Student-Athlete of the Month

Gary Shepard strives toward college football with his accomplishments over the last four years and the support of his coach and teammates.

By Emma Rogers

Gary Shepard commits to the leader and player he is on the football field and on campus, which landed him his spot as the Gregg Schindler State Farm Agency

October Male Student-Athlete of the

Month. On Sept. 25, he helped guide his team to a 61-3 victory against Cypress Creek High School with his offensive plays that ensured holes opened for the runners to get through the opposition’s defensive line. Shepard has worked hard and earned his positions as a center and long snapper long before his freshmen year, and continues to have the same drive he started with as a player. “My goal is to go to school and play college football. I work out every day and I train to play center. I’m trying to play at the next level to pursue a football career,” Shepard said. Shepard made waves his freshman year by catching the eye of Head Coach Andy Schmitz, during tryouts. Shepard made an impression that led to his placement on the 2017 varsity team as a center. “When he was a freshman we could tell immediately that he was physically more ready than most freshman. He was stronger than anyone else in his class, but once we had him in practice we also noticed how coachable he was,” Coach Schmitz said. Since the 2017 season, Shepard has continued to train to further develop his

Gary Shepard (‘21) blocks an opposing player to protect the integrity of the play in action on the field on Sept. 18 against Pinellas Park High School. (photo by Layne Mazur) skills as a player, which set him up to be an example for incoming players. He earned his title as a captain for the 2019 varsity his junior year due to the influences he had as an underclassman. Shepard continues to push himself and the team as he received the captain title again for the 2020 varsity season. “Gary has gone from being a freshman that followed what the upperclassmen said and did, to being a leader himself. He’s a two-year captain, which is very rare in our program. Usually, captains are only seniors. Gary is going to graduate here having played in and won more varsity games than anyone else in program history. He will always be remembered as an important player in this program,” Coach Schmitz said. As Shephard continues to push himself towards his future career in football, Coach Schmitz feels that he has given Shepard the tools to succeed playing at the next level in college football. “I’m not sure Gary needs any more advice from me. He’s gotten plenty of positive and negative feedback over the years. He has turned into a hard-working and solid young man,” Coach Schmitz said. Gary Shepard continues to strive toward success, both on and off the field, and expresses valuable qualities as a leader and fervent teammate, resulting in his recognition as Athlete of the Month. Shepard prepares as a senior, set to graduate in June, although we will lose an important aspect to the team, the college Shapard decides to go to will certainly gain a hard-working and valuable player.

Chosen for her skills as a leader and teammate, Cayla Heckroth demonstrates excellence.

By Layne Mazur

On and off the court, Gregg Schindler

State Farm Agency Female Student-

Athlete of the Month, Cayla Heckroth, finds herself immersed in the sport she plays best: volleyball. Playing for the J.W. Mitchell High School varsity team since freshman year, and beginning volleyball in sixth grade, the junior finds the greatest part of her experience as a volleyball player to be the everlasting impact of playing such a close-knit team sport.

“Volleyball is my happy getaway. I have created lifelong friendships and life skills and lessons, and I have become a better person because of it. It is so much fun and I know I can continue on playing through my life and hopefully pass it on to my kids,” Heckroth said.

Heckroth worked to be at the level she

plays at today. Outside of school, Heckroth improves her skills through open gyms, volleyball camps, private lessons, and beach volleyball. She also plays club volleyball this year at the local Trinity Volleyball Club.

“I have put in so much work for volleyball. It takes up so much of my time and I get to spend it with all of the friends I have made throughout the years,” Heckroth said.

Finding her best position as outside hitter, Heckroth also specializes in defense on the court. From blocking hits from the other team to volleying balls from the back line to the setter, Heckroth’s talent illustrates itself, as she starts and ends most games alongside her friends on the court. Coach for the varsity team, Lea Weber, chose Heckroth based off her position on the team.

“She is a leader on and off the court as well as a very good athlete,” Weber said. Despite the delayed season due to COVID-19, the varsity group worked any way they could to practice safely in order to prepare for their season. Through these efforts to bond through the restrictions, the team became very close. “The connection us girls have on and off the court and our amazing coaching staff make me have a good feeling about this year,” Heckroth remarked. Heckroth plans With eyes focused towards the ball,

Cayla Heckroth plays defense for the Mustangs at the Anclote game on Sept. 24. (Photo by Laynie Mazur)

to play volleyball in college as well as the rest of her time in high school. With her persistence to be better than she was the day before, Heckroth is only going up. “I don’t know what I would do without volleyball. My coaches, family, friends, and most importantly my parents have given me so much for this sport and I wouldn’t be the same without them,” Heckroth said