GAMES
RANKINGS
2023-24 Rosehill Christian Girls Track & Field
LOCKED IN: Previewing the TAPPS State Track & Field Meet
Houston will be exceedingly well-represented, as evidenced by some exemplary showings in the respective Regional Meets.
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In Class 6A, St. Thomas and St. Agnes Academy flourished, with athletes such as Edward Bocock (St. Thomas), Lauren Brown (St. Agnes), Blake Coogan (St. Thomas), Michaela Grimes (St. Agnes), Larry Benton (St. Thomas), Sophia Bellard (St. Agnes), and both relay teams having top finishes.
Furthermore, Concordia Lutheran and The Village School experienced their fair share of success, as Kai Griffie (CLHS), Ebube Nnamdi-Nwachukwu (Village), Madison Dodd (CLHS), Adele Neuhaus (CLHS), Jesse Imemba (Village), Benjamin Fears (CLHS), and Rohan Takkar (Village) added to their collection of medals.
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Fort Bend Christian, Lutheran South, and The Woodlands Christian Academy were the stars of Class 5A, which comes as no surprise.
Bayleigh Minor (FBCA), Sarah Chappelle (TWCA), Max Granville (FBCA), Marcus & Matthew Gaitan (LSA), Brooke Perry (FBCA), Reese Muzny (TWCA), Kris St. Clair (LSA), Luke Cummings (FBCA), Wilson Klein (LSA), and Ivan Jimmy-Ducksworth (FBCA) were among the numerous competitors to take gold in their events last week.
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On the Class 4A scene, Cypress Christian and Legacy Prep Christian Academy both look poised for top finishes at the state level.
CCS will be headlined by Sophia Swanton, Adler Smith, Mariana Van Dyk, Jacob Rauch, Nicole Santos, Gavin Snyder, Parker Hirth, and each of their exceptional relay teams.
Legacy Prep will feature the talents of Brooke Beach, Charlotte Freeman, Robbie Corley, and Julianne Carr later this week.
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Rosehill Christian and Westbury Christian dominated in Class 3A, which is something fans have come to expect from their track programs.
Mercy Freeman, Kaleigh Frazier, Blake Rippy, Kaydence Frazier, and Graham Freeman are inevitably going to rack up the points for RCS, while Evelyn Carr, Jason Scott, Hunter Morgan, and their respective relay teams will do the same for Westbury Christian.
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Given all that information, check out all the athletes who excelled at Regionals and now prepare to contend for a TAPPS State Championship this week.
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Some of the stars of 2023-24 FBCA Girls Track & Field
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES AT REGIONALS
TAPPS-6A BOYS
Ebube Nnamdi-Nwachukwu, The Village School -- 1st in 100m Dash (11.22 s)
Kai Griffie, Concordia Lutheran -- 2nd in 100m Dash (11.25 s)
Blake Coogan, St. Thomas -- 1st in 200m Dash (23.20 s)
Aaron Blackman, St. Thomas -- 2nd in 200m Dash (23.25 s)
Chimdindu Chukwumaeze, The Village School -- 2nd in 400m Dash (50.43 s)
Rohan Takkar, The Village School -- 1st in 3200m Dash (9:39.22)*
Edward Bocock, St.Thomas -- 1st in 110m Hurdles (14.88 s), 1st in 300m Hurdles (38.51 s), 1st in Long Jump (20-07.25), 1st in Triple Jump (45-03.00)*
Concordia Lutheran Boys Relay Team -- 1st in 4x100m (42.90 s)*
St. Thomas Relay Team -- 2nd in 4x100m (43.38 s), 2nd in 4x200m (1:31.89), 2nd in 4x400m (3:28.77)
Jesse Imemba, The Village School -- 1st in High Jump (6-10.00)
Benjamin Fears, Concordia Lutheran -- 2nd in High Jump (6-02.00)
Roberto Pacini, St. Thomas -- 1st in Pole Vault (10-06.00)
Cameron Brown, St. Pius X -- 2nd in Long Jump (20-05.25)
Elijah Henry, St. Thomas -- 2nd in Triple Jump (42-05.50)
Larry Benton, St. Thomas -- 1st in Shot Put (55-02.00), 1st in Discus (151-06.00)
Tyler Day, St. Thomas -- 2nd in Discus (149-08.00)
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TAPPS-6A GIRLS
Lauren Brown, The Village School -- 1st in 100m Dash (12.97 s)
Madison Dodd, Concordia Lutheran -- 1st in 200m Dash (26.63 s), 2nd in 100m Dash (13.03 s)*
Zara Chinwuba, St. Agnes -- 1st in 400m Dash (59.02 s)
Mayowa Balogun, St. Agnes -- 2nd in 400m Dash (1:02.14)
Sophie Da Silva, St. Agnes -- 2nd in 1600m (5:18.09)
Michaela Grimes, St. Agnes -- 1st in 100m Hurdles (15.36 s), 2nd in 300m Hurdles (44.98 s)*
Kaitlyn Elackatt, St. Agnes -- 2nd in 100m Hurdles (16.13 s)
Eden Fuller, Incarnate Word -- 1st in 300m Hurdles (43.99 s)
St. Agnes Academy Relay Team -- 1st in 4x100m (49.01 s), 1st in 4x200m (1:47.04), 1st in 4x400m (4:06.20)*
Sophia Bellard, St. Agnes -- 1st in High Jump (5-00.00), 2nd in Triple Jump (36-04.00)*
Anna Otero, St. Agnes -- 1st in Pole Vault (9-00.00)
Emma Kramer, St. Agnes -- 2nd in Pole Vault (8-06.00)
Adele Neuhaus, Concordia Lutheran -- 1st in Long Jump (17-04.00)*
Maddy Soluren, St. Agnes -- 2nd in Long Jump (17-04.00)
Rebecca Jarosz, St. Agnes -- 1st in Triple Jump (36-06.50)
Kendall Messersmith, St. Agnes -- 1st in Shot Put (33-10.00)
Jasmine Timmons, St. Pius X -- 2nd in Shot Put (33-00.00)
Lauren Stein, Concordia Lutheran -- 1st in Discus (120-02.00)*
Leonie Aham-Neze, St. Pius X -- 2nd in Discus (99-01.00)
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TAPPS-5A BOYS
Luke Cummings, FBCA -- 1st in 200m Dash (23.04 s)
Colton Popovich, FBCA -- 2nd in 200m Dash (23.40 s)
Marcus Gaitan, Lutheran South Academy -- 1st in 800m (2:02.24), 2nd in 400m Dash (50.26 s)*
Matthew Gaitian, Lutheran South Academy -- 1st in 1600m (4:19.91), 2nd in 800m (2:03.05)*
Philip Catron, TWCA -- 3rd in 400m Dash (50.49 s)
Max Granville, FBCA -- 1st in 110m Hurdles (15.08 s), 1st in 300m Hurdles (41.15 s), 1st in High Jump (6-02.00)*
Fort Bend Christian Academy Boys Relay Team -- 1st in 4x100m (42.54 s), 1st in 4x200m (1:28.65)*
Lutheran South Academy Boys Relay Team -- 1st in 4x400m (3:27.25), 3rd in 4x100m (43.95 s), 3rd in 4x200m (1:32.73)*
Charles Molloy, FBCA -- 2nd in Long Jump (21-05.25)
Wilson Klein, Lutheran South Academy -- 1st in Pole Vault (15-07.00)
Andrew Cockrill, TWCA -- 3rd in Pole Vault (12-00.00)
Nairod Fonseca, St. John XXIII -- 1st in Triple Jump (43-00.50)
Ben Hughes, Lutheran South Academy -- 2nd in Triple Jump (41-07.25)
Ivan Jimmy-Ducksworth, FBCA -- 1st in Shot Put (53-05.25), 3rd in Discus (137-00.00)*
Kris St. Clair, Lutheran South Academy -- 1st in Discus (164-04.00), 2nd in Shot Put (51-05.25)*
Cole Noack, Lutheran South Academy -- 2nd in Discus (137-04.00)
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TAPPS-5A GIRLS
Kristen Shell, FBCA -- 2nd in 100m Dash (12.33 s)
Bayleigh Minor, FBCA -- 1st in 200m Dash (25.20 s), 1st in 400m Dash (56.35 s), 1st in Long Jump (18-11.75), 1st in Triple Jump (36-00.75)*
Jane Watkins, TWCA -- 2nd in 400m Dash (56.44 s)
Brooke Perry, FBCA -- 1st in 800m (2:23.09)
Zoe Calimani, TWCA -- 2nd in 800m (2:23.73)
Averi Garrity, St. John XXIII -- 3rd in 1600m (5:37.25), 3rd in 3200m (12:18.47)
Sarah Chappelle, TWCA -- 1st in 100m Hurdles (14.22 s), 1st in 300m Hurdles (45.62 s)*
Elaine Ward, Lutheran South Academy -- 3rd in 100m Hurdles (17.15 s)
Harper Huff, St. John XXIII -- 3rd in 300m Hurdles (49.10 s)
Fort Bend Christian Academy Girls Relay Team -- 1st in 4x200m (1:45.46), 1st in 4x400m (3:56.45), 3rd in 4x100m (50.22 s)*
St. John XXIII Girls Relay Team -- 2nd in 4x200m (1:46.47)
The Woodlands Christian Academy Girls Relay Team -- 2nd in 4x400m (4:06.23), 3rd in 4x200m (1:48.60)*
Annabelle Lanik, St. John XXIII -- 2nd in Triple Jump (35-11.50), 3rd in Long Jump (17-10.00)*
Reese Muzny, TWCA -- 1st in Pole Vault (11-00.00)
Alma Martin, Lutheran South Academy -- 2nd in Pole Vault (10-00.00)
Makynna Robbins, Lutheran South Academy -- 2nd in Shot Put (37-00.50)
Taylor Makiya, TWCA -- 3rd in Discus (119-02.00)
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TAPPS-4A BOYS
Adler Smith, Cypress Christian -- 1st in 200m Dash (23.17 s), 3rd in 100m Dash (10.91 s)*
Joshua Armstrong, BACS -- 3rd in 400m Dash (52.30 s), 3rd in 800m (2:03.35)
Cypress Christian School Boys Relay Team -- 3rd in 4x100m (43.96 s), 3rd in 4x400m (3:33.46)*
Parker Hirth, Cypress Christian -- 2nd in 110m Hurdles (15.89 s), 3rd in 300m Hurdles (43.34 s)*
Robbie Corley, LPCA -- 3rd in High Jump (5-06.00)
Gavin Snyder, Cypress Christian -- 1st in Pole Vault (14-00.00)*
Jacob Rauch, Cypress Christian -- 1st in Shot Put (50-02.50)*
Andrew Owen, Cypress Christian -- 3rd in Shot Put (44-09.50)
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TAPPS-4A GIRLS
Sophia Swanton, Cypress Christian -- 2nd in 100m Dash (12.52 s), 2nd in Pole Vault (10-06.00), 3rd in 200m Dash (26.90 s)*
Madeline Talkington, Cypress Christian -- 3rd in 100m Dash (12.71 s)
Mackenna Bessler, BACS -- 2nd in 400m Dash (1:04.81), 3rd in 800m (2:28.45)*
Charlotte Freeman, LPCA -- 1st in 800m (2:22.85), 1st in 1600m (5:25.65)*
Julianne Carr, LPCA -- 2nd in 800m (2:27.85)
Anna Gisler, Logos Prep -- 3rd in 1600m (5:41.39)
Cypress Christian School Girls Relay Team -- 2nd in 4x100m (49.82 s), 2nd in 4x400m (4:21.64)*
Legacy Prep Christian Academy Girls Relay Team -- 1st in 4x400m (4:16.57), 2nd in 4x200m (1:51.51)*
Logos Prep Academy Girls Relay Team -- 3rd in 4x400m (4:22.49)
Brooke Beach, LPCA -- 2nd in 100m Hurdles (17.28 s), 2nd in 300m Hurdles (51.52 s), 2nd in High Jump (5-00.00)*
Sam Stanley, BACS -- 1st in 300m Hurdles (50.31 s), 3rd in 100m Hurdles (17.30 s)*
Addison Doss, Logos Prep -- 1st in Pole Vault (11-00.00)
Kennedy Moore, St. Thomas Episcopal -- 1st in High Jump (5-00.00)
Kirsten Rasmussen, BACS -- 3rd in High Jump (5-00.00)
Nicole Santos, Cypress Christian -- 1st in Long Jump (16-07.50), 1st in Triple Jump (36-02.75)*
Rachel Czagas, Cypress Christian -- 3rd in Long Jump (16-05.00)
Mariana Van Dyk, Cypress Christian -- 1st in Shot Put (36-09.25), 1st in Discus (127-01.00)
Skylar Davis, Cypress Christian -- 2nd in Shot Put (34-05.50), 3rd in Discus (110-00.00)
Brenna Fledderman, BACS -- 3rd in Shot Put (32-01.00)
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TAPPS-3A BOYS
Blake Rippy, Rosehill Christian -- 2nd in 200m Dash (23.72 s)
Graham Freeman, Rosehill Christian -- 2nd in 400m Dash (51.74 s)
Westbury Christian School Boys Relay Team -- 1st in 4x100m (43.47 s), 1st in 4x200m (1:32.65)*
Rosehill Christian School Boys Relay Team -- 1st in 4x400m (3:35.05)*
Hunter Morgan, Westbury Christian -- 3rd in High Jump (5-10.00)
Jason Scott, Westbury Christian -- 3rd in Long Jump (20-02.75)
Kenny Nelson, Rosehill Christian -- 3rd in Shot Put (47-05.00)
Luke Smith, Rosehill Christian -- 3rd in Discus (132-09.00)
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TAPPS-3A GIRLS
Mercy Freeman, Rosehill Christian -- 1st in 100m Dash (12.52 s), 1st in 200m Dash (26.50 s), 1st in Long Jump (18-05.75), 1st in Triple Jump (36-09.25)*
Kaydence Frazier, Rosehill Christian -- 2nd in 200m Dash (27.26 s), 3rd in Long Jump (16-08.00)
Kaleigh Frazier, Rosehill Christian -- 1st in 100m Hurdles (14.22 s), 1st in 300m Hurdles (43.61 s)*
Evelyn Carr, Westbury Christian -- 2nd in 300m Hurdles (51.63 s)
Rosehill Christian School Girls Relay Team -- 1st in 4x100m (49.21 s), 1st in 4x400m (4:23.11), 2nd in 4x200m (1:51.59)*
Westbury Christian School Girls Relay Team -- 1st in 4x200m (1:51.22), 3rd in 4x100 (51.97 s)*
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CLICK HERE TO KEEP TRACK OF THE TAPPS STATE TRACK RESULTS
Some of the stars of 2023-24 St. Thomas Football
ON THE CUSP: Historic St. Thomas hope to capture first-ever TAPPS title
However, it hasn't always come easily for coach Rich McGuire and company.
The Eagles have overcome various injuries to key players throughout the Fall including star RB Johann Cardenas, Michael-Anthony Okwura (Sr. DL) and Donte Lewis (Sr. QB).
“The good news for us at this point, is that we seem to be as healthy as we’ve ever been all season,” said McGuire. “But, the team has just been resilient no matter who went down. We have the ‘next man up’ mentality. Somebody else needed to make plays, which speaks to the team’s depth.”
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
While most eyes may veer towards Cardenas on the field – for good reason, considering he’s tallied over 2,200 yards rushing this season – St. Thomas has an entirely different threat behind center.
“He (Donte Lewis) is a different cat,” McGuire said. “He’s so dynamic athletically. People don’t realize he runs a 4.4 (40-yd dash) which is probably the fastest on our team. Just like in baseball, he’s got a cannon for an arm, and he’s so elusive on the field.
“I’ve coached a lot of good quarterbacks here, but Donte can hurt you just as badly with his legs than with his arm. I’ve been very blessed as a coach to have this kind of talent.”
St. Thomas' Donte Lewis (2022-23 Baseball Season)Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Following their 73-62 victory over Prestonwood Christian a week ago in the State Semis, the Eagles are now slated to face off against Parish Episcopal this Friday at the Waco ISD Stadium.
While their offense has been a juggernaut, it will be the defense that decides the outcome, according to McGuire.
“It starts with the age-old adage – don’t turn the ball over, don’t make mistakes,” he said. “We’ll need to play clean offensively. At this point in the season both offenses are good, and the same can be said defensively. So, at the end of the day it’s going to be a matter of which defense steps up and gets the necessary stops.”
Michael-Anthony Okwura
Said defense stops for St. Thomas will likely be a result of performances from the aforementioned Michael-Anthony Okwura (Cal-commit), senior LB Tyler Day (Rice-commit), and Aron Valentine (Sr. S).
The last time St. Thomas has won a TAPPS state championship dates back to 1996. Given the significance of the occasion, what’s going through the mind of the long-time St. Thomas coach?
“I tell the guys all the time that if we get a gold ball on Friday, I may just get an Uber, drive to my lake house in Oklahoma with the ball and never look back,” McGuire laughed. “All kidding aside, I’m still going to be around no matter what happens. This game and these kids definitely keep me young.”
Tune in Friday to see if St. Thomas can finally end their championship drought once and for all.