Coach Lattanzi Would Be Proud
by Nathan Schutl and Ron Wendt • action photography by Audrey Womack, team photography by LifeTouch

The Campbell Spartans baseball program continues to make strides and improvements, on and off the field. The team has worked hard in the last few years to raise money for improving the baseball complex on Ward Street. The field is named after coach Joe Lattanzi, the longtime and state title-winning coach who helped create the baseball program at Campbell High.

“It has been a lot of work making the place attractive and maintained so that people will want to use this field,” says coach Ron Wendt.  “But now that we look back and see what we have been able to do with this place, it is well worth it.”

The team made several upgrades to the complex in addition to lowering the cost of players’ fees in the spring. Summer and fall leagues are low cost for players because of proceeds from field rentals.  At the same time, the baseball program continues to add new uniforms to their wardrobe.  Most of the money has come from renting the field to several local Men’s leagues and summer tournament programs.

“The Lattanzi Field basically funds the baseball program at Campbell and I know Coach Lattanzi would be proud of that,” Wendt says. “Several parents came right in and got to work cleaning and painting. The place looks great!”

Aside from upgrading the field, Wendt makes sure that the players know that they are students first and athletes second.  “I track their semester grades in the fall and spring to make sure they stay on task,” says Wendt. Dr. Grant Rivera, Campbell’s principal, created an additional incentive for coaches and athletes by posting the grade point average for each varsity sports team near the school’s entrance.

Now that the 2011 season is underway, the Spartans are looking to take their improvements onto the field.  The Spartans are primarily a young team with only three seniors on the roster, but several returning players have prior varsity experience in Region 6, one of the most competitive regions in Georgia. The Spartans are playing in Region 4-AAAAA this year and look forward to competing against Cobb County rivals from years past.
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In addition to its busy spring schedule, the baseball team is looking forward to their continued support of the Miracle League. Each spring and fall, the Spartans partner with local Miracle League teams as part of their community service project.

This year’s varsity roster includes seniors Timothy J. Whitt (captain), Joseph Cook and James Glendinning; juniors Taylor Colwell, Christian Pace, Caleb Parks, Chad Criss, Cory Hawkins (captain), J.J. Brown and Charlie Sharitz; sophomores Landen Law and Alex Jardine; and freshmen Austin Green and Imani Willis.

Campbell Varsity Rifle Team Makes History
by Sergeant Major Andrew Winters • photography by Sergeant Major Andrew Winters

The Campbell High School varsity rifle team made history this year, marking its first undefeated season in school history with a perfect record of 11-0 and winning the team’s first-ever Area 8 championship.

Led by senior captain Rachel Aguirre, the team’s top shooters include seniors Darleni Sandoval, Diana Martinez and Jose Arreola as well as juniors Lisbette Perdigon and Kevin Munoz.

Four years ago, the team was in 12th place out of 13 teams, but with their hard work, determination and teamwork, they improved to fourth place in 2009 and 2010.

The rifle team advanced to the state playoffs for the first time. The team’s two juniors will return next year, and with a strong junior varsity team, the future looks promising for the Spartans rifle team.

Spartans Prepare For Soccer
by Ron Wendt • photography by Phillip Sandifer (boys pic) and April Drennan (girls pic)

The 2011 season is looking good for the Campbell High School boys and girls soccer teams. With Spartans varsity boys coach Phillip Sandifer and girls coach April Drennan returning for their second years at the helm, the Campbell soccer program is exploding with excitement and growth.  Both coaches hope to build on the stability that each has contributed to their programs. “We had almost 90 kids try out for the boys varsity and JV teams, and the kids at Campbell are excited about soccer,” Sandifer says.

Campbell’s new turf field is one reason for the teams’ excitement. The new surface has made a difference, although it will take some time for the teams to become acclimated. “It does make for a faster playing surface and will definitely hold up with the weather conditions that the grass fields could not,” Drennan says. “Our girls have worked hard to be competitive in the new region and look forward to a great season playing on our brand new turf field.”

The boys team gained incredible experience in Region 6 and looks to become a competitive challenger in Region 4. The boys return senior defenders Ross Nicely, Sherwin Francis and Vishal Khana; senior midfielders Nick Orvoine-Couvrette and Ennio Bannuelos; junior striker Donavan Smith; sophomore midfielder Mark Sambou; and sophomore goalkeeper Julio Tellez. Newcomers on the boys team include senior forward Juan Alcantar, sophomore defender Gerson Ortega and freshman forward Piero Sanguinetti.

The girls team returns senior defender Blen Mengistu; senior midfielders Sophie Anderson, Sierra Thompson and Jemila Mitchell; senior forward Bezawit Moges; junior defender Amber James; junior midfielders Whitney Lambert and Georgi MacMillan; junior goalkeeper Jeanne Bosworth; sophomore midfielder Kat Lynch; and sophomore defender Jana Hamilton. Newcomers on the girls team are senior defenders Cindy Gonzalez, Catalina Silva, Yesenia Bustos and Keri Martinez; senior forward Daniela Jaime; freshman forward Anika Mitchell; and freshman midfielder Alma Saldana.

Track And Field Laces Up For New Season
by Ron Wendt

The Spartans track and field program is preparing for another exciting, successful season. Boys head coach Mike McCloud is in his 18th year at the helm, and girls head coach Kyle Turner returns for his 10th season with the program. Both coaches bring a wealth of experience and expertise to Spartans track and field, shown by the program’s success year after year.

Their successful strategy can be seen in last year’s results.  The girls finished their season as region runner-up and advanced to win a state title in the 1600 meter relay. Three of four state medalists return to the team this year: Kelli Hardnett, Brianna Chambers and Monti Willis. The girls also return Shaina Walker, Jasmyn Jackson, Lauren Pray and Tershauna Broadnax.

The boys finished fourth in region competition and advanced to state, winning third place in the 1600 meter relay. All four state medalists return this year:  Allen Frye, Corey Ashbourne, Tyshawn Smith and Isaiah Hunter.  The boys program will also see the return of Davier Brewster, Suraj Bhat, Demario Formbly, Theo Wallace and Dante Cunningham.

“Combining the boys and girls programs into one track program has paid great dividends for our student-athletes,” McCloud says. “Our students want to continue the success this year and are working to make it happen.”

Campbell Wrestling Team Moves in Right Direction
by Shawn Slenczka and Ron Wendt • photography by Shawn Slenczka

The Campbell Spartans wrestling team does not have a recent history of success.  Over the past two years, Campbell has won a combined total of three duals.  This year, the team is working hard to turn the program around.  With a month left in the season as of January 7, the Spartans wrestling team had recorded eight duals wins and 14 losses.  The varsity placed fifth at the Norcross Blue Devil Classic.  If not for a one-point loss to Osborne High School and a three-point loss to Lithia Springs High School, Campbell could be closer to a .500 record.  This is a major achievement considering the program’s past.

When Shawn Slenczka became Campbell’s wrestling coach, there was not a lot of interest in the program and only a handful of committed wrestlers.  This year is different.  Slenczka believes that one of the turning points was an exciting meet against Norcross.  The dual came down to the final match of the evening.  Up by three points, and with the 160-lbs. match remaining, the outcome of the meet fell on the shoulders of a freshman – first-year wrestler Anthony Wessles. The match went back and forth, but Wessles was victorious and won the meet by six points.  In Slenczka’s three years at Campbell, he has never seen as much excitement among his wrestlers as he did that night.

The best news is that the Spartans are young – they do not have one senior on the team.  Most of the wrestlers have only been wrestling for one or two years but they are grasping the sport much faster than Slenczka anticipated.  The team’s junior class is led by Aaron Churchill (140 lbs.), Morgan Ford (171 lbs.) and Alex Cooke (285 lbs.).  Churchill has improved tremendously this year, especially from the top position.   He has doubled his win total from last year and currently has a record of 22-12.  Ford is the team’s returning MVP and has accumulated a record of 22-9.  Cooke is in his first full year of wrestling and has shown great promise.  His record stands at 11-5.   Mikini Thomas (112 lbs.) and John Lee (145 lbs.) have also demonstrated the ability to catch on quickly in their first year of wrestling.

The biggest asset to the Spartan program might be the sophomore class, which is led by John Beasley (119 lbs.), Charles Robinson (130 lbs.), Jamez Taylor (135 lbs.) and Jeremie Tuzizila (145 lbs.).   Beasley’s current 15-14 record is a big improvement over his 10-win season last year.  Robinson has shown great flashes as indicated by his 22-15 record.  Taylor, the team’s MVP this season, is currently 20-5 and might be Campbell’s best shot for breaking its long drought without a state qualifier.  Tuzizila had a great start to the season, posting a 13-7 record before injuring his ankle.  He is hoping to return soon and boost the lineup.

Rounding out the Spartans lineup is a freshman class with high hopes for the future.  Jesus Sandoval (125 lbs.), Anthony Wessels (152 lbs.), Christobal Martinez (160 lbs.) and Braxton Stephens (215 lbs.) have all shown the ability to produce big wins.  When watching them compete, it is hard to believe they are first-year wrestlers.  They have each demonstrated the hard work and passion needed to build a winning foundation.

While it has been a long, tough road, Slenczka feels they are nowhere close to achieving their goals.  Campbell would like to have a respected, if not feared, wrestling team.  Finishing this season near .500 would be a start, but their goals for the future are much loftier.  Slenczka believes he has five or six wrestlers who have the ability to qualify for sectionals this year.  The Spartans might be able to send one or two wrestlers to the state tournament, an impressive feet for a program that has not had a state qualifier in nearly a decade.  Long-term goals include next year’s region championship, a lofty aspiration considering Harrison, Hillgrove, Kennesaw Mountain and McEachern are in the Spartans’ region. Slenczka believes they can accomplish their goal if they work hard.  For now, his focus is a strong finish in this season and building a solid foundation for the future.

This year is Slenczka’s second as head coach of the Campbell wrestling team and his third at the school. Prior to taking his position at Campbell, he spent three years officiating with Metro Atlanta Wrestling Officials Association (MAWOA).  Slenczka is originally from Illinois, where he spent three years on his high school varsity wrestling team and three years wrestling at the college level. Slenczka’s accomplishments include being a two-time NJCAA qualifier and a varsity letterman at Eastern Illinois University, a Division-I school.  He trained with some of the world's best wrestlers at the University of Minnesota, including Brock Lesnar, Tim Hartung and Jared Lawrence.  Slenczka is excited to be a part of the Campbell program and to help young men realize the value of hard work, determination and ambition.

JROTC Raiders Finish Fourth Nationally
by Larry D. Moyers Major, U.S. Army (Ret) • photography by Larry D. Moyers, U.S. Army (Ret)

The Campbell High School JROTC program is known for being one of the best in the nation but now they have proof. The Campbell Raider teams competed among 22 of the best Raider teams in the nation, including those from New York, Michigan, Missouri and Florida. The 12-member teams competed to the point of total exhaustion after two weary days and as many cold nights spent camping in tents. Campbell competed in events such as building rope bridges across the Flint River, running two miles up a mountain with rucksacks and conducting a cross country rescue over obstacles with a stretcher and six rucksacks.

Campbell’s Raider teams earned a cumulative fourth-place finish in the nation with 11 team trophies and two individual prizes for various events, ranging from second to fifth place. Overall team commander Heaven Ingram earned third place in the Ultimate Raider competition, a test of an individual competitor’s endurance and strength. Mixed team commander Joanne Lesperance earned fourth place among hundreds of girls by completing 92 pushups and 78 situps in four minutes.

Swim and Dive Program Prepares
by Jonathan Laird • photography by Jonathan Laird

Campbell High School’s swim and dive program finished strong last year with its largest-ever showing of athletes in the state finals. The Spartans swim and dive program is young and looks forward to an exciting and prospective season. To help achieve future team goals, coaches Jonathan Laird and Elizabeth Hayden have actively pursued offseason conditioning for the athletes. Campbell is expecting to send boys and girls teams as well as individuals back to the state meet again in February. To help the team reach this goal, coaches will be relying on a few key returnees and fresh talent.  

Leading the way for the Spartan boys will be Sam Wilgus, Park Seagraves, Blake Hoover and freshman Cody Kanter. Wilgus, Seagraves and Hoover are seniors who want to finish high school on a positive note at the state meet. These young men will certainly lead the Spartans to better county and state rankings.

Leading the way for the Spartan girls will be Morgan Lehr, Jeri Wheeler, Savannah Price, Mallory Frost and freshman newcomer Delaine Turner. These young ladies will continue to improve their relay performances at each meet and will send all relays to state for the second time. Individually, the ladies plan to make an impression at the county championship meet as well as state. The Spartans are looking forward to Turner’s accomplishments this year and in the future.  

The Spartans will be tested early this season with a series of quad and tri meets. However, the squads appear ready to take on the challenge and should perform well overall in the county.

Varsity Competition Cheerleaders Faring Well
by Ron Wendt • photography by Gianna McFarthing-Polk

Coach Gianna McFarthing-Polk took over the head coaching position for Campbell’s 2009-10 competition cheerleading squad and has been working hard to improve the program. McFarthing-Polk knows that it will take time to develop the athleticism and tumbling skills needed to be competitive.  Many of the girls learned tumbling skills for the first time this year.

The squad’s progress was evident in October, when it placed sixth at Kennesaw Mountain, seventh at Woodstock and third at East Paulding. Even though the girls did not advance to the sectional competition in Columbus, they did earn their highest score of the season at regional competition.

McFarthing-Polk is very proud of their season and looks forward to taking Campbell competition cheerleading to the next level in the years to come. She has been encouraging her girls to receive more outside gymnastics training so they will be more competitive in the future.

Members of the 2010 competition cheer squad include Rachel Rippey, Reina Roberson, Jayla Coleman, Anetrica Green, Kierra Ross, Kabrea Payton, Brianna Chambers, Elesha Walker, Aurenesha Monk, Khadijah Rogers, Nyesha Harris, Jamilla Johnson, Amber James, Quinshele Whitehead, Khira Fryer and Lauren Cargile.

Campbell High School Varsity Rifle Team
by Rachel Aguirre and Diana Martinez

Campbell High School possesses an array of competitive varsity sports.  Among them is the varsity rifle team, which competes against 12 other high school teams in Area 8.  The rifle team is part of Campbell’s very successful JROTC program and led by First Sergeant Andrew Winters.  Students can also participate in drill competition led by First Sergeant Kathryn Burns and the Raider team led by Major Larry Moyers.

Campbell currently has several hundred students participating in the JROTC program. With that many students involved, Campbell has been able to field some very competitive programs throughout the years. Last year, the Campbell rifle team placed fourth in the Atlanta area.

With five rifle team members graduating at the end of this school year, an emphasis has been placed on finding new talent.  Having five senior shooters is beneficial, but potential for future success is vital.   
This year, the rifle team is dominated by females.  The team not only wins together, but shares personal achievements outside the shooting range.

The team strives for perfection and the qualifying process is highly selective.   Up-and-coming shooters are assigned to a “veteran” shooter and required to practice regularly.  Rifle team members are also expected to maintain their academic standards throughout the school year in order to qualify.

Team rules are not negotiable.  The slightest movement can and will affect the team’s overall score. Sweets, gum and junk food is not allowed on practice and competition days.  Upper body strength is strongly recommended.  The team participates in weekly workouts to maintain an advantage.

The course of fire for a standard match is thirty shots: ten shots in prone position, ten shots in offhand position, and ten shots in kneeling position. Based on 300 total shots, classifications are:  Marksman, 0-209 shots; Sharpshooter, 210-234 shots; Expert, 234-249 shots; and Master, 250-300 shots.

Safety is a big component of training and there are four important safety rules.  Team members must treat every weapon as if it were loaded, point the weapon only at the intended target, keep fingers straight and off the trigger until ready to fire, and keep the safety on until ready to fire.

The Campbell High School varsity rifle team is not just a competitive sport, it’s a family.  Many on the team feel their commitment rests with the other shooters. Dedication to their goal of perfection and to each other will lead the team to victory.

Those interested in viewing this silent sport are welcome to the first match on November 4 immediately after school.

With New Turf Comes New Attitude
by Ron Wendt, Co-Athletic Coordinator

The summer installation of turf football fields among Cobb high schools meant teams could not practice on their home fields until their installations were completed. Campbell’s turf was finished a week ahead of schedule, which enabled the Spartans to play their first home game in Richard McDaniel Stadium and not on the road.

Head coach T.K. Dodd had the pleasure of telling his team that the home game was “on.” The good news created so much excitement that junior defensive end George Wright suggested the Spartans should have a team bonding night on the new turf. Coach Dodd agreed.

On September 2, approximately 50 players and coaches took the challenge and camped out on their new home turf. The players dined on pizza, played touch football and watched Facing the Giants on a big screen television. According to Coach Dodd, the event was a huge success and might become an annual event.  The bonding experience must have been what the Spartans needed because the following Friday in front of a home crowd and on their new turf, Campbell defeated Langston Hughes 35-29 in overtime.

The Lady Spartans softball team is living up to head coach Jayme Burleson’s prediction that they would become one of the strongest teams Campbell has fielded in quite some time.  The Lady Spartans are 5-9 on the season and battling in a competitive region. The team is led by senior pitcher Kristi Vines, junior catcher Maya Fields and sophomore infielder Sammie Purcell.

The Lady Spartans are committed to winning for their team, but they are also committed to giving back and making the community more aware of life’s battles. The girls dedicated a week to “Playing for the Cure” and donated all proceeds from the week’s games to breast cancer research.

Campbell cross country continues to improve this season with the Spartans defeating South Cobb and Pebblebrook at a home meet.  Competing at invitational meets has also become beneficial for the squad as several runners have finished in the top 10 for junior varsity and varsity.  Jarred Schmitz won the JV boys race at the Covered Bridge meet while Laurie Pray finished ninth in varsity.

Campbell boys cross country is led by Jarred Schmitz, Suraj Bhat, Blake Hoover and Isaiah Hunter.  Laurie Pray, Sarah Pray, Jeri Wheeler and Angela Vujic lead the girls team.

Campbell volleyball has shown much improvement. Head coach Jason Smith took on a struggling program and made it competitive in less than two years. The Lady Spartans are 11-15 on the season, which is an all-time high for the program. The Spartans are a good mix of returning players and underclassmen. With continued growth, Campbell volleyball looks to be a threat in the future.

Campbell on the Rise
by Ron Wendt, Co-Athletic Coordinator • photography by Jonathan Laird and Kelli Hardnett

The future looks bright as the Spartans return to competition this fall. The year began with Kyanna White signing a track scholarship to the University of Alabama - Birmingham during preplanning. White was also on hand to receive her state ring along with the other three members of Campbell’s 1600-meter relay team.

White, Brianna Chambers, Kelli Hardnett and Monti Willis ran together for two years prior to their state championship.  The camaraderie built during those two seasons made them work harder for each other than for themselves.  They broke their own school record numerous times, consistently running faster as each season progressed.  This effort culminated in back-to-back Region 6-AAAAA championships in 2009 and 2010 as well as the state title in 2010 and the year’s Best Performance award.

Perhaps the most remarkable thing about these ladies, however, is that their academic prowess matches their athletic ability.  All four have participated in Campbell High School’s rigorous International Baccalaureate program, one of the most demanding academic endeavors for high school students.  White is a graduate of the program and now attending UAB.  Campbell is proud of these humble, kind, respectful and responsible young ladies.

The Campbell cross country team is looking to perform well in the region.  The team added community coach Bruce LaBudde, who brings decades of experience and expertise to the program.  LaBudde has won several titles and has sent numerous runners to state and national competitions.

LaBudde and Coach Jonathan Laird plan to turn Campbell’s cross country program into a fierce competitor in Cobb County.  Although it could take several seasons to accomplish, their goal is to have runners competing at the state meet.  The shining stars who will lead the way on the boys and girls teams include several returning runners along with incoming freshmen.  The Spartan cross country team continues to enjoy runners joining its ranks and hopes to be successful this year, eventually reaching the coaches’ goal.

This year's softball team may be one of the best Campbell has had in quite a while. Campbell returns a total of nine players, seven of which are starters.  Among the returning players are Sammie Purcell, Brittany Brown, Emily Elmore, Maya Field, Kristi Vines and Brooke Patrick. Head coach Jayme Burleson and coach Jordanna Jones also return to guide the Spartans along with new coach Ken Godfrey. Campbell worked hard in the offseason to improve the softball complex, adding a batting cage and moving the outfield fence up to regulation.

On the football front, head coach T.K. Dodd has the team on the rise with a greater number of players and a higher overall grade point average. Coach Dodd is excited to begin the season as Spartans will be switching to a 4-3 defense. With so many teams across the region moving to the spread offense, the new Spartans defense should help counter the opposition.