Rosehill Christian Track & Field
CLINCHING THE CUP: RCS Track & Field Finished 2022 with State Titles
The Eagles came through with flying colors as both, the girls' and boys', track and field teams won State, along with the golf teams.
“Going into the men’s mile and 4x400 relay, we knew where we had to place to win State,” coach Taylor Dixon said. “We watched them as a team and they did it. It was a crazy, exciting time and they could see that their hard work paid off.”
RCS' Coach Taylor DixonBradley Collier (Vype)
The Eagles earned 84 points to win State, followed by Central Texas Christian with 82 points. Dixon would be named the TTFCA Private School Boy’s Coach of the Year.
Jackson Busch won State in the shot-put and discus and Reid Hauser won the pole vault. Anthony Wilder captured silver in the long jump and triple jump and Sam Swain earned silver in the shot put. The 4x400 relay also won silver to capture the State title. The girls dominated en route to team gold, scoring 98 points. Second place went to San Jacinto Central with 68 points.
RCS' Mercy Freeman Bradley Collier (Vype)
What a day Mercy Freeman had, winning five gold medals – 100-meter hurdles, 300-meter hurdles, long jump, triple jump, and the 4x400 relay. Kaleigh Frazier won three golds in the 100-meter, 200-meter, and relay.
Furthermore, Kaylee Bankston won the high jump. Bankston would go on to be named the TAPPS 3AAthlete of the Year for her role in track, volleyball, and basketball.
“It was a special year for the girls,” Dixon said. “It was great for me to come into such an established team, refine some skills, and put athletes where they needed to be to win. We are hoping to go back-to-back this year.”
THE EAGLES GOLF PROGRAMSHANG ANOTHER BANNER
The Rosehill Christian boys and girls golf teams swept the TAPPS Class 3A State Tournament, last May, to add to their school’s Henderson Cup tally. Coach Kristen Jenkins is building a golf power in Tomball, Texas, as the girls have won back-to-back titles and the boys won state after finishing second in 2021.
“These kids put in a lot of extra hours,” Jenkins said. “They are willing to work hard on the course, in the classroom, and in the community. They are great kids. It was super exciting to see them both win. They came together, as a team, and really supported each other. They improved so much over the year and that was really neat to see their work pay off in the end.”
Jaycee Jenkins finished second overall, individually, and Macy Allen finished fifth after finishing ninth in 2021. Jacques Currier finished second on the boys’ side, his second consecutive second-place finish.
Kristen Jenkins does have a secret weapon, however. Her father, Tom Jenkins, who has eight PGA Tour wins under his belt, also helps coach the Eagles.
“It’s great to have him out there with the kids,” [Kristen] Jenkins said. “You can’t get the expertise he has from a textbook. He shows them live what to work on. They listen and some of them knocked 10-15 shots off their average.”
It takes a village.
The 2022-23 RCS Girls B-Ball Team w/ Coach Steve Krantz
TAKING FLIGHT: Krantz has foundation, Athletes for a special season
Krantz, who also serves as the athletic director, has reached eight Final Fours and won the State Title in 2011.
“When we started, we struggled to get enough kids out to practice,” he said. “We’ve come a long way and God has provided what we have needed over the years. It’s been a blessing.”
Mercy FreemanBradley Collier (Vype)
With the return of some key pieces along with new additions to the roster, the Eagles will be loaded in 2022-23. All-state returner Mercy Freeman is a three-sport athlete who has size and athleticism. Point guard Alex Smith and senior Lacie Williams were first-team, all-district selections last year, and Destiny Williams was an honorable-mention pick.
Alex Smith
“I’m really excited about this season and the success could have,” he said.“We are going to play very fast. I love going 4-on-3 and 3-on-2, instead of 5-on-5. To be a good team, you have to be able to execute in the half-court and we can do that too.”
Twin forwards Madison and Caitlin Wilson have transferred from Klein Cain. The pair were varsity players as freshmen, last season, and have had a big summer on the circuit. The Wilsons will be huge contributors.
“I’m going to be tasked to figure out the rotation because we have a lot of talented players,” he said. “We could have a new star emerge every night.”
While Krantz has enjoyed tremendous success over the years and should have a big season in 2023, his program goes back to his tried-and-true pillars of success.
Destiny Williams
“It ’s really a culture and I’m more concerned about what these girls are made of off the court rather than on the court,” Krantz said.“It’s all about respect, being a great teammate, and working hard to just get a little bit better every day."
With a formula of uptempo play, experience, and athleticism at each position, along with an old-school mentality, the pieces are in place for a ninth Final Four and beyond for the Eagles.