Humdinger week for Summit's Schertzingers

HYDE PARK –  Senior twins Harrison and Henry Schertzinger may likely enjoy stellar weeks in their lives, but it's going to be tough to top what they accomplished Nov. 8-11. The Summit Country Day School standouts were among several signing to continue their athletic careers on Signing Day, Nov. 8, as they faxed their intentions to play lacrosse in Chapel Hill at the University of North Carolina.

Later that night, the soccer captains were in Xenia, where they came from behind to win the Division III state semifinal against Grandview Heights 3-2. Three days later, the tandem terrors were in Columbus at MAPFRE Stadium helping the Silver Knights to their sixth state soccer title and their third in a row.  Henry Schertzinger had a breakaway and an assist to junior Eli Rawlings for the game-winning goal. Summit defeated Ottawa Hills 1-0 in the final game for eight seniors, including both Schertzingers.

Just one day later, center back Harrison Schertzinger was named Division III player of the year for his stubborn defensive work keeping opponents out of the Summit goal box. The only tournament team to score on goalkeeper Kieran Dowling with Harrison Schertzinger leading the defense was Grandview Heights in the semifinal. The only Cincinnati-area team to score against the Silver Knights was Sycamore in a 1-1 tie Sept. 30.

"It's a work in progress," Harrison Schertzinger said of the wild week. "It's something we've dreamed about our whole life."

The blonde bombers have literally had prep careers many dream of, with five state tournament appearances in two sports, lacrosse and soccer. Summit has won three consecutive Division III state soccer championships under Scott Sievering with the Schertzingers kicking. They were recruited to Chapel Hill for their abilities in sticking in lacrosse. They've rarely been blue while sporting blue uniforms.

They'll now go on to the Carolina blue of the Tar Heels, who were 2015 NCAA champions in lacrosse. During the spring season, Mariemont girls coach and boys assistant Graham Harden spoke to the twins of the value of representing North Carolina in the sport. Harden was considered one of the top players ever in the ACC for leading North Carolina to an NCAA championship and a perfect season.

"We're very excited," Harrison Schertzinger said. "He (Harden) knows our coach. He's a good guy and a real model for us."

The Schertzingers, whose father Howard is an orthopedic surgeon and Summit Country Day team doctor, plan to major in business at North Carolina. Not surprisingly, they hope to go into business together. As many twins do, they often finish one another's sentences. In Columbus, Nov. 11 they both took care of business leaving the team doctor beaming with pride with a slight tear in his eye.

From Harrison making a game-saving stop on a cross in front of Dowling, to Henry perfectly executing the game-winning assist to Rawlings, it was an afternoon of memories. Factor in Henry's comeback from a knee injury in lacrosse (which likely prevented a deeper Summit tournament run) and it was a storybook ending.

"I think this completely summed up all of the work for the past 18 years, myself personally," Henry said. "Four months out of ACL surgery, I'm not supposed to be playing. I worked so hard for these guys. It's something special."

Henry's minutes had been limited as he had made just one cameo Oct. 5 against Norwood. He was permitted 20 minutes in the semifinal win in Xenia and was in and out of the title game. Fortunately, with 10:23 to go, he was in to skip a pass off of his left foot to Rawlings breaking left in a scoreless game.

"I told these boys all tournament long, just get me to the state semifinals and I'm with you the rest of the way," Henry said. "I saw the read and was like, 'find it, find it!' He ran on, it worked out and it was really awesome."

All of the early morning legwork in rehab paid off with the biggest assist of his career and a sixth state soccer title for the Silver Knights of Hyde Park.

"It has been a grind," Henry said. "Sore day after sore day, it's all worth it now. This has been the most amazing week ever. I couldn't ask for anything better."

Summit Country Day finished as the No. 7 team in the USA Today Super 25 Regional rankings. The senior class finished their four-year-run at 75-9-6.