Photo courtesy of Rex Teter.
By Linden Wilson
Year after year, Dragon athletes continue to outshine theirbrcompetition, whether they're winning back-to-back state championships or namedbrto an All-District team. Many of Southlake Carroll's talented sports stars signbron to play at the university level at schools throughout Texas and across thebrcountry. This spring, we're talking to Cat McCoy, Jonathan Roberts and MichaelbrBasler — three outstanding student athletes who are excellent examples of how passion,brperseverance and teamwork are all key ingredients in the recipe for success.
Jonathan Roberts
At this year's 5A state championship, senior JonathanbrRoberts defended his title in the 500 freestyle with a 4:16:90 — one of the topbrfive times in the race’s high school history — and was crucial in leading hisbrteam to their fourth straight state title. The Texas commit boasts a long listbrof career achievements but says none of it would be possible without thebrsupport of his coaches and teammates.
When did you first becomebrinterested in swimming?
Ibrhad a natural feel and love for the water at an early age. I started swimmingbrsummer league when I was 5, then realized at 7 that I wanted to participate inbrswimming year round. I enjoy the camaraderie and friendship. We learnbrdiscipline, time management and goal setting.
How many hours a week are youbrin the pool?
I ambrin the water up to 20 hours a week and doing weights, core exercises, yoga andbrstretching an extended five or so hours. Workouts can be very strenuous,brespecially when you are doing them as early as 5:45 or 6 in the morning.
What career moment are youbrmost proud of?
Makingbrthe Junior World Championships during the summer of 2013 and being able tobrrepresent the USA in Dubai. It was a huge stepping stone in my career, and itbrmotivated and humbled me greatly. Competing with the fastest 18-and-unders inbrthe whole world made me realize how far I have come in this sport and how far Ibrcan go.
How do your teammates inspirebryou?
Comingbronto the Carroll varsity team as a freshman, I was enamored by the juniors andbrseniors who had just come off of a revered second-place finish at state. Theybrpushed me and helped me achieve things my first two years that I once thoughtbrimpossible. As a senior, things were tough. We lost a large pool of talent andbrgreat leaders. For energy and inspiration, I looked to the freshmen on the teambrwho came in with such zeal. Without them, things would have gone verybrdifferently.
What are you most lookingbrforward to about swimming at the collegiate level?
Forbrmost swimmers, collegiate swimming is the pinnacle of the sport. It will offerbrme the opportunity to continue leaning how swimming mirrors life and willbrprovide me with new friends, teammates and outstanding coaches. When looking atbrcolleges, Texas was the clear choice and the complete package. I really likebrAustin as a city, and UT has so many excellent options academically. It feltbrlike home.
Cat McCoy
Volleyball phenom Cat McCoy has been named an All-DistrictbrDefensive MVP, Under Armour HighbrSchool All-American First Team honoree, one of Volleyball Magazine'sbrGirls 30 Underclassmen to Watch and LoneStarVolleyball.com’s Outstanding Libero/Defensive Specialist. Currently a senior, the 5’ 7”brathlete is committed to play next year at the University of Texas.
When did you firstbrdevelop an interest in volleyball?
I was in third grade. My friends and I started on abrSouthlake parks and rec team, and I've loved it ever since. The quick pace ofbrthe game appeals to me. I play libero, which is the defensive position. Playingbrdefense requires you to be quick on your feet and to be able to read thebrhitters.
What is your mostbrmemorable experience from your high school volleyball career?
Advancing to the state tournament this year. It was thebrfirst time the Lady Dragon volleyball program made it to the state tournamentbrin 5A history. We beat one of our rivals, Colleyville Heritage, to get there.
What moment are youbrmost proud of?
Winning the national championship this past summer with mybrclub volleyball team, TAV 17 Black. We went through the most rigorous andbrmentally challenging year any of us had ever experienced. Our coach, Ping Cao,brwas on the Chinese Olympic team, and his expectations from each of us were verybrhigh. We practiced and conditioned almost five days a week, and we were on abrstrict diet. We sacrificed so much for the ultimate goal, but everything webrwent through was worth it. Winning the gold medal and becoming the number onebrteam in the nation was the best day of my life.
Who do you look upbrto?
Growing up, I looked up to Misty May-Treanor because she isbran amazing athlete with a great attitude that I really tried to emulate. Rightbrnow, one of my all-time favorite volleyball players is Natalie Hagglund. Shebrwas the libero at USC the past four years, and she is hands-down the bestbrdefensive player I've ever seen. The way she leads her team and carries herselfbris inspiring.
What is yourbrdefinition of success?
Successbris not something you can put on a to-do list. Rather, it is a state of being. In my opinion, ifbryou are happy in life, then you are successful.
Michael Basler
Michael Basler won a state wrestling title in thebr160-pound weight class this year, but the senior is also an accomplished left-handedbrpitcher. He says he’s most proud that hebrcould excel in two difficult sports and make good grades during all four yearsbrof high school. Although Michael hasn’t decided where he wants to go tobrcollege, he wants to continue playing baseball at the university level.
How old were you when you began wrestling?
I got intobrwrestling in the second grade. My dad took me to a practice, and I just went onbrpracticing and getting better and better. I like that wrestling is just twobrguys — whoever wants it more in the end will come out victorious.
What is your training like?
I practiced everybrday for two hours. On Mondays and Wednesdays, I had an extra practice. I wouldbrwork out in the morning before school as well and go to the gym at night.
What has been your most memorable momentbrfrom your high school wrestling career?
It would have to bebrwinning state or going to Las Vegas and wrestling there, getting third. Vegasbrwas such a fun tournament because it was so fast-paced. I wrestled seven matchesbrin about four hours, which was pretty crazy — finishing one match and goingbrimmediately to another mat to wrestle the next. Winning state was such anbramazing feeling, knowing that all the hard work I had put into the sport hadbrfinally paid off.
What do you enjoy about baseball?
I love playingbrbaseball because of how challenging the sport is. It's so much fun to play withbrall of your teammates. Compared to wrestling, it's so laid-back and morebrrelaxing. My high school career as a pitcher has been a lot of fun. I've beenbrsuccessful throughout high school and summer, and my teammates have been thebrbest anyone could ever ask for. I love them all.
How do you define success?
Reaching the goalbryou have set for yourself and going further. I was never happy with what Ibraccomplished until I was the very best at it, so success to me is being thebrabsolute best you can be and looking back knowing you gave it everything youbrcould possibly give.