Beech Tree News Network

The 2013-14 school year marked the return of the fall Wellness course offered to Butler County High School students. This class was made up of many male and female basketball players as well as baseball and softball players. With the success displayed by the spring Wellness format, the same was utilized in this year’s fall course. Five captains were chosen to lead teams comprised of students “drafted” by each captain. There was a lot of anticipation, excitement, and anxiety in the early stages of the semester.

The semester began with a leadership academy which introduced students to the idea of what being a positive leader was like. The academy took 3 ½ days to complete, but seemed to be very beneficial for the students. At the conclusion of the leadership academy, the class went straight to work on becoming more competitive athletes.

For 18 weeks, individuals worked to improve their mental, athletic, and strength abilities. Countless hours were spent in the weight room imrpoving muscular stregth and endurance, on the turf in the field house improving speed, quickness, and agilities, and testing themselves to see how each individual could mentally push their bodies to the absolute limits of greatness. As each individual worked to better themselves, they also earned points toward their Wellness team’s overall success. The end of the semester culminated in a week-long competition of individual and team events to find out which Wellness team would claim the title of 2013 Fall Wellness Champions.

Overall Standings: (captain in bold)

1^st Place – Team 4      2^nd Place – Team 1    3^rd Place – Team 3     4^th Place – Team 5

Amy Rogers               Shawna West             Trevor Jenkins          Clark Parker

Trevor Parker              Zach Burden               Chloe Flener                Cheyenne White

Ariel Phelps                 Addison Hall              Baylee Anderson           Blake Graham

Eddie Phelps               Kenton Flener             Madison Clark              Maddy McKinney

Zoie Pendley               Callie Cardwell           Trevor Henderson       Chandler Franzell

                                    Abigail Fry                                                      Cody Casteel

5^th Place – Team 2

Caleb Hunt

Allie Easley

Ty Burden

Shandi Lindsey

Best Bench (lbs)                                                         Best Squat (lbs)                                 

Male – Zach Burden(210)                                          Male – Trevor Parker(344)    

             Caleb Hunt(205)                                                       Clark Parker(334)                   

             Trevor Parker(170)                                                     Zach Burden(283)                  

Female – Chloe Flener(135)                                       Female – Chloe Flener(244)  

                Maddie McKinney(116)                                              Amy Rogers(242)             

                Amy Rogers(110)                                                        Shawna West(191)                

Best Clean (lbs)                                                          Best 20 yd Dash (sec)

Male – Caleb Hunt(225)                                             Male – Caleb Hunt(2.63)

            Zach Burden(215)                                                       Zach Burden(2.72)

            Blake Graham(185)                                                     Ty Burden(2.79)

Female – Chloe Flener(145)                                       Female – Madison Clark(3.07)

                Amy Rogers(125)                                                        Shawna West(3.12)

               Shawna West(110)                                                        Ariel Phelps(3.18)

               Maddie McKinney(110)

               Madison Clark(110)

Best Broad Jump (ft/in)                                            Best Pro Shuttle (sec)

Male – Zach Burden(8’5.5”)                                      Male – Clark Parker(4.56)

             Clark Parker(8’2”)                                                      Caleb Hunt(4.58)

             Blake Graham(7’11.5”)                                              Zach Burden(4.62)

Female – Madison Clark(6’8”)                                   Female – Madison Clark(5.06)

                 Amy Rogers(6’5”)                                                      Maddie McKinney(5.22)

                 Ariel Phelps(6’4.5”)                                                    Ariel Phelps(5.28)

From the Commissioner’s Desk:

I must admit that I was a little unsure of how the student-athletes would respond to the format of the Wellness course. After all, there was only one student in the class that I coach in any sport. Most student-athletes will not typically respond to someone who is not their coach and is trying to push them out of their athletic comfort zone in order to make them better. I have to say that I was absolutely elated to watch how hard the student-athletes worked and responded to the challenges I placed before them. I truly believe that these young people have learned what it means to be a positive leader on their teams, in the classroom, and in the community. I am certain that they understand what it means to diligently work to become the best person/athlete they can possibly become. In a class of 26 student-athletes, there were 4 seniors, 3 juniors, 3 sophomores, and 16 freshmen. Looking at these numbers and knowing what these student-athletes were able to accomplish this year I can say this: as long as these young people continue to work the way they have, the future of Butler County athletics is extremely bright and I, for one, am excited to see what happens from here.

To the student-athletes who competed in the Wellness course:

 I am so extremely proud of what you were able to accomplish this year. You have grown not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. You now know that no matter what obstacle lies in front of you, you have the ability to overcome it. Athletics will teach you so much about everyday life. You will face adversity in games and seasons much like you will in each day and year of your lives. Always know that adversity will make you a stronger and better person when you have weathered the storm and made it through to victory. You have made me so proud to say that I have had the opportunity to work with you. Continue to strive to be the best student, athlete, team mate, and person you can be. The sky is the limit for you and for Butler County athletics!