Boys Basketball Season Faces Tough Competition

By Justin Pearson
The sounds of shoes squeaking, and basketballs being dribbled on the gym floor are back again. The 2012 CHS boys basketball team has begun its season, and are eager for a big year this year. With six seniors returning for the Cavaliers, the boys are loaded with talent and experience. Mat Case, Trey Henderson, Lucas Ledbetter, Phoenix Roberts, Phillip Roper, and Elijah Scott are all ready to begin their final season at CHS and their hoping they can make this one count. The squad has a pretty tough schedule, including games against the dreaded Sparta , Bradley Central, Haywood County, and Wilson Central, all very daunting opponents. In order to make it to the playoffs, we must win our district consisting of: Sparta, Warren Co., Cumberland Co., and Coffee Co. The team is also taking a trip during Christmas break to Destin, Florida, where they’ll play against other talented schools CHS wouldn’t normally have the chance to face. As you can see, it's going to be an exciting season of boys basketball, so come out and see as many games as you can!

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Time to Roll Out the Mats

By Scott Proffitt
In the famous words of Michael Buffer, “Let’s get ready to rumble!” It’s time to strap on the head gear and roll out the mats because wrestling season is here again! Now that the football season has reached its conclusion, Coach Cook is geared and ready for the wrestling season. When asked about the transition from football to wrestling, Coach Cook replied, “Being head coach of football and of wrestling both entail much of the same things as far as preparation goes. The only difference is the sport itself.”
His goal for the team this year is for them to improve as the season progresses and to compete well on the state level. But most of all, Coach Cook expects his wrestlers to have a positive attitude and a willingness to work hard. And according to how he runs his practices, working hard is a must. Coach Cook described his practices as extremely intense with hands on drills and live situations. “I want everyone to always be working,” he says. “I don’t like a whole lot of standing around and watching.” Dalton Underwood, a sophomore wrestler, said, “His practices push you to the limit and are incredibly strenuous.” Although the preparation seems daunting, it’s all worthwhile for the wrestlers. All the hard work that’s put into practices finally comes to fruition when a meet rolls around. The team has around fifty meets during the course of the season and although this is a team sport, each wrestler has the task of facing their opponent on their own. “It’s an elevating feeling when you win a match knowing no one else helped you,” says Underwood.
Coach Cook along with the rest of the team is primed and ready for an excellent season of wrestling. Senior wrestlers this year include Glen Shoemake, Tanner Curto, Alex Davidson, Derek Hammons, and Amber Slaughter. Wrestling may seem like a simple sport, but in reality, there’s nothing further from the truth. Wrestling is one of the toughest sports there is and these students have been putting in a great deal of hard work each week. So come out and support your wrestling team and watch them kick some tail!

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Busy Season Ahead For Lady Cavs Basketball

By Rachel Fox

The girl’s basketball team looks promising this year. The CHS senior girls are Hannah Goolsby (#24), Sydney Robinson (#11), and Libby Ligon (#5). The junior girls are Alison Odom (#21) and Sydney Marek (#25). Sophomore girls are Haylie Kieth (#1), Syvannah Mayberry (#30), Merriel Craighead (#32), and Kylie Oliphant (#22). Freshman girls are Karagan Turner (#10) and Toiya Gwynn (#20). With the fantastic leadership of coach Mindy Odom and assistant coaches Janie Brock and Michelle Snow, the busy season is sure to be a great one!

Here’s the schedule for the 2012-13 season, 
11/17/12 Sat- Smith County Clarkrange High School Away Non-League    
11/17/12 Sat- Haywood County Clarkrange High School Away Non-League    
11/23/12 Fri- Cannon County High School Away Tournament    
11/24/12 Sat- Cannon County High School Away Tournament    
11/27/12 Tue- Lenoir City Cookeville High School Home Non-League    
12/04/12 Tue- Wilson Central Wilson Central Away Non-League    
12/07/12 Fri- Brentwood Academy Home Non-League    
12/15/12 Sat- Bradley Central Home Non-League    
12/18/12 Tue- Lebanon Home Non-League    
12/20/12 Thu- Warren County Away Tournament    
12/21/12 Fri- Warren County Away Tournament    
12/22/12 Sat- Warren County Away Tournament        
1/04/13 Fri- Cumberland County Away League    
1/08/13 Tue- Jackson County Home Non-League    
1/12/13 Sat- Bradley Central Away Non-League    
1/15/13 Tue- Coffee County Away League    
1/18/13 Fri- White County Home League    
1/22/13 Tue- Warren County Home League    
1/25/13 Fri- Cumberland County Home League    
1/29/13 Tue- Lancaster Christian Away Non-League    
2/01/13 Fri- Coffee County Home League    
2/05/13 Tue- White County Away League    
2/08/13 Fri- Warren County Away League    
2/12/13 Tue- Lancaster Christian Home Non-League    
2/16/13 Sat- District Semis White County Playoffs    
2/19/13 Tue- District Consolation or Championship White County Playoffs

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Diving Into Swim Season

By Beth Kelly
Swim season here at CHS is in full swing, beginning in November and closing near the end of January. The swim team practices five days a week, either before or after school. Practice includes: running, swimming; distance (testing to see how far you can swim in a certain amount of time), pulls, and kicks (different types of strength exercises for their arms and legs) in order to succeed and do well in their meets. A swim meet takes place for a few hours, during which the team competes in multiple events.

The swim team consists primarily of juniors, a few freshmen, and an even number of seniors and sophomores. The coach of the team is Scott Brown. As the season proceeds, we hope the best for the swim team and that they have a great season!

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Cavaliers Improve, Despite Loss at Mt. Juliet

By Ryan Eberle

Last Friday the Cavaliers had much to be excited about, except for the final outcome of the game.  The Cavaliers came into the game as a huge underdog, predicted by some people to lost by as many as 40 points to 6A No.7 ranked Mt. Juliet.  Mt. Juliet (6-1) had only one loss coming into the game, which came against Beech who had previously beaten the Cavaliers 56-0.
However, despite everyone’s expectations, Cookeville was the team that came out firing on all cylinders.  The Cavalier defense forced a quick 3 and out, and on the very first offensive play for the Cavaliers Ryan Eberle hooked up with Chase Mabey for a 60-yard completion all the way to the Mt. Juliet Golden Bears 8 yard line.  Unfortunately after a penalty and some miscues on offense, the Cavaliers missed a field goal and an opportunity to score first.  Then, it was the Golden Bears who went on a role, scoring twice and taking a 14-0 lead heading into the 2nd quarter.
Even though most people had written Cookeville off by this point, Cookeville had learned from the Beech game.  With a couple scores of their own and a last second field goal by Tyler Wright at the half, the Cavaliers had come within 8 points of Mt. Juliet and would receive the ball first in the 2nd half. 
The Cavaliers made the most of their first drive of the 2nd half, with an 8-minute, 15-play drive which resulted in an Alex Sklavenitis touchdown.  Then after a successful fake field goal pass to Blake Thurman, the Cavaliers were tied 24-24 and had silenced the Mt. Juliet homecoming crowd. 
Unfortunately the Cavaliers caught some tough breaks in the 4th quarter, and after a very controversial helmet-to-helmet penalty the Golden Bears had a 2-touchdown lead.  The Cavaliers though were not ready to quit just yet.  After driving down to the Golden Bears 2 yard line, the Cavaliers had 4 downs to score and draw within 1 score of Mt. Juliet.  Unfortunately, for the first time all night, the Cavaliers couldn’t come up with a big play when needed and turned the ball over on downs with a minute to go in the game.  Then the Golden Bears just needing to knee the ball and run out the clock, decided they would try to boost their rankings in the state and ran the ball in for another touchdown, effectively running up the score and showing just how un-classy they were. 
The Cavaliers will now face another tough test this week at home against previously ranked 6A No.8 ranked Riverdale.  It will be the senior night for the Cavaliers and their last regular season home game.  Riverdale has been the one game that has eluded the Cavaliers for years, but this year could be the year as Riverdale already has 3 losses and the Cavaliers will have home-field advantage on their side.

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Cross Country Season Prospects

By Stone Fagan

Cookeville Cross Country is a sport full of hard work, tradition, and most of all, excellence.  With the team having won the region title three years straight, Coach Bill Wrasman doesn’t intend on giving it up this year.  Although the loss of seniors Justin Morgan and Chase Mussard was a minor setback, the team doesn’t plan on letting this affect their performance in the least.  Seniors Nathan Nelms and Courtney Thompson intend to go out with a bang this year, with a very enthusiastic look on how they intend to leave their mark on the sport.  Nelms, who started Cross Country in middle school, says, “I expect a great year, the camaraderie is high and I feel that will be to our favor.”  Thompson, who also ran alongside Nelms in middle school at Avery Trace, exclaims, “Our team has been working very hard over the summer and I believe this will be the best year yet.”

Other seniors this year are Ben Dean on the men’s team, and Haley Jackson on the women’s. The team will attend twelve meets this year, with regions at Bluff Fort in Dayton and state at Steeplechase in Nashville. New coach Leah Burnett, who joined the squad last year, has been a great addition to the team, and has enhanced the overall fluidity and spirit of the group.  With around forty overall runners, numbers are low this year, especially on the men’s team.  The lack of runners isn’t dampening anyone’s morale and their sights are high and futures bright.  The annual Ryan Burnett 5K is taking place again this year, with community involvement highly encouraged.  A large turnout is expected this year, so come out and support the Cookeville High School cross country team! Along with winning regions for the fourth straight year, the team plans on placing at least top ten in state.  The Cavs intend on winning meets and taking names this 2012 cross country season.

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CHS's New Football Coach- Scott Cook

By Ryan Eberle

At the end of the school year last year, long time head coach Jerry Joslin left Cookeville football for a job as the head coach at the private school Pope John Paul ll. Therefore, the search for a new head coach began with much anticipation as to who would be the new face of Cookeville football. The selection committee, poised and ready to provide the best candidate for the program, met multiple times with various candidates but ultimately decided on appointing previously assistant coach, Scott Cook, for the job.

Coach Cook

As the summer began, Coach Cook used his experience as head coach of wrestling to help prepare him for the new duties associated with being the football head coach. “As an assistant coach all you have to focus on is football,” stated Coach Cook, “ but as a head coach it becomes a business where you have to manage the budget, equipment, schedules, and over 120 football players.” However, despite all these new roles, Coach Cook was certain in his decision, “I wanted to be head coach because of the involvement in a growing program, because I felt that I could continue to improve and care for the program.”

Many of the senior players on the team have testified to the change that Coach Cook brought to summer workouts. They feel more energized and firmly believe he has helped to take them to the next level through weight lifting, running drills, teamwork challenges, and secret combat drills. Coach Cook’s belief in hard work to accomplish goals was evident in his statement, “Any good coach looks at it as a challenge. There’s a difference between a guy who wears a whistle and calls himself a coach, and a guy who helps his team overcome the challenges they face.” Coach Cook also made it very clear that none of this could be accomplished without his support network of parents and coaches who help make everything possible.

However, there is more the Coach Cook’s agenda than just winning, “Obviously I want to win ball games, but ultimately I want to know that this program helped to contribute to everyone going on ready to face the challenges in life.” Especially to multi-sport athletes like myself, it is very helpful knowing that Coach Cook is there for me with whatever I need even if it has nothing to do with football. He really means it when he says he wants the best for us, it’s not just a nice gesture, it’s an honest statement.

The football team this year will have much experience from returning senior starters. On offense they will be lead by lineman Ethan Crum, Luke Dunham and Cody Lindsey, and skill players Alex Sklavenitis, Austin Ahrens and Ryan Eberle. On defense they will be lead by defensive lineman and linebackers Derrick Hammons, Zach Hammons, Nick Wilson and Seth Deloach, and defensive backs Coleman Hawkins and Tyler Slagle. Their first home game will be against long time rival Sparta, on August 31. Be sure to come out and cheer our football team to victory!

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Lady Cavaliers Soccer

By Sarah Nisbet

Along with the familiar dread of a new school year, comes the added excitement of sports’ seasons! The Lady Cavs soccer program has quickly become a must-see team with lots of post season potential. After a history-setting season in 2011, the Lady Cavs hope to repeat their success and make it all the way to state. Sam Matson, a Cookeville High School graduate and men’s soccer player, will return as head coach for the team after previously resigning. He hopes to continue the Lady Cavs’ tradition of excellence through hard work and skill. In addition, Mary Gray Johnson has joined the organization as the assistant coach since recently graduating Tennessee Technological University, where she played women’s soccer.

This year’s group is looking forward to another exciting season after losing a group of seven talented seniors. With fifteen juniors, the team does not lack leadership especially with the help of seniors Caitlin Burton and Mariah Hunter. Both have played Cookeville High School for their full four years, and the pair is looking forward to a fun filled season. Senior Caitlin Burton said, “Hanging out with the girls is my favorite part of the season because we have so much fun together.” As a long standing practice, the Lady Cavs annually attend Maryville Soccer Camp and the infamous Death at Dawn to begin their season. Both events serve as training and bonding moments to improve the team dynamic.

Cookeville is facing a difficult schedule this season, filled with top seeded opponents and only five home games. The game to watch will be their district game against rival Warren County on September 6th. Cookeville’s foe narrowly broke the Lady Cavs’ otherwise undefeated district record in a tense battle for the title. The team plans to have a long season with lots of postseason play excitement, so make sure to go out and support your Lady Cavs to their next Sectionals victory!

The 2012 Lady Cavs roster is shown below:

Varsity Roster
Caitlin Burton
Mariah Hunter
Hannah Dunn
McKenzie McCloud
Abby Collins
Molly Collins
Brandi McHenry
Dailee Metts
Sarah Nisbet
Kirsten Alcorn
Kayla Webb
Paige Beaulieu
Lauren Clark
Bailey Yother
 
JV Roster 
Briana Diaz
Carleen Dunlap
Emmie Acuff
Ali Clark
Allie Decker
Kayla Tucker
Kylie Hearld
Rachel Davis
Beth Kelly
Brittni Shoulders
Sarah Smith
Hannah Agbunag
Delaney Duncan
Laura C. Gleason
Danielle Shepherd
Valerie Stevens

2011-2012 Lady Cavs Soccer

 

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Froning Wins Games, Again!

By Justin Pearson and Scott Proffitt

Rich Froning has done it again! For the second year in a row, the Cookeville native and graduate of CHS has won the Reebok CrossFit Games. In early July, Froning travelled to Carson, California for the most recent edition of the games. The events that compose the games are unknown by all athletes to ensure fairness for all competitors. Needless to say, Froning’s work was cut out for him.

Rich attended Cookeville High School from 2002-2005 and played baseball for the Cavs all four years. During his senior season, he was awarded team captain and most valuable player. Rich’s former coach, Butch Chaffin spoke highly of Rich’s work ethic and determination. “He had the best work ethic in the history of the school, and it is very memorable!” said Chaffin enthusiastically. Chaffin expected Rich to be successful after high school, but never knew it would be in the sport of cross-fit. He knew that Rich had the drive to be great at anything he wanted to do. 

Froning, of course, had many shining moments in his baseball career here at CHS, such as his three game winning homeruns in his senior year. Coach Chaffin’s favorite memory, however, was a defensive play made by Rich that Chaffin couldn’t believe he had just witnessed. He was playing against Oakland and the Cavs were up by one. It was late in the game and Oakland was up to bat with the bases loaded. Rich was playing second base and before the pitch ever reached home plate, he took an instinctive step toward first base. At that moment, a line drive was hit toward Rich and he dove to catch the ball. After making the acrobatic catch, he tossed the ball over his shoulder from the ground to first base for the spectacular double play. This was probably one of the most important plays of the game, causing it to stick in Chaffin’s mind forever.

Another interesting fact about Rich’s senior year is that he never threw a baseball during warm-ups before games. He only did rotator cuff exercises on a rubber resistance band, due to shredded muscles in his shoulder. He did this for every game his senior year and only threw a baseball during the games. After the season, Rich underwent a five hour long surgery to repair his injury. Chaffin, who witnessed parts of the surgery, described the muscles in his shoulder as looking like frayed cotton strands. Doctors don’t know how he made it through his senior year without his shoulder falling off. Rich, however, has recovered completely from that injury. 

After High school, Rich attended Tennessee Tech University and got his undergraduate in exercise science. He played baseball in his first year at TTU but decided the sport wasn’t for him. One of his professors at Tech then introduced him to the sport of cross-fit. Rich took the professors advice and started practicing cross-fit in his barn with his cousin in 2009. In 2010, Froning received second place in the Reebok CrossFit Games and came in first at the 2011 and 12 edition of the games. Rich is continuing to train for cross-fit and is also working as a strength and conditioning coach of various sports at TTU. So if you’ve ever wondered who the fittest man on earth is, I’m here to tell you, it’s Rich Froning!

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Penn State Scandal

By Bethany Bray

The Penn State is one of the most talked about topics in history. After Penn. State’s former defensive coordinator Terry Sandusky was found guilty of sexually abusing ten boys over a fifteen- year period, Penn State was fined $60,000,000, and all of Joe Paterno’s wins from the years 1998 to 2011 were vacated.  

The NCAA’s sanctions following the worst scandal in history of the college football stopped short of delivering the “death penalty”, which means shutting down the sport completely. By vacating 112 Penn State victories from 1998 to 2011, the sanctions cost Paterno 111 wins. Former Florida State coach, Bobby Bowden, now holds the top spot in the NCAA record book. Paterno, who was fired days after Sandusky was charged, will be credited with 298 wins.

The scholarship reductions mean that Penn State’s roster will be capped at sixty- five. The scholarship limit for major college football programs is eighty- five. Competing the twenty fewer players is devastating to a program that tries to compete at the highest level of the sport. In comparison, the harsh NCAA sanctions placed upon USC several years ago left the Trojans with only seventy- five scholarships per year over a three- year period. The postseason ban is the longest handed out by the NCAA since it gave a four- year ban to Indiana in 1960.  

The scandal may have given Penn State a negative name, but the school as a whole is working to overcome this tragedy.

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