EF SN (The Elysian Fields Sports Network) S i C C t R

By:Staff

Cross country finished strong this year with three state qualifiers: seniors Grant Sims and Drew Simms along with freshman Cara Sims With the state meet being his last, Drew Simmsishappywithhisfinalrun

“A lot of seniors aresadwhentheirseason ends, but I look at it differently,” Simms said “I am grateful that I had four amazingyearsof cross country, and there is nobetterwaytoend my career than with the state meet I pushed myself as hard as I could,andthere’snotmuch moreIcouldhaveaskedfor”

While sad about his time at EF coming to an end, senior Grant Sims is excited for the future

“I’m looking forward to surrounding myself with runners who are much better than me,” Sims said “I am also looking forward to bettering my academics and pursuing my major”

Cara considers her senior teammates “outstandingpeople”andsaysshehaslearneda greatdealfromthemovertheyears

“Not only are they great runners but they are also the type of people that you want to surround yourself with,” Cara said “I've had the pleasure of watching them growupandsee them grow as people Something I love about the boy's relationship with each other is that they always point each other to God Lily has played the role of a big sister in my life;sheis one of the hardest workers you'll ever meet Drew has shown me what discipline is and what it takes to be a student-athlete Jacob has taught me that no matter how bad a situation appears, you will overcome it Grant is my big brother, my running partner, my therapist, and my best friend Him going off to college is going to be sad; however, I'm so proud of the person he is and cannot wait to see what the future holds I'm excitedthatIgettogotostate withhim;it llbeanexperienceI'llneverforget I love each and every one oftheseseniorswith mywholeheart”

The awards continued to roll in for the cross country team as Grant was named EF Athlete of the Week on Friday, Nov 11, and fiveoftherunnersreceivedAcademicAll-State distinction for the work they did both on the courses and in the classroom during the fall Seniors Keely Goelden (1st Team), Jacob McCray(1stTeam),DrewSimms(Elite),Grant Sims (Honorable Mention), and Lily Jo Gronwald (Honorable Mention) all earned Academic All-State recognition for the fall season [cont]

“These athletes finished their season strong, and [Iam]soproudoftheworkthey’ve put in to get them here,” Coach JanaSimssaid viaFacebook

With the varsity boys finishing first in the district and the varsity girls finishing second, both teams advancing to regionals, and three individuals continuing the journey to the state meet, the EF Cross Country team has once again proven that they are dedicated, talented, and will continue to strive for success and maketheschoolproud

By:Staff

Kyleigh Griffin and AshantiRobersonwere thetwoseniorvolleyballplayersthisseason

As a student, Kyleigh takes honorsclasses and college courses, participates in academic UIL competitions, and stays on the honor roll She demonstrates her leadership by participating in gifted and talented activities and programs, supporting classmates through cheer, completing service hours through National Honor Society, andassistingherpeers as a class officer What truly impresses me, however, is how shebalancesallofthesewhile stayingorganizedandpoised”

By:Staff

“Our season didn’t exactly go as wehoped it would,” senior football player Walker Jefferson said “It definitely was a rough one, but I have made a ton of memories this season and wouldn’t want to go to war on Friday nightsmyseniorseasonwithanyoneelse”

Football season ended on Oct 28 with a final district game against New Diana Jefferson had nothing but praise for the new coaching staff andexpressedhighhopesforthe futureoftheprogram

“I definitely think the new coaching staffis going to lead the EF football program to success in the future, and I like the way that they took usallinandlovedeachandeveryone of us They not only tried their best for us to succeed but to, most importantly, make sure that we had fun while doing it I’m definitely going to miss being apartofthisprogrameach t s e n h She kept us laughing through hard practices and long tournament days She was there for everyone on the team to lift them up and help in any way possible She will be missed next year”

Before the final game, senior Bryanne Beavers shared her thoughts on the season comingtoanend

“It’s sosadtothinkabouthavingonegame left!” Beavers said “Football season is my favorite season! I will miss the feeling of FridayNightLights!”

w W season on Nov 1 She ended her final varsit volleyball season with All-District Honorabl Mention as well as Academic All-Distric Honors

“When I think of a well-rounded student Kyleigh Griffin definitely comes to mind, English teacher Vickie Thomas said “As an athlete, Kyleigh competes in volleyball and basketball [cont] unfortunately coming to an end, I’ll always love and support my brothers andthisgroupof coachesinthefuturetocome,”Jeffersonsaid

S

As the runners take their mark, shake out their legs, and get into position The gun sounds, and they run for their chance to win andmakeitfurtherintotheseason

Senior Grant Sims and freshman Cara Sims both advanced out of regionals and will be running at the state meet on May 11 Grant will race in both the 3200 and 800 meter runs, andCarawillraceinthe1600

“As of right now I'm predictedtobeinthe top 5 for both races, 3200m and 800m,”senior Grant Sims said “I think I will perform at a level that I have nevertouchedyetbecausethis is the best shape I've ever been in The competition is tough even at regionals, so it willbeanyone'sracewhenwealllineup”

There were five seniors on the track team this year, including Grant Sims, Drew Simms, Jacob McCray, Wes Brown, and Ashanti Roberson

“Participating in shot put and disc was such a great thing to experience,” Roberson said “Ihadalotofthingstoworkonandstrive to be better at, but overall, it was amemorable andgreatexperienceforme”

This was a great year for the track team with a large number of athletes advancing through district and area and making it to the regional meet Senior Drew Simms qualified for regionals after finishing 4th at area in the 1600m race, along with Grant Sims and Cara Sims, who both finished 1st in their 1600m races Grant Sims also finished 1st in the 3200m and 800mruns,andCaratookhomethe goldinthosetworacesaswell FreshmanAlani Robinson qualified in the 400m after placing 4th, and freshman Kylee Heath qualifiedinthe 200m with a3rdplacerunandinthehighjump after placing 3rd inthateventaswell Thegirls mile relay advanced with a 4th place finish; those team members include Kylee Heath, AlaniRobinson,Ja’NiahAnderson,andKirst Commander, along with alternates Kynd YoungbloodandYzabellaBrown

By:C.Creech

The Lady Jackets’ softball season came an end on April 29 after a hard-fough three-gameplayoffroundagainstWhiteOak

“It makes me sad knowing this is my la year as a Lady Jacket,” senior Baylee Marcu said “I'm gonna miss seeing my teammates everydayandbeinggoofyandmakingjokes”