On Saturday, October 29th, The Village School’s cross country team competed in the TAPPS State Championship Meet in Waco, TX. This meet was the culmination of a three month season, packed with eight Saturday meets, and 5:30am daily practices that were both on and off campus. Varsity runners logged over 50 miles per week in an effort to set new personal records (PR’s) and better the team. After a top 3 District Championship finish, the boys team was peaking at the right time heading into the State Championship meet.

Time is a precious thing for a runner. They spend an inordinate amount of time training in order to shave it during the competition. Seconds are valuable as it determines placing and the potential outcome of a meet. When a runner is in a competition, they have a complete understanding of time, pace, splits, positioning on the course, and positioning among the field of fellow competitors.

When Eduardo G. suffered from dehydration and was at the point of collapse, his teammate, Marco S., made an instinctual decision. For Marco, time no longer mattered. Personal records, splits, positioning, 5:30 AM practices, 50 miles per week, Saturday meets, the importance of the State Meet- all went out the window. What mattered was his teammate’s well-being. What mattered was that his teammate, who experienced all of the pain and sacrificed alongside him throughout the season, crossed the Finish Line with him.

In an incredible display of brotherhood, Marco S. carried his teammate, Eduardo G, over the Finish Line.

What makes a person do what he did in that moment? Was his character shaped by the culture that Coach Mastro has instilled into the cross country program? Was it shaped by our athletic service learning projects to soup kitchens, food banks, and elementary schools? No time to think. No time to plan. At that moment, an instinctual decision to help his fallen teammate revealed the highest level of character a person can witness- sacrifice for his fellow man. Marco S and Eduardo G defined “Culture of Champions” for us. It isn’t about personal records, glory, or State Championships. It is about a set of attitudes, beliefs, and ideas that develop character within us. That is what makes us “Champions.” Thank you for teaching us that.

Please watch this incredible video, with INTERVIEWS from each runner!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgMLqfvk8eE&t=1s

The Varsity boys basketball team is off to a great start to the season, posting a 8-0 record at this time. The team has quality wins against CHSM, SATCH, Emery Weiner, and Conroe Lifestyle Christian. The players are working very hard and buying into what it takes to be a good team. On Monday, November 21st, the program hosted the first annual Rock Classic Basketball Tournament held by the boys varsity basketball team. The following day, history was made again with the Varsity Boys winning the championship game of the Rock Classic. Coach Harvey credits his senior leadership as the reason for the team’s early success. “Our seniors are stepping up and leading this team to victory.” The Vikings travel to San Antonio on Dec. 1 for their next basketball tournament. The players are very excited about the way things are going so far and look forward to playing their next game.

Coach Harvey

The Boys Varsity Soccer team started training November 7! This year the team is looking to continue the dominant performances they have had the past two years. With key players returning from last year’s State Championship team we are looking forward to being in a higher division. Last year we saw 16 seniors graduate, I believe we have not missed a beat in filling in what we lost. We have been blessed with an abundance of talent and are looking forward to another great year!

Coach Guevara

The Girls Varsity Soccer team is looking to pick up right where they left off at the end of last season. The team is looking to have a successful season with key returners like: Jr. Gabrielle B., Valentina C. and Rafaella C. The team has been working hard during the summer as well as preseason to make sure they are prepared for this upcoming season. Come support the Lady Vikings soccer team in their next home match on November 29th at 4:30PM!

The Village Viking HS starts its second season hoping to build from what was a very successful inaugural season last year that saw 8 swimmers qualify for TAPPS State Championships.

The Lady Viking Swimmers are returning four state qualifiers, Kiera C, Katya H, Nicole K and Hazel S from last year’s team and this year welcome Olivia G. Olivia’s past times make her a hopeful for All-State honors this year.

The Viking Men return one State Qualifier this year, Dennis F, but have added Mac B, and Tom N to the HS roster as hopefuls to qualify and make the trip to State Championships.

With two competitions under their belt this season, the Viking HS Swim Team have two more competitions before year’s end and then they swim once more in January to get ready for the TAPPS Regional State Qualifier on January 20th at the University of Houston. The team practices together on Thursday nights at Westside HS and all the members of the team practice with the local USA Swimming clubs the other days of the week.

The HS Viking Swimmers are led by Coach Doug Buckalew who is in his second year as Head Coach and Director of Swimming. Coach Buckalew is assisted by Stephanie Phillips, who is also in her second year with the VS Swim Program.