18 December 2021 | parkcitiespeople.com
Sports
SCOTS DON’T TAKE TEAM TENNIS DYNASTY FOR GRANTED In the Highland Park tennis trophy case, there’s always room for one more
way to the end.” HP faced one unfamiliar obstacle when it lost a dual match against Southlake Carroll to wrap up the regular season. The Dragons won five three-set matches to hand the Scots their first fall defeat in more than six years. “In hindsight, I think we’re glad we lost that match,” said senior Ray Saalfield. “It was a wake-up call, and we knew it couldn’t happen again.”
It takes the whole team to win state. Bella Rosas
Highland Park’s sixth consecutive Class 5A team tennis championship, won in October, gives the program a record 22 titles overall. (PHOTOS: COURTESY HPHS)
By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers
W
ith six state championships in a row, Highland Park’s annual domination in team tennis seems like a foregone conclusion. But as players and coaches are quick to point out, staying on top isn’t as easy as it looks. Such a dynasty comes with enhanced
expectations and meticulous preparation, on and off the court. The Scots extended their state record by claiming their 22nd state title overall with a convincing 10-2 victory over Abilene Wylie in the Class 5A final. “We had a pretty veteran team who had been through the wars,” said HP head coach Dan Holden. “They rose to the occasion and played really well. We peaked at
the right time.” As usual, the Scots featured abundant depth and experience. They won five out of seven doubles matches against Wylie and took all five singles matches before reaching the decisive 10-point total. “We have that one-match-at-a-time mentality. It takes the whole team to win state,” said senior Bella Rosas. “The atmosphere was great, and our team was supporting us all the
Five seniors provided leadership on a team that added morning practices to its usual routine this season, in addition to the usual afternoon workouts and additional training with private coaches. “We set the bar high,” Holden said. “We’ve earned this position. We knew everybody is going to give us their best shot. Our kids embrace that.” Now HP will turn its attention to the spring season, where team scores don’t count. The Scots have unfinished business from a year ago when they came up empty in all five divisions. “With the depth we have on this team. I think we’ve got a legitimate shot at two or three more state championships,” Holden said.
National Signing Day: HP Athletes Choose Colleges from Coast to Coast By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers
Valentine’s teammate, Jack Rich, signed with George Washington in Washington, D.C. The slugging first baseman credits a recruiting video he made during the COVID-19 pandemic.
From Roger Clemens to Greg Swindell to Huston Street, the University of Texas baseball program has a legacy of pitchers who have thrived in the major leagues. Collin Valentine hopes to be next. Valentine signed with the Longhorns on Nov. 10 and was honored alongside 11 other High“D.C. is a great city,” said Rich, land Park senior athletes during a National Signing Day ceremony. who committed to the Colonials The lefthander committed to after visiting the campus a year Texas in the middle of his stellar ago. “It’s a great program with junior season at HP. His grandfa- great facilities.” ther, James Valentine, pitched at Three HP golfers signed, inrival Texas A&M. cluding Christian Clark and So“You look at the list of pitchers phie Biediger, who each will comwho have gone there and had suc- pete close to home at SMU. In cess, and it’s a no-brainer,” Valen- Clark’s case, that decision surtine said. “I’m thrilled for the op- prised even himself. portunity.” “I’ve played golf here my whole One bonus for Valentine will be life and wanted to go someplace pitching in the Southeastern Con- else,” Clark said. “But at SMU, I ference, where Texas will move from knew3:26:14 I could PCP_Dec2021x10Banner-Final.pdf 1 11/4/2021 PM enjoy where I am and the Big 12 in a couple of years. “It’s grow my game.” the icing on the cake,” he said. Meanwhile, another of the key
I’m thrilled for the opportunity. Collin Valentine
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TOP ROW, FROM LEFT: Preston Gamster (Paris Junior College), Braden Jirovec (Chicago), Emily Hellmuth (Pepperdine), Collin Valentine (Texas), Christian Clark (SMU), Joe Stover (Texas A&M), and Jack Rich (George Washington). BOTTOM ROW: Sophie Biediger (SMU), Elise Borders (Dallas Baptist), Presley Wright (South Carolina), Lindsey Hosch (Texas), and Sydney Mayo (Lee University). (PHOTO: ROB GRAHAM) contributors to HP’s Class 5A state championship last season, Joe Stover, will play golf collegiately at Texas A&M. “They’re one of the best teams in the country, and their coaches have developed a lot of good young stars,” Stover said of the Aggies, where he committed after playing well in a series of summer
tournaments. “I’m super excited.” HP swimmer Lindsey Hosch, who won a state title in the breaststroke last winter, signed with Texas. Two Scots volleyball standouts also signed, including Emily Hellmuth (Pepperdine) and Presley Wright, who will play beach volleyball at South Carolina. Other HP college signees include
Bridget Stammel (tennis, Vanderbilt); Lizanne Boyer (tennis, Texas A&M); Liv Johnson (volleyball, Loyola Marymount); Braden Jirovec (baseball, University of Chicago); Preston Gamster (baseball, Paris Junior College); Elise Borders (soccer, Dallas Baptist); and Sydney Mayo (lacrosse, Lee University).
