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March 2011
Once a Soccer Player, Always a Soccer Player
by Jessica Hale • photography by Ron Richard
Anyone who witnessed the frenzied craze over the World Cup this past summer must admit that America has finally been hit with soccer fever. From the droning vuvuzelas to the referees’ terrible game calls, each round of the 2010 World Cup averaged five million or so American viewers, with nearly 14.5 million gathering to watch the USA-England match. These colossal numbers are double the viewing figures from the 2006 World Cup.
During the last 15 years, the rate of young children playing soccer has grown immensely, and just as America’s thirst for this grueling sport awakens, so does Pope’s own soccer program, with senior captain David Levinson leading the way.
“When I first met David, he was very quiet but extremely competitive on the soccer field. He was a good student as well but really blended in on the field,” head soccer coach Richard Groeneveld says. “He has become much more outgoing over the past years, both on the field and in the classroom. He is a leader now and lets his personality come through in everything he does.”
Soccer was part of Levinson’s life before he stepped on the soccer field for the first time. Following in the footsteps of his soccer-playing brother and sister, Levinson felt at home on a soccer field from a very young age.
“I have been playing soccer since I have been able to stand,” Levinson says. “I have always enjoyed playing the sport. It has been a passion of mine throughout the years, and I have met a bunch of great people through it and had a lot of great experiences with them.”
Levinson displayed aggressive speed and skill during his freshman tryout, having kept in shape by running on the varsity cross country team during the fall season. He made one of the few coveted spots on the junior varsity soccer team as a forward and led his team in scoring that season.
“As a soccer player, he's definitely one of the most intense players on the team,” Levinson’s fellow team captain Eric Richard says. “You can tell he has a passion for the game. He really likes it, he watches it, and he doesn't just show up to practice and mess around like a bunch of the other guys.”
Coaches took note of Levinson’s eager dedication, and after he guided Pope’s junior varsity soccer program to an undefeated season, it did not take long for Levinson to advance to the next level.
“He made [varsity] his sophomore year because he was in the best 11 players that tried out that year,” Groeneveld says. “David pays attention to detail, shows willingness to self-evaluate and improve, he is extremely competitive, has natural speed and coordination, and he has played a lot. His experience and intelligence allow him a better understanding of the game.”
When Levinson advanced to varsity, he took on the center-mid position in addition to his position as forward. Although he excels in both spots, Levinson has the devoted mentality of a team player.
“Soccer has made me a better person by forcing me to be part of a group,” Levinson says. “I feel like I let down the team every time we lose. Everything you do effects your whole team, which makes you want to be the best person you can be. Also, I’m an extremely competitive person, which drives me to do my best at all times.”
Levinson’s teammates vouch for his brilliant technique and skill, both as a leader on the team and as a fellow team player.
“He pretty much holds the team together, and he's probably the best player on our team,” junior forward and midfielder Gabe Pinto says. “He scores a lot of goals, he plays good defense, he's got really good skill, he's really fast, he tackles really well, he's a strong player and he’s just an all-around solid player. Everyone looks up to him.”
Recently elected team captain by his peers, Levinson works hard to direct his teammates during games and to be a visual and vocal presence on the field.
“He really takes control of the team. He has the ability to lead us and get us focused and pumped,” sophomore midfielder Colin Huber says. “He just kind of demands [respect]. He'll just say something to us and we'll listen. As for leadership, it’s all in his stature. He just kind of imposes it on you, and you can tell it’s coming from a good place.”
A major aspect of being team captain involves raising the players’ spirits in the face of defeat as well as triumph. Although the Greyhounds have not yet had to deal with any losses so far this season, Levinson still nurtures team morale and uses his expertise to motivate other varsity players.
“David holds people to a higher standard than most. He’s really good about not being negative,” Richard says. “He'll tell people to do better if they take a shot [at a goal], but he'll tell them what they did right and then how to work on it. As a person, I admire his well-roundedness, that he can excel at so many different things and still be a naturally cool person.”
Levinson does not limit his merits to sports. As a passionate music lover, Levinson can play the guitar with the vivacity of bands he loves, like Weezer, Incubus and Radiohead. Academically, he is enrolled in the highest math and science classes offered at Pope High School: multi-variable calculus and AP Physics C.
“Staying active and well rounded just does so many things for a person. I believe it is important, not just in high school but all of your life, to live long and stay mentally and physically healthy,” Groeneveld says. “David can go play in college if he decides that is what he wants to do. He is a great player but he has other interests as well. I know he will continue playing soccer in some form, no matter where he goes.”
As one of a select few players being scouted by colleges, Levinson has the opportunity to take soccer further than the high school level. With plans to major in physics, he hopes to continue playing his sport while pursuing a degree.
“It’s good to keep soccer in my life so I can get used to focusing on other things as well as academics,” Levinson says. “A person should not be one-dimensional and should be able to balance a tight schedule.”
For now, the onset of Levinson’s senior season keeps him busy. With Pope winning its scrimmage 3-0, Levinson’s guidance seems to be hitting home with the varsity boys.
“I like him as a captain,” Pinto says. “Pretty much everyone on the team follows him because he’s smart and he knows what he’s talking about.”
As team captain, Levinson must be able to analyze the situation on the field and direct his teammates accordingly. The ability to evaluate individual scenarios in a soccer match and respond to them in a proactive manner requires extensive knowledge of the sport’s dynamics. Levinson’s capacity to guide his team to victory not only reflects his individual skill but sets him apart as one of those unique players who has the potential to play professionally.
“As with anything in life, all you need [to succeed in soccer] is vision, decision making, speed of play and a strong passion, from start to finish,” Levinson says.
by Jessica Hale • photography by Ron Richard
Anyone who witnessed the frenzied craze over the World Cup this past summer must admit that America has finally been hit with soccer fever. From the droning vuvuzelas to the referees’ terrible game calls, each round of the 2010 World Cup averaged five million or so American viewers, with nearly 14.5 million gathering to watch the USA-England match. These colossal numbers are double the viewing figures from the 2006 World Cup. During the last 15 years, the rate of young children playing soccer has grown immensely, and just as America’s thirst for this grueling sport awakens, so does Pope’s own soccer program, with senior captain David Levinson leading the way.
“When I first met David, he was very quiet but extremely competitive on the soccer field. He was a good student as well but really blended in on the field,” head soccer coach Richard Groeneveld says. “He has become much more outgoing over the past years, both on the field and in the classroom. He is a leader now and lets his personality come through in everything he does.”
Soccer was part of Levinson’s life before he stepped on the soccer field for the first time. Following in the footsteps of his soccer-playing brother and sister, Levinson felt at home on a soccer field from a very young age.
“I have been playing soccer since I have been able to stand,” Levinson says. “I have always enjoyed playing the sport. It has been a passion of mine throughout the years, and I have met a bunch of great people through it and had a lot of great experiences with them.”Levinson displayed aggressive speed and skill during his freshman tryout, having kept in shape by running on the varsity cross country team during the fall season. He made one of the few coveted spots on the junior varsity soccer team as a forward and led his team in scoring that season.
“As a soccer player, he's definitely one of the most intense players on the team,” Levinson’s fellow team captain Eric Richard says. “You can tell he has a passion for the game. He really likes it, he watches it, and he doesn't just show up to practice and mess around like a bunch of the other guys.”
Coaches took note of Levinson’s eager dedication, and after he guided Pope’s junior varsity soccer program to an undefeated season, it did not take long for Levinson to advance to the next level.
“He made [varsity] his sophomore year because he was in the best 11 players that tried out that year,” Groeneveld says. “David pays attention to detail, shows willingness to self-evaluate and improve, he is extremely competitive, has natural speed and coordination, and he has played a lot. His experience and intelligence allow him a better understanding of the game.”
When Levinson advanced to varsity, he took on the center-mid position in addition to his position as forward. Although he excels in both spots, Levinson has the devoted mentality of a team player. “Soccer has made me a better person by forcing me to be part of a group,” Levinson says. “I feel like I let down the team every time we lose. Everything you do effects your whole team, which makes you want to be the best person you can be. Also, I’m an extremely competitive person, which drives me to do my best at all times.”
Levinson’s teammates vouch for his brilliant technique and skill, both as a leader on the team and as a fellow team player.
“He pretty much holds the team together, and he's probably the best player on our team,” junior forward and midfielder Gabe Pinto says. “He scores a lot of goals, he plays good defense, he's got really good skill, he's really fast, he tackles really well, he's a strong player and he’s just an all-around solid player. Everyone looks up to him.”
Recently elected team captain by his peers, Levinson works hard to direct his teammates during games and to be a visual and vocal presence on the field.
“He really takes control of the team. He has the ability to lead us and get us focused and pumped,” sophomore midfielder Colin Huber says. “He just kind of demands [respect]. He'll just say something to us and we'll listen. As for leadership, it’s all in his stature. He just kind of imposes it on you, and you can tell it’s coming from a good place.”
A major aspect of being team captain involves raising the players’ spirits in the face of defeat as well as triumph. Although the Greyhounds have not yet had to deal with any losses so far this season, Levinson still nurtures team morale and uses his expertise to motivate other varsity players.
“David holds people to a higher standard than most. He’s really good about not being negative,” Richard says. “He'll tell people to do better if they take a shot [at a goal], but he'll tell them what they did right and then how to work on it. As a person, I admire his well-roundedness, that he can excel at so many different things and still be a naturally cool person.”
Levinson does not limit his merits to sports. As a passionate music lover, Levinson can play the guitar with the vivacity of bands he loves, like Weezer, Incubus and Radiohead. Academically, he is enrolled in the highest math and science classes offered at Pope High School: multi-variable calculus and AP Physics C.
“Staying active and well rounded just does so many things for a person. I believe it is important, not just in high school but all of your life, to live long and stay mentally and physically healthy,” Groeneveld says. “David can go play in college if he decides that is what he wants to do. He is a great player but he has other interests as well. I know he will continue playing soccer in some form, no matter where he goes.”
As one of a select few players being scouted by colleges, Levinson has the opportunity to take soccer further than the high school level. With plans to major in physics, he hopes to continue playing his sport while pursuing a degree.
“It’s good to keep soccer in my life so I can get used to focusing on other things as well as academics,” Levinson says. “A person should not be one-dimensional and should be able to balance a tight schedule.”
For now, the onset of Levinson’s senior season keeps him busy. With Pope winning its scrimmage 3-0, Levinson’s guidance seems to be hitting home with the varsity boys.
“I like him as a captain,” Pinto says. “Pretty much everyone on the team follows him because he’s smart and he knows what he’s talking about.”
As team captain, Levinson must be able to analyze the situation on the field and direct his teammates accordingly. The ability to evaluate individual scenarios in a soccer match and respond to them in a proactive manner requires extensive knowledge of the sport’s dynamics. Levinson’s capacity to guide his team to victory not only reflects his individual skill but sets him apart as one of those unique players who has the potential to play professionally.
“As with anything in life, all you need [to succeed in soccer] is vision, decision making, speed of play and a strong passion, from start to finish,” Levinson says.
February 2011
Junior Star Ready for Next Level
by Jessica Hale • photography by David L. Morris
Boasting early January records of 10-4 for the boys team and 12-2 for the girls, the Pope Greyhounds have certainly had an incredible season thus far. Due to solid team chemistry and an excellent program that continues to turn out scores of talented players, Pope is becoming a basketball power. The boys and girls teams remain stacked with athletes who started on varsity as underclassmen, including a few players who began as freshmen. As seniors like Garrett Brown, who started as a freshman, prepare to wrap up their last season in high school, junior Matt Polyne will step up to fill the gap and lead the team he has been a part of since the moment he entered Pope High School.
“My first impression of Matt was as a seventh-grader at a summer camp here at Pope,” head basketball coach Pat Abney says. “He really stood out as a kid that had a great attitude and loved to play basketball. He was very good back then and obviously has continued to get even better since.”
According to his father, Polyne shares a long history with basketball. “He was always very athletic with very good hand and eye coordination,” says Jean Polyne. “So for this third birthday, we bought him a miniature basketball goal and placed it in our sun room, which he subsequently turned into his official indoor basketball court. He has been running or dribbling a ball ever since.”
As a true sports enthusiast, Matt Polyne dabbled in soccer during his childhood and participates in both football and track outside of basketball season; however, basketball remains his primary focus. “What I love most about basketball is the speed and continuous action on the courts and the sacrifice it take from each teammate to win games,” he says. “It is an exciting, physical and speedy sport with a high level of engagement [that] requires you to be tough, poised, energetic, athletic and smart.”
Polyne’s passion for basketball has been evident since the debut of his career. Beginning competitive play at the age of six, he led his church team and later his community league team to victory, winning several community league championships. During the summer, Polyne takes part in an AAU league to maintain his skills. Last summer, he took his AAU team to the Division II Georgia State Championships.
“Matt has experienced many team accomplishments along the way,” says his father. “His success on the court has not changed him a bit. He fully understands the ups and downs of team competition and the adversities one will have to overcome. As an athlete, he understands the need to continually improve his body to compete at the highest level possible.”
Polyne brought that attitude to Pope High School when he joined the junior program, contributing to the Junior Greyhounds’ two seasons of 20-plus wins. By the time Polyne earned a starting position on Pope’s varsity squad his freshman year, he was more than ready to spread his wings and show everyone his potential. Polyne has finished every year since as the team’s second leading scorer.
Most recently, Polyne was named to the All-Tournament team at the 2010 Campbell Holiday Classic, and he scored a tournament-high 25 points at Southeast Basketball Academy’s 2010 Atlanta All-Star Shootout, leading Pope to win over Hillgrove High School.
“Matt’s number-one strength is his scoring ability. He shoots the ball extremely well and can score off the dribble,” Abney says. “Matt has the potential to play college basketball if he continues to work on his game and get stronger in the weight room.”
Not yet thinking about college, Polyne is instead preparing to take the reins for the Greyhounds as the Class of 2011 wraps up the season. “I would like to think that every day when I go to practice and compete, I am leading by example and helping my teammates become better basketball players,” he says. “Next year, I hope to be able to elevate my teammates’ performance level by putting them in positions of strength at all times on the court, and leading our team to a Georgia state championship.”
Coaches, players and fans do not doubt Polyne’s ability to lead his team on the court, and his father believes Polyne can take as much from his leadership position as he gives. “While he certainly enjoys individual accolades from his peers and coaches, it is the effectiveness and success of the team that he most loves and enjoys,” Jean Polyne says. “Basketball has and will give Matt the opportunity to experience a team leadership style that requires facilitating and influencing [while] also requiring a situational style of leadership at times whereby adjustments have to be made to the situation and also the people being led. The sport itself is a microcosm of life experiences and will definitely help him later in life.”
Coaches agree that it is important to enter a leadership position with a keen understanding of team balance and then use that knowledge to direct fellow players on the court. “It takes five guys on the floor working together to be successful, not just one or two great players,” Abney says. “Matt definitely has the leadership skills: he’s very personable, everybody enjoys being around him, he’s very polite and a great teammate, his parents have done an excellent job raising him, and he excels in the classroom. No doubt, he’s a leader!”
Matt Polyne is already fine tuning the skills he will need to orchestrate plays on the court while still pulling his own weight as a top scorer. “I am a very good shooter and dribbler,” he says. “I operate well in the open court, can score most anywhere on the court, and possess great court vision and awareness to find my teammates on the floor. I am also a very efficient player who stays under control at all times.”
With future seasons looking bright for Polyne, those lucky enough to be a part of his basketball career watch his progress with great anticipation as he continues to develop as a brilliant team captain and a formidable presence on the basketball court.
“Matt is a very smart young man who is self-motivated, works extremely hard to better himself on and off the court, and doesn’t believe success happens by accident,” Jean Polyne says. “He loves to compete, hates to lose [and] is always humble after a win. His leadership style, coupled with the fact that he has played with and led a number of returning players in AAU and summer league competitions, will definitely make him ready to lead Pope’s team to a state championship next year.”
by Jessica Hale • photography by David L. Morris
Boasting early January records of 10-4 for the boys team and 12-2 for the girls, the Pope Greyhounds have certainly had an incredible season thus far. Due to solid team chemistry and an excellent program that continues to turn out scores of talented players, Pope is becoming a basketball power. The boys and girls teams remain stacked with athletes who started on varsity as underclassmen, including a few players who began as freshmen. As seniors like Garrett Brown, who started as a freshman, prepare to wrap up their last season in high school, junior Matt Polyne will step up to fill the gap and lead the team he has been a part of since the moment he entered Pope High School. “My first impression of Matt was as a seventh-grader at a summer camp here at Pope,” head basketball coach Pat Abney says. “He really stood out as a kid that had a great attitude and loved to play basketball. He was very good back then and obviously has continued to get even better since.”
According to his father, Polyne shares a long history with basketball. “He was always very athletic with very good hand and eye coordination,” says Jean Polyne. “So for this third birthday, we bought him a miniature basketball goal and placed it in our sun room, which he subsequently turned into his official indoor basketball court. He has been running or dribbling a ball ever since.”
As a true sports enthusiast, Matt Polyne dabbled in soccer during his childhood and participates in both football and track outside of basketball season; however, basketball remains his primary focus. “What I love most about basketball is the speed and continuous action on the courts and the sacrifice it take from each teammate to win games,” he says. “It is an exciting, physical and speedy sport with a high level of engagement [that] requires you to be tough, poised, energetic, athletic and smart.”
Polyne’s passion for basketball has been evident since the debut of his career. Beginning competitive play at the age of six, he led his church team and later his community league team to victory, winning several community league championships. During the summer, Polyne takes part in an AAU league to maintain his skills. Last summer, he took his AAU team to the Division II Georgia State Championships. “Matt has experienced many team accomplishments along the way,” says his father. “His success on the court has not changed him a bit. He fully understands the ups and downs of team competition and the adversities one will have to overcome. As an athlete, he understands the need to continually improve his body to compete at the highest level possible.”
Polyne brought that attitude to Pope High School when he joined the junior program, contributing to the Junior Greyhounds’ two seasons of 20-plus wins. By the time Polyne earned a starting position on Pope’s varsity squad his freshman year, he was more than ready to spread his wings and show everyone his potential. Polyne has finished every year since as the team’s second leading scorer.
Most recently, Polyne was named to the All-Tournament team at the 2010 Campbell Holiday Classic, and he scored a tournament-high 25 points at Southeast Basketball Academy’s 2010 Atlanta All-Star Shootout, leading Pope to win over Hillgrove High School.
“Matt’s number-one strength is his scoring ability. He shoots the ball extremely well and can score off the dribble,” Abney says. “Matt has the potential to play college basketball if he continues to work on his game and get stronger in the weight room.”
Not yet thinking about college, Polyne is instead preparing to take the reins for the Greyhounds as the Class of 2011 wraps up the season. “I would like to think that every day when I go to practice and compete, I am leading by example and helping my teammates become better basketball players,” he says. “Next year, I hope to be able to elevate my teammates’ performance level by putting them in positions of strength at all times on the court, and leading our team to a Georgia state championship.”
Coaches, players and fans do not doubt Polyne’s ability to lead his team on the court, and his father believes Polyne can take as much from his leadership position as he gives. “While he certainly enjoys individual accolades from his peers and coaches, it is the effectiveness and success of the team that he most loves and enjoys,” Jean Polyne says. “Basketball has and will give Matt the opportunity to experience a team leadership style that requires facilitating and influencing [while] also requiring a situational style of leadership at times whereby adjustments have to be made to the situation and also the people being led. The sport itself is a microcosm of life experiences and will definitely help him later in life.”
Coaches agree that it is important to enter a leadership position with a keen understanding of team balance and then use that knowledge to direct fellow players on the court. “It takes five guys on the floor working together to be successful, not just one or two great players,” Abney says. “Matt definitely has the leadership skills: he’s very personable, everybody enjoys being around him, he’s very polite and a great teammate, his parents have done an excellent job raising him, and he excels in the classroom. No doubt, he’s a leader!”
Matt Polyne is already fine tuning the skills he will need to orchestrate plays on the court while still pulling his own weight as a top scorer. “I am a very good shooter and dribbler,” he says. “I operate well in the open court, can score most anywhere on the court, and possess great court vision and awareness to find my teammates on the floor. I am also a very efficient player who stays under control at all times.”
With future seasons looking bright for Polyne, those lucky enough to be a part of his basketball career watch his progress with great anticipation as he continues to develop as a brilliant team captain and a formidable presence on the basketball court.
“Matt is a very smart young man who is self-motivated, works extremely hard to better himself on and off the court, and doesn’t believe success happens by accident,” Jean Polyne says. “He loves to compete, hates to lose [and] is always humble after a win. His leadership style, coupled with the fact that he has played with and led a number of returning players in AAU and summer league competitions, will definitely make him ready to lead Pope’s team to a state championship next year.”
January 2011
A Family Legacy Continues Team Legacy
by Jessica Hale • photography by Pope Wrestling
Over the past few years, the Pope wrestling program has transcended the typical high school team to become a wrestling powerhouse, posing a real threat to teams across Georgia. Already boasting the state’s best junior wrestling program, Pope progressed from little more than two or three wrestlers ranking in state each year to eight of 13 wresters, nearly three-quarters of the varsity squad, placing in the state’s top five for their weight class last year.
With only four returning varsity members from last season’s incredible team, captain Patrick Anthony has taken the reins in a rebuilding year to steer incoming wrestlers toward overcoming challenges and continuing the Greyhound’s legacy of success.
“Patrick has not always been a leader,” says Robert Anthony, former Pope wrestling coach and Patrick Anthony’s father. “Leadership is learned, and it takes time for one to become a leader. I think that Patrick is coming into that leadership position now and doing a great job.”
With a family accustomed to dealing with the trials and triumphs of wrestling, the sport seemed to be a good fit for Patrick Anthony, who began his career in second grade.
“At first he was not so thrilled about the experience,” Robert Anthony says. “He would get manhandled by older, more experienced wrestles. It took him about two years and by that time, he was seven and winning most of his matches. This is true with most wrestlers – it takes a couple of years to really learn the basics moves to be successful in this sport.”
Patrick Anthony is the youngest of three brothers, all of whom wrestled. His brother Caleb Anthony placed at state three times, winning the state championship his junior year in 2005.
“Make no mistake, wrestling is a tough sport and if you are going to be good at it, you have to make some changes in your lifestyle,” Robert Anthony says. “Patrick grew up with his brothers being involved with wrestling, so he watched them go through a lot, but it is different when you have to do yourself. He had to work through a lot of things, like watching what he eats and practicing every day. Wrestling during a high school season is a six-day-a-week job.”
Patrick Anthony began his freshman season with a bang in the feather light 103-lb. weight class. Winning an unbelievable 81 percent of his matches, he scored the second-highest number of team points for the season (220) and advanced to state, coming in fifth place. Pumped from his success, this prodigious freshman looked forward to his sophomore season.
“Mental toughness is what separates the best from the worst,” Anthony says. “You can have all the talent in the world but lose every match because [you’re] either out of shape or you don’t have enough confidence in yourself.”
Despite having proven himself, Anthony’s first stumbling block arrived his sophomore year when his move to the 125-lb. weight class caused him to compete with teammate Ben Winiarczyk for a varsity spot. By this time, the team had become such a strong force that the varsity was overstocked with qualified wrestlers, and Anthony, along with many future varsity wrestlers, could not fit in the lineup. After losing his place on the varsity squad to Winiarczyk, some of Anthony’s newest teammates noted that this year seemed to be his slump.
“That was definitely his down year,” Anthony’s co-captain, junior Brooks Climmons, remarks. “Patrick used to be a little sillier at practice [then], but now he’s acting more like a leader, really leading by example and not goofing off. Today he’s a state placer and one of the top in the state.” Patrick finished his sophomore year by winning the JV state championship for his weight class and becoming the King of the Hill Champion. His experience on JV definitely contributed to his mental fortitude and ability to lead.
“Wrestling is a grueling sport. Without someone pushing you and without a leader, you can’t succeed,” Anthony says. “Over the years I have been led by people I have looked up to and now I have kids who look up to me, so I do my best to be mature and help anyone who needs help and to push kids to never give up.”
Anthony made a remarkable comeback his junior year, easily securing a varsity spot in the heavier 140-lb. weight class while Winiarczyk remained at 135. Making up for lost time, Anthony dominated the mat, winning 83 percent of his matches with one of the most pins on the team (28) and finishing his season with a fourth-place win at state. Anthony was back in the game.
“I like Patrick because he’s the one kid in the room who I have to wrestle really hard to take him down, Climmons says. “He always goes hard when he and I wrestle, and he never wants to give up a point to me. He’s just competitive in nature.”
Anthony’s signature technique is the Super Duck, in which he takes a shot from his feet to take down his opponent without touching him. According to coaches, other significant factors of Anthony’s success over the years are his wiry frame and tall stature, which allow him to encircle opponents and entrap them in a solid grip.
“Length gives him massive leverage to score on his opponents,” head wrestling coach Jim Haskin says. “He exhibits extreme discipline and dedication that has helped him mature into a disciplined team captain.”
This year Anthony settled into the bulkier 152-lb. weight class after coming down undefeated from the 160-lb. mark at which he had been wrestling until an injured Climmons returned to the mat. Anthony plans to make his senior year as memorable as his freshman and junior years, but his current priority is his team.
“He’s a great team leader who builds us up when we are down,” freshman JV wrestler Jonny Sexton says. “When we’re in the huddle, he is the person that says ‘I believe that we will win.’ If the coach is off somewhere, he’ll come talk to the team and tell us to go out there and win.”
Constantly motivating his team, Anthony makes a difference at every tournament, whether he is wrestling on the mat or watching another Pope Greyhound.
“Whenever we need extra team points in a wrestling tournament he’ll always get that extra pin that we need,” sophomore varsity wrestler Curran McMahon says. “He’ll get the team pumped up. He’ll start yelling at kids that are not really pulling their weight and he’ll get them motivated. All around, he’s an amazing teammate.”
Not only has Patrick matured since freshman year, but teammates say he has become a true leader who demonstrates good principles that the wrestlers look up to.
“When practice is going, he gets the team to work hard. He’s a good leader, and he motivates everyone because he’s working hard too,” freshman varsity wrestler Tyler Haskin says. “He has a good work ethic and he’s not cocky. He’s just a good guy to hang around with who has good morals.”
Good morals will take him far after high school, and Anthony plans on pursuing a college wrestling career, preferably at Appalachian State University, that will help him realize his dream and follow in the footsteps of his role model, Coach Haskin.
“I want to be a wrestling coach,” Anthony says. “I have grown up with my coach and have been right next to him during some of his greatest achievements. And I can’t think of anything else that would make me as happy as teaching a full team of kids everything I know and pushing them to be successful, just like how Haskin has pushed me.”
Anthony already exhibits his passion to coach, and many of his fellow wrestlers say that he often lends a hand at practice and teaches moves to newer team members when coaches are not there.
“During practice he’s taken me to the corner of the room and shown me extra moves that normally people don’t know,” McMahon says. “He’ll give one-on-one attention to most people that you can’t really get when everyone is working together. He’s always there for everybody when everyone needs him.”
Currently ranked first in his weight class, Anthony is on his way to becoming the first state champion Pope has had since Tyler Self in 2006 and Caleb Anthony in 2005. As each tournament passes and he returns undefeated, both the coaches and the team waits with bated breath to see just how far this amazing wrestler will go.
“He’s our team captain. He leads by example, works hard and takes wrestling very seriously,” Haskin says. “Patrick has massive potential and he will be a state champion and a successful collegiate wrestler.”
by Jessica Hale • photography by Pope Wrestling
Over the past few years, the Pope wrestling program has transcended the typical high school team to become a wrestling powerhouse, posing a real threat to teams across Georgia. Already boasting the state’s best junior wrestling program, Pope progressed from little more than two or three wrestlers ranking in state each year to eight of 13 wresters, nearly three-quarters of the varsity squad, placing in the state’s top five for their weight class last year. With only four returning varsity members from last season’s incredible team, captain Patrick Anthony has taken the reins in a rebuilding year to steer incoming wrestlers toward overcoming challenges and continuing the Greyhound’s legacy of success.
“Patrick has not always been a leader,” says Robert Anthony, former Pope wrestling coach and Patrick Anthony’s father. “Leadership is learned, and it takes time for one to become a leader. I think that Patrick is coming into that leadership position now and doing a great job.”
With a family accustomed to dealing with the trials and triumphs of wrestling, the sport seemed to be a good fit for Patrick Anthony, who began his career in second grade.
“At first he was not so thrilled about the experience,” Robert Anthony says. “He would get manhandled by older, more experienced wrestles. It took him about two years and by that time, he was seven and winning most of his matches. This is true with most wrestlers – it takes a couple of years to really learn the basics moves to be successful in this sport.”Patrick Anthony is the youngest of three brothers, all of whom wrestled. His brother Caleb Anthony placed at state three times, winning the state championship his junior year in 2005.
“Make no mistake, wrestling is a tough sport and if you are going to be good at it, you have to make some changes in your lifestyle,” Robert Anthony says. “Patrick grew up with his brothers being involved with wrestling, so he watched them go through a lot, but it is different when you have to do yourself. He had to work through a lot of things, like watching what he eats and practicing every day. Wrestling during a high school season is a six-day-a-week job.”
Patrick Anthony began his freshman season with a bang in the feather light 103-lb. weight class. Winning an unbelievable 81 percent of his matches, he scored the second-highest number of team points for the season (220) and advanced to state, coming in fifth place. Pumped from his success, this prodigious freshman looked forward to his sophomore season.
“Mental toughness is what separates the best from the worst,” Anthony says. “You can have all the talent in the world but lose every match because [you’re] either out of shape or you don’t have enough confidence in yourself.” Despite having proven himself, Anthony’s first stumbling block arrived his sophomore year when his move to the 125-lb. weight class caused him to compete with teammate Ben Winiarczyk for a varsity spot. By this time, the team had become such a strong force that the varsity was overstocked with qualified wrestlers, and Anthony, along with many future varsity wrestlers, could not fit in the lineup. After losing his place on the varsity squad to Winiarczyk, some of Anthony’s newest teammates noted that this year seemed to be his slump.
“That was definitely his down year,” Anthony’s co-captain, junior Brooks Climmons, remarks. “Patrick used to be a little sillier at practice [then], but now he’s acting more like a leader, really leading by example and not goofing off. Today he’s a state placer and one of the top in the state.” Patrick finished his sophomore year by winning the JV state championship for his weight class and becoming the King of the Hill Champion. His experience on JV definitely contributed to his mental fortitude and ability to lead.
“Wrestling is a grueling sport. Without someone pushing you and without a leader, you can’t succeed,” Anthony says. “Over the years I have been led by people I have looked up to and now I have kids who look up to me, so I do my best to be mature and help anyone who needs help and to push kids to never give up.”
Anthony made a remarkable comeback his junior year, easily securing a varsity spot in the heavier 140-lb. weight class while Winiarczyk remained at 135. Making up for lost time, Anthony dominated the mat, winning 83 percent of his matches with one of the most pins on the team (28) and finishing his season with a fourth-place win at state. Anthony was back in the game.
“I like Patrick because he’s the one kid in the room who I have to wrestle really hard to take him down, Climmons says. “He always goes hard when he and I wrestle, and he never wants to give up a point to me. He’s just competitive in nature.”
Anthony’s signature technique is the Super Duck, in which he takes a shot from his feet to take down his opponent without touching him. According to coaches, other significant factors of Anthony’s success over the years are his wiry frame and tall stature, which allow him to encircle opponents and entrap them in a solid grip.
“Length gives him massive leverage to score on his opponents,” head wrestling coach Jim Haskin says. “He exhibits extreme discipline and dedication that has helped him mature into a disciplined team captain.”
This year Anthony settled into the bulkier 152-lb. weight class after coming down undefeated from the 160-lb. mark at which he had been wrestling until an injured Climmons returned to the mat. Anthony plans to make his senior year as memorable as his freshman and junior years, but his current priority is his team.
“He’s a great team leader who builds us up when we are down,” freshman JV wrestler Jonny Sexton says. “When we’re in the huddle, he is the person that says ‘I believe that we will win.’ If the coach is off somewhere, he’ll come talk to the team and tell us to go out there and win.”
Constantly motivating his team, Anthony makes a difference at every tournament, whether he is wrestling on the mat or watching another Pope Greyhound.
“Whenever we need extra team points in a wrestling tournament he’ll always get that extra pin that we need,” sophomore varsity wrestler Curran McMahon says. “He’ll get the team pumped up. He’ll start yelling at kids that are not really pulling their weight and he’ll get them motivated. All around, he’s an amazing teammate.”
Not only has Patrick matured since freshman year, but teammates say he has become a true leader who demonstrates good principles that the wrestlers look up to.
“When practice is going, he gets the team to work hard. He’s a good leader, and he motivates everyone because he’s working hard too,” freshman varsity wrestler Tyler Haskin says. “He has a good work ethic and he’s not cocky. He’s just a good guy to hang around with who has good morals.”
Good morals will take him far after high school, and Anthony plans on pursuing a college wrestling career, preferably at Appalachian State University, that will help him realize his dream and follow in the footsteps of his role model, Coach Haskin.
“I want to be a wrestling coach,” Anthony says. “I have grown up with my coach and have been right next to him during some of his greatest achievements. And I can’t think of anything else that would make me as happy as teaching a full team of kids everything I know and pushing them to be successful, just like how Haskin has pushed me.”
Anthony already exhibits his passion to coach, and many of his fellow wrestlers say that he often lends a hand at practice and teaches moves to newer team members when coaches are not there.
“During practice he’s taken me to the corner of the room and shown me extra moves that normally people don’t know,” McMahon says. “He’ll give one-on-one attention to most people that you can’t really get when everyone is working together. He’s always there for everybody when everyone needs him.”
Currently ranked first in his weight class, Anthony is on his way to becoming the first state champion Pope has had since Tyler Self in 2006 and Caleb Anthony in 2005. As each tournament passes and he returns undefeated, both the coaches and the team waits with bated breath to see just how far this amazing wrestler will go.
“He’s our team captain. He leads by example, works hard and takes wrestling very seriously,” Haskin says. “Patrick has massive potential and he will be a state champion and a successful collegiate wrestler.”
December 2010
A True All-Star
by Jessica Hale • photography courtesy of Mark Strmac
The classic American dream for most male teenagers would involve being the incredibly well-rounded football team captain who also serves as class president and a prominent figure within the school community. Pope High School’s Hank Strmac has achieved those honors while simultaneously dealing with a heavy academic course load, an extensive community service list, a few merit honors, and Ivy League schools scrambling to recruit him.
“Hank has always been a pretty mature kid with very defined goals for himself and any team on which he participates,” says head football coach Matthew Kemper. “From the first time I met Hank, I knew he was the type of kid we need in our program. He is mature, hard working, serious minded, yet willing to have fun at the sport he is in.”
Storming the field as a running back and as a wide receiver, Strmac first stepped into his jersey not as a football lover but as a basketball player. “I started playing football in eighth grade,” he says. “For my entire life, my primary sport was basketball. I was convinced in eighth grade to come out for football and it was a great decision. A few years later, I actually stopped playing basketball to concentrate more on football. I could not be happier with the decision I made.”
Quickly discovering an affinity for football, Strmac developed a passion that drove him to his physical limits without taking away from his other interests. “Football is an incredible teacher of life lessons,” Strmac says. “Above all else, football teaches discipline and compassion for your teammates. Without discipline, a football team cannot be successful. You develop a sense of respect for every single one of them. You get just as excited when they succeed as when you do.”
Great passion leads to great performance, and Strmac’s teammates do not hesitate to expound on his ability to take control and guide his team. “He’s one of the best leaders we have on the team,” says varsity running back Pearce Lane. “He’s extremely selfless and he works harder than anyone I know. It’s really easy to look up to him because he always knows what we are supposed to do and he’s an incredible role model for all his teammates.”
Coaches value Strmac’s talent not only for directing players on the field but for making a difference in high-pressure situations during Friday night games. “He plays with good forward lean,” Kemper says. “As a runner, he’s always getting yards and defensively, he closes well on the ball and is a fundamentally sound tackler. He is an extremely smart player and is almost never out of position.”
Strmac tested his abilities in other areas of student life, including winning the election for class president his sophomore, junior and senior years. “Hank has always been a competitive person, but he has grown into a natural leader,” athletic director Steven Craft says. “He leads by example [in] confidence, the ability to listen, the ability to motivate the people around him and having a strong work ethic. He is the heart and soul of Pope High School.”
When student government could no longer satisfy his desire to help others, Strmac reached out again to the student body and his peers elected him president of the National Honor Society. “The National Honor Society at Pope is different from all other schools,” Strmac says. “We have two goals: to impact the lives of others and to make Pope a more enjoyable place to go to school. Almost every day, NHS is doing something around Pope, whether it be emptying recycling bins or traveling to Tritt Elementary to play with kids in the After School Program. Last year, I tallied over 100 service hours in National Honor Society alone. This year, as the president, I hope to surpass 300 service hours.”
Touching the lives of his friends as well as those in the community, Strmac may not realize how widespread his influence and dedication has become. “Hank is one of those special kids who raises the people around him,” Kemper says. “He makes everyone on the field around him better by his being out there. He is always positive but forceful at the same time. His teammates respect him for his level of play but even more for the kind of person he is. I will not be surprised if Hank Strmac is President of the United States one day. I think he can accomplish whatever he puts his mind to.”
Now a senior, Strmac’s football teammates voted him team captain along with Tyler Cummings, Garrett Brown, Trevor Buhr and David Tarquinio – a responsibility he does not take lightly. “I was humbled and honored to have been selected as one of the five captains of this team,” Strmac says. “I believe my teammates saw a quality in me that I see in myself: natural leadership. I have always been a leader in everything I do [and] I think all of the captains this year care about the team's success above everything else.”
This year’s group of captains effectively led Pope to the state playoffs for the first time in 10 years. This accomplishment is another indicator of Strmac’s ability to direct his team on the field. “He is a go-getter,” Craft says. “He does not wait to be told to do something. He takes the initiative.”
Initiative is precisely what is needed on the football field, where split-second decisions can cost 10 or 15 yards. Speedily calculating risks, Strmac is able to assess the situation on the field and maneuver players accordingly. “He is a vocal type of leader [who] has the ability to convey his thoughts and emotions to his teammates quickly and concisely,” Kemper says. “After getting the scouting report on the opponent, he can call out most of their plays based on how they align. He gets everyone lined up correctly and gets those around him keyed into what is about to happen before it ever does.”
While Strmac plans to continue playing football in college, he wants to pursue a business degree and in preparation for a career on Wall Street. He is also considering studying political science and becoming a politician. Both jobs require extensive classes and with his solid academic record in multiple AP classes and in challenging courses like multi-variable calculus, Strmac has what it takes to make his goals a reality. “The importance of education has always been stressed by my parents,” he says. “Everyone only plays their sport for so long, and an education is essential to being successful. Having a balanced lifestyle now gives you many options in pursuing a career and essentially to leading a successful life.”
While his ability to balance football, impressive grades and extracurricular activities baffles many of his peers, those close to Strmac accept his well-rounded nature. “I think it’s grown over the years, because he’s so mature,” Lane says. “He started out so mature, even as a freshman. He’s learned over his four years in high school how to maintain all these high leadership roles. It’s just natural for him.”
Strmac’s hard work is about to pay off as multiple Ivy League schools hope to have him wear their jersey next fall. “I have been pursuing academically prestigious schools with solid football programs,” Strmac says. “The school I have the most interest in is the University of Pennsylvania. It turns out that this school has also been the most interested in me. I have been on numerous [campus] visits, met with many coaches, and have been invited to their final home game versus Harvard. Along with Penn, I am being recruited by Dartmouth College, Cornell University, Columbia University and Amherst College.”
With success looming on the horizon, Strmac’s teachers, coaches and peers continue to watch him stretch his capabilities to the limit and return with well deserved accolades. “Hank will be as successful as he wants,” Craft says. “He has a bright future and I hope he remembers his favorite administrator, because I will probably be asking him for a job someday.”
by Jessica Hale • photography courtesy of Mark Strmac
The classic American dream for most male teenagers would involve being the incredibly well-rounded football team captain who also serves as class president and a prominent figure within the school community. Pope High School’s Hank Strmac has achieved those honors while simultaneously dealing with a heavy academic course load, an extensive community service list, a few merit honors, and Ivy League schools scrambling to recruit him. “Hank has always been a pretty mature kid with very defined goals for himself and any team on which he participates,” says head football coach Matthew Kemper. “From the first time I met Hank, I knew he was the type of kid we need in our program. He is mature, hard working, serious minded, yet willing to have fun at the sport he is in.”
Storming the field as a running back and as a wide receiver, Strmac first stepped into his jersey not as a football lover but as a basketball player. “I started playing football in eighth grade,” he says. “For my entire life, my primary sport was basketball. I was convinced in eighth grade to come out for football and it was a great decision. A few years later, I actually stopped playing basketball to concentrate more on football. I could not be happier with the decision I made.”
Quickly discovering an affinity for football, Strmac developed a passion that drove him to his physical limits without taking away from his other interests. “Football is an incredible teacher of life lessons,” Strmac says. “Above all else, football teaches discipline and compassion for your teammates. Without discipline, a football team cannot be successful. You develop a sense of respect for every single one of them. You get just as excited when they succeed as when you do.”
Great passion leads to great performance, and Strmac’s teammates do not hesitate to expound on his ability to take control and guide his team. “He’s one of the best leaders we have on the team,” says varsity running back Pearce Lane. “He’s extremely selfless and he works harder than anyone I know. It’s really easy to look up to him because he always knows what we are supposed to do and he’s an incredible role model for all his teammates.” Coaches value Strmac’s talent not only for directing players on the field but for making a difference in high-pressure situations during Friday night games. “He plays with good forward lean,” Kemper says. “As a runner, he’s always getting yards and defensively, he closes well on the ball and is a fundamentally sound tackler. He is an extremely smart player and is almost never out of position.”
Strmac tested his abilities in other areas of student life, including winning the election for class president his sophomore, junior and senior years. “Hank has always been a competitive person, but he has grown into a natural leader,” athletic director Steven Craft says. “He leads by example [in] confidence, the ability to listen, the ability to motivate the people around him and having a strong work ethic. He is the heart and soul of Pope High School.”
When student government could no longer satisfy his desire to help others, Strmac reached out again to the student body and his peers elected him president of the National Honor Society. “The National Honor Society at Pope is different from all other schools,” Strmac says. “We have two goals: to impact the lives of others and to make Pope a more enjoyable place to go to school. Almost every day, NHS is doing something around Pope, whether it be emptying recycling bins or traveling to Tritt Elementary to play with kids in the After School Program. Last year, I tallied over 100 service hours in National Honor Society alone. This year, as the president, I hope to surpass 300 service hours.”
Touching the lives of his friends as well as those in the community, Strmac may not realize how widespread his influence and dedication has become. “Hank is one of those special kids who raises the people around him,” Kemper says. “He makes everyone on the field around him better by his being out there. He is always positive but forceful at the same time. His teammates respect him for his level of play but even more for the kind of person he is. I will not be surprised if Hank Strmac is President of the United States one day. I think he can accomplish whatever he puts his mind to.” Now a senior, Strmac’s football teammates voted him team captain along with Tyler Cummings, Garrett Brown, Trevor Buhr and David Tarquinio – a responsibility he does not take lightly. “I was humbled and honored to have been selected as one of the five captains of this team,” Strmac says. “I believe my teammates saw a quality in me that I see in myself: natural leadership. I have always been a leader in everything I do [and] I think all of the captains this year care about the team's success above everything else.”
This year’s group of captains effectively led Pope to the state playoffs for the first time in 10 years. This accomplishment is another indicator of Strmac’s ability to direct his team on the field. “He is a go-getter,” Craft says. “He does not wait to be told to do something. He takes the initiative.”
Initiative is precisely what is needed on the football field, where split-second decisions can cost 10 or 15 yards. Speedily calculating risks, Strmac is able to assess the situation on the field and maneuver players accordingly. “He is a vocal type of leader [who] has the ability to convey his thoughts and emotions to his teammates quickly and concisely,” Kemper says. “After getting the scouting report on the opponent, he can call out most of their plays based on how they align. He gets everyone lined up correctly and gets those around him keyed into what is about to happen before it ever does.”
While Strmac plans to continue playing football in college, he wants to pursue a business degree and in preparation for a career on Wall Street. He is also considering studying political science and becoming a politician. Both jobs require extensive classes and with his solid academic record in multiple AP classes and in challenging courses like multi-variable calculus, Strmac has what it takes to make his goals a reality. “The importance of education has always been stressed by my parents,” he says. “Everyone only plays their sport for so long, and an education is essential to being successful. Having a balanced lifestyle now gives you many options in pursuing a career and essentially to leading a successful life.”
While his ability to balance football, impressive grades and extracurricular activities baffles many of his peers, those close to Strmac accept his well-rounded nature. “I think it’s grown over the years, because he’s so mature,” Lane says. “He started out so mature, even as a freshman. He’s learned over his four years in high school how to maintain all these high leadership roles. It’s just natural for him.”
Strmac’s hard work is about to pay off as multiple Ivy League schools hope to have him wear their jersey next fall. “I have been pursuing academically prestigious schools with solid football programs,” Strmac says. “The school I have the most interest in is the University of Pennsylvania. It turns out that this school has also been the most interested in me. I have been on numerous [campus] visits, met with many coaches, and have been invited to their final home game versus Harvard. Along with Penn, I am being recruited by Dartmouth College, Cornell University, Columbia University and Amherst College.”
With success looming on the horizon, Strmac’s teachers, coaches and peers continue to watch him stretch his capabilities to the limit and return with well deserved accolades. “Hank will be as successful as he wants,” Craft says. “He has a bright future and I hope he remembers his favorite administrator, because I will probably be asking him for a job someday.”
November 2010
Sophomore Sensations
by Jessica Hale • photography by Lifetouch Studios
It has been an incredible year for the Pope Greyhounds in Region 4A. Pope cross country now competes against schools of equal size and in doing so has catapulted its runners to the top of 4A with senior captains Gerald Demeunynck and Jessica Hale each ranking second in the region. As the leading runners look forward to graduating, the team turns to its underclassman for new leadership – most notably, the sophomores.
Ranking second on the team and dominating with a 5K time of 16:26.88 after four years of running, sophomore Gunnar Stormark remains an intimidating presence on the starting line.
“I started cross country in seventh grade after I had broken my leg,” Stormark says. “I had been involved with track for a year already at the time, so after I had gotten out of the cast my coach had me running longer distances to get back in shape.”
Originally a track runner, Stormark discovered a talent for longer distances that led him to compete in AAU cross country meets. After qualifying for a national cross country meet a few months later, Stormark knew his newfound endurance would not be put to waste. “I have run cross country in my offseason from track ever since,” he says.
Back for his second year with the Greyhounds, Stormark constantly works to improve his mental fortitude in order to combat pain and exertion. “Cross country is a very demanding sport,” Stormark says. “It requires a person willing to hurt. With your adrenaline rushing, you have so many parts of the race to pay attention to that if you mess up something that seems small, you end up giving up seconds that you could have [had].”
Factors that can affect running range from the contents of the last two meals to the intensity of the week’s workouts to seemingly insignificant aspects, such as the weather.
“I will never forget when my coach and I went to Virginia for the AAU cross country qualifying round for nationals,” Stormark says. “[At] the hotel we found below-freezing temperatures and winds that seemed like they could uproot a tree! The day of the race I ran in below-freezing temperatures. The only thing exposed to the elements was my face and by the end of my race, it was totally numb.”
Suffering an injury that took him out for a large portion of his freshman season, Stormark practices extreme caution when it comes to his body’s reaction to strenuous exercises and routines. Because of his forced break from running, Stormark appreciates the qualities that separate a great runner from any other runner.
“Talent is a myth!” Stormark says. “Anybody who is the best at anything has put in countless hours to get where they are, and anyone who is the best has gone through more pain than all their competition to get there.”
Quickly coming out as a leading figure on the team, Stormark continues to progress as a runner and hopes that his next two cross country seasons will continue to reflect his devotion to the sport. Saying that competing is like a drug for him, Stormark looks forward to each race with eager anticipation matched by few high school runners.
“I think Steve Prefontaine summed it up perfectly when he said ‘Somebody may beat me but they are going to have to bleed to do it,’” Stormark says. “Cross country is a great sport that will kick your butt and get you into shape better than, in my opinion, all other sports. If you’re willing to put in the time and pain it takes to be a runner, I would be more than willing to help you get started.”
Patrick Fleming, another sophomore Pope is eager to have in a leadership position, ranks fourth on varsity with a 5K time of 17:10.31. Unlike other runners currently on the team, Patrick does not attend weekday practices due to his prior commitment as wide receiver on Pope’s junior varsity football team.
“My schedule for weekdays usually revolves around school, football, running to stay in shape for cross country, and then homework,” Fleming says. “I started running cross country halfway through my freshman season because of my love for running.”
Despite his late start in cross country, it was no surprise that Fleming would take on running as a second sport during the fall of his freshman season because of his notable passion for running and the pure joy he seemed to derive from it.
“I have loved to run ever since I was a kid, and I can’t remember a time I haven’t been running in my life,” Fleming says. “Running is a part of me that I do not think I will ever lose over my lifespan.”
Making his debut at a mid-season race, Fleming’s first encounter with the cross country team quickly established a name for himself as well as a beloved reputation for his enthusiasm. Even if unintentionally, he made the ‘trial of miles’ entertaining for the Greyhounds throughout the entire ordeal.
“My most memorable moment in cross country was at my first meet, when I met the whole team for the first time,” Fleming says. “I went over to the ‘public’ food table and made myself a plate of assorted fruits and snacks. I haven’t been more embarrassed in my life [as] when I got back to my tent and the whole team was laughing at me because I had just stolen a whole plate of Milton High School’s food.”
While Fleming’s affable demeanor endears him to the team, he is able to hone in on his abilities and fine tune his skills to keep pace with the other varsity runners who get to practice during the week while Patrick laces up for football.
“The toughest aspect is all the work you have to put into cross country,” Fleming says. “If you take one week off, you’re back at square one, which means you have to be mentally tough and stick with the sport.”
Unlike Stormark, Fleming admits that his natural ability does play a part in his performances, although he recognizes that it takes more than one’s gene pool to determine his capacity to run well.
“Being a great runner is a mix of just having the genetics, having the mental strength, and practicing whenever you can,” Fleming says. “If a runner is naturally good but doesn’t go to practice, then he will not be a great runner.”
What makes Fleming a remarkable addition to Pope’s cross country team is not only his ability to balance football and cross country in a single season, but to perform each of his team roles efficiently and to the best of his abilities. Planning to stick with both sports as he continues through high school, Fleming will have to improve his fitness level as his advancement to varsity football will soon cause him to have to retire early Friday nights after football games in order to wake up early for Saturday cross country meets.
Admirable and easy-going, Fleming is a role model for younger runners. As the team’s leadership graduates, he will soon step up and take on the responsibility of leading the team. With his continued dedication to both sports, anything is possible.
“Cross country has taught me that if you like to do something in life, then you should do it no matter how much it hurts because at the end of the day, you will be proud of yourself and that’s all that counts,” Fleming says. “If you are a person who loves to run, be around other people who love to run, and have a good time while running, then cross country is the perfect match [for you].”
Pope can rest assured that the cross country team will remain in good hands for the next few years. The girls team has its own lineup of sophomore runners eager to take over the top spots with Anna Trakhman, Morgan Laushey and Julia Schamay decreasing their times and improving their rankings. These talented sophomores will soon break into the top region rankings and bring Pope back in the game for good.
by Jessica Hale • photography by Lifetouch Studios
It has been an incredible year for the Pope Greyhounds in Region 4A. Pope cross country now competes against schools of equal size and in doing so has catapulted its runners to the top of 4A with senior captains Gerald Demeunynck and Jessica Hale each ranking second in the region. As the leading runners look forward to graduating, the team turns to its underclassman for new leadership – most notably, the sophomores.Ranking second on the team and dominating with a 5K time of 16:26.88 after four years of running, sophomore Gunnar Stormark remains an intimidating presence on the starting line.
“I started cross country in seventh grade after I had broken my leg,” Stormark says. “I had been involved with track for a year already at the time, so after I had gotten out of the cast my coach had me running longer distances to get back in shape.”
Originally a track runner, Stormark discovered a talent for longer distances that led him to compete in AAU cross country meets. After qualifying for a national cross country meet a few months later, Stormark knew his newfound endurance would not be put to waste. “I have run cross country in my offseason from track ever since,” he says.
Back for his second year with the Greyhounds, Stormark constantly works to improve his mental fortitude in order to combat pain and exertion. “Cross country is a very demanding sport,” Stormark says. “It requires a person willing to hurt. With your adrenaline rushing, you have so many parts of the race to pay attention to that if you mess up something that seems small, you end up giving up seconds that you could have [had].”
Factors that can affect running range from the contents of the last two meals to the intensity of the week’s workouts to seemingly insignificant aspects, such as the weather.
“I will never forget when my coach and I went to Virginia for the AAU cross country qualifying round for nationals,” Stormark says. “[At] the hotel we found below-freezing temperatures and winds that seemed like they could uproot a tree! The day of the race I ran in below-freezing temperatures. The only thing exposed to the elements was my face and by the end of my race, it was totally numb.”
Suffering an injury that took him out for a large portion of his freshman season, Stormark practices extreme caution when it comes to his body’s reaction to strenuous exercises and routines. Because of his forced break from running, Stormark appreciates the qualities that separate a great runner from any other runner.
“Talent is a myth!” Stormark says. “Anybody who is the best at anything has put in countless hours to get where they are, and anyone who is the best has gone through more pain than all their competition to get there.”
Quickly coming out as a leading figure on the team, Stormark continues to progress as a runner and hopes that his next two cross country seasons will continue to reflect his devotion to the sport. Saying that competing is like a drug for him, Stormark looks forward to each race with eager anticipation matched by few high school runners.
“I think Steve Prefontaine summed it up perfectly when he said ‘Somebody may beat me but they are going to have to bleed to do it,’” Stormark says. “Cross country is a great sport that will kick your butt and get you into shape better than, in my opinion, all other sports. If you’re willing to put in the time and pain it takes to be a runner, I would be more than willing to help you get started.”
Patrick Fleming, another sophomore Pope is eager to have in a leadership position, ranks fourth on varsity with a 5K time of 17:10.31. Unlike other runners currently on the team, Patrick does not attend weekday practices due to his prior commitment as wide receiver on Pope’s junior varsity football team.
“My schedule for weekdays usually revolves around school, football, running to stay in shape for cross country, and then homework,” Fleming says. “I started running cross country halfway through my freshman season because of my love for running.”
Despite his late start in cross country, it was no surprise that Fleming would take on running as a second sport during the fall of his freshman season because of his notable passion for running and the pure joy he seemed to derive from it.
“I have loved to run ever since I was a kid, and I can’t remember a time I haven’t been running in my life,” Fleming says. “Running is a part of me that I do not think I will ever lose over my lifespan.”
Making his debut at a mid-season race, Fleming’s first encounter with the cross country team quickly established a name for himself as well as a beloved reputation for his enthusiasm. Even if unintentionally, he made the ‘trial of miles’ entertaining for the Greyhounds throughout the entire ordeal.
“My most memorable moment in cross country was at my first meet, when I met the whole team for the first time,” Fleming says. “I went over to the ‘public’ food table and made myself a plate of assorted fruits and snacks. I haven’t been more embarrassed in my life [as] when I got back to my tent and the whole team was laughing at me because I had just stolen a whole plate of Milton High School’s food.”
While Fleming’s affable demeanor endears him to the team, he is able to hone in on his abilities and fine tune his skills to keep pace with the other varsity runners who get to practice during the week while Patrick laces up for football.
“The toughest aspect is all the work you have to put into cross country,” Fleming says. “If you take one week off, you’re back at square one, which means you have to be mentally tough and stick with the sport.”
Unlike Stormark, Fleming admits that his natural ability does play a part in his performances, although he recognizes that it takes more than one’s gene pool to determine his capacity to run well.
“Being a great runner is a mix of just having the genetics, having the mental strength, and practicing whenever you can,” Fleming says. “If a runner is naturally good but doesn’t go to practice, then he will not be a great runner.”
What makes Fleming a remarkable addition to Pope’s cross country team is not only his ability to balance football and cross country in a single season, but to perform each of his team roles efficiently and to the best of his abilities. Planning to stick with both sports as he continues through high school, Fleming will have to improve his fitness level as his advancement to varsity football will soon cause him to have to retire early Friday nights after football games in order to wake up early for Saturday cross country meets.
Admirable and easy-going, Fleming is a role model for younger runners. As the team’s leadership graduates, he will soon step up and take on the responsibility of leading the team. With his continued dedication to both sports, anything is possible.
“Cross country has taught me that if you like to do something in life, then you should do it no matter how much it hurts because at the end of the day, you will be proud of yourself and that’s all that counts,” Fleming says. “If you are a person who loves to run, be around other people who love to run, and have a good time while running, then cross country is the perfect match [for you].”
Pope can rest assured that the cross country team will remain in good hands for the next few years. The girls team has its own lineup of sophomore runners eager to take over the top spots with Anna Trakhman, Morgan Laushey and Julia Schamay decreasing their times and improving their rankings. These talented sophomores will soon break into the top region rankings and bring Pope back in the game for good.
October 2010
Gentle Soul, Champion Heart
by Jessica Hale • photography courtesy of Natalie Lampert
With Pope’s football and volleyball teams dominating the new 4A athletic division, it only makes sense that Pope softball would follow suit. Remaining undefeated thus far in their season, the Lady Greyhounds stand a strong chance of making it to the state championship.
With the help of one young lady in particular, Pope’s competitors will sit by and watch as senior captain Natalie Lampert leads Pope to another state title.
Softball was a part of Lampert’s life before she began participating in the sport, so her parents thought it natural for her to join in the fun.
"We live right around the corner from Sandy Plains Park," Lampert 's mother, Janet Hamm, says. "When she was five years old, I asked her if she wanted to play softball. She had been watching her older brother's baseball games for a couple of years, so she was all for it."
Nearly 13 years later, Lampert still possesses an unparalleled love for the game that stuns her peers, just as it amazed her high school coaches.
“I was immediately impressed by her passion for the game and her ability to 'lock in' and focus on the task at hand," head softball coach Chris Turco says. “Natalie is counted on to keep our team morale high [and] I think that Natalie does an amazing job of steering our team through any adversity that we may face.”
Out on the field, each player must pull their own weight, and teammates such as sophomore second baseman Laura Miller agree that Lampert contributes significant plays in each match.
“She’s a really good hitter and plays right field, so she helps prevent bringing runs in by catching fly balls and getting outs [for the opposing team],” Miller says. “She’s really positive with everybody and doesn’t get down and mad at herself, so everybody stays positive throughout the game.”
The girls must learn to stay on top of their game and be able to recover mentally after a disappointing play.
"An important aspect of being successful in softball is having a short memory and being able to deal with failure,” Turco says. “If a player hits .400, that player is considered exceptional; however, she has failed 60 percent of the time. Dealing with failure during a game is difficult and takes a lot of mental fortitude.”
With this perspective in mind, Lampert is the quintessence of an exceptional player. With a batting average exceeding .500 this season, she hits the ball more than half the time.
“Natalie has exceptional arm strength evidenced by her multiple outfield assists and [she] has above average speed evidenced by her success stealing bases,” Turco says. “Natalie’s biggest strength is probably her ability to consistently hit balls hard and drive balls into the gap.”
Confirming her coach’s opinion, Lampert recently broke a school record the week of September 6-10 for most RBIs in a season, scoring a total of 19 so far this season with 13 games left to play. Moreover, Lampert holds several other records for Pope softball: second all-time for season runs, fifth all-time for season hits and second all-time for season doubles.
"To be really successful, you have to be dedicated," Lampert says. "Practice never gets old. There is always something to improve on to be a better player." To maintain her skill level, she attends hitting classes, lifts weights and runs to keep in shape when she is not playing for Pope or her travel team, Georgia Fire.
"Her softball schedule has greatly affected our lives," Hamm says. "Because it is year-round, most of our vacations over the years have been spent at a ballpark. It leaves little time for other activities, but we love it and have met some wonderful friends through softball."
As team captain, Lampert must provide younger team members with an example to abide by, a task that does not always require advice or spoken guidance.
“I am not a ‘pump up’ speaker to the team,” Lampert says. “[But] the girls look up to me because of my actions. I treat every girl as if she is my little sister, and I think they all appreciate that.”
More than compensating for this duty, her teammates agree that she provides so much more than moral support.
“She’s one of my best friends, and I’ve known her my whole entire life,” junior shortstop Kendall Hahn says. “She’s always happy and in a good mood. I’ve never seen her down about anything. She cheers people up, she makes people laugh and she’s an all-around good person.”
In addition to being a great leader, Lampert is a great friend and manages her time efficiently so she can hang out on the weekends after games.
"Balancing school, friends and softball can be really hard at times," Lampert says. "Sometimes I have to cancel my plans with friends because of an early morning game the next day, or if I need to study for
school. [However] it's important to stay active throughout high school to foster relationships with friends that enjoy the same things as you do. … I've made more friends than I could imagine be simply playing softball with them."
Indeed, Lampert has gained so much more than friends through her softball teams. While not outspoken in school, she displays her true colors on the field.
“The best thing I’ve gotten from playing softball is self-confidence,” Lampert said. “The more I improve in my game, the happier I become. Being a leader my senior year has taught me to step up and be the one to stand out. It has also taught me that the team looks up to me, which is really an amazing feeling.”
With colleges looking to Lampert to bring her expertise to their campuses, it seems Lampert has her future all set. With an eye on schools in Georgia and Alabama, Lampert plans to continue the sport.
“I would love to play softball in college,” she says. “Playing in college will keep me busy, and I will meet a whole new group of girls to play with. I believe it would make my college that much better by playing on a college team.”
by Jessica Hale • photography courtesy of Natalie Lampert
With Pope’s football and volleyball teams dominating the new 4A athletic division, it only makes sense that Pope softball would follow suit. Remaining undefeated thus far in their season, the Lady Greyhounds stand a strong chance of making it to the state championship. With the help of one young lady in particular, Pope’s competitors will sit by and watch as senior captain Natalie Lampert leads Pope to another state title.
Softball was a part of Lampert’s life before she began participating in the sport, so her parents thought it natural for her to join in the fun.
"We live right around the corner from Sandy Plains Park," Lampert 's mother, Janet Hamm, says. "When she was five years old, I asked her if she wanted to play softball. She had been watching her older brother's baseball games for a couple of years, so she was all for it."
Nearly 13 years later, Lampert still possesses an unparalleled love for the game that stuns her peers, just as it amazed her high school coaches.
“I was immediately impressed by her passion for the game and her ability to 'lock in' and focus on the task at hand," head softball coach Chris Turco says. “Natalie is counted on to keep our team morale high [and] I think that Natalie does an amazing job of steering our team through any adversity that we may face.”
Out on the field, each player must pull their own weight, and teammates such as sophomore second baseman Laura Miller agree that Lampert contributes significant plays in each match.
“She’s a really good hitter and plays right field, so she helps prevent bringing runs in by catching fly balls and getting outs [for the opposing team],” Miller says. “She’s really positive with everybody and doesn’t get down and mad at herself, so everybody stays positive throughout the game.”
The girls must learn to stay on top of their game and be able to recover mentally after a disappointing play.
"An important aspect of being successful in softball is having a short memory and being able to deal with failure,” Turco says. “If a player hits .400, that player is considered exceptional; however, she has failed 60 percent of the time. Dealing with failure during a game is difficult and takes a lot of mental fortitude.”
With this perspective in mind, Lampert is the quintessence of an exceptional player. With a batting average exceeding .500 this season, she hits the ball more than half the time.
“Natalie has exceptional arm strength evidenced by her multiple outfield assists and [she] has above average speed evidenced by her success stealing bases,” Turco says. “Natalie’s biggest strength is probably her ability to consistently hit balls hard and drive balls into the gap.”
Confirming her coach’s opinion, Lampert recently broke a school record the week of September 6-10 for most RBIs in a season, scoring a total of 19 so far this season with 13 games left to play. Moreover, Lampert holds several other records for Pope softball: second all-time for season runs, fifth all-time for season hits and second all-time for season doubles.
"To be really successful, you have to be dedicated," Lampert says. "Practice never gets old. There is always something to improve on to be a better player." To maintain her skill level, she attends hitting classes, lifts weights and runs to keep in shape when she is not playing for Pope or her travel team, Georgia Fire. "Her softball schedule has greatly affected our lives," Hamm says. "Because it is year-round, most of our vacations over the years have been spent at a ballpark. It leaves little time for other activities, but we love it and have met some wonderful friends through softball."
As team captain, Lampert must provide younger team members with an example to abide by, a task that does not always require advice or spoken guidance.
“I am not a ‘pump up’ speaker to the team,” Lampert says. “[But] the girls look up to me because of my actions. I treat every girl as if she is my little sister, and I think they all appreciate that.”
More than compensating for this duty, her teammates agree that she provides so much more than moral support.
“She’s one of my best friends, and I’ve known her my whole entire life,” junior shortstop Kendall Hahn says. “She’s always happy and in a good mood. I’ve never seen her down about anything. She cheers people up, she makes people laugh and she’s an all-around good person.”
In addition to being a great leader, Lampert is a great friend and manages her time efficiently so she can hang out on the weekends after games.
"Balancing school, friends and softball can be really hard at times," Lampert says. "Sometimes I have to cancel my plans with friends because of an early morning game the next day, or if I need to study for
school. [However] it's important to stay active throughout high school to foster relationships with friends that enjoy the same things as you do. … I've made more friends than I could imagine be simply playing softball with them."Indeed, Lampert has gained so much more than friends through her softball teams. While not outspoken in school, she displays her true colors on the field.
“The best thing I’ve gotten from playing softball is self-confidence,” Lampert said. “The more I improve in my game, the happier I become. Being a leader my senior year has taught me to step up and be the one to stand out. It has also taught me that the team looks up to me, which is really an amazing feeling.”
With colleges looking to Lampert to bring her expertise to their campuses, it seems Lampert has her future all set. With an eye on schools in Georgia and Alabama, Lampert plans to continue the sport.
“I would love to play softball in college,” she says. “Playing in college will keep me busy, and I will meet a whole new group of girls to play with. I believe it would make my college that much better by playing on a college team.”
September 2010
A Truly Unforgettable Matt Hobby Award Winner
by Jessica Hale • photography by Kristen Bowen
It takes a truly memorable player to retire a jersey in high school football, but it takes an incredibly unforgettable athlete to reclaim that retired jersey and wear it for the season. Through a football tradition started at Pope in honor of Matt Hobby, Greyhounds senior lineman Trevor Buhr will don jersey number 70 to continue the incredible legacy Hobby left behind.
The Pope Greyhounds participate in this tradition every year in Hobby’s memory, a beloved senior lineman from five years ago.
“Matt Hobby was a dear member of the Pope football family,” Buhr says. “That year as a senior, Matt fought the team’s battles on the field, but also fought his battle against cancer [Ewing sarcoma]. He died just after graduation, leaving behind a lasting impression of dedication, selflessness and hard work to be remembered by his team.”
Every year, the Greyhounds hold a Rally game in which students collect change for the 4 Quarters 4 Research Foundation to fund projects researching childhood cancers. According to Rally Foundation sources, in his last few days, Hobby said, “I have lived 17 years and been able to do a lot of great things, but the little kids with cancer need a chance to live. Tell them [teammates and friends] to raise money for research.”
Hobby’s parents launched 4 Quarters 4 Research at Pope High School, and the program has since spread to more than 300 schools in 10 states and has raised over $1.6 million in the fight against childhood cancer.
“Last year we raised $24,000 at the Pope football game,” athletic director Steven Craft says. “The legacy at Pope High School was not only the fundraising but the number that he wore. Every year that jersey is awarded to a senior lineman who best exhibits the qualities that Matt had: dedication, love of the game, love of his teammates, hard-working, and somebody that would just go out there and bust his butt every play, just being thankful to play high school football.”
Athletes must exhibit this dedication, selflessness, and hard work both on and off the field in order to be considered for this prestigious award.
“Trevor was elected captain [by his teammates],” head football coach Matthew Kemper says. “He can be a vocal guy, but he’s not necessarily a rah-rah kind of kid. He more leads by example. He’s here every day in the summer. He doesn’t miss practice. He’s not in trouble. And he’s a good kid out in the school.”
With the honor available to one senior lineman, coaches and teammates selected Buhr from the string of 12 players because they believed he best displayed the qualities exhibited by Hobby.
“I am honored to have been chosen for this award,” Buhr says. “My teammates picked me out for my work ethic and leadership, and to be selected is monumental to me. I am glad my hard work pays off and affects others.”
On the night of the Rally game, Buhr met Hobby’s family, who congratulated him and recognized him for the honor of wearing Hobby’s jersey and for representing the same passion and dedication that their son possessed.
“He’s as good as a football player is, and he’s probably a better person off the football field,” Craft says. “He’s become a leader in the locker room. Kids look up to him, they follow him, he does everything right that coaches look for. And it’s just nice knowing you can trust his character is always going to prevail and come through.”
Along with the privilege of wearing Hobby’s jersey comes the responsibility associated with it. Buhr’s teammates agree that his devoted nature will indeed pull him through the season as he accepts the honor and acts on the same principles Hobby promoted.
"The Matt Hobby Award stands for hard work, leadership and success on and off the field," team captain Hank Strmac says. "And Trevor Buhr represents all of that."
There is no doubt that Buhr can not only meet these expectations but exceed them as he continues throwing his heart into the game and setting an inspiring example for others to follow.
“I hope to be a leader for my team on the field by playing well in the games, and off the field as a student and friend,” Buhr says. “I want to be someone they can rely on to get the job done or trust to have their back. That’s what football is all about, and that’s what Matt was all about.”
by Jessica Hale • photography by Kristen Bowen
It takes a truly memorable player to retire a jersey in high school football, but it takes an incredibly unforgettable athlete to reclaim that retired jersey and wear it for the season. Through a football tradition started at Pope in honor of Matt Hobby, Greyhounds senior lineman Trevor Buhr will don jersey number 70 to continue the incredible legacy Hobby left behind.The Pope Greyhounds participate in this tradition every year in Hobby’s memory, a beloved senior lineman from five years ago.
“Matt Hobby was a dear member of the Pope football family,” Buhr says. “That year as a senior, Matt fought the team’s battles on the field, but also fought his battle against cancer [Ewing sarcoma]. He died just after graduation, leaving behind a lasting impression of dedication, selflessness and hard work to be remembered by his team.”
Every year, the Greyhounds hold a Rally game in which students collect change for the 4 Quarters 4 Research Foundation to fund projects researching childhood cancers. According to Rally Foundation sources, in his last few days, Hobby said, “I have lived 17 years and been able to do a lot of great things, but the little kids with cancer need a chance to live. Tell them [teammates and friends] to raise money for research.”
Hobby’s parents launched 4 Quarters 4 Research at Pope High School, and the program has since spread to more than 300 schools in 10 states and has raised over $1.6 million in the fight against childhood cancer.
“Last year we raised $24,000 at the Pope football game,” athletic director Steven Craft says. “The legacy at Pope High School was not only the fundraising but the number that he wore. Every year that jersey is awarded to a senior lineman who best exhibits the qualities that Matt had: dedication, love of the game, love of his teammates, hard-working, and somebody that would just go out there and bust his butt every play, just being thankful to play high school football.”
Athletes must exhibit this dedication, selflessness, and hard work both on and off the field in order to be considered for this prestigious award.
“Trevor was elected captain [by his teammates],” head football coach Matthew Kemper says. “He can be a vocal guy, but he’s not necessarily a rah-rah kind of kid. He more leads by example. He’s here every day in the summer. He doesn’t miss practice. He’s not in trouble. And he’s a good kid out in the school.”
With the honor available to one senior lineman, coaches and teammates selected Buhr from the string of 12 players because they believed he best displayed the qualities exhibited by Hobby.
“I am honored to have been chosen for this award,” Buhr says. “My teammates picked me out for my work ethic and leadership, and to be selected is monumental to me. I am glad my hard work pays off and affects others.”
On the night of the Rally game, Buhr met Hobby’s family, who congratulated him and recognized him for the honor of wearing Hobby’s jersey and for representing the same passion and dedication that their son possessed.
“He’s as good as a football player is, and he’s probably a better person off the football field,” Craft says. “He’s become a leader in the locker room. Kids look up to him, they follow him, he does everything right that coaches look for. And it’s just nice knowing you can trust his character is always going to prevail and come through.”
Along with the privilege of wearing Hobby’s jersey comes the responsibility associated with it. Buhr’s teammates agree that his devoted nature will indeed pull him through the season as he accepts the honor and acts on the same principles Hobby promoted.
"The Matt Hobby Award stands for hard work, leadership and success on and off the field," team captain Hank Strmac says. "And Trevor Buhr represents all of that."
There is no doubt that Buhr can not only meet these expectations but exceed them as he continues throwing his heart into the game and setting an inspiring example for others to follow.
“I hope to be a leader for my team on the field by playing well in the games, and off the field as a student and friend,” Buhr says. “I want to be someone they can rely on to get the job done or trust to have their back. That’s what football is all about, and that’s what Matt was all about.”
All photography submitted by Pope High School
