Catholic Football Coach Named ALFCA Coach of the Year

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School proudly announces Head Football Coach, Aubrey Blackwell has been named Class 4A Coach of the Year by the Alabama Football Coaches Association.

Nominations for the awards were accepted from the association’s membership in each classification. Members of the ALFCA board of directors served on the selection committees and made recommendations to the entire board who chose the award winners. Blackwell was presented his award at the annual ALFCA Banquet on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at 11:15 a.m. at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Montgomery.

Blackwell began his career at Montgomery Catholic in 2015 and led the Knights to a 2017 Region Championship and advancing to the second round of the playoffs during the 2017 season. With a season record of 10-2 and a two year record of 18-5, Blackwell is well deserving of the honor bestowed on him by the ALFCA this year.

Montgomery Catholic thanks Coach Blackwell for his leadership and dedication to his team. GO Knights!

Catholic Senior Henry Petters Named National Merit Scholarship Program Finalist

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School is proud to announce Henry Petters as a National Merit Scholarship® Finalist.  Henry is one of over 15,000 scholastically talented high school seniors to have an opportunity to continue in the competition for thousands of Merit Scholarship® awards, worth millions of dollars.

To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, students must fulfill several requirements and about one-half of the Finalists are selected as Merit Scholarship winners, earning the Merit Scholar® title.

As a finalist, Henry has maintained outstanding academic records throughout his high school years, has been endorsed and recommended by his school principal, and has earned SAT scores that confirm his qualifying test performance. 

Henry also had to submit a detailed scholarship application, including a self-descriptive essay and information regarding his participation and leadership in both school and community activities. Petters is currently a member of the Loretto Chapter of the National Honor Society, Science Olympiad, Mu Alpha Theta, Concert Band and Marching Band Drum Major.  Henry is the son of Brian and Vicki Petters of Montgomery.

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School’s CyberPatriot Team Advances to Middle School Division Semifinals

February 9, 2018 – A team of middle school students from Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School in Montgomery, AL,  is headed to the Semifinals of CyberPatriot – the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition.

Established by the Air Force Association, the CyberPatriot National Youth Cyber Education Program was created to excite, educate, and motivate students toward careers in cyber security and other science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines critical to our nation’s future.

CyberPatriot’s core program – the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition – challenges teams of students across the United States, Canada, and from DoDD schools abroad, to find and resolve cybersecurity vulnerabilities in simulated environments. Top teams from the preliminary online rounds earn all-expenses-paid trips to Baltimore, Md., for the live National Finals Competition, where students compete for national recognition.

The CyberPatriot field is divided into three divisions – the Open Division for public, private, and home school teams, the All Service Division for JROTC, Civil Air Patrol, and Naval Sea Cadet Corps teams, and the Middle School Division.

In all, 5,584 teams registered to compete in CyberPatriot X, with 646 middle school teams competing. Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School  is among the 327 middle school teams advancing to the next round.

Led by Coach Mindy Walski, the team of three students from Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School  excelled in the CyberPatriot X Middle School Division qualification rounds, demonstrating teamwork, critical thinking skills, and technical knowledge key to a successful career in cybersecurity. The team’s performance earned it a spot in the Middle School Division Semifinals to be held this month. Team members are Cody Harris, Preston Holk and Cas Wilson.

Following the Semifinals, the top three Middle School Division teams will advance to the CyberPatriot X National Finals Competition in Baltimore, Md.

  

More information is available at www.uscyberpatriot.org or from the CyberPatriot staff at info@uscyberpatriot.org.

Four Montgomery Catholic Seniors Sign to Play Football on National Signing Day

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School held a signing ceremony for seniors Parker Dennis, Gregory Ellis, Tyler Price, and Charlie Ryan on National Signing Day. The event was held at the Montgomery Catholic high school campus at 3:15 p.m., Wednesday, February 7, 2018 in the Dolly Barranco Activity Center.

Seated: Parker Dennis, Greg Ellis, Charlie Ryan and Tyler Price. Standing: MCPS principal Justin Castanza, head football coach Aubrey Blackwell, assistant head coach Kirk Johnson, president Anne Ceasar, co-offensive coordinator Brad Parker, wide receiver coach Bobby Dunlap and athletic director Daniel Veres.

All four Catholic Knight athletes committed to play football at the college level.

Parker Dennis signed his National Letter of Intent to play football with the Austin Peay University Governors, a two time All-Metro and two time All-CCC line backer, he has attended Catholic for six years and had five college offers. Dennis is the son of Michael and Leigh Dennis of Mathews, Ala.

Tyler Price made his commitment to play football for the University of North Alabama Lions, after 13 Division I offers. A two time All-Metro and two time All-CCC Running Back for the Knights, he is the son of Terri Price of Montgomery.

Both Gregory Ellis, Jr. and Charlie Ryan signed letters of intent with the Georgia Military College Bulldogs. Ellis is also a two time All Metro and two time All-CCC defensive back for the Knights. He is the son of Tina Ellis and Greg Ellis of Montgomery. Ryan was recognized as an All-Metro and All-CCC defensive lineman this year and had 11 college offers. He is the son of Sally Hodges of Montgomery and John Ryan of Greenwood Village, Colorado.

Montgomery Catholic president Anne Ceasar, principal Justin Castanza, athletic director Daniel Veres, Head Football Coach Aubrey Blackwell along with all of the team assistant coaches welcomed students, parents and friends to campus to celebrate the accomplishments of these young men.

Montgomery Catholic is looking forward to following these college careers over the next four years.
GO KNIGHTS!

Montgomery Catholic Senior, Aleigha Walden Signs to Play Softball at William Carey

On Wednesday, January 31, 2018 the Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School athletic department held a signing ceremony for senior, Aleigha Walden at 3:15 p.m. in the Montgomery Catholic High School campus library. With her parents, Michael and Ashley Walden looking on, Aleigha signed her letter of intent to play softball at William Carey University in Hattiesburg, Mississippi next year.. The event began with prayer, followed by opening remarks and congratulations from school president, Anne Ceasar. Montgomery Catholic's 2017 softball coach and alumna, Abbey Beesley, spoke about Aleigha's work ethic on and off the field, especially as she worked to recover from a 2017 injury.

Walden Signs to
Play College Softball

Walden came to Montgomery Catholic as a seventh grader and 2018 will be her fifth season with the Knights, as an infielder. A life-long softball player, Walden is a two-time 1A-4A All-Metro player, a two time All-Metro Honorable mention and All-State Honorable Mention - Shortstop in 2017. She is a member of young women's leadership with a 3.6 GPA. She has also played basketball at Montgomery Catholic for five years. She was supported by her extended family, eleven former, current and future coaches including her Montgomery Catholic coaches Britt Taylor (2014), Abby Beesley (2015-2017) and Whitney Toole (2018)
and future coach at William Carey University, Craig Fletcher.

Walden is the daughter of  Michael and Ashley Walden of Montgomery. 

Walden with her parents & past coaches.

AD Daniel Veres, President Anne Ceasar,
Aleigha Walden,Coach Whitney Toole
and Principal Justin Castanza.

Montgomery Catholic looks forward to following her career in the coming years. Congratulations Aleigha!

Montgomery Catholic MathCounts Team Advances to State Competition

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School's Middle School MathCounts Team advances to the state competition following their performance at the district level.  Eight middle school students from Montgomery Catholic competed at the MathCounts District competition recently held at Faulkner University where their team placed second overall.


Montgomery Catholic's MathCounts team members are (Back) Will Noell, Julienne Pharrams, Zach Izer and James Bender, (Front) Kayley Holmes, Sadie Bartels, Aniya Lowery and Michael Algarin.  The MCPS team that placed second at the competition was comprised of eighth grade student Sadie Bartels, who placed 12th, seventh grade student Michael Algarin, who placed 7th, eighth grade students Will Noell, who placed 14th and  Zach Izer who placed 15th place for the MCPS chapter competition. Montgomery Catholic's MathCounts team is sponsored by Mrs. Julie Flowers. The team is excited to advance to the state competition which will be held on March 17, 2018 at Auburn University Montgomery.

MONTGOMERY CATHOLIC PREPARATORY SCHOOL STUDENT-ATHLETE NAMED GATORADE ALABAMA GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY RUNNER OF THE YEAR

CHICAGO (January 29, 2018) — In its 33  year of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, today announced Amaris Tyynismaa of Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School as its 2017-18 Gatorade Alabama Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year. Tyynismaa was the first Gatorade Alabama Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year to be chosen from Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School when she won she award her sophomore year (2015-16).

The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the racecourse, distinguishes Tyynismaa as Alabama’s best high school girls cross country runner. Now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year award to be announced in January, Tyynismaa joins an elite alumni association of past state award-winners in 12 sports, including Lukas Verzbicas (2010-11, 2009-10 Carl Sandburg, Orland Park, Ill.), Megan Goethals (2009-10, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Mich.), Jordan Hasay (2008-09, Mission College Prep., San Luis Obispo, Calif.) and Chris Derrick (2007-08, Neuqua Valley, Naperville, Ill.).

The 5-foot-7 junior raced to the Class 4A individual state championship this past season with a time of 17:14.37, leading the Knights to second place as a team. Tyynismaa also won the Jesse Owens Classic, the Section 1 championship, the Warhawk Challenge and the Spain Park Invitational.    

A religious education instructor at her church, Tyynismaa has volunteered locally on behalf of Meals on Wheels and the Humane Society. “Beyond Amaris’ ability on the course or track, she’s the most dedicated athlete I’ve coached in 35 years,” said Montgomery Catholic coach Ed Wright. “She leads by example and encourages all her teammates to be the best they can be.”      

Tyynismaa has maintained a 3.70 GPA in the classroom. She will begin her senior year of high school this fall.

The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one winner in the District of Columbia and each of the 50 states that sanction high school football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, baseball, softball, and boys and girls track & field, and awards one National Player of the Year in each sport. The selection process is administered by the Gatorade Player of the Year Selection Committee, which work with top sport-specific experts and a media
advisory board of accomplished, veteran prep sports journalists to determine the state winners in each sport.

Two-time winner Tyynismaa stands with Gatorade Alabama Girls Cross Country Runners of the Year Lainey Phelps (2016-17, Homewood High School), Kaitlin York (2014-15, American Christian Academy), Karisa Nelson (2013-14, T.R. Miller High School), Carmen Carlos (2012-13, 2011-12 & 2010-11 & 2009-10, McGill-Toolen Catholic High School), and Madeline Morgan (2008-09 & 00708, Mountain Brook High School) as athletes who have won the cross country award since its inception in 2007.

As a Gatorade Player of the Year, Tyynismaa will be able to select a national or local youth sports organization to receive a grant as part of the Gatorade Play It Forward program. Every Gatorade Player of the Year state winner receives a $1,000 grant to donate and will have the opportunity to enter for
an additional $10,000 spotlight grant by writing a brief essay explaining why their selected organization
deserves additional support. 12  spotlight grants – one  for each sport – will be announced throughout
the year.

To keep up to date on the latest happenings, become a fan of Gatorade Player of the Year on Facebook and follow the conversation on Twitter #GatoradePOY. For more on the Gatorade Player of the Year program, including nomination information, a complete list of past winners and the announcement of the Gatorade National Player of the Year, visit http://playeroftheyear.gatorade.com/.

21 Montgomery Catholic Band Members Chosen for All State and All District Honor Band

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School proudly announces 21 Band members who were selected as part of the Alabama Bandmasters Association District VI All-District Honor Band, and 10 Band members selected for a place in the Alabama All-State Honor Bands. Auditions were held on Saturday, January 27, 2018 in Opelika, Alabama. Band Directors Alex and Kristine Johnson are proud to announce the Montgomery Catholic band members accepted to the All-State and District Honor Bands.

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School All-State Honor Band members are:
Middle School: Hart Yost - Alternate for All-State. High School: Ashley Hayes - All-State Red Band; Henry Petters - All-State Unassigned; Victoria Hall - All-State Red Band; Hannah Vaccaro - All-State Blue Band; Angela Gier - Alternate for All-State;  Jackson Penso - All-State Unassigned; Ricky Treloar - All-State Blue Band; Bobby Crawford - All-State Red Band; Chris Waring - Alternate for All-State.

Montgomery Catholic students chosen as All-District Honor Band members are: Middle School students Hart Yost - 3rd Chair Flute, Cecelia Crawford - 13th Chair Clarinet, Danielle Willcox - 17th Chair Clarinet, Angeles Gonzalez - 4th Chair Alto Sax, Shawn Sponsler - 7th Chair Trumpet, Brandon Hinkley - 3rd Chair Tuba and Cade Corbin - 3rd Chair Percussion. High School students are: Ashley Hayes - 1st Chair Piccolo and 2nd Chair Flute; Chloe Smith - 12th Chair Flute; Henry Petters - 1st Chair Bassoon; Victoria Hall - 1st Chair Clarinet; Hannah Vaccaro - 9th Chair Clarinet; Angela Gier - 14th Chair Clarinet; Mai Ellington - 18th Chair Clarinet; Jackson Penso - 1st Chair Bari Sax; Ricky Treloar - 6th Chair Trumpet; Bobby Crawford - 2nd Chair Trombone; Chris Waring - 7th Chair Trombone; Jonathan Guevara - 10th Chair Trombone; and
Nick Bowden - 7th Chair Percussion.

Congratulations to these Knights!