Athlete Spotlight Archives • St. Luke's School

Abel, Smith Named to AHSVCA All-State First Team

St. Luke's Staff Writers — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 20:51:49 +0000

Cami Abel, Amelia Smith Named First Team All-State Volleyball.

Amelia Smith #9

Outside Hitter

Amelia Smith is a member of the class of 2026 and two-time AHSVCA All-State. Amelia dominated the 2024 season with 604 kills. She is ranked 49th nationally, 7th in the state (AHSAA), and 2nd in AL division 3A in kills. In 2024, Smith was named AL.com Player of the Week - Week 5, AVCA Phenom Watchlist, and AL.com Volleyball Newcomer of the Year.

Cami Abel #10

Libero

Cami Abel is a member of the class of 2025 and Wildcat volleyball co-captain. Cami leads 3A-Area 1 in digs, 2nd in AL 3A, 7th in the state, and 61st nationally. In 2024, Abel competed in the AHSAA North-South All-Star volleyball game, was named to the AVCA Phenom Watchlist, and AVCA Preseason Watchlist.

In addition to volleyball, Cami plays varsity soccer for the Wildcats, is a member of National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta math honor society, Rho Kappa history honor society, Key Club, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

The post Abel, Smith Named to AHSVCA All-State First Team appeared first on St. Luke's School.

2024 Senior Wildcats Honored

Megan McDonough — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 17:50:19 +0000

W
hat does it mean to be a High School Senior Athlete? At St. Luke’s, playing in a final season, the final home game is personal. On Senior Night, the environment of the gym is ecstatic. Everyone in the stands is there to support Wildcats Basketball. As people enter, they are greeted with decorations, cheering, and energy. The last home game of the season is always packed with the student section crowded with classmates and teachers. The cheerleaders are in the first two rows, cheering loudly for the Wildcats. The teammates, who are supporting each other in their final chance of victory, have been playing by each other’s side throughout the entire journey. Every second of every minute is personal for everyone.

All schools have their traditions to honor their Seniors and everything they have sacrificed for the athletic programs, but St. Luke’s Senior Night is a celebration for everybody. Not only is the family celebrating their Wildcats, but teachers, friends, and coaches who have helped them through their High School years. This night is always nostalgic. That’s the only word that can be used to describe St. Luke’s Senior Night. It is full of memories, reminiscing on past games, favorite practices, least favorite drills, and hilarious memories shared between the teammates. The underclassmen take on the challenge to plan the special night. They take the time to organize everything from the decorations to the flavor of the cake. The locker room will be flooded with red, black, and white balloons, the lockers will be draped in streamers, and the Senior Wildcats will be crowned. Each team has its tradition that they recreate every year. The boy’s basketball team will always listen to the same song, while the the girls sign basketballs for the Seniors.

Being able to lead both boys' and girls' basketball has exposed me to so many life lessons. I am thankful God has placed me on this path that has crossed with so many amazing young adults, and I am sad to have to let them go.
Coach Garreth Trawick

Recently, the basketball program has one of its most emotional Senior Nights yet. The girls' basketball team is losing on of its most cherished players. KK Robinson is one of three Seniors on the Varsity Girl’s Basketball Team. KK has been part of the St. Luke’s program since seventh grade and is pursuing a collegiate athletic career in basketball. She has already received an offer from Bishop State. KK has been the team’s captain for two years and has made a personal connection with each one of the players. Coach Trawick has been the Lady Wildcats basketball coach for six years and has coached KK through each and every game. Coach Trawick said, “Being able to lead both the boys and girls basketball has exposed me to so many life lessons. I am thankful God has placed me on this path that has crossed with so many amazing young adults, and I am sad to have to let them go.”

This season’s Senior Night ended with two huge wins for both basketball teams. These wins were able to place our Wildcats into an intense battle for the Area Tournaments. Senior Night was celebrated with nine of the St. Luke’s Seniors. The combination of the school’s boys' and girls' basketball teams and the varsity cheerleaders create a long list of achievements. The ceremony occurs between the two games. A student favorite, Mr. Box, introduces and praises each Senior’s accomplishments. Every Senior is presented by their parents, who each receive a rose, and they are showcasing the biggest expression of pride. As a St. Luke’s family, we are so incredibly proud to see how these Wildcats have grown and developed since they arrived on this campus, and we cannot wait to see how they continue to impact the lives around them.

The post 2024 Senior Wildcats Honored appeared first on St. Luke's School.

Jeremiah Jackson’s Jersey Retired

Ella Bentley — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 16:53:34 +0000

D
uring halftime, Jeremiah Jackson's baseball jersey was retired. His former coaches joined him, Tim Becker, Josh Eddington, and Mike Szymanski. Jeremiah graduated from St. Luke’s in 2018, where he amassed an incredible list of accomplishments! While at St. Luke’s:

He was a six-year starter for the varsity baseball team, member of 2015 Team USA Baseball, five-time All Coastal Alabama, four-time Alabama All-State, two-time Alabama 2A hitter of the year, three-time Alabama Super All-State, two-time Alabama 2A Player of the Year, Perfect Game All-American, two-time Under Armour/Baseball Factory, All American Rawlings 2017, National "Finest in the Field" selection, American Family, All-USA Alabama Baseball Player of the Year, Baseball America All American, two-time Max Preps High School All American, two-time Collegiate High School Baseball All American, Rawlings/ABCA All American, Alabama Sports Writer Association 2018 "Mr. Baseball,"Rawlings/Perfect Game 2018 National High School Player of the Year, and many others.

In 2018, Jeremiah was selected as the 57th overall pick in the 2nd round of the 2018 Major League Baseball Draft, by the Los Angeles Angels, and was named Los Angeles’s 2019 Minor League Player of the Year. Jeremiah is now a member of the New York Mets Double-A affiliate, the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, where he will continue adding accomplishments to his list.

The post Jeremiah Jackson’s Jersey Retired appeared first on St. Luke's School.

St. Luke’s Seniors Sign To Collegiate Athletics

Kelly Choi — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 21:15:33 +0000

St. Luke's Senior Athletic Signing Day.

I
t’s true! One of the most exciting moments for a student-athlete is deciding where to take their talents to the next level. Years of hard work have led to this moment, and it’s time to celebrate our athletes’ important decisions. St. Luke’s celebrated our first three senior signings on February 6, 2023: Haley Patterson, Andrew Burchett, and Taylor Jackson (more signings are coming soon!).

Haley Patterson

Kennesaw State University Volleyball

Haley Patterson will be playing volleyball at Kennesaw State University. She decided to attend KSU because she really liked the campus, and the coaches and team were very welcoming and nice.

St. Luke’s Varsity Volleyball helped prepare Haley for the next level by teaching her about hard work and discipline. Her teammates would likely describe her as even-keeled, driven, responsible, and funny. One of her strengths is that she doesn’t let things get to her while on the court, like missing a hit or shanking a ball. Haley has learned a great deal about teamwork over the years: no matter how hard you try, you can’t do it all on your own.

Outside of sports, Haley loves going to the beach, going out on the boat, shopping for clothes, and hanging out with friends. In 5 years, she hopes to have a good job.

Andrew Burchett

Emory University Track and Field

Andrew Burchett will be running track and field at Emory University. He decided to attend Emory because he wanted to go somewhere with amazing academics that also had a running program that would allow him to continue to improve for the next four years. He also felt like he fit into their program, unlike any of the other schools he toured.

St. Luke’s helped mold Andrew to become a better leader. He says, "At bigger schools where people don't know each other as well, leaders are typically distinguished solely by their ability." However, at St. Luke's, your respect is earned on other merits as well, such as accountability and dedication. As a new teammate at St. Luke’s, he had to quickly learn how to earn the trust and respect of others and says, "As a new teammate, I found out quickly that simply being good at my sport wasn't enough to gain their respect. I had to earn it each and every day. That meant working hard at practice, handling little things such as the warm-up with precision and respect, showing up to team events and functions, and supporting my other teammates even when I may not have done my best." His teammates would agree that he expects the best from them, and that Andrew will support and respect anyone who puts in the effort.

Andrew has enjoyed watching the running community at St. Luke’s grow in such a short time and says, "When I first got on campus, the team was proud of making it to state. Now, winning is expected, and, as a result, the program has gained interest from others who may not have given track and field a shot."

He admits that he possesses various gifts that give him an advantage when running: longer Achilles tendons and narrow hips make his strides more efficient, and long legs give him a longer stride length. But his greatest strength is his obsession with running. He says, "Many people are motivated for a short period of time, while others are disciplined and are able to continue even when it gets hard. However, obsession is different. Whereas those who are motivated or disciplined are motivated to work, obsession makes work seem like second nature; the alternative is too absurd to think about. I constantly ask myself what I can do to be just a little bit better. Once I figure that part out, I obsess over the minutiae of how I get there. For me, doing something well or winning a race isn't enough. I work until failure simply isn't possible."

When he isn't running, Andrew enjoys hobbies that allow him to constantly improve and compete.He loves going to speech and debate tournaments and noticing his improvement in public speaking. He’s a huge fan of cooking and learning new recipes. Each time he cooks, it’s an opportunity to try new things while becoming comfortable with what is familiar. Last but not least, Andrew enjoys lifting because it improves his track ability, but it's also a great way for him to build self-confidence and challenge himself physically in ways other than track.

5 years from now, Andrew wants to still be working just as hard and hopes to go to law school.

Taylor Jackson

Spring Hill College Cross Country/Track and Field

Taylor Jackson will run track and cross-country at Spring Hill College. She chose Spring Hill because it felt like home to her even during her first campus tour in 9th grade. The size of the school really stood out to her because she knows the importance of that one-on-one relationship with teachers and coaches. Also, being close to home while also getting to experience college by living on campus made the decision easy.

Taylor only started her running career two years ago, but the lack of time pushed her to work even harder. When she started, she never imagined having the chance to run in college, but the stars aligned, and the program seems like the perfect fit for her. Coach Russell was exactly what she needed to get her running career off to a good start. She appreciates that he has always been patient with her and Charlie Anne but pushed them to adapt quickly and expected success. Coach Jones's experience and positivity have helped Taylor on her hardest days.

The St. Luke’s running community has been more than Taylor ever dreamed of, creating the most amazing friendships in just two short years. Taylor says, "The St. Luke’s Cross Country and Track program accepted me and my inexperience from the very beginning. I was allowed to develop my love of running without any judgment. While practices and races continue to be challenging and require extreme toughness, I have learned from the program to respect that challenge and turn it into something I love." The shared experience of running brings Taylor so much joy.

While running is something that she is fairly new to, Taylor believes that, as a captain and runner, her teammates would say that she brings all of her efforts and drive every single day and that she’s passionate and committed. She says, "I do not see running as something that I do once a day and forget about it. Running is a part of my lifestyle, and it is something I put lots of thought into and appreciate. I realize how much effort and mental toughness are required to get better, and I am not afraid of giving it all that I have."

Even though runners race for their own personal bests, Taylor realizes that teamwork is vital to performance. She says, "The runs don't seem as brutal when you are sharing the experience with your team. Besides the best memories, I hope that I will leave my team with just one thing: I hope I’ve shown them that there is no place I’d rather be than running with each of them."

In 5 years, Taylor hopes to be one step closer to med school—and still running, always running!

The post St. Luke’s Seniors Sign To Collegiate Athletics appeared first on St. Luke's School.

Senior Football Tackles Their Last Season

Jarnae Harris — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 13:07:05 +0000

Class of 2023 Football Seniors.

Kamerion Chambers #55

Kam Chambers has played football since he was 4-years-old. He was destined to play football because he grew up in a football loving household. He described his youth as “play football or move out.” Kam is thankful to those who pushed him to play football, because he instantly fell in love with the sport. Being an athlete has made Kam a better student by teaching him time management.

Kam enjoys the football team for many reasons. The team traditions of senior dinners on Wednesday/Thursday and the lineman dinners rank high on his list of “whys.” Coach Lee and the rest of the coaching staff have taught him so much about life and the game itself. He truly loves the competitiveness of his teammates and all of the talking smack at practice. He says the friendly smack talking has brought his teammates closer.

During the Spring, Coach Lee prepared Kam for his senior season by putting him in multiple positions on the field, so that he will be familiar with any position he is needed at during the game.

Kam credits Coach Lee with teaching him a lot about being a man and how to be a caring person. He appreciates that Coach Lee cares about his players more than winning. When football season comes to an end, Kam will miss the student section the most. He loves how St. Luke’s is a small school, but the student section roars with pride and excitement. He is thankful for the support on the field.

Jackson Boone #13

Jackson has been playing football since 1st grade and fell in love with the sport immediately. He hasn’t stopped since! Being an athlete has helped make Jackson a better student because he works better having less free time on his hands.

Jackson’s favorite team traditions include downtime and singing “Goodbye” on the way home from a win. He loves that the football team is a place where you can create friendships and bonds with people that you never thought possible. The hot and long practices are made fun because the players will create their own competitions among themselves.

Coach Lee has prepared Jackson for his senior season because he has always pushed him and his teammates for many years, and has always made him want to try his hardest no matter the situation. When football season comes to an end, Jackson will miss the feeling of making a big play and looking up into the stands to see the crowd roaring.

Keyuntae Caver #50

Keyuntae has been playing football for 2 years. He decided to play football because of the competitive nature and the fun atmosphere. His favorite traditions include downtime before games and the lineman dinners. Keyuntae likes being part of the team because of the brotherhood and how his teammates always make him feel comfortable. Being an athlete has made him a better student because of the availability of study sessions offered by his teachers.

His teammates always know how to make practice fun by dancing around, doing flips, and playing music. Coach Lee has prepared Keyuntae for his senior season by teaching him the importance of hard work and dedication. He says that Coach Lee has made an impact on him by teaching him to never give up no matter the circumstances. He will miss the team’s vibes after a win in the cage as well as bus rides back and forth.

Jake Neutze #6

Jake has been playing football since he was 6-years-old. He loves being a Wildcat because he feels the team is more of a family than a team. His favorite team tradition is downtime on a play.

Being an athlete has made Jake a better person because sports teach you how to be disciplined, patient, and respectful. Although practicing everyday is not much fun, the team knows they have to go out each day to get better and better. Coach Lee has prepared Jake for his senior season through the many years leading up to this one. Jake will miss EVERYTHING about football at St. Luke’s!

Benjamin Cumpton #76

Benjamin has been playing football for 9 years. His mom encouraged him to play football when he was younger, and he has stuck with it ever since. He has loved his time as a Wildcat because St. Luke’s football team is like a family and the tradition of going to Waffle House after the games is the best!

Being an athlete has made Benjamin a better person overall because it has helped him with his leadership skills. Coach Lee has taught him about leadership, which has definitely helped this season. Benjamin will miss most everything about football, especially the family environment.

Bailey Cumpton #63

Bailey has been playing football for a total of 9 years. He was always told that he would be a good fit for the team because of his size so he gave it a try. Bailey has loved his time as a Wildcat because of the brotherhood.

Being an athlete has made Bailey a better person because it has forced him to appreciate the many differences of his teammates. Coach Lee has prepared him for his senior season because he forced Bailey to work hard during workouts and taught him many lessons about leadership and how to deal with the obstacles that life throws our way. Bailey will miss St. Luke’s football and he will always remember every teammate he has ever had.

The post Senior Football Tackles Their Last Season appeared first on St. Luke's School.

Cross Country Seniors Race to the Finish

Kelly Choi — Sat, 08 Oct 2022 18:10:21 +0000

Class of 2023 Cross Country Seniors.

Alex Scott

Cross Country Senior Captain

St. Luke’s Senior, Alex Scott has been running cross country for 11-years thanks to his good friend in second-grade, Jackson Boone! While at the University Campus, Alex decided to run Cross Country because he likes the team atmosphere of everyone having each other's back and feels like this is his second family. Everyone on the team is supportive of each other, believes in each other and pushes each other. As Alex says, “family is everything.”

Being an athlete has made Alex a better student because the morning practices make him feel responsible for showing up and being there on time. Waking up at 5:00 a.m. to run and getting work done before practice pressures Alex to do his homework. Being on such a great team has also taught him to have great sportsmanship, be kind to everyone, and make infinite bonds.

There are so many reasons why Alex loves being part of this great team, specifically the team traditions of playing sharks and minnows after a 10-mile run and team dinners. Andrew Burchett makes those early morning practices fun by screaming during stretches.

Unfortunately, at the end of Alex's junior year track season, he pulled his hamstring. Coach Russell was determined to make sure that he would get back into running and saw to it that he attended physical therapy appointments and participated in the Brevard Runners Distance Camp. Coach Russell has made such a positive impact on Alex by never giving up on him and pushing him to keep going.

When his time at St. Luke’s ends, Alex will miss this incredible team and is thankful for all of the memories.

Will Hataway

Will Hataway has been on the Cross Country Team for 2-years. He decided to run because Coach Russell is very good at convincing others to join the team (and maybe because his friends were already on the team.) He enjoys running to stay and shape and to keep active.

Will enjoys being a member of this team for many reasons. One of his favorite team traditions is going to the Italian restaurant in Coleman, Alabama before State because the spaghetti is superb! Will’s teammates make running fun because he loves them all. He appreciates how the girls on the team hype him up to do his best and motivate him to keep going. Garrett Dolbear is one of his main sources of motivation because he makes sure Will doesn't get distracted and gets his warmups done.

Being an athlete has made Will a better student by teaching him time management. He has to plan days in advance to account for projects, homework, and social time.

Coach Russell has prepared Will for his senior season with many hot summer workouts. Coach also taught him how to be kind to everyone and that being mean is unnecessary.

When XC ends, Will will not miss the running so much, but will definitely miss the team dinners and lunches!

Taylor Jackson

Taylor has been running cross country for 2-years. She became interested in running after hearing how fun it was from friends and appreciates that XC is driven by individual improvements. She loves to share her love of running with people who feel the same way and credits running with providing drive and motivation in all aspects of life.

Taylor’s favorite team traditions include playing games after practice, ice baths, and team trips. Her teammates make practice more enjoyable by playing games to distract themselves from the intense workout pain.

"I have had a fantastic XC experience because of the best coaches! Coach Russell & Mrs. Gaston-Jones are always extremely supportive, understanding and motivational! They never fail to take time out of their day to check on everyone and make sure they are in peak health!"

Taylor will miss the many strong friendships and laughs that cross-country has provided her with and has been honored to be a captain of such an incredible program. The best memories of Taylor’s time at SLES are from being a member of the cross country team. She states, “Joining the team was the best decision I ever made!”

Andrew Burchett

Andrew Burchett just joined the XC team this year because of a bet that he made. During track season of his junior year, he started running longer events towards the end of the season. Alex Scott bet him that if he were to hit a certain time, he’d have to run cross country. Not only did Andrew hit the time, he actually finished much faster, resulting in his membership on the team! Andrew enjoys the bus rides and how close everyone is and how they always make an effort to support each other.

Charlie Anne Phillips

Charlie Anne has been running cross country for two years thanks to some special people in her life. Two seasons ago, Mohammed encouraged her to join track (and then Coach Russell urged her to join Cross Country to stay in shape.) Also, Charlie Anne decided to start running because her uncle (who she is named after) was also a runner and she wanted to renew the tradition for her family.

A couple of her favorite team traditions are writing messages on the back of the senior banners at the end of the season and seniors writing on their calves at State.

Charlie Anne loves being on the cross country team because of the positive environment. Everyone supports each other while also pushing each other to do their best and they also genuinely enjoy each other’s company. This sport has made her a better person because it taught her how to support and cheer on teammates through EVERYTHING! Practices can be long and hot, but the teammates make it fun by joking with Coach and complaining about which part of their bodies ache and having random conversations during runs.

Charlie Anne gives so much thanks to Coach Russell for the positive team environment he created and for helping her progress as a runner. Even when she didn’t want to, Coach continued to push her to perform to the best of her ability. He has helped her set goals for her senior season and has been there for her every step of the way.

Charlie Anne will miss the long runs with the girl’s team because of their endless laughs and conversations. She will also miss finishing a race just to change shoes and run to cheer on her other teammates during their races.

The post Cross Country Seniors Race to the Finish appeared first on St. Luke's School.

Girls Soccer Seniors 2022

Connie Jackson — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 16:00:27 +0000

More Than A Striker.

Ella Ferebee #15

Ella is the captain for St. Luke’s and also plays striker. She enjoys being on the soccer team because of the relationships with her teammates, the laughs and the competitiveness. The team makes practice fun by messing around when Coach Broussard isn’t looking. Ella has appreciated that Coach Broussard and Coach Law push the soccer players hard, but they also have fun. One of her favorite traditions of the soccer team is signing the soccer balls for the seniors. Being an athlete has taught Ella life skills such as working together and discipline. One of her favorite quotes is “winning teams don’t make excuses.” Ella plans on going to Auburn University next year.

The post Girls Soccer Seniors 2022 appeared first on St. Luke's School.

Boys Soccer Seniors 2022

Connie Jackson — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 14:09:24 +0000

More Than A Soccer Team.

Ricky Hernandez-Sexton #8

Ricky has played soccer since he was 5-years-old. He currently plays forward for the Wildcats. One of his favorite memories from being on the soccer team was beating Westminster in PK’s - sending them to the Final Four. Being an athlete has made Ricky a better student and worker because he has had to learn how to multitask and manage his time more efficiently. Soccer has taught him how to be a leader, how to communicate and how to be someone that people can look up to. Ricky’s favorite advice from Coach Depinet is when he told them to be passionate about doing something they enjoy. Next year, Ricky plans on continuing his soccer and academic career at Pfeiffer University.

Matthew Knotts #11

Matthew has played soccer for 15-years. Currently, he is the center-midfielder for the varsity soccer team. Soccer has taught Matthew that hard work pays off. His favorite memory of playing as a Wildcat is beating Westminster in the playoffs, the pre-season get-togethers and his teammates. Coach Depinet has been very motivational to Matthew because he always pushes his players to do their best. He plans on attending the University of South Alabama next year.

Kevin Ori

Kevin is the goalkeeper for SLES. He has played soccer for 14-years and one of his favorite memories is winning the second round of playoffs during the 2021 season against Westminster. The crowd, the atmosphere and the joy of winning the game was unlike anything he ever experienced while playing soccer. One of his favorite traditions is the midnight practice on the first day they are eligible to start practicing as a team with a ball. Kevin is thankful that Coach Depinet has been consistently tough on the team because it has greatly improved the talent, both as individuals and as a team. He says Coach Depinet holds them to standards that without, wouldn’t have brought the program this far. Being an athlete has made Kevin a better worker -forcing him to push past mental blocks that he may not have normally tried to push through. One of his favorite quotes is “Today matters.” Kevin is still deciding where he will attend school next year.

Meelan Patel #4

Meelan has played soccer since preschool - he loved the sport from the moment the ball touched his foot. He plays center-back and back-up keeper for SLES. One of his favorite memories was the second round playoff game against Westminster. The support from the fans was incredible throughout the whole game, especially after Ricky made the last PK and everybody stormed the field. He appreciates that Coach Depinet pushes him to be better and knows his potential more than he does (after not realizing this until his junior year.) Being an athlete has taught Meelan that hard work is required on and off of the field. Meelan plans to go to the University of Alabama.

Shubh Patel #9

Shubh has played soccer since he was 12-years-old. He currently plays winger. He has loved being a part of the soccer team because of the dedication it requires and for all the life lessons it has taught him. Some of his favorite memories include scoring his first goal and “Freshman Got Talent.” He appreciates Coach Depinet because he has been his coach since middle school and has always wanted the best for his players. Ricky Hernandez-Sexton has been inspirational to Shubh because of his dedication on and off the field. One of his favorite motivational quotes is “Pain is weakness leaving the body.” He plans to go to the University of South Alabama or Auburn next year.

Thomas Watts #50

Thomas has played soccer for 4-5 years. He is currently left-back for St. Luke’s. He enjoys being on the team because everyone treats each other with respect, he learns something new everyday and the coaches are amazing. He will never forget playing in his first varsity game. One of his favorite traditions is when Alex Ferguson says “Just Do It” at the start of each practice. Thomas admires Coach Beatty because he is funny and also a great coach when it comes to listening to every player. Being an athlete has taught him to stay consistent and to never give up. One of his favorite motivational quotes by Coach Depinet, “Don’t apologize for doing something wrong, saying sorry doesn’t change anything. If you want to fix a mistake, show it on the field.” Thomas plans to attend The University of Southern Mississippi next year.

The post Boys Soccer Seniors 2022 appeared first on St. Luke's School.

Bentley to Commit to BSC Tennis

Riley Griffith — Tue, 08 Mar 2022 16:13:05 +0000

More Than An Athlete.

S
t. Luke's senior, Anna Marie Bentley, will join the Birmingham Southern College women's tennis team for the 2023 season.

As a student, Bentley will major in Health Sciences in BSC's dual nursing program with University of Alabama - Birmingham.

Bentley leaves behind a remarkable legacy of success at St. Luke's. As a Wildcat, Bentley was a three-time AHSAA State Champion in doubles, an AHSAA State Champion in singles, and teammate on the state championship girls' tennis team.

In addition to tennis, Bentley is also a member of the Cross Country team, Student Ambassador, Intern, and a member of Key Club, and Ronald McDonald House Red Shoe Krewe.

Read on for our interview with Anna Marie Bentley.

St. Luke's: What college will you be going to?
Anna Marie Bentley: I'll be attending Birmingham Southern College

SL: How and why did you decide to go there?
AMB: I got in contact with the tennis coach last year, and she invited me on campus to tour and meet the team. For me, I felt very welcomed by all the girls and was invited back up for an overnight visit with the girls team. I went back and absolutely loved it! The girls on the team were all so welcoming and encouraging, and I knew that I wanted to be a part of the team next fall.

SL: How did SL help prepare you to participate at the next level?
AMB: St. Luke's allowed me the opportunity to compete on the Varsity Tennis Team for 6 years.

SL: Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of sports?
AMB: I also ran on the Varsity Cross Country team for 5 years.

SL: Which strengths do you believe you have that make you a great athlete?
AMB: I am very big on teamwork. As being team captain this year for both of my sporting teams, I have learned that a positive and encouraging atmosphere is extremely important in the success of a team.

SL: What have you learned about teamwork from your past experiences on your teams at SL?
AMB: I have learned that teamwork is one of the keys to success. For instance, I was a part of the 2021 State Championship Tennis Team. The state title could not have been possible if we did not work together as a team. We all met on weekends and put in extra work outside of tennis practices. As a team, we had to put in the effort in and outside of practice. Because of the amount of teamwork that went into the past tennis season, we were able to bring home a state title for our school.

SL: What do you look for in a great coach?
AMB: For a great coach, I look for someone who is willing to work with their athletes. Communication is also very important as well as a supportive coach who will be there to support you on the good days and there to lift you up on the bad ones.

SL: How would your high school coaches and teammates describe you?
AMB: I hope that my high school teammates would describe me as very welcoming and easy to work with. Being on a team and working with other athletes is very important to me, and I hope my teammates would describe me that way.

Thanks Anna Marie! We wish you all the best next year as a Panther!

The post Bentley to Commit to BSC Tennis appeared first on St. Luke's School.

Dolbear, Jackson Win Age Division in Big Beach Half Marathon

Hannah Uptigrove — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 15:27:00 +0000

More Than Athletes.

S
ophomore Garrett Dolbear and junior Taylor Jackson recently competed in the Big Beach Half Marathon, each placing first their age divisions. Garrett also placed 4th in the entire half marathon. We spoke with both of them to get some behind the scenes information on what it takes to train as elite athletes while still in high school.

Interview with Garrett Dolbear

Hannah Uptigrove for St. Luke's: Why did you start running?
Garrett Dolbear: I started in 3rd grade because it was the first year I could run cross country and track. I have run since I was really little because my dad had gotten into running, so it really has always been in my life.

HU: What made you want to participate in the Big Beach Marathon 2022?
GD: I heard about the half because the XC girls had mentioned they wanted to do it. It kind of snowballed as an event because more and more people started talking about doing it and I guess I kind of got stuck in that snowball.

HU: Before the ½ marathon, what was the longest distance you ran?
GD: My farthest distance prior to the half was 10 miles.

HU: Tell us what you did to train/prepare for the ½ marathon:
GD: I really didn't do any training at all. I had done a 10-miler a week before to see what pace I wanted to run for the actual race, but other than that nothing really.

HU: How long does it take to train/prepare for a 1/2 marathon?
GD: It really depends on the condition you are in when you start your training and the difficulty of your training regimen. I say when starting from zero one would probably need about 12 to 16 weeks to fully prepare.

HU: How did you stay motivated when you were training?
GD: When I need the motivation to train for any event I think about the goals I have set. I also really enjoy running so it is not too hard for me to find the motivation.

HU: How do you motivate yourself to run on the days that you don’t want to, do you even have days like that?
GD: I usually always want to run, but on occasion, I need to think about my opponents and I know they aren't just sitting up on the couch.

HU: What would be a “newbie” runner tip you would give someone?
GD: I would tell a "newbie" runner that it is going to be hard in the beginning and that you just have to push through. Running is such a great sport and it will bring you closer to other people and yourself.

HU: Do you wish you would have done anything differently as far as training or running the ½ marathon, itself?
GD: I hit the time I wanted to beat for this half (coach Russell's personal record), so I wouldn't have changed anything about what I did this time. Typically I would like to start training for an event several weeks before.

HU: Do you prefer running with a pacer or doing your own thing?
GD: I prefer running with a pacer, I am not good at holding my own pace. I either end up going too fast or too slow. It also gives me a chance to talk to someone that is most likely better than me.

HU: What did you do post-marathon?
GD: After the marathon my watch had not registered 13 miles yet so I ran a few circles in the parking lot. After that, the team went to the beach for a little while and I went to collect my award. We then all went out to eat, but everyone was super tired and wanted to go home. We ate quickly and all headed home.

HU: Who is in your running support network?
GD: My main running support network is my parents, but my team and Coach Russell help out a lot.

HU: Tell us about your worst running experience.
GD: I almost got attacked by a dog one time.

HU: What do you NOT like about running?
GD: I like pretty much everything about running. One of the things I don't like is running by myself.

Thanks Garrett! We can't wait to cheer you on this track season!

Interview with Taylor Jackson

Hannah Uptigrove for St. Luke's: Why did you start running?
Taylor Jackson: I have always loved running, but never had the time to fully commit to running as a sport. I mainly picked up running exactly one year ago. I joined the track team to get in shape for soccer, but didn't fall in love with running until cross country season this past summer.

HU: What made you want to participate in the Big Beach Marathon 2022?
TJ: I decided to sign up for the half marathon in October, as a postseason activity, after we competed in the Cross Country State Championship in November. Zac Haataja (Class of 2021) made a tradition for senior runners to run a marathon so I figured I should train for a ½ marathon before I try to tackle a full marathon my senior year.

HU: Was this your first ½ marathon?
TJ: Yes. In fact, I had never raced any distance over a 5k (3.1 miles).

HU: Before the ½ marathon, what was the longest distance you ran?
TJ: Before training, the longest distance I had ever run was a 6-mile long run during practice at the University of South Alabama’s Bike Trails.

HU: Tell us what you did to train/prepare for the ½ marathon:
TJ: We were not used to running a concrete long run so the first thing we did was transition from soft trails to full-time concrete running. We would meet on weekends and during breaks to practice increasing our mileage threshold. We started training at a 10-minute average pace for long runs, but then I decided to push a little harder and started training with someone faster than me so that I could increase my average pace. My goal for the race was sub-two hours, which is a 9:09 average split for 13.1 miles. However, I ended training in the 8’s for the last few runs.

HU: How long does it take to train/prepare for a 1/2 marathon?
TJ: We trained from the end of November of 2021 until January 2022.

HU: How did you stay motivated when you were training?
TJ: I easily found the motivation to keep training as I realized that I actually enjoy longer mileage compared to short distances. My motivation remained because my running group would always meet up at new locations and run in all types of weather, which made training feel refreshing.

HU: How do you motivate yourself to run on the days that you don’t want to, do you even have days like that?
TJ: I think it is impossible to have motivation everyday, but I always knew pushing past a mile that felt hard would result in it being easier the next time. The more you push past the pain, the more successful you will be. All of the little successes add up!

HU: What would be a “newbie” runner tip you would give someone?
TJ: With me not being able to run a 5k this time last year, I can confidently say that the only way to start is just going for it and pushing through the pain. I recommend finding a group of runners that want you to succeed and will push and motivate you. The first obstacle is just showing up and pushing yourself and it will get easier from there.

HU: Do you wish you would have done anything differently as far as training or running the ½ marathon, itself?
TJ: I reached my goal, sub-two, so honestly I wouldn't change anything for my first ½ marathon. My training relieved a lot of stress and I always looked forward to my runs.

HU: Do you prefer running with a pacer or doing your own thing?
TJ: During the cross country season, I relied heavily on Anna Marie Bentley to help motivate me during races. For the ½ marathon, I ran with some friends (Andrew, Alex and Mo) that are faster than me to help me start with a good pace and then I finished the last 5 kilometers alone.

HU: What did you do post-marathon?
TJ: Post-Marathon was pretty grueling on my body because that was 5k more than I had ever ran (I only ran 10-miles for training). We took a lot of photos on the beach and went out to eat.

HU: Who is in your running support network?
TJ: I have the BEST supportive network. My cross country team is the most supportive and loving group of people I have ever met. Last year, Coach Russell, and my teammates, allowed me to walk onto the team brand new. I would not be running right now if it wasn't for the happiness I feel when being with that group of people. Once I pushed past all of the times that I wanted to stop, I found something that makes me happier than anything I have ever done in my life.

HU: Tell us about your worst running experience.
TJ: My favorite story to tell is one that actually ended up being my favorite week of the year, Brevard Distance Running Camp in North Carolina. Last summer, while attending Brevard Distance Running Camp, I had the biggest reality check of my life. Since I was a new runner, I cried every single day during the runs. It was the most challenging and intense thing I have ever done due to the altitude and hiking over 60-miles in 5-days. On the very first day, I was running up a mountain in Pisgah National Forest and face-planted sliding down the moss-covered stairs. I was covered in dirt and realized it was about to be a long week!

HU: What do you NOT like about running?
TJ: For me, running has gotten to the point where it is my favorite part of my daily routine. I don’t have anything bad to say about running other than it does wear and tear on your body. Injuries are very common for overworking and over usage to areas like the hips and knees. If it wasn't for the injuries, I would run all day!

Thanks Taylor! We're so glad you're a Wildcat runner!

The post Dolbear, Jackson Win Age Division in Big Beach Half Marathon appeared first on St. Luke's School.