McClure Outstanding In State Heptathlon Meet

Montgomery Catholic senior Brianna McClure placed 13th overall out of some 50 participants in the AHSAA state heptathlon championships held at Birmingham's Hoover High School.

McClure posted personal records in three of the seven events -- 100-meter hurdles, high jump and 800 meters -- scoring more than 4,000 points in the meet.

The meet included all six AHSAA classifications. She placed higher than any Class 4A girl, and only one other girl in an equal or lower classification finished ahead of her.

It was her first time competing in the heptathlon after two outstanding track seasons in which she qualified for the state meet in the maximum four events.

McClure, a Jimmy Hitchcock Memorial Award nominee and a Knights of the Round Table nominee, will continue her athletic career at Huntingdon College where she will run cross country.

Williamson, Esmont Receive Knights of the Round Table Award

Kelsey Williamson and Steven Esmont have been honored by the Montgomery Catholic Athletic Booster Club, which named them the 2009 Knights of the Roundtable Award winners.

The Knights of the Roundtable Awards, given annually to the most well-rounded female and male senior athletes, were presented at Montgomery Catholic’s varsity sports banquet held May 11 at the RSA Activities Center in downtown Montgomery.

Both Williamson and Esmont were multi-sport athletes, playing on varsity teams since the seventh grade.

Williamson played varsity softball, volleyball and basketball while at Catholic. She lettered for five years on the Lady Knights’ softball team before a knee injury during her senior basketball season shortened her career.

She won individual sports awards in every sport she played, including the Jack Kresek Coaches Award twice and the Fr. Pat Delahunty Sportsmanship Award twice. She was also selected a team captain. She participated in numerous community service and church activities and graduated with a 3.542 GPA.

“I have learned the importance of each individual player coming together as a team to accomplish a goal,” wrote Williamson in her Knights of the Roundtable nomination form. “I have been led to set new goals in life with the knowledge that it takes hard work and dedication to achieve them.”

Esmont, who has signed to play college baseball at Faulkner University, was a six-time letterman on the Knights’ baseball team and a four-time letterman in football. He was the baseball team’s most valuable player as a junior and senior.

He also earned the Jack Kresek Coaches Award in one of his sports. He was twice an all-tournament selection in the Jason Armstrong/FCA baseball tournament and has been named to multiple baseball all-star teams. He too has participated in numerous community service activities.

Of his experience as an athlete at Catholic, Esmont wrote in his nomination form, “It has taught me sportsmanship, leadership, and most importantly it has taught me that it is okay to have God as part of your team … I have learned to take pride in my school and I just hope somewhere along the lines, I have taught at least one person to do the same.”

Others nominated for the award this year were Roscoe Anderson, Teddrick Arrington, Hannah Been, Taylor Belsterling, Grace Carl, Josh Clark, Anthony Costa, Alexandra Gilbert, Wallace Harvey, A.J. Mayhan, Brianna McClure, Mara McCracken, Butler Parker, Kaitlyn Roberts, Haley Ann Scanlan and Trey Smith.

To be nominated, an athlete must have participated in at least two sports during their senior year. Nominations are made by the coaches at Montgomery Catholic and a five-person committee appointed by the booster club reviews the information submitted by each nominee in order to determine the winners.

Winners in 2008 were Meridith Anile and Alex V. Taylor.

A Day at the Alabama Nature Center by Mary Reagan Starrett

St. Bede’s Science Olympiad team from Montgomery Catholic arrived at school on May 18, 2009, like any other day. But by 8:00 a.m., students got into cars and slathered on sunscreen and bug spray. Why weren’t they in their desks studying? Where were the sounds of books opening and pencils scratching? As the cars drove away in the direction of Millbrook, the destination was clear—The Alabama Nature Center! The first activity was a nature walk through a beautiful forest. Along the way, the students stopped to learn about the different kinds of trees and plants, including Water Oak, Wild Ginger, and Virginia Creeper. They even tasted the leaves from a Sourwood tree! After the hike, the kids picked up bamboo rods and went fishing. The pond was full of big catfish and tiny brim.

“It was fun and interactive,” recalls one fifth grader, Kathleen Beesley. When they were done, they ate lunch and rounded off the day with a creek walk. The water was cold and gorgeous, and not even the sighting of a water moccasin could faze this fearless group. When the time came to leave, every child was completely at home with nature, and parents and children alike were hoping to come back soon.

Tim Trokey Resigns at Catholic: Returning Home to California

Montgomery Catholic head football coach Tim Trokey has resigned his position at Montgomery Catholic and plans to return to his native California.

Trokey, who is completing his fifth year at Catholic, met with team members Wednesday afternoon to inform them of his decision.

Trokey led the Knights to two state playoff appearances in the past three seasons, including a 7-3 regular season mark in 2008 and a second-place region finish, the school’s first season in Class 4A.

“I want to thank Montgomery Catholic for the opportunity to be part of such a great school,” said Trokey. “I appreciate the parents who have given their support. And, most importantly, I want to thank the young men I’ve coached – their effort and hard work have led to the successes we’ve enjoyed.”

Trokey is returning to his alma mater, Nevada Union High School in Grass Valley, Calif., where he will be an offensive assistant.

“It has been my dream ever since I started coaching to one day go back to my old high school. Even though it is very difficult to leave these young men I care so much about, I feel I have reached a turning point in my life that makes this, in my heart, the right time to make this move,” said Trokey.

Trokey, an assistant at Alabama Christian Academy for seven years, came to Catholic in 2004, inheriting a football program that needed to be rebuilt. Progress came slowly but surely as the Knights went 4-6 in each of his first two seasons. However, the Knights’ improvement showed in 2006 when they went 6-5, making the Class 3A playoffs.

After dipping to 4-6 in 2007, Catholic rebounded last season to have the best record since the 1994 team went 8-3.

“Coach Trokey has done an outstanding job of leading our program over the past five years,” said Jim Tolbert, athletic director at Catholic.

“Tim came to Catholic and took ownership of the program. He believed Catholic football could be as good as any school we played and he helped our players and fans believe it too. He put 100 percent effort into helping our athletes improve on the field and off. He will be missed by the Catholic family.”

The process for hiring a new head football coach begins immediately. Information about the position has been posted on various coaching Web sites, including the AHSAA site. The school has appointed a five-person search committee to interview candidates and recommend a new coach.

Off-season football workouts will continue as planned under the direction of Catholic’s assistant coaches.

Coggins Named Drum Major for Marching Knights

Sally Coggins has been named drum major for the 2009-10 Montgomery Catholic Marching Knights after tryouts were held on May 11th.

Sally plays the flute/piccolo and will be a junior at Montgomery Catholic in the fall. We look forward to her leadership in this very important role.

Knights Finish Second in State Golf Tourney

Senior Thomas Sutton shot a final round 72 and sophomore Scott Barranco shot 75 to lead the Montgomery Catholic golf team to a solid second-place finish in the Class 4A state golf tournament that concluded Tuesday at Capitol Hill in Prattville.

The Knights finished the tournament with a two-day team score of 617. UMS-Wright of Mobile, who won the Class 5A title last year, won the tournament with a 603.

Sutton, who recently signed to play college golf at UAB, finished second overall in the tournament. He shot a first-round 71 for a 143 total, just one shot in back of UMS-Wright's Bobby Wyatt, who shot 70-72--142 to win the individual title.

Other Catholic scores from the tournament were senior Barranco 82-75--157, Butler Parker 78-79--157, junior Matt Christie 80-82--162 and freshman Jacob Stinson 80-86--166. The lowest four scores in each round are used to establish the team score.

Congratulations to the Knights on an outstanding season!

Pictured: Montgomery Catholic's Golf Team who placed second in the AHSAA 4A State Golf Tournament, Coach Mike Barranco, Thomas Sutton, Scott Barranco, Matt Christie, Butler Parker, and Jacob Stinson.

Roscoe Anderson 2009 Jimmy Hitchcock Memorial Award Male Winner

Montgomery Catholic senior Roscoe Anderson was selected as the male winner of the Jimmy Hitchcock Memorial Award during the 50th Anniversary Ceremony on May 7, 2009.

Roscoe is the son of Charlie and Linda (Belsterling '78) Anderson and is the fourth Jimmy Hitchcock Memorial Award winner from Montgomery Catholic, joining Johnny Sullivan 1969, Tim Crowley 1996, and Lauren Vercelli 2005. We are so proud of Roscoe and our school nominees Alexandra Gilbert, AJ Mayhan, and Brianna McClure.

Pictured is Roscoe, center, with his family Charlie, Linda, Sterling, Brian, and Charlie Anderson.

To read stories on this year's Hitchcock winners, click here:

http://www.riverregionsports.com/wordpress/?p=1772

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20090508/SPORTS0301/905080314&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL

Profio Named AATF Outstanding Senior in French Award

The American Association of Teachers of French (AATF) is pleased to announce that Antonella T. Profio, Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School, Montgomery, AL, has received a 2008-09 AATF Outstanding Senior in French Award. This award is made annually to a graduating senior who has demonstrated excellence in the study of French as well as exceptional commitment to the French language and the many cultures where it is spoken. Recipients must have completed at least three years of French study at the time of graduation and be non-native speakers of French.

Antonella is a member of the National French Honor Society and has traveled abroad. She has studied French for four years and is the student of Patricia K. Crowley.

The AATF was founded in 1927 and has as its mission the promotion of the study of French language and French-speaking literature and cultures at all levels. We are proud to recognize the achievements of outstanding students and their teachers. We hope that this award will motivate students to continue their study of French either through a career in teaching or as a complement to any other profession.

Pictured: Montgomery Catholic French teacher Mrs. Patricia K. Crowley with AATF Outstanding Student in French recipient Antonella Profio.

Montgomery Catholic Art Students Win at Flimp Festival

Several middle and high school students from Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School participated in the 20th annual Flimp Festival at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Art on Saturday, May 2nd held on the grounds of the Blount Cultural Park.

Montgomery Catholic seniors Adam Pouncey and Jessica Lyerly won first place in the overall theme category. Senior Austin Barranco and sophomore John Preston Houston won first place in the high school division. Montgomery Catholic art students participate in the chalk art division of the MMFA Flimp Festival each spring.

Pictured: Montgomery Catholic students Adam Pouncey, Jessica Lyerly, Austin Barranco, and John Preston Houston pose with Flimp Festival Art judge WSFA's Tonya Terry at the 20th annual MMFA Flimp Festival.

To view photos from The MMFA 20th annual Flimp Festival, click here: http://montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=DS&Dato=20090502&Kategori=COMMUNITIES010302&Lopenr=905020801&Ref=PH&Profile=1007&SectionCat=ARCHIVES