It is nearly impossible to decide which one, two, or three WCA sports teams are greater than all others. When trying to compare and contrast, things such as the athletes, the coaches, how dominant the team was, whether they won state or made it to the final four, and importance of the team in WCA sports history. There will probably be much disagreement from readers on these rankings, but isn’t that what lists like this are for? Enjoy.

5. 2007-2008 Girls’ Volleyball

While this team did not win the State Championship like its counterpart from the 2012 season did, it did finish second in the state tournament, losing 25-23 in the first game and 25-22 in the second game to a Bishop O’Hara team that went on to win three more straight state championships. This team was beset by injuries throughout the season and was only completely healthy during the playoffs. Senior Kelli Stipanovich, who would play collegiately at the University of Arkansas, was a key leader on a loaded team. The team competed with class and was gracious in both victory and defeat.

“I will never forget what Kelli Stipanovich said after we lost in the finals. Someone for the Post-Dispatch was interviewing her and she told him, ‘We had a lot of fun, we worked together, and we glorified God in everything we did. That was the goal.’ For her to have said that after we had just suffered a devastating defeat was special, and I believe that if we really did what Kelli said, then we were truly successful,” said Tim Hall, then the co-head coach.

4. 2009-2010 Boys’ Golf

This team was remarkable in part because it was the first ever Westminster team to win a state championship. The team capped off an undefeated season by winning the state championship in convincing fashion, defeating second-place Warrensburg by 26 strokes. However, there were also some great players on that team. Senior Kevin Bell and sophomore Kevin VandeKamp each carded 145s, becoming the first teammates ever to tie for first place in the state golf tournament. Sophomore Ryan Haxel finished tied for 10th and seniors Alex Cusumano and Tim Reed finished tied for 34th and tied for 59th, respectively.

“Going into the start of the season our main goal was to win State, and we felt the added pressure of being the first team to win a State title, and to actually live up to all the expectations we had set for ourselves is something not a lot of teams get to experience. That moment was unique for all of us,” said Brian Burkey, head coach.

3. 2006-2007 Baseball

The 2007 baseball team came very close to winning the state championship, losing 12-5 in the state semifinals to eventual champion Benton. The team had four future professional baseball players, including Jacob Turner, the ninth overall pick in the 2009 MLB draft, and Drew Benes and Ben Turner, who are currently playing in the minor leagues. Unfortunately, bad weather and injuries contributed to the team finishing third in state. They did win the Sunshine Classic in Florida.

“What I will probably remember most about this team is the championship of the Sunshine Classic. We beat a team from Florida that was 15-1 and ranked the in the state of Florida in Class 5 by a score of 7-2,” said Rich Van Gilst, head coach.

2. 2010-2011 Baseball

For years, the baseball team had come so close to winning state championships, but injuries or weather problems always seemed to prevent them from getting over the hump. During the 2010 season, the team overcame all obstacles and finally claimed the state title. Junior Tate Matheny was the team’s best player, playing centerfield and leading the team in batting average. Sophomore Ben Lovell was the pitching staff’s ace and the winning pitcher of the state championship, finishing with a record of 10-1. The Wildcats outscored their opponents in the state tournament 44-20 and defeated Savannah in the state championship 6-3 in thrilling fashion.

“We knew coming into the year that we had the potential to win state, and so from day one we were working hard. The team grew closer together as the year went on and really gelled heading into the playoffs,” said Lovell.

1. 2011-2012 Girls’ Golf

While WCA has won multiple championships in multiple sports, the best and by far the most dominant team in WCA sports history has to be the 2011 girls golf team. They dominated the field in the state championship, carding 673 and defeating second-place Maryville by a whopping 91 strokes, which was the biggest margin of victory in Missouri history. Junior Brooke Cusumano won first place in the individual tournament with a score of 164. Senior Margaret Moore, sophomore Jordan Wolf, and junior Ciara Younger finished 3rd, 4th, and 7th, respectively.

“We entered the year knowing that we could potentially win state and we worked hard in practice to achieve our goal. We had a great time at state. It was something special to win by that much. That group of girls had a great time during practices and during the state tournament,” said Cusumano.