Inside the Rambler's High School

THE RAMBLER’S HIGH SCHOOL Spring SPORTS 50¢ SECTION B February 22, 2014

INSIDE Baseball, softball and soccer coverage for these high schools: ✦ Irving ✦ MacArthur ✦ Nimitz ✦ Coppell ✦ Ranchview ✦ Cistercian Page 2 February 22, 2014 SPRING SPORTS 972-870-1992 www.ramblernewspapers.com

Irving’s seasoned squad puts long hours in during practice to prepare for tough district games against opponents like Grapevine and Colleyville. Coach Jim Davis hopes to minimize mistakes that caused the team to miss last year’s playoffs by one slot. /Photos by John Starkey

Experienced players position Irving Girls Soccer for playoffs By Jess Paniszczyn nament, which was sponsored by the Irving better and score when we get scoring op- can be in the playoffs. Once you’re in the play- “I have a very experienced team because Schools in the Irving Schools Stadium. In portunities going ahead and putting the ball offs, anything can happen. For us it is just one the core of our team is juniors this year,” that tournament, we played in the champi- away,” he said. or two games, one or two goals, and there we Coach Jim Davis said. “Out of these juniors onship final. We ended up losing to Haltom, “District is going to be a tougher chal- are; we are in the playoffs. We want to make three years ago, seven of them were starting 2-0. But we played real well up to that point. lenge for us. We play schools like Colleyville sure we don’t make the key mistakes that we on the varsity as freshmen. So this is a group We played North Garland in the semi-final and Grapevine, who won district the last two have made, and we are hoping that some of of girls who a lot of them have been up on game (4-1). In the opening game, we played years, and Bell and Trinity are always real that experience pays off for us this year… . the varsity and are pretty experienced. Eight against Dallas Conrad. We beat them 8-0. competitive; the other Irving schools as well, “This is a great group of kids. I thor- or nine of the sophomores joined the var- “We just had a game last night ( Jan. 21) they are always going to be somewhere usu- oughly enjoy working with these girls. They sity team last year. So it is a group that has against Grand Prairie. We dominated pos- ally around our level as well, so it is going to do well not just out here on the field but in worked through district and is pretty expe- session but ended up only getting one goal. be tough. And Turner made the playoffs last the classroom, they are good students. I hear rienced. We have a couple of seniors who are We won 1-0. But we felt like we could have year, as well. It’s a tough district. We ended good things from teachers all the time about key players for us this year. done more. So a lot of what we did today was up getting fifth place last year. Obviously we my players. They are good soccer players and “We played in the Judy Hammond tour- structured around trying to finish a little bit want to improve at least one place, so that we good people,” Davis said.

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The Rambler is Copyrighted 2014 www.ramblernewspapers.com 972-870-1992 SPRING SPORTS February 22, 2014 Page 3 Irving Track looks Senior power, optimism like powerful fuels Irving’s tennis team By Jess Paniszczyn contender Led by a core of senior players, the Irving By Jess Paniszczyn varsity tennis team is forecasting a winning season. Whenever the weather permits, the “I have an exceptional team, and I am losing Irving Track and Field Team is out in them all,” head coach Keeli Summers said. “I am force practicing for their first opportu- graduating 12 seniors this year, which is pretty nity to bring home medals and trophies. much my entire varsity team. So it is a little bit “We are excited about where we are,” difficult. It is the most (students) I’ve had (grad- Coach Antwain Jimmerson said. “One uate at once) in the seven years I’ve been here. thing about track is we organize work- “They are a wonderful team. They have ca- outs, but the kids do all the work. So it is maraderie. On the court, they have skill level, kind of fun just to watch them compete. consistency. All of them have amazing academic “We have a good mixture of kids. abilities. We have three players in the top ten, Our JV team last year finished second including our number one boy and team cap- in our district meet, and all of those kids tain, Uriel Baez. They are good, good kids. are back. We have some good numbers Personal initiative is a must for Irving’s track team where students take the leadership role by “I think we are going to be city champs. I to be able to compete in varsity. Last implementing workouts designed by coaches. think we are going to beat Mac and Nimitz,” year in district, our varsity finished fifth she said. “The tournament season is a little bit or sixth. We developed a lot of those JV different. We go to so many tournaments, and kids and didn’t force them into varsity For the first time we go to different levels of tournaments. So I action too soon, so they gained a lot of in a number of foresee medals and trophies. I definitely foresee confidence. seasons, Irving them doing well. “For the first time in a long time, track has the “When it comes to district, I have a doubles we have a few sprinters. We have a kid luxury of fielding team that has a chance to get out and go to who was a state qualifier in the 100m. district and regionals. We of course go against Grapevine, We have another kid who finished in state qualifying Colleyville, and they have exceptional teams.” the top three in our district in the 100m. specialists in Tiger fans who venture out to watch some We have a kid who won the open 100m disciplines like tennis this season are going to see a dedicated hurtles, as well. He returns and will be a the 100m sprint but fun-spirited team. senior this year. So we have some good and 100m hurtle. “Our team has heart, and they are not going numbers. to lie down and roll over,” Summers said. “They Photo by john “We have a really good long jumper, are going to go for it and give it their all every a good high jumper, and we should get Starkey. time they step on that court. points in the hurtles. Right now we need / Photos by John Starkey “The team’s greatest weakness is personal- to find a couple more pieces to all of our ity: goofiness. Man, they are funny. Don’t get relays, but we feel we will be good in the me wrong, but they like to have fun sometimes open 100m and 200m. when they are supposed to be doing work. “We feel like we are a little ahead of “When the team puts forth 100 percent ef- where we were last year,” he said. fort, they are unstoppable.” Improvements over time are victories of Irving Golf By Jess Paniszczyn seem to have a lot of kids who have played a lot of golf. Golf is the game of business and polite company, I get a lot of kids who have never even been on a golf so learning golf as a teenager is not necessarily about course. However, one goal I seek with our program is winning. For youngsters who have never had the op- when they are through, they are able to go out to a portunity to walk into a country club or step onto a golf course, play a round of golf, know what they are do- course, the game can open doors to a new side of life ing, not disturb other people and have a sport they can never before seen. play for a lifetime. One thing I really push for is how For the members of the Irving Golf Team, playing to behave on the course, how to dress and how to act the game is about the art of improving through pa- when you play. tience and perseverance. “Generally, golf is one of those things that if you “Our kids have steadily improved,” Coach Terry play enough, you will get better. But it is a very difficult Spradlin said. “This is the third year I’ve had Corey, game. A lot of kids don’t stick with it because you don’t Ryan and Kevin. They have each gotten better each have immediate success. I try to stress to them to play With a premium placed on developing their game as a professional skill, Irving’s golf year. That is the one thing we look for. the best you can and enjoy it. If you expect to walk out team is focused as much on learning etiquette on the course as winning tournaments. “We are in a district where we play against Col- there and do great on the golf course every time, you are / Photo by John Starkey leyville, Heritage, Grapevine and Trinity. Some of those going to be disappointed a lot,” he said. Page 4 February 22, 2014 SPRING SPORTS 972-870-1992 www.ramblernewspapers.com In a district of tough contenders, this may be Irving Boys Soccer’s season By Jess Paniszczyn both are captains. Alfredo Molina top-notch high school action. The members of the Irving Boys has been varsity two years playing “Nimitz won district last year… Soccer team may be having fun on goal keeper. He is playing ‘lights I think they probably are the favor- the field, but they are serious about out’ right now. I think he is doing ites; even though they graduated a dominating the ball. The big ques- well. Yerson Flores has been playing lot, they have a good system. Turner tion of the season will be can they well lately. always has a good team. Coach turn their mastery of possession “The team members get along Houston does a great job with into game winning points. well. They laugh and cutup with them. After that some people may “The kids are trying everyday to each other. They are fun. They keep say Trinity or LD Bell or Grape- get better,” Coach Danford said. you on your toes. vine: it’s their turn. We are going to “They are playing hard. One thing “The team’s weakness is the lack be there. I don’t know which spot. I I’ve always stressed to them is don’t of playoff experience. We haven’t don’t want to get too over confident. give up. As long as there is time on been in the playoffs since I’ve been Like I said, we are talking about the clock, you’ve got a chance… here (three years). When I came high school kids, and we are staying These are high school kids, and in they graduated so many kids, I positive. We take it each game at a Three years after graduating a most of their experience players, constant drilling during things can turn quick. For seniors, think I had two players who had time… . practice and matches against stronger squads puts Irving Soccer within sight of a it’s their last year: start something; one and a half games of varsity ex- “We are going to compete every playoff spot. /Photo by John Starkey leave something as long as it ben- perience. That was it. Just building game,” Danford said. “Our kids are efits the program. the culture starts from the top… .” going to show up, play hard and go have, is they’re just going to go, and to keep coming, and hopefully that “Ivan Soriano and Rigo Con- As always, boys soccer district from whistle to whistle. I think that if a person gets tired we are put- pays big dividends. We’ll see what treras are three year starters, and play promises to be fast, furious and is one of the biggest strengths they ting another one in. We are going happens.” Mac softball players Boys’ soccer eases through staff change By Alonzo Olmedo ‘believe and achieve’ Euless Trinity, the Cardinals enter the dis- By Jess Paniszczyn MacArthur High School is coming off trict part of the schedule with a record of a 5-8-3 season as first-year Head Coach, 1-4-2. Prater realizes the opportunity to With serious opposition throughout the Greg Prater, replaces D.J. Hammonds. This make some noise as district play begins. district, MacArthur’s softball team is work- will be McArthur’s third coach in four “We proved it to ourselves that we are ing hard to develop a strong player base that years, and Prater realizes the challenge of good enough to beat the bad teams and can be competitive on the field. installing a third system to his senior play- good enough to compete with the good “We’ve got some seniors who have been ers. teams.” with us for a couple or three years, but we are The frequent changes can be a difficult MacArthur player, Abdoulaye Cisse, has still pretty young,” Coach Scott McTee said. adjustment, but he strongly believes in his been one of the outstanding Cardinals on “Our base is going to be our junior and fresh- core of senior players that have been play- the field this season. Cisse, who is from the men team. Our freshman kids have stepped ing together for an extended period of time. Ivory Coast, currently leads the Cardinals up, and we are excited about a few of them. I “Thus far we have been able to unify in goals scored with five so far this year. think we will be okay. If we can find a pitcher, ourselves; we are good at depending on one The word character was written on the we will be doing alright. Serious work in the offseason, coach Scott McTee another on the field. For the most part we board in the locker room. One of the im- “Our district is tough. Nimitz is getting hopes, has honed his girls’ skills, giving them the are good into buying into our program.” portant things Prater and his staff encour- better; Irving was really good last year; Col- confidence they need to see playoff success in a Prater said. age is character. No matter how the season leyville and LD Bell are always good; and district known for stiff competition. /Photo by John Starkey Prater’s system has shown great flexibil- goes, the coaches want to implant their Grapevine. So it is going to be tough, but ity and allows strength in the middle of the players with life skills that carry them past we’ve got kids who are dedicated to softball. be prepared to watch the athletes play their field as they primarily run a 4-2-3-1 for- high school. They worked hard in the off-season, and we hearts out. mation, yet It is not a set formation. Coach “The best way we can represent the really hope they can put that energy and fo- “If the Cardinal fans come out to see us Prater studies the opponent prior to game community of Irving, is the way they carry cus onto the field. If they can, we will be okay. play softball, our kids are going to give 100 day and then decides the formation on the themselves on the field and off the field “I think our infield defense should be percent every time, without fail,” McTee said. field based on player injuries and availabil- with a sense of pride, unity and character. pretty good. We have quite a few kids who “We hope to put a good product on the field: ity. If they can do those three things consis- can play, so we can piece some kids togeth- enjoyable, fun, competitive, exciting. Hope- “Changing of the personnel—it’s an tently that is the best representation of the er in the outfield, and we can cover some fully we can give them something to root for. ordeal to put people in the right spot, (to) school and the City of Irving. Have good ground. So we should be alright outfield-wise “Our girls have a new attitude this year... balance different position(s) for different character, be the person that I want you to too. Our defense should be our strongest suit. They have waited and waited. They have seen people.” Prater said. be. I preach that daily … character,” Prater “We hope our hitting is better. And we are Nimitz do well and Irving do well and so The Cardinals won a game in the said. “Be that kid that a teacher says they really hoping our pitching comes along,” he forth. It’s MacArthur’s time. Our motto this Martin Invitational against South Grand can be my son. You can be to any player and said. year is ‘believe and achieve.’ If we can believe Prairie. With games already on the books ask what does Coach emphasizes the most, In the bleachers, Cardinals fans should in ourselves, then we can achieve anything.” against district opponents R.L. Turner and they will say character.” www.ramblernewspapers.com 972-870-1992 SPRING SPORTS February 22, 2014 Page 5

BOYS SOCCER GIRLS SOCCER Irving DATE OPPONENT LOCATION JV-2 JV V DATE OPPONENT LOCATION JV V DATE OPPONENT LOCATION JV V 1/3 Grand Prairie (H) ISS 4:30 6:00 7:30 1/3 Gainesville (S) Away 12:00/ 1:00/ 2/14 Trinity Away 7:00 5:30 1/6 Mansfield (H) ISS ----- 5:00 7:00 2:00 2:00 2/18 MacArthur Home 5:30 7:30 BASEBALL 1/9-11 Tyler Lee Tournament (v) 1/9-11 Judy Hammond Tournament (JV/V) 2/21 Nimitz Home 7:45 ----- 1/16-18 NETC Tournament (JV) 2/21 Nimitz ISS ----- 5:30 DATE OPPONENT LOCATION V DATE OPPONENT LOCATION JV-2 1/16-18 Allen Tournament (V) 1/21 Plano Away ----- 5:30 7:30 1/21 Grand Prairire Away 5:30 7:00 2/25 L.D Bell Away 5:30 7:00 2/3 Arlington Home 4:00 2/3 Arlington (S) Away 4:00 1/28 Nimitz Away 7:45 ----- 2/28 Grapevine Home 5:30 7:00 1/28 Nimitz Away 4:30 6:00 ----- 2/8 Lakeview (S) Home 12:00 2/8 Lakeview (S) Away 12:00 Nimitz ISS ----- 5:30 3/4 Colleyville Home 5:30 7:00 Nimitz (H) ISS ------7:30 2/11 Skyline (S) Home 7:30 2/11 Skyline (S) Home 5:30 1/31 L.D Bell Home 5:30 7:00 3/7 R.L. Turner Away 5:30 7:00 2/14 Lamar/Haltom (S) Away 4:30 2/14 Haltom/Lamar Home 4:00 1/31 L.D. Bell Away ----- 5:30 7:00 2/4 Grapevine Away 5:30 7:00 3/18 Trinity Home 5:30 7:00 2/20-22 Bryan Adams Tournament 2/20-22 Irving Tournament 2/4 Grapevine Home ----- 5:30 ----- 2/7 Colleyville Away 5:30 7:00 3/21 MacArthur Away 5:30 7:00 2/27-3/1 Jesuit Classic 2/27-3/1 Lamar Tournament Grapevine (H) ISS ------7:00 2/11 R. L. Turner Home 5:30 7:00 3/8 Skyline (ND) Home 12:00 3/4 Lake Ridge Home 6:00 2/7 Colleyville Home 4:30 6:00 ----- 3/11 Nimitz Home 7:00 3/10 Nimitz Away 6:00 2/7 Colleyville (H) ISS ------7:30 3/14 L.D. Bell Away 7:00 3/15 L.D. Bell Home 11:00 2/11 R.L Turner Away 4:30 6:00 7:30 3/18 Grapevine Home 7:00 3/17 Grapevine Away 6:00 2/14 Trinity (H) ISS 4:30 6:00 7:30 3/21 Colleyville Home 7:00 3/22 Colleyville Away 11:00 2/18 MacArthur (V) ISS 4:30 6:00 7:30 3/25 R.L. Tuner Away 7:00 3/24 R.L. Turner Away 6:00 3/28 Trinity Home 7:00 3/29 Trinity Away 11:00 2/21 Nimitz Home 4:30 6:00 ----- 4/1 MacArthur Away 7:00 3/31 MacArthur Home 6:00 Nimitz (H) ISS ------7:30 Strengthening the Foundaon 4/4 Nimitz Away 7:00 4/5 Nimitz Home 11:00 2/25 L.D. Bell (H) ISS ----- 5:30 7:00 4/8 L.D. Bell Home 7:00 4/7 L.D. Bell Away 6:00 2/28 Grapevine Away ----- 5:30 7:00 4/11 Grapevine Away 7:00 4/12 Grapevine Home 11:00 3/4 Colleyville Away 4:30 6:00 7:30 of our Irving Community 4/12 Little Elm Away 2:00 4/14 Colleyville Home 6:00 3/7 R.L. Tuner Home 4:30 6:00 ----- 4/18 R.L. Turner Home 7:00 4/19 R.L. Turner Home 11:00 R.L. Turner (H) ISS ------7:30 4/22 Trinity Away 7:00 4/21 Trinity Home 6:00 3/18 Trinity Away 4:30 6:00 7:30 Oﬀering Youth Sports, Family Wellness Programs, 4/25 MacArthur Home 7:00 4/26 MacArthur Away 11:00 3/21 MacArthur (H) ISS 4:30 6:00 7:30 Swim Lessons, Play & Learn, Youth & Government

DATE OPPONENT LOCATION JV-1 and A er school programs designed to have 2/3 Arlington (S) Home 7:00 SOFTBALL posive impact on our community. 2/8 Lakeview (S) Away 12:00 2/11 Skyline (S) Home 5:30 DATE OPPONENT LOCATION JV V DATE OPPONENT LOCATION JV V 2/14 Haltom/Lamar Away 4:00 1/28 Wakeland/Guyer Away ----- TBA 3/1 TBA Away ----- TBA 2/20-22 Lamar Tournament 1/31 Creekview Away 5:30 7:00 3/4 Nimitz Home 5:30 7:15 Irving Family YMCA 2/27-3/1 Irving Tournament 2/4 Saginaw Away 5:30 7:15 3/7 L.D. Bell Away 5:30 7:15 3/4 Lake Ridge Home 8:00 2/7 Boswell Away 5:30 7:15 3/8 Richland JV Tournament 2200 W. Irving Blvd. 3/10 Nimitz Home 6:00 2/11 N. Crowley Away 7:00 5:30 3/10 Colleyville Home 5:30 7:15 Irving TX 75061 3/15 L.D. Bell Away 11:00 2/13 Van Away ----- 11:00 3/11 Grapevine Home 5:30 7:15 3/17 Grapevine Home 6:00 2/13 Greenville Away ----- 7:00 3/18 R.L. Turner Away ----- 7:15 www.irvingymca.org 3/22 Colleyville Home 11:00 2/14 Frisco Lone Star Away ----- 11:00 3/21 Trinity Home 5:30 7:15 972-986-8898 3/24 R.L. Turner Away 6:00 2/14 Waxahachie Away ----- 5:00 3/25 MacArthur Away 5:30 7:15 3/29 Trinity Home 11:00 2/15 Pleasant Grove Away ----- 1:00 3/28 Nimitz Away 5:30 7:15 3/31 MacArthur Away 6:00 2/18 Pascal Home 5:30 7:15 4/1 L.D. Bell Home 5:30 7:15 4/5 Nimitz Away 11:00 2/27 TBA Away ----- TBA 4/4 Grapevine Away 5:30 7:15 4/7 L.D. Bell Home 6:00 2/27 TBA Away ----- TBA 4/8 Colleyville Away 5:30 7:15 4/12 Grapevine Away 11:00 2/28 TBA Away ----- TBA 4/11 R.L. Turner Home ----- 7:15 We’re for youth development, 4/14 Colleyville Away 6:00 2/28 TBA Away ----- TBA 4/15 Trinity Away 5:30 7:15 4/19 R.L. Turner Home 11:00 3/1 TBA Away ----- TBA 4/17 MacArthur Home 5:30 7:15 healthy living and 4/21 Trinity Away 6:00 social responsibility. 4/26 MacArthur Home 11:00 WE CARE ABOUT YOU & YOUR FAMILY

Boys Soccer DATE OPPONENT LOCATION JV-2 JV-1 V 1/7 Duncanville Away 4:30 6:00 7:45 1/10 Alumni Home ------6:30 1/10-11 Haltom Tournament Away 3:30 6:30 ----- Macarthur 1/14 Mansfield Away ----- 5:30 7:15 1/16-18 Arlington Martin Tournament 1/23-25 Arlington Lamar Tournament 1/23-25 Ennis Tournament BASEBALL 1/28 Tuner Away 4:30 5:30 7:15 1/31 Trinity (H) ISS 5:00 6:15 7:45 DATE OPPONENT LOCATION V DATE OPPONENT LOCATION JV-B DATE OPPONENT LOCATION JV-R 2/4 Colleyville Away 4:30 5:30 7:15 2/4 Sunset Home 4:00 2/4 Sunset (S) Home 4:00 2/3 Sunset (S) Home 4:00 2/7 Nimitz Away 4:30 6:00 ----- 2/8 Richardson/Grand PrairieAway TBD 2/8 Grand Prairie/RichardsonAway TBD 2/8 Grand Prairie Home TBD Nimitz (V) ISS ------7:30 2/11 Southwest Away 6:00 2/12 Southwest Away 6:00 2/12 Southwest Home 6:00 2/11 L.D. Bell Home ----- 5:30 7:15 2/14 Creekview Away 6:30 2/14 Creekview (S) Away 4:30 2/14 Creekview (S) Away 4:30 2/14 Saginaw Away 5:00 ------2/17 Fossil Ridge Away 6:30 2/17 Fossil Ridge Home 4:30 2/17 Ranchview Away 5:00 Grapevine Away ----- 5:30 7:15 2/18 Irving ISS 5:00 6:16 7:45 2/20-22 Creekview Tournament 2/20-22 MacArthur JV Tournament 2/20-22 Irving Freshman Tournament 2/21 Turner Home 4:30 6:00 7:45 2/27-3/1 Newman Smith Tournament 2/27-3/1 Nimitz JV Tournament 2/27-3/1 Eastern Hills 9 Tournament 2/25 Trinity Away 4:30 5:30 7:15 3/6-8 Grand Prairie Tournament 3/6 Irving Home 6:00 3/7 Naaman Forest Home 4:30 2/28 Colleyville (H) ISS 5:00 6:15 7:45 3/11 RL Turner Away 7:00 3/8 Naaman Forest Away 11:00 Naaman Forest Home 7:00 3/4 Nimitz Home 4:30 6:00 ----- 3/14 Trinity Home 7:00 Naaman Forest Away 1:30 3/8 Trimble Tech Home 11:00 3/4 Nimitz (H) ISS ------7:30 3/18 Colleyville Away 7:00 Tuner Away 6:00 Trimble Tech Home 1:30 3/7 L.D. Bell Away ----- 5:30 7:15 3/21 Nimitz Away 7:00 3/15 Trinity Home 11:00 3/15 Trinity Away 11:00 3/18 Grapevine Home ----- 5:30 7:15 3/25 LD Bell Home 7:00 3/17 Colleyville Away 6:00 3/17 Colleyville Home 6:00 3/21 Irving Away 4:30 6:00 7:45 3/28 Grapevine Away 7:00 3/22 Nimitz Away 11:00 3/22 Nimitz Home 11:00 4/1 Irving Home 4:30 3/24 L.D. Bell Home 6:00 3/24 L.D. Bell Away 6:00 SOFTBALL 4/4 RL Tuner Home 7:00 3/19 Grapevine Away 11:00 3/28 Grapevine Home 11:00 4/8 Trinity Away 7:00 4/5 Turner Home 11:00 4/7 Trinity Home 6:00 DATE OPPONENT LOCATION JV V 1/30 Arlington Heights (S) Away 7:00 5:30 4/11 Colleyville Home 7:00 4/7 Trinity Away 6:00 4/12 Colleyville Away 11:00 2/1 Little Elm Scrimmage Fest (V) 4/15 Nimitz Away 7:00 4/12 Colleyville Home 11:00 4/14 Nimitz Away 6:00 2/4 Little Elm (Scrimmage) Home 7:00 5:30 4/18 LD Bell Away 7:00 4/14 Nimitz Home 6:00 4/19 L.D. Bell Home 11:00 2/8 Arlington Heights Scrimmage Fest (V) 4/22 Grapevine Home 7:00 4/19 L.D. Bell Away 11:00 4/21 Grapevine Away 6:00 2/14-15 Longview Tournament (V) 4/25 Irving Away 7:00 4/21 Grapevine Home 6:00 4/26 Irving Home 11:00 2/18 Denton Ryan Home 6:00 ----- 4/26 Irving Away 11:00 2/20-22 Little Elm Tournament (V) 2/21 Arlington Sam Houston Home 6:00 ----- 2/25 North Forney Home 6:00 ----- GIRLS Soccer 2/27-3/1 FW Castleberry JV Tournament (JV) Prosper Tournament (V) 3/4 R.L. Turner Away 5:30 7:15 DATE OPPONENT LOCATION JV1 V DATE OPPONENT LOCATION JV1 V DATE OPPONENT LOCATION JV-2 3/7 Trinity Home 5:30 7:15 1/9-11 Judy Hammond Memorial 2/14 Grapevine Home 5:30 7:15 1/9-11 Judy Hammond Memorial 3/10 Nimitz Away 5:30 7:15 1/14 Central Jr High Euless Home 4:00 ----- 2/18 Irving Away 5:30 7:15 1/14 Cleburne MacArthur 5:30 3/11 Colleyville Away 5:30 7:15 1/14 Cleburne Home ----- 7:15 2/21 R.L. Turner Away 5:30 7:15 1/23-25 Cement Capital Classic 3/18 L.D. Bell Home 5:30 7:15 1/16-18 Byron Nelson Friendly 2/25 Trinity Home 5:30 7:15 1/27 Central Ir High Euless Away 4:00 3/20-22 Corsicana JV Tournament (JV) 1/23-25 Cement Capital Classic 2/28 Colleyville Away 5:30 7:15 1/30 Bedford JH Home 4:30 3/21 Grapevine Away 5:30 7:15 1/28 R.L. Turner Home 5:30 7:15 3/4 Irving Nimitz Away 7:45 5:30 2/3 Birdville JV Home 5:30 3/25 Irving Home 5:30 7:15 1/31 Trinity Away 5:30 7:15 3/7 L.D Bell Home 5:30 7:15 2/6 Western Hills JV-B Away 5:30 3/28 R.L. Turner (Cancer Awareness) Home 5:30 7:15 2/4 Colleyville Home 5:30 7:15 3/18 Grapevine Away 5:30 7:15 2/13 South Hills JV Home 6:30 4/1 Trinity Away 5:30 7:15 2/7 Irving Nimitz Away 7:45 5:30 3/21 Irving Home 5:30 7:15 2/17 South Hills JV Away 6:30 4/4 Colleyville Home 5:30 7:15 4/8 Nimitz (Faculty Appreciation) Home 5:30 7:15 2/10 L.D. Bell Away 5:30 7:15 2/24 Birdville JV-2 Home 5:30 4/11 L.D. Bell Away 5:30 7:15 2/27 Western Hills JV-B Home 5:30 4/15 Grapevine (Senior Night) Home 5:30 7:15 3/3 Birdville JV-2 Home 5:30 4/17 Irving Away 5:30 7:15 WE CARE ABOUT YOU & YOUR FAMILY

Boys Soccer DATE OPPONENT LOCATION JV-1 JV-2 JV V 1/4 Corsicana/Waco U (S) Away 9:00 9:00 ----- 9:00 1/7 Marcus Away 4:00 5:30 ----- 7:15 1/9-11 Turner Tournament 1/16-18 Allen Tournament NIMITZ 1/24 North Mesquite Away ------5:30 7:15 1/28 Irving Home 4:30 6:00 ------Irving (H) ISS ------7:30 BASEBALL 1/31 R.L Turner Home 4:30 6:00 ----- 7:15 2/4 Trinity Away 4:30 6:00 ----- 7:15 DATE OPPONENT LOCATION V DATE OPPONENT LOCATION JV DATE OPPONENT LOCATON FRESHMEN 2/7 MacArthur (H) ISS 4:30 6:00 ------2/3 Mansfield Away 5:30 2/4 Mansfield Away 5:30 2/3 Mansfield Home 5:30 MacArthur (H) ISS ------7:30 2/7 Newman S. Home 6:00 2/7 Newman S. Away 6:00 2/7 Newman S Away 4:00 2/11 Colleyville Away 4:30 5:30 ----- 7:15 2/8 Alumni Home 12:00 2/8 Alumni Game Home 12:00 2/8 Alumni Game Home 12:00 2/14 L.D. Bell Away ------5:30/7:15 7:15 2/11 Creekview Away 6:30 2/11 Creekview Away 4:30 2/10 Grapevine Home 6:00 2/18 Grapevine Home ------4:30/5:30 7:15 2/15 Duncanville Away 10:00 2/14 Duncanville Home 10:00 2/17 Flo Mo Home 4:00 2/21 Irving Away 4:30 6:00 ------Irving (V) ISS ------7:30 2/17 Flo Mo Away 5:30 2/17 Flo Mo Home 6:00 2/20-22 Irving Tournament 2/25 R.L. Turner Away 4:30 5:30 ----- 7:15 2/20-22 Baylor Classic 2/20-22 Arlington ISD Tournament 2-27-3/1 Lamar Tournament p.m. 2/27-3/1 Flower Mound Showdown 2/27-3/1 Nimitz Classic 3/4 Mansfield Away 5:00 2/28 Trinity Home 4:30 5:30 ----- 7:15 3/6-3/8 Austin ISD Tournament 3/4 Mansfield Away 7:00 3/10 Irving Home 6:00 3/4 MacArthur Away 4:30 6:00 ------3/11 Irving Away 7:00 3/8 Mans. Summit Home 11:00 3/15 Bryan Adams Away 12:00 MacArthur (V) ISS ------7:30 3/14 Turner Home 7:00 Mans. Summit Home 1:00 3/17 Trinity Home 6:00 3/7 Colleyville (H) ISS 5:00 6:10 ----- 7:45 3/18 Trinity Away 7:00 3/10 Irving Away 6:00 3/22 MacArthur Away 11:00 3/18 L.D. Bell (H) ISS ------5:30 7:30 3/21 MacArthur Home 7:00 3/15 Turner Home 11:00 3/24 Colleyville Home 6:00 3/21 Grapevine Away ------5:30 7:15 3/25 Colleyville Away 7:00 3/17 Trinity Away 6:00 3/29 L.D. Bell Home 11:00 3/28 L.D. Bell Away 7:00 3/22 MacArthur Home 11:00 L.D. Bell Home 1:00 SOFTBALL 4/1 Grapevine Home 4:30 3/24 Colleyville Away 6:00 4/5 Irving Away 11:00 DATE OPPONENT LOCATION JV-2 JV V 4/4 Irving Home 7:00 3/29 L.D. Bell Away 11:00 4/7 Forney Home 6:00 2/1 Creekview Away TBD TBD 4/8 Turner Away 7:00 L.D. Bell Away 1:00 4/12 Trinity Away 11:00 2/10 Grand Prairie Home 5:30/7:00 ------4/11 Trinity Home 7:00 4/5 Irving Home 11:00 4/14 MacArthur Home 6:00 2/13-15 Austin Tournament 2/18 Arlington Sam Houston Home 6:00 7:30 ----- 4/15 MacArthur Away 7:00 4/7 Turner Away 6:00 4/19 Colleyville Away 11:00 2/20-22 Maypearl Tournament (JV) 4/18 Colleyville Home 7:00 4/12 Trinity Home 11:00 4/26 Grapevine Home 11:00 2/24 Grand Prairie Away 5:30/7:00 ------4/21 L.D. Bell Home 4:30 4/14 MacArthur Away 6:00 Grapevine Home 1:00 2/25 Ranchview Away ------6:30 4/25 Grapevine Away 7:00 4/19 Colleyville Home 11:00 2/27-3/1 Blooming Grove Tournament (JV-2) 4/26 Playoffs 4/26 Grapevine Away 11:00 2/28 Crowley Home ----- 5:30 7:00 Grapevine Away 1:00 3/3 Haltom Home 5:30/7:00 ------3/4 Irving Away ----- 5:30 7:15 3/7 R.L. Turner Home ----- 5:30 7:15 GIRLS Soccer 3/8 Frisco Tournament (JV-2) DATE OPPONENT LOCATION JV V DATE OPPONENT LOCATION JV V 3/10 MacArthur Home ----- 5:30 7:15 3/11 Trinity Away ----- 5:30 7:15 1/4 Corsicana/Waco Away TBA TBA 2/14 L.D. Bell Home 5:30 7:15 3/18 Colleyville Away ----- 5:30 7:15 1/9-11 Judy Hammond/Irving Schools Girls’ Soccer Tournament (V/JV) 2/18 Grapevine Away 5:30 7:15 3/21 L.D. Bell Away ----- 5:30 7:15 1/16-18 CHHS Allison Horn Memorial Showcase (V) 2/21 Irving Away 7:45 ----- 3/24 Haltom Away 5:30/7:00 ------1/23-25 Chick-fil-A Shootout (JV) Irving ISS ----- 5:30 3/25 Grapevine Home ----- 5:30 7:15 1/24 Frisco Home 5:00 6:45 2/25 Turner Home 5:30 7:15 3/28 Irving Home ----- 5:30 7:15 1/28 Irving Home 7:17 ----- 2/28 Trinity Away 5:30 7:15 3/29 Mesquite Home 12:30 11:00 ----- Irving ISS ----- 5:30 3/4 MacArthur Home 7:45 ----- 4/1 R.L. Turner Away ----- 5:30 7:15 1/31 Away Standridge 5:30 7:15 MacArthur ISS 5:30 ----- 4/4 Trinity Home ----- 5:30 7:15 4/8 MacArthur Away ----- 5:30 7:15 2/4 Trinity (H) ISS 5:30 7:15 3/7 Colleyville Away 5:30 7:15 4/11 Colleyville (Senior Night) Home ----- 5:30 7:15 2/7 MacArthur Away 7:45 ----- 3/18 L.D. Bell Away 5:30 7:15 4/14 Colony Home 5:30/7:00 ------MacArthur ISS ----- 5:30 3/21 Grapevine Home 5:30 7:15 4/15 L.D. Bell Home ----- 5:30 7:15 2/11 CHHS (H) ISS 5:30 7:15 4/17 Grapevine Away ----- 5:30 7:15 WE CARE ABOUT YOU & YOUR FAMILY

BASEBALL DATE OPPONENT LOCATION JV-R V 2/3 Prosper Away ----- 5:00 2/4 Proper Away 5:00 ----- 2/8 Birdville Away 10:00 12:00 2/11 Highland Park Away 6:30 4:30 2/14 Plano East Away 4:30 5:00 2/17 Wylie East Away 5:30 5:00 2/20-22 Plano East Tournament (JV-R) 2/20-22 Prosper/McKinney Boyd Tournament (V) Coppell 2/27-3/1 Coppell Tournament (JV-R) 2/27-3/1 Waxahachie Tournament (V) 3/6-8 L.D. Bell Tournament 3/6-8 Jesuit/John Paul/Quick Trip Tournament (V) SOFTBALL girls soccer 3/11 Hebron Home 4:00 7:00 3/14 Hebron Away 4:00 7:00 DATE OPPONENT LOCATION JV V DATE OPPONENT LOCATION JV V DATE OPPONENT LOCATION JV-WH JV-R V 3/18 Marcus Away 4:30 7:30 1/28 Plano (S) Home 5:30 7:00 3/8 Coppell JV Home TBA ----- 1/3 Carroll (S) Away 12:00 12:00 12:00 3/21 Marcus Home 4:30 7:30 Boyd (S) Away 1:00 1:00 1:00 3/25 Denton Ryan Home 4:00 7:00 2/31 Garland (S) Home 5:30 7:00 3/18 Hebron Home 5:00 7:00 1/9-11 Allen Tournament (JV-WH) 3/28 Denton Ryan Away 4:30 7:30 2/4 Colleyville (S) Home 5:30 7:00 3/21 Flower Mound Home 5:00 7:00 Grapevine Tournament (JV-R) 4/3 Lewisville Away 4:00 7:00 2/7 Keller (S) Away 4:30 6:00 3/26 Marcus Away 5:00 7:00 1/10-11 Nation Elite Prep Showcase (V) 4/4 Lewisville Away 4:00 ----- 2/11 Arlington Bowie Away 5:30 7:00 3/29 Denton Ryan Home 10:00 12:00 4/5 Lewisville Home ----- 11:30 1/13 Keller Away 5:00 ------2/13-15 Bryan Varsity Tournament ----- TBA 4/1 Lewisville Away 5:00 7:00 4/8 Flower Mound Home 4:00 7:00 1/14 Bishop Lynch Away ----- 5:30 7:15 4/11 Flower Mound Away 4:00 7:00 2/18 Southlake Home 5:00 7:00 4/4 Hebron Away 5:00 7:00 1/16-18 Hebron Tournament (JV-R) 4/15 Hebron Home 4:00 7:00 2/20-22 Allen Varsity Tournament ----- TBA 4/8 Flower Mound Away 5:00 7:00 1/16-18 Allison Horn Memorial (V) 4/17 Marcus Away 4:30 7:30 2/25 Trinity Home 5:00 7:00 4/11 Marcus Home 5:00 7:00 1/21 FM Away 4:30 ------4/24 Denton Ryan Home 4:00 7:00 2/27-3/1 McKinney Varsity Tournament ----- TBA 4/15 Denton Ryan Away 5:00 7:00 Grapevine Away ----- 5:30 8:00 4/25 Lewisville Away 4:00 7:00 2/28-3/1 Allen JV Tournament TBA ----- 4/18 Lewisville Home 5:00 7:00 1/23-25 Northwest Tournament (JV-R) 1/23-25 Lady Governor’s Cup (V) DATE OPPONENT LOCATION JV-B 3/7 Ranchview Home ----- 6:00 2/4 Prosper Away 5:00 1/28 Princeton JV Away 5:30 ------2/8 Birdville Away 10:00 Princeton V Away ----- 7:00 ----- 2/11 Highland Park Away 4:30 BOYS SOCCER 1/31 Plano Home ----- (V) 5:30 10:00 2/14 Plano East Away 6:30 Marcus Home 4:30 ------2/20-22 SGP Warrior Classic DATE OPPONENT LOCATION JV-2 JV V DATE OPPONENT LOCATION JV-2 JV V 2/3 Allen Home 4:30 ------2/27-3/1 Lewisville Tournament 1/1 Duncanville (S) Home 4:30 5:45 7:30 1/28 Frisco Wakeland Away 4:30 5:45 7:45 2/7 Hebron Away 4:30 5:45 7:30 3/6-8 Prosper Tournament 1/3 Midlothian/Sam Houston (S) 11:30 11:30 11:30 1/31 Dallas Jefferson Home ----- 7:15 7:30 2/11 Flower Mound Away 4:30 5:45 7:30 3/11 Hebron Away 4:30 Away /2:00 /2:00 /2:00 2/3 Dallas Jesuit Away 6:00 ------2/14 Marcus Home 4:30 5:45 7:30 3/14 Hebron Home 4:30 1/9-11 Cox Tournament (JV-2/JV) 2/7 Hebron Home 4:30 5:45 7:30 2/18 Denton Ryan Away ----- 5:45 7:30 3/18 Marcus Home 4:30 2/25 HSSA Away ----- 4:30 ----- 3/21 Marcus Away 4:30 1/9 Austin Westlake Away ------8:00 2/11 Flower Mound Home 4:30 5:45 7:30 3/25 Denton Ryan Away 5:30 1/10 Klein Away ------7:00 2/14 Marcus Away 4:30 5:45 7:30 2/25 Lewisville Home 5:30 ----- 7:30 3/28 Denton Ryan Home 5:30 1/11 Katy Seven Lakes Away ------11:00 2/18 Denton Ryan Home 4:30 5:45 7:30 2/28 Hebron Home 4:30 5:45 7:30 4/3 Lewisville Home 5:00 1/14 North Dallas Home 5:30 7:30 ----- 2/25 Lewisville Away 4:30 5:45 7:30 3/4 Flower Mound Home 4:30 5:45 7:30 4/4 Lewisville Away 5:00 1/16 M.A.S.T. Away ------TBA 2/28 Hebron Away 4:30 5:45 7:30 3/7 Marcus Away 4:30 5:45 7:30 4/8 Flower Mound Away 4:30 1/17 M.A.S.T. Away ------TBA 3/4 Flower Mound Away 4:30 5:45 7:30 3/17 HSSA Home 4:30 ------4/11 Flower Mound Home 4:30 1/18 M.A.S.T. Away ------TBA 3/7 Marcus Home 4:30 5:45 7:30 3/18 Denton Ryan (Senior Night) Home 7:30 7:30 4/15 Hebron Away 4:30 1/21 Dallas Hillcrest Home 5:30 7:30 ----- 3/18 Denton Ryan Away 4:30 5:45 7:30 7:30 4/17 Marcus Home 4:30 1/24 McKinney Boyd Home 4:30 5:45 7:45 3/21 Lewisville Home 4:30 5:45 7:30 3/21 Flower Mound Away 4:30 ------4/24 Denton Ryan Away 5:30 3/24 Lewisville Away ----- 4:45 7:30 4/25 Lewisville Home 5:00 WE CARE ABOUT YOU & YOUR FAMILY

Office Hours: Other Locations: MEDICAL Valdez Clinic: Mon-Fri 972-253-4200 3501 N. MacArthur Blvd #400 and 8:00 AM–5:00 PM Tuscan Cardiovascular Center: After Hours Clinic: www.mscitx.com 701 Tuscan Dr #205 SURGICAL No appointment necessary Baylor MOBI: Mon-Fri 5:00 PM–9:00 PM Main Location: 2001 N. MacArthur Blvd. #425 Sat & Sun 9:00 AM–4:00 PM Las Colinas: CLINIC of Lab & Radiology: 2021 N. MacArthur Blvd, 6750 N. MacArthur Blvd. #250 Mon-Fri 7:30 AM–5:30 PM Irving, 75061 OB/GYN: IRVING Not available for After Hours Clinic 6750 N. MacArthur Blvd. #255 Page 10 February 22, 2014 SPRING SPORTS 972-870-1992 www.ramblernewspapers.com For MacArthur Girls Soccer, Nimitz Baseball good habits off the field prepares for a equal goals in games winning season By Jess Paniszczyn By Jess Paniszczyn In a district filled with fiercely competitive teams, MacArthur’s Running through their paces, catch- girls’ soccer team works to build player experience and a solid founda- ing and throwing baseballs, Nimitz Boys tion. However, with a team of young ladies willing to take the field Baseball team maybe one of this season’s knowing the deck is stacked against them and working to set the greatest success stories, waiting to happen. standard for other young athletes, perhaps the battle is already won. “This will be the best team to ever walk “We are looking young and trying to bring back a little bit more through Nimitz High School,” head coach experience than we had in the past,” Coach Eric Alonzo said. “It’s Robert Mendoza said. “We’ve got the always a challenge to have a new team... We are a very senior domi- pitching. We’ve got the defense. We’ve got nated team right now, but we do have a mixture of freshmen coming the offence. in. It is about 60/40 with upperclassmen, compared to lower classmen Although MacArthur’s girls’ soccer is still filling some holes on its roster, coach “We’ve got the character, work ethic who are in the varsity group. Eric Alonzo believes leaders will float to the top of a team that is 40 percent and drive; that’s what I’m excited about. “We are going to try to build on some of the things we try to do underclassmen. / Photo by John Starkey These guys have the drive to show up ev- every day within our program. We try to make them better players, ery day, work hard, and do the little things bring them together as a group and try to create some good habits be as competitive as we want to be. But our district is such a strong right. That’s in the classroom, that’s on the from time to time. district. We’ve got a lot of good programs, a lot of good coaches and field, and that’s in the community. “District will be interesting. I don’t have a good idea of how the a lot of good players.” “These guys are playing for each other. other teams are doing so far, but we are only in control of what we Soccer aficionados should enjoy watching them play each and ev- They are brothers; they are family. They can do. Last year we struggled a lot because we didn’t have anybody ery game. believe in that. I tell them what they need who could be that natural finisher for us or who could score goals,” “The Cardinal fans should know that we are going to come out to get done, and they get it done. So there he said. “This year we might have a couple of people—it just depends. every game and compete,” Alonzo said. “We are very proud of what is a lot of accountability within each other. If they have good games, if they can score goals, then we should be we do, on and off the field. We try to set an example throughout the I have great senior leadership, and that is successful. school with what kind of role models we want to be to other athletes. huge.” “We do have some holes that we do have to fill from last year, so We will always be competitive and try to do what we can to represent Playing ball in a competitive district we will just have to wait and see how that goes. We always want to the school.” demands winning teams stay in top form and keep their focus throughout each game. Ladies of Nimitz softball play with newfound maturity “I am predicting that we will have a By Phil Cerroni great season in terms of we will break a lot very young team. Williams is still switching up positions and moving of records, we’ll go to playoffs, and we’ll After finishing as last year’s fifth in district, just one game away players around as she settles on her final lineup, but aside from a few be one of the toughest teams in the Me- from the playoffs, the Nimitz softball team has survived the gaunt- girls who she thinks are resistant to change, the team has responded troplex,” Mendoza said. “I can predict that let of individual tensions and graduation attrition to become a new, positively and picked up the slack, especially on offense. these kids are going to work hard, show cohesive team, according to coach Deeanna Williams, who believes “Their goal this year (is) to make it to the playoffs, so they’re buy- up every day and they’ll be the pride of Ir- they can bring a stronger playoff bid than in previous years. ing into whatever the coach says goes. There’s a reason we’re doing ving: I’ll tell you that. Surprisingly, one of the greatest obstacles the Lady Vikings had to what we’re doing,” Williams said. “My honest opinion: LD Bell is always overcome had nothing to do with softball. Personal differences, Wil- The combination of all these circumstances means that the Lady going to be tough. Colleyville is going to liams said, fractured the team. Vikings’ strategy will be very different this year than in previous ones. be tough. Grapevine is going to be down “People would not cheer for the other teammates, would bad A heightened feeling of esprit de corps among the players leads Wil- this year due to them graduating so many mouth them on the field… Most of it’s jealously; most of it is girls liams to believe we can expect the girls to work more closely as a team seniors last year. Trinity will be okay. But being girls. We don’t know how to let things that happen off the field than they have in the past. She also expects their radically altered as far as where I predict us: top three.” stay off the field,” Williams said. defense to throw opponents for a loop in the regular season. Viking fans and community supporters Williams combated the divisiveness and bickering by building Although Williams lost most of her seniors, versatile freshman can look forward to some fast paced games rapport inside the team during the offseason, a luxury she did not Zoe Hernandez promises to be a pivotal asset, falling comfortably this baseball season. have in previous years when many of her players also participated in into every position where Williams has tried her, as well as dem- “Fans are going to see kids who are volleyball and basketball. Some of her methods revolved around fos- onstrating talent as a hitter. Furthermore, junior All-District third playing hard, respecting the game, who de- tering friendships through team activities. Other techniques took a basewoman Ali Jones has stepped up as a team leader, and Williams serve to win, and an all around team effort. cue from Corporate America’s playbook, including reading as a team hopes her charisma and strong offense will help anchor the team. “I am very excited about these kids. the motivational book, The Energy Bus, which focuses on surround- This virtually new team sets the Lady Vikings up for success, not They deserve it. It will be the first time in ing oneself with positive people and taking control of life’s direction. only during the current season, but next year, too, when IISD moves school history that we’ve had a team like Aside from high school drama, Williams noticed that her teenage into UIL District 9-6A. this. We have the opportunity to win dis- players allowed even one error on the field to derail their entire game, “The competition is going to be all the same … we’re going to trict. We have the opportunity to go far in and mistakes in the outfield would follow girls when they got up to be on top of the district. All three Irving schools should make the playoffs. I am just excited about each and bat. Not all the team’s challenges arose from immaturity, however. playoffs next year in softball,” Williams said, explaining that Nimitz every one of my kids from the varsity level The Lady Vikings graduated their entire outfield, and juniors moved already has a track record of beating teams like R.L. Turner, which down to the freshman level,” Mendoza up from JV to fill the holes, leaving only a handful of seniors on a will share the new district. said. www.ramblernewspapers.com 972-870-1992 SPRING SPORTS February 22, 2014 Page 11

Nimitz Girls Soccer team possess In a wide- open district, Cowgirls successful the Lady speed and new attitude Vikings have at replacing graduates By Jess Paniszczyn a shot at By Brandon Crosby Fleet of foot and full of heart, the Nimitz Girls Soccer team playoffs if they The Coppell Cowgirls Soccer team entered the is full of potential. can find the 2013-2014 season with several unanswered ques- “This year’s girls team has the potential to be a real threat in self-discipline tions and with the hope of making the playoffs for our district,” Coach Nikki Vasquez said. “Right now we are 1-2-2. to fight to the a 10th consecutive year. “In the district, things are pretty wide open. The only team end of every Between the departure of key graduating se- that has really just taken control is Grapevine. I think for the game. niors Kayla Peterson and Paige Jacobs on defense, other three playoff spots, it is anybody’s, because everybody is as well as having no goalkeeper with varsity expe- pretty even. Grapevine is playing awesome ball, but everybody / Photo by rience on the roster, Cowgirls’ Head Coach Chris John Starkey else is just neck in neck.” Stricker had his work cut out for him. Viking fans should be prepared to see a new team with a new “Going into the season, I think our biggest attitude on the field. and getting everybody to finish the game. question mark was goalkeeping and defense. And “Our greatest strength is probably our forwards. We have “The fans will see a lot of effort, a lot of hard work and fighting in 10 games this season, we’ve only given up three some forwards who are pretty quick. Our weakness is finishing, till the end,” Vasquez said. goals, so I feel really good about that,” Stricker said. Key pieces to that transition have been defensive backs Kristen Racz (Soph.), Emma Jett (Soph.), Cowgirls make investment in next year’s softball team Madeline Dickson (Soph.) and Sarah Houchin By Phil Cerroni (Fresh.), along with a three-person rotation in goal. back to the basics at least for one season in own personality that we think will help the Stricker credits the offseason work ethic of the There is no doubt that Coppell’s soft- order to build a strong, explosive base. students be successful,” Winkle said. team as the primary reason for their quick success. ball squad could become a monumental Although the Cowgirls know they can The coaches are building this new team “Our question mark in the preseason, because championship team - years down the line, successfully develop young, talented play- around a powerful offense, but Winkled we devoted so much time to it, has actually become that is. Freshmen account for eight of the ers, they have not recently done so on indicated that a lack of in-game mistakes, a strength,” he said. “That’s a credit to the girls for squad’s 15 players, and with only four se- such a large scale. First team/All-District not an unorthodox lineup, will yield results how hard they worked in the offseason.” niors and no juniors, the Cowgirls hope Erica Zimmer played varsity ball for Cop- as early as this season against teams like Junior forward Sarah King has provided the of- the grunt work they do now will carry pell since her freshman year, and now the state-champion Lewisville High School, fensive pop thus far, scoring 11 of the first 12 goals them for a long, long time. coaches hope to replicate her success, this and district rival E.S. Marcus, whose deep on the season for the Cowgirls. “This group is really going to carry us time with eight girls. pitching poses a threat to even experi- Entering the final week before district play, for the next four years, and it’s great to get The two-and-a-half month transfor- enced offenses. the Cowgirls sit at 7-0-3, eyeing a tough district them as freshmen, and we only expect for mation that needs to take place would be “Out bats are really on fire. We’re mak- schedule ahead before a potential trip to the play- them to get stronger as the years progress,” impossible without core senior leadership. ing connections when we need to make offs. Stricker said that while the district schedule said Varsity Assistant Coach Cassandra “We had a lot of strong personalities connections..,” Winkle said. “We’re really would be tough, his team would be prepared for Winkle. last year that wanted to lead but not neces- looking at building our batting lineup so the challenge. The flip side of building a team out of sarily lead by example, and we feel this year we can fully explore all of our opportuni- “If you’re not competing for the district cham- freshmen, however, is that inexperience you have a great dynamic with our four se- ties... I think we have the opportunity to pionship, you’re not going to be able to make the necessitates they play a simple game, going niors ... each of them kind of brings their turn some heads this year.” playoffs in our district. [Our] goal is to win the district championship and set ourselves up for a good playoff run.” Coppell’s young baseball players vie for spots left by graduates The Cowgirls began district play Feb. 11 at By Phil Cerroni Flower Mound. ing… The group we had (last year) could leadership critiques players on their game, Higher attrition rates are a common hit it out of the park, but you still had to hit leaving the coaching staff to focus on other theme in high school sports this season, it just right and the odds of that in baseball players as well as the bigger picture. Clark’s Coppell boys following but Coppell’s baseball squad might just are pretty low. Even the big leaguers don’t approach has been successful in the pre- take the cake after graduating 17 of its 20 hit 100 home runs, they hit 40...” season, which has seen fewer strike outs up on soccer successes players in 2013. Instead of worrying about Eager to prove they are varsity material, and more balls in play on the offensive, and tailoring a new game plan, however, head the boys have already shown they possess defensively, fewer balls thrown and more Following a stellar 2013 season, culminating coach Kendall Clark is using the young the ability to learn quickly. consistent fielding than during last season. in a victory at the state championship, the Cop- players’ energy as they vie for starting po- “What’s good about this group is we Razor-sharp skills, like senior Drew pell Cowboys are coming into 2014 at the top of sitions to hammer out the basics and prac- went to our first scrimmage, and we wrote Hanson’s “Major League curve ball,” an- the 5A division, ranking at number 1 in the state tice a slower game. down all the little things that went wrong. chor the team, and Clark is relying on and number 7 in the entire country. Coach Chad “Baseball’s really about picking up the We went in and talked to them... The next these clutch players to carry the squad Rakestraw returns for his third season with the ball, throwing it to first, catching a fly ball, time we went out to play, they corrected until its younger member gain depth and Cowboys, after he led the team to victory last year throwing strikes and hitting it,” Clark almost every one of those (issues). So experience later in the season. following a five year slump, with no appearances said, explaining that last year the Cowboys they’re a very sharp team; they make their And the efforts of one experienced at the playoffs. This season has already started out were too concentrated on using their size adjustments in a hurry,” Clark said. player can have an invigorating effect on strong, with the team nabbing three regular season and muscle to make the big play instead of Furthermore, this year’s seniors have the entire team. “You play much better victories in the past month. This season sees the re- the smart one. proven to be an invaluable asset for the defense when your pitchers work fast and turn of many of last season’s strongest players, such “(We are focusing on) just staying under coaches as they fine-tune the team before throw strikes, and they’ve done that this as team captain Chris Madden, who scored the control instead of really being all or noth- district play gets into full swing. The team’s year,” Clark explained. winning two goals at last year’s state championship. Page 12 February 22, 2014 SPRING SPORTS 972-870-1992 www.ramblernewspapers.com

SOFTBALL RANCHVIEW DATE OPPONENT LOCATION V DATE OPPONENT LOCATION V 1/28 Newman Smith (S) Home 6:00 3/7 Coppell Away 6:00 BASEBALL 2/1 Fossil Ridge/Paschal (S) Away 11:15 3/18 Celina Away 5:30 DATE OPPONENT LOCATION JV V DATE OPPONENT LOCATION JV V 2/4 Gainsville Home 6:00 3/21 Argyle Home 5:30 2/8 Sunset (S) Away 10:00 12:30 3/6-8 Italy Tournament 2/7 Grand Prairie Away 5:30 3/28 Frisco Lonestar Away 5:30 2/10 South Oak Cliff (S) Home ---- 6:30 3/13 Lake Worth Home 11:30 1:30 2/13-15 CFB Tournament of Champions 4/1 Aubrey Home 5:30 2/13 Spruce (S) Away ---- 4:00 3/14 Ft. Worth Poly-TechHome 12:00 2:30 2/18 Thomas Jefferson Home 6:00 4/4 Celina Home 5:30 2/14 Lancaster (S) Away 4:30 7:00 3/18 Celina (D) Away 4:30 7:00 2/21 Mansfield Timberview Away 6:00 4/7 Argyle Away 5:30 2/17 Spruce Away ---- 6:00 3/21 Argyle (D) Home 4:30 7:00 2/25 Irving Nimitz Home 5:30 4/15 Frisco Lonestar Home 5:30 2/18 MacArthur Home 5:00 ----- 3/25 Nevada CommunityHome 7:00 7:00 2/27-3/1 Denton Tournament 4/18 Aubrey Away 5:30 2/20-22 Ranchview Tournament (V) 3/28 Frisco Lonestar (D) Away 4:30 7:00 2/21 Krum Away 4:30 ----- 4/1 Aubrey (D) Home 4:30 7:00 2/25 Roosevelt Home 5:00 7:30 4/4 Celina (D) Home 4:30 7:00 2/27-3/1 Eastern Hills Tournament (JV) 4/8 Argyle (D) Away 4:30 7:00 2/28 Pinkseton Away ----- 6:00 4/11 Nevada CommunityAway 4:30 7:00 Congratulations to all student athletes 3/1 Dunbar Away ----- 12:00 4/15 Frisco Lone Star (D) Home 4:30 7:00 3/4 Everman Away 5:00 ----- 4/18 Aubrey (D) Away 4:30 7:00 participating in 2014 Spring Sporting Events 3/6-8 Bryan Adams Tournament

New coach, seasoned squad promise fluid transition By Brandon Crosby potential to play at the college level. The Ranchview High School Wolves Garza said he knows his first season at Baseball team begin their 2014 season with Ranchview will have its challenges, but ex- a new skipper at the helm—first-year Head pects his leaders to take any rough patches Coach Marc Garza. Garza inherited a team in stride. The Irving Noon Day Lions Club that went 4-20 in 2013, yet he said he has an “I’ve never seen [any of the players] be is a proud supporter of all sports in Irving ISD. optimistic outlook for 2014, aiming to finish selfish,” Garza said. “I think that our senior We wish all could be winners and encourage at least .500 and have a shot at making the leaders and our upperclassmen can manage playoffs. that stress and that failure.” you to participate in the Legacy Plaza Garza’s optimism is rooted in talented While the Wolves as a unit are comprised to honor your athlete! players like Aaron Mazyck (Sr.), a power- of mostly inexperienced players, Garza said hitting center fielder, as well as Joe D’Ambro he feels like he has a smart group of boys that (So.), another quality hitter who slots in at will learn quickly and rebound from failures. Irving Noon Day Lions Club catcher for the Wolves. “I always say have short-term memory,” he Another gifted player on the squad is said. “If you strike out at the plate, you can’t Serving the Irving community for 57 years pitcher Eric Mahnke ( Jr.). According to take that into the field. It’s all really how you Garza, Mahnke has the ability to be not only respond to failure.” Please join us for lunch each Wednesday at Los Lupes a great pitcher, but can hit for power and has Ranchview began their season Feb. 17 at Contact Lion Sam Scott at (214) 641-5757 speed on the base paths. Mahnke also has the Spruce High. WE CARE ABOUT YOU & YOUR FAMILY