Alief Elsik High School - Ramblings Yearbook (Houston, TX)

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Keith Box, Paul Maloney, Devlon Dunn, Trevor Dodd, Dale Smith, and Paul Moon train each day after school for the track team. The boy's Ram Runners finished 2nd in the district competition. Photo by S- Lackey I don't believe in dumb athletes. Coach M ike Sciba's philosophy was put into action in January when he was named Head of Athletics and Head Coach. Photo by M. Spiller i Coach Chip Nila, Rex Baggct, Brandon Sanderfur, and Tim Moore break from t team pep talk at the start of the Spring Woods game. The Varsity team ended t season with a 17-10 win losc record. Photo by A. Mi Anne Learns Winning Isn't Everything Varsity tennis player Anne McHugh has learned the values of losing with good sports- manship. She has competed in tennis for four years and has maintained a good attitude toward the rules of winning and losing. Her biggest loss was to a state ranked girl from Kincaid. She stated, It was terrible, but she did have one thing going for her - the girl had been playing since childhood. Anne was born in Madison, Wisconsin and tennis never became a part of her life until high school. What got her interested? Coach Gwynn sug- gested she try out for the team since she enjoyed watching the sport, never assuming she would turn out to be the most outstanding player of the season. Anne earned this title because of her positive attitude and willingness to play her best. She replied, I stuck with it the whole nine yards while others dropped out and look where it got me. Her main accomplishment this season was her comeback against a Westchester girl. She came back from 4-6,1-4 to win the second set but ended up losing the tie-breaker. She explained, It was a close match, and though I lost, I was proud I hadn't given up. Her positive attitude helped her to see the goals of participating in a sport. Winning isn't the only thing that counts. It's what you learn while you play. By Noelle Miller Most valuable player Anne McHugh finishes her last season on the team and learns the value of success to take with her. Photo by S. Lackey Junior Chad Pollock and Sop omorc Penny Rosen, in the A1 Natitorium after their return fre Austin, both ranked high in the St.' Meet. Photo by E. Wats 250 Competition Sports Highlights

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Bratka Wins District, Region, and State Senior Chuck Bratka will be ;aving behind a successful jur years of tennis. He jmpeted during all of his high rhool years as well as an iditional three years in junior igh. Chuck started his fresh- en year on the varsity team nd worked himself up to be the lost outstanding player on the :am. Chuck has swept along, inning District, Region, and late. He is the first tennis layer from Elsik toaccomplish II of these titles. He won ;veral tournaments before ring off to district. His ictories include the Cy-Fair arsity Tournament, the Clear ake Varsity Tournament, and the Pasadena Varsity Tour- nament. At district he won singles and continued on to win the Region III championship and state. At state in Austin, his match results were 6-4, 7-5 defending Paul Morrow, 6-1, 6-1 defending Lamar May, and 6-2,7-6defendingMark Mance. When asked about his achievements he replied with a smile, I did the best I could and hope to do even better in college! As for the college he plans to attend, he has chosen Rice University. Several have offered scholarships including full tuition at Texas Christian University, the Air Force Academy, and partial tuition at Rice in which he will train under Coach Larry Turville. Besides being a master of tennis. Chuck achieved in school with top honors. He received the Outstanding Achievement Award for German IV and graduated co-valedictorian of his senior class. Coach Gwynn stated, Tennis is a breeze for anyone that doesn't have to worry about grades. By Noelle Miller Slate ranked Chuck Bratka will be leaving the tennis team to become a requested member of the Rice University team. Photo by S. Lackey. Senior Doug Smith sets up the ball in the game against Hastings. Photo by R. law Doug Smith is enthusiastic when dressing up for the Senior Day with hats and shades. Photo by A. Miles. Smith Wins Awards With Determination Hard work, determination, and sportsmanship were the winning combinations that won soccer player Doug Smith the titles of team captain, 1st team all-district, and most valuable player. Doug believes that he won these titles because he earned them. I have determination on the playing field and practiced as hard as I would play. I'm not the most skilled plaver but my attitude makes up for that. Doug's attitude also carried over to his teammates. His friends really looked up to him as both a player and friend. Most of my best friends are on the soccer team. They all encouraged me on and off the field and I tried to do the same for them. Doug really enjoyed being with his friends. When I'm not playing soccer, I enjoy playing other sports as long as I am with my friends. Doug explained that the person who influenced his soccer career the most was Coach O'Keefe. He trusted me and allowed me to grow at my own pace. I really enjoyed playing for Coach O'Keefe and the school. After graduation Doug plans to go to Sam Houston and play soccer. He wants to get a good education and decide on a career choice later. Through his hard work and determination, he earned the respect of his teammates and friends. By R. Denson Sports Highlights Compctition 249

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Mr. Elsik, Senior Sammy O'Brient, became an important part of Elsik's football program. As noseguard, he is ranked number two nationwide. In 1984, Sammy will be attending Texas A M University. But memories of Sammy will live on in the hallways. Photo by R. Law Alief Elsik Rams and basketball. Two things that go well together, especially when basketball is the girl's varsity basketball team. The girls ranked fifth in state. Next year they are looking forward to an increase in attendance by the student body. Photo by S. Lackey. ough the Rams had high hopes for a winning season, varsity football had a mal 6th place finish. Photo by S. Lackey Jock Briefs Football Varsity Junior Varsity Sophomore Freshman A Freshman B 6th District 1st District 3rd District 4th District 4th District Volleyball Varsity Junior Varsity Freshman 3rd District 2nd District 1st District Cross Country Boys Girls 4th District 7th State Basketball Boys Varsity Boys Junior Varsity Boys Sophomore Boys Freshman A Boys Freshman B Girls Varsity Girls Junior Varsity Girls Freshman 3rd District 4th District 5th District 5th District 2nd District 1st District 2nd District 1st District Soccer Boys Varsity Boys Junior Varsity Girls Varsity 1st Zone 2nd Zone 2nd Zone Swimming and Diving Boys Girls Diving Region Qualifiers 1st District Individual Ranks Golf Boys Girls 5th District 4th District Tennis Boys Girls 2nd District 6th District Track Boys Varsity Boys Junior Varsity Girls Varsity Girls Junior Varsity 2nd District 2nd District 1st Regionals 1st District Baseball Varsity Junior Varsity 3rd District 2nd District Sports Highlights Competition 251