Jacket Backers Recognize Rockwall Jacket Athletes of the Month

Alex Schmitt “at the Lakeview Invite, Alex placed 3rd on vault, 3rd on bars and 5th in the all-around. Alex is a freshman on the varsity gymnastics team.  She is one of the hardest working girls on the team and has the “no quit” attitude that every coach wants from their athletes.  She works just as hard in the classroom as she does in the gym!  We are excited to see what the rest of this season holds for her as well as the next three years!  Alex is a very selfless athlete that understands putting her team first is the key to success” states, Stephanie Tyson, Head Girls’ Gymnastics Coach.

Landry Poppen, – “Landry is an outstanding player who is a vital part of the soccer team’s campaign to win state this year.  He’s an exemplary student with a GPA of 4.05.  Landry is a phenomenal player — a lethal striker, unbeatable dribbler — and if he can attain all of his obvious potential, he will be a huge name in US soccer” exclaims, Head Soccer Coach, Troy Williams.

Preston Gage a senior, “has been a great leader for Rockwall Gymnastics.  During the Rockwall vs Arlington ISD: Perfect 10.0 on P-bars, 1st place All Around, 1st place on P-bars and Scored for the team on 3 events leading the team to a season high score. During the Key City Invitational: He was the teams top scorer on Floor, Rings, and P-bars; Scored for the team on 3 events leading the team to a 2nd place finish (only behind the defending state champions).  Preston Scored a perfect 10.0 on Parallel Bars this month! Preston has done a great job pushing himself and his teammates to reach new heights.  Congratulations on earning a 10” states, Cameron Sweny, Head Men’s Gymnastics Coach.

Mikki Witcher, a junior, “helped the Girls’ Basketball team to a 2nd place finish in the Bishop Lynch tournament and a 4th place finish in the Aggieland Invitational, beating the #4 team in the state.     Mikki leads our team in assist, charges, and most made 3 pointers.  She has the highest free throw percentage shooting 86% for the year so far and averages 8.8ppg.  She is a captain on the team that has helped lead our team to a 20-7 record so far in our season.  Mikki is a great leader on and off the court.  She is the first one to the gym every morning to shoot before practice and one of our biggest competitors on our team.  She loves her team, program, and school and strives to make a positive impact every day!” shares Kasie Brewer, Head Girls’ Varsity Basketball Coach.

Kate McCown, a sophomore swimmer, “swimming doubles over Christmas Break and not missing a beat. She’s great!  Her work ethic is matched by no one.  She gives her best every day.  She wants to practice twice daily, every day.  Her work ethic is like no one else” explains, David Partenheimer, Swimming Coach.

Branden Wills, is a sophomore swimmer who dropped enough time to make the varsity lineup from after being on our JV team. “Incredible hard work on the break has shown others what can happen with hard work.  Proud of his hard work especially over the break.  It’s moved him up onto the district lineup” adds David Partenheimer.

Congratulations to each of these Rockwall High School Athletes!

The Jacket Backer Booster Club is a non-profit association formed to maximize fundraising efforts for Rockwall High School Sports, and other charitable activities that promote the development of good character, high morale, and maximum effort, highest standards of sportsmanship, competitive spirit, pride, and community service.

For more information on how you can support, vote and promote Rockwall High School’s Student Athletes visit the Jacket Backers website at https://www.jacketboosters.com/ and be sure to follow all of their athletes’ accomplishments on Facebook or Twitter @RHSJacketBacker.

Story and photo: RHS Jacket Backers