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Sports
SCOTS DON’T TAKE TEAM TENNIS DYNASTY FOR GRANTED
In the Highland Park tennis trophy case, there’s always room for one more
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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
With 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. e 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. “ ey rose to the occasion and played really well. We peaked at the right time.”
As usual, the Scots featured abundant depth and experience. ey 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. “ e atmosphere was great, and our team was supporting us all the way to the end.”
HP faced one unfamiliar obstacle when it lost a dual match against Southlake Carroll to wrap up the regular season. e 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
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. e 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
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 Highland Park senior athletes during a National Signing Day ceremony. e lefthander committed to Texas in the middle of his stellar junior season at HP. His grandfather, James Valentine, pitched at rival Texas A&M.
“You look at the list of pitchers who have gone there and had success, and it’s a no-brainer,” Valentine said. “I’m thrilled for the opportunity.”
One bonus for Valentine will be pitching in the Southeastern ConPCP_Dec2021x10Banner-Final.pdf 1 11/4/2021 3:26:14 PMference, where Texas will move from the Big 12 in a couple of years. “It’s the icing on the cake,” he said. Valentine’s teammate, Jack Rich, signed with George Washington in Washington, D.C. e slugging first baseman credits a recruiting video he made during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“D.C. is a great city,” said Rich, who committed to the Colonials after visiting the campus a year ago. “It’s a great program with great facilities.” ree HP golfers signed, including Christian Clark and Sophie Biediger, who each will compete close to home at SMU. In Clark’s case, that decision surprised even himself. “I’ve played golf here my whole life and wanted to go someplace else,” Clark said. “But at SMU, I knew I could enjoy where I am and grow my game.” Meanwhile, another of the key
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.
“ ey’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).
20 December 2021 | parkcitiespeople.com HP Senior Looks to Pin Down Another Chance at State Diminutive Cooper Chapman started wrestling as a 78-pound seventh grader
By Todd Jorgenson
People Newspapers
If Cooper Chapman suddenly experiences a growth spurt during his senior year at Highland Park, it could hamper his hopes of winning a state wrestling title.
Chapman has represented the Scots at the Class 5A state tournament in each of the last two years at 106 pounds, the lightest of the 14 varsity weight classes.
He’s really good about constant motion.
Tim Marzuola FROM LEFT: Henry Hoy, Cooper Chapman, and Jake Waskey represented Highland Park at the Class 5A state wrestling tournament last season.
Cooper Chapman [right] excels in the lightest of 14 high school varsity weight classes. (PHOTOS: COURTESY HPHS)
As a senior, he should hold an experience advantage because many wrestlers who start at 106 pounds grow into a heavier weight class. Chapman, however, is happy to stand pat in a sport where a few pounds can mean everything.
As a sophomore, Chapman was happy just getting to state. Last year, he was disappointed after gaining a lead in both of his matches before eventually losing.
“I know what I need to change,” Chapman said. “Some people have never been before and don’t have the same experience.”
Chapman dabbled in other sports as a youngster but didn’t try wrestling until a cousin asked him to come to practice. Suddenly, the 78-pound seventh grader found his passion. While wrestling might commonly be associated with size and strength, Chapman relies primarily on speed and technique.
“He’s really good about constant motion,” said HP head coach Tim Marzuola. “He’s a super-hard worker.”
Indeed, Chapman trains with his club team two to three nights per week after finishing up practice at school. Earlier this year, he won his bracket at the Lonestar Nationals tournament in North Richland Hills. In October, he placed in the top 10 at the Brian Keck Memorial Preseason Nationals in Des Moines, Iowa.
Chapman flourished last season for HP, pinning all but two of his opponents during the regular season in under a minute. Many opponents forfeit at 106 because they don’t have anyone to fill the spot.
“It’s harder during the season because the opponents are less challenging,” Chapman said. at’s why Marzuola intends to have him wrestle against heavier foes early this year whenever possible.
“He expects a lot of himself, and we expect him to do well,” Marzuola said. “We want to get him as many tough matches this year as possible to get him tournament-ready.”
After graduating next spring, Chapman hopes to continue wrestling in college. e lowest weight class at that level is 125 pounds.
