With more on varsity, freshmen make their mark

May 19, 2010  
Filed under Sports

   Freshmen may be the “underdogs” on the NDP campus, being the youngest and newest kids in school, but the freshman Class of 2013 has shown its talents in the sports arena, which has resulted in many earning varsity letters.

   Athletic Director Mike Mahon agrees, “The freshman [Class of 2013] are definitely contributing to NDP with their talent and competitiveness.”

   With the talent this year within the Class of 2013, the future for NDP looks promising, and the Class of 2013 athletes definitely have been contributing to the banners being hung in the gym.

   One stand-out freshman varsity athlete this spring is Rachel Johns, who has earned two varsity letters so far this year, being on Girls’ Varsity Soccer and the Girls’ Varsity Track team.

   Johns has broken three school records already in her first year here at NDP by setting records in the 100 meter (12.41 seconds), 200 meter (25.41 seconds) and 4 x 100 meter relay (with junior Shelby Haugen and seniors Sammi Stolper and Anna Frigo). Her performances so far this track season has caught the attention of media throughout the state. Richard Obert, writer for The Arizona Republic, has written an article specifically about Rachel’s story, which can be read on azcentral.com.

   Another freshman standout is Monica Turley, the starting freshman point guard for Girls’ Varsity Basketball and the only freshman to be on the team, who said she never imagined basketball would be such a big part of her life back in first grade when she played under her mom’s command to “get out of the house, and burn energy.” Indeed, all of that practice has led Turley to be one of the lead runners down the court, and she is always the first to finish her suicides.

   “Being on varsity is so fun, and we [teammates] are all very close,” said Turley, who wants to play on Varsity for her remaining years here and hopes to receive an athletic scholarship to continue playing at the collegiate level.

   Girls’ Basketball assistant coach Robert Gwinn said he is proud of Turley and is excited for next year: “It may have been harder on Monica as she was thrown into a fast-paced environment from the beginning, but she was the best player skill-wise and mature-wise. Monica had the necessary skills to be a varsity player as a freshman. She did great this season, this being her first time as a point guard, and I have no doubt that she will continue to work hard and be even better next year.”

   Hector Majul, a starting midfielder/forward for Boy’s Varsity Soccer has been a standout on the field this year. Coming a long way from Mexico City, Hector said, “I have been playing soccer since I was four years old. I never played on club teams; I just played with my friends and practiced by myself.” Being an exchange student from Mexico, Hector said he is proud for making Varsity and enjoys playing with his “nice and different” teammates.

   Varsity Boys’ Soccer Coach Oscar Varela said, “Hector is a great ball handler, and he is quick on his feet, which takes a lot of skill and practice to achieve. He loves being on the field and always has a positive attitude, which made him fit for being on Varsity.”

   Ending the football season with an exciting surprise, Freshmen Bailey Jones, Grant Martinez, Aaron Seiple, Parker Zellers and Luke Taffuri, who were bumped up mid-season, are the first freshmen to be bumped up to Varsity Football freshman year.

   Freshmen Grant Martinez and Maurice “Mo” White made the Boys’ Varsity Basketball team during their first year at NDP, while freshman Nick Affronti was called up to Varsity Baseball for the playoffs to run the bases.

   The Class of ‘13 may be the “fresh meat” on campus, but there is no doubt its athletes are creating their legacies.

Tags:

 Email This Post        Print This Post