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Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Running game gains ground Backfield able to find solid footing against highly touted linebacking unit

By ALEX RILEY Mirror sports writer

If you thought a pair of Division I level linebackers were going to stand in Midlothian’s way of a commitment to run the football, you were definitely wrong.

In the team’s lone two-team scrimmage before the start of the 2010 season, the Panthers showed they would run the ball, run it well and run it often no matter who the opposition was. And against a tough Richland defense, the team showed it was up to the challenge.

Combining the set-number play situation with the regular game play between the two teams on Friday night, Midlothian rushed the ball 43 times of the 59 plays executed Friday night.

Photo by Mike Sackett/Special to the Mirror Those 43 attempts netted 298 yards with Midlothian running back Justin Seeton found plenty three rushing scores. of running room during the scrimmage with Richland “We’re coming along and you’ve going for 62 yards on 10 carries in live play. known all along that’s what we want

Inside

• Panther defense forces the turnover issue • Previewing the season opener against Grapevine to do is to run the ball and I thought at times tonight we did a really good job,” coach Lee Wiginton said. “I was proud of the offensive line, coach (John) Broom’s done a good job with offensive line. Coach (Justin) Blackwell’s done a good job with our backs. The things we’re stressing they’re starting to do better which is exciting.”

The run game got an early boost when the second team offense faced the second team defense from Richland in the

With the rise of select and club youth sports, high school coaches’ jobs now require more than just preparing athletes for games. It is a watchdog situation monitoring a player’s health, attitude and general demeanor. All the while, players and coaches are working to

Become the best

By ALEX RILEY

N

Mirror sports writer

ecessity is the mother of all invention. Repetition is necessary for success in sports. Therefore, in theory, select and club level athletics are the creation of a necessity for practice and repetition in the world of youth sports.

It’s a simplistic way of looking at the system but there is little argument against it. Young people begin taking part in sports at younger and younger ages. The teams they play on put in hours upon hours of practice, traveling to local, regional, national and even international events.

The experience is invaluable. The chance to be noticed is incomparable.

Every season, an athlete’s success with some club or select program earns them a college scholarship or a look from professional teams. Their work with those teams is noticed by coaches and scouts who cannot get out to high school games to watch them play during the school year.

But the benefits stretch far beyond just earning college scholarships or making memories. The extra training and work with these advanced teams translates into seasoned athletes at the high school level. State high school organizers limit the amount of practice and playing time a coach may have with his or her team.

Playing outside of the school with these advanced programs allows athletes to continue honing their craft long after the high school season comes to end.

For the most part, it is a win-win situation. But not always. There are costs involved, both fiscal and physical. The strain on a young body, no matter how healthy, can be under appreciated. The mental toll is often overlooked.

Everyday, high school coaches battle these issues with their athletes. From injury to arrogance, fatigue to inequality, the fight to be competitive, fair and successful is a tough task with so much going on in the outside world. The elements of success and failure are eerily similar and it’s their jobs to make sure those parts stay pointed in a positive direction.

Of the 18 coaches surveyed in this sto-

ry, each stressed the importance of their athletes getting touches on a ball outside of high school related events. Each acknowledged the most successful programs in the country have kids committed to the game in some form or fashion. There are no right answers, just as there are no wrong ones. For every good story, there is a bad one.

In the end, it is all about finding balance and that may be harder than any opponent on any schedule all season.

Physical: The making, breaking and maintaining of an athlete Hope Porter doesn’t deny it. Neither does Sandy Fausett. Or Rhonda Currey for that matter. To be on top of the volleyball teams, even just in the county, your players have to be at their best.

“For us to be a top notch program and stay a top notch program in the state we have to have kids committed to playing year-round,” Porter, the second-year head coach at Red Oak, said. “You can’t compete with schools that have kids playing year-round if your kids aren’t doing it just because they’re not gaining the knowledge, they’re not gaining the skill level.

They’re losing out on aspects.”

The respective coaches at Red Oak, Waxahachie and Midlothian all know what it takes to be at the top of the proverbial heap. All three made the 4A playoffs last season, all three won at least one game.

What do they all have in common?

Their best players all play some sort of club ball.

“I think we’ve just come to the point where so many kids are playing club and playing year-round that if you don’t you just can’t keep up,” Faussett said. “You’re just not going to be as competitive, there’s no way you can at the high school level playing a two-month season, compensate

first series of set plays to start the game.

After Michael Glenn opened the game with a big rush into Rebel territory, Kalen Semper cashed in two plays later with a 32-yard score. Five plays later, Glenn finished a drive that featured a 45-yard pass play to Kyler Brown by cross the goal line from 11 yards out to score. For the second team offense it was a strong 10 opening plays that featured five rushes of more than 10 yards and two touchdowns.

With the tone set, Midlothian’s first team offense took the field with Oklahoma State commitment Nico Ornelas and junior prospect Jeremiah Tshimanga staring them down. The duo wrecked havoc the first two plays, posting a sack and holding the run game to just one year. After the chains were reset the PanSee RUN, Page 2C

Agbaroji commits to Boise

Senior defensive back pledges to nationally ranked Bronco team

By ALEX RILEY Mirror sports writer

Last season, it was an injury that nagged Eric Agbaroji. It hindered him from being at 100 percent.

Now that he is healed, the Midlothian senior wasn’t going to let anything else mess up his concentration on having a strong final high school season. With just days before the start of the 2010 season, Agbaroji made his verbal commitment to Boise State University to play football.

It was all part of a plan that got sidetracked at first but the decision just felt right.

“That was my original plan to commit before the season started and after the whole injury stuff happened and all of that, I kind of changed it to after basketball season,” Agbaroji said. “I think it’s the prefect place for me.”

A two-year starter for the Panther program, Agbaroji has the size and skill set college scouts drool over.

At 6-foot-1, 180 pounds, Agbaroji has fluent movement, quick recovery time and a great knack for locating the ball. All of that is backed up by his stats.

During his sophomore season, he burst onto the scene with 40 tackles, five pass break-ups and an interception. Last fall, he fought through a lingering leg injury for another 40 tackles, 13 pass break-ups and one interception.

See AGBAROJI, Page 4C

See YOUTH, Page 3C

Every coach is going to have to look at it and say what’s best for my team and what’s best for my kids and find a balance.

- Rhonda Currey,

Midlothian volleyball

Photo by Alex Riley/The Mirror

Midlothian senior Eric Agbaroji was proud to wear his Boise State hat during the team’s recent picture day. The defensive back committed to play for the Broncos next fall.

2C Midlothian Mirror, Wednesday, August 28, 2010

Scrimmage Notebook

Sports

Turnover turnaround

Defense forces mistakes, looks to set tone for play

Week 0 details Who: Midlothian vs. Grapevine Where: MISD Stadium When: Friday, Aug 27 at 7:30 p.m.

By ALEX RILEY Mirror sports writer

It would have been extremely easy for the Midlothian defense to lay down after those nearly back-to-back plays. Choosing to have that “here we go again” mindset was an option.

But the Panthers chose the exact opposite.

Facing a fast Richland offense late in the set play period, the Panthers yielded a 70-yard touchdown pass after a break down in coverage. After an incompletion on the next play, the game switched to regular game mode, the Rebels getting the ball at the 30-yard line. Again, Richland hit for a 70-yard scoring strike as it went over the top of the defense.

The team bent, it did not break.

After that score in the regular game play, the Midlothian defense shut down the Rebel attack allowing just a field goal over the next three possessions. It was a reaction defensive coordinator Chris King could not have been prouder of.

“You look more at how you kind of respond to those and I thought we did.

The first play of the game we had one go over our head and it would have been real easy for them to shut it down and we didn’t,” King said. “We battled back, in the red zone situation down here we held them to a field goal, which is always a good situation.”

A large portion of that improved play came in part to the unit’s ability to force turnovers. In the combined period of time the two teams played, Midlothian was able to force four fumbles and an interception. The defense recovered two of those fumbles while one was recovered by Richland in the end zone for a touchback to bring the turnover count of the night to four. On the flip side, the Midlothian offense didn’t turn the ball over once.

The first strip came after a reception by a Rebel player who turned up field only to find Nathan Fisher in pursuit.

The senior reached in and stripped the ball as fellow senior Gage Windsor recovered. After the series was reset, the Rebels turned the ball over on a fumble into the end zone, which was recovered for a touchback.

“We do strip drills almost every single day. It was just routine like we’ve been coached to do and it’s nice getting turnovers because last year they were mostly ours,” Fisher said. “This year I think it’s going to be a different story with the intensity and everything. You can tell by watching the team that it’s a different team.”

The strangest turnover of the night came on the third from last play in the set play portion of the night. Richland threw a pass into the flat, which was tipped into the air by a Midlothian defensive back. Another defender made a reach for the football, managing to keep it in the air and putting it into the outstretched hands of the original Rebel receiver. As he raced toward the end zone, Quindale Daniels stripped the ball from behind allowing Chase Huff to recover.

Midlothian’s final turnover of the night came in regulation game play as the Rebels’ second possession of the

Alex Riley, Sports Writer 469-517-1456 | alex.riley@wninews.com

Need to know info Grapevine High School Enrollment: 2,167 2009 record: 6-5, bi-district finalist Coach: Dave Henigan (2 years) Notes: Former Corsicana coach Dave Henigan arrived in Grapevine to a team that failed to win a game the season before. In one season, he has gotten the Mustangs to an above .500 record and a playoff berth thanks to six wins in the last seven games of the season.

However, that team returned 12 starters.

This year’s program isn’t quite as lucky.

Only six defensive and two offensive starters are back, leaving a lot of holes to fill.

That being said, defensive end Jarrod Lynn returns a year after setting the school’s single-season sack record with 12. The district defensive player of the year is drawing interest from Kansas State, SMU, TCU, Baylor and Oklahoma, among others. Nationally ranked kicker Alex Mueller, a player Midlothian’s Dillion Wilson outshined this summer to earn a scholarship offer, is as good as any kicker in the area, hitting a pair of game-winners last fall.

Photo by Mike Sackett/special to the Mirror

Senior Nathan Fisher (19) forced the first of four turnovers by the Midlothian defense during the Richland scrimmage last week. night ended with a great defensive effort by Windsor. After being thrown for a two-yard loss by Vincent Panza following a first down conversion, Windsor followed Richland’s quarterback on a roll out pattern as he attempted a throw to the sideline. The senior safety jumped the route and made a sliding catch on his knees for the interception.

The turnovers were a big morale boost after not being a big turnover defense last season.

“It’s wonderful. We get out there and we work these strip drills and every kind of turnover drills possible. It’s really nice to know that it’s working and paying off,” Windsor said.

heard from the sideline was in fact the “beef hot link” chant heard in the Hillshire Farm “Go meat” ad campaign on television.

Getting fired up

Notes

One thing that is noticably different from last season is the attitude on the Panther sideline. Last fall, the chatter was not nearly as loud as it was during Friday’s scrimmage. The team has come up with plenty of chants and activities to get fired up for the game.

The most evident of those activities were the push-ups and chants coach Lee Wiginton executed to end the halftime part of the live game action. The players did push-ups while responding to rally cries and then leapt up into a mob to pump up for the second period.

And yes, the other chant would be

Rickey Dixon sighting

Metroplex native and former collegiate star Rickey Dixon was roaming the sideline at the scrimmage. Dixon, winner of the 1987 Jim Thorpe Award for best defensive back in the nation, was a first-round draft pick of the Cinncinati Bengals in 1988 and played six seasons in the NFL. He left Oklahoma with 170 tackles and 17 interceptions, including a school-record nine his senior season.

Despite not having the MISD Stadium field ready in time for the scrimmage, all indications are the field will be prepared in time for the season opener this Friday against Grapevine. The logos and lettering were not available to be stitched into the field in time for the scrimmage. …

The Panthers threw just 16 passes on the night with a 50 percent completion rate. … No injuries were reported from the scrimmage.

Contact Alex at alex.riley@wninews. com or at 469-517-1456

Run

Continued from Page 1C thers gained one first down but were shut down again.

That’s when a big reception moved the ball 14 yards followed by four runs

by Justin Seeton. He was thrown for a loss on the first attempt but roared back with two runs for a combined 21 yards. Then the sophomore broke loose and galloped 39 yards for a touchdown with the two stud defenders giving chase.

“Those guys were pretty good sized boys and they hit hard. Just getting a chance to lay a lick on them was fun,” Seeton said. “It might hurt right now but in an hour we’ll be feeling good. It was fun. It was just a bunch of Photo by Mike Sackett/Special to the Mirror

Junior Michael Glenn split time between running back and linebacker during Friday’s scrimmage.

He finished with 98 yards on six carries and a touchdown for the offense while also amassing a handful of tackles on defense.

fun.”

Midlothian’s offense continued to pound away with the run and despite some struggles in live game action, the Panthers were able to drive into the red zone twice. A pair of big runs

by Seeton the first possession of regular play put the team inside the red zone but the offense stalled out on fourth down. Another 10yard burst on the final drive of the game set up a Dillon Wilson 22-yard field goal as the final play of the game.

Seeton finished with 63 yards on 10 carries in live action but, combined with the set plays at the beginning of the night, he rushed 16 times for 129 yards and a score. Glenn, who served as the starter for much of last season, finished with a combined 98 yards on six carries with a touchdown. His use as both a starting linebacker and relief running back could be crucial this season to both facets of the game. “(The offense is) a lot better. Now we can hit them with the run and the pass,” Glenn said. “I feel like I’ve got some conditioning to do but it’s going to be great.”

Contact Alex at alex. riley@wninews.com or at 469-517-1456.

Other players to watch: Ted Hull-Ryde (WR), Rafi Cortez (RB), Bryan Popp (WR), Austin Anderson (S)

Three things to watch 1. For the second straight week, the Panther offense will meet a very talented defensive player. With the success against Richland, can the offense keep it going?

Running the ball against Richland was going to be a huge challenge with Division I prospects Nico Ornelas and Jeremiah Tshimanga on the other side. However, the running game started early and often refusing to settle for passes. While the offense was bland in the scrimmage, the formula isn’t all that bad. Getting past Lynn will be tough but the Panthers are committed to running the football. Don’t expect that to change.

2. With all the returning players Midlothian has, do the Panthers have an advantage over Grapevine’s relatively young team?

From the way things look on paper, they do.

The Panthers return so many players at nearly every position imaginable on both sides of the ball. In the scrimmage, that veteran play showed after the team yielded that 70-yard score on the first play of live action. After that, the team allowed just a field goal and really held the Rebels in check. Aside from Hull-Ryde (61 catches, 701 yards and five touchdowns) the returning playmakers for Grapevine are limited. The Panthers might be able to capitalize.

3. With Grapevine being one of just three teams on the scheudule that had a winning record last fall, could Midlothian really pull off the “upset?”

Henigan’s turnaround job in one year was incredible. After going winless in 2008, the Mustangs went 6-5 with wins in six of their last seven games. But, Henigan was also a strong starter at Corsicana opening 20-5 in his first two seasons before posting a 15-16 mark in the last two years and missing the playoffs back-to-back years. Grapevine is picked by most publications to eke its way into the playoffs as the No. 4 team from District 6-5A but with the youth factor added in the Panthers could surprise the world on opening night.

– Alex Riley

Sports

Alex Riley, Sports Writer 469-517-1456 | alex.riley@wninews.com

Youth

getting weekly contacts. And I made her put it out there that, ‘Hey this is what happened and I’m having this surgery.’ It’s kind of just, swish,” Hope Porter said making a downhill Continued from Page 1C motion with her hands. “Slid off majorly. for every team that’s played six months out She’s struggling with that mentally right now. of the year.”

I’m trying not to worry about it as much. I’m Every athlete is different and every club hoping she’ll come around, have a good seaathlete on their respective rosters takes part son this year at school and we can keep peoat a different level. Some remain local with ple updated about it.” teams in Ellis County, playing in tournaments The wear and tear and injury rate is all too only in Texas or within a narrow region. Oth- prevalent for Dr. Keith Meister, who heads up ers go to national events across the country. TMI Sports Medicine, which specializes in And some even head overseas for showcases. treatment of sports related injuries. Meister, It all depends on the athlete. who is the team physician for the Texas RangThe good that playing in club does is evi- ers, sees the problems firsthand. dent. So is the bad.

He cites a lack of conditioning and overLooking for the good – see Kate Praslicka. use as the two biggest factors that tie into the The Waxahachie junior plays on a club squad problems he sees. Both are preventable. that spent the summer traveling from tour“Ultimately if these kids aren’t healthy nament to tournament showcasing the team. they’re not going to have a chance at any That travel eventually landed the team in Las kind of successful career and it may just be Vegas for nationals. a collegiate career but going beyond on that In the end, Praslicka was named as an All- professionally. If they’re broken when they’re American. She was already the district MVP 12 then they’re not going to be healthy back in Texas from the previous season. The when they’re 25,” Meister said. “You can chance to shine is an example of seizing the go through our clubhouse at the professional opportunity. level and these guys were not hurt when they “When you’re trying out for clubs, you were teenagers. It’s pretty rare, it happens, but it’s pretty rare I should say.

If you break down early there’s a chance you’re going to break down before For us to be a top you reach your ultimate notch program and goals.”

Meister offers up the anstay a top notch ecdotal story of the parent who sits in his office and program in the state proclaims their 12-yearwe have to have kids old child to be the MVP of every league he plays with committed to play phenomenal skills that will year-round. surely get him or her to the next level. The problem – Hope Porter, look where they are.

Red Oak volleyball The equation he offers up is talent plus health equals success. Combined with hard work and the could not only be going against their (own) probability of becoming a standout player inschool but everyone in the Metroplex. And creases. He encourages time away from the then taking those and competing against the game for rest, taking a season off, playing anbest teams in the nation, that’s definitely a other sport to give the portion of your body higher honor,” Faussett said of Praslicka’s that has been used a break. superlative. “I think she’s going to get a lot Midlothian trainer Russell Wagner knows more recognition too. Just a sophomore last more often than not recommendations like year, being named MVP in our district was a that can fall on deaf ears. huge honor. We had some great kids but I just “I see a lot of kids try to hide injury because think she’s going to get more and more of that they think the coaches are going to be mad at as things progress.” them when they get hurt. I don’t think they For one Praslicka, there are a dozen Tadam hide it just because,” Wagner said. “Now, I’ve Mergener’s. see a few kids hide injuries they got during Last fall, the then-sophomore was expect- club because it was the playoffs in the high ed to be a standout player on the Midlothian school sport and they tried to hide an injury of team. Her hitting and defense were an ele- a club sport from their high school coach and ment to the team Currey fully counted on I have seen that.” coming into the season. But in an instant, that The biggest battle Wagner sees on a daywas gone. to-day basis appears to be between his own Just a few weeks into the high school sea- responsibilities as a high school trainer and son, Mergener headed overseas to take part what a player does outside of the school. Ofin a showcase event in Italy with a non-club, ten times he sees a player being told he or she invitation only event. With the blessing of cannot play in high school competition but is Currey, the young player took her game to allowed to take part in club or select games. an international level. Ultimately, it cost her The problem is chaotic at best. a season.

“There are some club coaches out there that In a play on the ball to the outside, Mer- do respect an athletic trainer’s opinion and gener’s leg became entangled in the referee will actually do what they can to help the kid. stand. Her knee was severely damaged requir- But there are club coaches out there that could ing surgery and months of recovery. Speaking care less about what we say or even what the in terms of hindsight, Currey calls it a combi- doctors say because they know that their paynation of good and bad – good now, bad then. check is based on the kids being there,” Wag“Obviously asking me that question right ner said. “I’ve had many instances where a now, you would probably get a different an- kid has had a concussion and their (club) socswer because now I’ve seen the worst pos- cer coach wants them to play and has pushed sible scenario happen for the team. Not nec- that kid to play in a game. And there are no essarily for Tadam. I think Tadam has grown ifs, ands or buts about it, they shouldn’t be leaps and bounds from that injury,” Currey playing.” said. “I do believe that things happen for a Keeping athletes healthy and ready for play reason and no matter where she was it could becomes a nearly impossible task with the have happened. Hindsight I’m sitting here go- amount of play they are taking part in. Nearly ing that did change our dynamic. Losing one year-round events limit the downtime and rest of our strong left side hitters is hard to recover their body needs to recuperate from playing. from.”

Ultimately, Currey labels it a balancing The Lady Panthers did recover to a third act with no real wrong or right solution. It all place district finish and a bi-district title. Not comes down to a few simple factors – health, every team is as lucky. preparation and, yes, a little luck.

If anyone can understand that from both “It’s a tough call, it’s tough to answer. Evangles it might be Porter who has the rare ery coach is going to have to look at it and viewpoint of high school coach, club coach say what’s best for my team and what’s best and mother to a highly touted volleyball for my kids and find a balance somewhere,” player. Her daughter, Red Oak senior Hunter Currey said.

Porter, suffered a knee injury midway through the 2009 season. Doctors said she could do no Financial: more damage to the knee by playing as long The cost and rewards of as she was careful. athletic achievement With the Lady Hawks in the hunt for a Maybe Preston Foster is a bit old-fashstate title, Hunter pushed through the injury, ioned. Perhaps he doesn’t understand the sysswitching from a front row hitter to back row tem fully or maybe he understands it all too defender in the process. The team eventually well. Either way, the Red Oak boys basketball fell one game short of the state tournament. coach is wary of the AAU basketball world.

After the season, Hunter’s knee was operated In a time where every transfer stuon to repair the damage. dent, college recruit or future prospect is Her play at the high school level helped the scrutinized, studied and questioned, Fosteam nearly reach the pinnacle of Texas high ter knows the benefits of playing on these school sports accomplishments. What did it travel teams. He can also see the downfalls. cost her? A valuable stretch of recruiting time.

“My main thing is to be careful because there “Before her injury in November, we were are some people out there that I think are just trying to take advantage of the kids and make a buck,” Foster said. “I don’t know a lot about it but I think it’s pretty big business from everything I’ve heard and I’m afraid some of them are just trying to use the kids.”

Foster’s focus is the same as every other coach in any sport – doing what is right for the team and doing what is right for individual players, in that order. He Jason Venable offers abundant amounts of open gym time and tries to

Waxahachie soccer find summer leagues he can suggest his team take part

-

It’s a shame to put a 16-17 year old kid in that situation because she lives with daddy everyday.

What are you going to do?

-

Wednesday, August 28, 2010 Midlothian Mirror 3C

Sometimes in AAU you’re just focused on you meet them at the game, you play the game, you have your practices and you move on.

When you’re a high school coach, you’re worried about them as a whole.”

Basketball’s boom seems to hold the national spotlight more than any of the other big select sports.

Baseball, softball and volleyball are all large in their Preston Foster own rights but all four of Red Oak basketball these games seem to pale in comparison to the largest youth sports league in the country – soccer. in all in an effort to build the team factor and The rise of club soccer teams across Amershowcase his players.

Don’t think for a second he is a fool to ica has been rapid and varied. Recreation think players would put aside personal pur- leagues once dominated the landscape but suits to help the team every time. He knows have now been replaced by pay-to-play club the allure of AAU ball and the ease at which teams for players of all ages with a wide range players can be seen by college scouts at mas- of commitment levels.

With an elevated level of play, club soccer sive tournaments.

Midlothian boys basketball coach Glenn provides numerous opportunities that high Hartson couldn’t agree more. He also knows school soccer does not, the biggest of which the system guarantees nothing. Making peo- is collegiate recruiting.

“Soccer’s different, it’s always different, ple understand that seems to be harder than than other sports because soccer, if girls or trying to win the game itself.

“It’s good for some but not for all. I think boys want to get recruited for college, they’re a lot of parents get caught up in, ‘My kid’s going to be seen in club, plain and simple,” playing on a select team so therefore they’re Red Oak girls soccer coach Laurie Norrell good.’ Well what is that select team doing? said. “High school soccer is more of a social, They’re telling them they’re good. Why? Be- let’s have fun but be competitive, I get to play cause it’s money, it’s a business. They’re go- with my friends who I grew up with. Club is where the money is. Club is where they’re going to tell them that,” Hartson said.

The practice and elevated competition is ing to be seen. Club is their main focus.”

None of the soccer coaches surveyed deny something both coaches acknowledge as benefits to playing. This summer, Midlothian ath- the benefits of club soccer when it comes to letes took part in numerous Metroplex tour- college recruiting. Seeing a scout at a high naments against AAU and select teams from school soccer game is a rarity as the level of across the country in an effort to develop play in a high school soccer match is extrememental and physical toughness against bigger, ly different from a club match.

Regional and national tournaments profaster and stronger teams. While the work on the court during the summer months undoubt- vide college coaches with a one-stop recruitedly aids their cause on the high school level, ing location as they can take in dozens, if not the exposure is something Waxahachie boys hundreds of games within a short period of coach Steve Weeks knows his season cannot time, evaluating players and finding potential signees amongst a strong field of competition. provide as well as the summer months do.

The positives for the sport are strong. HowWith college and high school seasons overlapping, the odds of getting a major ever, there is a catch – unlike all the other institution out to prep game is nearly im- select or club sports, soccer truly runs yearpossible, if not entirely. But with dozens round, even during the high school season. of courts running at the same time, players That conflict is cause for plenty of concern stand a better chance of being noticed in the and stress among high school coaches.

“In our code of conduct, high school comes summer. It’s a fact Weeks and his coaching counterparts cannot shy away from. before any clubs so if they have a conflict “It’s exposure for the kids to college coach- they’ve got to be in high school. That’s what es and to a high level of kids that they play they’re told,” Waxahachie soccer coach Jason against. You look at college coaches nowa- Venable said. “That’s a debate that we’ve got days, during our season they’re obviously going on, what do you do? Do you let them in season as well, so they don’t really get an go? If you let them go, then you’re going to opportunity to go out and see these kids and have a problem from now on.”

Every high school soccer coach talked to see what they can do,” Weeks said. “They can look at stats, they can watch film. They would for this story had some sort of policy or rule rather get out and watch them play. I think in that once the high school season starts club play takes a back seat. There are exceptions that regard it’s great for our kids.”

The problem, Weeks and nearly every other to the rule.

Each coach acknowledges the biggest concoach surveyed quickly points out, not every flict as the annual Dallas Cup tournament kid is big-time college material.

Red Oak girls basketball coach Melissa where some of the best youth club teams from Fullmer offers up the example of her sopho- around the country play each year. If a playmore guard Diamond Lockhart. Last year, er’s club team makes that tournament there is a general understanding they will be allowed to play in the Cup with the stipulation of making it up through extra work at practice.

However, the rule does not always stop players from trying to squeeze both teams in at the same time. Venable cites a time last season when one of his female players had a huge tournament with college implications on the Austin Guest same day as a playoff match.

The player took part in both

Midlothian soccer as the schedule allowed her to make both games.

“It’s a shame to put a 1617 year old kid in that situation because she lives with Lockhart burst onto the high school scene daddy everyday. What are you going to do?” capped by a landside vote to be named Dis- Venable said. “Me and (Waxahachie women’s athletic director) Sandy Faussett talked it out trict 15-4A newcomer of the year.

Long before she was a standout Lady Hawk for a long time. Sandy would have said, ‘Turn she was a highly touted young AAU player. your stuff in.’ I said, ‘Sandy you can do that College coaches across the country have because you’ve got a lot more athletes that known about Lockhart’s talents long before play volleyball in club. ‘I said, ‘What if it was she earned a varsity letter. The phone calls Kate Praslicka that’s your stud?’ She said,, and letters of recruitment back that up. Not ‘Well, Katie would never choose club over every player is a Lockhart and making play- high school.’ And I said, ‘That’s not the point ers and parents understand that is a tall task. – what if she said, what would you do?’ (Fau“Statistically not every kid can go play Di- sett) said, ‘I don’t know that’s a tough one.’”

The situation only grows more complex vision I, statistics prove it. Not every kid is going to play college athletics,” Fullmer said. with the recent creation of a new level of club “Now, there are lots of opportunities whether know as the academy. Designed as a trainit’s at the NAIA, junior college, Division II or ing ground for truly gifted soccer players, Division I, there are those opportunities but I the academy is the top level of club soccer in think everybody has to keep in mind not ev- America and is truly an elite system.

Players try out and are selected to make an eryone is a Division I type player.”

Grasping the situation and understanding academy team. If they are chosen, they train what is best on a personal level is often the year-round with this team for national and inhardest concept to grab hold of. Midlothian ternational tournaments. The hope is that the girls basketball coach Brooke Walthall has elite soccer players will be trained at a higher been at every level imaginable. She knows level than even the most advanced club, prethe cost, physically, financially and mentally. paring them for at least a Division I college The former Texas Tech player understands career, if not a shot at being a professional.

The catch – if you accept an invitation to the appeal of playing select basketball as the future opportunities the sport brings are abun- join an academy team your career in high dant. Still, there are some experiences that no school is over.

“The academy teams take the best playamount of travel or weekend tournaments can ers, the commitment is huge. Originally they replace.

“As a player I played on both. I played in were set up to play academy and high school AAU and I played in high school and to win a and no other club events. That’s starting to state championship in high school is so much change,” Midlothian coach Austin Guest said. different than winning a national champion- “FC Dallas told their kids they couldn’t play ship in the summer. There are 20 national high school last year. The elite level of club championships for AAU, that’s just how it is is still very elite. Any one can find an opportu now. But there’s only one whenever you’re in high school that you can win,” Walthall said.

See FINANCIAL, Page 4C “In high school, you focus on the whole kid.

There are some people out there that I think are just trying to take advantage of the kids and make a buck.

-

I think over the next three years, the kids that play academy aren’t going to play high school.

-

4C Midlothian Mirror, Wednesday, August 28, 2010

Agbaroji

Continued from Page 1C First-year Midlothian coach Lee Wiginton has yet to see Agbaroji in live game action but offered high praise for a player he has seen become more than just a great athlete but a great leader.

“I think it’s really neat for him, his family, for Midlothian and for the program. That’s not something that happens everyday, a top five program,” Wiginton said.

“He’s worked really hard, been here everyday this summer. I can’t speak to what he did before I got here but since I’ve been here he’s been working as hard as anybody on the team. He seems like an awesome kid with a great opportunity.”

College scouts lined the practice field this spring watching Agbaroji among other players on the Midlothian roster. Schools with interest ranged from Big 12 powers Oklahoma, Okla-

Sports

Alex Riley, Sports Writer 469-517-1456 | alex.riley@wninews.com

homa State and Texas Tech to TCU, UCLA and Arizona State.

The decision to by-pass some of those traditional powers and head to Boise came after Agbaroji examined the success rate of Bronco cornerbacks at the next level.

Currently five former Boise State secondary players are in the NFL including New York Jets first-round selection Kyle Wilson who capped his career with three interceptions last fall. The Broncos also have a handful of players expected to hear their names called in next year’s NFL Draft.

Agbaroji hopes he’ll eventually have the same opportunity.

“They’re about to put out a bunch DBs into the NFL. They already had one this last draft and you have Jeron Johnson and Brandyn Thompson. It’s the next D(efensive)B(ack) U(niversity),” Agbaroji said.

Hoopsters take third

Midlothian eighth-graders competed in the Dallas Hoop It Up tournament over the August 13-14 weekend. The team placed third in the tournament. The team consisted of (from left) Daniel Dopson, Will Goerig, Brandon Klor, Nick Hoover and Will Wiens.

Photo by Mike Sackett/special to the Mirror Contact Alex at alex.riMidlothian defensive back Eric Agbaroji ley@wninews.com or at 46has the size, speed and phyiscal tools col517-1456. lege coaches want.

Financial

The hope is that cost will balance out in the end.

“It’s a business and unfortunately that’s why Continued from Page 3C you see this vacuum efnity to play club soccer who wants to, who fect happen. When I was can find a team, make a commitment and pay young, you were selected to play club. They wanted the fees.”

The worry of losing players to club teams you. There was very few just solely for the purpose of college recruit- teams and it was a priviing is a reality most soccer coaches have to lege to get there and everybody else played rec deal with everyday.

“In soccer, the burden of getting noticed (league soccer),” Red Oak by a college program still mostly falls on boys soccer coach Trent Jennifer McFalls the player and the parents. Let the coaches Kutch said. “Nowadays, Former Midlothian softball know what tournaments you’re going to be at, rec is gone, it’s all vacucoaches of schools you’re interested in. We umed and there’s a million had a ton of our kids go to play in college, different clubs. And somemost of them have been noticed in the college how you’re telling me showcases,” Guest added. “I’ve got a couple these kids are all select players? And there’s “I think kids need to be kids. I want them to kids that I’m afraid as the academy program only a very, very small handful that are rec? It be fired up when they come play for us. If we’re blessed and we did have a good year, builds I think there’s a chance we’ll lose those should be the opposite.” we’re going to end up playing close to 40 kids. I think over the next three years, the kids ball games, hopefully more than that if we Mental: that play academy aren’t going to play high go to the state tournament. I don’t want a kid Can there be too much of a school. This year, for us, it would have meant burned out.” “good thing?” we would have lost one player if he decided As much as Hydes and every other baseball If anybody understands the need for select to play in the academy. (Mansfield) Legacy or softball coach worries about getting playwould have lost seven or eight. It very much sports, it’s Jennifer McFalls. ers back with sore arms and tired bodies, the There is no question that in a career which depends upon the schools.” mind plays an equally important role in the featured an Olympic gold medal, internationThe creation of the academy team furthers success of a team. the pecking order of club teams. While the al titles and a hall of fame election, McFalls Tracy Wood understands the system from academy is the top ladder of the select chain, is easily regarded as one of the top softball two perspectives, as both a coach and a father. academy starts at age 16 with select play players to ever come from the state of TexHis son, freshman Kyle Wood, is a player for as.

Funny thing is, when she graduated from starting as young as 8-years old. Most high the Waxahachie Indian baseball program as school coaches estimate the average club Grand Prairie High School, softball wasn’t an well as a select baseball player. player spends at least $1,500 a year to play option.

Wood, who says he spent the first six weeks “I grew up playing softball in ASA and I club but it depends on the level of play. of his summer in hotel rooms following his started off on just a little Grand Prairie team According to a Dallas Morning News son in tournaments, knows the positives of study in 2006, the Dallas Texans Soccer Club and before you know it I was getting recruitselect baseball are high. So are the negatives. brought in $2.8 million in revenue while pay- ed to play for higher level teams,” the for“They play a pretty high level every time ing its coaches $1.3 million. Hassan Nazari, mer Midlothian High School softball coach they go out there and I have seen it. To be said.

“It’s imperative now that kids play althe director of coaching, led all club related good, you’ve got to know what it looks like,” employees with a salary of $146,090. Six of most year round at a pretty high level if their Wood said.

“I think the positive is they see the top 10 spots were held by soccer-related dreams and aspirations are to play collegiategood people every time they go out there. officials. Of the other four, two were golf- ly. On the softball side of it, it’s how they get recruited honestly. The They’re seeing a little more advanced play, college coaches go to the the competition is a little better. That’s the select tournaments in the good part. The downside to it is I am so teamsummertime. The high oriented. I am so big on team and that don’t school season and the col- really exist with that level. And even with my lege season unfortunately son’s team, you sat back and watched and you parallel each other so it’s didn’t see that. It’s not like they’re not trying very difficult for the col- to be team kids. It’s just how do you get tight lege coaches to get out with a guy when you’ve known him for four and watch high school months? How do you cheer for a guy when you’ve known him for four months?” ball.”

Every coach has a story of some player An all-district and allstate performer in bas- who either opted out of playing before their ketball, soccer and vol- final season of high school ball or gave up a Tracy Wood leyball, McFalls spent her promising college opportunity due to not beWaxahachie baseball summers traveling with ing committed to the game.

Waxahachie softball coach Steve Howell that softball team, playing recalls a player he worked with at Corsicana in tournaments around the Mildred who played her first two years of colregion and the country. lege and then informed her college coach she The end result – a scholwouldn’t play her last two seasons. arship to Texas A&M and a gold medal in related while one was baseball and the other “I encourage my girls to play. But on the Sydney Olympics in 2000. was tennis. same aspect I want to make sure that they’re McFalls, now a University of Texas asEach of the soccer coaches quoted in this not burnt out playing too much ball. There’s story easily acknowledges they could leave sistant coach, fully understands the pressure a fine line there.

How much is too much?” associated with playing at a high level for their current positions at the high school level Howell said.

“I encourage them to play beand go into club coaching where they would extended periods. She understood so well, it cause the more they play the better they’re influenced her training program while leading make more money with less responsibility. going to be.

When they get to me, they’ve got Playing club soccer offers benefits to ev- the Lady Panther program. a lot of the fundamentals down and it increas“It kind of shaped what I did in the fall eryone involved. Players get exposure while es their skill level.” playing against top tier athletes. The competi- with my kids because I knew coming off of Sometimes, the players don’t even reach tion enhances their game, making them better our season in the spring they go right into the that point. Hydes, who has been at Midlothian players for the high school season while giv- summer and sometimes they play 80 games for more than a decade, finds that players ofand actually they play through the fall,” Mcing them a chance to be noticed by colleges. ten don’t understand the demands of playing The system’s flaw is one most coaches Falls said. “There is definitely the need for a at a highly competitive level. recognize parents and players fail to under- break and that’s why I started looking when I If participation in select ball doesn’t teach stand – Title IX laws have eliminated a large became the high school coach I realized that

It’s imperative now that kids play almost year-round at a pretty high level if their dreams and aspriations are to play collegiately.

-

The downside to it is, I am so teamoriented. I am so big on team and that don’t really exist at that level.

-

portion of men’s NCAA Division I soccer programs. Only 198 such programs still exist in America, of which only one is in Texas (Southern Methodist). The limited number of spots at the biggest level of soccer versus what players and parents are often being told doesn’t seem to add up.

Of the four 4A soccer teams in Ellis County last season, only one senior signed with a Division I university, Red Oak’s Ricky Tellez with Bradley University. That scholarship offer came after Tellez caught the eye of Braves coaches with strong club tournament play.

The selling point of high school soccer and high school sports in general seems to remain the opportunity to play with friends, for pride in your community. Every coach acknowledges the goal of moving on to the next level will come from what a player does in club.

one thing the select teams don’t do is strength and conditioning. They don’t focus on all that. So our off-season really became a focus of strength and conditioning. It got us off the softball field, quit worrying about their hitting or stats and all of that and just started to build the athlete.”

No matter the sport or school, burn out resurfaces as a catch phrase surrounding the program. Some coaches have seen it more than others. Some worry about it more than others.

The overlying question is simple – how much is too much?

“I’ll get dads that will come up to me and say, ‘Hey, we’re on this team and we played 60 or 80 games this summer.’ And I’ll be like, ‘I’m sorry that you don’t have a life,’” Midlothian baseball coach Ray Hydes said.

I don’t believe in burn out. I have no belief in burn out of anything. I think that’s an excuse for parents and kids that tired of playing.

- Heath Autrey

Red Oak baseball

them that lesson, reality quickly sets in as they look to move on in their careers.

“Most of the kids find out once they get there, it’s a job, brother. And it’s not like high school baseball. The competition is very, very intense,” Hydes said. “I had a kid that went off and he was outfielder and he was home about a week after he left. And I said, ‘What are you doing?’ And he said, ‘They had like six outfielders coach.’ I said, ‘What, you think you’re the only one they went after?’ He didn’t understand that. He’s not the only fish in the pond, there’s a lot of them out there.

Kids need to be prepared for that.”

Of course,not every coach sees burn out from the same perspective.

Red Oak baseball coach Heath Autrey points to a player’s passion and commitment to the game as what drives them to do what is necessary to further their career. Autrey, who has been at the helm of the Hawk program for five years, played at nearly every level of baseball in his career, ranging from high school to top tier select.

The drive to be the best is personal, as Autrey sees it.

“I don’t believe in burn out. I have no belief in burn out or anything. I think that’s an excuse for parents and kids that get tired of playing. If you have passion for something you’re going to want to do it all the time,” Autrey said. “I think that when kids are burned out it’s because their parents are pushing them to do things they don’t want to do. So then they say they’re burned out. I’ve always laughed when I hear that. It’s an excuse. It’s an excuse that they don’t want to work anymore. They don’t want to be committed to it. I think it’s hilarious actually.”

His label as a high school coach is just one part of his coaching hierarchy. Autrey offers private lessons to aspiring athletes, helps with select teams in the Dallas area and works summer camps at the high school and collegiate level. He sees and knows what college and professional coaches are looking for in players they would like to work with.

The biggest hindrance, according to Autrey, isn’t the athletes, the coaches or the injury factor. Support is everything and often times it sets those who make it apart from those who don’t.

“Parents are the No. 1 problem. They see things with their eyes. They don’t see things through coach’s eyes, they don’t see the things through college recruiter’s eyes,” Autrey said. “Parents, the ones that are realistic, are the ones that generally their kids end up making it. The ones that are not realistic, their kid usually ends up doing something else.”

Playing constantly, travel time and sizable commitments are all part of the world of select athletics. The demand is high and having an athlete who can balance all those things, remain focused and still come out on top is a challenge high school coaches see everyday.

The price to pay can be high, both in numerical value and personal sacrifice. But the rewards, be it a college scholarship, personal accolade or even a state title, can be worth the cost.

“Go ask Colton Cain, who’s playing rookie ball right now, go ask him. Did he get a million dollars? Sure, he got a million dollars.

But go ask him about that experience and playing in 2008 for a state championship with his teammates, with guys that he showed up with every day to this park at two o’clock and we practiced together, we get better together, we take the butt chewing from coach Wood together, we get the accolade together. I just don’t think you can ever replace that,” Wood said.

“I think when it’s all said and done and you grow up and life happens and you’re going down the road I think they’re going to remember those experiences a lot more than playing that select ball.”

Alex Riley is a sports writer covering athletics in Ellis County and around the Metroplex.

Contact him at alex.riley@wninews.com or at 469-517-1456.

Alex Riley, Sports Writer 469-517-1456 | alex.riley@wninews.com

Sports

Wednesday, August 28, 2010 Midlothian Mirror 5C

Back with authority

Volleyball standout Mergener returns to form after recovering from knee injury

By ALEX RILEY

Box scores

Mirror sports writer

Photo by Alex Riley/The Mirror

Despite having major surgery on her knee last year, junior Tadam Mergener has returned to action stronger than before.

Can an athlete really come back better from an injury? Ask Tadam Mergener.

On second thought, don’t ask. Just watch her play.

A few weeks short of a year removed from a season-ending knee injury, the Midlothian junior is back on the court, playing at 100 percent.

Possibly 110 percent.

Mergener injured her knee during a showcase event overseas in Italy just a few weeks into the regular season for the Lady Panthers. After extensive surgery, therapy and hard work, she’s back doing what she loves and doing it well.

“I went to a really good trainer, had a really good doctor. I worked really, really hard because I knew I wanted to play volleyball afterwards so I had to work harder,” Mergener said.

“I still have a ways to go. It feels good so far.”

How far recovered is the Midlothian standout? Her stats tell a portion of the story.

In a match last week against Grace Prep, Mergener was firing hard posting 21 kills, a seasonhigh for the Lady Panthers. She then went on to lead the team in both kills and digs in the Byron Nelson Classic tournament over the weekend.

Her game has been vital to the team’s success up to this point.

Coach Rhonda Currey never really worried that Mergener’s game would dip because of her work ethic and approach. Her concern was over the mentality she would have playing after the injury.

“It’s very nice because that is not only a physical but a mental battle that she has conquered. And she started from day one when she got hurt,” Currey said. “She had the mindset of, ‘You know what, I’m going to come back strong from this.’ And she constantly said that all year, ‘Coach I’m going to be back stronger.’

Now she’s just proving it. She totally is proving it.”

Still, the mental battle is far from over. In the Duncanville Tournament of Champions the prior weekend, Mergener was playing well when she came down on her knee hard. The awkward fall left her a bit worried and eventually she sat out the final games of the tournament.

Doctors told her she doesn’t need to wear a

Aug. 17 vs. Grace Prep W, 25-19, 26-24, 25-18 Byron Nelson Classic vs. Magnolia L, 25-19, 25-14 vs. Waxahachie L, 25-23, 25-18 vs. Aledo L, 26-24, 25-11 vs. Canyon Randall W, 25-22, 25-23 vs. Cedar Park L, 25-20, 25-21 vs. Mesquite Poteet W, 17-25, 25-19, 25-23

Upcoming schedule Aug. 26-28 @ Pearland Tournament TBA

Photo by Alex Riley/The Mirror

Already this season, Tadam Mergener leads the Lady Panthers in kills and is near the top in digs.

brace and so far she hasn’t. In the end, the feeling was just a scare but it’s a reality Mergener now lives with.

“They said I didn’t need one. I mean I get worried like the other day at that tournament I got worried that I tore it again. It’s scary but I’m over it now,” Mergener said.

As for her play, the junior really doesn’t put much thought into it. When you’ve been play-

Aug. 31 vs. Crowley 7 p.m. ing volleyball as long as she has, there is only one way to approach the game – at full speed.

Mergener doesn’t think of herself as a leader on the Lady Panther team. In fact, she generally shy’s away from being labeled as such. After all she’s been through, Mergener just wants to play.

“I don’t really think about. I just kind of get my head in the game and start playing,” Mergener said.

Contact Alex at alex.riley@wninews.com or at 469-517-1456.

Sub-varsity volleyball starts season strong

By ALEX RILEY Mirror sports writer

Photo by Alex Riley/The Mirror

Midlothian freshman Regan Hydes goes up for a ball during a match last week. The freshman A team is 4-2 on the year.

Panther football season tickets on sale

Season tickets for the 2010 Panther football season are on sale at the athletic department office located inside the arena lobby. Tickets are $35 a seat for five home games and can be paid for via cash or check.

All tickets must be purchased in person on a first come, first serve basis. The office will be closed between noon-1 p.m. for lunch. Tickets will remain on sale this week and next from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

MISD golf tourney

The sixth annual Midlothian ISD Education Foundation golf tournament will be held Sept. 17 at the Mansfild National Golf Club. Money raised at the tournament will go

The ninth-grade volleyball teams have opened well this season with plenty of close matches and timely wins.

The freshman A team picked up a 25-19, 17-25, 25-22 win over Frisco Cenntenial back on Aug. 10 while the B team lost 27-25, 24-26, 24-26.

The Lady Panther A team then headed to the Crandall Tournament where it played well in pool play beating West Mesquite (25-2, 25-3), Caddo Mills (257, 25-16) and split with Lindale (25-10, 24-26).

That qualified the team for the championship bracket where it lost to Rockwall Heath 15-25, 25-19, 14-25 before rebounding to defeat Naaman Forest 25-14,

Sports Happenings to benefit the education foundation’s efforts in the district.

Registration at the course will start at 10:30 a.m. with a lunch at 11:30 a.m. and a shotgun start slated for 12:30 p.m.

Contests will include a hole-inone shootout, longest drive and closest to the pin as well as prizes for the winning team.

Early registration and sponsorship is due by Sept. 3. For questions about the tournament or to download a flyer for registering, visit www.midlothian-isd.net/mef.

Baseball instruction

Youth baseball players ages 4-11 of any skill level can learn from some of the area’s best in one-onone lessons. For more information or to set up a lesson, contact Oscar Davila at 469-245-5539.

23-25, 25-16 and Caddo Mills 25-20, 25-8 to claim the tournament’s consolation bracket championship.

The good run kept going against Grace Prep as the team won 25-7, 19-25, 25-20. The A squad is now 4-2 while the B team is 0-2.

Junior varsity remains perfect

Midlothian’s junior varsity team kept its record spotless last week with a 25-17, 25-21 win over Grace Prep. The Lady Panthers are now 3-0.

Contact Alex at alex.riley@ wninews.com or at 469-5171456.

Photo by Alex Riley/The Mirror

Midlothian junior varsity player Victoria Rees blocks a Grace Prep shot during last week’s game. The JV squad is still undefeated on the year at 3-0.

Powerhouse baseball

The 13U Powerhouse baseball team is looking for players for the fall and spring. Practices are held at 6 p.m. Sundays. For more information, call Oscar Davila at 469-2455539.

10U AA team

There will be a new 10U AA team forming for the upcoming 2010 fall through 2011 spring season. Players cannot turn 11 prior to April 30, 2011. For more information or to schedule a tryout, contact Mike Roque at 214-289-3224 or e-mail texasbash@yahoo.com Got a sports happening? Send it to sports writer Alex at alex.riley@ wninews.com.

Taekwon-do promotions

Cros Martial Arts center takes great pleasure in announcing the promotions of the following students during a recent Taekwo-Do black belt testing held at the center: Jason Allen, Tevor Smitherman, Jackson Allen, Luke Vitullo, Jamie Raybourn, Bradley Stapleton and Jeffery Wright were all promoted to first degree black belt. Additionally, both Annette Poteet and Aaron Poteet were promoted to second degree black belt.

Coming next week...

The 2010 Ellis County Football Preview tab feature 40 pages of coverage on every high school team in the county. Don’t miss it!

6C Midlothian Mirror, Wednesday, August 28, 2010

Sports

Alex Riley, Sports Writer 469-517-1456 | alex.riley@wninews.com

Double trouble Team of Richards, Hendrix dominate the court for Midlothian tennis

By ALEX RILEY Mirror sports writer

Ask either Haley Richards or Lexi Hendrix about their association and each will say the same thing – they’re best friends. The Midlothian tennis duo are one of the top doubles teams in the Metroplex and for good reason. They’ve been around each other so much they can practically anticipate what the other is going to do.

Of course it wasn’t always like that.

“The funny thing is she absolutely despised me and she couldn’t stand me. Then at one of the varsity sleepovers we became friends and turned out to be best friends,” Hendrix said.

Richards, who is a senior this year, was established on the team while Hendrix was an incoming freshman.

The initial feeling between the two was one of animosity.

All that changed during that sleepover which was designed to build team unity through getting to know one another. Apparently, it worked.

The friendship led to a pairing that has stuck.

“Coach (Marcus Canonico) just randomly put us together. We were best friends so we asked to play together and we just started playing.

Box scores

Aug. 17 vs. Arlington Lamar W, 14-5 Aug. 19 vs. Arlington Martin L, 13-6 Aug. 20 vs. Alvarado W, 18-1

Upcoming schedule

Aug. 26 vs. McKinney North 4 p.m.

Aug. 31 @ Mansfield Summit 3:30 p.m.

In our first tournament we won first place,” Richards said.

Since that point, the duo have been nearly inseparable and unstoppable.

They rolled through district play last season as a 4A team and finished third at district, making them alternates for the regional tournament.

Already this season they’ve gotten off to a strong start with a 5-3 record through the first eight matches of the

year. Falling short of the regional tournament last season has served as motivation for this year.

“The goal is we want to make it to regionals and then to state,” Hendrix said. “We could have made it to regionals last year because in our play back we lost to Corsicana and then (on Aug. 14) we beat them 6-1, 6-1.

So it shows that we can make it to regionals this year.”

Facing 5A competition won’t make that goal any easier. The duo face a good district schedule that will make it difficult to reach that mark.

The secret to overcoming that tough slate of teams is good communication, both players point out, citing trust and ability to encourage each other as a reason they’ve been so good so far.

The prospect of making a run at a district, regional and possible state title is an exciting thought. And it’s one they’re ready to make together.

“We’re excited about the new competition. I have a feeling it’s going to be a little easier this year in some place. In some places harder,” Richards said.

Hendrix agrees.

“I know we can do it this year,” Hendrix said.

Contact Alex at alex.riley@ wninews.com or at 469-517-1456.

Photo by Alex Riley/The Mirror

Midlothian doubles team Lexi Hendrix, left, and Haley Richards, right, have regional and state championship aspirations.

Photos courtesy of Momentum Youth Track Club

Momentum Youth Track Club runners, from left, Blake Gardner, Kyron Smith, Ryan Shipman and Keion Sutton each finished the top 50 percent for all their events after strong performances at the Junior Olympics.

An experience of a lifetime Runners represent Midlothian, Texas well at Junior Olympic event in Virginia

By ALEX RILEY Mirror sports writer

Before he took on the role, Stacy Gardner really didn’t know what to expect this season. The Momentum Youth Track Club was in its first year of existence with a lot of athletes who were competing for their first time in track and field events.

So when the season ended with four of those athletes competing the Junior Olympic games in Norfolk, Va. a a few weekends ago, it was an ending that far exceeded expectations.

“It was their first year being together as a team, we had a few athletes that had run with other groups or teams in years past but this was really our first year of them being together in Midlothian and having the talent around here to go showcase,” Gardner said. “We had no idea we’d have that many qualify, especially in their first year together, for the Junior Olympics. We’re pretty impressed. Didn’t expect it at all.”

Eight total athletes qualified for the event with four being able to participate. Kyron Smith, Ryan Shipman, Keion Sutton and Blake Gardner spanned three different age groups and competed in four races.

Smith ran the 200m, Shipman took part in the 1500m, Sutton also ran the 200m while Blake Gardner ran in the 400m, 800m and 1500m. Each athlete set his per-

sonal best time during the Junior Olympics and each finished the year with something to be extremely proud of – their national rankings.

The National Elite Youth Ranking System, which combines the totals from AAU and USA Track and Field, gave each athlete a rank in the top 50 percent of their age group. Smith finished 210 of 4,098 in the 200m for 8-9 year olds, Shipman was 659 of 1,168 for 10-11 year olds in the 1500m and Sutton was 892 of 3,264 for 12-13 year olds in the 200m. Blake Gardner got progressively higher rankings in the 12-13 category as the races got longer finishing 1,380 of 2,941 in the 400m, 786 of 2,079 in the 800m and 540 of 1,358 in the 1500m.

While there weren’t any national medalists in the group, Stacy Gardner was proud of each athlete’s improvement over the course the season.

“The kids really put in a lot of effort and it was good to see throughout the year we coached and talked about it’s not going out there and necessarily getting first place. It’s all about improving and working on your foundation,” Gardner said. “It’s good to see it paid off for them. It kind of gives us something to build off of next year.”

Already Gardner and his athletes are getting ready for next season. The coach says some of his young competitors have

kept running while the program goes about with fundraising activities to get as many people to next year’s Junior Olympic games in New Orleans.

Winter training for strength and conditioning, a possible camp to welcome new athletes to the program and even a few field events are all in the works for next season as the program continues to build.

After being in Norfolk for the event, Gardner saw the excitement on the runners’ faces and knows how important that experience is. Getting back there won’t be easy but the club appears up for the challenge.

“As a coach and as a parent, just being invited or qualifying to go is breathtaking, especially for the athletes that have not been before. You don’t know what to expect and kind of competing in front of that many people was something they weren’t use to,” Gardner said. “You’re talking about the elite of the elite showing up and you’re out running against everybody. At other track meets, you’re only running against those that qualified. It was just great to see them enjoy the moment and being able to take the time and experience that.”

Contact Alex at alex.riley@wninews. com or at 469-517-1456.

Running down a dream The National Elite Youth Ranking System combines AAU and USATF statistics to rank runners at the end of the year. Here are how the four Junior Olympic competitiors from Momentum finished.

Kyron Smith (8-9 years old) 200m 210 of 4,098 Ryan Shipman (10-11 years old) 1500m 659 of 1,168 Keion Sutton (12-13 years old) 200m 892 of 3,264 Blake Gardner (12-13 years old) 400m 1380 of 2,941 800m 786 of 2,079 1500m 540 of 1,358