october 2012 sports lubbock monthly
DESCRIPTION
Jennifer McCully, Baron Batch, Greg Hewett, Stephen Smith, Ryan Moseley, UIL redistrictingTRANSCRIPT
In 1937, this was more than a pole. It was a symbol of determination. It spurred hope, cooperation and growth. And today, you can keep that spirit alive in your co-op by saving energy. Find out how at TogetherWeSave.com.
BEHOLD A 40-FOOTSTAKE IN THE GROUND.
South Plains ElectricCooperative, Inc.
4 | OCTOBER 2012 | Sports Lubbock Monthly
Regulars
6 Lead Off
7 Run the Race
12 Life as I See It
15 Stay in the Game
21 Quick Shots
30 MAXED Out
38 SLM KidZone
41 Sports in the Hub
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Staff
PUBLICATIONToby & Christi Brooks........................................PublishersRob Tuttle..............................................Account ExecutiveKristi Hart...................................................................EditorZack Barnard.........................................Contributing WriterBaron Batch..........................................Contributing WriterJosh Dill.................................................Contributing WriterDavid Drake...........................................Contributing WriterHolly Kitten............................................Contributing WriterGrant Stovall..........................................Contributing WriterJoe Walker.............................................Contributing WriterAllison Wood..........................................Contributing Writer
ARTLuann Curry...................................................PhotographerElizabeth Jackson.........................................Photographer Regina Penney...............................................PhotographerToby Brooks.......................................................Art Director
Sports Lubbock Monthly is published monthly by Chaplain Publishing, a division of NiTROhype Creative, 3104 CR 7520, Lubbock, Texas, 79423, phone 806.781.8482. Contents may not be reproduced without consent of the copyright owner. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retriival system or transmitted in any form by any means electronically or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher.
Sports Lubbock Monthly is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, articles, photographs, or artwork. To submit information, photos, or stories or for advertising inquiries please contact Sports Lubbock Monthly at 806.781.8482, via email at [email protected], or via the Sports Lubbock website at www.sportslubbock.com.
28 | COVER STORY
BATTLE TESTEDLubbock Area Gridders Greg Hewett, Stephen Smith, and Ryan Moseley Have Their Eyes on Big Senior Seasons by Holly Kitten and Toby Brooks
23 | SOUTH PLAINS SPORTS
BANNER YEARSouth Plains College athletics enjoyed a historic season in 2012 but watch out – The Texans are hungry for more in 2013 by Joe Walker
ON THE COVER: Cooper’s Ryan Moseley (Toby Brooks photo), Coronado’s Greg Hewett (Elizabeth Jackson photo), and Frenship’s Stephen Smith (Luann Curry photo) grace our first ever cover.
8 | HIGH SCHOOL VBALL
IN SICKNESS and IN HEALTHFrenship vball coach Jennifer McCully credits family and community with support during serious illness by Allison Wood
34 | SPORTS LUBBOCK FEATURE
HUB CITY SHUFFLEWhat UIL realignment means for Lubbock by Josh Dill
OCTOBER 2012
Features
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In the 1989 classic Field of Dreams, Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) starts hearing voices that eventually lead him to plow under part of his corn crop and build a baseball field. Friends and family
thought – and eventually said – he was crazy. Risking financial ruin and ridicule, he pours his heart and soul into the task at hand. Through many trials and tribulations, he perseveres, leading to the climax of the film where an endless stream of cars appear en route to see the place.
All because one guy with a dream stayed true to the vision and willed it to happen.
Well friends, what you hold in your hands or are viewing on your monitor is someone else’s dream. Or more precisely, it’s the dream of a couple of “someone elses.” Let me explain.
My family and I settled in Lubbock some time back to pursue the Texas life. Although a job at Tech was the offer that actually led to loading up the moving van, we’d been looking to relocate to West Texas for a while. After stops in several states, we decided that the values, the opportunities, and the people of Lubbock made it the perfect destination. At no time since have we doubted the decision.
Frankly, the only thing we found even remotely lacking was a source of information about the thing that seems to fire up West Texans the most: sports. My wife owns and runs a publishing company and I am a graphic designer. After much thought, prayer, and time, we finally decided that if someone else wasn’t going to do it, we could pull it off.
We would build it.That was two years ago. In the meantime, we made
connections. We plugged in to the community, made friends, and learned the sports landscape. We built a website and recruited contributors. We asked friends to gather advertisers. And finally we cranked out this inaugural issue as the first of many to come.
This month’s cover highlights three area athletes who, by all accounts, are exactly the sort of people we want to tell you about month in and month out. Coronado’s Greg Hewett, Frenship’s Stephen Smith, and Cooper’s Ryan Moseley are not only stand-up guys, but standout multi-sport athletes.
We also delve into the shakeup created by the recent UIL redistricting and what that likely means for area fans this season. Additionally, I think you’ll particularly enjoy our feature on Frenship volleyball coach Jennifer McCully who valiantly battled back from debilitating illness last year to resume the helm for the Tigers girls’ volleyball team this fall.
We’ve also got a bundle of other stuff, too, including musings from the always-inspiring keystrokes of former Red Raider and current Pittsburgh Steeler Baron Batch. If you haven’t seen Baron play football or checked out his paintings, photography, and poetry on BaronBatch.com, you haven’t really learned the meaning of the term renaissance man yet.
All this and more await. We only have three small requests. First, pray for our endeavor. We obviously
want to succeed and we want to publish a magazine our town and our athletes can be proud of, but it isn’t easy. Your support will help more than you know.
Next, tell your friends. Whether it is connecting with us and sharing our content on Facebook, discussing it at the water cooler, tweeting about a particular story, or simply grabbing an extra copy from the newsstand to give to someone, please help us spread the word and build a following.
Lastly, tell all the business owners you know about us. Our magazine is and always will be completely free. That means we depend upon advertising revenues in order to keep going. We are confident that our focus on our town, our teams, and our area’s traditional values make us an excellent choice for spreading a business message and investing in the community.
Like Ray Kinsella, people have probably called us crazy. And just like Ray, we’ve toiled and sweated long into the night to see our dreams take shape. But finally we’re ready to look up from our work and take in what has been created.
We’ll keep building it. Won’t you come along?
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“If You Build It, He Will Come” by TOBY BROOKS LEAD OFF
Whether it is connecting with us and sharing our content on Facebook, discussing it at the water cooler, tweeting about a particular story, or simply grabbing an extra copy from the newsstand to give to someone, please help us spread the word and build a following.
A few weekends ago I had the opportunity to spend time with my 9-year-old, Faith, at a softball All-Star tournament. We got up early on Thursday morning and drove three hours south to San Angelo for a
weekend of softball. It seemed like all of West Texas and part of New Mexico descended on the town for the softball extravaganza. Every hotel room in the town was booked; they were even housing people at the dorms of the local university. It was crazy!
The tournament itself was a great experience. And being able to hang out one-on-one with my daughter was worth it regardless of wins or losses. But my favorite time of the weekend was a 2-hour late lunch with the team’s head coach and his wife. I’ve been coaching with this guy for two years now and have a great respect for him – the way he looks at softball and the way he looks at life. He is in the process of raising three young ladies, all of whom play softball and all of whom are pretty amazing girls. In these two years, we’ve never really had a chance to just sit and chat. In this lunch conversation, we talked about Jesus and church, softball and coaching, parenting and broken homes.
What struck me most about the conversation was the affirmation that ministry is all around us, if we only have the eyes to see the possibilities. Every girl that I coach in softball or basketball, every parent that I interact with, every opposing team that I talk to and play against is a chance to show the love of Christ. For some of these girls that played on this All-Star team, this will be my only interaction with them and their parents. Have I made a positive contribution to who they are as unique children of God or has my contribution been less than it should be?
Opportunities are all around us (John 4:35), if we only have eyes to see. So, keep your eyes open.
Dave Drake is a husband, father of four, and coach in the South Plains Girls Fastpitch league. He has served in ministry for more than 16 years and rumor has it that he plays a mean guitar. He may be reached via his website at www.davedrakeministries.org.
www.sportslubbock.com | OCTOBER 2012 | 7
RUN THE RACE by DAVE DRAKE
Keep Your Eyes Open
Every girl that I coach in softball or basketball, every parent that I interact with, every opposing team that I talk to and play against is a chance to show the love of Christ.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Heb 12:1
RUN THE RACE is a monthly column featuring a brief devotional written by area coaches and youth ministry leaders.
Jennifer McCully says she has a rare opportunity to have another ‘first year’ of coaching. “Possibly the hardest year in coaching is the first year. It is
tough to develop a new program,” according to the Frenship High School volleyball coach. “This year I have a fresh start in an established program.”
Andy Penney, director of public relations and information Frenship ISD, describes McCully as “the heart and soul of Frenship Volleyball.” McCully coached the FHS Lady Tigers in beginning in 2003 and is returning to her post as head coach after a tumultuous year off due to severe health problems.
In January 2011, Coach McCully experienced flu-like symptoms and joint pain, setting off a year of pursuing a diagnosis that she explains was hard to pin down. Ultimately her physicians diagnosed her with Lyme disease and connective tissue disorder.
“I was in the hospital three times in March 2011. I thought I would make it through spring break and return to work.” However, her condition became much worse. The coach who once ran regularly was now in a wheelchair, had lost 40 pounds, and was often too weak to sit up.
As McCully’s health deteriorated, she was referred to doctors in California and New York, but eventually she became too weak to travel. During the spring of 2011, the antibiotics became ineffective, her adrenal system shut down, and inflammation rates soared dangerously high.
“The inflammation rates were too high to be measured. I would lie down at night wondering if it was my last breath,” McCully explains. “My husband would carry me from the recliner to our car for doctor’s appointments; I could not even sit up but for a few minutes at a time.”
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“The inflammation rates were too high to be measured. I would
lie down at night wondering if it was my
last breath.” Frenship Volleyball Coach
Jennifer McCully
by ALLISON WOOD
IN SICKNESS and in
HEALTHFrenship volleyball coach Jennifer
McCully credits family and community with support during serious illness
photos by REGINA PENNEY
HIGHSCHOOL
VBALL
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“My husband has been wonderful; when I was in the hospital he would not leave my room.” Jennifer and her husband T.J. have been married for 12 years.
As the school year began in fall 2011, fellow coach Toni Gafford took over in McCully’s absence for Frenship’s volleyball team. “Toni was great to keep me updated regarding the team. It was a nice escape to hear about how the team was doing, but I was unable to help.”
Gafford navigated the FHS team through a successful season and was named All-City Coach of the Year. “I hated not to be there with those kids, especially the seniors, but I’m so thankful for Toni, all the coaches and our athletic department.”
At home, McCully’s mother-in-law kept T.J. and Jennifer’s children, Mady (11) and Major (8). She maintained a routine of school, homework, and visiting mom at the hospital.
As November approached, sores appeared on McCully’s hands and she saw local dermatologist Dr. Amy Brakeen. “She told me the sores were not a skin condition, but part of an auto immune disorder and she got me
immediately into a rheumatologist.” McCully began steroids and a chemotherapy drug, “Although the IV treatments were horrible, it had to be done and I began to see a light at the end of the tunnel.”
Another stepping-stone to health was visits to a hyperbaric chamber daily for four months through local chiropractor Dr. Kevin McAlpin.
McCully credits her recovery to tremendous support from family, friends, and the Frenship community. “There were times that my husband and I just prayed knowing what we had to face and getting
discouraged, angry and feeling helpless. Then someone would always be there to encourage us. I don’t want to leave anyone out, but we had so many prayers for us and help, month after month after month.”
She is thankful for her family, who showed her that a team is about supporting each other and that Frenship is much more than just a school or an individual sport.
“Coaches, counselors, teachers, current players, former players, our kids’ school (Bennett), our church (Aldersgate): people would show up to sit with me. I realized how strong my children were, because when I would have visitors, I could see on people’s faces how bad it was, but my kids never looked at me like that.”
She steadily improved and began working part time in January 2012 and full time by the spring. “Our principal Kim Spicer was wonderful to lighten my school load and I was able to participate in middle school and high school athletic periods with other coaches. It was great to be with the coaches and kids and God just grew the desire in my heart to coach again.”
“You wouldn’t think this would happen to a healthy person,” comments Lubbock Cooper Pirate volleyball coach Courtney Pesterfield. “Jennifer is a genuine person who goes out of her way to help other people. I look up to her as a coach who is running a successful program. Jennifer is
McCully’s bout with serious illness has led her to appreciate even routine tasks as blessings to be celebrated rather than endured.
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the most sincere person in every part of her life: her job, her family, her faith and every part of her life revolves around the Lord. Her faith is what pulled her through this,” acknowledges Pesterfield.
Currently, McCully is off all medication, adheres to a strict organic diet, and recovering from two recent surgeries. Her daughter Mady will be playing volleyball this year as she enters Frenship Middle School.
Jennifer McCully will also step back on the court in her former role as head coach. “I’m so thankful for the support of Frenship. It is not a frivolous prayer that we thank God for my job.”
McCully consistently listened to a CD of healing scriptures as she went to bed every night during this journey. Prayer bracelets from the Frenship Booster Club with ‘pray for McCully’ and James 5:15 were distributed: “And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.”
“My husband and I have thought about the question, ‘Why did this happen?’ We believe God wanted to show through us that he does heal and his power is complete and there is no limit to his strength and what he can do.”
As only a passionate coach can do, she illustrates for her players what she wants them to get out of her journey. “I hope my players can see that volleyball is a marker of life. Wins and losses mirror the highs and lows of life. It is not always easy, but lean on each other and towards God. His promise is true: he will take care of me.”
“Jennifer is the most sincere person in
every part of her life: her job, her family, her
faith and every part of her life revolves
around the Lord. Her faith is what pulled her through this.”
Cooper Volleyball coach Courtney Pesterfield
HIGHSCHOOL
VBALL
(Above) McCully takes time out during a recent volleyball camp to chat with mambers of the Frenship staff Kelsey Taylor, Ches Tucker, and Toni Gafford.
(Left) McCully proudly poses in front of her wall of former Tigers who have go on to compete at the collegiate level.
“I don’t want to see you again.”
Those were the words that my surgeon Dr. Bradley said to me after being fully released during my team physical.
“I don’t wanna see you again either” I replied through a grin that couldn’t be contained. The following day we had our first OTA (organized team activities), signifying the beginning of a new NFL season.
It’s a weird feeling to suddenly be told that you are okay to go compete with some of the best athletes in the world, and especially unsettling when you have been out of action for nine months. But just like with other things in my life this was no different. Sometimes you just have to dive in.
Dive in with both feet, aware of the dagger-like rocks that may or may not rest at the bottom of the lake, aware that you might not succeed and that failure is a real possibility.
I wish I could tell you that I took my own advice on this. I’d like to say that I was able to just dive right back into football. But truthfully, I was too scared. On the fist day of OTA’s, I was terrified. Replaying through my mind was “be carful Baron, your knee is not the same. Don’t too run fast. Don’t cut too hard.”
I felt my way through each drill of the entire practice softly planting and cutting off my left knee. Each time someone would run by me I would cringe and slow down. There were a few times I got the ball and ran straight for the sidelines out of bounds. It was embarrassing for me. I felt nothing like the player that I was and soon frustration set in.
That night it was hard for me to sleep. I stayed awake, frustrated that my mind was holding me back. My knee felt fine
and normal but the issues were all in my head. Before I went to sleep I told myself, “Tomorrow you will be mentally stronger and ignore that you had ACL surgery.”
The following day was about the same. I felt a tad bit more confident, but I still felt my way through each drill thinking to myself “Don’t run too fast Baron. Don’t cut too hard.” And the frustration continued to grow.
Again, that night it was hard for me to sleep. When I finally fell asleep, I dreamt of what my body felt like when I was in high school. Before all the injuries and surgeries. Before the game that I love started making me pay with torn ligaments and broken bones.
That next morning I woke up sore and discouraged. It was just one of those days. I grabbed my playbook that I was up studying late into the night and headed to work. Before I knew it I was back on the field doing the same thing as the prior two days. Feeling my way through each drill thinking to myself “Don’t run too fast Baron. Don’t cut too hard.”
Midway through practice we entered our first team period where we went against our defense. I was in the huddle and got the play call from Ben. “Toss 37.” Toss 37 is a simple toss play to the left meaning that I would be planting off of my left knee. My injured knee.
I had two options on this play. I could either get the ball and run straight out of bounds to avoid making a cut or I could plant my foot in the grass and make a hard cut off my left knee. In the few seconds it took to line up and have the ball snapped, a multitude of thoughts flowed through my mind.
“Just run out of bounds, don’t risk it.” “No No No don’t just run out of bounds, what do you think you did all your rehab for these last nine months? To just run
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Toss 37 by BARON BATCH LIFE AS I SEE IT
Baron Batch is a former Red Raider who currently plays running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers. In addition to being a world-class athlete, he is a gifted author and artist. He has graciously agreed to share exerpts from his blog for use in Sports Lubbock Monthly. To read more and to see other examples of his work, be sure to visit baronbatch.com.
out of bounds? Come on! Do you really wanna risk all that rehab you did for one play?”
All the thoughts made sense and both sides held valid points.
“Set……. Hut….!!!” In an instant the ball was snapped, pitched and on its way to my outstretched hands.
I didn’t run out of bounds; I stuck my left foot in the ground and cut back breaking a long run.
As I jogged back after the play one of the offensive lineman named Ramon said,
“Dang B-Batch that looked pretty good! How’d it feel?”I couldn’t help but grin and say, “Thanks man. It felt good.
It felt really good.“ The rest of that practice I felt more and more confident with each play and cut that I made off my left knee, and by the end of the practice was having flashes of my old self. That night I had no problems sleeping.
I’ve learned a lot from this ACL injury. I have come to realize that my knee will never be the same as before my injury. I have given up on that thought.
But when Doubt creeps in and whispers “Don’t run too fast Baron, Don’t cut too hard. Your knee isn’t that same.” I will reply, “I know my knee isn’t the same: it’s better.”
The season is right around the corner and this will be my approach from here on out when dealing with the mental side of this injury. Confidence is key. Confidence is trusting that you have worked hard enough to succeed. I know over the past nine months, I have worked hard enough. I’m confident of this.
With all of that said, it was a huge blessing to be back out on the field with my teammates. God is too good! Please keep praying for me. I can’t wait to be back out there, and it’s getting close.
And always remember, when doubt creeps in and whispers, “Things will never be the same.” Keep in mind that when things aren’t the same, there is always an opportunity to become better.
Blessings, Baron
Confidence is key. Confidence is trusting that you have worked hard enough to succeed.
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STAY IN THE GAME by GRANT STOVALL
Heat Related Illness
Brought to you by
With the beginning of a new athletic season underway, athletic trainers, coaches, parents, and athletes are encouraged to watch for signs and symptoms of heat related conditions. There have
been 40 deaths related to heat stroke since 1995. All of these deaths would have been preventable if proper guidelines had been followed.
Signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses include dizziness, exhaustion, headache, muscle cramping, lack of sweating, disorientation, vomiting, and loss of consciousness. With triple digit temperatures and long practices, it is very important that proper hydration and nutrition are emphasized.
The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) emphasizes preseason heat-acclimatization guidelines for all secondary school athletes. According to the NATA, when an athlete undergoes a proper heat-acclimatization program, physiologic function, exercise heat tolerance, and exercise performance are all enhanced. In contrast, athletes who are not exposed to a proper heat-acclimatization program face measurable increased risks for heat illness. These guidelines include limiting the number of practices per day and the total practice time, as well as equipment restrictions and recommendation for appropriate monitoring of athletes by athletic trainers.
The UIL has adopted new practice rules for 2012. All athletes must go through a four-day acclimatization period. During this time they can only practice once per day. The only equipment that can be worn during this time is a helmet. They can participate in a walk-through, but they are not allowed any equipment and must be a rest between the practice and walk-through. After the four-day acclimatization period, the athletes can practice more frequently, but not more than once on consecutive days.
One prevention strategy for heat-related illness is a pre-season physical exam to identify any underlying medical conditions. Athletes should be monitored closely and removed from participation when they exhibit any symptoms of heat exhaustion. Hydration should be encouraged before, during and after workouts. Athletes should be encouraged to weigh themselves before and after activity so they can replenish lost fluids before the next workout. Athletes should also follow a good nutritional plan and not skip meals.
Heat-related illness is an injury that can be fully prevented. By following some general guidelines and appropriate monitoring, athletes can participate safely.
Grant Stovall is credentialed as a physical therapist and athletic trainer. He serves as the Director of Clinical Services for Lubbock Sports Medicine and may be reached at 806.792.4329.
KEEP ‘EM HYDRATEDProper hydration is a key component of any heat-related illness prevention program.Toby Brooks photo
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BANNERYEAR
South Plains College athletics enjoyed a historic season in 2012
but watch out – The Texans are hungry for more in 2013
story and photos by JOE WALKER
Every year it seems the athletes and coaches from the South Plains College athletics department make history. The 2011-12 school year was no different as the Texans
and Lady Texans claimed four NJCAA national titles over the course of the academic year in men’s basketball, women’s half-marathon, and men’s and women’s track and field.
The overall number of titles did not break a record - South Plains claimed five during the 2008-09 seasons – but it was the sheer dominance displayed by SPC that made it historic.
Cross-CountryChris Beene’s cross-country squads blazed
into the year. At the NJCAA Cross Country Championships in Hobbs, NM, sophomores Natoya Goule and Kemoy Campbell dominated the field to capture individual championships. Ranked No. 1 in the nation entering the meet, the Lady Texans had a strong presence with Darroneshia Lott and Kirsten Taylor, who also finished in the top six, but still the team came up a little short of the team title.
The Lady Texans tied for the team title a week later at the half-marathon championships in Marietta, GA, where the Lady Texans once
SIMPLY THE BEST. TWICE. AGAIN.The Texan and Lady Texan track and field teams both bested the competition at home, capping off brilliant seasons in style and claiming the hardware for SPC. For the men it marked their sixth team national championship in a row, while the women claimed their fourth in a row.
SOUTH PLAINS
SPORTS
again stole the front end of the meet with a one-two finish from Lott and Taylor. Combined with a ninth place finish from Michaela Johnson, South Plains finished with 12 team points to capture their second consecutive team title in the event.
BasketballAs the women’s half-marathon team won the school’s
first team championship of the year in November, the men’s basketball team embarked on their own journey to what would become one of the greatest seasons in the history of not only South Plains College, but also the NJCAA.
After successfully navigating their non-conference schedule
with a perfect 15-0 record, the Texan basketball team – lead by 12th-year head coach Steve Green – faced the formidable task of entering the toughest conference in all of the NJCAA: the Western Junior College Athletic Conference (WJCAC). WJCAC has had a representative in every NJCAA championship game since 2007 and was victorious in four of the last six championship games. The Texans won the 2008 championship game.
At the start of conference play, South Plains defeated defending-conference-champion Midland on their home court, 70-54, setting up a No. 2 vs. No. 5 showdown against Odessa at the Texan Dome and winning again 71-62. After thumping
18 | OCTOBER 2012 | Sports Lubbock Monthly
Frank Phillips College, they moved to 18-0 overall and 3-0 in the WJCAC. South Plains elevated to No. 1 in the NJCAA rankings, heading into what would turn into a road showdown with New Mexico Junior College in Hobbs, N.M.
The Texans received their toughest test to date from the T-Birds on January 26, 2011. It appeared the No. 1 ranking they had just achieved would be short lived as New Mexico led by four points with only 20-seconds remaining in the contest.
Marshall Henderson – later named the NJCAA Division I Player of the Year – hit
a deep 3-pointer to make it a one-point game. As the clock ticked towards 10 seconds, Henderson quickly fouled to stop the clock, sending New Mexico to the free throw line where only 1-of-2
charity shots were converted.Once again, the Texans raced the ball up
the court and looked to Henderson to pull off the win. However, this time he was well guarded and the awkward shot landed off the mark. Henderson, who has the uncanny ability to hang in the air, adjusted his shot and drew a foul that kept the Texans’ undefeated season alive.
Henderson was exactly who the Texans wanted at the line. He went on to make 2-of-3, sending the game into overtime. Things again looked bleak.
With just over a second remaining and trailing by two points, Henderson curled around the near corner of the court in front of the SPC bench, caught Devonte Smith’s inbound pass and quickly let off the shot that saved South Plains from suffering their first loss of the season as the Texans shocked New Mexico 79-78 in overtime at the Caster Activity Center.
The following week, South Plains was unanimously voted the top-ranked team in the NJCAA.
Of course, other teams posed similar challenges during the remainder of the year, but the Texans continued to find
the magic they needed to claim their first WJCAC title since the 2006-07 season and entered the Region 5 tournament with a 29-0 overall record (14-0 WJCAC).
The Texans dismantled Temple, 115-75, to begin the tournament, and then had to defeat New Mexico and Howard for the third time each to win the Region 5 tournament. They advanced to the NJCAA tournament for the first time since the 2007-08 season.
HENDERSON THE GREATMarshall Henderson’s deadly long-range shooting and late game heroics helped propel the Texans to an undefeated regular season and a hard-fought victory in the NJCAA national championship game. At season’s end he was named NJCAA Division I Player of the Year and accepted a scholarship offer from the University of Mississippi.
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South Plains also received tough tests from East Mississippi and Monroe College (NY) in the first two rounds of the tournament. They faced a seven point halftime deficit in their opening round game and a five point halftime deficit versus Monroe in their quarterfinal game. Strong second halves helped the Texans move on to a semifinal date with Eastern Oklahoma with their undefeated record intact, however, head coach Steve Green had high praise for Monroe.
“We found a way to win and I really can’t tell you how we did it,” Green said. “They (Monroe) kept us so off-balance with what they were doing defensively.”
In the semifinal game, South Plains looked more like they had all season by getting off to a good start and ultimately won by 20 in a game that was never really in doubt. This set up the first No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown in an NJCAA Championship game since 1999. The victory also marked the 300th for Green as head coach of the Texans, though he would say after the game that No. 301 would mean a lot more.
South Plains faced a Northwest Florida State College team that had suffered only a single loss and was the top-ranked team in the NJCAA before being overtaken by SPC in the polls.
For a fan of college basketball, it looked like a game for the ages that ultimately lived up to its billing.
The Texans claimed an early lead by scoring the first nine points of the game, but after that the seesawing began between the two top-ranked teams. Each time South Plains appeared to take control, Northwest Florida came roaring back.
The shot of the game – and perhaps even the year – came with South Plains leading by eight points. With plenty of time remaining for their opponent to get back into the game, the shot clock wound down for the Texans as they hunted for a shot. Facing a stiff defense, Henderson let go of an off-balance three-pointer just as the
shot clock sounded. The ball rattled around the rim seemingly forever before falling through the net and taking whatever wind Northwest Florida had left.
South Plains completed their dream season by becoming only the sixth team in the history of the NJCAA finish as an undefeated NJCAA Champion. Additionally, Green found himself in rare company as only the eleventh NJCAA coach to win multiple NJCAA Championships.
Following the game, Henderson said that being a member of such a team was “definitely the greatest feeling I have ever had as a basketball player,” and that he has never been on a team so talented.
An emotional Tymell Murphy added, “This is something I will tell my kids’ kids. I am very excited and I will cherish this moment for the rest of my life.”
Green gave credit to the leadership of South Plains College. “To win two is probably more of a tribute to the school that continues to allow you to do the kind of things you need to do to compete at this level.”
SOUTH PLAINS
SPORTS
“This is something I will tell my kids’
kids. I am very excited and I
will cherish this moment for the rest of my life.”
SPC men’s basketball player Tymell Murphy
BRINGIN’ HOME THE HARDWARE
The Texans capped an impressive 29-0 regular season record by defeating
Northwest Florida to capture the NJCAA Division I National Championship. That’s
current SPC athletic trainer and former TTUHSC athletic training student Katie
Edens in green.
20 | OCTOBER 2012 | Sports Lubbock Monthly
This 36-0 national championship season is worthy of many awards. Not only was Henderson named Player of the Year, but he was also a first team all-American, all-Region 5, and MVP of the WJCAC. Yanick Moreira took home NJCAA tournament MVP honors and was an honorable mention all-American as well as being named to the all-Region 5 and WJCAC teams. Point guard Devonte Smith was named the Outstanding Small Player of the NJCAA tournament, and he and Stanton Kidd were also members of the all-conference team. Coach Green was named NJCAA Division I and WJCAC Coach of the Year.
Track and FieldThe Texans earned two more NJCAA
Championship trophies in May 2012 when the Texan and Lady Texan track and field teams swept the outdoor titles for the fourth consecutive year - this time within the comfort of the Texan track and field facility.
The SPC men annhilated the competition with 163 team points, 88.5 points better than second place Central Arizona. The Lady Texans expected stiff competition from Iowa Central, but ended up winning by a comfortable 23 point margin.
Beene said sweeping both titles at home was “a neat experience.”
The men now claim the third longest run of NJCAA championships with their sixth consecutive team title behind Blinn’s run of nine from 1987-1995 and Barton County’s run of seven from 1998-2004. The women’s fourth consecutive team title trails only Barton County who twice won six in row from 1990-1995 and 2000-2005.
“It’s something as coaches, we want to keep the streaks alive,” Beene said.
South Plains finished the meet with 28 men’s and women’s all-America awards. Sophomores Kemoy Campbell and Janeil Bellille were named men’s and women’s track athletes of the meet. Bellille also recorded a meet record time of 56.00 seconds in the women’s 400m hurdles.
As if that was not enough, the SPC track team had eight current and former members qualify for the 2012 London Olympic Games.
Highlighted this was Sally Kipyego, the 2006 recipient of the Betty Jo Graber award, who earned a silver medal in the 10,000m run on the first day of the games and narrowly missed a second medal with a fourth place finish in the 5,000m run.
With all the success South Plains College attained in athletics over the last year, what can fans expect during the 2012-13 academic year? If history is any indication, fans should only expect more.
SOUTH PLAINS
SPORTS
GREEN CASHES INTexans coach Steve Green was named NJCAA Division I and WJCAC Coach of the Year.
BEST OF THE BESTAt the conclusion of the 2012 NJCAA Track and Field National Championships held on the SPC campus, Texan Kemoy Campbell (left) and Lady Texan Janeil Bellille (right) were named Track Athletes of the Meet.
Joe Walker is the Sports Information Coordinator at South Plains College. He may be reached at [email protected].
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QUICK SHOTS by TOBY BROOKS
SOFTBALLIN’ IN SAN ANGELOLubbock’s South Plains Girls Fastpitch (SPGF) league sent 14 total all-star teams across four age divisions to compete in the recent ASA Region All Star Tournament held in San Angelo July 12-15. Sports Lubbock Monthly was there to capture the action.
Torrey Hogan (right) is seen here delivering the goods in the circle for the 10U Red team, while Brynnan Brooks (below) readies for a pitch for the 8U Red Rangers. Both the 10U kid pitch and 8U machine pitch Red teams took second place in their respective divisions.
The tournament, scheduled to be held in Lubbock in 2013, played host to 97 teams from 22 cities and resulted in full capacity in each and every hotel room in the city for the entire weekend.
22 | OCTOBER 2012 | Sports Lubbock Monthly
22 | OCTOBER 2012 | Sports Lubbock Monthly www.sisportsconnection.com | JANUARY 2012 | 23www.sportslubbock.com | OCTOBER 2012 | 23
BATTLE TESTEDLubbock area gridders Greg Hewett, Stephen Smith, and Ryan Moseley have their eyes on big senior seasons
by HOLLY KITTEN and TOBY BROOKS photos by ELIZABETH JACKSON, LUANN CURRY,
and TOBY BROOKS
I t has been said that you never really know the value of experience until you have it. There is a cool self assurance
that can only come from knowing that you’ve travelled down a similar path before. And as Dallas Cowboys legend Roger Staubach once put it, “Confidence doesn’t come out of nowhere. It’s the result of something….hours and weeks and years of constant work and dedication.”
As the 2012 high school football season gets under way, countless Lubbock area football players have been down this path before. And for Greg Hewett, Stephen Smith, and Ryan Moseley, three of Lubbock’s brightest stars, those hours and weeks and years are about to pay off.
El PresidenteQuarterbacks are often seen as the leaders of the game.But what some people may not know is that Coronado senior quarterback Greg
Hewett is also a leader off the field.Last year, as a junior, he had the highest GPA in his class and he lists Harvard as
one of his top choices for college next fall. “I like math and science,” Hewett said, “so I know I want to do something with engineering.”
Hewett, who refers to himself as a computer and chemistry nerd, has ambitions to play a sport at Harvard, too. Hopefully baseball, he said.
The multisport athlete is once again striving for an excellent year in sports and academics. And the first item coming up on the agenda? Football.
Last season, Hewett played defensive back for the Mustangs, who struggled with a 1-9 record. He is returning this year as a quarterback, a position he played on the freshman and junior varsity teams.
“I’m really excited for the opportunity, and I’m ready to get back out there. We definitely want to improve from last year and come together more as a team.”
Coronado coach Kent Jackson said the team began pulling together last winter, as they put in extra hours of off-season workouts, with no instruction to do so from the coaches. Though several players helped lead that effort, Jackson said Hewett was one of the main instigators by arriving early before school each morning so he could lift weights.
COVER
STORY
GET ‘EM, TIGERFrenship’s Stephen Smith tackles an opponent for a loss. Luann Curry photo
Chr
is K
ays
Pho
to
26 | OCTOBER 2012 | Sports Lubbock Monthly
“A lot of his football teammates saw him getting up and doing that when he necessarily didn’t have to, and things like that speak volumes,”
Jackson said. “His teammates chose to do that as well.”Jackson said he doesn’t stand alone when it comes to calling
Hewett a great leader. “I talked to guys that coached him when he was in Little League, and all his other coaches in other sports,” Jackson said, “and we all see the same thing – he’s a confident, yet humble leader.”
Hewett, who plays catcher on the Coronado baseball team also played for the famous 2007 Lubbock Little League team in the World Series with fellow SLM cover athlete Stephen Smith. In fact, Hewett, Smith, and Moseley all spent the past two summers as teammates with the Albuquerque Baseball Academy West Texas 17’s.
West Texas 17’s coach and Texas Tech alum Ryan Brewer describes Hewett as an incredibly gifted and hard-working
scholar and athlete, but a little different than many he’s coached over the years.
“We’re on the road all the time and sometimes as a coach you really have to keep an eye on the kids. They’ll try to sneak off. On more than one occasion someone would ask where Hewett went, but without fail, we’d find him holed up studying somewhere,” Brewer quipped.
“Someone gave him the nickname ‘El Presidente’ because he’s the kind of guy you could see becoming president some day. He’s one of the most competitive kids I have ever had the pleasure of coaching,” Brewer added.
Last year, his football talents earned him a spot on the second team All-District and first team All-South Plains as a defensive back.
Hewett is practicing to achieve similar recognitions as a quarterback this year, but said he has a higher goal in mind.
“I want to help everybody come together and, and play as a team, rather than individuals,” he said. “We just want to improve all around from last year.”
And after that? It’s on to GPA’s, baseball, and college applications. And maybe the presidency.
Silent AssassinAt 7:30 each morning, Stephen
Smith wakes up and heads to Peoples Bank Stadium to work out.
First, he lifts weights for 30 minutes. After that, he practices with the football dummies. Then, he runs drills on the football field.
Smith started this routine in July, well before his summer had ended.
“I go out and run and lift and do these workouts,” Smith said, “to help me get quicker and faster. I condition all the time.”
The Frenship senior said it was that conditioning that helped him achieve 181 tackles, two sacks, and two interceptions for the Tigers last season – a team that claimed the district championship title.
Others noticed his hard work, too, as Smith was named the All-District Defensive Co MVP, and made first team All-City and second team All-State.
Frenship football coach Brad Davis
“Someone gave him the nickname ‘El Presidente’ because he’s the kind of guy you could see becoming president some day. He’s one of the most competitive kids I have ever had the pleasure of coaching.”
ABA Baseball Coach Ryan Brewer describing Greg Hewett
EYES ON TARGETCoronado’s Greg Hewett rolls out during a game last season. Elizabeth Jackson photo
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said he definitely expects Smith to emerge as a team leader this year and that the underclassmen only need watch Smith to understand how to follow.
“His plays do all the talking,” Davis said. “He never takes a play off. He’s a good leader by the way he plays the game of football.”
Smith has also proven himself a leader on the baseball field and has already committed to play outfield and be a pitcher for Texas Tech.
When asked about Smith, West Texas 17’s coach Ryan Brewer recalls the Frenship senior as “a big strong kid who is tough but kind of quiet. He pitched and played right field for us, and while it’s tough to be a two-way guy like that, he did it with no problem.”
“He’ll deal with you when needed, but he’s kind of a silent assassin. He threw out several runners from right field. You don’t see that every day,” Brewer added.
Being strong in both baseball and football, Frenship’s Davis said Smith is an excellent addition to Tiger sports and he is excited about the year to come.
“He’s one of those you love to have in your program because we know he’s going to be here,” Davis said. “He’s accountable. We know he’s not going to miss. He’s a great kid and a heck of an athlete.”
By all accounts, Smith is the kind of athlete you just love to see around. Unless you’re squared off on the other side of the line of scrimmage against the Tigers this season, that is.
Born LeaderOne week was all that separated Ryan Moseley from the
sound of whistles, football drills, and tapping cleats.After a summer of freedom, two-a-days were nearly here
again, and Moseley could hardly wait.“Hopefully we can win state in this next year,” the 6’1”
senior said. “I think we can.”After a tough 35-13 loss to Seminole in the area playoffs last
season, Moseley said he was ready to get back on the field and build on previous successes.
He is in good company, too, as Cooper will be returning around 30 of its senior players.
Out of those 30, many have played together since middle school. As Cooper assistant football coach and head track coach Joe Sexton pointed out, they have shown talent and an ability to get along throughout the years.
“They’ve always had a lot of success,” he said. “I think our team chemistry is going to be really great.”
Along with that chemistry comes leadership, and as a senior, Moseley said he hopes to step up to the role by setting a good example for the underclassmen. Evidently, last year’s seniors thought him capable, because they gave him the leadership award.
Sexton said he thinks he knows why.“Because he’s just so fiery,” Sexton said. “He’s one of the
most competitive kids that I’ve ever been around. He doesn’t like to lose.”
Cooper Head Coach and Athletic Director John Windham echoes those thoughts. He describes Moseley with glowing adjectives. “He’s personable, outgoing, trustworthy, dependable—the kind of kid you don’t have an opportunity to coach very often.”
Those attributes aside, Moseley is far from a “character-only” kind of player. He makes things happen for the Pirates on
Smith (back row, third from right) and Hewett (back row,far right) played together on the team from Lubbock that participated in the 2007 Little League World Series. Here the team poses with Baseball Tonight’s Karl Ravech. Dianne Hewett photo
COVER
STORY
“His plays do all the talking. He never takes a play off. He’s a good leader by the way he plays the game of football.”
Frenship Tigers Head Football Coach Brad Davis describing Stephen Smith
“He’s personable, outgoing, trustworthy, dependable—the kind of kid you don’t have an opportunity to coach very often.”
Cooper Pirates Head Coach John Windham describing his senior wideout Ryan Moseley
HEAVY HITTERFrenship Tiger Stephen Smith participates in a walk-through drill during two-a-days. Toby Brooks photo
28 | OCTOBER 2012 | Sports Lubbock Monthly
both sides of the ball. “He’s our go-to receiver and a mainstay defensively at safety for us,” Windham said. “He’ll never step off the field.”
Coming into his senior season, Moseley is already well-decorated and diverse. Along with his leadership award in football, he also made 2nd team All-District as a safety in 2011. He’s also collected a shelf full of baseball awards ranging from All-District to All-State and has already accepted a scholarship offer from Texas Tech.
“He’s one of the better athletes that we have,” Sexton said. “I think all the kids really look up to him.”
Awards and titles aside, Moseley said he knows the only way to reach success this season is to focus on the present, starting with two-a-days.
“We’re going to have to work hard to get to where we were last year,” he said. “Hopefully we can surpass that and go further than we did last year. It’s not fun losing, and we don’t want it to end, so we’ll just make it last as long as we can.”
Regardless of where this trio ends up or how their respective teams finish this season, one thing is certain: they are each skilled athletes who all make their teammates, schools, and communities better. And chances are each understands the value of their own experience.
Holly Kitten is a freelance author and is currently attending Texas Tech University. She may be reached at [email protected].
COVER
STORY
WALK IT OUTCooper Pirate Ryan Moseley warms up prior to practice. Toby Brooks photo
30 | OCTOBER 2012 | Sports Lubbock Monthly
by ZACK BARNARD MAXED OUT
T he fitness world has been taken by storm. With the rate in which the sport of CrossFit is gaining popularity, the upcoming Buffalo Battle FallFit Games is sure to bring out the
best athletes in West Texas. To be held September 22-23 at Buffalo Springs
Lake, the first annual event will feature a wide variety of CrossFit challenges like the ones many of you have seen on ESPN and on the Internet.
CrossFit is described as “constantly varied functional movements done at a high intensity.” Weightlifting, jump roping, gymnastics, swimming, rowing, and sprinting are many of the
events one must master to be an “Elite” CrossFitter.
The games will feature elite, novice, master, and team competitors from CrossFit “Boxes” all over West Texas. This event will be held in conjunction with the Buffalo Battle race on Sunday at the Lake. To become involved as a competitor, judge, or volunteer you can contact Zack Barnard at 806-535-5224 or check out the games website at www.buffbattle.com.
Zack Barnard has been a strength coach for over 10 years and currently trains several Lubbock Christian University athletic teams. A certified strength coach through the NSCA, Zack’s training background has consisted of professional natural bodybuilding, strongman, athletic priority training, and now CrossFit. Zack specializes in the art of nutrition with his reputable track record while working with athletes of all levels and natural bodybuilders. Over the years he has designed and implemented training programs for many area teams at both Monterey and Lubbock High School.
Buffalo Battle Coming Soon
SPORTS LUBBOCK
FEATURE
by JOSH DILL
32 | OCTOBER 2012 | Sports Lubbock Monthly
by JOSH DILL
Recent conference realignment has sent shockwaves through the college football landscape. Coaches, players, administrators and fans have tracked every move that could potentially alter the future of college athletics.
If Kirby Hocutt or Tommy Tuberville need any advice on how to deal with an ever-changing environment, they would not need to look much further than their counterparts in area high school athletic departments: Texas public high schools go through the same process every two years.
According to Frenship ISD athletic director and head football coach Brad Davis, this biennial shuffling is necessary to maintain a competitive balance among the school districts.
“They have got to do it that fast because schools change enrollment that fast.”
Davis referenced a 2005 semifinal football game between the Tigers and Lewisville-Hebron to illustrate his point. “When we played them in December, they were already 400 kids over the 4A threshold. If you wait four years to do realignment, then you have schools with too many kids playing against schools that don’t have enough.”
With the ever-changing enrollment numbers, why does the UIL choose not to reorganize every year? The UIL must allow two years between realignments to facilitate home-at-home series agreements between schools. An annual shuffling would make scheduling almost impossible.
This year’s changes will have a dramatic effect on the Lubbock-area schools. Lubbock High and Monterey will drop from the state’s top classification for the first time ever. They will join Frenship, Hereford, Plainview and San Angelo Lake View in district 4-4A.
SPORTS LUBBOCK
FEATURE
Local 4A schools will see many benefits over the next two years. With two cross-town rivals, travel is cheaper for schools and fans, leading to larger crowds and more income from ticket sales. Four teams advance to the playoffs from each district, competing in a six-team district, which also increases each team’s possibility of post-season play.
Cooper and Estacado will not see any major changes as both schools will remain in district 2-3A. They will add Andrews and Shallowater to replace Brownfield and Lamesa, who dropped to 2A.
Coronado was not so lucky. The South Plains’ lone 5A representative will play in a nine-team district that stretches north to Amarillo, east to Abilene and south to San Angelo. Coronado’s average district travel will be more than 140 miles.
Like college football has shown us, realignment can have a negative effect on rivalries. The Mustangs’ eight-game district schedule allows for only two non-district contests. Because of this, the annual Frankford Avenue battle between Frenship and Coronado will not take place for the next two years. Coronado will also be forced to move their games with Monterey and Lubbock High to the first two weeks of the season.
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SPORTS LUBBOCK
FEATURE
But the Mustangs may not be lonely long. Davis acknowledged that FISD’s steady growth will eventually lead to a jump in classifications.
“I think it is inevitable that Frenship will someday be a 5A school. I don’t know if it will be next alignment or if we will get two more years after that. I think that depends on what UIL’s plans are for next realignment.”
These plans could include the addition of a 6A classification that would further curb the disparities in enrollment numbers, which Davis supports.
“I would hope that they would do something to alleviate the mega-schools and make them a different conference. You’ve got schools like Plano and Allen that have 5,000-plus kids in school playing schools with 2,000 kids and they are both 5A. That is an unfair advantage.”
David Harrison, assistant LISD athletic director, thinks that concerns over travel will prevent the split of UIL’s top classification. “There would only be about 135 schools that are above 2500 in enrollment. The travel that would
occur west of I-35 would almost be prohibitive.” The addition of another classification would have a
trickle-down effect that could benefit more than just the large schools. The 3A classification encompasses schools with enrollments from 450 to 1004 students. Many feel that splitting the 3A schools up will create a more competitive environment.
Harrison said that there will be a 6A classification soon, but it will most likely be a simple name-change. “It will probably come out in October at the legislative council meeting that six-man schools will be classified as class A and the 1A eleven-man football schools will be classified as AA. Everyone will basically just add an A.”
No matter what happens with realignment in the future, Coach Davis is sure that the UIL will keep its priorities straight. “They always try to do what is best for the kids. I really believe that.”
“I would hope that they would do something to alleviate the mega-schools and make them a different conference.”
Frenship AD & Head Football Coach Brad Davis
Toby Brooks photo
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While much of the attention during realignment is focused on football or basketball, the recent UIL
changes have affected other varsity sports and academic competitions.
Assistant LISD Athletic Director David Harrison thinks that the drop to 4A will be particularly beneficial to Lubbock High in several sports. “We know that they will be very strong in tennis and very strong in swimming and diving, We think they can really get in there and do some things.”
One sport in particular that will see a significant change is wrestling. While it is a growing sport among Texas high schools, it is still uncommon in West Texas. Realignment has left one Lubbock school in a two-team district and the others will be joining one of the toughest districts in the state.
“Coronado is in a district with Tascosa and that’s it,” Harrison said. “Monterey and Lubbock High are in with Hereford, Vernon and Canyon Randall, who is a two-time state champion in wrestling.”
For several years, students from Lubbock schools that advanced to regional competitions in spring sports or academics enjoyed the advantage of competing at home. Now advancing Lubbock High and Monterey students will compete in Abilene.
Other sports impacted by changes, as well
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SPORTS LUBBOCK
FEATURE
2010-2011 2012-2013
District 2-5A District 2-5A
Amarillo High Abilene High
Amarillo Tascosa Abilene Cooper
Coronado Amarillo Tascosa
Lubbock High Coronado
Monterey Midland High
San Angelo Central Midland Lee
Odessa High
Odessa Permian
San Angelo Central
2010-2011 2012-2013
District 3-4A District 4-4A
Amarillo Caprock Frenship
Amarillo Palo Duro Hereford
Canyon Lubbock High
Canyon Randall Monterey
Dumas Plainview
Frenship San Angelo Lakeview
Hereford
Plainview
2010-2011 2012-2013
District 2-3A District 2-3A
Brownfield Andrews
Cooper Cooper
Estacado Estacado
Lamesa Levelland
Levelland Seminole
Shallowater Shallowater
CH-CH-CH-CHAAANGESThis graphic illustrates the then-and-now of the three largest districts in the Lubbock area. With the potential for new rivalries and more equitable play, 2012 promises to be an exciting season for LBK area teams.
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by CHRISTI BROOKS SLM KidZone
Like many of you, my family and I spent quite a bit of time this summer glued to the television screen watching the 2012
Olympic Summer Games. We loved the patriotism, the fierce competition, and the storylines that drew the audience in. My kids kept count of how many times I teared up at something I saw or heard as NBC covered the personal stories behind the athletes. Let’s just say they didn’t have enough fingers and toes to keep track.
My favorite part of the Games, though, is what they did to my own children. I saw a new sparkle in their eyes as they described how they wanted to be in the Games one day. They practiced their own sports with a renewed determination and energy because they too want to compete on the world’s biggest stage. We adults hear so much about professional athletes who break rules or have out-of-control personal lives that for us some of the magic has left sports. Not so for children. They still believe that these athletes are super humans. And the funny thing is that the children also believe that if they just work a little harder or eat a bit healthier or practice more, then they too can be the best in the world. The magic of sports for them is still intact.
My children may never don an Olympic uniform or stand on a podium, but it won’t be because I didn’t believe in them. All of the athletes who competed in the Olympics were young once. Someone believed in them and cheered them on. May we always do the same for the kids we come across.
I wanted to know how other children viewed the Olympics, so I asked questions of some very special little guys. Here are their answers…
Olympic Reflections
CASE ROBERTSON, age 3“I love the Olympics because I like tennis. Running was my favorite sport in the Olympics because they go fast.”
CONNOR ROBERTSON, age 5“I love the Olympics because I like sports. Men’s gymnastics and boxing were my favorite sports in the Olympics because I play boxing on Wii Sports and get to punch the person, and I love gymnastics because I want to get big strong muscles like Daddy.”
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ISAIAH IGO, age 3“I love the Olympics because it is so fun. And I love USA and gold medals. Gymnastics was my favorite sport in the Olympics because it is so fun and I can do flips like those people. I love flips.”
RHYDER MARTIN, age 2“I love the Olympics because I like to play. Horses was my favorite sport in the Olympics because I like to see horses jump.”
TAYE BROOKS, age 6“I love the Olympics because it is amazing because they just try, and try, and try until they finally get it. And it represents the world. Swimming and diving and track and field and gymnastics and everything was my favorite sport in the Olympics because it shows how fast people are when they swim, what cool dives they can do.”
We want to hear from your children! The question for next month is…
Which coach are you most thankful for
and why? Send your responses and
photos of your child with their coach to [email protected]. We will do our best to publish as many as we can. The deadline is October 1.
Christi Brooks is a freelance author and owner of Chaplain Publishing, a company committed to helping individuals transform their dreams of published authorship into reality. She may be reached at [email protected].
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by JOSH DILL SPORTS IN THE HUB
W hether you sit in a dugout with a carpet full of sunflower seeds or on the edge of the bleachers at a basketball game, chances are the guys at Lubbock Sports
are nearby. Lubbock Sports is committed to bringing the best
sporting events to Lubbock, while increasing local businesses’ bottom line. Short of donning a helmet and pads to relive his days as a defensive end for the Texas Tech Red Raiders, Scott Harrison, director of Lubbock Sports, says he’s seen and done it all.
“Every day is a new challenge and a new opportunity,” Harrison said. “From speed boat racing to a variety of youth sport tournaments, our team is capable of accommodating anyone who wants to host a sporting event in the Hub City.”
The summer months are always the busiest time of year for the Lubbock Sports team. Between May through July, the team’s recruiting efforts generated $12.4 million in local economic impact. Over the past three months, more than 40,000 hotel room nights were booked for a variety of events such as football, basketball, baseball, softball and even boat racing. So for every touchdown dance or crack of the bat, area businesses continue to reap the benefits.
One summer highlight included hosting the 2012 USA Track & Field Region 12 Junior Olympic Championships, the largest track and field championship in Texas. During the meet, a team from Houston broke the national record in the 4x100 meter relay with a blazing time of 39.56 seconds. Coincidently, their performance bested the time of a former Houston relay team who set the mark in 1998.
Backed by an in-house marketing team, Lubbock Sports can take your event to the next level. From welcome bags, name badges, to press releases and more, the Lubbock Sports team has all the resources you’ll need to be successful.
At Lubbock Sports, you’re more than a client; you’re a teammate. If you would like to learn more about what Lubbock Sports can do for you, please call 806.747.5232. You can find up-to-date information about events, attractions and dining and shopping options at www.visitlubbock.org.
Josh Dill currently serves as Sports Sales Manager for Lubbock Sports. He may be reached at [email protected].
Between May and July of 2012, the Lubbock Sports team’s recruiting efforts generated $12.4 million in local economic impact.
42 | OCTOBER 2012 | Sports Lubbock Monthly
WOW, THAT’S FAST, TOO!This competitor puts his boat through its paces at the 2012 Southern Drag Boat Association (SDBA) ‘Thunder in the Canyon’ event held July 13th-15th at Buffalo Springs Lake. The event drew nearly 100 boats from across the country. Daniel Horsch photo
SPORTS IN THE HUB
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WOW, THAT’S FAST!The 2012 USA Track & Field Region 12 Junior Olympic Championships were held July 3rd-7th at the Terry and Linda Fuller Track Stadium on the Texas Tech campus. This 4 x 100 meter relay team consisting of O’Shea Wilson, Jermaine Authorlee, Ahmed Ali, and Kyle Fulks from the Track Houston Club broke the national record in the finals with a blazing 39.56 second effort. Daniel Horsch photo
Speed Thrills
SPORTS IN THE
HUB
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BATTER UP!The 2012 Premier Baseball Sophmore Championship Tournament was held July 24th-29th throughout the Lubbock area. The tournament consisted of 48 teams from Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Missouri, New York, and Canada. While these photos were taken at Dan Law Field on the Texas Tech University campus, games were also held at Lubbock Christian University, Cooper High School, Frenship High School, Shallowater High School, Lubbock Christian High School, and Wayland Baptist University. Daniel Horsch photos
SPORTS IN THE HUB
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SPORTS IN THE
HUB
www.sportslubbock.com | OCTOBER 2012 | 47
Don’t put your next sports event in anyone else’s hands.From professional event planning assistance to complimentary services, the Lubbock Sports team is known for going above and beyond to make each event a success. To receive a free Sports Facility Guide, call 800.692.4035 or log onto LubbockSports.org.
