MJCA Athletic News

An On-Line Publication of the Athletic Department of Mount Juliet Christian Academy

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It is hard enough to be a high school level athlete. It is also very challenging to be an "A" student. However, MJCA has many who do both at the same time. Last week, the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) recognized many Mt. Juliet Christian Academy students for doing just that. Approximately fifty student-athletes from MJCA score a 3.5 or better GPA (grade point average) for the 2008-2009 school year while competing in athletics. Many of these students are taking honors classes, AP (Advanced Placement) classes, and Dual Credit classes.

At MJCA, we are trying to develop a well rounded student of excellence. These students (not all shown in the picture) are great examples of what bringing greatness to the classroom and to the field is all about.

Congratulations, students and teachers, for this tremendous accomplishment!

Mt. Juliet Christian Academy will not be submitting the Athletic Newsletter for the months of June and July, since there are no in-season sports during the summer. The next issue of the MJCA Athletic Newsletter will be on this site in the middle of August.

We look forward to an exciting new year, as we move on to the new territory of Division 2.

HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!

The MJCA high school baseball team is having an incredible year. Facing one of its toughest schedules, the Saints have a current record of 13 wins and 10 losses, with 2 regular season games left. With signature wins over Antioch, Trousdale County, Watertown, Zion Christian, and Cane Ridge, the Saints are closing in on a winning season to be proud of.

The Saints will enter tournament play on Friday (5/7), as they travel to Gordonsville High School. Should they win that game, they will advance to the second round Monday at Friendship Christian School.

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Mt. Juliet Christian Academy has made a very positive step toward the progression of its athletic department. This spring, the first MJCA Booster Club was formed. The purpose of this club will be three-fold. First, the club is designed for the advancement of the department (facilities etc.). Second, the MJCA Boosters will expand community involvement by working with leaders of Mt. Juliet and Wilson County. Third, the club will raise funds through many projects like concessions, spirit store, and other fund raisers.

Paul Christensen (athletic director) said, "The purpose of this group has nothing to do with the day-to-day operations of this department. It is designed for the advancement of the program". Christensen also credits his assistant (Paul Townsend) for spearheading the group.

In the last meeting, officers were elected to lead this program. The first president is Bobby Hutchison. The vice president is Jennifer Knott, and the secretary/treasurer is Suanna Harvey. All three are pictured above. The Booster club is off to a very fast start. Coach Christensen had hoped for a faithful membership of fifteen in the inaugural year. To this date, there are in excess of twenty members ready to serve.

The three officers have made it clear that this group is about giving without expecting anything in return. This team of people will receive benifits for being a member, but those benifits will not compare to the time, expense, and effort that members put in to making the athletic department successful.

The officers have also agreed that this club should be made up of people who are positive influences on our school and the families in it. If someone is not interested in promoting the positives of this department, they probably should not join this club.

MJCA is very excited about what this new addition will bring to the athletic department. If you are interested in joining, you may contact the MJCA Athletic Department or go to MJCA's home page and download a copy of the application.

After having an incredible year in single's tennis, MJCA's Caleb Wagler and Rachel Walker advanced through the District 8 A-AA tournament and on to the Region 4 A-AA tournament. Both players won their first round match and advanced to the region finals. Both Wagler and Walker lost the region championship match to the same players that they played in the district championship match. This loss ended the great season of these two incredible "Saints".

One of the most exciting parts of this storie is the age of these to players. Caleb Wagler is just a sophomore and Rachel Walker (whose sister advanced from MJCA to play for Carson Newman University) is just an 8th grader. So, these two talented players will be representing MJCA on the courts for a long time to come. The tennis future is bright at MJCA, and we are excited to see what the future holds for these two young players.

Emily Threadgill has been the perfect example of what a MJCA student-athlete should be. She played both years of middle school volleyball, basketball, and softball, while maintaining honor roll status. Now, she is a sophomore at MJCA and continuing at the high school level what she did at the middle school level. Her grades remain more than impressive. She currently has an approximate 3.85 GPA (grade point average), and still plays volleyball, basketball, and softball. This year, Threadgill was named to the National Honor Society and had perfect attendance. Emily also recieved the Wilson Bank and Trust Student-Athlete of the Week during basketball season.

Athletically, she was named to the TSSAA District 8-A's All District Team. She was also named Most Valuable Player on her softball team this year. In basketball, Emily won the team's Most Improved Player award.

To have a schedule this busy and be able to be an excellent student is a great accomplishment. That is why Emily Threadgill is MJCA's Student-Athlete of the Month.

Now that summer is upon us, it is time to start up the sports camp season. MJCA has many activities starting up next month. "Camp Christensen" will be the first week in June (6/1-6/4). This basketball camp will feature MJCA assistant coach, Casey Colter. Coach Christensen will not be able to attend this year due to a family obligation. The second week (6/8-6/12) MJCA's head football coach, Paul Townsend, will be having a football fundamental skills camp. If you have elementary or middle school age children who are interested in football and/or basketball, now is the time to contact the school and get your child signed up for these camps.

The varsity level athletes are just getting cranked up for their summer camps as well. The high school boys basketball team is hosting the Wilson Central Team Camp June 11-13. This means that you can get a glimpse of next year's team (on our campus) as they scrimmage several different teams throughout all three days. Then, the next week, the high school boys will be traveling to Gallatin High School's team camp. The dates of this camp are June 18-20. The varsity girls basketball team will be attending the Fellowship of Christian Athletes basketball camp in Georgia this year.

The TSSAA "Dead Period" starts on June 21 and continues through July 5. This means that no MJCA athletes will be allowed on campus for practice or lifting.

At the conclusion of the "Dead Period", the football teams will get started on their 2009 campaign. This will include involvement in passing league and a couple of scrimmages.

The other teams will also be working out this summer, but the details of their programs have not yet been released by their prospective coaches.

Although this will be a very busy summer, it is great to see our student-athletes continue to do their part to represent MJCA the very best that they can. GO SAINTS!

Mount Juliet Christian Academy | 735 North Mount Juliet Road | Mount Juliet, Tennessee 37122 | 615-758-2427 (v) | 615-758-3662 (f)