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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
JUST GETTING STARTED: FBCA'S Warren, Granville Preparing To Run It Back
“That experience is something you always wish for, when you’re on a team like this,” said junior OL Bennett Warren. “Everybody wants to win a State Championship at the beginning of the season. The road we took to get there, the few losses we experienced, really helped us learn how to utilize our strengths to go the distance.”
Speaking of strengths, including the highly-sought after Warren, FBCA’s roster featured some of the best in Texas.
With weapons ranging from Houston-signee Bryan Domino at receiver, QB Brady Dever (Brown signee), running back Ethan Williams, wide receiver Noah Brooks, safety Braylon Gardoni and edge Max Granville, it would seem that the Eagles were almost destined to win it all.
“There’s no feeling like it,” Granville said. “I just think when playoff time came around, we really decided to lock in with each phase of the game. Seeing all your hard work pay off, that’s what the game is all about. It was a really cool experience to be a part of.”
Given the considerable number of seniors graduating at the conclusion of this semester, it would seem that this is now Warren and Granville’s team to lead heading into next Fall.
“Our team will look somewhat different next year,” Warren said. “But, that’s not going to change the environment we have and the type of people we are on the field. With the returning players including Max and I, paired with some transfers coming in, we’ll have time to grow. Although it’ll be a different-looking team, our championship mentality won’t be phased.”
Granville, who was a game-wrecker on the Eagles’ front-seven, shares the same sentiment.
“I’m looking forward to dominating again,” he said. “Individually, I had a good season, but they haven’t seen anything yet since I’ve got a whole offseason to improve and gain weight. And that’s just me, not even our whole defense. I want to bring some leadership and physicality to the defense and it’s going to be a scary team next year.”
FBCA is just getting started as the Eagles continue to establish themselves as a TAPPS super-power. Coach Jordan Black’s group will be one worth fearing come next Fall.