QUARTERLY
ONE HEART ONE HEART QUARTERLY
I am excited to share the first quarterly report from the athletics department with you in my new role as Athletic Director! Since starting this position in January, it has been a true blessing to meet so many of you, as well as our talented student-athletes and dedicated coaches.
This has been an exciting season for our athletic programs! From welcoming passionate new coaches to strategic planning for the future growth of our teams, there’s an undeniable energy and commitment to excellence in everything we do. Together, we are continuing to build programs that reflect our shared mission of developing and graduating authentic Christian leaders who embody faith, determination, and teamwork on and off the field.
This quarterly report is designed to keep you informed and engaged with all the wonderful things happening within our athletics community. We’ll celebrate achievements, provide updates, and keep you posted regarding what’s on the horizon for our programs.
Thank you for your continued support and for entrusting us with the privilege of walking alongside your children in their athletic and spiritual journeys.
It’s a great day to be a Lion!
Elvis Gallegos Athletic Director
Eight Lions Ink Commitments to Play at the Next Level
The Dallas Road Gymnasium was packed on February 5, National Signing Day, in honor of (8) GFCS studentathletes and their commitment to compete collegiately.
Ryan Romolo (Harding University), John Byler (Odessa College), and Garrison St. Romain (Tyler Junior College) will represent GFCS Baseball on college fields across the country next Fall. The trio has earned multiple AllDistrict and All-State awards in their career as Lions. Romolo was most recently named District Pitcher of the Year and led all private schools in strikeouts a season ago. Byler earned All-State honors as a Junior, and St. Romain was most recently named District Most Valuable Player on his way to another First Team All-State selection last season.
Charis (Southern Nazarene University) and Price Andrews (University of Mary Hardin-Baylor) will represent GFCS Soccer at SNU and UMHB next year. The siblings have anchored the programs throughout their careers at Faith. Price is currently the all-time leader in career and single-season assists; and may finish his career as a 4-time First Team All-District Award-Winner - a distinction very few have earned.
William Pulley (Harding University), a 4th Place TAPPS State Tournament finisher in 2024 will look to make a championship run in 2025, then follow GFCS Golf Alumni, Jase Summy’s (University of Oklahoma) success at the collegiate level.
Chase Leslie and Landon Harlin will attend Rome City Institute and Trinity University, respectively. Leslie and Harlin have been key contributors in the Lions’ back-to-back (28) win seasons. Leslie currently leads the Lions in assists, as the engine that turns the Lions fast-paced offense. Harlin, a 1,000-point scorer, was most recently named District Most Valuable Player (alongside Brennen Byrd) in 2024.
Anderson Caps Career Anderson Caps Career with Two More Titles, with Two More Titles,
Distinguished
Distinguished
Swimmer Award
Swimmer Award
GFCS Swim took two relays and two individual swimmers to the TAPPS State Swim Meet in San Antonio, TX on Tuesday, February 11.
Their 400 Free and Medley Relays took a fifth and sixth place finish, respectively - en route to two new school records in the events.
Relay team members included (Vivian Anderson, Presley Kirchhoff, Stella Anderson, and Sophia Belcher).
Freshman Stella Anderson turned in Top-10 performances in the 200IM, where she finished 4th; and in the 100M Backstroke where she finished 8th.
Senior, Vivian Anderson finished her GFCS Swim career as State Champion in the 50M Freestyle and 100M Backstroke, both events
she has previous State titles in, while also earning the Bruce Rollins
Distinguished Swimmer Award - given to the most outstanding swimmer at the TAPPS State Meet. Anderson’s (5) State Championships (50M Free - 2022, 2023, 2025/100M Backstroke2023, 2025), Regional Swimmer of the Meet, and the Bruce Rollins
Distinguished Swimmer Award make her the most decorated student-athlete in GFCS Swimming history.
V I V I A N A N D E R S O N
Men
’
s Basketball Men’s Basketball
Matches Mark from 2024, Matches Mark from 2024, Still More in Front of Them Still More in Front of Them
A 93-75 win over Dallas Thunder on Tuesday, February 11 marked the end of the 2024-25 regular season for Men's Basketball.
The victory - their 28th of the season - also solidified their spot in GFCS Men's Basketball history alongside the 2023-2024 Lions who also won (28) games and stand now as the Winningest Team(s) in program history.
The 2024-25 Lions are now the sixth-consecutive team to win at least (24) games on their way to a sixth-straight playoff appearance.
They will travel to Austin on Tuesday, February 18 where they will square off with Brentwood Christian, the District Champion from TAPPS 5A, District II.
The Bears finished 2024-25 with a (26-8) regular season record and are currently ranked third in TAPPS 5A by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches.
The Lions will enter the match-up with a (28-8) overall record, and sit sixth in the TABC TAPPS 5A poll.
Women’s Basketball Women’s Basketball
Begins New Era Begins New Era
All-State returner, Scarlett Bair and new Head Coach, Gene Topping led a young Lady Lions group in 2024-2025.
Bair, who averaged a double/double in points and rebounds will return in 2025-26 as a senior - alongside to-be juniors, Tatum Neal and Anna Henderson - who both played crucial roles on a young team in 2024-25.
Neal and Henderson averaged a shade under ten points a game and will be huge contributors in the coming year.
The Lady Lions will also return rising juniors, Hannah Smeltzer and Presleigh West - and to be sophomores, Ava Watts, Kami Stares, and Gabriella Adair.
Back to Back for Men's Soccer Back to Back for Men's Soccer Eyes Toward Another Final Four Run Eyes Toward Another Final Four Run
You would have to look back to January of 2023 to find the last time GFCS Men's Soccer lost a district match. January 17, to be exact - a 2-1 loss to Liberty Christian.
Since then, the Lions have reeled off 21 straight district victories; three playoff wins, and a Final Four appearance. The 2024-25 season is also their second consecutive District Championship.
They completed the regular season on February 13, at All Saints - bringing their district play to (8-0) and extended their district streak to (22) games. The Lions begin postseason play at home on February 24. The playoff match against Austin Regents is Youth Night and Red-Out. The first 40 students at the boys’ game will receive a free t-shirt. We will have free sno-cones, Chef Patrick’s hot sandwiches, and lots of fun giveaways for our elementary fans!
The Tradition Continues - Women's Soccer The Tradition Continues - Women's Soccer Ready for Postseason Play Ready for Postseason Play
The Lady Lions head into the playoffs as the number two seed in TAPPS Division II District Playoffs. Led by nine seniors plus underclassmen with a goal differential of (+23) outscoring opponents 25-2.
They are looking forward to another opportunity to follow in the footsteps of those who started a Championship tradition beginning in 2017 - the first of six State Championships won between 2017 and 2023; a run that includes five-consecutive State titles, beginning with their first post-season match on Monday, February 24th. The game will be a red-out with free tshirts for the first 40 students at the game!
A Look Ahead: GFCS Spring Forecast A Look Ahead: GFCS Spring Forecast
With winter weather comes spring sports. GFCS Baseball, Softball, Golf, Tennis, and Track have all begun competition in the 2025 season. Each program has a fruitful 2024 to follow - notably GFCS Softball, which finished last season as TAPPS Division II State Runner-Up.
The Lady Lions will have big shoes to fill in 2025 after the graduation of a stellar senior class that included (3) All-State award winners. GFCS Baseball returns a solid cast of seniors, three of whom will compete collegiately in the coming year. They look to follow up the 2024 season - their secondconsecutive regional finals appearance - with a trip to the Final Four. It would be the deepest run under Head Coach, Robert Vaughn, who will likely win his 100th game at Faith early in the 2025 season.
Both Golf and Tennis earned State Tournament appearances in 2024. GFCS Tennis returns half of their State Champion Women's Doubles Team in Shelby Frank; and GFCS Golf returns William Pulley, a fourth-place finisher at the TAPPS State Golf Tournament in 2024.
Visit GFCS Athletics webpage for game day information: https://www.grapevinefaith.com/athletics/calendar
Coach Mingledorff's path to Faith is a story of passion, purpose, and divine direction. Growing up in Bethany, Oklahoma, Shawn developed a love for soccer which led him to Southern Nazarene University, where he played for three years. His junior year marked a pivotal moment as he began his Sports Medicine program that eventually brought him to Texas to pursue a Master’s of Science in Kinesiology at Dallas Baptist University.
After earning his degree, Coach Shawn began his coaching career at a private school in Dallas. A game against Faith’s Lady Lions proved to be more than just a match—it was a moment of clarity. He felt something special about Faith’s campus, its community, and its players, leading him to reach out about opportunities. Since 2018, Shawn has been an integral part of Faith, coaching the boys' soccer team, serving as the school’s athletic trainer, and supporting all athletic programs as Associate Athletic Director.
Shawn’s calling is rooted in his personal story. Reflecting on his upbringing, he shared that while he didn’t have a close relationship with his father, God placed key mentors in his life who modeled truth and spiritual guidance. Inspired by their influence, Shawn has a deep passion for mentoring students. He believes that building relationships is foundational for making an impact. “Students need to know that you care about them as a person, that you see them, and genuinely want them to succeed,” he said. Through soccer, Shawn considers it a blessing to connect with his players, pour into their lives, and help shape their character on and off the field.
When asked about his time at Faith, Shawn highlighted the strong sense of family within the community. “Looking back to the origins of Faith and then to where we are now, you see God’s hand all over it,” he said. Coach Mingledorff’s dedication to the students, his team, and the Faith family continues to inspire and reflect his unwavering commitment to serving God’s purpose.
TRYOUTS AROUND THE CORNER
JUNIOR HIGH, JV, AND VARSITY CHEER
PARENT MEETING | FEBRUARY 18TH 6:15 PM | DALLAS RD LEADERSHIP ROOM
Specific tryout details will be discussed in the meeting. As a reminder, at least one parent must attend (new or returning cheer).
JUNIOR AND HIGH SCHOOL LIONETTES
PARENT MEETING | FEBRUARY 28
7:15 AM OR 4PM | DANCE ROOM AT DALLAS RD
Tryout Workshop will take place March 31-April 1 from 7-8AM in the Dance Room at Dallas Rd.
Mock Audition will be held from 7-8AM on April 2 in the Dance Room at Dallas Rd. Auditions will be held at 4:15PM on April 3 in the Creative Arts Center at Dallas Rd. Questions: CHEER | chandler.mercer@grapevinefaith.com LIONETTES | hannah.mclendon@grapevinefaith.com
