It’s been entirely too long since Whitefield fans have stood up together, clapped their hands, stomped their feet and chanted “GO WOLFPACK!” Athletes for our fall teams have been working out, practicing, attending camps, and running plays in preparation for the 2013 fall season. Here’s a look at what’s in store:
Varsity Cheerleading
The football cheer squads (Middle School, junior varsity and varsity) had camp here at Whitefield in early June; the camp was led by two members of the FCA/UCA cheer staff. One of the instructors was Anna Watson, a UGA cheerleader who was featured on Good Morning America. During the camp, the girls learned new cheers and dances, and worked on their stunting skills. They also had devotional and team building times throughout the day. Thirteen cheerleaders qualified as UCA All-American cheerleaders. Senior Caroline Holliday and sophomore Mallory Fields were recognized as FCA All Americans, chosen for their character and leadership qualities.
The varsity competition team participated in a two-day choreography camp with Cheer and Dance Atlanta. From 9 to 5 each day, they worked on their stunting skills and learned the routine that they will perform at a number of competitions this season. The team is participating in five competitions, including sectionals in Columbus. If they qualify at sectionals, they will then compete in the state finals in mid-November. Senior Caroline Holliday, who has cheered varsity football and competition since her freshman year, was voted captain of both varsity squads this year.
“I have had the honor of coaching Caroline in both competition cheer and football cheerleading. She always brings excellence and a great attitude to each and every practice, game, and competition,” said Andrea Blackwood, coach. “I am excited to see what she is going to do as captain of both of the squads this year.”
Home Opener: Friday, August 20, 7:30 p.m. vs. Pace Academy
Competition Cheer Schedule: http://www.whitefieldacademy.com/CalendarYearView.aspx?SchedID=386
Football Cheer Schedule: http://www.whitefieldacademy.com/CalendarYearView.aspx?SchedID=381
Varsity Cross-Country
The varsity cross-country team has a new coach, Christian Cuthbert. Cuthbert is the new Middle School and Upper School humanities teacher. He has a master’s degree in theology and church history from Gordon Conwell Seminary. He has finished his coursework for a PhD in historical and theological studies from Union Presbyterian Seminary and is currently completing his dissertation. In addition to this rich academic background, Cuthbert has coached cross-country for 20 years, winning a couple of cross-country state championships as well as being a finalist for the Brooks Inspirational Coach of the Year award. Cuthbert also served as an assistant to the Kenyan national team last summer in Kenya and in London during the Olympics.
“I ran cross-country and track in high school, college, and on the open circuit,” said Cuthbert. “The lessons I have learned in training to be a competitive distance runner helped me improve my relationships, my academics, as well as my faith. It is this process - applying these lessons of dedication and hard work to whatever field I’ve pursued --that always excites me when working with students.”
Cross Country Schedule: http://www.whitefieldacademy.com/CalendarYearView.aspx?SchedID=384
Varsity Football
Eighteen varsity football players graduated this past May; the team lost key players such as Richard Sherrell, Max Rieves and Max Kemether. Nevertheless, there are some solid players stepping up to fill the gaps.
Senior starters are: Everett Pollard as quarterback; Jaylen Hudson playing defensive end, Braelen Phillips playing defensive back, and Alex Manning playing linebacker. Everett completed 40 of 73 passes last year totaling 432 yards (with four touchdown). He had 93 rushes for 441 yards (with six touchdowns).
Junior starters and stat leaders include Sky Dupree, linebacker, who had a total of 94 tackles last season and Matt Olson, wide receiver, who had 7 receptions last year, ran 90 yards and earned two touchdowns.
“Replacing our senior offensive line will be a key this year,” said Jimmy Fields, varsity coach. “We are determined to build on last year’s six wins. We have a group of talented and skilled players as well as some young players with lots of potential. Everett will be a key to leading this team early, and leading our young players to grow quickly as we face tough opponents in Region 6.”
New to coaching staff: Troy Pruett, Whitefield’s new Lower School PE teacher, will be the offensive coordinator. Pruett has an undergraduate degree in health and physical education from Jacksonville State University. He has over 20 years of experience as a coach and PE teacher and has led several teams to championships, both regionally and at the state level.
Home Opener: Friday, August 30, 7:30 vs. Pace Academy
Football Schedule: http://www.whitefieldacademy.com/CalendarYearView.aspx?SchedID=381
Varsity Softball
The varsity softball team is gearing up for a successful 2013 season, despite being without May graduates Jordan Jones, Alexis Allen and Jennie Chambliss. With six returners and six new members of the team, summer practices have served as a great opportunity to develop a team identity while also sharpening both offensive and defensive skills.
Key returners and leaders for the Pack are senior Annie Sickling (1st base), and juniors Hannah Brown (pitcher), Sydney Burke (3rd base), and Gabby Pinson (catcher). Brown and Pinson will again be the go-to battery combination that led to Brown leading the entire state in strikeouts last season. These veterans will be expected to lead the Pack offensively as well, all following up on successful 2012 seasons at the plate. In addition to a competitive region schedule, the team will again face several big schools which will serve as a test for the ladies.
Home Opener: Friday, August 23, 4:15 p.m. vs. Westminster
Softball Schedule: http://www.whitefieldacademy.com/CalendarYearView.aspx?SchedID=379
Varsity Volleyball
The varsity volleyball team has been active all summer, preparing for the season through open gyms, beach volleyball, indoor club volleyball, and weight training. The team is a young team, with several new players. Anna Long is the team’s only senior. As a seasoned player and natural leader; she will bring needed experience to the team as well as direction. Juniors Kate MacPhail and Kelsey Butler also have strong volleyball and leadership skills and are ready to help take charge of the young team.
“Our returning players have much more experience from playing in the off-season and they are already ahead of where we were last year at this time,” said Casey Brothers, coach. “I am really looking forward to this season. We have a young team so it will be fun to see how they grow together as a team.”
Home Opener: Tuesday, August 27 at 5 p.m. against Campbell High School and AIS
Volleyball Schedule: http://www.whitefieldacademy.com/CalendarYearView.aspx?SchedID=362
Varsity Cheerleading
The football cheer squads (Middle School, junior varsity and varsity) had camp here at Whitefield in early June; the camp was led by two members of the FCA/UCA cheer staff. One of the instructors was Anna Watson, a UGA cheerleader who was featured on Good Morning America. During the camp, the girls learned new cheers and dances, and worked on their stunting skills. They also had devotional and team building times throughout the day. Thirteen cheerleaders qualified as UCA All-American cheerleaders. Senior Caroline Holliday and sophomore Mallory Fields were recognized as FCA All Americans, chosen for their character and leadership qualities.
The varsity competition team participated in a two-day choreography camp with Cheer and Dance Atlanta. From 9 to 5 each day, they worked on their stunting skills and learned the routine that they will perform at a number of competitions this season. The team is participating in five competitions, including sectionals in Columbus. If they qualify at sectionals, they will then compete in the state finals in mid-November. Senior Caroline Holliday, who has cheered varsity football and competition since her freshman year, was voted captain of both varsity squads this year.
“I have had the honor of coaching Caroline in both competition cheer and football cheerleading. She always brings excellence and a great attitude to each and every practice, game, and competition,” said Andrea Blackwood, coach. “I am excited to see what she is going to do as captain of both of the squads this year.”
Home Opener: Friday, August 20, 7:30 p.m. vs. Pace Academy
Competition Cheer Schedule: http://www.whitefieldacademy.com/CalendarYearView.aspx?SchedID=386
Football Cheer Schedule: http://www.whitefieldacademy.com/CalendarYearView.aspx?SchedID=381
Varsity Cross-Country
The varsity cross-country team has a new coach, Christian Cuthbert. Cuthbert is the new Middle School and Upper School humanities teacher. He has a master’s degree in theology and church history from Gordon Conwell Seminary. He has finished his coursework for a PhD in historical and theological studies from Union Presbyterian Seminary and is currently completing his dissertation. In addition to this rich academic background, Cuthbert has coached cross-country for 20 years, winning a couple of cross-country state championships as well as being a finalist for the Brooks Inspirational Coach of the Year award. Cuthbert also served as an assistant to the Kenyan national team last summer in Kenya and in London during the Olympics.
“I ran cross-country and track in high school, college, and on the open circuit,” said Cuthbert. “The lessons I have learned in training to be a competitive distance runner helped me improve my relationships, my academics, as well as my faith. It is this process - applying these lessons of dedication and hard work to whatever field I’ve pursued --that always excites me when working with students.”
Cross Country Schedule: http://www.whitefieldacademy.com/CalendarYearView.aspx?SchedID=384
Varsity Football
Eighteen varsity football players graduated this past May; the team lost key players such as Richard Sherrell, Max Rieves and Max Kemether. Nevertheless, there are some solid players stepping up to fill the gaps.
Senior starters are: Everett Pollard as quarterback; Jaylen Hudson playing defensive end, Braelen Phillips playing defensive back, and Alex Manning playing linebacker. Everett completed 40 of 73 passes last year totaling 432 yards (with four touchdown). He had 93 rushes for 441 yards (with six touchdowns).
Junior starters and stat leaders include Sky Dupree, linebacker, who had a total of 94 tackles last season and Matt Olson, wide receiver, who had 7 receptions last year, ran 90 yards and earned two touchdowns.
“Replacing our senior offensive line will be a key this year,” said Jimmy Fields, varsity coach. “We are determined to build on last year’s six wins. We have a group of talented and skilled players as well as some young players with lots of potential. Everett will be a key to leading this team early, and leading our young players to grow quickly as we face tough opponents in Region 6.”
New to coaching staff: Troy Pruett, Whitefield’s new Lower School PE teacher, will be the offensive coordinator. Pruett has an undergraduate degree in health and physical education from Jacksonville State University. He has over 20 years of experience as a coach and PE teacher and has led several teams to championships, both regionally and at the state level.
Home Opener: Friday, August 30, 7:30 vs. Pace Academy
Football Schedule: http://www.whitefieldacademy.com/CalendarYearView.aspx?SchedID=381
Varsity Softball
The varsity softball team is gearing up for a successful 2013 season, despite being without May graduates Jordan Jones, Alexis Allen and Jennie Chambliss. With six returners and six new members of the team, summer practices have served as a great opportunity to develop a team identity while also sharpening both offensive and defensive skills.
Key returners and leaders for the Pack are senior Annie Sickling (1st base), and juniors Hannah Brown (pitcher), Sydney Burke (3rd base), and Gabby Pinson (catcher). Brown and Pinson will again be the go-to battery combination that led to Brown leading the entire state in strikeouts last season. These veterans will be expected to lead the Pack offensively as well, all following up on successful 2012 seasons at the plate. In addition to a competitive region schedule, the team will again face several big schools which will serve as a test for the ladies.
Home Opener: Friday, August 23, 4:15 p.m. vs. Westminster
Softball Schedule: http://www.whitefieldacademy.com/CalendarYearView.aspx?SchedID=379
Varsity Volleyball
The varsity volleyball team has been active all summer, preparing for the season through open gyms, beach volleyball, indoor club volleyball, and weight training. The team is a young team, with several new players. Anna Long is the team’s only senior. As a seasoned player and natural leader; she will bring needed experience to the team as well as direction. Juniors Kate MacPhail and Kelsey Butler also have strong volleyball and leadership skills and are ready to help take charge of the young team.
“Our returning players have much more experience from playing in the off-season and they are already ahead of where we were last year at this time,” said Casey Brothers, coach. “I am really looking forward to this season. We have a young team so it will be fun to see how they grow together as a team.”
Home Opener: Tuesday, August 27 at 5 p.m. against Campbell High School and AIS
Volleyball Schedule: http://www.whitefieldacademy.com/CalendarYearView.aspx?SchedID=362