Catholic Knights Win Two Indoor Track State Titles

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School's Skip Martin claimed the Class 1A-4A State Championship in the 1600-meter run on Saturday, finishing with a time of 4:34.38 at the Alabama State Indoor Track and Field Championships in Birmingham.

The time by Martin was just three seconds off of the state record which was set in 2003, and earned the team 10 total points on the day.

A few hours after Martin won his individual state title, he ran a leg of the boy's 4x800-meter relay team that claimed the school's second state title on the day. The relay team of Matt Pouncey, Jarrett Mason, Martin and Connor Wright set a school record in the process of claiming the second state title of the day for the Knights.

Wright and fellow senior Wellington Westendorf each made the medal stand as well for the Knights; with Wright finishing as the state runner-up in the 800-meters on Friday night and Westendorf third in the shot put.

Several other Knights have shined in the indoor championships, which is still on going in Birmingham, setting school records and finishing in the top 10 in their event.

The girl's 4x200-meter relay team (Katherine Terino, Marissa Craig, Kenslie McOmber and Jennifer Westendorf) finished seventh overall with a new school record time of 2:02.74. The girl's 4x800-meter relay team also picked up a point for the Knights as they finished eighth in the respective race.

Meanwhile, Terino set a new school record in the 1600-meter and 3200-meter runs, finishing top 10 in each (fifth in the 1600-meter run). Mason finished fifth in the 3200-meter run with a time of 10:29, setting a new school record.

Jennifer Westendorf finished in the top 10 in both the high jump and long jump for the Knights, while the boy's 4x400-meter relay team capped off the weekend with a sixth place finish and a new school record.

The Knights' boy's team finished tied for fifth overall in the meet, while the girls finished tied for 11th; while only taking five female and seven male competitors to the state meet.

Pictured:  Montgomery Catholic Indoor Track boys 4x800 State Champion relay team members Connor Wright, Skip Martin, Jarrett Mason, and Matt Pouncey.  Photo by Jamie Martin.

Montgomery Catholic Senior Earns Eagle Scout Honor

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School senior Tyler Parrish was honored at an Eagle Scout Court of Honor held on January 21 at the St. Bede Family Life Center in Montgomery. Tyler began his scouting career with St Bede Pack 4 as a Webelos Scout in 2003, earned his Arrow of Light award in March 2005, and then crossed into the Bison Patrol of Troop 4. Tyler attended Summer camp with the troop for six years, amassed 71 nights of camping, and hiked with the Troop over 96 miles.

Over the years, Tyler has held key positions in the Troop including Quartermaster, Librarian, Scribe, Patrol Leader, and OA Troop Representative. Tyler achieved the rank of Life on March 24, 2008. He served on Staff for the Golden Eagle Junior Leadership Training Conference (JLTC) Troop 5 for one term and held the position of Troop Guide. His loyalty to Scouting and the Troop earned him an Ordeal nomination in 2009 to the Order of the Arrow, and he is currently a Brotherhood member in the Order. Tyler’s Eagle Leadership project included the design and construction of three picnic tables at St Bede Church to provide seating for parents, families, and others using the St. Bede soccer fields.

Tyler completed 36 merit badges and received the World Conservation Award on June 22, 2009. Tyler attained the rank of Eagle Scout on October 5, 2011. Tyler has been accepted to Auburn University for the Fall 2012 Semester and is planning to major in Wildlife Ecology and Management.


Pictured: Montgomery Catholic senior Tyler Parrish is congratulated by Brian Petters, Scout Master and Montgomery Catholic parent, at Tyler's Court of Honor ceremony. Photo by Donna Kerstis.

Montgomery Catholic Celebrates 100th Day of School

Students at Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School recently celebrated the 100th day of school in 100 different ways.  Kindergarten students is Mrs. Debbie Redden's class made a one hundred item snack as they rotated to stations and counted out ten of each item. They used paint to make ten dots with ten different colors on each of their hats and created necklaces made from cereal which the students counted 100 pieces and then strung them. Mrs. Redden used the interactive Smartboard to count by 2's, 5's and 10's to 100. Each student also brought to school 100 items collected from home, which they counted and graphed by: less than 100, 100, and more than 100. To top off the day, Mrs. Redden read several 100 Day of School books. 

Pictured:  Mrs. Redden's Kindergarten class at Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School on the 100th day of school.

Van Alst Named Most Outstanding Wrestler at Julian McPhillips Invitational

The Montgomery Catholic wrestling program recently competed in the Julian McPhillips Invitational Wrestling Tournament held at Saint James School.  The Knights took home eighth place overall with three wrestlers placing in their weight classes.  Aidan Gilbert, a senior, won third place in his weight class.  David Norris, a junior, won second place in his weight class.  Zachary Van Alst, a seventh grader, won his weight class and was voted the Most Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament.  The Knights round out the regular season on the road with tournaments in Birmingham and Wetumpka.  Pictured: Montgomery Catholic's Zachary Van Alst accepting his award from former Montgomery Catholic parent and founder of the Catholic wrestling program Mr. Julian McPhillips at the Julian McPhillips Invitational Tournament. (photo by Jennie Van Alst)