ATHLETICS

ABY AMBER IRIZARRY, COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST Heart of a CHAMPION

ATHLETICS AT MPCS IS DONE THE MPC WAY — THROUGH HUMILITY, PASSION, INTEGRITY, RELENTLESS EFFORT, AND A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE. THE RESULT OF THIS PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE IN SPORTS IS DEVELOPING THE HEART OF A CHAMPION IN BOTH OUR STUDENTS AND COACHES, AS EVIDENCED BY SOME OF THE PHENOMENAL FEATS THAT HAVE BEEN ACCOMPLISHED DURING THE 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR.

EAGLES WIN 5 STATE TITLES

While the ultimate goal is to develop Christian student-athletes of great character, winning a State championship is worthy recognition of a season of hard work and dedication. And, several MPC athletics teams and individuals have done just that.

Swimmer Emma Norton ‘22 claimed yet another individual swimming State title this season, adding to her collection of medals. She has set school records, as well as earned State titles for three consecutive years. She plans to join her brother (also an MPC swim State champ) to swim for the Georgia Bulldogs next year.

Similarly, the MPC cheer squad has won yet another State title — its tenth consecutive, in fact. This is a new record for all cheer teams in the state. The cheer squad holds the most consecutive GHSA State championships for any sport in Cobb county. This tenth consecutive title also puts MPC competition cheer in a tie with Westminster boys cross country (19962005) for the second most consecutive titles in the state in any sport.

For the second time in four years, the Lady Eagles volleyball team also claimed the State trophy, after ending the season as the Cobb county and Region champions. This is a repeat from their 2019 State title.

The varsity girls basketball team earned a State title, the program’s first, led in part by senior Kara Dunn ‘22, who herself earned a career 2,000 points. This spring, the boys MPC track and field team of Micah Lott, Remi Adams, Christian Hewling, and Jylan Thomas, with semi-final help from Gabe Lott finished off their season by bringing home the 4x100 State title, a first for MPC athletics. Notably, the MPC varsity boys golf team claimed the State runner-up trophy, while boys tennis and baseball reached the Final Four. Most importantly, all of these athletes competed the MPC way.

CHEER HOLDS THE MOST CONSECUTIVE STATE TITLES IN COBB COUNTY

THREE COACHES EARN 100 WINS

Among the many accolades awarded to her this year, MPC Varsity Girls Basketball Coach Mrs. Stephanie Dunn reached a milestone of 100 wins during her tenure as head coach for the Lady Eagles. Overall, she’s earned more than 369 wins, with a collective 269 wins during her time at St. Pius X Catholic High School and Berry College.

MPC Varsity Boys Soccer Coach Mr. Peter Baubles achieved his 100th career win during his sixth season with the Eagles.

And, MPC Athletic Director Mr. Mitch Jordan earned his 100th win during his final season as head varsity football coach for the Eagles. Coach Jordan began his head coaching career at the school in 2008 and was instrumental in helping to build the football program from the ground up.

Congratulations to all of these coaches, teams, and players for pursuing excellence in a record-breaking year that truly proves they each possess the heart of a champion. W

THE ULTIMATE GOAL IS T0 DEVELOP CHRISTIAN ATHLETES OF GREAT CHARACTER, YET WINNING STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS IS A WORTHY RECOGNITION

COLLEGE SIGNEES

‘22

et foot on the MPCS campus during a college signing, and S you’ll notice a palpable buzz of excitement. Signing days bring a sense of camaraderie and joy as we recognize the student-athletes who are pursuing their sport at the collegiate level. Teammates, family, and friends join together to celebrate the accomplishments of our student-athletes, with underclassmen looking on in admiration to these senior role models.

With 16 signees, this year’s senior class is setting its sights on the next level, seeking to continue using their God-given athletic talents as they continue their education. These 16 athletes have dedicated four years of high school to training, improving, and working hard to achieve their dreams and playing the sport they love. The road has not always been easy, with injuries, heartbreaking losses, and setbacks. The result is that these stellar athletes have been made stronger and even more determined to succeed.

This class of signees represent a commitment to pursuing the pinnacle of success at the high school level. These athletes are “pursuers of excellence,” with a commitment to be the best student-athlete they can be. Congratulations to the class of 2022 collegiate athletic signees! W

BY CAROLINE BRADFORD, ASSISTANT ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

CLASS OF 2022 ATHLETICS COLLEGE SIGNEES:

ALEX ADAMS – Baseball, Cleveland Community College REMI ADAMS – Football, Kennesaw State University PIERCE CRANE – Baseball, Piedmont University KARA DUNN – Basketball, Georgia Tech KATELYN DUNNING – Basketball, University of West Georgia MATT DUPUIS – Baseball, Piedmont University LILY GAROFALO – Cheer, University of Alabama PAULMER HEATH – Fishing (Kayak Angler), Carson-Newman University DAVIS HODGES – Baseball, Rollins College SHAMARIA JENNINGS – Basketball, Augusta University EMMA NORTON – Swimming, University of Georgia REED RICHARDS – Football, Berry College CHARLOTTE SMITH – Softball, Brenau University JYLAN THOMAS – Football, Clark Atlanta University MELIA VOSS – Volleyball, Vassar College EVAN WARREN – Football, Birmingham Southern

EXCELLENCE on the Field

BY CAROLINE BRADFORD, ASSISTANT ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

THE MPC WAY

E

xcellence is defined as “the quality of being outstanding or extremely good,” which certainly describes the success of many of the MPC athletic teams throughout the 2021-2022 school year. The athletic program has seen tremendous success through the hard work and dedication of our athletes and coaches. TROPHIES RACKED UP THIS YEAR INCLUDE:

• Team GHSA State championships in volleyball, cheerleading, and girls basketball • Individual State championship in swimming • Individual State champion in boys track 4x100 and runner-up in pole vault • Team GHSA State runner-up in boys golf • Team GHSA State Final Four in boys tennis and baseball • Team GHSA State Elite 8 appearances by softball, wrestling, girls lacrosse, girls soccer, and girls tennis • Region championships in softball, volleyball, girls basketball, boys tennis, girls soccer, girls track and field, baseball, and girls lacrosse • Cobb county championship in volleyball • METRO 10 championships in A and B volleyball and B girls basketball • METRO 10 runner-up in A baseball, girls lacrosse, and boys lacrosse

By investing in summer workouts, team camps and clinics, and countless hours of out-of-season training, these teams have worked hard to achieve these honors. MPC athletes know that in order to be successful, the goals they set for themselves and their teammates must be high. In order to achieve excellence, our athletes push themselves out of their comfort zone and challenge themselves daily. They EMBODY THE “MPC WAY” VALUE OF DEMONSTRATING A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE — pursuing

what it takes to win. As an example, MPC Varsity Volleyball Coach Selina Chancy shares, “The volleyball girls strive for excellence by playing year-round through club teams. Many of them also play a second sport (e.g. soccer, lacrosse, basketball, track). Their discipline and commitment to improving their skill in the off season is evident as soon as they come back together on the court. Playing multiple sports and with various club teams allows each of them to grow as athletes and leaders and encourages them to bring their unique experiences and perspectives together to benefit the team as they work together to achieve the ultimate goal of winning a State championship.” When teams strive for excellence and succeed, they are not only rewarded with team accomplishments. Many of our athletes and coaches have received top honors recognizing their individual efforts as well. Throughout the year, players have been recognized on All-County and All-Region teams. Senior Georgia Tech commit Kara Dunn ‘22 was named the Class A-Private Girls Basketball Player of the Year, and sophomore Sarah Schwartz ‘24 was named the Area 7-A Soccer Player of the Year. Mrs. Selina Chancy was named Cobb County Coach of the Year, while MPC Varsity Girls Basketball Coach Stephanie Dunn was named GACA Region 7, All-Star Game, AJC All-State, and Sandy Spiel’s Class A-Private Coach of the Year. While being outstanding on the field is part of the overall mission of MPC athletics and the MPC Way, realizing and understanding our God-given talents and how we can pursue excellence in HOW WE REPRESENT CHRIST AS

ATHLETES AND COACHES IS THE ULTIMATE GOAL. W

ATHLETICS SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: KARA DUNN

In her five years at MPCS, Kara Dunn ‘22 earned not one, but two, State championships – in volleyball (player of the year) and basketball (player of the year, team captain). She also garnered numerous athletic accolades and made countless friendships. Finding time for friends and family is important to Kara, who juggled playing for the MPC basketball and volleyball teams with playing AAU basketball for the Alabama Southern Starz team (Nike EYBL Team). She also worked as an intern for the MPC athletic office and was involved with PMI Up, a peer-mentoring program to help new high school students successfully transition into MPCS.

While becoming an elite athlete makes huge demands on time, Kara has not allowed her academic experience at MPCS to suffer, earning Honor Roll recognition. As she heads to Georgia Tech to play basketball for the Lady Yellow Jackets this fall, Kara is currently undecided about a future career path. “I either want to be a lawyer or sports agent,” she says. As she heads off to make her mark on the world, Kara encourages students at MPCS: “The best thing you can do for yourself is insert yourself into the MPCS family that is in the arts, athletics, STEAM, etc. The W relationships and support are unmatched.”