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FW Country Day's Canaan Factor
JACK OF ALL TRADES: Factor sees his stock rising as a tri-sport athlete for FW Country Day
His year-round athletic schedule reads like a blueprint for consistency and discipline, with each season bringing new opportunities—and new accolades.
This fall, Factor earned All-SPC honors and was named SPC-3A Wide Receiver of the Year, anchoring a high-powered Falcons offense.
Just months later, he capped off the winter basketball season by earning the team’s MVP award and another All-SPC selection.
Photo provided by Canaan Factor (Twitter: @CanaanFactor26)
And now, he’s back at it—this time on the track—competing in sprints, jumps, and relays for FWCD as they head into the SPC Spring Championship Meet this Saturday.
With all that on his plate, it’s fair to wonder when Factor ever has time to rest.
“That’s definitely what it seems like,” Factor said with a laugh. “But in all honesty, there are a lot of benefits because it helps me to become a more well-rounded athlete overall. Growing up, I would always play whatever sport was in season, and I never really outgrew that. It’s difficult to just give up on any one sport, so I like to think that my favorite one is whichever I’m playing at the time.”
While he enjoys each sport, football remains his long-term focus.
Factor hopes to play at the collegiate level and has already taken steps toward that goal. Last summer, he attended camps at TCU and Trinity, and this June, he plans to train at Georgetown, Princeton, and Tulsa, just to name a few.
Standing at 6-foot-2, Factor possesses the physical traits to succeed at the next level. As both a wide receiver and a defensive back, his length and strength set him apart. But he believes it’s another attribute that gives him a unique edge.
“Obviously, speed kills at the receiver position,” he said. “But I think one thing that helps to make me stand apart would be my ability to jump. Basketball has really helped me with that, because of the constant repetition in games and practice. I’ve gotten my vertical up to about 37 inches now, so that’s provided me with something of an edge on the field.”
Factor leaps over a defender to snag a passPhoto provided by Canaan Factor (Twitter: @CanaanFactor26) -- Shot by Animal State Studios
That explosiveness has also translated well to track and field. Factor competes in the High Jump, Long Jump, 100m Dash, 200m Dash, and 4x100m Relay—showcasing not just his versatility but his willingness to push himself in new ways.
Throughout his athletic journey, two key influences stand out.
“The first one that comes to mind is definitely my Dad,” Factor said. “In terms of staying on me, pushing me to compete, and literally doing everything he possibly can to help me succeed, he’s been the one.”
“Another person would be my track coach, Coach (Jared) Connaughton. He’s the type of guy who knows everything about the human body and how to train. He was an Olympian, and he understands what it takes to excel at the next level. Both of them have had a tremendous impact on me and my drive as an athlete.”
Reflecting on his growth over three years at FWCD, Factor points to a shift that’s happened more internally than physically.
“Above all else, I feel that I’ve gotten better at managing my stress levels in each sport,” he said. “Confidence is key in most aspects of life, and I think that’s what I’ve improved on the most. It’s not uncommon to have pre-game or pre-meet butterflies in your stomach. But the more you do it, the more comfortable you get with that level of adversity. I was terrified as a freshman. But now, I’ve been able to overcome that feeling.”
He has yet to receive a formal offer at the next level—whether in football or track—but with his resume and relentless work ethic, it may only be a matter of time.
Until then, Canaan Factor will keep doing what he does best: competing.
The stars of 2024-25 Episcopal High School Softball
THE FINAL CURTAIN: Previewing the 2025 SPC Spring Championships
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS ALL THE SPC SPRING CHAMPIONSHIPS BRACKETS
EPISCOPAL HIGH SCHOOL
2024-25 Episcopal Baseball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
When it comes to the Southwest Preparatory Conference, few schools match the consistency and excellence of Episcopal High School across multiple sports.
The Knights softball program, in particular, has set the standard—winning seven consecutive SPC titles (excluding the COVID year).
Under head coach Caitlyn Cain, Episcopal enters this postseason as the No. 1 seed with a 19-3 record. The team features a veteran core, including Gianna Lewis and Reagan Moriarty, along with standout sophomore Hayleigh Hubbard—all of whom earned All-SPC honors last season.
If things go to plan, the Knights will compete for their eighth straight title in the championship game this Saturday at 12:30 PM at St. John’s School.
On the baseball diamond, head coach Matt Fox has his team poised for a title run of their own.
After falling just short to St. John’s, 6-4, in last year’s SPC-4A final, Episcopal is hungry to reclaim the crown.
Despite battling injuries this spring, the Knights remain a contender. A win over St. Mark’s today could set up a highly anticipated semifinal rematch against SJS, pending their result against St. Stephen’s Episcopal.
The SPC championship game is scheduled for Saturday at 1:30 PM on Episcopal’s home field.
Episcopal’s Track & Field team, led by coach Isaiah Coleman, is also primed for a strong showing. After a competitive spring season, the Knights bring a deep and talented roster to the SPC Championships, which run Friday through Saturday at the Awty Sports Complex.
Athletes to watch include Emilia Sanchez, Nico Curtin, Cecilia Bass, Walker Vaden, Sophia Cormier, Jasmine Jones, Ryder Linebarger, Ashley Conoscenti, Marshal Garza, Isabella DeGrange, DeVonte Taylor, and Addison Cassens—all of whom are expected to make an impact across various events.
With championship ambitions across multiple programs, Episcopal once again proves why it’s one of the most respected athletic institutions in the SPC.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
2024-25 Episcopal Girls Track & Field
HOUSTON CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL
Some of the stars of 2024-25 Houston Christian Softball w/ Head Coach Kyle Pickett
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Houston Christian is once again well-represented in the Southwest Preparatory Conference Championships, with multiple teams poised to compete at a high level across softball, baseball, track & field, and tennis.
The Lady Mustangs softball program has put together another strong season, entering the SPC playoffs as the No. 5 seed with a 16-10 record. Led by head coach Kyle Pickett, the team is powered by a dynamic lineup that includes standout freshman Yazmine Johnson, along with key contributors MC Been, Quincy Zoretic, Maddie Pickett, Lily Herveat, Emmy Koehler, and pitcher Millie Metz.
They open their playoff campaign Friday morning at 10:00 AM against Greenhill at St. John’s School. A win would send them into a challenging second-round matchup later that day against the winner of the Episcopal-TBD contest.
On the baseball side, head coach Terry Pirtle has guided the Mustangs to a solid 16-12 mark heading into the postseason. Houston Christian faces Greenhill in Thursday’s opening round, with top players like Kaden Worley, Hudson Davenport, Thomas Frank, Kirby Orth, and Jeb Burkhart all expected to play key roles. A win would earn them a spot against No. 1 seed Kinkaid on Friday at 5:30 PM, hosted at Episcopal High School.
The Mustangs track & field team, under the leadership of coach CJay Brown, also carries high expectations into the SPC Championships. A well-rounded roster of top athletes—including Eloise du Vigneaud, Sam CdeBaca, McKayla Childs, Lea Garcia, Greg Guidry, Sophia Lusk, Alexander Bartholomew, Bekah Gerard, and Joel Ortiz—will look to make their presence known in a variety of events. The competition runs Friday and Saturday at Awty International School.
Rounding out the weekend, Houston Christian’s tennis program—coached by Di Akina—aims to leave its mark in the SPC Tournament, which culminates with the finals held at Rice University on Saturday.
With talent, preparation, and postseason experience across the board, Houston Christian continues to set a high standard among Houston-area private schools.
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Some of the stars of 2024-25 Houston Christian Baseball
THE KINKAID SCHOOL
Kinkaid's Jack Paris
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
The Kinkaid School is primed to make a strong showing at the SPC Championships this weekend, with top-tier representation across all walks of spring competition.
On the diamond, the Falcons baseball program enters the postseason as the No. 1 seed with an impressive 25-8 record under head coach Steve Maas.
With a deep, balanced roster featuring Texas-signee Jack Paris, along with LJ Layhew (Rice), Marcus Harris (Texas Southern), Isaac Ly, Max Roeder, and Thomas Smith, Kinkaid has its sights set on reclaiming the SPC title for the first time since 2022.
They will face the winner of Houston Christian vs. Greenhill in Friday’s semifinal at 5:30 PM, with the championship game slated for Saturday—both hosted at Episcopal High School.
The softball program, coached by Haley Outon, is also poised for a competitive run, as they enter the brackets as the No. 3 seed with a 9-8-1 record and a promising young core.
Sophomores Lindley Bowman and Lauren Gibson—both 2024 All-SPC selections—are joined by junior Audrey Jones and a standout freshman class that includes Lucy Burke, Ramsey Landry, Sydney Reichman, and Lillian Slania.
The Falcons begin their title pursuit Friday at 12:30 PM against the winner of the St. John’s vs. Duchesne Academy game at St. John’s School, looking to unseat an Episcopal team that has dominated the championship for the past seven seasons.
On the track, Kinkaid will be a team to watch. The boys’ squad is led by coach John Beckwith, while the girls compete under Ken Conner.
Key athletes include Maddy Billipp, Ethan Williams, Caroline Raynes, Rob Satcher, Sydney Marshall, Darnell Joseph, Maya Bernal, William Donnelly, and Kamdyn Flora. Events begin Friday morning at the Awty Sports Complex and conclude Saturday afternoon.
Kinkaid Tennis also enters the weekend with high expectations.
Head coach Stacey Marshall leads a program that saw the girls claim last year’s SPC title and the boys reach the semifinals. Junior Jasmine Nguyen and senior Gabriel Xu headline the roster, as both teams aim for a spot in Saturday’s finals at Rice University, following Friday’s semifinals at St. John’s.
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Some of the stars of 2024-25 Kinkaid Softball
ST. JOHN'S SCHOOL
Doug Brown (VYPE)
St. John’s School heads into SPC Championship weekend with momentum across several sports, aiming to build on its strong tradition of excellence.
Beginning with the baseball portion of the weekend, the Mavericks look to defend their 2024 SPC-4A title. Under the leadership of head coach Clint Everts, St. John’s enters the postseason as the No. 2 seed, boasting a 10-11 overall record but an impressive 3-1 mark in district play.
Their opening-round matchup is set for Thursday night at 6:30 PM against St. Stephen’s Episcopal, hosted at The Kinkaid School. Should they advance, the championship game will be held Saturday at 1:30 PM at Episcopal High School.
The SJS softball team is also poised for a competitive run. After reaching the semifinals last year, the Mavericks are looking to go even further this season.
Head coach Isis Amao has guided her team to an 8-5-1 record, with key contributions from All-SPC honorees Avery Peakes and Ally Hong, along with standouts Yutia Li, Melanie Chen, Gabby Sherrill, and Sophie Phillpott.
Their playoff journey begins Thursday night at 6:30 PM against Duchesne Academy. A win would send them into a Friday showdown with Kinkaid at 12:30 PM, with the championship set for Saturday on their home field.
On the track, St. John’s brings a deep and talented squad to this year’s SPC Meet, held Friday and Saturday at the Awty Sports Complex. Head coach Richie Mercado will lead a balanced group, with standout athletes such as Taylor Synnott, Thea Popovic, Bianca Sieler, Valentina Doss, and Dylan Davis on the girls’ side, and Andrew Wasserman, Marshall Dunahoe, Jay Woodhouse, Akash McCracken, Maxwell Martin, and Tony Thomas leading the boys.
In tennis, both the boys’ and girls’ teams are well-positioned for success.
The boys, coached by Sam Chambers, enter as the tournament’s No. 1 seed, while the girls, under coach Zeze De Moura, are seeded second. Both squads will aim to reach the finals at Rice University and challenge perennial contenders St. Stephen’s and Kinkaid, respectively.
Alex Hinson (VYPE)
