Contents Columbus Valley Edition
www.inthegamemagazine.com
June - July 2015
32 06 Hakeem Mustafaa
Shaw graduate running his way to Greensboro, NC Shaw High School
08 Steve diFeliciantonia 10 Questions
Tennis Pro, Callaway Gardens
12 Sarah Grace Drop
Golf athlete lines up college scholarship with her game Pacelli High School
14 Tristan Corley
Academics serve up tennis athlete’s college plans Central High School
19 Muscogee Sports Special Olympics
Local program enables high school athletes to participate in sports
24 Thomas Camacho
State championship gives athlete season to remember Glenwood School
Veronica leggett
Columbus High School
Also Inside:
27 Sara Kraus SportsZone
Chattahoochee County High School
28 Gabriela Apiag
Multi-sport athlete looking forward to next level
Editor’s Letter............................................04 Energy Drinks: Boost with Caution............11 How to Make Your School’s XC Team.........17 June: Timeless Moments in Sports...........18 2015 Winter Sports Reception..................22
Double Churches Middle School
34 Monica Sicka
First-year coach leads Spencer men’s tennis to state playoffs Spencer High School
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From the
www.inthegamemagazine.com
Editor
JUNE-july 2015
School year winds down with spring sports
Columbus Valley Edition
Where did the time go? Seems like a few weeks ago we were celebrating football season wins when in all reality, we are at the end of one school year and peeking around the corner at another. Spring is such a great season for so many reasons. Among those topping the list of the best things about warmer weather is the chance to take high school sports outdoors. And, boy, do we know how to do sports in this area! State championships abound and practically every school had at
Contributors Publisher Mark Dykes Editors Mark Dykes Sarah Turner Area Editor Beth Welch Graphics Sarah Turner Cover/Feature Photography Jerry Christenson Feature Writers Robert Preston Jr. Beth Welch James Washington Copy Editor James Washington Advertising/Marketing Mark Dykes mark@inthegamemagazine.com Rachel Thrasher rachel@inthegamemagazine.com Website Manager Sarah Turner
least one sports team to make it to the playoffs. It was an exciting spring sports season, for sure. Inside this edition of In The Game High School Sports Magazine we have compiled stories, photos and happenings about the runs great teams, coaches and athletes had this spring. Our cover story is about a homegrown golfer who will be staying close to home as she continues her love of the sport. Pacelli High School’s Sarah Grace Drop signed with Columbus State University to play golf for the Lady Cougars. Another local standout is Hakeem Mustafaa of Shaw High School. Mustafaa is well-known to the cross country and track programs in Columbus Valley and will be taking his gift of running to the college level, too, but will be traveling a few states away for that adventure. Take time to read about these two outstanding examples of student athletes in our area. This issue is so packed with fantastic sports information, there is no way to do it justice. Just about every spring sport has a shout out in this edition. For a little variety, please note the Fellowship of Christian Athletes banquet story. Ole Miss head football coach Hugh Freeze was the guest speaker for the annual event, which drew hundreds of supporters. ITG was there to capture a few of the more engaging remarks of the coach and program highlights.
honoring winter sports athletes were held over until this edition. These athletes represent the best of the best in our area, and we are proud to showcase them in the magazine. Before we close the scorebook on another year of high school sports, I would like to take the time to thank everyone who contributes in any way to the high school sports programs in our area. It’s not just the committed athletes and the dedicated coaches who make it possible for local students to participate in high school sports. Parents, administrators, teachers, volunteers and community supporters deserve praise for giving teens their time, talents, expertise and financial support to maintain athletic programs in all the high schools in our area. The return on everyone’s investment is evident each sports season. Thank you for all you do to keep our young people In The Game!
Beth Welch Tell us your thoughts!
Email us at info@inthegamemagazine.com to let us know what you thought of the February edition of In the Game!
In the Game Commentary: Will Ganas Video Editor
“High school sports not only build great athletes, but also great young adults.” For distribution or subscription information contact: info@inthegamemagazine.com For advertising information call: 888-715-4263 Dykes Publishing Group, Inc. P.O. Box 812 Valdosta, GA 31603
JOIN US! In the Game is currently searching for an advertising/sales representative for our Columbus Valley market. For more information email: info@inthegamemagazine.com
Also in this issue, there is our usual Ten Questions feature. This time around, ITG was fortunate to be allowed a glimpse of what lies ahead at Callaway Gardens teen tennis championship scheduled for September. A well-kept secret, this awesome event is worth spending the time to read about it. Due to printing schedules, photos of the Columbus Valley Athletic Awards
In the Game High School Sports Magazine is published bi-monthly excluding July. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in part or in full without written consent from the publisher. Dykes Publishing Group, Inc. makes no representation or warranty of any kind for accuracy of content. All advertisements are assumed by the publisher to be correct. Copyright 2014 Dykes Publishing Group, Inc. All rights reserved. ISSN 1945-1458.
written by Robert Preston Jr. photography by Jerry Christenson
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shaw high School
HAKEEM MUSTAFAa Shaw graduate running his way to Greensboro, North Carolina
R
unning is an unusual sport. It’s what most other sports do out of necessity or punishment. Yet true runners, the ones who genuinely love the sport and put in big miles, run out of enjoyment. No sport is more solitary than running. There are few (if any) fans. There are no teammates upon which to depend to assist your performance. There is little equipment involved. It’s not a sport for everyone, but for those who thrive on the solitude and suffering, it is a sport rife with opportunity. Shaw High School graduate Hakeem Mustafaa is one of those who revel in running. A former football player, Mustafaa discovered running when he was 11 years old. At the time, he wanted to be a boxer. He saw Rocky and noticed that Rocky Balboa spent a lot of time running as a part of his fight training. So Mustafaa started running as well. The boxing thing never took off, but running stayed with him. In middle school, even as he was exploring a football career, he continued to run track. “I guess I realized I was good at it when I was in the seventh grade. I ran a 1600-meter race and won it. That was a surprise to me. I had been running just to stay in shape,” he says. When Mustafaa entered high school, he joined the cross country team, kept running track (primarily the 1600 and 3200, with occasional stints on the 4x400 relay team), and dropped football. “It’s a sport where I can be myself. It calms me down, and I’m comfortable doing it. It keeps me level,” he says. It doesn’t hurt that Mustafaa is one of the
best high school runners in the state. He logs lots of miles; 55-60 per week. He has a five-kilometer personal best of 15:19, a 9:17 3200, and a 4:21 1600. Mustafaa has won region the last three years in the 3200 and the last two years in cross country. At state, he was runner-up in the 3200 in 2014. This year, he was runner-up in cross country as well. At the time of this interview, the 2015 state track meet was still 10 days away. To Mustafaa, running is more than just a sport. It’s become a lifestyle, something that has, in many ways, altered the course of his life. He credits the sport with teaching him most of what he knows, from what it means to make sacrifices, set goals and then work toward those goals, to applying himself in the classroom. For Mustafaa, it all comes back to running. “It’s been a huge part of who I am. It’s changed the way I’ve lived my life,” he says. Running has given Mustafaa opportunities he never thought he would have. In addition to running for Shaw, he has also run on the AAU circuit. In 2012, when he was 16 years old, he won a gold medal at the AAU Junior Olympic Championships in Houston, Texas, in the 3000 meters. He has also attracted the attention of college programs all over the place. Ultimately, Mustafaa decided to attend North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, North Carolina. He will run both cross country and track at NC A&T, and he’s looking forward to the opportunity. “I had a few schools looking at me. But I liked the program, both running and academics.
It’s a great school,” he says. Through his high school years, Mustafaa has had to balance a year-round running schedule with a difficult academic load. How has he done it? Through the hard work and sacrifice he learned while running. “It all comes down to time management. You have to know when you can play around and when you have to get to work. Sometimes you have to sacrifice time in front of the TV or with your friends to do your homework. You may even have to skip a run or two to get your schoolwork done. One hour of play is not worth a semester of bad grades,” he says. ITG
June-July 2015
In the Game
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10 Questions
interview by Beth Welch photos courtesy of Callaway Gardens Resort
Steve diFeliciantonia The image of Callaway Gardens Resort in Pine Mountain brings to mind rolling hills of beautiful golf courses, spectacular gardens and a variety of both indoor and outdoor activities for those who visit the resort. Maybe not so well known is a two-decade old tradition of hosting an annual event for young tennis athletes. In September, the Gardens will once again be the site of the Callaway Gardens Fall Junior Championship. The two-day event draws athletes from Georgia and other area states to the scenic venue for a junior tennis competition. In The Game High School Sports Magazine asked veteran tennis teacher and the Gardens’ director of tennis, Steve diFeliciantonia, 10 Questions about him, his responsibilities at the nearby resort and the upcoming junior championship.
Callaway Gardens since 1990, so closing in on 25 years. It’s funny, from time to time, I’ll see people who played in one of our events when they were juniors, only now they’re married with kids. ITG: What ages are eligible to participate? Sd: We offer six different age groups: boys and girls, ages 12 and under, 14 and under, and 16 and under. ITG: How many days is the event?
In The Game: How long have you been at Callaway Gardens? Steve diFeliciantonia: I arrived at Callaway Gardens in 1988, after working as a tennis teaching professional at Palmetto Dunes and Sea Pines, two resorts located on Hilton Head, S.C. I developed much of my teaching and playing acumen on Hilton Head, working alongside tennis notables Rod Laver and Stan Smith. This year marks my 40th year of teaching tennis and my 27th teaching at Callaway Gardens. I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to meet and teach so many different players over the years, from beginners and competitive league players to junior and collegiate players. Tennis is an amazing game, and even after all this time, I still I have so much to learn. ITG: What are your job responsibilities at the Gardens? Sd: As Callaway Gardens’ Director of Tennis, I am responsible for the daily operation of our tennis center. One major responsibility is to plan and offer tennis instruction and programming for our
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residential members and resort guests. I also maintain our full-service pro shop and eight, lighted clay tennis courts, as well as conduct several charity and USTAsanctioned tournaments. ITG: What is the Callaway Gardens Fall Junior Championship? Sd: Our Fall Junior Championship gives junior tennis players from Georgia and surrounding states the chance to compete for USTA (United States Tennis Association) state and regional rankings. Most the kids who play are serious about developing their skills, and often aspire to play in college. Any youth no older than 16 can enter; they just need a current USTA membership and a desire to compete. All in all, our tournament presents good competition for relatively experienced players, as well as those match-ready players who are looking to get their first taste of rigorous junior competition. ITG: How long has the tournament been held at Callaway Gardens? Sd: We’ve had the tournament here at
Sd: It’s a two-day event, Saturday and Sunday, September 19-20, 2015. Many people arrive on Friday evening, to get some practice in. By mid-Sunday afternoon, usually, the finals have been decided. One of the cool things about our tournament is the consolation draw. Meaning if a player loses their first match, they are not eliminated and are guaranteed at least a second match. All players receive a tournament t-shirt, and winners and runner-ups for each age group receive a trophy. ITG: Are the athletes local? Sd: Yes, a number of players from our local area have competed over the years. Some travel from other parts of the state to play, others from out of state. Most players, though, hail from Columbus or Atlanta areas. I’d encourage any local juniors who’ve put in a good amount of practice to sign up, as the tournament’s a great opportunity to compete against other kids working toward a high level of play. ITG: Can the public attend? Sd: Yes, we welcome all spectators at no charge. Of course, there is an entry fee for participants. ITG: Is there a schedule of events posted on the website?
callaway gardens
Sd: The event dates are posted on the Callaway Gardens website. A more detailed posting, which includes draw sheets and the schedule of play, can be found on the USTA’s website. We update the draws throughout the course of the tournament. ITG: In your opinion, what is the best thing about hosting an event that highlights young tennis athletes? Sd: Each time we host a junior tournament,
I’m reminded of all the different reasons why competitive tennis is worthwhile. When two kids are out playing a match, the court really becomes a kind of arena that allows for the virtues to be developed and tested against stressful circumstances. Rising to meet challenges, learning how to be a gracious winner or loser, having empathy and respect for your opponent, learning to show appreciation for those supporting you, pushing yourself to keep trying and stay honest, even when you may be physi-
cally and mentally exhausted, and especially when you think you’ve been cheated or you’re overmatched. All these are values our kids need to learn so they’ll grow into fulfilling, engaged people. This really is the essence of sport, it’s the development of moral virtue. When two kids compete with integrity and sincerely shakes hands at the conclusion of a match, regardless of the final score, I can’t help but smile. ITG June-July 2015
In the Game
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Nutrition What You Should Know to Keep Your Hype Healthy
Energy drinks boost with caution by James Washington
Anybody with a hectic schedule can agree that, from time to time, your body can feel burnt out. Your energy drops; it could be due to lack of proper nutrition, lack of sleep, or simply overworking yourself. In just about every convenient store, you find what is often perceived as a quick alternative to that fatigue: energy drinks. Most energy drinks include three key ingredients: caffeine (which serves as a stay-awake, physical booster), taurine (which helps improve brain function), and vitamin b (which enhances muscular, nervous, and metabolic function). But if you’ve ever been curious as to what exactly these drinks do (or don’t do) for you, here are a few pointers before you make your next purchase:
Energy drink tips Pros
Cons
Energy Boost: Though only temporary, most energy drinks will provide you with a quick spark, sharpening your alertness and focus.
Cardiovascular Issues: Studies have shown that people who drink excessive amounts of energy boosters are at a higher risk of developing problems such as irregular, rapid heartbeat or increased blood pressure. Extreme situations can result in heart failure.
Convenience: While there may be other foods or drinks that provide necessary boosts of energy, it is a sure bet that grabbing an energy drink is much more convenient than waiting for a cup of coffee to brew. Also, many come in resealable containers, so they can be stored if desired.
Weight Gain: Most energy drinks are extremely high in sugar. High amounts of sugar intake can lead to obesity, which, in turn, can lead to many other health issues.
1. Drink plenty of water with your energy drinks. Energy drinks are intended to be used as a supplement, not a hydration replacement. 2. Don’t overindulge. If you’re going to use energy drinks, don’t overdo it. Try to limit your intake to about 16 ounces per day. 3. Be wary of your health. If you already have any sort of preexisting health condition, it is best that you check with a doctor before resorting to energy drinks. You can never be too careful with your health!
written by Beth Welch photography by Jerry Christenson
st. anne-pacelli High School
sarah grace drop Golf athlete lines up college scholarship with her game
The list of accomplishments in the classroom and on the golf course for Sarah Grace Drop are too numerous to list here. The recent high school grad from St. Anne-Pacelli High School has been busy all of her life it seems, but especially during her high school years. Drop ended her high school days ranking in the top ten of her class with a grade-point average (GPA) somewhere above 4.0 and finished her senior year as a member of four honor society associations. Her list of community service endeavors is equally impressive as she logged 150 hours as a volunteer during 2014-15 teaching beginner golfers the basics of the game. While the 5’3” student athlete is interested in academics and giving back to her community, her whole demeanor changes when she is encouraged to talk about her real passion thus far in her life—golf. It is because of this passion combined with exceptional natural talent and notable work ethic that Drop recently signed a golf scholarship to play with the Lady Cougars of Columbus State University. “I am really excited about the chance to play and to also stay close to home. I love golf and have loved it just about as long as I can remember,” she says. The quiet and reserved Drop smiles when she recounts that she has been swinging a club since the age of two, and although she is right-handed for everything else in her life, she hits a golf ball with her left. “I was trying to play with the clubs like my older brother. It was a mirror image kind of thing where I was standing facing him and when he would swing the club with his right hand, I would do the same thing, which meant I used my left. It kind of stuck with me,” says Drop.
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Whatever the reason she swings a golf club left-handed is not nearly as important as the fact that her swing comes as natural to her as breathing. Once several years ago, her parents took her to someone to have her swing adjusted, but Drop said the professional took one look at her swing and pronounced it as perfect, advising them to allow her to keep doing it the way Drop wanted. Eventually Drop began taking lessons from a swing coach, Columbus State University coach Mark Immelman. According to Drop, Immelman “tweaked” her swing a bit, but basically she has kept her same technique. During her middle school years at St. Anne’s, Drop began to gain a reputation for her golfing abilities. Her father was the community coach for the school up until his daughter entered high school. Along about the sixth grade Drop started to realize her potential to play golf was a given for high school, and the opportunity to play at the collegiate level was within reason. “I would be at tournaments and people would just come up to me or tell my dad that I had a real natural talent. I just loved playing, and still do, but I really began to see me moving ahead to a place with a college team,” she says. Unlike a lot of other sports for female athletes, golf sometimes doesn’t draw a lot of female participants for high school teams. Drop has been the varsity number one player all throughout high school, but sometimes there have only been one or two other females in the Pacelli program. While she has valued every moment playing for the Vikings, Drop admits she is looking forward to being a part of a true female golf team at CSU. “I am not really a loner, but I have discovered the individual nature of golfing, plus being the only girl at times, has caused me
to like working on my own, even in the classroom. I do better, not in a group, but taking assignments on my own. Still, I am excited about finally being a part of a whole team of female golfers. High school golf teams usually have more boys than girls, but I have made a lot of great friendships with other female golfers from other schools,” she says. Drop sees her strengths in golf as her putting skills (it is her favorite part of playing) and being consistent with her drives. She says she also knows her ability to focus has served her well. “Golf is such a mental game. I am really focused on my game. It’s like I have a blueprint in my mind about everything I need to do and the whole time I am playing, I am thinking ‘this is what I need to do here and build on this here in order to do this here’ so that I see what I am doing,” she says with a smile. Seeing what she is doing has apparently worked. Drop has made it to the state level of high school competition as an individual every year of high school, last year leading her team to state for the first time. She has numerous other awards, honors and trophies for her efforts on the golf course. Last year she had a nine-hole season average of 40. Because she hasn’t had a lot of mentors in the form of female golfers along the way, Drop has been sensitive to her status as a role model to young female golfers. Whenever she encounters one on a local golf course playing with a dad or at Godwin Creek’s youth program, the soon-to-be collegiate golfer makes a point to offer encouragement and give this simple advice. “Stay with it.”
ITG
Stats Low 9 hole round
38
Season 9 hole average
41
Low Medalist finishes
5 Class A Private, Area 1 Low Medalist Advanced to State Championship on May 18, 2015
Last year, Drop was the low round medalist for the Muscogee County School Tournament with an 81, the low round medalist in the sectionals for the Class A Private School Tournament with 84, advanced to the Class A Private School State Tournament, was the low round medalist for Georgia Club and was named to the 2014 Ledger-Enquirer All Bi-City Golf Team. At the time of this interview, she was the Red Oak Medalist vs Schley, Northside and Jordan High School and the Red Oak Medalist vs Callaway High School. She also placed fourth in the Muscogee County School Tournament. June-July 2015
In the Game
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central High School written by Beth Welch photography by Jerry Christenson
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L
istening to Tristan Corley talk about his college plans would lead one to believe the graduating senior never had worries about where he would further his education. Last month, Corley graduated from Central High School in Phenix City, and after a little bit of down time, the 18-yearold will head off to Jacksonville State University. “I think my mom was more excited than me, because she was worried I might not get accepted. I told her that I knew I was going to college, and it was just a matter of where, because I was going to be accepted somewhere,” says Corley, laughing. The easy-going nature and gentle teasing about his mother’s anxiety over college entrance belie a big truth. Not only is Corley going to a well-respected university, he was offered a full academic scholarship, renewable each year of his college experience.
Tristan Corley inthegamemagazine.com
June-July 2015
Corley earned the chance to receive an academic scholarship by maintaining a 3.5 gradepoint average (GPA) combined with his ACT score of 28. He was looking for a school where he could seek a business degree, because he has a pretty clear vision of where he is headed in his future. “I want to get my MBA and then get an internship somewhere. After that, I hope to return to this area and move right into some type of management. I like the fact that, with hard work, I could own my business,” he says. Before the Honors classes and college prep Corley has undertaken as a high school student, he says he always knew academics was the way to go. Good grades have been a way of life for him. His parents encouraged him in that area, but Corley mostly adopted the attitude of striving for academic success on his own. While he knew Honors classes would be beneficial in the long run, Corley welcomed the opportunity to exercise his mind. “Those courses are more challenging. I would much rather be involved in that course of study that just coming in and doing some kind of worksheet every day,” says Corley. Academic exercise runs parallel to physical exercise in Corley’s life. At the suggestion of a friend, Corley decided to try out for the Central High School tennis team. He was a sophomore and had just finished up football season. Without much thought, Corley went to the team tryouts and has been playing tennis ever since. When asked if he had ever played tennis before, had he ever watched a tennis match, did his parents play the sport, or had he even held a racquet
prior to that time, Corley has a one word answer for all four questions. “No,” he says, laughing and shaking his head. Turned out it didn’t really matter. He finished up his third year of playing for the Red Devils as the number-two doubles player and number-four singles player. He has a real love of the sport (pardon the pun), and despite his late start with tennis, the 6-foot-tall righthanded athlete has been determined to make the most of his talent and time. “I hate it when people say tennis has no technique. It does, and it is a passionate sport. You are playing against yourself. You can’t rely on people to bail you out. I have tried to improve on everything about my game ever since I picked up a racquet,” Corley says. In addition to becoming a strong participant in the sport, Corley also found a community of friends among his fellow tennis teammates. The athletes are close and enjoy each other’s company both on and off the court. The encouragement and friendship extended to the tradition of having dinner together after every home match. Although Corley will not be playing tennis as a collegiate athlete, he has learned a good bit from his time on the court that
will carry over to college life and beyond. He understands hard work and team effort. Corley has gained an appreciation for good leadership; he says that his coach this season, Olga Shaw, taught him more about tennis in a few weeks than he learned in the previous years combined. Because Corley has worked a parttime job at a local Chipotle eatery in addition to playing tennis and squeezing in daily gym workouts, he also has gotten time management down to a science. “I was washing clothes after 12 o’clock in the morning sometimes because I had a match the next day,” he says, smiling. Corley dropped both football and wrestling to pursue tennis at Central, and he has never regretted the decision. He almost feels he wasn’t allowed to reach his full potential with the sport because of his late start and offers some words of wisdom to those who might be interested in taking up tennis. “If you want to play amazing tennis, get out there early. You need to start a lot sooner than I did. It’s a lifelong sport, though, and I will be playing when I am 70 years old,” says Corley. ITG
Central High School
Karon Delince
Delince may spend a lot of time engaged in sports, but he also has another interest. The Central High School student athlete has taken culinary classes at the school and has developed quite a desire to perhaps become a chef one day. The focus on cooking was inspired, he says, by growing up watching his grandmother and mother preparing meals for his family.
by Beth Welch
S
ophomore Karon Delince had one thought on his mind when he moved into the starting position of the 200-meter dash for the state title race back in May. “I’ve got to beat this guy next to me named Joshua,” says Delince with a laugh. A member of Central High School’s track and field team, Delince not only beat Joshua Burks of James Clemens High School, he captured the AHSAA Class 7A 200-meter dash state championship title. Delince’s time for the event was 21.55, his best of the season. Burks finished second with a time of 21.78 seconds. A three-sport athlete at Central, the rising junior has been a track participant three out of the last four years. He started track and field in the seventh grade, skipped it in the eighth grade to try soccer and took up the sport again as a freshman at Central. Delince participates in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash, 4x100-meter relay and long jump. At the state event held in Gulf Shores, Alabama, Delince was out paced by Burks earlier in the day in the 100-meter dash. Burks won with a time of 10.69 seconds in that event to Delince’s 10.82. That loss was all the
Winners
fuel Delince needed to turn on the power for the 200-meter race. “We ran the 100 first and he beat me. I just went to the 200 knowing I had to come out this time as the winner,” Delince says. The win was made even sweeter by the fact that Burks was a senior. Delince’s victory as a sophomore didn’t cause him to gloat, though, over the accomplishment. “I could see that I had beat him and I was over-excited about it. But, I didn’t celebrate it. I tried to show good sportsmanship,” he says. The 5’10”, 158-pound athlete is a natural born athlete. He loves track and field, but his real passion for sports lies on the gridiron as a cornerback for the Red Devils. Last season, the 16-year-old says he snagged seven interceptions as a freshman starting for the varsity team and posted numerous tackles to his credit. All that running and quick foot work may have come about as learned behavior grow-
ing up with a family of boys who are pretty active. He is the second oldest of five siblings. His easy-going nature allows Delince to laugh about the connection between his family, running and sports. Another school year is just around the corner, and Delince already has some goals set for the 2015-16 sports seasons. He wants to help his football team be the best it can be, move up to varsity in basketball and make a return trip to Gulf Shores next May. That last plan isn’t about a visit to the coast of Alabama, either. “I want to go back because I know I can be faster. Next time, I want to win both the 100 and the 200. I really believe I can do it, too,” he says, smiling. ITG
Congratulations! Glenwood High School
2015 GHSA Softball State Champions
LACE UP! A Beginner’s Guide to Making Your High School Cross Country Team and Doing Well by Sarah Turner
So you’re not very tall, not very strong, and you throw like a baby, but you have the work ethic of Michael Jordan (with zero hope for a decent jump shot). That’s okay! While there are naturally born runners who continue to test the limits of the human body continuously, most runners will tell you, anyone can become a solid long distance runner given their level of discipline and focus. You’ll need to start now. Cross country may be considered a fall sport, but if you want to be good, you should think of it as a year-round effort. If you haven’t already, start training for the fall season now. Your first season should focus on getting your endurance up. You must set up
a mileage plan. It’s one of the best ways to stay on track. Start off easy (12-15 miles per week) and work your way up to around 30-40 miles per week. Increase your mileage about 10 percent each week. (Exp. 25 miles to 27.5 miles) Talk with a coach or other seasoned runner to work out a plan that’s right for you.
be sure to get plenty of encouragement. Look for a camp to attend. Running camps typically offer group runs for all levels, information sessions on injuries, hydration, form, etc. and sometimes
Running is Cheap! But You’ll Need a Few Things. You’ll need to invest in a pair of supportive shoes. Visit your nearest running specialized store to get sized up for your foot
Staying Motivated is Key. Your high school will often have days throughout the week where anyone interested in running during the upcoming season can meet for a group run. Take advantage of these even if you are the slowest runner (yes, you are a runner now) to show up. Runners are some of the happiest people you’ll ever meet, and you can
sponsored runners come by to give some words of wisdom. Finally, find a running blog to follow on Tumblr, Interest, or whichever source your prefer. It helps to get you off the coach. Trust me.
and stride type. Secondly, you’ll need a stop watch. Nothing fancy if you are a beginner. Walmart sells stop watches for under 10 bucks, and they last for years. You’ll need a watch to keep
track of your improvement throughout the summer and on. Have reasonable expectations. Distance running isn’t something you get good at over night. Even some professional runners don’t hit their peak performance level until they are in their 30’s to 40’s. It’s better to set new goals for each season depending on your current fitness level. Your first big goal might be to run a 5K without walking. The next could be to qualify for state at around let’s say a 6:19 per mile pace. You never know what possibilities you can reach with running. ITG
MISSION Muscogee Sports Special Olympics provides athletic opportunities to children and adults with intellectual disabilities, instilling the confidence they need to succeed in life.
Local program enables high school athletes to participate in sports Since the new Columbus Aquatic Center opened its doors in 2014, the swim facility has been used extensively by area residents. On any given day, at any given time, a wide range of participants can be found at the CAC. From master swimmers, soldiers and tri-athletes looking to hone skills to high school teams taking swim practice to families enjoying a swim outing, just about anybody with a swim interest has found a facility to make it happen. Four times a week, a very special group of swim athletes join the ranks of those who fill the lanes at the indoor pool. Muscogee Sports Special Olympics Sports & Enrichment organization holds swim practices for program members on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. The website for the nonprofit organization states the goal of the program is to provide “sports training and competition for Special Olympics.” Tennis is also offered through Columbus Regional Tennis Association (CORTA) under the direction of Deby Caldwell.
Bowling and bocce are the other two sports training programs available for Muscogee Sports participants. While anyone aged five and older who have diagnosed intellectual disabilities are allowed to join the swim training in some form (participants in competition must be eight years old or older), seven of the swim athletes are high school students who have either just graduated or will in the near future. Tammy Pebley is the swim coach for Muscogee Sports. Her daughter, Hannah, 17, is home-schooled and also participates in tennis and bowling. Pebley says she wasn’t exactly planning on becoming a swim coach back when she first came to this area, but the experience has been very rewarding. “When we moved here, I found a swimming program for Hannah, but it didn’t really look like a swim program. I decided I needed to do something about that, and here I am today,” says Pebley with a smile.
by Beth Welch photos by Jerry Christenson
Two Harris County athletes, Logan Peabody, 18, and Mathew Colberg, 22, graduated two weeks ago from Harris County High School. Peabody is a dualsport athlete, participating in tennis and swimming, while Colberg is a swim athlete who also holds down a part-time job at Callaway Gardens and will attend school this fall at the Roosevelt Institute in Warm Springs. When asked about the benefits of Muscogee Sports for her daughter, Gigi Peabody is quick to answer. “Socialization. She is a very social person and enjoys the interaction with the others. Of course, the exercise is good for her as well,” she says. Kathy Colberg has much the same feeling about the program for her son Mathew. The fourth of seven children, Mathew has such a busy life, and swimming is the only sport he can fit into his schedule. “Because he goes to school and works in the vegetable garden at Callaway, swimming is the only sport he has done, June-July 2015
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but this program is fantastic. He has made friendships, and the endurance he has gained for swimming is important. It’s good exercise,” says Colberg. Like many of the other program participants, Smiths Station High School student Tyler Reardon is a three-sport athlete. Reardon, 18, has been a part of Muscogee Sports for three years as a swimmer, bowler and tennis player. According to his father, Todd, the graduating senior also participated in track and field events in high school. A little shy, Reardon says the main thing he enjoys about his sports participation is that it is “fun.” But his dad is more verbal in his appreciation for what the program has done for his son. “It has just been great for Tyler. He enjoys the sports, and he has friends. It keeps him occupied and that is very important for him to be busy,” he says. Jordan High School student Damon Hutchinson is pretty excited about his ability to be a swim athlete. The 16-yearold has the important job of being the water boy for the Red Jackets football team at Jordan. He understands the value of being part of a team and finds a sense of belonging among his fellow swim athletes. “I like my friends here and my teammates. We work hard. We have fun, too,” he says. For Judy Thomas, her son Mikey Tongson reaps so many benefits from the Muscogee Sports training programs.
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Tongson, 21, newly graduated from Shaw High School, swims, bowls and plays tennis, which has given him a way to stay active while making friends with similar needs. “It is the socialization that is the main thing. He gets to be with friends and also people who are interested in him. He does all three sports, and it is good exercise for him,” says Thomas. Andy Baker, 19, recently graduated from Hardaway High School. Baker is enthusiastic about his participation in the three sports of swimming, tennis and bowling. On this day, Baker is explaining techniques of swim training that have enabled him to become a better swimmer. “We get our cards to tell us what to do. Then we get in the water and warm up. When we warm up, we are ready to swim and then we go. It is good for me and my friends. I am a good swimmer,” says Baker. According to Pebley, each athlete has an individualized training program based on their skills. Laminated cards are prepared with the written plan and the swimmer’s name. Volunteers with Muscogee Sports are assigned athletes and use the cards to work with the swimmers during practice. Some of the athletes participate in the Special Olympics swim meet, which was held in May, while others use the swim program as an opportunity to participate in a sport designed around their needs.
Volunteers are essential to the swim training program, which just finished the season with 25 registered athletes. Pebley says 26 volunteers help with the February to May swim program and act as Unified Partners and/or assistant coaches. Ten of these volunteers are high school students. The tennis portion of the sports training program is year-round, weather permitting. Practices for each session are held on Friday afternoons during the school year. During the summer, session practices are moved to one morning a week, according to Jackie Dudley, CORTA Development & Sponsorship Coordinator. About 40 volunteers assist with the tennis program providing one on one help to the athletes, and a majority of those volunteers are high school students who are members of the CORTA Juniors Teen Council. In April, the regional tennis event was held at Cooper Creek Tennis Facility with the largest number of participants ever to take part in the games. “We had 250 athletes for that event. It was the most we have ever had. It was such a good day. Deby does a great job with that program,” says Dudley. For information about Muscogee Sports and its training and enrichment programs for special populations, visit their website www.muscogeesports.org or for specifics on the tennis program, go to www.CORTA.org ITG
by Beth Welch photos by Jerry Christenson
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thletes from all across this area were honored in March at the Columbus Valley High School Athletic Awards with a reception at The Hughston Foundation. Winter sports athletes and their parents were invited to attend the award ceremony and reception honoring the area’s best athletes in the sports of wresting, swimming, basketball and riflery. Approximately 50 high school athletes attended the reception, accompanied by parents and coaches, and were recognized for their achievements by Mark Dykes, Publisher of In The Game High School Sports Magazine. The event was sponsored by In The Game, Georgia Military College and The Hughston Foundation.
Columbus Valley
Winter Sports Reception March 2015 3
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KEY 1. Boys Basketball 10 2. Riflery 4 3. Girls Basketball 10 4. Boys Swimming 5 5. Wrestling 15 6. Girls Swimming 5 NOTE: Some athletes were unable to attend the reception, and therefore, were not pictured.
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FRESHMAN
Thomas Camacho Nothing quite makes a lasting memory in the mind of a young athlete like winning a state championship. Glenwood School took the Alabama Independent School Association (AISA) state title in boys soccer in April, and playing the entire way on the road to the championship was freshman Thomas Camacho.
Glenwood’s soccer program only developed into separate boys and girls teams three years ago. Right from the beginning, Camacho has been a part of the boys varsity team, even though he was only in the seventh grade his first season. “I had been playing soccer for a long time and had good technical skills. Since I was more developed in playing soccer, I was a starter for the boys team,” says Camacho, 15. Years of playing soccer for recreation
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and travel teams has given Camacho a vast amount of experience. He continues to play soccer in an almost year-round fashion, recently picking up again with the Auburn Thunder travel soccer club after a few weeks off from the Gator championship season. It is perhaps his time with teams outside of Glenwood that have given Camacho the kind of confidence that allows him to be at ease playing with and against older athletes in school competition. The
almost 6-foot tall rising sophomore feels he has an adaptable personality. He can fit in just about anywhere a coach wants to place him, and he has such a mental command of the game, he is usually focused on what needs to be done instead of who is playing. “I’m not scared when I get out there. In my mind, I am thinking, ‘ok, this is what I need to do to help out here, and we need to do this’ which keeps me too busy to think about anything else,” says Camacho with a slight smile. He tried baseball and did a stint as an Upward Bound basketball player. Neither sport captivated him like soccer. When he got to middle school age, Camacho began playing soccer for the Gators and discovered he couldn’t get enough of the sport. He continued travel soccer, which has placed him now in the U18 level because of his skills. Last fall, friends talked Camacho into becoming a member of the Glenwood junior varsity football team. His soccer skills served him well on special teams as a kicker. Then, Camacho got a chance at another position that, well, turned into a great story. “I was late to many of the practices and I first started off as kicker and that was about it. Then coach said to go hop in as wide receiver. And my first two plays I got a touchdown. I had no clue what I was doing. He just said run down the field and catch the ball when it comes to you. It was a new experience. After that, I kicked the extra point. And after that, I did the kickoff,” he recalls with a laugh. With that kind of success, it might be concluded Camacho is headed for more time on the gridiron. At this point, he isn’t really sure. His parents were not high school athletes, as both participated in band programs. Camacho has taken up a similar pathway and plays saxophone in the Glenwood band. Often in the fall, he would miss part of marching band practice to attend football practice or vice versa. At one point, he began wear-
ing his football practice clothes to band practice in order to make it both. To continue to pursue football would eventually cause him to have to put aside his musical talents in favor of the fall sport. Fortunately, concert band season doesn’t interfere with soccer. This spring, Camacho was the only freshman on the team. He was mainly used on the soccer field in the left defense position with some game time at right midfield. Camacho prefers central defense but loves the sport so much, he just wants to be in the game somewhere. When asked why soccer is such a passion, the talented athlete gives a surprising answer. “You learn so much in soccer,” says Camacho. Learning is apparently another thing Camacho does well. At the end of his freshman year he held a 4.0 grade-point average and declared math to be his favorite subject. His future plans are a little uncertain at this point, but he does have a goal in mind for the remaining years he has at Glenwood. “Another championship in soccer. Maybe more than one. I think we have the people to make it happen,” he says with a smile. ITG
“I’m not scared when I get out there. In my mind, I am thinking, ‘ok, this is what I need to do to help out here, and we need to do this’, which keeps me too busy to think about anything else.”
sportszone Chattahoochee County High School
Sara Kraus
School may out for the summer, and high school sports are taking a break, but one sport in the Chattahoochee Valley has just about become a year-round activity. Soccer has gained a lot of popularity in the past ten years or so in this area, and many athletes participate from the early years on into adulthood with community leagues. One person who has not let go of her passion for the sport is Chattahoochee County High School boys soccer coach Sara Kraus. Also an English teacher at the school, Kraus grew up playing soccer and has focused her talents on helping local young athletes develop their skills. In The Game High School Sports Magazine had the opportunity to ask Kraus about her life, her coaching experience and her program at ChattCo.
In The Game: When did you begin your coaching career? Sara Kraus: August 2010.
SK: Joseph Kennedy, #22 at sweeper; Matthew Bullard, #12, and Marcus Manrique, #2 at forward.
ITG: How long have you been coaching soccer at Chattahoochee County: SK: Two years.
ITG: What makes your athletic program different from other high school programs? SK: With the amount of turnover present at our school, we put a lot of emphasis on team building.
ITG: Do you coach any other sports? SK: No. I previously was the assistant softball coach. ITG: What is one thing most people don’t know about the sport of soccer? SK: People don’t realize the amount of endurance and dedication it takes to be successful in the sport. If you’re playing full games, at the high school level, you’re running for 80 minutes essentially without rest. It takes a lot of dedication to condition at that level consistently. ITG: Were you a soccer player? SK: Yes. I played from elementary through high school in my hometown and have since played on community teams. ITG: Who were some of your athletes to watch this season?
ITG: Did you have specific goals for the season? SK: Develop a stronger use of triangles and weaves in the front of the field, and a stronger level of control in the back of the field. ITG: When coaching athletes who have potential to compete at the collegiate level, what advice do you give them? SK: Constantly condition, work hard, and focus on your goals. If you want to be competitive at the college level, you have to be able to give, not only on the field, but in the classroom as well. ITG: What is the best thing about coaching at Chattahoochee County High School? SK: The sense of pride and family that comes from coaching in a small system. We’re all a family here, and we really align with the motto “One Heatbeat.” June-July 2015
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by Beth Welch photography by George McDuffie
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Double Churches Middle School
Gabriela Apiag There is no specific definition of a “coach’s athlete”, but if there was, Gabriela Apiag would certainly be close to the mark. Apiag just finished her last year at Double Churches Middle School where she was a multi-sport athlete, participating in four sports this past school year while also being a member of a year round softball team. “I would consider Gabi a “coach’s athlete” because she is very coachable. She definitely has great natural talent, but she is always striving to improve. She is not afraid of hard work, and her conscientiousness in the classroom carries over into athletics,” says DCMS athletic director, Tracy Wilson, of Apiag. Practically an athlete all of her life, Apiag started out with soccer before she was a preschooler and moved into other sports along the way. Mostly, the 14-year-old says, because she was following along after two big brothers. The middle of five children (she has twin toddlerage brothers), Apiag comes from an athletic family. Because she grew up with brothers, Apiag wasn’t much interested in playing on a girls’ softball team. She chose instead to play Little League baseball, where she was always the only girl on the team. “I was the pitcher, but really, I played everywhere. I grew up around the boys I played with at American. We started at A-ball and went to C-ball together,” she says with a smile. Apiag stayed with baseball until the age of 12. At that time, she switched over to softball and has been a member of a travel softball team ever since. Her usual position on the field is shortstop, and her enthusiasm for the sport is evident. “I just love softball. I especially love playing shortstop. You are a leader out there and I get most of the plays,” she says. By the time the athletic teen got to middle school, her self-confidence had been established through sports. Still playing travel ball, she chose to try basketball at Double Churches her first year there. Even though the sport was very different
from soccer, baseball and softball, Apiag discovered quickly that she also had talent on the hardwood, which developed into another passion. The following year, she tried volleyball in the fall. She didn’t excel in it like other sports, but she enjoyed the experience. After basketball season was over, Apiag’s coaches encouraged her to try out for the school’s track team. For her first year, she participated in two relay teams and learned to throw the discus. As a member of the 4x100 meter and 4x400 meter relay teams, she ran the first leg, setting the tone and pace of the team. Some athletes might be a little nervous about that role as a newbie, but not Apiag. “No, I enjoy being the first. It is a big responsibility, but I like the role of leader and helping my team. I am the lead-off batter in softball, which also is a big responsibility, so it isn’t all that new to me,” she says. Her eighth-grade year, Apiag added one more sport to her score card. In the early fall, she played soccer for the Wildcats. She once again played volleyball and was a valuable point guard for the girls basketball team. This spring, Apiag had a good track season. In addition to the relays and discus, Apiag competed in the 100-yard dash competition and tinkered around with shot put. “I practiced with the boys’ ball instead of the girls’ ball so that when I threw the shot put, I would be using the girls’ ball and be able to throw it further. It was a fun experience for me,” Apiag says. Even with a school year filled with four sports and a traveling softball team, Apiag still can’t get enough of athletics. Whenever possible, she engages her older brothers in a game of basketball. A self-professed tomboy, Apiag enjoys the opportunity to spar with them on the court because she says it improves her game. She also has noted the family may have more athletes in training. “The babies, they will be two soon. They watch us play basketball and then I see them trying to dribble and be like us. They watch and try to do the
same thing. It’s pretty neat. I guess that was the way I was, too,” she says smiling. Apiag has chosen to attend Northside High School. Her older brothers are already there, and she has plans to continue to play sports at that level. Apiag knows she will have to give up a sport or two due to the demands of academics, but she is looking at probably trying out for the softball and basketball teams. She might even consider track in the spring if all goes well. Her confidence in herself and her ability to play high school sports is almost a given. Looking ahead to college and beyond, her hope is to attend Auburn or Georgia on an athletic scholarship. Her most ambitious goal and greatest dream is to become a member of the U.S. Olympic softball team. It would be a great story if the little girl who played Little League baseball wound up with a spot on the top American softball team. “I’m not afraid to try. I like a challenge,” she says. ITG
June-July 2015
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FCA
For more information about the work of FCA, visit www. fca.org.
Fellowship of Christian Athletes Banquet Ole Miss football fans were among those who filled the St. Luke Ministry Center in April to hear the keynote speaker for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes 2015 Spring Banquet. Hugh Freeze, head football coach of the University of Mississippi, engaged the audience of over 450 FCA supporters with stories of his life leading up to accepting the role of head coach, the job, and how his faith has guided him to this day. Freeze, 45, took the coaching job as the 37th head football coach for Ole Miss in 2011 in preparation for the 2012 football season. His message to both adults and young people at the banquet was to be “salt and light” in
every area of their lives. The father of three girls, Freeze was candid and sincere about his Christian faith, which was displayed for local coaches, high school athletes, Ole Miss Fans and FCA guests. “Coaching is not my pur-
pose. It is just my platform,” Freeze told his audience. Encouraging those in attendance to understand “our window of influence we have on the people we care about is so small,” Freeze stressed being in continuous fellowship with Jesus Christ. Bringing a moment of levity to his message, Freeze told the male members of the audience that based on his life experiences as a husband, father and coach, he had come to a conclusion. “Men, we are just one step away from stupid,” he said, bringing a roar of laughter from the crowd. He continued by sharing his battle with that “condition” had taught him a lot. Freeze confessed he personally did just about as many things wrong as he got right. However, through God’s grace, scripture and other means, Freeze said that he strives to be intentional in his efforts to be “salt and light.” Prior to Freeze’s remarks, the local FCA chapter named Vince Massey, Brookstone head baseball coach, Coach of the Year for his efforts with mission work involving his baseball teams at Brookstone. Northside High School received the Huddle of the Year Award, and Suzanne Carney was named Christian Athlete of the Year. Each award was presented by Lamar Weaver, Area Director for FCA of West Central Georgia. Brian McCluskey was the Master of Ceremonies for the event and introduced Columbus resident Bill Jordan. An alumnus of Ole Miss, Jordan introduced the keynote speaker for the evening. The annual spring FCA banquet is the second of two fundraisers the organization holds each year to help fund the work of the local FCA on 35 school campuses in the area. Camps for area athletes and other events are also a part of the work of the organization.
Undefeated by Lamar Weaver
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inning a contest is a result that every athlete and coach strives to accomplish. Most achieve at least one win during a season. It’s fun to work hard in practice, play to the fullest potential during the game, and end up with a victory. But every so often, the victory goes further than that. A special season of competition emerges and allows an athlete or coach to achieve a string of wins each week that culminates into a championship. The competitor goes down into the record books as having never lost a contest…a perfect season. They have the rare opportunity to say, “I am undefeated.” “Undefeated.” In the sports world, that one word commands instant respect. The 1972 Miami Dolphins made history when they won the Super Bowl and finished the season 17-0. The Oklahoma Sooners football teams from 1953 to 1957 set an NCAA record with 47 consecutive wins. During John Wooden’s tenure as head coach, the UCLA Bruins men’s basketball team from the 1960s and early 1970s went undefeated four times and won 10 NCAA championships. Under head coach Geno Auriemma, the Connecticut women’s basketball team has recorded five undefeated seasons and won nine titles. And one of the greatest undefeated programs was the De La Salle High School football team from Concord, Calif. that won 151 straight games and 13 state championships from 1992 to 2004. All of these teams became synonymous with athletic greatness thanks to immaculate seasons on the field and on the court. Many obstacles keep teams from going undefeated. Some opponents are greater challengers than others. We may enter one contest with great self-assurance, while another matchup might cause concern. But for all athletes, there is likely no more dominant competitor than fear. We can deny it all we want, but we all fear something—failure, losing, getting cut, injuries, rejection, etc. Fear can cause us to play timidly, make mistakes, quit before the task has been completed, or mentally and physically shut down altogether. Fear doesn’t stop there. It often creeps into other aspects of our life. It keeps us
from doing important things like living for Jesus, serving others, speaking out against injustice, and fulfilling God’s call. And failure happens. Even in an undefeated season, there will be fumbles, interceptions, errors, turnovers and missed shots. But often in the sports world, failure within a game, a season or an entire career unfairly dictates how athletes feel about themselves. We sometimes believe that our worth is wrapped up in our performance. Invariably, difficult circumstances also arise. Tough challenges get in the way. Setbacks take place. Doubt begins to creep in and threatens to rob the confidence that has been built up throughout the season. It’s in those moments when we have a choice to make. Will we allow those obstacles to cause us to stumble and fall, or will we fall back on our training and build ourselves back up through positive confession and recollections of our past success? Here are four characteristics for being undefeated in the spiritual realm: Humility - “The one who boasts must boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:31) Truth - “Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth.” (1 Corinthians 13:6) Love - “There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears has not reached perfection in love. We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:18-19) Faith - “Fight the good fight for the faith; take hold of eternal life that you were called to and have made a good confession about in the presence of many witnesses.” (1 Timothy 6:12) We serve a God who has never lost. His string of victories is unmatched. He has dominated the competition throughout history. He is the ultimate competitor with a game plan that cannot be stopped. God is holy. God is mighty. He is UNDEFEATED!
NEWS
Congratulations!
Columbus Valley Area Updates
Northside High School
2015 GHSA Riflery State Champions
glenwood school AISA AAA Boys and Girls State Champions
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by Beth Welch photos by Jerry Christenson She is a true competitor with unlimited potential that will continue to improve and possibly set many records in the future.”— Frank Tuggle, Sergeant Major (USA, Retired), JROTC Army Instructor, Columbus High School rifle team coach
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columbus high School
Veronica leggett CHS Rifle Team Member Ties State Record
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eronica Leggett thought her score of 296 during the qualifying round at the Georgia High School Association Riflery State Championship was pretty good. It wasn’t until later when she heard her name announced as having tied the state record that she realized just how good. “I was surprised. I would have thought the state record was probably higher than that. When they announced my name, I was kind of shocked,” she recalls. A junior at Columbus High School at the time of the state championship back in April, Leggett is relatively new to the sport of riflery. The 2014-15 rifle season marked only her second year on the Columbus High team. Leggett, 16, says her peers and others are a little surprised when they learn she is a member of the Blue Devils rifle team. Chorus, drama and theatre have always been high on her list of interests. Truthfully, the 5’2” diminutive rifle athlete looks more likely to be cast as a pixie in some stage production of a fairy tale than a successful shooter with laser-like focus. It all started two years ago when Leggett accompanied her father to a shooting range. A family friend joined the Leggetts and brought along a few firearms. “My dad got a pistol, and on my sister’s birthday, we went to Shooter’s gun range to shoot it. I tried the pistol and I thought ‘this is cool, I guess,’ but then I tried my dad’s friend’s .22 rifle. I was much better with it and thought, ‘hey, I might like shooting on the rifle team’,” says Leggett. She attended tryouts for the rifle team and made the decision to continue with her interest. Leggett admits the transition to becoming a riflery athlete was hard. There were a lot of rules and techniques to learn, and the uniform for the sport is unlike the equipment for any other. She smiles when she speaks about how she was too small for the trousers last year and had to special order a size for this season. Leggett is unusual in that she is not part of the school’s JROTC program, even though the rifle
team falls under its authority. Most of the rifle team members either have a background as a military family or plan on choosing the military as a career. Both of Leggett’s parents are educators, and at this point, she is not interested in pursuing an education at a military college or choosing the military for her future vocation. The rising senior is also unusual because she demonstrated natural shooting abilities even though she had no prior experience as a hunter or a shooting enthusiast. Her rookie season, she consistently scored in the 270s out of the possible score of 300. Her high score on the year was 290, and she made it to the state playoffs with her team, where she posted a score of 288. Her junior season got off to a rocky start, with Leggett dropping in her scoring a bit, but she worked her way back to the 290s and even scored a perfect 300 at one match. The three positions of air rifle competition are prone, standing and kneeling. Leggett says prone is by far the easiest for her, but she likes the challenge of both the standing and kneeling positions. “With prone, you can kind of get the jitters out of the way because you are basically laying or resting in the position. Standing is the most difficult but I always think that I can redeem myself with kneeling if I don’t do well with standing,” she says. On April 4, Northside High School rifle team took the state title. Cason Borum was the high scorer for the Patriots with a score of 291. Columbus High finished eighth in the state competition held at Ft. Benning’s Pool International Shooting Complex. Leggett placed second in the individual competition with her combined score of 394.1, which included her state record tie score of 296. The record was set in 2014 by Alana Kelly of Allatoona High School. Leggett was edged out of first place by Rosemary Kramer of Upson-Lee, who posted a winning score of 396.4. Because she has another season ahead as a senior, Leggett is looking forward to the upcoming year. A little excitement is evident in her otherwise
reserved demeanor when she is asked about her goals for the 2016 season. “Winning the state. I really think we can do it as a team and I think, or I know, I can shoot better than I did this time,” says Leggett. Her rifle instructor, Sergeant Major (Ret.) Frank Tuggle, also believes Leggett has the ability to advance even further in the 2015-16 season. “Without a doubt. She has improved every year since joining the team, and her ethics, motivation and self-confidence will play a key role in her achieving success next year,” he says. Tuggle also notes Leggett will be key to the team achieving its goals. “Veronica will have a major role in helping the team accomplish our ultimate goal of winning a state championship. Many of the shooters admire her accomplishments. It motivated the team members to work harder to make the team better,” says Tuggle. The rifle team instructor indicated when the Columbus High shooters begin a new season, Leggett will be one of the contenders for the position of team captain. ITG
June-July 2015
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spencer High School
First-year coach leads Spencer men’s tennis to state playoffs
by Robert Preston Jr. photos by Jerry Christenson
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pportunity. It’s a word often jokingly associated with an event or an occurrence that is usually anything but, particularly in the workplace. Spencer High softball and tennis coach Monica Sicka found herself with such an “opportunity” early this year. It was late January or early February when her bosses approached her with a proposition. Spencer had a tennis team, but no coach. They wanted her to take over the team. Sicka was in her first year at Spencer. A physical education teacher, she also coached softball and, in the past, had coached basketball at St. Anne-Pacelli. Sicka, however, did not play tennis. She had never played tennis. She knew nothing about tennis. She took the job anyway. Monica Sicka grew up in Belleville, Illinois, located in the western portion of the state, not far from St. Louis, Missouri. She attended Belleville East High School, where she played softball and basketball. During Sicka’s junior year, her softball team won an Illinois state championship. Basketball, however, was her sport of choice. A guard/small forward, she played basketball at Southwestern Illinois College, a two-year school in Belleville. From there, she went on to Columbus State University, where she finished out her playing career. Sicka graduated from CSU in 2008 with a degree in exercise science. She followed with master’s degrees in education (2010) and business (2012). She originally planned to be a physical therapist, but eventually decided on education. Coaching was always something she wanted to do as well. Her first coaching job came at St. AnnePacelli, where she coached basketball for three years while working in the private sector. Coaching and working outside of the school became too hectic; when Sicka decided to teach, there were no P.E. jobs open at Pacelli. She ended up at Spencer. When she went to work at Spencer, she knew she would be coaching softball. “Since I had played in high school, the sport was very familiar to me. It was a lot of fun,” she says. The softball team came with its own set of challenges. First of all, only a few players were returning from the 2013 team. To make matters worse, the team
had no pitcher. Sicka took an outfielder and taught her how to pitch. As you might expect, it was a difficult year. The players and the coach were getting to know each other. The inexperience of the team only compounded an already tough year. “We had a good group of girls, and everyone was excited and positive in spite of the challenges,” says Sicka. After softball season ended, Sicka thought she would get a break for the spring. Then came the tennis opening. “When I got the tennis job, I just rolled with it. We had a lot of kids who wanted to play, some good athletes who wanted to learn the game,” she says. To prepare to coach a sport she had never played, Coach Sicka watched hundreds of hours of videos and sought the advice of every tennis player she could find. Sicka cobbled together a basic understanding of the fundamentals of the game and went to work. “Our kids picked up the game well. We had some good athletes, and they played pretty well this season,” she says. The women’s team had a challenging season but the men finished tied for third in the region. The entered the state tour-
nament as a fourth seed. They didn’t make it out of the first round but just getting to the tournament was a step in the right direction. The toughest part of the season for Coach Sicka was not knowing what to tell the players outside of basic instruction. Because she had never played tennis, she wasn’t familiar with the nuances of the sport. “I didn’t play tennis, and that made giving them pointers difficult. They needed more than just the basics,” she says. Next year, that won’t be a problem; now Sicka has picked up tennis and is looking for a local league to join. She has developed a love for the sport; as such, she will be better equipped to coach the team next year. Speaking of next year, her goals for her teams are simple. She would like for the men’s tennis team to get one of the top two spots in the region, the women’s team to get to the state tournament, and for the softball team to make the playoffs as well. “Both programs are growing. The players are dedicated to working hard and getting better. They want to improve, and they’re all very positive. We’re headed in the right direction,” says Coach Sicka. ITG
June-July 2015
In the Game
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