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CHEERFUL COMPETITOR: Houston Christian’s Childs is the life of the party
When seeing Houston Christian junior McKayla Childs in action, one can vividly understand what she’s all about.
Her fun-loving and exuberant demeanor makes her an excellent addition to the vast array of teammates she socializes with, while also emphasizing her drive to compete.
In the Fall, Childs was the top performer for the Mustangs’ cross country team, indicated by her fourth-place finish (5K-20:46.49) in the SPC-3A State Meet.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Several months prior, she placed within the top-10 in both the 800m and 1600m race at the 2023 SPC State Meet for the HCHS Track & Field team, while also helping to guide the girls tennis team to its first-ever SPC Title.
“I kind of like them all equally,” said Childs. “It’s a little more difficult to manage two sports simultaneously in the Spring, especially with the practices that you’re mandated to go to. During the Summer, Fall, and early Winter it’s easier to go and play tennis at night or during the weekends, and double up on my running in the Summer.”
“Of course, cross country workouts are a way longer than track which gives me less time for everything else. However, juggling all these sports has really helped me improve my time management skills.”
So, what exactly sparked her interest?
“I’ve been a ‘tennis child’ almost my entire life, dating back to when I was six years old,” she said. “When I was twelve, my Dad decided to put me in cross country because he was a runner, and he ran with some of the Masters groups, which are basically like ex-Olympians.”
“He figured it would be a great way to keep me in shape and trained up for tennis, and he was right. From there, I started running competitively since the end of middle school.”
Given the standard she sets for herself, it shouldn’t be difficult to see how Childs is nothing if not goal-oriented.
“So, my plan is to eventually run competitively in college, but not compete in tennis,” Childs said. “Only about 0.6% of high school tennis players get that opportunity, so I know my chances of running in college are definitely greater.”
“But, I really want to keep tennis as a life-long sport. I want to stay trained up for it, especially because I have such a long background in it. It’s really such a social sport for me – it’s really fun to do, and I love all of my teammates. Being a good teammate is what I want to be remembered for – someone who was competitive, but still had fun.”
The 2022-23 SPC Champs -- Houston Christian Girls Tennis
Where might this ambition take the junior Mustang?
“I’ve been looking at Texas A&M,” she said. “My Dad is an alum there, so it’s a really big part of his culture and what he really likes. I know it’s kind of the exact opposite, but I also like the University of Texas, as well as Rice, Vanderbilt – mostly schools in the South.”
“But, in terms of what I want to do career-wise, I hope to enter the Accounting and Electrical Engineering field. I’m thinking about doing a double major with that, but I don’t for sure just yet, it all just sounds fun to me.”
Childs certainly has a bright future ahead of her. However, she and Houston Christian Tennis first have an SPC crown to uphold this Spring.
BURN THE SHIPS: Houston Christian Softball galvanized to claim first-ever SPC Title
There’s no doubt that last year’s Houston Christian team was the best that audiences have witnessed on the softball diamond in recent memory.
The Mustangs finished the 2023 season with a final record of 18-12, highlighted by an appearance in the SPC State Championship, in which they ultimately fell to fellow powerhouse Episcopal.
That narrow defeat is still fresh in the minds of coach Cassidy Bowen and her team, which feeds into the mentality they possess this Spring.
“We expected our team to make a run for it and play in that game (SPC Championship) last year,” she said. “This year, we’re expecting to go and win that game. We’re back and we didn’t graduate anybody off that team. We’re not going to compete anymore, we’re going to win.”
All-SPC selections Jadyn Granere (Sr. C), MC Been (Jr. CF/1B), and Emily Thompson (Sr. 3B) return to the lineup, and will be complemented efficiently by the talents of Maddie Pickett (Jr. SS), Riley Warnica (Sr. OF/P), and junior 2B Lily Herveat, just to name a few.
“The difference between this year and others is the fact that we just don’t have a weak spot in the lineup,” said Bowen. “Everybody, top to bottom, puts a bat on the ball and can hit with power.”
Their lack of any discernible weaknesses should put the Mustangs in prime position to fulfill their team’s ultimate motivation.
“Our motto for this year’s team is ‘Burn the Ships’,” Bowen said. “We want to leave it all on the field. The senior class this year has been the group that has built what Houston Christian Softball is today, and we’re trying to give them a send-off in a big way.”
With a 6-2 start to the season – highlighted by exceptional initial performances by the aforementioned Granere, Been, and Warnica – it would appear that HCHS is certainly starting off on the right foot.
April’s SPC Championship is already within throwing distance for Coach Bowen and company.