Seniors accomplish excellence

There comes a time in high school that requires seniors to put these last four years behind them. Some will go to Bethel University and play their sport like Alyssa Montague, Jimmy Davis, and John Kraft.

Davis and Kraft are both very talented bowlers. They strive for excellence in every game and have been doing so for the last four years at Bartlett High School.

“So many people do not know there are scholarships available for both men and especially women in the field of bowling,” said Coach Art Thompson.

For the very first time in the history of Bartlett High School, these two students have been awarded partial scholarships for the sport of bowling. They have signed a letter of intent to go to Bethel University with $9000 per year.  This includes room, board, tuition, meals, and books according to their coach, Art Thompson.

Yes, being a panther is fun but the reality is that when one becomes a senior the days of college are right around the corner.

“I’m definitely prepared for college. I know I’m going to miss my friends and all the fun I had these years, but now I’m going to have to focus on the future at college,” said senior Jimmy Davis.

Going on to college and leaving the days of high school behind is tough for one to do.

“I’m ready to leave high school but at the same time I’m not ready to leave everything behind,” said senior John Kraft.

Track star Alyssa Montague will also attend Bethel University. She signed her letter of intent on March 24. She holds the top two school record times in the 800 meters, having broken it twice and is close to breaking the record again. She is also close to breaking the 1600-meter record. With all of these achievements under her belt, she is qualified for the sectional championship in the following races: 200 meter, 400 meter, 800 meter, and 1600 meter according to her coach, Steve Sullivan.

“I’m excited for college because my sister goes there and I think the track team will be fun,” said Alyssa Montague.

Montague has put a tremendous amount of work and effort into the track team.

“She has shown leadership and work ethic by overcoming injuries, sickness, lack of transportation and set two school records and is close to setting two more,” said Coach Steve Sullivan.

Bartlett High School says goodbye to all of those seniors in Spring, Fall, and Winter sports.  They are all going to higher places and nothing but success is wished upon them.

Sports Brief: Boys’ bowling sways their way into state

On Friday, Jan. 28, the boys’ bowling played in their first-round match in the State Tournament, the first time they have gone as a team. They were eliminated, but it did not dampen a season that was the most successful in the team’s history. They finished the season with a 21-3 record. Also, some of the individual bowlers also ranked in the state. Seniors John Kraft and Jimmy Davis were both in the top 60 bowlers in state, Kraft going as high as number 16.

Bowling team pins hopes on district win

They don’t tackle; they don’t score goals; they don’t swing bats; and they certainly don’t dribble the ball.  The bowling team may not play like other sports, but they are definitely striking out—that’s a good thing—and heading into the second half of district competition.

Both the boys’ and the girls’ teams have already completed two rounds of districts.  On Wednesday, Dec. 2 the boys faced Germantown and the girls went head to head with Cordova.  Both teams won.

During the second round on Thursday, Dec. 3, both teams opposed archrival Bolton High, but only the boys came out victorious.  On Tuesday, Dec. 8 they will challenge Germantown once again.

With these two victories to boost their confidence, the boys have no doubt that they will come out on top.

“If we just play our game, we’ll definitely win district,” junior Conor Hillock said.

On another note, although the girls lost against Bolton, they are not yet out for the count.  On Dec. 8 they will tackle Millington, and this match will determine their fate in the remainder of district championships.

The teams’ skills this year are a complete reversal from last season.  Last year the girls were undefeated in districts, and the boys won hardly any games.  However, both teams have played to win, and they have done exactly that, even if the girls have not won as much as the boys.

“It’s been difficult this year,” freshman Kourtney Little said.  “We’ve lost a lot of our seniors.  It’s like a build-up year for us; we’ve got a lot of freshmen.”

This fact becomes obvious when one knows that the girls only beat Collierville and Germantown before going to districts.  However, with help from Little and freshman Courtney Gable, the team may be able to pull through districts.

“I’ve done league bowling since I was five years old,” Little said.  “League bowling helps you build sportsmanship and prepares you for whatever you would face in a match.”

Senior Stephanie Klink, a first-year bowler, recognizes the importance of knowing each other’s abilities when playing on a team, and also how difficult playing against another team can be.

“You bowl with [your team] more on a regular basis,” Klink said, “and it’s a little challenging.  When you’re going up against a team from another school, you’re not sure exactly what to look forward to.”

Despite their tough season, though, head coach Art Thompson remains confident in the players’ abilities.

“I’m so proud of everybody,” Thompson said.  “Nobody has given up.  Everybody’s really pulled together as a team.  This is probably the closest team we’ve had in the last three years.”

The third round of districts will take place Tuesday, Dec. 8 at AllStar Lanes at the corner of White Station and Quince.  The team will be looking for support from students and faculty during this last stretch of matches.  If they are successful, they will progress to the fourth round on Wednesday, Dec. 9.

Sports Briefs

Panthers prey on Wildcats
Practically since Nicholas Blackwell High School changed its name, Bartlett High School has been vying with Bolton High School, squabbling over who is the “real BHS.” Well, many people believe that Bartlett won that fight for good with their defeat over the Bolton Wildcats at the football game on Oct. 23.

Moreover, the Panthers’ victory is forever immortalized in the Memphis Channel 5 News local sports videos archives. Click here to watch the game.

Football team visits the kitchen
On Nov. 14 the football team will host a social event in the Bartlett cafeteria. The Bartlett High School Booster Club will open the doors for $5 for their Chili Cook-Off and Silent Auction.

The $5 fee allows attendees eat all the chili they want. Also, the Booster Club will have items for customers to bid on at the Silent Auction.

Wrestling preps for the season
The Bartlett wrestling team began its practices on Oct. 26 with approximately two months of conditioning beforehand. Now the team will get a chance to see what they are truly made of.

On Nov. 12 and 13 both varsity and junior varsity teams will be at Germantown High School for a pre-season wrestling tournament. This will be their first event of the season.

Swimming to kick off at St. George’s
The Bartlett swim team will begin its season on Oct. 31 at 1:30 at St. George’s High School, home of the Gryphons.

Some other schools that will be in attendance include Bartlett’s arch nemesis, Bolton, White Station, St. Mary’s Episcopal School for Girls, and Briarcrest Christian School.

Cross country goes regional
On Oct. 29 ten boys participated in the Region 7 AAA Cross Country Meet: seniors Shane Espinosa, Steven Griffett, Logan Jones, Chris Mellen, and Brent Rainer; juniors Nathan Culp and Brent Rainer; sophomores David McGhee and Ryan Willcox; and freshmen Austin Cantu and Andrew Thornton.

Willcox, who placed tenth with a time of 21:03.1 in the five-kilometer run, will progress to state competition.

Seven girls also attended this meet: seniors Carrie Conner, Jordan Saliba, Lauren Levesque, Madison Grandberry, Mallory Grandberry, and Kristina Sarten; and sophomore Nicole Bingham. Conner came the closest to qualifying for state competition, placing 11th.

Boys’ bowling makes #1
In a neck-and-neck match on Oct. 26, the Bartlett boys’ bowling team faced off against the (almost) undefeated Cordova and became #1 in the district. They are now the only undefeated team in District 17.

Both boys and girls have a match against Collierville at Bartlett Lanes on Nov. 4.