Westlake High School - El Paisano Yearbook (Austin, TX)

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HE Athletes liked the insecurity of tryouts and did not want to make the team, while others managed to make Decisions, decisions. During tryouts, coaches decided who to cut and who to keep on their teams. Politics can some- times be involved with the tryouts, junior Chris Pevateaux said. l'Vhen this happens, the judging may become unfair. Students felt that tryouts only gave athletes one chance to prove themselves. If you have a bad day, and lose, when you could have won, then that is unfair since you don't get a second chance, varsity tennis player Whitney Lake said. I-Iopefuls also complained about the duration of tryouts, since they strained athletes emotionally and physically. The process works, but it is long and you may get sick of trying so hard, junior varsity volleyball player Jennifer Wallace said. Despite the complaints, overall the process of tryouts pleased most of the athletes who under- stood its necessity. Ang M 601 e junior varsity as et team, finishing off a hard day of practice, runs horses to com- plete their workout. iPhoto by statfj Afkfolm Pulling up at Ee lreetlirow line, sophomore Garrett Gregory shoots a jump shot helping the JV to a second place finish. iPhoto by staffj KNOW THE SCORE FINAL The team cannot always handle everyone that wants to play, IV basketball player Maggie Phenix said. Then, each player would not get the individual attention that they deserve. Others explained that the system worked in the athletes' best interests. The process allows those that are equally quali- fied to make the team, and those that are not, are not allowed to play that year, and must try again the next year, Phenix said. Tryouts gave players a chance to see just how good they really were and how they compared with the other players competing for that position. 'Tryouts give me a chance to see just how good I am and what kind of competition I am up against. For the most part tryouts are usually fair and some times players that get cut can comeback and be very good after sitting out a year, IV basketball player Blake Miller said. Although it caused strain and wear on athletes, the process of tryouts offered the players a chance to prove that they could play at the level coaches wanted and prepared students for the tough deci- sions yet to come. W Y' V ie 5? - V -gs . Q, 'N F . 1 it 5 'x 'Ks , Migl- in

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Athletes liked to travel to far off places to compete rather than play in their usual home surroundings. Some said there's PLACE LIKCS 6 Because of lower student attendance at away games, most team players preferred to play at home. However, the low attendance plagued player, not because of a lack in school spirit, but because of the long distances fans had to travel. I like home games better, sophomore soccer player Becka Morgan said. They are closer, we're on our own field and there are more supporters. Spectators made players' pre-game attitudes positive and most said they felt that edge on field or Court. I have to psyche myself up and concentrate much more before away games, because of the crowd. When you first go out onto the court, the other fans boo and call you names, junior basketball player David Martin said. Away games involved more time than home games and required pre-planning on the visiting team's part. Equipment had to be packed as well as sleeping bags, extra clothes and snacks. We usually sit in the locker room before hand and talk about the game. We take some extra time to warm up on the field to become familiar with it, senior soccer player Kris Kennedy said. Having the know-how to put the ball into play on the omniturf provided a unique home team advan- tage forthe Chaps. Some of the home team advantages are the support of the crowd and the new football turf. The turf makes you run faster by giving your feet a better grip. lt's worth the money they paid for it, junior football player Kip Abercrombie said. Travelling great distances such as 76 miles to Killeen, 100 miles to Waco, 81 miles to Copperas Cove and 192 miles to Dallas to play away games ex- hausted the players and lessened the team morale, proving the adage there is no place like home! y-alwihuui sep, mmf tPhoto by staffl Hovering above the fioor, jun- ior John Schulz penetrates, then shoots. Schulz was awarded all-district honors. his 60 ways Flallying his troops, Coach Neal Calvert speaks words of encouragement. The varsity settled for a 53-40 loss to Westwood. tPhoto by staffl BASKETBALL Edited By: James Roberts

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l l Farr? M x 4 5 ,Vi A p X K W 'f r it i l 3'r4-I-1-ci lieaching for the ball, sopho- mores Bill Davenport and Blake Miller blockout the Austin High defenders. The junior varsity lost to Austin High by one point, then proceeded to loss two of the next three games by only one point. fPhoto bystaffl Beating Killeen before its As Far As An one Rolling into Second Place it home fans secured the junior varsity basketball team an 18-10 overall record and a second place district finish. Bennett said. Vlhnning 12 out of its last Finishing 8-19, the 13 games, the JV posted a 12-4 freshmen suffered in the SHAKH district mark. While the JV only transition from middle school to ' averaged 54 points a game, they high school. ,, 2 relied on defense to clinch many During the off-season JV 'N of its victories. players concentrated on 'We worked really hard to defensive drills to strengthen the finish second in district and team and improve for the move playing well,' sophomore James to varsity status. 6 ,ti Q 'x 1 lil 'K ' Ei in it se f , gt? arf partir -Q li?-lb ggi 'ff K ,guna ix M fg? SX gl- 4: ls-Zin 1 , fewer' ,N vial- gf! f WWA f ' R Nair l if 5 I l me ,meeewwevre -1 we A 'l 1 8 Fnesr-mm A BASKETBALL Front How: Coach Doug McRorey, Back Flaw: Greg Butler, Greg Southard, Jeremy Peterson. Chad Proctor, Matt Haralsan, Trent Sultemeler, Ari Akmal, Garrett Clark, Mark Lindsey, Langston Tumer. Jumon Vmsrrv Basksreau. Front Rmv.'Jason Paull, Ryan Holcorrb, Paul Ingram, Second Row: Guy Bob Wehman, Tommy Nelms, Bill Davenport, Eric Jordan, BackRow:Jamee Bennett, Scott Hoare, Blake Miller, John Rbeam. Gray Butterfield, Phillip Corner. Coach Robert Brashear. t ' - ' 1 a mi K 't rj ' ff .fi Zl2h it' B 1 4 nf, 1 tif! avg ,..1'l - fl-I X , I K 1 1 M it , . I .tp K K ,x .fx K 'Q A Fnesuum B BASKETBALL Front Flow: Kepper Pickard, Paul Beasley, Kevin Francis, Corby Mcvlhlliarrs, Eric Youngdahl, Sadr Row: Coach John Ringo, Fraser Carrpbell, Kevin Pierpoint, Eric Ernsberger, David Bennett, Charles Mitchell. BCISKQTDOII Edited By: Blake Mlller I I