Boys and girls varsity cross country teams at the 2023 Fall Media Day on Oct. 8 in the Competition Gym. Boys varsity cross country runner Ryan Marshall, a junior, expressed the importance of building team relationships.“It creates connections and because we know each other so well we’re able to push each other to farther limits. If we didn’t practice together, I wouldn’t be comfortable pushing him during workouts if I didn’t know his limits,” Marshall said.
Sports Editor Cadence Schapker recaps the varsity softball, varsity volleyball, varsity girls cross country, varsity boys cross country and One-Act Play after their competition seasons have concluded.
A varsity softball player prepares to bat in the game against Eastside High School on Oct. 5 on the Clarke Central High School softball field. With the season concluded, head varsity softball coach William Lance reflected on the teams success. “It was a huge success as far as breaking the school record and being way more productive at the plate at the mound compared to last year,” Lance said. Photo by Aza Khan
Looking back:
“It was a huge success as far as breaking the school record and being way more productive at the plate compared to last year…” Head varsity softball coach William Lance said. “We did, for the most part, a really good job of stepping on the gas from the first pitch. There was a while (when) we were averaging over 10 hits a game. We’ve really focused hard on that in the offseason and in the summer and it paid off.”
Key players: Peyton Aubrey, Kaiden Bradford
Graduating seniors: Mikayla Tutt
Overall record: 12-17
5A Region 8 record: 1-17
Varsity volleyball team captain McKinley Dykes, a junior, head varsity volleyball coach Stacey Scott and varsity volleyball team captain Caroline Orbock, a senior, (left to right) at the 2023 Fall Media Day on Oct. 8 in the Competition Gym. With the season concluded, Orbock reflected on the dedication of her fellow players.“Everyone stands out individually. Everyone has their own role on the team, even if they’re on the bench for most of the game. Every player is important,” Orbock said. Photo by Aza Khan
Looking back:
“I am so impressed with these young ladies. They have been challenged all season and never rolled over. Many of the Region coaches were complimentary of our performances in the Region Tournament. I am not surprised by the team’s success and I’m grateful they were determined and accomplished participating in the state playoffs. In addition, I want to say it’s an honor to coach young women that carry themselves with respect. They challenge me to be better, and I love all 15 players,” head varsity volleyball coach Stacey Scott said.
Key players: MaKaney Burnette, McKinley Dykes, Caroline Orbock
Graduating seniors: Sadie Eubanks, Giana Bermudez, Caroline Orbock, Cadence Schapker
Overall record: 15-21
5A Region 8 record: 3-5
Actor Sekou Sesay, a senior, One-Act director Kayla Griffin and actor Claire Heideseh, a (left to right) at the 2023 Fall Media Day on Oct. 8 in the Competition Gym. Sesay was voted into the position as co-president of the Drama Club for the 2023-24 school year and discussed the responsibilities that follow the leadership position. “Being there to help (Griffin) with whatever is needed and being there for my cast members and also my crew members, helping them out when they need advice on acting or if they need tech help,” Sesay said. “It’s really kind of like an all rounder position. I don’t really have a set job but I just I’m where I go where I’m needed, basically.” Photo by Aza Khan
Looking back:
“We had an amazing performance at One-Act and we couldn’t be more proud of what we put on that stage. We maintained the same placement as last year and we know what we can do better and improve next year. We had an amazing time preparing for this year’s competition and are excited to return and do even better next year,” One-Act director Kayla Griffin said.
Key players: Michael Martinez-Martinez, Nate St. Onge, Artisan Jenkins, La’Kyla Jones, Emmanuel Thompson, Susannah Holbrook-Hill, Madison Hampton-Ellis
Graduating seniors: La’Kyla Jones, Sekou Sesay, Zadon Bacon, Desmond Schmutte, Rosalyn Hudson, Emmanuel Thompson, Jenaii Jackson, Wayne Spencer, Mya Hudson, Eleanor Robinson
Competition placement: 4th
Girls cross country runner Vivian Carabello at the 2023 Fall Media Day on Oct. 8 in the Competition Gym. Head cross country coach Erica Cascio observed the varsity girls cross country team throughout the season and felt commitment is an area the team fell short in the 2023-24 season. “There aren’t any real mandates, (cross country) is all about the kids and them achieving their goals and we always lay out a plan for that (but) they have to take our plan seriously. Because having natural talent is great, but it’s not enough. You also have to put in the work,” Cascio said.
Looking back:
“The girls had a tough season. We have room for growth in the girls team, but their region race was spectacular. They ran the best race that they could run, they left it all out there. I couldn’t be prouder of them,” varsity cross country coach Erica Cascio said.
Key players: Ailynn Irwin, Vivian Caraballo, Audrey St. Onge, Sophie Rohani, Riley Ramsey
Graduating seniors: Kimberly Cortez-Benavides, Sophie Rohani, Audrey St. Onge
5A Region 8 Meet Placement: 5th
Boys varsity cross country runner Ryan Marshall, a junior, at the 2023 Fall Media Day on Oct. 8 in the Competition Gym. Competition within the boys varsity cross country team was a contributing factor to the teams improvement throughout the season, according to Marshall. “(The competitiveness has) been pushing us to much, much further limits than we could ever imagine. Me and (Waylon Vaughn) been racing back and forth all year and it’s been improving our times massively,” Marshall said. Photo by Aza Khan
Looking back:
“They were prepared, they were capable, they ran as hard as they possibly could, they took it seriously, they got rest- they did all the things and this was the result. So they got third place. It’s great, it means that we have unfinished business. We gotta go back next year, we gotta regroup and go take what’s ours. So we were runners up last year, we were third place this year, we are gonna go back and get that first place,” varsity cross country coach Erica Cascio said.
