GAMES
RANKINGS
FBCA's Bayleigh Minor
THE TIME IS NOW: Top teams and contenders competing in the TAPPS Regional Meet
With the likes of Fort Bend Christian Academy, Rosehill Christian, Concordia Lutheran, TWCA, Cypress Christian, Second Baptist, Lutheran South Academy, St. Thomas, and St. John XXIII well within the mix of the upcoming events, the time to show up is now.
Check out some of the headlines and athletes that need to be on everyone's radar with a trip to TAPPS State on the line.
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FBCA in hot pursuit of yet another TAPPS State Title
Some of the stars of 2023-24 FBCA Girls Track & Field
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
It's no secret that Fort Bend Christian Academy has become the gold-standard of private school track & field in recent memory.
Under the direction of coach Deon Minor, the Eagles claimed their second-straight TAPPS championship on the girls' side in 2023, with the boys also taking home gold.
Now, it doesn't appear that anything stands to change.
Following an exemplary showing at the the TAPPS-5A District 5 Meet, which saw them win nearly every event, FBCA looks to maintain their hot-streak at Regionals.
The Eagles continue to be propelled by the likes of well-known super-stars such as Bayleigh Minor, Brooke Perry, Max Granville, Kristen Shell, Tyrone "TJ" Smith, Naomi Jones, Luke Cummings, Kennesha Nabors, Charles Malloy, Gabbie Washington, and Ivan Jimmy-Ducksworth, among others.
Don't be surprised if Fort Bend Christian makes it a three-peat come May.
FBCA's Max Granville
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Rosehill Christian on the path towards Title reclamation
2023-24 Rosehill Christian School Girls Track & Field
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Rosehill Christian was a mere seven points behind first place in last year's TAPPS-3A State Meet, and that memory certainly has this team fired up for this Spring, considering they are typically perennial favorites.
Had it not been for an early injury to star Mercy Freeman, the Eagles would, in all likelihood, have become repeat champions in 2023.
However, Freeman is back in the fold and alongside the likes of fellow key contributors -- namely Kaleigh Frazier (Kansas-signee), Kaydence Frazier, Lily Fisher, Xia Tabanou, Thea Buntrock, and Briley Potts -- this should be the season where coach David Saye and company take back the title.
Don't sleep on the boys, either.
RCS finished in the top-5 of last year's state meet and they bring the talents of Jonathan Whitmire, Luke Smith, Blake Rippy, and Graham Freeman with them this year.
After their exemplary performance in the recent Concordia Lutheran Crusader Relays, Rosehill Christian is in prime position to reclaim their championship-status.
2023-24 Rosehill Christian School Boys Track & Field
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Cypress Christian T&F is back at it!
The stars of 2023-24 Cypress Christian Girls Track & Field
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Cypress Christian has surged in recent years to become one of the most successful private school programs in the state, which is clearly evidenced by their three-consecutive TAPPS championships on the girls' side.
Similarly, the boys' program has won it all twice in the last three seasons, which bodes well for the group moving forward.
In his first year as head coach for the track team, Ben Dixon has certainly inherited plenty of talent to work with, and has had no trouble in optimizing it.
Said talent for the Warriors includes Sophia Swanton, Parker Hirth, Mariana Van Dyk, Owen Witschonke, Nicole Santos, John Kelly, Skylar Davis, and Andrew Owen, who each excelled in the various events of the Concordia Lutheran Crusader Relays earlier this month.
Several of the athletes on this team already have three championship rings. Who's to say they won't go four-for-four?
2023-24 Cypress Christian Boys Track & Field
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
ATHLETES TO WATCH: Sarah Chappelle -- The Woodlands Christian Academy
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES IN RECENT MEETS
Max Granville, FBCA -- 1st in 110m Hurdles (15.48 s), 1st in 300m Hurdles (39.54 s), 1st in High Jump (6-02.00) at District
Sarah Chappelle, TWCA -- 1st in 100m Hurdles (14.75 s), 1st in 300m Hurdles (45.22 s) at District
Bayleigh Minor, FCBA -- 1st in 200m Dash (24.71 s), 1st in 400m Dash (55.44 s), 1st in Long Jump (17-11.25), 1st in Triple Jump (36-02.25) at District
Kaleigh Frazier, Rosehill Christian -- 1st in 100m Dash (12.53 s), 1st in High Jump (5-02.00), 1st in 4x200m Relays (1:44.54) at CLCR
Hudson McCulley, Second Baptist -- 1st in 100m Dash (11.01 s) at District, 1st in 200m Dash (22.32 s) at CLCR
Parker Hirth, Cypress Christian -- 1st in 110m Hurdles (16.76 s), 1st in 300m Hurdles (42.84 s) at CLCR
Edward Bocock, St. Thomas -- 1st in 110m Hurdles (14.96 s), 1st in 300m Hurdles (40.80 s) at the Cooper Dragon Invitational
Cara Shirley, Concordia Lutheran -- 1st in 1600m (5:53.06), 2nd in 3200m (13:00.86) at CLCR
Ben Hughes, Lutheran South Academy -- 1st in Triple Jump (42-02.75), 2nd in Long Jump (21-06.00) at District
FBCA Girls Relay Team -- 1st in 4x100m (49.36 s), 1st in 4x200m (1:45.14), 1st in 4x400m (3:55.86) at District
FBCA Boys Relay Team -- 1st in 4x100m (42.81 s), 1st in 4x200m (1:28.42 s), 3rd in 4x400m (3:32.25) at District
Sophia Swanton, Cypress Christian -- 1st in 200m Dash (26.62 s), 1st in Pole Vault (10-00.00), 2nd in 100m Dash (12.95 s) at CLCR
Avery Eaves, Concordia Lutheran -- 1st in 400m Dash (52.23 s) at CLCR
Mercy Freeman, Rosehill Christian -- 1st in Long Jump (18-04.00), 1st in 4x200m Relays (1:44.54), 2nd in Triple Jump (34-08.50) at CLCR
Zoe Calimani, TWCA -- 2nd in 800m (2:20.63), 3rd in 400m Dash (58.11 s) at District
Mariana Van Dyk, Cypress Christian -- 1st in Discus (126-05.25), 1st in Shot Put (35-10.00) at CLCR
Sophia Bellard, St. Agnes Academy -- 1st in High Jump (5-03.00), 1st in Long Jump (16-09.25) at Cooper Dragon Invitational
Annabelle Lanik, St. John XXIII -- 2nd in Long Jump (17-10.00), 2nd in Triple Jump (35-03.75), 3rd in 200m Dash (25.40 s) at District
Matthew Gaitan, Lutheran South Academy -- 1st in 800m (1:59.24), 1st in 1600m (4:24.57) at District
Marcus Gaitan, Lutheran South Academy -- 2nd in 800m (1:59.27), 2nd in 400m Dash (49.76 s) at District
Noah Williams, St. Pius X -- 1st in 3200m at Cooper Dragon Invitational
Andrew Owen, Cypress Christian -- 1st in Discus (145-08.25), 1st in Shot Put (47-08.75) at CLCR
Kai Griffe, Concordia Lutheran -- 1st in 100m Dash (11.37 s) at CLCR
The stars of 2023-24 Lutheran South Academy Volleyball
DOWN TO THE WIRE: Previewing the TAPPS Final Four matchups; Photo Gallery
Here is a breakdown of what's to come this week.
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Concordia Lutheran Crusaders vs. Prestonwood Christian Lions
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Concordia Lutheran (37-12; 9-2) have blazed through the first two rounds of the postseason, sweeping both Trinity Christian and John Paul II to punch their ticket to the final four.
In her first season back with the team, Coach Kim Odinga wasted no time in optimizing her talented lineup.
Senior OPP Rylee Henderson (West Georgia-commit), Kinzie Riley (Jr. OH), Haley Herndon (Jr. OPP), and Adele Neuhaus (Sr. MH) have been among the numerous weapons on offense, while Texas State-commit Anna Blaine, Carmen Harless (Dallas Baptist), Carleigh Schluter (Sam Houston), and Sara Sellers (Jr. DS) have played brilliantly on the supporting end.
The Crusaders will look to keep their momentum rolling as they prepare to face Prestonwood Christian (34-4; 12-0) who is on a tear of their own.
If successful, Concordia Lutheran will return to the state championship game for the first time since 2018.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Kirra Musgrove -- LSA
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Fort Bend Christian Eagles vs. Lutheran South Pioneers
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
FBCA (33-5; 13-2) is coming a big-time win (3-1) against St. Joseph, and they have their sights set on a return to the TAPPS-5A championship game.
It's no secret who the stars are. Bayleigh Minor (Jr. MB), Ruth Ochelli (Jr. RS), Layne Bulow (Jr. OH), and Cambry Gerardi (Sr. OH) round out an deadly offensive quarter for the Eagles, with Daniela Ramirez (So. L) and Lauren LeRoux (Jr. S) providing support on the back-side of the rotation.
On the LSA side, the Pioneers (40-7; 14-1) earned the TAPPS 5A-District 5 title prior to defeating San Antonio Christian and St. John XXIII in last week's five-set nail-biter.
Junior setter Kirra Musgrove has been on fire all season (575 kills) and that's evidently carried over into the postseason. She is backed up by a slew of playmakers -- namely, Taylor Crain (Sr. L), Aniston Collins (So. S), Kenna Sambrano (Jr. MH), and Remy Keller (Sr. OH).
These two clubs have already played each other three times this season, with LSA holding a one game advantage over the Eagles. However, FBCA defeated the Pioneers in the State Semis a year ago, so this could really be anyone's game.
Suffice it to say, this is one matchup you won't want to miss
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Rosehill Christian Eagles vs. Keystone Christian Cobras
Doug Brown (VYPE)
Rosehill Christian (27-9; 14-0) has been on a hot-streak throughout the entire Fall season, which has continued into the TAPPS-3A playoffs.
The Eagles reached the State Semis a year ago, but nearly fell to Round Rock Christian. Now is their chance for redemption and it seems like they are a up to the task, with Keystone Christian (26-6; 8-0) -- whom the Eagles defeated in the postseason a year ago -- standing in their way.
Returning TAPPS All-State honorees, Kaleigh Frazier (Sr. OH) and Mercy Freeman (Sr. MH), will be key contributors in the upcoming battle, alongside Keely McNeill (Sr. S), McKenzie Pamphile (Sr. MH), and Macy McPartland (Sr. L).