8 minute read
Sports
PAIR OF ACES: HP WORKHORSES HAVE DIFFERENT STYLES, SAME RESULTS
Williams, Valentine could be key to a lengthy playoff run for the Scots
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FROM LEFT: Highland Park pitchers Collin Valentine and Calvin Williams have racked up plenty of innings —
and strikeouts — this season. (PHOTO: CHRIS MCGATHEY)
By Todd Jorgenson
People Newspapers
Calvin Williams is a hard-throwing right-hander with shoulder-length hair, a fiery mound demeanor, and a charismatic bulldog attitude.
Collin Valentine is a lanky lefty with a more finesse repertoire, an even-keeled approach, and a cerebral perspective on his craft.
In many ways, Highland Park’s top two starting pitchers couldn’t be more different. Yet their results this season have been strikingly similar.
Dominant pitching is the primary reason why the Scots are heading back to the Class 5A playoffs this season while also chasing another district title.
“They’re both pitching with a lot of confidence,” said HP head coach Travis Yoder. “Their personalities are different, but they have the same mindset — just to get people out and keep us in games.” the season progressed, he found
Williams, a senior, has started out he had two. most of the Tuesday games this Williams and Valentine have season for HP. After serving as the each been so consistent — regularcloser a year ago, he’s embraced his ly throwing complete games with new role. double-digit “Every district game is They can last a strikeout totals — that it’s been kind of a must- long time because challenging to win,” Williams said. “I’m excit- they work fast, find innings for other pitchers ed we’re getting and they’re on the staff. a full season this year. It makes throwing a lot of That depth will come in us want it a lit- strikes. handy in the tle more than usual.” Travis Yoder upcoming playoffs when ad-
Valentine, a vancement usujunior, has verbally committed to ally requires winning a best-of-three the University of Texas after at- series. Ben Bailey, Mac Moreland, tracting a number of scholarship and Preston Gamster are among the offers. As the Friday starter for the other hurlers who have been effecScots, he studies the lineup Wil- tive in limited appearances. liams typically faces three days During a four-game stretch earlier. comprising back-to-back sweeps
“It helps getting to watch him of Crandall and West Mesquite, on Tuesday,” Valentine said. “Fo- for example, the Scots didn’t walk cusing on Calvin helps me with any hitters while striking out 40. how I attack the hitters on Friday.” “It’s been a pleasant surprise,”
After last season was cut short Yoder said of his dynamic duo. by the COVID-19 pandemic, Yo- “They can last a long time because der wasn’t sure he had any clear- they work fast, and they’re throwcut No. 1 starter this winter. As ing a lot of strikes.”
Goal Oriented: For HP Senior, Scoring Is A Specialty Mencke aiming for final state tournament run with senior teammates
By Todd Jorgenson
People Newspapers
or to playing collegiately at Harvard. Another sibling, Charles, was a rower at Cornell. Like them, Thomas participated in sever-
Thomas Mencke might be comfortable al sports in elementary school but eventualaround the goal, but his frequency there ly settled on lacrosse and basketball. Always tends to make opponents uncomfortable. more elite in the former, he stopped playing
The scoring prowess of the Highland Park hoops after last season. senior is the primary reason why he’s one of With recruiting now in the rearview mirthe most dynamic offensive players in Texas, ror, Mencke is focused on winning a Texas for an HP squad that expects to contend for a High School Lacrosse League state title with state championship. his longtime teammates.
His lefthanded flair Many of this year’s and uncanny finishing ability also attracted the We knew this HP seniors won a THSLL Division II attention of the power- season would be crown together during house college program at the University of Vir- pretty special. their freshman year. As sophomores, they were ginia, where Mencke will Thomas Mencke Division I runners-up. play next season after And last year, the season signing with the Cavaliers in the fall. was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’ve always wanted to play for a really During the 2019 run, Mencke tallied good school,” Mencke said. Virginia, which three goals during a state semifinal victory won a national title in 2019. “I really like the over Austin Westlake, but was held scorecoaches and I’m really excited about that. It’s less in the championship game against an awesome fit for me.” ESD.
Mencke said he watches other attacking Mencke was a major factor when the lefties but has his own style, with the crafty Scots defeated the rival Eagles twice during ability to shoot from different release points. the regular season this spring. The playoffs
“I would say I’m a pretty original player,” begin in late April, with the state tournaMencke said. “I’ve always tried to put myself ment scheduled for May 8-9. in position where I can score. It’s more of a “All of the seniors now have been playmentality than anything.” ing together since elementary school. We
Mencke hails from an athletic Park Cities knew this season would be pretty special,” family. His oldest brother, Robert, was an HP he said. “It’s a bigger deal to us now, since lacrosse standout — albeit on defense — pri- we didn’t get the chance last year.”
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28 May 2021 | parkcitiespeople.com HP Recipients Among DUC Rowers With Varsity Letters Historic collaboration helps validate crew as an off-campus sport for area schools
By Todd Jorgenson
People Newspapers
Earning a varsity letter through sports or other school-sanctioned extracurricular activities has carried honor and prestige for generations.
Caroline Craycroft, a junior at Highland Park High School, and other rowers with Dallas United Crew never had that opportunity until this year.
“Before this, I felt like I lived in divided worlds — school and rowing,” Craycroft said. “This letter brought them together.”
DUC, based at White Rock Lake, includes several Park Cities students yet operates independently from the HPHS athletic program.
In 2020, the organization reached agreements with administrators at HP and three other schools — Bishop Lynch, Lakehill, and Woodrow Wilson — enabling rowers to share in the proud tradition of affixing letters to their school jackets.
DUC officials collaborated with each school’s athletic director to decide the criteria, which includes athletes consistently rowing at the highest varsity level and those who have shown dedication to the team by rowing three or more years with DUC. Both oarsmen and coxswains are eligible.
“Rowing adds to the sports schools can offer, and athletic departments that
Five Dallas United Crew rowers received varsity letters as juniors, including Highland Park’s Caroline Craycroft. FRONT ROW: Chloe Dietz. MIDDLE, FROM LEFT: Ellie Rodriguez,
Craycroft, and Luke Schweizer. BACK: Archer Smith. (COURTESY PHOTO)
partner with DUC keep more kids active and learning through sport,” said DUC program director Steve Perry. “Our high school team draws athletes from 26 area high schools. Varsity letters are just one aspect of how we can work together. We also team for off-campus PE credit, National Letter of Intent signing celebrations, and scholar-athlete awards.”
Rowers train six days a week, yearround. Perry said a varsity letter communicates students’ dedication and provides scholastic endorsement of their sport on college applications, regardless of whether they compete in crew beyond graduation.
Craycroft is one of 14 rowers in the inaugural class of letter-earning DUC honorees, almost half of which attend HP. Others include Grace Condon, Ava Craycroft, Kate Corey, Georgia Wellborn, and Drew Favors.
Four have since gone on to collegiate rowing programs, including Condon (SMU), Corey (Northeastern), Wellborn (Fordham), and Ava Craycroft (Texas).
HONOREES
Six Highland Park rowers from Dallas United Crew earned varsity letters from 2020. They include: Grace Condon Kate Corey Ava Craycroft Caroline Craycroft Drew Favors Georgia Wellborn
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