Sports

Baseball

This week the baseball team finished their season, after making a spectacular appearance in the playoffs. They went 9-6 in the regular season, and appeared in two rounds of playoffs, first against Arlington Heights and then Aledo. The highest scoring game of the season was against Dunbar, where they scored 29 runs. Being moved into a new district, the team faced new teams that provided new challenges. They set up a great legacy for next season, where they hope to make it once again in the postseason.

-Alyssa Kunkel (5/15/17)

Gymnastics

The gymnastics competition season recently came to a close as they had their two-day regional meet here at Richland High. Although they couldn’t make it to state, they ended on a high note with senior Qamar Najm narrowly missing the qualifications for state. Coach Milan even commented how the guys did exemplary, even stating that it was “their best meet of the year”. To get ready for their competitions, the gymnastics team practices every day after school from 2:15 to about 4:15 at the Shannon center along with the other schools in BISD. For their first few competitions the gymnasts do compulsory routines, meaning that they perform the same routine in those competitions. For the rest of the season they have optional competitions where every gymnast makes up their own routines for every event, following event guidelines of course. A fun fact given by Richland gymnast Qamar Najm, is that the vault table that they have used to be a pommel horse turned sideways. Coach Milan commented how proud he is of his team, and that they all deserve recognition and support.

-América Quistiano (4/18/17)

Track & Field

As our school year is beginning to reach an end, Richland’s track and field team have been putting in hard work at practices as they are coming to an important point in their competitive season. Richland’s track and field team competed at districts this past weekend with a very successful outcome. Many athletes qualified for regionals individually. With many Rebels placing high enough out of dozens of other athletes in their events to medal, district proved how much hard work each athlete has put in and how much it’s paying off. Competing in District 8-5A as a team, our boys varsity team placed 4th overall, and our boys JV placing 3rd overall. The success they’ve had at the district meet is going to carry them on to regionals, as they compete to qualify for state. For more details on the individual medalists and specific people/event that advance on to regionals, visit Richland’s XC/Track Twitter page: @RichlandTrack

-Diane Taing (4/18/17)

Soccer

Soccer season has now come to a close, but not without ending on a good note. The girls soccer team, coached by Coach Lester and Coach Smith put in hard work this season. They practiced during 7th period and would go on until about 4pm every day. This year the girls soccer team made it to area playoffs, where they beat South Hill in the first round, allowing them to move on to the second round of playoffs for the first time in almost 20 years! They, however, weren’t able to make it to the third round, but the Lady Rebels still count this as a very successful season. Along with girls soccer, boys soccer is coached by Coach Snow and Coach Denson. They also had their players work extra hard this year to increase their number of wins, practicing during 5th period and after school for about an hour and a half. This year the boys’ soccer overall record was 11-9, with their district record being 8-6. Although they didn't make it to playoffs, they were glad to have beaten their record from last year, especially since the school entered a new district this year. When asked to comment, Captain Nathan Holland added that “this season helped pave the way for seasons to come, and turned the soccer program around.” Overall both soccer teams had a successful season this year and we hope for an even better one next year.

-América Quistiano (4/3/17)

Dixie Belles

Also known as the “Sweethearts of Richland”, the Dixie Belles serve as the drill team for RHS. They perform at football and basketball games, along with the school’s pep rallies. To prepare for these performances they practice long hours during the summer to learn their routines so they can focus on perfecting once the school year begins. But apart from their performances in front of the school, they participate in many competitions throughout the year. This week the Dixie Belles are focusing on the national ADTS (American Dance and Drill Team) competition. This competition company emphasizes on precision, knowing this the Dixie Belles have been in competition mode, meaning that they practice 4-5 hours every weekday, including Saturdays which can last all day, to work on making their routines more sharp. They work hard all year and give it their all on their performances.

-América Quistiano (3/21/17)

Cheer

Richland high school cheer, in addition to having gone to their first tournament in over a decade and their annual traditions of performing at football games and pep rallies, took on adding the basketball court to their performance spaces. They now also perform during half time at girls basketball games taking the court and making it their own. Richland cheer team has always been at the top of their game and to ensure this the team has rigorous tryouts that consist of a four day long process where the girls and boys are taught material such as dance and cheer routines. Over the four days while the hopeful cheerleaders are being taught these routines they are being evaluated on their tumbling, athletic ability and overall pep. On the last day the participants are asked to attend what they call “mock tryouts” where they have senior cheerleaders evaluate the cheerleader hopefuls and give them feedback and advice on their routines all in hope of bettering the participants overall performance and helping them make the team. Then after a long four days it's judgement day. One at a time the participants go into the gym in front of six judges performing multiple tasks including jumps, tumbling, spiriting, dance and yes cheer. This year 36 different guys and girls made the 2017-2018 Richland high school cheer team. Next year is looking good for cheer!

-Alyson Chandler (3/6/17)

Swimming

RHS Swim had an amazing and historical season this year, for individuals and as a team. At districts, the team did extremely well, most of the team placing high enough to qualify for regionals. Senior captains Colton Wyatt and Diane Taing were 2 of the few at the meet to medal in all of their events, relay and individual. At regionals, the team was placed in one of the fastest regions in the state of Texas. Colton Wyatt was able to place high enough on the first day of regionals to qualify for finals, giving him a shot at state. Along with his individual events, 3 of our relays qualified for finals the next day as well. The night before finals, the team was able to stay at a nearby hotel in Frisco, making this Richland Swim Team’s first travel meet ever. Although they did not qualify for state, regionals was still a phenomenal one to remember for the team. Throughout this season, Colton Wyatt broke 5 individual records, giving him a total of 7 now, which includes a relay, earned throughout the course of his high school swim career. On top of that, he earned a scholarship and committed to swim in college for Wayland Baptist University, making him the first swimmer ever in the history of Richland High School to earn a college swim scholarship.

Waking up before the crack of dawn before 5am, getting on a 25 minute bus ride to Grapevine every morning to hop into a cold pool all before most of the student body even wakes up takes an extreme level of dedication. On top of that, the swim team has one of, if not the, longest seasons in high school sports. This sport requires us to constantly train year round in order to stay in shape through long early morning practices and intense swim meets. Through all the exhaustion, seeing the hard work put into practices always pays off at meets. However, despite competition season ending for the team, we still get up bright and early to practice.

-Diane Taing (2/22/17)

Boys V Basketball

After a long string of games, the Rebs were left with a 3-7 District Record and a 14-13 record overall, giving them a chance at making the playoffs yet again. Through hours of shooting drills and defensive workshops, the Rebs have set themselves up for success thus far in the season. However, it’s all decided by the play on the court, which the Rebs put on full display last Friday night.

February 3rd brought Richland’s Varsity Boys to Grapevine to take on the Mustangs in their second meeting this season. Through fast-paced offense run through Corey Thomas (12) and solid shooting, the Rebs managed to keep the game competitive through the first half. However, the Mustangs started to adjust to Richland’s fast pace in the second half, leaving the Rebs facing a 7-point deficit in the final two minutes of the 4th quarter. But thanks to some clutch and conservative plays, the Rebs tied the game and sent it to overtime, where they took the game from the Mustangs. Richland’s aggressive play style and physical presence in the paint throughout the game was very effective as it ended up costing the Mustangs crucial possessions. While this was just one game, if Richland continues this level of play on the defensive end through the rest of the season, then we can expect a run into the playoffs.

-Noah Lewis (2/7/17)

Athletic Trainers

This year has been groundbreaking for Richland sports, and behind the scenes of every good team, no matter the sport, is a dedicated group of students called athletic trainers. These students are on the sidelines of every football game and every basketball game with tape and water ready to get our Rebel players in top condition to do what they do best - win. Without this group of talented students, our teams could not be nearly as successful. From taping, to hydrating, to simple medical procedures, the training staff and students are a big asset to Richland sports and deserve a huge thank you.

-Alyssa Kunkel (12/6/16)

Football

If you didn't know, the Richland Rebels' Varsity Football team just won their first round of playoffs!!! They played a close game with the formerly 10-0 South Hills Scorpions, but in the last minute scored, leaving our Rebels champions with a score of 42-35. This is the first time that Richland has won a post season game since 1984; 32 years! This Friday, the Rebels take on the Denton Ryan Raiders at Northwest ISD stadium at 7pm. Be there to cheer on our Richland Rebels!

-Alyssa Kunkel (11/14/16)

Volleyball

The Varsity Women’s Volleyball team turned heads this season when they went 11-16, earning them a spot in the playoffs. Their first game was against Western Hills High School. The Lady Rebels came away triumphant, leading to the second round in the playoffs. Unfortunately, our girls lost this game against Aledo High School. However, they weren’t too discouraged. Madison Wofford, a passionate player on the team, spoke with me and gave me her insight.

“I’m so proud of my team this year. We fought through every obstacle that was put in front of us. Win or lose, we stuck together. RTTO!”

I believe the pride that Madison feels can be felt throughout not only the volleyball team, but through the student body as well. Great job, ladies!

-Kyleigh Whitsell (11/14/16)

Tennis

This yearlong sport has started off on a great note. With the leadership of Coach Johnson and Varsity captains Carlie Hagar, Braelynn Seely, Joseph Wilkerson, and Clark (Kent) Vitug, all seniors, the team has been working hard, practicing every day from 2-4 pm. This practice paid off as they were able to beat Arlington Heights 10-0 in the area tennis playoffs on Oct. 18th, which advanced them to the semi finals on Oct. 21st. Although they then lost to Grapevine and couldn't proceed to finals, this event is still considered a huge achievement. For the team to have even competed in area, they had to rank in the top 4 teams at districts, and they received rank 3. The Richland tennis team is more than a team, they become a family. With many bonding activities, the team has a chance to get closer. For example the day before area they had a team dinner at Dawson Byrnes’ house, where thanks to Coach Johnson they ate Olive Garden, and then continued bonding over roasted marshmallows while also watching family feud. Their next big tournament is the Mansfield tournament on Nov. 17th. They also host a special Turkey tournament every year, where past players, and even middle school players, participate, so make sure to wish them good luck! Special thanks to Carlie Hagar and Braelynn Seely for giving me the inside scoop.

-América Quistiano (10/27/16)

Cross Country

Here at Richland, students have the opportunity to compete in various sports, and here at The Reveille, we wish to give a taste of each and every sport available. This edition’s highlight: Cross Country. These hard working Rebels get to Richland far before most students, with an exception of swim, and have to run anywhere from 1-5 miles before school starts. With only first period to get ready for school, it’s a mystery how these runners look so good at school! But for real, these students run for fun and for competitions. Star runners Greg Fehribach-12 and Binta Ka-10 blow away the competition at pretty much every meet, and the whole team hopes to do very well at the District Meet on October 20th. So while you guys are enjoying your day that Thursday, don’t forget to wish a Cross Country member good luck, because this meet qualifies them for Regionals and, ultimately, State. Special thanks to Coach Ashley and Coach Andress for being awesome with this team that is no doubt running them wild (pun intended).

-Alyssa Kunkel (10/13/16)