2019 Fall Sports Overview
The Batcats, led by head coach Joanna Kay and assistant coaches Bill Caldwell and Lauren Carter, started off their season with rigorous training in the month of July in order to sharpen their skills and strengthen their teamwork. Although former head coach Bill McGuire who coached the varsity softball team for 18 years did not return for this season, the Batcats carried on his legacy as they continued to improve on their game as a team.
“Coach McGuire has been my coach ever since I started softball at Westminster so it has been different without him here, but I have really loved getting to know the other coaches and see them step up to take on the role that Coach McGuire left behind,” said junior Morgan Shiver.
Despite their losses against several teams this season, the Batcats continued to fight and give their all throughout the season leading up to state playoffs. From the support of the softball team’s captains, senior Alex Bradham and juniors Morgan Shiver and Elle Shores, the softball girls entered the state playoffs where they played a hard-double header and ultimately lost by only 5-6 against Lumpkin County High School.
Led by head coach Joe Tribble and assistant coaches Jason Vuckovic, Ricky Dimon and Mitchell Griest, the varsity boys cross country team has worked extremely hard, setting remarkable goals and records as well as pushing and supporting each other throughout this season. Recently, the boys competed in the 2019 3A Wendy’s Invitational in Charlotte, North Carolina, making this their second consecutive year of placing first in the meet. Led by runners Zachary Roe (‘20) and Scott Arbery (‘20) who respectively placed first and second in the race, all seven Wildcat runners finished in the top fifty with an average course time of 16:48. “It was cool to see a few of the underclassmen go to the Wendy’s Invitational which is cool since it shows this team has a great future ahead of them,” said junior Gray Aldridge.
The team is now looking forward to their upcoming races in the 5AAA Region Meet and the GHSA State Championship Meet and are continuing their training of rigorous workouts each day after school. These boys are looking forward to carrying out the season strong and bringing home yet another state championship this year.
Despite the unrelenting Atlanta heat this year, the Westminster cross country girls team has continued to focus on their individual perseverance both physically and mentally while still working together as a team, also known as the sisterhood. Head coach Amy Eubanks and assistant coaches Miranda Wilson, Anna Major, and Michael O’Connor have worked diligently to create an environment that encourages the Westminster Sisterhood to support each other and with various fellow competitors throughout their races. The cross-country girls recently had Senior Night after their home meet against Lovett School and Stone Mountain High School on October 16 to honor and recognize the seniors on the team.
“Every year, I have loved watching the whole team celebrate our sweet senior class and show their appreciation towards them,” said Wilson.
Although the season is coming to a quick end, the girls were able to show their appreciation and celebrate their senior leaders as well as the coaches in all that they have done for the team. They are now looking forward to running in their last home meet of the year on October 23 and cheering on their top seven runners in the GHSA State Championship meet at Carrollton Elementary School on November 2.
The Westminster volleyball team came in strong for this year’s season as they have focused on working tirelessly to push themselves and each other in both their practices and games. Through their hard work, the Volleycats have been able to strengthen their bond with their teammates, which has made the season overall very enjoyable for them. The girls recently won their game 3-0 against Pace Academy in the first round of the GHSA State Tournament on October 10. With the support of their head coach Catherine Monroe and assistant coach Nicole Justice as well as the spectacular Wildcat student section to cheer the Volleycats on, the girls were able to shut down Pace and bring on another victory for the team. Junior volleyball player, Mary Emily Morgan, described their first GHSA State game as very memorable and emotional.
“It was incredible how much love and support we received from our coaches and especially our fans. It is such an honor for me to be able to play with such talented girls and I am so excited and can’t wait to bring home another win for the cats in the second round of the tournament.”
The volleycats are looking forward to playing in their next game on October 22 and hope to ultimately go to the finals where they would have the opportunity to win the GHSA State Championship.
The Westminster varsity boys football team has focused this year on various types of plays in scrimmage practice as well as understanding the importance of what it means to be a family. The team has been under the constant encouragement of head coach Gerry Romberg and assistant coaches LB Joel, Danny Alexander, Donovan Jackson, Adam Pullen, Matt Pelot, Marty WIld and Neema Salimi. The boys were able to gain another home victory with a score of 32-21 in their recent game against Pace Academy on October 11 and are now focusing on looking ahead for their upcoming games this season.