High spirits reign at Meet the Tigers
By Lauren Wester
lauren.wester@fct.wpengine.com
Spirits were high last week in Russellville as the fall sports season kicked off at the annual Meet the Tigers rally.
The Meet the Tigers rally is held at the beginning of every new school year as a way to kick off the beginning of the fall sports season. It showcases the teams and raises school spirit all around.
The community showed up and cheered on the Russellville volleyball teams, cheerleading squads, football teams, band and color guard. New Champ, Jax Greenhill, was on hand pumping up the energy as he interacted with the crowd and danced with the cheerleaders.
Varsity and junior varsity cheerleaders showcased their talent and hyped up the crowd throughout the evening with their cheers and dances. There are 13 members plus Champ on the varsity squad, and Coach Stephanie Mayfield said she has nothing but good things to say about them.
“Our girls are truly triple threats: intelligent, beautiful and athletic,” Mayfield said. This shows through the many awards they received this summer at camp at Auburn University, including the title of Superior Squad, UCA squad credentials, three Superior Gold Ribbons in Cheer, Extreme Routine and Sideline, Leadership Spirit Sticks, first place in Extreme Routine Championship, second place in Gameday Championship, second place in Cheer Championship and third place in Sideline Championship.
Mayfield said they practiced every day at school with the 11 junior varsity girls for the jamboree game against Athens Aug. 25. Junior varsity is coached by Beth Gilmer, who Mayfield said is a wonderful mentor and friend.
The volleyball team, which was also introduced at Meet the Tigers, is another close group of girls, according to Coach Charlotte Dollar. Teammate Alejandra Zargoza still shows up to every practice and supports her teammates as much as she can even though she is unable to play because she is recovering from a torn ACL.
Dollar said the volleyball team is excited to get the season started with their first game Aug. 31 against Haleyville. She encouraged fans to keep an eye out for junior Kaitleen Arzola and her superb skill set. Dollar also praised her assistant coach Gayla Mills, JV coach Tori Bradley, eighth grade coach Bridgette Smith and seventh grade coach Marlena Jones.
“Varsity wouldn’t be the same without all of them,” she said. “They are great at what they do and are super helpful.”
The band, directed by Jeremy Willis, has a new theme this year, “Fly.” At Meet the Tigers, the band played a sample of their new show, which will include the “Krypton Fanfare,” “Flight to Neverland,” “I am the Doctor,” “You Can Fly” and “Hallelujah.” According to Willis, the band has all sorts of gadgets and trinkets that will be incorporated into the show that fans won’t want to miss.
Football Coach Mark Heaton said he is excited for the season to begin.
“It’s like fitting together a puzzle each year with the new players and the coaches, but we’re more than ready for the season to get rolling,” Heaton said.
The first football game will be an away game Sept. 1 against Deshler, and the first home game will Sept. 15 against Lawrence County.
Heaton’s anticipation is mirrored in Superintendent Heath Grimes, who was also at Meet the Tigers.
“Everything is fresh and exciting and new. I can’t wait for everything to get started,” Grimes said.
The stands were packed at the rally, showing how close the community is and the level of support that exists. According to Grimes, the community is like a family.
Meet the Tigers ended on a high note with the cheerleaders and football players gathering on the court while the band played the alma mater.
