Prep rivalry
6 SPORTS Un-athletic senior makes big break MARY KATHERINE NIX
I
t started like any JV field hockey game. I slid my captain band over my shin guards and took the field with my team, already counting the minutes until the game would be over, or I could sub out. Let’s face it, I was much more valuable cheering from the sidelines than on the field where there was a high possibility I could touch the ball and then lose it to the other team. But I was the starting left forward because I was a captain and it was all just fun and games. See, field hockey was the only sport I played. Not because I liked it, but because I loved being a part of the team and all the people who played. I was born painfully unathletic. My history of unsuccessfully trying every game imaginable to see if “this one” was “my sport” starts way back. I took gymnastics a few years, but never managed to get my back-bend kick-over even though the entire class mastered back handsprings. Dance classes all throughout childhood never improved my coordination or grace. I signed up for YMCA soccer with my friends and my dad, the coach. Unfortunately, I played five years and never scored once. Next, I decided to try tennis in a junior program. I went with my brother who was the star player of the program. As predicted, after everyone saw me play, they refused to believe I was Hudson’s sister. So, it was no surprise as other field hockey players moved up to Varsity junior year, I remained below, the two-year-reigning JV captain. “TWEEEET,” the whistle blows, I’m running up the field, positioning myself to get open, even though the whole time I’m whispering, “Please don’t pass to me. Please don’t pass to me. Please, Lord, don’t let the ball come over here.” The game goes on and I have managed to avoid contact with the ball with the exception of a few short passes. Until it happened. As if in slow motion, the ball comes spinning towards me all the way from our defense. I stop it. I look around to plan out my next pass, trying to get rid of the ball as quickly as possible. Then I realized, I was literally all by myself on this side of the open field. I can hear the crowd yelling, “RUNN! Go to the goal! Go to the goal!” as the other team charged towards me. Just like that, I snap out of it and sprint. I’m charging towards the goal as fast as my short legs can take me. There it was. Right in front of me. The net of the goal shimmering in the fading sunlight like a prize. I must have hesitated a moment because by now the whole crowd, aware of what a record-breaking moment this was screaming, “SHOOT IT!” Trying to ignore the huge goalie looming out of the goal ready for my attack, I closed my eyes and swung my stick back, whacking the ball as hard as I could, praying my blind shot went somewhere in the proximity of the net. The next thing I know, everyone on the sidelines and in the crowd is jumping up and down. There it was. My biggest fear tucked in the left corner of the goal. “OH MY GOSH. OH MY GOSH. I JUST SCORED!” I yell at the goalie, looking at her in disbelief. I turned around to my team, running towards me. This. Was. Unreal. I felt my heart literally clinch up in my chest as adrenaline coursed through my body. And as my team reaches me, hugging me and lifting me up, it hits me. “SUB! I need a sub!” I yell as I walk off the field clutching my chest. “What’s wrong?” my coach asks as I reach the sidelines. “I think I’m having a heart attack.”
Oct. 28, 2016
ON DECK A look at the coming week for Eagle athletics Football
ESD (3-5) v. St. Mark’s (1-6) 7 p.m. Fri., Oct. 28. home, ESD Jerry Jones Stadium. ESD faces ultimate rival St. Mark’s, both teams are looking for a win after coming off long losing streaks. “It’s a rivalry game. We love to beat St. Mark’s and the fact that we get to do it at home makes it a very special night,” senior Captain Seth Washington said.
Volleyball
ESD (4-1) v. SPC (2-2) 10 a.m. Fri., Nov. 4. St. Andrews Episcopal, Austin, TX. The 2016 Fall SPC tournament takes place the first weekend of November hosted by St. Andrews and St. Stephens. The Eagles earned a bye in the first round of the tournament because of their No. 2 seed. They will take on the winner of game one in the championship quarterfinals.
Cross Country
SPC Championship 9 a.m. Sat., Nov. 5. St. Andrews Episcopal, Austin, TX. Cross Country looks to culminate its season with strong runs at SPC next month. Sophomore speed racer Auden Rudelson [‘19] has lead the team’s times in the past, and hopes to repeat in Austin. “I’m ready to come out with much more intensity in SPC and hopefully land in the top 35, which, as an underclassman, I’d be happy with,” he said.
Hunt the Lions ESD student section gets rowdy in camo at the Norma and Lamar Hunt Family Stadium Oct. 4, 2015, where the Eagles went on to defeat St. Marks, 43-27. Photo courtesy of Jacob Gonzalez [‘16].
Prep rivalry holds deep roots BY MARY KATHERINE NIX & WILLIAM WATSON
I
t’s the week before the big game. There’s a hum of energy and excitement in the air that’s palpable. Twitter is buzzing with hashtags and roasts. Walmarts everywhere sell out of camo. It’s ESD v. St. Mark’s football rivalry at its peak. The Eagles will take on the Lions tonight at 7 p.m. at home for Senior Night. This game will be the 12th time facing off since 2004. The rivalry between the Eagles and the Lions is a historic one, but this year there is extra pressure on the line. In a battle to stay out of last place in SPC 4A, the 4-6 Eagles, 1-4 in SPC play, take on the 1-7 Lions. The Lions are 0-5 in district games, with their only win of the season coming against the Texas Alliance of Christian Athletes, 49-0. This season ESD has scored an average of 35.7 points per game, St. Marks, 15.3. But, both teams have allowed close to the same number of points against them per game, (ESD 44.7, St. Mark’s, 40.2). On the offensive end, ESD has racked in 390.9 yards per game while St. Marks trails slightly behind with 283.7 offensive yards. These gains are credited to season rushing leaders. ESD RB/WR Nakeie Montgomery [‘17] and Jonathan Taylor from St. Mark’s. Montgomery boasts with 847 yards for the season, 11.60 yds/att, and 10 touchdowns. Taylor trailed with 203 yards for the season and 5.34 yds/att. Other season leaders include
“My history with ESD has been QBs– junior Patrick Skalniak (ESD)and Canyon Kyle (St. a pretty sad one because throughMarks). Skalniak has passed 583 out middle school, all of our high yards this season and rung in five school teams had beaten ESD,” touchdowns. Kyle has passed 741 Basu said. “But ever since I’ve gotyards and scored eight touch- ten to high school, I don’t know what it feels like to beat ESD.” downs. ESD began its football program Injuries have taken a big toll on both teams. Before the season in ‘01, but wasn’t big enough to play the Lions unstarted, the Eagles til ‘04. However, were predicted St. Mark’s hasn’t to have their best This is my last always been the team in years and big team to beat. retake the SPC football game and going know for C h a mp i o n s h i p out on a high against our so “You many years we after losing it last biggest rival would mean were just trying year. to be as big as St. With key play- so much to me. Though and Hockers at about every we’ve had some low points Mark’s aday and Greenposition being hill,” said Eddie injured at some in our season, with a win Eason, Director point in the sea- against St. Mark’s, you Outdoor Edson, the Eagles could still call the season a of ucation and staff haven’t played member since a game yet with success.” ‘81. “We were trythe team they set -Carter Daulton [‘17] ing to climb up at the start of the to their level acaseason. The Lions have also suffered demically and athletically. And I think once we reached that point significant injuries. “If you attend St. Mark’s you around 2000, it became very comjust know there are going to be petitive.” Another reason for the rivalry a lot of injuries,” said Rish Basu [‘17], St. Mark’s slot receiver. “We could be accredited to the friendhad two ACL injuries, [the quar- ships among St. Mark’s and ESD terback’s] out and we all were just students. “In the early years, a lot of devastated. He got injured the first game of the season and then our good athletes came from St. came back and on the third play Mark’s,” Eason said. “They were on offense got injured. We’ve had transfers from the Upper School. two linemen miss games, and it So it was kids that they had grown just happens every year.” up playing sports with, whether it Beginning in 2004, the Eagles was volleyball or whatever, so it lost all of the St. Marks matchups. was more competing against your This changed two years ago, in a friends.” Senior Rives Castleman, defen34-14 victory. Last year, the Eagles beat St. sive back and wide receiver for the Marks, 43-27, at Norma and La- Eagles, also credits the rivalry to friendly competition. mar Hunt Family Stadium.
“
“I think there’s multiple factors,” Castleman said. “One of them is that we’re friends with them socially, so that causes the sports chirping to be more fun and active. And geographically we’re close to them. But also it’s just always been a thing. It’s just what we’re trained to do.” Basu agreed a lot of the rivalry stems from proximity, but also comes from social media and school spirit. “We have twice as many boys, so I think that’s appealing to ESD in an athletic way,” Basu said. “ESD has a lot of school spirit. I think ESD has more school spirit than St. Mark’s, and we kind of feed off of that in the beginning and that’s why the rivalry has really grown.” Tonight emotions will run high, not only because it’s the last game of the season, but for the seniors, it’s the last game of their football careers and final chance to beat their rival. “It’s my last game as a senior, so I think it’s going to mean a lot to both teams because it’s y’alls last game too,” Basu said. “We usually play ESD second or third game of the season, and I know for all of the seniors, it’s going to be a big deal.” Even though neither team made SPC, a final win will salvage a sense of pride, bigger than any other. “This is my last football game and going out on a high against our biggest rival would mean so much to me,” Carter Daulton [‘17], Eagles center said. “Though we’ve had some low points in our season, with a win against St. Mark’s, you could still call the season a success.”
I
t started like any JV field hockey game. I slid my captain band over my shin guards and took the field with my team, already counting the minutes until the game would be over, or I could sub out. Let’s face it, I was much more valuable cheering from the sidelines than on the field where there was a high possibility I could touch the ball and then lose it to the other team. But I was the starting left forward because I was a captain and it was all just fun and games. See, field hockey was the only sport I played. Not because I liked it, but because I loved being a part of the team and all the people who played. I was born painfully unathletic. My history of unsuccessfully trying every game imaginable to see if “this one” was “my sport” starts way back. I took gymnastics a few years, but never managed to get my back-bend kick-over even though the entire class mastered back handsprings. Dance classes all throughout childhood never improved my coordination or grace. I signed up for YMCA soccer with my friends and my dad, the coach. Unfortunately, I played five years and never scored once. Next, I decided to try tennis in a junior program. I went with my brother who was the star player of the program. As predicted, after everyone saw me play, they refused to believe I was Hudson’s sister. So, it was no surprise as other field hockey players moved up to Varsity junior year, I remained below, the two-year-reigning JV captain. “TWEEEET,” the whistle blows, I’m running up the field, positioning myself to get open, even though the whole time I’m whispering, “Please don’t pass to me. Please don’t pass to me. Please, Lord, don’t let the ball come over here.” The game goes on and I have managed to avoid contact with the ball with the exception of a few short passes. Until it happened. As if in slow motion, the ball comes spinning towards me all the way from our defense. I stop it. I look around to plan out my next pass, trying to get rid of the ball as quickly as possible. Then I realized, I was literally all by myself on this side of the open field. I can hear the crowd yelling, “RUNN! Go to the goal! Go to the goal!” as the other team charged towards me. Just like that, I snap out of it and sprint. I’m charging towards the goal as fast as my short legs can take me. There it was. Right in front of me. The net of the goal shimmering in the fading sunlight like a prize. I must have hesitated a moment because by now the whole crowd, aware of what a record-breaking moment this was screaming, “SHOOT IT!” Trying to ignore the huge goalie looming out of the goal ready for my attack, I closed my eyes and swung my stick back, whacking the ball as hard as I could, praying my blind shot went somewhere in the proximity of the net. The next thing I know, everyone on the sidelines and in the crowd is jumping up and down. There it was. My biggest fear tucked in the left corner of the goal. “OH MY GOSH. OH MY GOSH. I JUST SCORED!” I yell at the goalie, looking at her in disbelief. I turned around to my team, running towards me. This. Was. Unreal. I felt my heart literally clinch up in my chest as adrenaline coursed through my body. And as my team reaches me, hugging me and lifting me up, it hits me. “SUB! I need a sub!” I yell as I walk off the field clutching my chest. “What’s wrong?” my coach asks as I reach the sidelines. “I think I’m having a heart attack.”
Oct. 28, 2016
ON DECK A look at the coming week for Eagle athletics Football
ESD (3-5) v. St. Mark’s (1-6) 7 p.m. Fri., Oct. 28. home, ESD Jerry Jones Stadium. ESD faces ultimate rival St. Mark’s, both teams are looking for a win after coming off long losing streaks. “It’s a rivalry game. We love to beat St. Mark’s and the fact that we get to do it at home makes it a very special night,” senior Captain Seth Washington said.
Volleyball
ESD (4-1) v. SPC (2-2) 10 a.m. Fri., Nov. 4. St. Andrews Episcopal, Austin, TX. The 2016 Fall SPC tournament takes place the first weekend of November hosted by St. Andrews and St. Stephens. The Eagles earned a bye in the first round of the tournament because of their No. 2 seed. They will take on the winner of game one in the championship quarterfinals.
Cross Country
SPC Championship 9 a.m. Sat., Nov. 5. St. Andrews Episcopal, Austin, TX. Cross Country looks to culminate its season with strong runs at SPC next month. Sophomore speed racer Auden Rudelson [‘19] has lead the team’s times in the past, and hopes to repeat in Austin. “I’m ready to come out with much more intensity in SPC and hopefully land in the top 35, which, as an underclassman, I’d be happy with,” he said.
Hunt the Lions ESD student section gets rowdy in camo at the Norma and Lamar Hunt Family Stadium Oct. 4, 2015, where the Eagles went on to defeat St. Marks, 43-27. Photo courtesy of Jacob Gonzalez [‘16].
Prep rivalry holds deep roots BY MARY KATHERINE NIX & WILLIAM WATSON
I
t’s the week before the big game. There’s a hum of energy and excitement in the air that’s palpable. Twitter is buzzing with hashtags and roasts. Walmarts everywhere sell out of camo. It’s ESD v. St. Mark’s football rivalry at its peak. The Eagles will take on the Lions tonight at 7 p.m. at home for Senior Night. This game will be the 12th time facing off since 2004. The rivalry between the Eagles and the Lions is a historic one, but this year there is extra pressure on the line. In a battle to stay out of last place in SPC 4A, the 4-6 Eagles, 1-4 in SPC play, take on the 1-7 Lions. The Lions are 0-5 in district games, with their only win of the season coming against the Texas Alliance of Christian Athletes, 49-0. This season ESD has scored an average of 35.7 points per game, St. Marks, 15.3. But, both teams have allowed close to the same number of points against them per game, (ESD 44.7, St. Mark’s, 40.2). On the offensive end, ESD has racked in 390.9 yards per game while St. Marks trails slightly behind with 283.7 offensive yards. These gains are credited to season rushing leaders. ESD RB/WR Nakeie Montgomery [‘17] and Jonathan Taylor from St. Mark’s. Montgomery boasts with 847 yards for the season, 11.60 yds/att, and 10 touchdowns. Taylor trailed with 203 yards for the season and 5.34 yds/att. Other season leaders include
“My history with ESD has been QBs– junior Patrick Skalniak (ESD)and Canyon Kyle (St. a pretty sad one because throughMarks). Skalniak has passed 583 out middle school, all of our high yards this season and rung in five school teams had beaten ESD,” touchdowns. Kyle has passed 741 Basu said. “But ever since I’ve gotyards and scored eight touch- ten to high school, I don’t know what it feels like to beat ESD.” downs. ESD began its football program Injuries have taken a big toll on both teams. Before the season in ‘01, but wasn’t big enough to play the Lions unstarted, the Eagles til ‘04. However, were predicted St. Mark’s hasn’t to have their best This is my last always been the team in years and big team to beat. retake the SPC football game and going know for C h a mp i o n s h i p out on a high against our so “You many years we after losing it last biggest rival would mean were just trying year. to be as big as St. With key play- so much to me. Though and Hockers at about every we’ve had some low points Mark’s aday and Greenposition being hill,” said Eddie injured at some in our season, with a win Eason, Director point in the sea- against St. Mark’s, you Outdoor Edson, the Eagles could still call the season a of ucation and staff haven’t played member since a game yet with success.” ‘81. “We were trythe team they set -Carter Daulton [‘17] ing to climb up at the start of the to their level acaseason. The Lions have also suffered demically and athletically. And I think once we reached that point significant injuries. “If you attend St. Mark’s you around 2000, it became very comjust know there are going to be petitive.” Another reason for the rivalry a lot of injuries,” said Rish Basu [‘17], St. Mark’s slot receiver. “We could be accredited to the friendhad two ACL injuries, [the quar- ships among St. Mark’s and ESD terback’s] out and we all were just students. “In the early years, a lot of devastated. He got injured the first game of the season and then our good athletes came from St. came back and on the third play Mark’s,” Eason said. “They were on offense got injured. We’ve had transfers from the Upper School. two linemen miss games, and it So it was kids that they had grown just happens every year.” up playing sports with, whether it Beginning in 2004, the Eagles was volleyball or whatever, so it lost all of the St. Marks matchups. was more competing against your This changed two years ago, in a friends.” Senior Rives Castleman, defen34-14 victory. Last year, the Eagles beat St. sive back and wide receiver for the Marks, 43-27, at Norma and La- Eagles, also credits the rivalry to friendly competition. mar Hunt Family Stadium.
“
“I think there’s multiple factors,” Castleman said. “One of them is that we’re friends with them socially, so that causes the sports chirping to be more fun and active. And geographically we’re close to them. But also it’s just always been a thing. It’s just what we’re trained to do.” Basu agreed a lot of the rivalry stems from proximity, but also comes from social media and school spirit. “We have twice as many boys, so I think that’s appealing to ESD in an athletic way,” Basu said. “ESD has a lot of school spirit. I think ESD has more school spirit than St. Mark’s, and we kind of feed off of that in the beginning and that’s why the rivalry has really grown.” Tonight emotions will run high, not only because it’s the last game of the season, but for the seniors, it’s the last game of their football careers and final chance to beat their rival. “It’s my last game as a senior, so I think it’s going to mean a lot to both teams because it’s y’alls last game too,” Basu said. “We usually play ESD second or third game of the season, and I know for all of the seniors, it’s going to be a big deal.” Even though neither team made SPC, a final win will salvage a sense of pride, bigger than any other. “This is my last football game and going out on a high against our biggest rival would mean so much to me,” Carter Daulton [‘17], Eagles center said. “Though we’ve had some low points in our season, with a win against St. Mark’s, you could still call the season a success.”
