184 / 212
182
/
ST. THOMAS HIGH SCHOOL
/
HOUSTON, TX
FOOTBALL
17 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
39 AT THE NEXT LEVEL
WRESTLING
3 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
5 REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
4 AT THE NEXT LEVEL
SWIMMING
2015-2016 PREVIEW
CROSS COUNTRY
/
TRACK & FIELD
10 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
21 AT THE NEXT LEVEL
BASKETBALL
9 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
16 AT THE NEXT LEVEL
SOCCER
1 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
18 AT THE NEXT LEVEL
BASEBALL
23 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
49 AT THE NEXT LEVEL
Looking Back
Christian Kitchen ‘15 (Colorado
College) anchored the program
from No. 1 singles for the third
consecutive year. The two-time
captain closed out his four-year
varsity career with a 15-5 district
singles record and a second
consecutive fifth-place finish in the
TAPPS 5A state tournament.
Worth Beard ‘15 debuted in the
program to tag-team with Paul
Simon ‘16 and the duo finished 5-3
in doubles matches. In the second
round of the district tournament
they avenged an earlier defeat to
sweep out Tomball Concordia
Lutheran in straight sets and
eventually earn the program’s
Eagle Fight Award.
Looking Ahead
Simon and Noah Penny ‘16 serve
as the projected Nos. 1 and 2
singles and lead a lineup that also
showcases Alex Archer ‘16, Daniel
Kellems ‘17, Zach Hablinski ‘18,
Powell Cutts ‘17, and Henry Batt
‘18.
The combination of refined
skill and savvy experience fuel
the program’s renewed sense of
purpose and optimism.
“We’re aiming to not just get to
state this year but advance deeper
into the tournament,” Cutts
said. “We started to come on at
the end of last season so now
it’s just a matter of building on
that improvement and not being
satisfied.”
Penny agrees and expects
continued progress in all phases of
STH tennis, believing the timing
is prime for the Eagles to make a
significant move forward in 2016
after a series of unfulfilling second
place finishes in district.
“(The 2015 class) dominated
TAPPS the last few years,
especially last year’s state
tournament. Now the window of
opportunity is there. It starts with
ending the title drought in district.
We’ve been right there, just unable
to get to the top. There’s been
some frustration with that but
we’re all confident now is our
time,” Penny said.
Simon readily admits that same
high level of expectation is likely
shared throughout competing
corners of the state. It’s simply a
question of what mix takes best
advantage of the fresh slate.
“You have to put in the time and
effort to be the best. You can’t just
assume you’re the next one moving
up,” Simon said. “We all have
to develop that consistency and
strength in our games if we want
to accomplish our goals.”
Both Simon and Penny have made
steady climbs in expanding their
games since tennis became serious
pursuits just prior to entering
St. Thomas. They both have
narrowed the performance gap
against more seasoned competition
and credit extensive work outside
the program for their progress.
“My backhand has really improved.
More power. More control. And
with that comes more confidence,”
Simon said. “Overall I’m just a
more well-rounded player.”
Penny invested in a heavy dose
of summer tournament play
throughout Houston to prep for
his final season, including pairing
for a win with Kitchen in an area
men’s open doubles tournament
“It was great experience. Testing
against top-level is what I needed
more than skill work. My
technique has been solid and
now it’s about developing that
consistency,” Penny said.
Cutts figures to contribute to the
STH depth in both singles and
doubles.
“My ground strokes have
remained very consistent. Now
it’s all about raising the level
on my overall game, mixing up
some in-game strategy, not being
quite so predictable with my
attack. The fall practice sessions
will be important in establishing
the tone, not just for me for the
team. There’s no reason we can’t
accomplish the goals we have in
mind,” Cutts said.