The Southwest Preparatory Conference championships started on April 18 when the boys and girls varsity lacrosse teams competed in their respective SPC tournaments.
For other spring sports, the SPC championships are taking place soon. Apart from the boys and girls varsity golf championships, which are being played in Houston, the rest of the sports will take place in Dallas.
Boys Lacrosse:
The SPC tournament for boys lacrosse began on April 18 to accommodate for the Texas High School Lacrosse League Super Regionals.
The boys varsity lacrosse team is currently at a record of 8-4, and players say they are optimistic for the rest of the season.
“I hope we end up coming home with an SPC and a state title,” senior James Melucci said.
In hopes of winning the tournament, practices have amped up recently, Melucci says.
“Our practices have stepped up a lot. They involve a lot of skills training and conditioning,” Melucci said.
Girls Lacrosse:
The SPC tournament also began on April 18 for the girls varsity lacrosse team.
The current record for the girls lacrosse team is 0-14.
During practices, the team focuses on the basics of lacrosse. Recently, players practiced passing and catching with tennis balls.
“Getting the basics perfect and having strong endurance is what is going to take us to the next level,” interim head coach Katherine Zarembski said.
Zarembski says one of her goals for the season is for the team to continue to improve, especially their offense on the field.
“I would really like to see our offense really shine with the new plays I have instilled in them,” Zarembski said.
Baseball:
The boys varsity baseball currently has a record of 2-2 in counter season.
The team has been preparing by scouting opponents and forming game plans based on the strengths and weaknesses of their opponents.
“The big goal for the tournament is to win,” junior Cooper Rabin said. “However, the first game is important. Once you win the first game, I mean anything can happen.”
Softball:
Currently, the girls varsity softball team has a record of 1-13 and are hoping to pull all levels of players together for SPC.
Similar to the girls varsity lacrosse team, the softball team has been working on the basics in order to prepare for the SPC championship. Some of these basics include fielding and batting.
“We are working on getting better every day and committing less errors offensively,” girls softball Head Coach Monica Stephens said.
Stephens says she also hopes to come into the tournament mentally strong.
“[The] goal for SPC is to go in confidently and having good mental toughness.” Stephens said.
Boys Track and Field:
The boys varsity track and field team is led by seniors Jack Bovard and Andrew Mann.
The team qualified for the Texas Relays held on March 29 through March 30 where they ran the 4x100m and the 4x400m.
The runners who attended included Bovard, juniors Alex Sharma, Laird Burke, Timo Kamgang, Gabe Shiloh and Chris Williams and sophomore John Hurley.
To prepare for SPC, the athletes are assessed individually to see what they need to work on to reach their full potential by the end of the season.
“We set out on a path and are working progressively on the things that each athlete needs to be prepared to be their sharpest at SPC. ” Head track and field Coach Stacey Johnson said.
Girls Track and Field:
The girls varsity track and field team is led by junior Jenna Travers. The team also qualified for Texas Relays where they ran the 4x100m and 4x400m.
Sophomore Nia Harrison and freshman Rian Kinsler qualified for individual events separately.
Harrison, Kinsler and Travers all attended the meet, along with freshmen Lilly Williams, Raelyn Young and Sidrah Tarpeh, and junior Lyna Kamgang.
The girls team is also preparing for the SPC championship. In preparation the coaches will give them feedback on what they individually need to work on to be their best by the end of the season.
Boys Golf:
The boys varsity golf team currently has practice Monday through Thursday as a team. Players individually practice Friday through Sunday to work on specific skills with a coach or by themselves.
The team will play in the SPC Championship at the Golf Club of Houston on April 30 and May 1.
The team will travel to Houston on April 29 to play a practice round at the Golf Club of Houston to prepare for the tournament.
“Our goal is to place in the top two,” sophomore Grant Colocousis said. “If we don’t it is almost like we failed as a team.”
Girls Golf:
The SPC tournament for the girls varsity golf team will also be held in Houston.
The team is trying to focus on individual skills. To do this, players practice different skills at the Brookhaven Country Club and the Highlands Performance Golf Center.
“We usually go out to play a couple holes on the course each week, which I think is the most important form of practice,” junior Amanda Park said.
Head coach Thom Flinders also provides individual lessons at each practice.
“We hope to place top three in SPC, which would be the highest [ranking] since I have joined the team.” Park said.
Boys Tennis:
The boy’s tennis team is heading into SPC as the second seed, and they have been undefeated in their counter matches.
To prepare for SPC, they have been working on their specialties in doubles and singles.
“Coach Cotton and Coach Jenks have emphasized coming to the net and being aggressive. Our main goals going into each match are to have high intensity and stay aggressive and put points away,” Freshman Miles Wilson said.
The team’s goals for SC are to stay competitive on the court and to win while showing sportsmanship.
Girls Tennis:
The girls varsity tennis team’s record heading into SPC is 4-3 overall and 1-2 in counters.
To prepare for SPC, the team is bonding by making ribbons and having team lunch and dinner.
They are also working hard in the gym and on their campus runs.
“The goals are to go deep in SPC and build close connections with all the girls.” Senior Sophie Schwartz said.
