Sports are a big part of the culture at Savannah High School. They are a way for the students to socialize and support their school. With the upcoming spring sports seasons starting, SHS is buzzing.
Baseball is the first team to hit the playing field this season, facing off against Chillicothe at home on Friday, March 19.
“I’m looking forward to a group of boys who will play one pitch at a time,” Coach Erich Bodenhausen said. The team consists of three seniors Logan Noland, Caden Proctor and Dillon Spicer.
Baseball started up with tryouts ending two weeks ago and has been continuing to put in the effort with practice, despite the challenges of the weather.
“I think the season will go great. Our team will be solid but won’t be as good as we were the past few years. We should win most of our games. Although I am sad about it being my last season at Savannah, I will still be playing baseball in the coming years so the only thing I am sad about is it being the last season with my friends,” Proctor said.
The students at the high school are very eager to see them play and to be able to attend their games.
The Savannah High School Golf Team is just one of the very successful sports teams at SHS. This year's boys season is starting up and the team is looking forward to competing and all that it brings.
Mr. Brant Melvin is the coach of the Golf team. The seniors this year are Logan Berger, Ethan Cook, Wes Darnell, Hunter Helfery, Josh Hummer, Eli McFadden, Jake Schneider, Zac Vega and Davy Violett. With a great turn-out to tryouts, the team is hopeful for the season to come.
“I am confident going into this season. With the exception of our season, we lost very little from last year. The MEC will be tough with the level of competition we have, but I am confident we can do well in other postseason events and even get some guys to State,” Melvin said.
Savannah High School is ready to see some great things from the team this year.
This year's soccer season has been off to a great start; they have been out on the field whether in the rain or in the sun. The girls are working hard to better themselves before their games start. This year the team has one senior on the varsity team, Olivia Matthews.
“We have a lot of new girls on the team; my main goal is working harder and getting better. I want us to be ready to play well and work as a team by the first game. I hope the season continues to improve as we practice and that we come together as a team,” Coach Samantha Olsson said.
They are currently doing a fundraiser selling trash bags to raise money for their new equipment. Each roll of trashbags is $20 and helps the team with improvements to the field.
Their first game is March 23 against Maryville on their field and they hope to see you there.
The boys tennis team at Savannah High is ready to hit the courts. Tennis started practice March 1 and has practiced every day after school to prepare for their first match on Monday, March 22, against LeBlond.
Mr. Wakefield Hare is in his first year as coach of the team, and is really happy about coaching this year. The seniors this year are Carter Abbott, Drew Collier, Dacota Griffin, Chase Hinton, Kaden Kennedy, Connor Peek and Tyson Sigrist. The team is looking forward to showing their skills. They have been working hard to get back up to where they were from last year before their season was canceled.
“It is a gift to see these young men develop their tennis game and apply that improvement and broader thinking to other areas of their life,” Coach Hare said.
All the boys have been trying hard to get into shape and be ready for the first match. They hope to achieve many things over the season. They have some big matches to start the season off.
“One of the biggest matches on our schedule is our first on 3/22 against LeBlond at the Noyes Courts in St. Joe. Bishop LeBlond usually comes with players with tennis experience, which isn't necessarily common in the MEC. We'll play them again in Savannah on 3/30,” Coach Hare said.
They are looking forward to showing their skills and improving on their goals. Come out and support these athletes.
The 2020-2021 Spring Track and Field season has begun. The team has been practicing every day after school to prepare for their first meet on March 24 in Maryville. The team is being coached by head coaches Mr. Derek Petty, boys triple and long jump, and Mr. Terry Hopkins, girls long distance and shotput, along with assistant coaches Mr. Aaron Cooper, sprinters, and Mr. Anthony Barbrie, throwers and hurdles. The seniors this year are Saige Eaton, Molly Luthans, Ryan Reece, Taryn Reents, Ben Schneider and Delany Wilson.
I have been coaching a number of years and track really shows the heart and desire of the athletes,” Coach Petty said.
The team and coaches are looking forward to being able to compete against area track athletes. They have been working really hard at practices trying to get into shape to fully compete at their full potential. They hope to accomplish a lot this season, whether it is competing against personal records or coaching athletes to achieve their goals. They hope to be able to improve at every practice and meet.
“This season is different, I think because after last year the athletes are not taking anything for granted and appreciate the opportunity to compete,” Coach Hopkins said.
The coaches have said they are impressed with the dedication of the athletes.
Savannah High School is looking forward to seeing all that the spring athletes will accomplish this season and are excited to be able to attend the games and meets in person. Good luck to all the athletes.