MaxPreps Student SectionFaith Christian (Grapevine, Texas) has continued to show athletic strength throughout the 2011 spring sports seasons. The Faith track and field teams are headed to state once again, softball is headed to the playoffs, and baseball just missed a playoff berth.
The 2010 track team had six athletes qualify for the State Meet in four events. Of those six athletes last year, four were juniors (Bryce Cason, Preston Staber, Jordan Adams, and Alexis Denis), one a sophomore (Ashton Dunnington), and one freshman (Clay Stocker).
This year it has nearly doubled, sending nine athletes to State to compete in twelve events. There are five seniors (Bryce Cason, Robert Chapman, Jordan Adams, Alexis Denis, and Emily Estes), one junior (Ashton Dunnington), two sophomores (Clay Stocker and Taylor Miller), and one freshman (Cayman Irwin). The most shocking improvement is that last year Faith sent one girl, Alexis Denis, to State and will now send five. The boys had five athletes advance to state last year and will be represented by six this year. Sophomore Clay Stocker broke his previous school record for the 800 meter last week at district, running a 1:59. Faith should have a strong showing at State this year.
The 2011 Faith Lady Lions softball team will begin playoffs on Tuesday, May 3. They have had a very good season this year going 5-5 in District play and 17-10-1 overall. Assistant Coach Christen Lee said, "Fort Worth Christian was one of our toughest opponents this year. They have an excellent senior pitcher who is attending a university to play softball." The Lady Lions plan to take each game as it comes and focus on the game at hand. Next year they will lose two starting seniors, MacKenzie Messinger and Hailey Swift. Although, they will still field a strong team as all 5 juniors: Heather Wicker, Becca Wesley, Victoria King, Patricia Montgomery, and Allyson Cope, have consistently started. A couple young players, who have notably gained experience during the season, are freshman shortstop Taylor Donegan and sophomore second baseman Madelyn Irwin. They look like a team prepared to go deep into the playoffs.
The Varsity baseball team will not be going to playoffs this year. This season Faith moved from a 5A to a 4A classification as the competition was much more difficult. Though smaller, these 4A schools are notoriously more talented. Also the number of playoff teams from their district was reduced from six teams to four teams. Faith was fifth place. Had they still been in 5A this year, they would have qualified for a playoff spot with their 4-8 district record. This is the first time that Faith has missed a playoff berth in baseball in school history. Coach Andy Postema said, "Missing four Varsity starters during four straight district games really hurt our chances this year." The team finished 14-14 overall this year compared to last year's 14-11 overall and 7-5 district record. They will only lose two graduating seniors, Peter Ashton and Austin Mushinski. Next year they will enter play hungry for a title with an experienced and talented season. Be ready for them to make a run at a championship.
