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Fort Bend Christian Academy Magazine: Spring Wrap
SOFTBALL CLAIMS FIRST DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP SINCE 2017, ADVANCED TO TAPPS FINAL FOUR
FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE CLASS OF 2021 CAN CALL THEMSELVES DISTRICT CHAMPIONS.
This past spring, FBCA posted an undefeated mark in district play and entered the playoffs as the No. 1 seed.
The Eagles were paced by Oklahoma commit Avery Hodge, who was the unanimous District MVP. Hodge in district hit .778 with 25 RBIs and 25 runs scored. She also posted a 0.73 ERA in 19 innings.
First-team, all-district picks included Avery, Reagan Heflin, Katie Dillon, Hadley Hodge – who was just a freshman – and Sarah Stubbs.
Jaelynn Lee and Ashlyn Pence were named to the second team, while Grace Payton, Lily Williams, and Victoria Harrison received honorable mention nods.
The Eagles advanced to the TAPPS Final Four in May and fell to Second Baptist School 5-3 in the TAPPS State Semifinals.
FBCA TRACK & FIELD MAKES NOISE AT STATE MEET
DEON MINOR KNEW THAT LAST YEAR COULD HAVE BEEN A HUGE SEASON FOR HIS TRACK AND FIELD PROGRAM IF COVID-19 HADN'T BROUGHT EVERYTHING TO A SCREECHING HALT.
With this season a full go, the FBCA track and field teams were able to shine on the sports' biggest stage.
The FBCA men's track team took second overall as a team scoring 82 points.
The crew was led by senior David Kasemervisz, who medaled in two events. Kasemervisz won the state championship in the long jump (20-feet, 7-inches) and took silver in the 400-meter dash (50.79). He also took fourth in the high jump (5- feet, 8-inches).
Robert Walter took home the state championship in the shot put with a toss of 48-feet, 5-inches and Bradd Pence took silver in the pole vault, clearing 13-feet.
In the relays, the 4x200- meter relay team took third (1:31.45) with Noah Brooks, Tekena Williams, Bryan Domino and Solomon Cole running it.
The FBCA women's team took sixth overall with 51 points.
Angel Nwodu stood out with a silver medal finish in the 100-meter dash (13.18) and she anchored the state runner-up 4x100-meter relay team (51.17) and the state champion 4x200-meter relay team (1:47.88). Brooke Coleman, Gabby Washington and Thea Longbottom ran the first, second and third legs of those relays, respectively.
EAGLES FINISH SECOND IN DISTRICT
MARC JONES LED FORT BEND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY BASEBALL BACK TO THE PLAYOFFS IN 2021 AFTER A SECOND-PLACE FINISH IN DISTRICT PLAY.
The Eagles finished the regular season 21-8 overall and 8-4 in district play.
Jordan Kelly, Brady Dever and Clay Krisch were named first-team, all-district. Through 30 games, Kelly batted .457 with 49 RBIs, 10 doubles, four triples and four home runs, while Dever hit for .474 with 34 RBIs and 12 doubles. Krisch was third on the team with 27 RBIs.
On the second team was Benji Elizondo, while Markos Romo and Blaine Baird were honorable-mention picks.
The Eagles advanced to the Regional Round of the TAPPS Division II Playoffs.
FBCA DUO QUALIFY, REACH TENNIS STATE SEMIFINALS
ASHLEY ANDERSON HAD BEEN HERE BEFORE.
In fact, she was a previous state qualifier and had success in doubles play before, but heading into this season she was going to need a new partner. Step in sophomore Anna Garcia Romanos.
The duo started playing together back in mid-February and had never played doubles together before.
Fast forward to the end of March and the District 6-5A Tournament where Anderson and Garcia-Romanos would try and punch their ticket to the TAPPS 5A State Tournament. They did just that and more as the duo captured the District Championship in girls doubles.
"I cannot put into words how proud I feel about my players accomplishing their goals and their dreams," FBCA tennis coach Eric Cornejo said. "This is something that they've been working for all their lives.
"It's huge because the competition level in private school is not to be taken lightly. They definitely worked really hard to adjust for matches."
To have a doubles team go to state does wonders for the program. Cornejo, who has known Garcia-Romanos since she was a baby, said and is excited for everyone involved.
"It is amazing, it motivates all the kids around them. Everybody is excited for them," he said. "I've been a coach at Fort Bend Christian for 14 years and the excitement never stops when you see people try their hardest. It's really encouraging to see."
Anderson and GarciaRomanos at state defeated Anjali Gaalla and Lisa Du of St. Joseph-Victoria (2-0) and the duo of Ayden Parish and Hannah Barrow of TMI-San Antonio (2-0) to reach the State Semifinals.
SWINGING FOR GREENS
Stephen Campbell, FBCA
FBCA Magazine Feature: He's Got the Juice
STEPHEN CAMPBELL JR. IS A HYPE-MAN
The 2019 TAPPS Class 5A state champion and the 24th-ranked AJGA Rolex Junior in the country is magnetic.
Whether pumping himself up on the golf course or as a Student Section Leader at a Fort Bend Christian Academy football game, Campbell has some juice.
The Oklahoma-signee regained his passion for golf entering high school and has left opponents in his wake on the high school and the elite tournament circuits. "Ever since I was 18-months-old, I had a club in my hand," he said. "I was sort of a child-prodigy in the beginning, but when I started coasting in middle school I got a little bit behind. My parents sat me down and just explained they weren't going to shell out money if I didn't see a future in golf."
That was in the eighth grade.
"I found that passion again and I've been hard at work ever since," he said.
There has been a price. The recent grad has had to sacrifice being a teenager at the hands of golf at times.
"People think I'm boring sometimes," he laughs. "It's golf, school and family-time. Yes, I've had to make some sacrifices. I've missed time with my friends with practice or traveling to tournaments.
"I don't see it as a sacrifice, but a blessing. I'm thinking long-term. I'm motivated to get better. To be the best player I can."
Much like his favorites – Tigers Woods and Phil Mickelson.
"I grew up on Tiger Woods and Phil, who is a fellow lefty," he said. "I also like Brooks Koepka and his approach. He's a transcendent athlete physically and I love how he approaches the game. He simplifies it. "I also like the young guns. I have so much respect for how insanely tough it is to make and stay on the professional tour," he said. "Those guys are so tough."
Campbell will attend Oklahoma next fall and play for coach Ryan Hybl. Forgot to mention, his parents are Sooners and his mom played college basketball.
"Coach is an energy-guy like me," he laughs. "Our personalities match. He has moxie and swag and playing for him will make me a better player and person.
"My parents didn't want to influence my decision at all, so I prayed about it a lot. Oklahoma is a special place and Christ put it in my heart. I love the guys on the team and we have a great class coming in."
When he gets some time to chill, he's with friends or with his dad hunting or fishing.
"My dad taught me the game of golf and my mom gave me the mental side of athletics," he said. "They have been a huge influence in my life."
The energy Campbell has for life makes him a can't miss-kid – whether it's on the golf course, in the stands, or a future in business.
He's got the juice.