emma Steimle made history as the first female wrestler from Notre Dame to qualify for state. She finished fifth, earning all-state honors. 

The girls’ track and field team finished third overall in state in 2024, marking the first time the track and field program has earned a team trophy at the state level. Runner Lauren Eftink (‘24) won the state championship and set a school record in the 3200m with a time of 11:09.26. 

On March 6, 2025, the girls basketball team notched Notre Dame’s first ever class 6 postseason victory in any sport in the district quarterfinals with a 54-46 victory over Oakville.
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