samantha means business
james in paradise
cole revealed
and 1A jessi shows A1 effort
Samantha Means is no secret. SMU has already called dibs, and that is just fine with Samantha. She had planned to merge with this Conference USA school since early childhood. Although Miss Means thinks business will be her likely major, this future CEO shows no inclination to delay her education and wait for college.
Check out her class schedule. She took Bob Woodruff Park in a hostile takeover, finishing the Plano Invitational Division I race with an elite 11:09. Her next acquisition was a first place 17:49 5K at Frisco's Warren Park. Texas A&M, provided dividends with Samantha's 18:19 first place finish in the girl's seeded race. Jillian Rosen may have caused Samantha to stop and take stock at Marcus II, but Means simply recovered to make a dawn raid at the 2006 Rick Neil with an elite 11:03 on a notoriously fast 2.01 mile course.
Samantha Means business now!
Jr. James Hodges has time to think about college. He does have dreams of Baylor or Oregon, and certainly this NHS kid should be an academic shoe in for either. As supportive as his family was at Lake Lewisville, it's likely his sister Loren will push for Baylor, as she already competes for the Bears. For now, this 2A runner from little Paradise (southwest of Decatur) wants to top last year's all state 9th place 2A finish and take a shot at state champion.
Hodges is preparing himself with a lot of 5A big school competition. He was fifth at Marcus I behind just SL's Lowe, Brown, and Moore, in addition to Coppell's T. Ray. The next week the junior was fourth at Southlake behind Lowe, Brown, and Northside's Balleza. Soon followed a second at Reunion in Decatur, and a victory in the 3A and under at Grace Prep. Oh, and did I mention his time was faster than anyone in the 5A/4A division at Grace Prep? Then back to 5A at Marcus II for a second place behind T. Ray. Finally he got his first 5A victory at the Rick Neil 5.03K (by GPS) edging out his talented neighbor from Decatur Scott Harrison.
Look for Mr. Hodges to make a solid run for state. The nursing home where he has done some community service wouldn't mind seeing him take a trip to Round Rock that final weekend. They already know he's capable of bringing some Paradise to Old Settler's.
Cole Reveal was 23rd at Region II 4A last year. He had a fifth place finish at Frisco earlier this year, but at Rick Neil, he ripped the second fastest time of the day, winning the 4A & under classification. Reveal was able to edge out a talented 3A runner named Mitchell Driver from Princeton.
Consider Cole revealed as a legitimate contender for top 10 in Region II 4A.
1A Jessi Mannis also participates in basketball and volleyball. She had already spiked three notable times at UT Tyler (3A & Under 4th), Keller (Blue 2nd), and McNeil (1A-3A 6th). Her first place finish at Rick Neil established her slam dunk PR. It's likely she'll go under 12 during district, region, or state. If she keeps improving, basketball, and volleyball may become only secondary sports. Whether they do or don't expect some extra fourth quarter points as few cagers will be able to keep up with her.
For now, 1A Jessi was A1 at Rick Neil.
Brad L. Cooper Contributing Reporter