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Concordia Lutheran's Cara Shirley
THE 411: 'Sader Nation's Shirley is a Jack-of-all-trades
VYPE got the chance to catch up with the soon-to-be junior Crusader...
VYPE: Why did you get into cross country, and what do you love about it?
SHIRLEY: "Well, my Dad started running when I was little, and I would run with him. So, that kind of led me to stay with for the team-aspect. It also made us closer."
VYPE: So, talk about your sophomore year. Were you surprised? What were your expectations?
SHIRLEY: "Oh, I was super surprised that I came in as a sophomore and won gold in my first meet. I was just blown out of the water. I had no clue that I was capable of that."
Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
VYPE: I’m fascinated with what cross country people think about when they’re running. What do you think about? Do you listen to anything before going onto the track?
SHIRLEY: "Before I go onto the track, I recite the Lightning McQueen mantra–’the faster the fast, the quicker the quick’. When I’m running, there’s an 80s pop song playing in my head at all times."
VYPE: Cross country is great, but what do you do outside of running?
SHIRLEY: "I do art. I competed in the TAPPS State Art competition and got first place in my category."
VYPE: How did you get into that?
SHIRLEY: "My older sister did Art. So, I grew up drawing with her and she taught me a lot. I’ll draw anything, but the specific category I won in...I just drew a picture that I saw on the campus."
VYPE: What is your Netflix jam?
SHIRLEY: "Stranger Things."
VYPE: If you had a celebrity dream-date, who would that be?
SHIRLEY: "Harry Styles."
VYPE: What has Concordia Lutheran meant to you, so far?
SHIRLEY: "It’s been like my second family. Coming here and being able to see all these people that I’ve known since I was a little kid –it feels so safe."
VYPE: Finally, what are you going to do to get better for next year?
SHIRLEY: "I’m going to train as hard as I possibly can this summer.That way, I can come back next year and succeed more than I did as a sophomore."
Concordia Lutheran Football Team
Concordia Lutheran Magazine: FALL WRAP
Defensively, Samuel Ahmuty was a second-team, all-state defensive lineman and Owen Segura earned an honorable-mention nod as a defensive lineman.
On the all-district teams, the CLHS defense was the calling card. Andrew Shrewsbury and Gavin Baxter got second-team nods at linebacker, while Tate Elder was a second-team, all-district defensive back.
Out of this group, only Shrewsbury and Elder are slated to return for the 2021 season.
Concordia Lutheran Football TeamPhoto by Bradley Collier
VOLLEYBALL
It was another stellar year for the Concordia Lutheran volleyball program, going 22-4 and reaching the TAPPS state semifinals. The 'Saders fell to district rival St. Agnes in four games.
Coach Kim Odinga says goodbye along with Brooke Frazier, who left a lasting legacy on the program. The first-team, all-state defender is off to the SEC where she plays for Texas A&M. Frazier was a four-time, first-team, all-district selection and a Prep Volleyball All-American.
Outside hitter Sophie Keene also joined Frazier on the first-team as the Baylor commit will lead the charge in her 2021 senior season.
Sydney Whitfield was a second-team, all-state selection and could have a break-out year for the Crusaders in 2021. Ryann Ely earned an honorable mention for her play as a senior.
Concordia Lutheran Volleyball TeamPhoto by Bradley Collier
CROSS COUNTRY
Girls Cross Country Makes School History; Boys Finished Eighth
Leading the way were Lauryn Kastenschmidt and Ava Zindler. Kastenschmidt finished fourth overall. Megan Groeschel, Shelby Hadrick and Jessica McGavern also played huge roles on the teams' success.
Concordia Lutheran's top five runners all placed in the Top 30. Two were in the Top 10 and Kastenschmidt was fourth.
2020 CLHS GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY Photo by Bradley Coller
2020 CLHS BOYS CROSS COUNTRY Photo by Bradley Collier
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