April 1, 2022 - Twenty state qualifying athletes and three coaches were honored Thursday at the regular Board of Trustees meeting.
Twelve of the athletes competed in this year’s wrestling state meet and include the state girls wrestling champion for Class 6A as well as the bronze medalist, while eight competed in the state swim tournament for their UIL division.
Additionally, three Smithson Valley High School coaches reached career milestones this year in their sport with their 300th win. These coaches include Jason Adkins, the girls head soccer coach; Eric Nichols, the boys head soccer coach; and Ike Thornton, the boys head basketball coach.
Adkins has been coaching soccer for 24 years with 20 of those years at SVHS. His 300th win occurred on Tuesday, Feb. 1, when SVHS played Clemens High School and won 4-0. He has coached 10 district championship teams and has been named Region IV Coach of the Year several times.
Nichols has been coaching soccer for 24 years as well and is finishing his fifth year at SVHS. His 300th win occurred on Wednesday, Feb. 2, when SVHS played South San High School and won 3-0. His accolades include being named a District Coach of the Year five times, Region III Coach of the Year – Boys 2006 and Region II Coach of the Year – Girls 2014.
Thornton has been coaching for 21 years and has been at SVHS for eight. His 300th win occurred Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021. He has coached several teams to State tournaments as semi-finalists and has an overall coaching record of 306-250.
Wrestling
Wrestling State qualifiers for Canyon High School
- Cesar Dominguez
- Jake Hogue
- Daliyah Montoya
- Alexis Stephenson
Wrestling State qualifiers for Pieper High School
- David Huntsman
- Savannah Schaaf
Head coach is Sam Arrieta, and assistant coach is Byron Gardner.
Wrestling State Qualifiers for SVHS
- Efren Arizmendez
- Sage Benca
- Nicholas Dudzikowski
- Tristan Luna
- Selena Sifuentes Shaffer
- Topher Stubbs
Benca became the state champion and capped her 55-0 season with a pin against an athlete from Prosper High School in the state final. She finishes her high school career with a record of 129-5.
In addition, Shaffer became the bronze medalist taking third place in the state competition.
SVHS head wrestling coach is Tim Clarkson, and assistant coach is Josh Samora.
Swim
Swim State qualifiers for CHS
- Hope Reichert
- Victoria Senus
- Benjamin Skinner
Head coach is Will Haltom, and assistant coach is Jamey Leeber.
Swim State qualifier from Davenport High School
- Taryn Welch
Head coach is Jeff Kirkpatrick, and assistant coach is Megan Schaffer.
Swim State qualifiers from PHS
- Grace Purtell
- Zoe Purtell
Head coach is Jason Lovell.
Swim State qualifiers from SVHS
- Laney Skrobanek
- Vanessa Weatherford
Head coach is Julia Brunner, and assistant coach Heidi Fritscher.
-Three Smithson Valley High School coaches were honored for earning their 300th career wins.
-Canyon High School state qualifiers in wrestling were honored at the Board of Trustees meeting.
-Pieper High School state qualifiers in wrestling were honored at the Board of Trustees meeting.
-Smithson Valley High school state qualifiers in wrestling were honored at the Board of Trustees meeting.
-Canyon High School state qualifiers in swim were honored at the Board of Trustees meeting.
-Davenport High School state qualifier in swim was honored at the Board of Trustees meeting.
-Pieper High School state qualifiers in swim were honored at the Board of Trustees meeting.
-Smithson Valley High School state qualifiers in swim were honored at the Board of Trustees meeting.