ARCHDIOCESE — The 2007-08 academic year has marked 14th year that schools from the Greater Catholic League (GCL) and the Girl’s Greater Cincinnati League (GGCL) have not only competed on the playing field, but also "in the classroom".

Schools from the GCL and the GGCL have been competing this season for a shot at post-season play in the Ohio Academic Competition. This year, the league included Chaminade-Julienne, Elder, Fenwick, LaSalle, McAuley, McNicholas, Mercy, Moeller, Mount Notre Dame, Oldenburg, Purcell Marian, Roger Bacon, Seton, St. Xavier, St. Ursula and Ursuline.

When the four-month-long Academic League season came to a close at the end of February, four Cincinnati-area schools had qualified for the regionals: pre-season tournament winner, St. Xavier; post-season tournament winner, Chaminade-Julienne; and division winners, Purcell Marian and Mercy. All will compete in April’s regional tournaments for a chance at the state competition in May.

During the 11-week season, teams competed at varsity, reserve and freshman levels, answering questions and working out problems from all the academic areas. This year, more than 200 students participated in the competitions, hosted by Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, where the pre and post-season tournaments are also held.

The coaches of the GCAL hope that the league will continue to grow with the addition of at least one new school next year. Their goal is to allow their students to participate in a competitive and educational fashion.

The league coaches have chosen the following students for special recognition on the basis of their performance throughout the season:

CAL All Academic 1st Team
Chelsea McGill, Ursuline Academy
Diane Manovich, Chaminade-Julienne High School
Nick Faust, Moeller High School
Katie Pieper, Mother of Mercy High School
Bryan Sigward, Purcell Marian High School
David Loftus, McNicholas High School
Amanda Plavko, McAuley High School
Timothy Moeller, LaSalle High School

CAL All Academic 2nd Team
Michelle Rotuno-Johnson, Roger Bacon High School
Jon Sarky. St. Xavier High School
Andrew Condia, Elder High School
Abby Grahek, St. Ursula High School
Matt Steed, Fenwick High School
Nora Leugers, Seton High School
Audrey Eggenberger. Mt. Notre Dame High School
Jeff Hertel, Oldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conception.