WHERE ARE THEY NOW? SEVERAL ALUMNI MEMBERS OF THE 2005 CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM TOOK A FEW MINUTES TO FILL US IN ON “WHERE THEY ARE NOW” AND SHARED A FEW THOUGHTS ON THEIR CHAMPIONSHIP MEMORIES. BEN ALEXANDER (’07) – Ben is currently serving his third year as an Infantry Officer in the US Army. He has been stationed in Georgia, Washington, Afghanistan and Colorado. He will be returning to Arkansas this spring to search for a job and pursue another college degree. Ben’s favorite high school memories are playing basketball, a sport he loved with a team that was like a family to him. The accomplishments and times they shared will always hold a special place in his heart. MASON LEWIS (’05) – Mason has been working for Colliers International in retail, office and investment commercial real estate for the past five years. He and his wife Kati Beth live in Little Rock and are expecting their first child in March. Mason said “The 2005 season will always be a special memory. I want to thank Coach Pennell for all he did and the guys on the team for never giving up.” PEYTON GREENWALD (’05) – Peyton is living in Little Rock and working as a banking consultant and auditor for DD&F Consulting Group. He is married to Lindsey Scholl Greenwald who is a fellow alumni and French teacher at LRCA. The Greenwald’s are expecting their first child in April. “Being part of the state championship basketball team ten years ago was one of the highlights of my time at Little Rock Christian” said Peyton. “What I remember most are the friendships and bonds we established as teammates that year. Through practices, bus rides, locker rooms, and games, we grew to trust and rely on each other. Every person on our team played an important role, which made the state title even sweeter.” DYLAN WARD (’07)- Since graduating from LRCA Dylan has been an Arkansas Razorback, traveled to New Zealand and graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a degree in Marketing. He is now employed with Mid-South Financial Group as a Financial Advisor. Dylan would like to thank Coach Dewey Pennell for being a model of excellence on and off the court. KYLE MCLEOD (’06) - Kyle graduated from Baylor University in 2010 and is working as a mechanical engineer for Cameron International’s Drilling Division. He and his wife Pam live in Houston and attend Houston First Baptist Church. Kyle remembers that “everyone on the team was committed to the goal of bringing home a championship from our coaches to our stars to the bench players. Our coaches didn't give any of us a pass and pushed us to better ourselves and our team. Winning the championship was much more satisfying knowing the work we put in, and I won't ever forget the night we won.” JOSH RAINE (’06) – Josh and his wife Jennifer live in Tulsa, Oklahoma where Josh works for Atlantic Aviation as a Line Manager. “Leading up to the Championship year I realized we had a really good team and great group of guys. I wouldn't trade anything for Coach Penell’s stories and pep talks. I’m grateful to have been a part of this amazing team.” MARK MUNSEY (’08) – Mark is living in Little Rock and working with his family in their Landscape Design business. “It was a blessing to be able to play basketball at LRCA for 6 years and make lifelong friendships”, said Mark. Getting the opportunity to be on a State Championship team with some of my best friends is an experience I will never forget.”
BRAD HORRELL (’08)– Brad is currently working at Ecclesia College in Springdale Arkansas in the Office of the Registrar. Brad said “Winning the high school state championship was awesome and my teammates are some of the best guys I know to this day. I will cherish that Championship and our friendships forever.” LUKE HILL (’08) - Luke received his undergraduate degree from the University of Arkansas in 2012 and will complete law school at the University of Arkansas this May. Luke was a freshman the year of the state championship. He remembers “when the postseason tournaments came around Coach Penell asked the freshmen to travel with the team to the District and Regional tournaments and then asked us to dress out for the state tournament. It was an unbelievable experience for us. Coach and the older guys always treated us just like any other members of the team.” CHANDLER RACKLEY (’07)– Chandler is working in real estate and lives in Little Rock with his wife Kelli and their daughter Stellar. The Rackleys attend Midtown Baptist Church. “This basketball team means a lot to me”, said Chandler. “The championship is important, but I learned much more from the everyday practicing and life with the guys on the team. As with anyone that you battle with, there is a special bond between us. I am so thankful I had the opportunity to spend so much time with the guys on the team”. CRAIG SCHLACHTER (’07) – Craig is currently running an online based business and plans on teaching English as a foreign language in an “exotic land” in the coming months. Craig says “the team to me is synonymous with companionship, trust and the joy of competition. The 2005 Championship year taught me that any goal worth attaining must be earned with hard work.” RONY TCHATCHOUA (’06) – Rony, his wife Brittany and their daughter live in Oregon where Rony coaches youth basketball. "I was blessed to play high school basketball with a group of great guys. I couldn't have asked for better teammates. The camaraderie and the bond we shared on and off the court was amazing. We trusted and believed in each other and that is why we were successful" explains Rony. "The final shot I took in the Championship game was passed to me by our point guard (Ben Alexander) at a crucial point in the game because he believed in me. Making that shot was the icing on the cake. What we accomplished for the school has been one of my fondest and most memorable memory over the years. Of course, I vividly remember making that last shot as if it was yesterday. The smiles on our coaches, students and parents faces is something I will never forget. CALVIN VAUGHAN ('06) – Calvin graduated from Baylor Dental School this past year and is currently in his first year of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency at the University of Florida. This past summer he married his beautiful wife, Brittany, who is a Dental Hygienist. They are currently living in Gainesville, Florida and are enjoying their first year of marriage. Calvin said “Being part of the championship team brings back great memories with a great group of guys who all worked hard to achieve our goal. I am proud to be a part of this group and enjoy thinking back on how much fun we had.”
THE WARRIOR • WINTER 2015
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