Chapman Transfers To Texas Powerhouse Southlake Carroll



Circle Christian's Denae Chapman said her goodbyes to classmates, teammates, and friends this week. On June 3, the distance standout will move with her family to the Dallas suburb of Southlake and attend Texas distance running power South Carroll High School. Her father, Dr. Tim Chapman, who also served as a coach for Circle Christian recently received a job opportunity by his Texas family that he rarely gets to see. It also gives the family an opportunity to be closer to Denae's older sister who is attending Abiliene Christian University. The sophomore says she will miss the Sunshine State and the memories she has made over the years.

"I've been running in Florida against the same people for four full years. I've made so many relationships with so many different runners all over the state of Florida. it'll also be very weird not wearing a Centurions jersey that I've been running in from the beginning! im very thankful to have been coached by many wonderful coaches and I've stayed in contact with them ever since! My team has been great and I know i have made great relationships and memories with them all too. I'm going to miss them very much as I travel on to Texas."

Her 5:13.42 at fourth place showing at the Holy Trinity All-Star Showdown was her last race in Florida and concludes a spectacular four years. She made the 1A Cross Country Finals the past three years including a fifth place finish as a freshman and tenth place finish as a sophomore in 2013. On the track, Chapman was third this year in the 1600 meters at the 1A State Finals and was fifth in the 3200 after placing eighth the year before. Switching from a private 1A school of 500 kids (84 in the class of 2016) to a 5A public school of 5,000 people will be a big change for Chapman, but she says she is excited for the new friendships she will make and the new doors God will open for her.

Southlake Carroll is one of the winningest sports programs in the Lone Star state and cross country is no exception. The Lady Dragons have won seven UIL state championships since 2000 including three consecutive from 2011-2013 (the boys also have won three consecutive). The 2013 squad will graduate four of their top seven, but return Antigone Archer (class of 2016) who finished fifth at the 5A state championship. Chapman says she has already spoken with several of her future teammates and is excited to be part of a program with such a rich history.

"I have heard they're pretty awesome! I've been talking to some of the girls on the team and they all seem hard working, sweet, and very welcoming. Trining will be very hard, but im very excited to see how much it'll help me improve. It will be also be fun to have my brother TJ out there. He will compete on the boys' team and has been a great running partner for me this past year. Overall, I plan to just to work hard and be the best teammate i can be. "


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