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Houston Christian's McKayla Childs
CHEERFUL COMPETITOR: Houston Christian’s Childs is the life of the party
In the Fall, Childs was the top performer for the Mustangs’ cross country team, indicated by her fourth-place finish (5K-20:46.49) in the SPC-3A State Meet.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Several months prior, she placed within the top-10 in both the 800m and 1600m race at the 2023 SPC State Meet for the HCHS Track & Field team, while also helping to guide the girls tennis team to its first-ever SPC Title.
“I kind of like them all equally,” said Childs. “It’s a little more difficult to manage two sports simultaneously in the Spring, especially with the practices that you’re mandated to go to. During the Summer, Fall, and early Winter it’s easier to go and play tennis at night or during the weekends, and double up on my running in the Summer.”
“Of course, cross country workouts are a way longer than track which gives me less time for everything else. However, juggling all these sports has really helped me improve my time management skills.”
So, what exactly sparked her interest?
“I’ve been a ‘tennis child’ almost my entire life, dating back to when I was six years old,” she said. “When I was twelve, my Dad decided to put me in cross country because he was a runner, and he ran with some of the Masters groups, which are basically like ex-Olympians.”
“He figured it would be a great way to keep me in shape and trained up for tennis, and he was right. From there, I started running competitively since the end of middle school.”
Given the standard she sets for herself, it shouldn’t be difficult to see how Childs is nothing if not goal-oriented.
“So, my plan is to eventually run competitively in college, but not compete in tennis,” Childs said. “Only about 0.6% of high school tennis players get that opportunity, so I know my chances of running in college are definitely greater.”
“But, I really want to keep tennis as a life-long sport. I want to stay trained up for it, especially because I have such a long background in it. It’s really such a social sport for me – it’s really fun to do, and I love all of my teammates. Being a good teammate is what I want to be remembered for – someone who was competitive, but still had fun.”
The 2022-23 SPC Champs -- Houston Christian Girls Tennis
Where might this ambition take the junior Mustang?
“I’ve been looking at Texas A&M,” she said. “My Dad is an alum there, so it’s a really big part of his culture and what he really likes. I know it’s kind of the exact opposite, but I also like the University of Texas, as well as Rice, Vanderbilt – mostly schools in the South.”
“But, in terms of what I want to do career-wise, I hope to enter the Accounting and Electrical Engineering field. I’m thinking about doing a double major with that, but I don’t for sure just yet, it all just sounds fun to me.”
Childs certainly has a bright future ahead of her. However, she and Houston Christian Tennis first have an SPC crown to uphold this Spring.
2022-23 Houston Christian Girls Tennis
RECORD YEAR: Akina, HCHS Girls Tennis takes SPC by storm
Prior to the season, Akina expressed her ambition of helping her athletes to succeed at a high level by embracing their roles and strengths on the team.
HCHS Head Coach Di Akina Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
It would seem that she accomplished her mission, considering all Akina did was direct Houston Christian to the top in her first season as the HCHS Tennis coach.
“I feel so lucky to be a part of a team that is so coachable,” she said. “They trust me and I trust them. They understand that I coach them hard, but I love them just as much. Being a part of the school’s history is tremendous, and it’s just the beginning. The start to a different culture in our athletics program is on the rise.”
So what made this team so special?
HCHS Girls Tennis celebrates their first SPC Title Photo acquired via Twitter: @HCHSAthletics
“We had an amazing group of seniors who really brought a different spirit and energy to the team,” said Akina. “They were all first-time players but supported their underclassmen teammates one-hundred percent, and they didn’t miss a match, whether they were playing or not. That set the expectation.”
“Our confidence and the fact that our team believed in themselves and trusted their teammates to show up when needed really set us apart. Lastly, the group was having fun, and when you do that, things tend to take care of themselves.”
Juan De Leon (VYPE)
Now that Houston Christian has established the precedent on the tennis court, the future of the program should only get brighter.
“HC Tennis is going to continue to develop players, both on and off the court,” Akina said. “We’re going to help them become competitors and leaders, by persistently building upon this foundation that this year’s team has set.”
Expect Houston Christian Tennis to make a run for their second a year from now.