Aquatic Owls Make History in Title Meet

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Memphis University School
6191 Park Avenue
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February 24, 2016· Volume LX· Number 4
Aquatic Owls Make History in Title Meet
Varsity swim team overwhelms Baylor to capture first state title
Sam Bartz
Ediotr-in-chief
And
Bailey Keel
Writer
For the past two seasons, the Memphis University School
varsity swim team has finished second to Baylor School at
the Tennessee state swimming meet. This season, the Aquatic
Owls claimed the first state swimming championship in MUS
history. It is also the first state swimming title for any high
school from the western region of Tennessee.
The Tennessee Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association
hosted the 2016 State High School Swimming and Diving
Championship at the Centennial Sportsplex in Nashville on
February 12–13, 2016. Defending champion, Baylor School,
had won 13 of the last 15 championships and looked to continue their dominance this year. MUS advanced a strong team
with 18 Owls qualifying for the state championship based on
time standards for each event. The first day of competition
began with the 200-yard medley relay in which the team of
juniors Parker Kaye, Alex Robinson, and Jack McCaghren,
and senior CJ Turner won first place with a time of 1:31.27.
Soon after, Robinson took third place (1:40.13) in the 200yard freestyle; additionally, sophomore Rick Reinhard finished 11th (1:43.90). Sophomore Liam Kaltenborn and Kaye
finished sixth (1:54.48) and 11th (1:56.48) in the 200-yard
individual medley, respectively. Five Owls qualified for the
50-yard freestyle finals, but the competition rules only allow
four swimmers from any one school to compete in the finals.
Junior Christian Berry won first place (20.47), senior Henry
Keel second (20.57), CJ Turner seventh (21.38), and freshman Warren Turner eighth (21.60). Senior Forest Colerick
qualified but was not allowed to swim. In the final event of the
first day, McCaghren was edged out by Bearden High School
standout Caleb Harrington in the 100-yard butterfly to take
second place (49.20). As the first day drew to a close, the Owls
held a slim 32 point lead over second place Baylor.
Every single guy on the
team had one goal: win
the state championship.
On the second day of the meet, the Owls continued strong
finishes in the 100-yard freestyle with Keel and Berry taking
second (45.21) and fourth place (45.22), respectively. In the
500-yard freestyle, freshman Ethan Hurst captured eighth
(4:45.10) and Reinhard ninth (4:38.48). Even though Reinhard
did not qualify to compete in the A finals, his B finals time
would have placed him fourth overall. The 200-yard freestyle
relay team of Berry, Colerick, CJ Turner, and Keel was narrowly defeated by Baylor and took second place with a time
of 1:23.44. Keel swam the anchor relay leg in 19.98 seconds,
the second fastest time ever recorded in a Tennessee state
championship relay. The B relay team, senior Sam Bartz,
junior Kian Ghodoussi, freshman Ev Nichol, and Colerick,
placed 14th overall in the preliminary session. The top 16
teams qualify for the finals, but, by rule, only one team per
school can participate in finals, thus preventing the MUS B
relay team from competing. Three Owls finished well in the
100-yard backstroke: Robinson second (48.75), McCaghren
third (50.36), and Warren Turner 12th (51.76). MUS clinched
the championship after the 100-yard breaststroke with CJ
Turner finishing seventh (58.41), Kaye eighth (58.90), and
Kaltenborn 15th (1:00.51). As a perfect end to this historic
victory, the 400-yard freestyle relay team of Robinson, McCaghren, Berry, and Keel, finished first with a time of 3:02.84,
breaking the previous state record by a stunning 1.16 seconds.
In defeating Baylor by a score of 344.5 to 295, the Owls broke
ten team records and one state record.
Above: Varsity state team celebrates victory after defeating Baylor
New team records:
200-yard medley relay (1:31.27) – Robinson, Kaye, McCaghren, CJ Turner
200-yard freestyle relay (1:22.89) – Berry, Keel, CJ Turner, Warren Turner
400-yard freestyle relay (3:02.84) – Berry, Keel, Robinson, McCaghren*
50-yard freestyle (20.47) – Berry
100-yard freestyle (45:00) – Keel
200-yard freestyle (1:40.13) – Robinson
50-yard backstroke (22.50) – Robinson
100-yard backstroke (48.75) – Robinson
50-yard breaststroke (27.11) – CJ Turner
100-yard breaststroke (57.72) – CJ Turner
50-yard butterfly (23.04) – McCaghren
200-yard individual medley (1:54.48) – Kaltenborn
Commenting on the victory, captain Keel said, “We were
successful because every single guy on the team had one goal:
win the state championship. Everyone believed in that goal
and fed off each other’s energy throughout the meet. It was a
special weekend that we will all remember.”
*Indicates a Tennessee state record.
The swim team dominated local opponents throughout the
regular season. The Owls won five of their eight meets, never
finishing lower than third place. At the Shelby County High
School Swimming Championship held in the Compton Acquatic Center at St. George’s Independent School on January
30, 2016, Owl swimmers qualified in every finals event. MUS
claimed victory in 10 of the 15 men’s events, giving the Owls a
702-474 victory over second place Collierville High School. In
addition to winning by this large margin, the Owls also broke
ten county records including the 100-yard freestyle by Berry,
100-yard backstroke by Robinson, the 50-yard butterfly by
McCaghren, and three relays. During the 50-yard freestyle,
the previous record was broken three times by Owl swimmers—the highlight of the meet. Keel first broke the record
in his heat during the preliminary round; Berry broke that
record in the very next heat. In the finals, Keel broke Berry’s
record with an ultimate time of 21.15.
Above: (L-R) Seniors Forest Colerick, Sam Bartz, CJ Turner, Tucker
Colerick, and Henry Keel
Math Team Scores Add
Up To Perfect Win
Elementary, My Dear
Greer
Forest Colerick
Tucker Colerick
News Editor
Editor-in-chief
Every year, the Memphis University School
math team dominates competitions, and this
year was no different. On September 23, 2015,
104 MUS mathletes competed against more than
1000 students from around the world in the Fall
Startup Event, a 30-minute contest that included 100 problems with topics ranging from prealgebra to calculus. Junior Ohm Patel finished
eighth overall, sophomore Chang Yu finished
fifth, and the MUS team finished ninth among
all schools.
On October 26, 2015, the MUS math team
traveled to Knoxville to compete against teams
from across the state in the University of Tennessee Pro2Serve Math Contest. Fifteen upper
school students competed in the contest including seniors Patton Orr, Tucker Colerick, and
Murray Morrison; juniors Ohm Patel, Ray Zhou,
and Ramiz Somjee; sophomores Jackson Moody,
Rick Reinhard, and Chang Yu; and freshmen
Kyle Gan, Andrew An, Jet Tan, Ev Nichol, Ethan
Hurst, and Ethan Lam. Two MUS teams competed in a math bowl, a 64-team double-elimination tournament in which schools earned points
based on both speed and accuracy. The team of
Morrison, Patel, and Yu placed first overall.
Every student competed in the FERMAT I, a
multiple choice exam, and five MUS mathletes
scored high enough to advance to the FERMAT
II, an essay-style test. Those students were Morrison, Patel, Yu, Zhou, and Moody. Because of
his high score in the FERMAT II, Moody was
offered a $24,000 UT scholarship. Patel and Yu
were awarded this scholarship last year.
Each year, MUS math students compete in the
National Assessment & Testing Team Scramble,
a 30-minute, 100-question exam. Held November 5, 2015, the event included more than 100
schools from around the world. More than100
students ranging from seventh to twelfth grade
gathered to answer questions beginning with
addition and ending with calculus. For the first
time in the history of the competition, the Owls
correctly answered all 100 questions. Senior
Witt Fesmire said after the contest, “In the moment, the event was crazy, and we weren’t sure
how everyone was actually doing. Everyone was
racing around discussing problems and arguing,
but it all worked out perfectly in the end. I was
the one who got to grade the sheet, and everyone
was going crazy the more answers we got right.”
MUS faculty member, Mr. Timothy Greer,
instructor in English and Fine Arts, was invited to join perhaps the most well-known
literary society in the world, The Baker Street
Irregulars (BSI). Greer received the invitation this past January and was inducted along
with seven other international recipients at
the annual dinner of this esteemed Sherlockian society.
Founded in 1934 in New York City by Christopher Morley and a few of his close friends,
the BSI began as a dinner club for Sherlock
Holmes enthusiasts but evolved into a society
dedicated to scholarly writings and literary
criticism. With more than 300 members, the
club also functions as a social group as well as
a source of whimsical entertainment based on
its founder’s personality and character.
What must one do to garner such a highly
coveted invitation? The BSI mysteriously states
that its members “are generally accomplished
adults, either in the Sherlockian community
or in their professions (but having a deep
love of, and interest in, Sherlock Holmes).”
When asked what he believed brought him to
the attention of the society, Greer responded
that he honestly was not sure but that he is
“shocked, humbled, flabbergasted, and not
giving it back.”
Greer holds special interests in Holmes’
inspirations and legacies, Sherlockian theatre and film, and canonical combat. He has
published in The Baker Street Journal, an irregular quarterly of Sherlockiana that the BSI
has produced since 1946. Mr. Greer is also a
member of The Giant Rats of Sumatra, a BSI
affiliate group.
N
EWS
Edward Apple Returns
2
24 February 2016
The Owl’s Hoot
The Owl’s
Hoot Staff
MUS Publications
Sam Bartz
Tucker Colerick
Editors-in-chief
Austin Hord
Bilal Siddiq
Managing Editors
Forest Colerick
news Editor
Aneesh Ram
Viewpoints Editor
Philip Freeburg
Amusements Editor
Colin Threlkeld
Sam Bartz
sports Editor
Editor-in-Chief
While returning home from a fishing trip on August 6, 2015, senior
Edward Apple was in a car accident that left him with severe injuries
including brain trauma to the left frontal lobe. He was initially taken
to Regional One Health for treatment and evaluation. Optimism for
a full recovery prompted Edward’s transfer to Shepherd Center in
Atlanta, Georgia, at the end of August. Shepherd Center is one of the
nation’s top hospitals specializing in medical treatment, research, and
rehabilitation for people with brain injuries.
pists pushed him to work hard toward recovery. “He likes some of his
therapists and some he does not­­­—they know who they are,” remarked
his grandfather, Lee Sheppard. Edward turned 18 on October 24, 2015,
and celebrated his birthday with his family at the center.
The outpouring of concern, well wishes, and prayers for Edward’s
recovery was so great that the Apple family set up a Caring Bridge
website to keep friends and family updated about his progress while
also enabling friends to post notes to the family. This allowed Edward’s
family to share news while staying focused on helping him get better.
The Apples encouraged friends to send videos, and every card they
received was posted on the bulletin board in his room.
November saw a huge leap forward in Edward’s recovery. Mrs. Apple
happily reported, “Edward’s personality, sense of humor, and drive
to get better have all exploded onto the scene!” He enjoyed FaceTime
with friends and reading cards, texts, and emails. By the second week
of November, Edward was discharged from Inpatient Rehabilitation to
outpatient therapy at Shepherd’s satellite day center. The family moved
to an apartment in Atlanta to continue his care as Edward worked on
improving balance, coordination, and strength. On November 23, 2015,
the family wished everyone a happy Thanksgiving and shared Edward’s
discharge date of January 8, 2016. After five months in Atlanta, they
were finally coming home.
Although still unconscious in early September, Edward became more
alert and responsive to stimuli. He achieved full consciousness by the
middle of September and was moved into Inpatient Rehabilitation at
Shepherd Center. He was able to enjoy being outside for the first time
since the accident. By the end of September, he was walking with assistance, riding a stationary bike, and eating regular food.
The Apple family invited everyone to welcome Edward home on
January 9, 2016, at The Racquet Club of Memphis. The event gave friends
and classmates a chance to visit with the family and share some longawaited hugs. Edward will continue to have physical therapy in Memphis
as he works toward full recovery. He will be participating at MUS this
spring and will complete his studies next year. Welcome back, Edward!
October brought a few spoken words from Edward and greetings to
his family. He began to rest better and sleep more normally. His thera-
Brooks Eikner
Copy Editor
Barry Klug
Writer
Daniel Schumake
Writer
Stan Smythe
Writer
Chang Yu
Writer
Cameron Lakin
Photographer
Norman Thompson
faculty advisor
Latin Scholars Perform Well at Festivus
Bilal Siddiq
Managing Editor
Fall Festivus celebrated its eighth tournament at White Station High
School on November 21, 2015. This annual competition allows students
to demonstrate not only their academic Latin prowess through various
tests, but also their athletic competence by pitting students against one
another in remarkably barbaric clashes of catapult launching, boxing
matches, and feats of strength. Additionally, of course, there was a costume contest for the faint of heart. Several MUS students scored highly
in the Certamen competition, a quiz-bowl-like event.
MUS performed well overall with 18 Owls bringing home medals. In
the medium catapult category, eighth grader Reid Chandler and freshman
Kyle Gan secured first and second places, respectively. In the large catapult
category, sophomore Jon Staffel captured second place. Representing MUS
in the costume contest, eighth grader James Smythe received second place.
In the Boxing Feats of Strength competition, Smythe took first place,
while in the Footrace, sophomore Carlo Guinocor and freshman Ethan
Hurst won second and third place, respectively. Freshman Loyd Templeton
earned third place in the javelin contest.
Academically, MUS garnered several awards as well. Chandler scored
second place in the Level 1 Mythology Test, and junior Brooks Eikner
took third place in the Mythology Test for Levels 3, 4, and 5. The Lower
Level Open Certamen team also excelled. Templeton was awarded first
place, eighth graders Rob McFarland and Charles Long second place, and
freshmen Zuhair Somjee, Warren Turner, and Ty Williams third place. In
the Upper Level Division, sophomores Chang Yu and Sam Payne achieved
first place, with senior Dylan Echlin coming in second and junior Aneesh
Ram third. Smythe took second in the Level 1 Vocabulary Test. Freshman
Ethan Lam captured first and Hurst second in the Level 2 Vocabulary
Test. In the more advanced Vocabulary Test for Levels 3, 4, and 5, Eikner
scored second place, while Ram and Staffel tied for third.
CSO Kicks Off Second Semester
Forest Colerick
MUS Publications
News Editor
The Civic Service Organization continues
to give MUS students the opportunity to
cultivate hearts of service and to give back to
the community. Continuing the organization’s
current focus on helping the Binghampton
neighborhood and the youth of Memphis, the
CSO hosted a Fall Fest event on November
21, 2015, for the students at Cornerstone
Preparatory School. The children enjoyed
inflatables, kickball, football, basketball, face
painting, and various relays with students from
MUS and Hutchison managing the event. Other
fall semester activities included bell ringing for
the Salvation Army at the Kroger near Poplar
Avenue and Kirby Parkway.
To kick off the spring semester, the CSO
hosted its second Service Week of the year
January 25-30, 2016. On Monday, students and
faculty signed a card in the cafeteria for the
firemen at Station 41 located on Ridgeway Road.
Spanish
Students
Translate to
Serve
Community
Andres Salas
Writer
The Translations Program at Memphis
University School is a community service
opportunity for students taking Spanish.
Participants translate documents for court
hearings to help attorneys at Memphis Immigration Advocates, Inc., a non-profit
law firm whose mission is to provide affordable immigration representation to
low-income clients. Judicial proceedings
range from asylum cases involving immigrants under imminent threat to domestic
violence cases.
In addition to the card, the CSO provided Chickfil-A meals for each shift. On Tuesday, students
packaged sandwiches for Memphis Union
Mission in the Halperin-Gillespie room during
Upper School lunch. To wrap up Service Week,
the CSO hosted the annual Wish Bowl event
on Saturday at Billy Hardwick’s All Star Lanes
to benefit several local charities. There were
several door prizes including gift cards, Grizzlies
tickets, a signed Vince Carter basketball, and a
signed Zach Randolph jersey.
Translators have a positive impact on
the lives of others while they hone their
skills in a real world application that
promotes increased vocabulary and proficiency. Time devoted to the translations
program also counts toward Civic Service
hours. Work assignments are reasonable,
and schedules are flexible. This opportunity is open to anyone in Accelerated Spanish III, AP Spanish, or Honors Spanish III
or IV (with teacher consent).
The following week, the CSO hosted a can
drive competition among the home rooms with
Mr. Jonathan Large’s students winning. On April
2, 2016, the CSO will host the St. Jude Race to
Remission, featuring a 5K, fun run and festival.
The CSO continues to provide weekend projects
open to all students. Follow the CSO on Twitter
(@CSOMUS) and listen to announcements for
upcoming service opportunities.
If you are interested or have any questions regarding the program, contact Andres Salas at [email protected].
Can Drive Winner Professor Jonathan Large
News
The Owl’s Hoot
24 February 2016
Music Groups Host Winter Concert
3
MUS Publications
Stan Smythe
Writer
Memphis University School hosted
its annual Winter Concert on Thursday
night, December 10, 2015, featuring Studio Band, Beg To Differ, and the quartet
Beg To Diffour. As exam season loomed,
students, faculty, parents, and friends
packed Hyde Chapel to see a spectacular show that warmed hearts with the
Christmas spirit. First, the Studio Band
performed a mixed set of rock and Christmas songs including “Run Run Rudolph,”
“Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” “Chameleon,” “Have a Cigar,” and “I Believe in
Father Christmas,” with faculty member
Loyal Murphy singing “Christmas Time
Pretty Baby.”
Next, Beg To Differ presented a variety of holiday and barbershop songs.
Decked in tacky Christmas sweaters, Beg
To Differ and Beg To Diffour serenaded
the crowd with songs such as “Christmas
Time is Here,” “Winter Wonderland,”
“Mr. Grinch,” “Hello, Mary Lou,” “Let
It Snow,” “It’s All Right,” and “Southern
Gospel Medley.” This was Matt Tutor’s
(’91) second year directing Studio Band
and his first leading all three ensembles.
Studio Band and Beg To Differ will perform a Spring Concert on April 21, 2016.
Above: (L-R) William Miller, Patrick Murphy, Harrison Tabor, Stan Smythe
Left: Senior Austin Hord
Academic Whizzes Outsmart Competition
Aneesh Ram
Viewpoints Editor
The Memphis University School Quiz Bowl program enjoyed another successful year competing
in local tournaments. “We’ve built on our success from previous years and have done a really good
job representing the school around Memphis,” says Darin Clifft, the head coach of MUS Quiz Bowl.
The Quiz Bowl team kicked off the year on October 19, 2015, with its first tournament at Germantown High School. Starting for the A-team were seniors Reed Barnes (captain) and Saatvik
Mohan, juniors Aneesh Ram and Brooks Eikner, and sophomore Jackson Howell. The team ended
the day with a third place finish. Successive tournaments saw improvement with a second place
finish at Christian Brothers High School and a first place win at the Houston High School Tournament. The team also represented MUS at Knowledge Bowl, an annual year-long tournament for
Memphis high schools hosted by WREG-TV. After a crushing defeat of Raleigh Egypt High School,
the team advanced to the second round but lost to White Station High School. The team looks
forward to tournaments at Bolton High School, Saint Benedict at Auburndale, and Rhodes College.
While the MUS team participated in the Germantown competition, the school hosted its annual Quiz Bowl Tournament on October 19, 2015, with 28 teams representing 18 high schools.
The MUS Quiz Bowl program achieved a milestone by organizing its 10th consecutive event,
making it one of the longest running tournaments in Shelby County. Although the tournament
appeared to occur just as smoothly as in previous years, it was filled with problematic events.
According to Clifft, “It was a disaster from a behind-the-scenes standpoint. We had everything
go wrong that could possibly go wrong: late arrivals, contested answers, missing teams.” Clifft
specifically credits faculty Jonathan Large, Davis Smith, and Phillip Stalls with effectively and
professionally handling these setbacks throughout the day. The work of 16 students, 12 faculty
members, two alumni, and two faculty spouses (whose totally voluntary service had nothing to do
with a Chick-fil-A feast in the morning) propelled the event to its ultimate success. Clifft says he
“personally attributes the tournament’s success to the unique collaboration between our faculty
and students. Our tournament is unmatched in quality because of the willingness of our students,
and particularly our faculty, to get involved and bring this event to the Memphis area.”
Artist in Residence Program Inspires
Daniel Schumake
Writer
Memphis University School’s Artist In Residence program, lead by Grant Burke, Acting Chair
of the Department of Fine Arts, invites a local artist
each year to draw inspiration from the school and
students for an artistic piece that is displayed in
the school’s halls. “It provides our guys the chance
to see some of the best artists in the Mid-South
at work. Also, I think it affords us the chance for
other people to see MUS in a different light. Most
importantly, we get to have a collection of wonderful local art here at MUS, which is really cool,” said
Principal Barry Ray.
This year Burke reached out to Pinkney Herbert, a former MUS faculty member and renowned
artist. Students were able to get an inside look at
the way abstract art is created by participating in
the design of “Flag,” Herbert’s artistic creation.
“Very refreshing. Kids these days are just...ya
know,” said junior Steven Regis.
After the November 13, 2015, terrorist attacks
occurred in Paris, Herbert redirected his artistic vision and altered “Flag” by incorporating the
colors, shapes, and textures that define MUS into
the French flag. “I thought it was pretty cool how
the events in Paris changed the original painting
into something beautiful,” said junior Louis Wittenberg.
The importance of art in our school community
is enhanced by the Artist in Residence program.
The endeavor promotes a culture of creativity and
imagination. “The Artist in Residence Program
shows the diversity of the students at MUS. Art is
great to look at when you need a break from studying. The vibrant colors of the paintings really get
me going,” said sophomore McCall Knowlton.
MUS Publications
4
24 February 2016
The Owl’s Hoot
Viewpoints
BBQ Memphis Style
Barry Klug
Writer
When someone says Memphis, Tennessee, many thoughts immediately come to mind of Elvis,
the Blues, and most recently the Memphis Grizzlies. However, Memphis, in my humble opinion,
is best-known for its barbeque. Memphis is home to one of the main styles of barbeque in the US,
the others being the Carolinas (vinegar-based sauce), Texas (no sauce), and Kansas City (molassesbased sauce). Memphis barbeque typically has a sauce with a tomato base. Like the other varieties
of barbeque, excluding Texas, which is predominantly beef, Memphis barbeque is pork, usually
Ribs:
Although it does not fit the typical Memphis barbeque mold, Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous
takes the title of best ribs. The combination of charcoal smoking, vinegar basting, and signature
seasoning makes these ribs the best. They are tender and juicy with a flavor that is unlike any
barbeque you have ever tasted.
Pork:
The best pulled-pork in Memphis is found at The Germantown Commissary. Some barbeque
restaurants’ pulled-pork is inherently dry—but not this pork. Accompanied by their signature
sauce, the pulled-pork at the Commissary is a dish that will leave you in a state of barbeque bliss.
Chicken:
The best barbequed chicken in Memphis is actually hot wings, and the best barbequed hot wings
are from Central BBQ. Chicken wings are smoked over hardwood until completely cooked. As each
order comes in, the wings are dropped into the fryer to add that extra crunch, then tossed in one
of their signature sauces or house seasonings. If you love wings like I do, you will go bananas for
the wings at Central (and bananas is good).
pork ribs. As Memphians, we understand that barbeque is a part of our culture. But what is the
best barbeque in Memphis? This is a controversial question. Everyone has his or her own opinion
of what is the best barbeque. To avoid an onslaught of angered fans who feel my interpretation
of the best barbeque restaurant is wrong, I will break it up by best menu items from the big dogs
of Memphis barbeque.
Desserts:
The best desserts title goes to the Commissary. The Commissary does dessert right. My personal favorite is the banana pudding. I would go to the Commissary just for this treat. But if you
are not in the mood for pudding, the Commissary can surely entice you with one of their sinfully
sweet pies. I recommend the chocolate cream.
Barbeque Nachos:
This category is the only one deserving of a tie between the Rendezvous and Central BBQ.
The seasoning of the Rendezvous takes their nachos up a couple of levels, while Central’s sauce
provides the key element that makes the nachos so good.
But these are just my opinions. Go out for yourself and see which restaurants have the best
barbeque. No matter what you think is better, you will still have a good time eating all of that
barbeque.
Sausage:
Sausage in Memphis is predominately pork, mixed with a restaurant’s own blend of seasonings
and spices. The best barbequed sausage in Memphis is from the Rendezvous. What sets this sausage
apart from the competition is, once again, the Rendezvous secret seasoning blend. Nothing can
beat their seasoning-drenched sausage, served with the usual accompaniments.
Brisket:
Memphis is not a brisket town. That’s for the cowboys in Texas. Yet, there is a restaurant with
a brisket sandwich that may be a rival. I am talking about the brisket sandwich at Tops Bar-B-Q.
Brisket is a difficult meat to manage; yet, Tops serves an excellent sandwich. Served with their
tangy cole slaw and a vinegar-based sauce, this sandwich is a must-eat in Memphis.
Best Non-barbeque Item:
The best non-barbeque item goes to Corky’s Ribs & BBQ for their fried catfish. Deep-fried
Mississippi catfish served with homemade tartar sauce is not a typical barbeque restaurant staple.
However, the catfish at Corky’s is a true delicacy. With a nice crunch and a slightly spicy crust,
this catfish is an unexpected treat.
The Great Wall of Trump
Aneesh Ram
The Grub Hub
Viewpoints Editor
When Donald Trump announced his Presidential candidacy in June 2015, most politicians quickly dismissed it
as yet another publicity stunt. But since the summer, this
stunt has only gained momentum with Trump’s endless
barrage of insults and controversy. Amidst the constant
criticism of Trump’s comments and policy, many people
fail to appreciate the lighter side of Trump’s campaign.
In his announcement speech, Trump promised to build
a “great, great” wall along the border with Mexico. The two
great’s are definitely key here to understanding the scope
of this proposed wall, most likely graced with TRUMP in
massive gold letters which the Mexican people would have
the privilege of viewing. Though criticism of Trump often
revolves around his racist and discriminatory comments,
he at least discriminates globally, insulting essentially
every demographic
and interest group
possible. In July,
Trump even ventured to call fellow
Republican John
McCain, the former
Presidential candidate, a “loser” for
being taken prisoner in the Vietnam War. While
McCain was apparently “losing”
in Vietnam in the
1970’s, the patriotic Trump was busy
serving his country
by making real estate deals in New York. More recently in
the Republican debates he has revived another “birther”
issue, this time around rival candidate Ted Cruz, who was
born in Canada and whose father is Cuban. Despite his
own mother’s non-American origins in Scotland, Trump
used his deeply extensive knowledge of the Constitution to
challenge Cruz, a constitutional lawyer, on his eligibility
to run. This Cruz “birther” issue was not, however, the
first time Trump invoked his view of the law to retaliate
against a rival; he once sued Bill Maher for libel after
being called the “son of an orangutan.” Obviously, he
did not understand that sarcasm is a major tool used by
most comedians. Lawsuits are something Trump is quite
fond of and famous for filing; he once sued journalist Tim
O’Brien, who mistakenly addressed him as a millionaire
instead of a billionaire, apparently a form of defamation
that tarnished Trump’s stellar business reputation, which
happens to include four bankruptcy declarations.
Some of Trump’s most controversial remarks surround
foreign affairs and immigration. He has often complained
about the Bush and Obama administrations’ military approach toward terrorism. Showing off his impressive
understanding of military operations, Trump said his
innovative plan for Iraq would be to “bomb the hell out of
ISIS… blow up every single inch. There would be nothing
left.” Regarding the deployment of military personnel,
Trump specified that he would station a “ring of troops”
around all ISIS oil fields. What exactly a “ring of troops”
means, only the experienced military mind of Trump
knows. He further explained that he does not want to
reveal his plans fully so as not to inform ISIS of what is to
come. Following his
December proposal
to temporarily ban
all Muslims from
entry into the
United States until
better security measures are in place,
Trump came close
to achieving what
few in the world
have: being denied
entry to the United
Kingdom. With
hundreds of thousands of petition
signatures, Parliament was forced to
debate the ban on Trump’s entry. Considering the strong
historical relationship between the USA and the UK, it
is hard to believe a three-hour Parliamentary session
actually debated the ban of the top polling Republican
candidate. The whole ordeal simply attests to Trump’s
ability to do that which has rarely been done.
Unfortunately, the Trump phenomenon has overwhelmed resentment from immigrants, Muslims, Democrats, senior Republicans, and most demographics in
general and continues to anger millions across the world.
Just how far he will go remains to be seen. Trump will
either be a humorous footnote in history or the architect
of the Great Wall of Trump.
The Pancake Shop
Tucker Colerick
Editor-in-chief
Unlike many of last year’s potential snow days­— eagerly anticipated
but unrealized—this year’s first potential snow day was met with more
fervent excitement. Headmaster
Haguewood announced a day before the impending snow that school
would be closed. The “Snowpocalypse,” as it was referred to by the
local news stations, was about to
blanket Memphis. Although shocked
and giddy, I was still clear enough
to make breakfast plans. I knew my
mother would prefer that I not drive
in the snow, but the snowfall was not
predicted to start until 9 a.m., leaving just enough time for a scrumptious pre-sledding meal.
With our first choice being
closed as a result of the predicted
snow, my friends and I stumbled
upon The Pancake Shop on Summer
Avenue. This 24-hour diner offers
an extensive menu with breakfast
served all day as well as lunch and
dinner options starting at lunchtime. I opted for a chicken biscuit
with a side of two fried eggs. While
the eggs and biscuit were fine, I felt
like the chicken was something out
of the freezer section at Kroger. It
was not what I had hoped for, but
from what I saw on others’ plates,
the pancakes looked like a solid option. I guess it should not be surprising that The Pancake Shop has good
pancakes.
While my personal experience
fell as flat as the “Snowpocalypse,”
the people are friendly and the service is speedy. If you are looking for
quantity over quality, The Pancake
Shop is the place to go.
The Owl’s Hoot
24 February 2016
5
AMUSEMENTS
Damn Yankees Hits Home
Run
Brooks Eikner
MUS Looks Back
Sam Bartz
Editor-in-Chief
Founded in 1893, Memphis University
School is rich in history and tradition. The
pages of the “MUS Century Book” by Dr.
John Harkins, the institution’s archivist,
detail more than 100 years of the school’s
existence. The school’s evolution from its inception to the institution it is today is amazing. As I strolled down MUS’ memory lane,
I discovered some fun facts along the way.
Horsepower took on a whole new meaning
as boys rode their horses to school in the
1800’s. Did seniors get preferential horse
tying spots? Where did the parking decal
go? Periodicals, clubs, social activities, and
sports were reflective of each time period.
Here is a nostalgic look back at the MUS of
long ago.
Copy Editor
“I’m very humbled to be able to help this
next generation of MUS students stricken with
the acting bug,” said Ted Fockler (’10), who
began teaching at MUS in fall 2015. Before
graduating from MUS in 2010, Fockler performed on the MUS stage, an experience which
“was one of the most rewarding and valuable...
in [his] high school career.” Now an instructor
of history at MUS, he co-directed with Tim
Greer The 39 Steps, a fall 2015 production.
The 2016 spring musical is Damn Yankees, a wacky take on baseball and the Devil.
Damn Yankees follows Joe Boyd (played by
Witt Miesse), a middle-aged baseball fan who
makes a deal with the Devil (Brooks Eikner) to
be young again and play for his favorite team.
Said Fockler about the show, “From couch potato to starting outfielder, did Joe Boyd sacrifice more than he bargained for to make sure
his team beats those damn Yankees?”
Something near and dear to my heart,
“The Owl’s Hoot,” was not the first studentrun publication on campus. The school
newspaper began in 1900 and was called
“University School Topics,” also known as
“Topics.” Issues were distributed every two
weeks during the spring and covered a vast
array of subjects. Content included poetry,
school news, short stories, and important
local news events. In addition to running the
newspaper, the editors also ran a business.
They managed and sold advertisements and
subscriptions to local customers to fund the
cost of producing the paper. The position of
editor was elected by the student body.
Screen Time
The Best.... and the Worst
Daniel Schumake
Writer
A Movie That Makes Me Glad: The Revenant
Then, as now, lunchtime was serious business. For MUS students of the past, it was a
trip to the famous pie house. At first, boys
had to bring lunch or have it dropped off by
parents or servants. By 1913, vendors were
providing hot soup, spaghetti, roast beef,
and other delicious meals at the pie house,
a decently sized wooden facility where students could sit and eat. “Topics” kept the
pie house open by encouraging students to
purchase food at school rather than bring it
from home.
Although tickets to school dances cost
anywhere from 15 to 20 dollars today, admittance to a dance was at one time just a
Alright, so do you guys want the good
news first or the bad news? Sorry, you do
not have a choice; we are going with the
good news. From the director of Birdman, audiences are blessed with a gem
to kick off 2016 with The Revenant. The
director, Alejandro González Iñárritu,
specializes in one-shot cinematography, which gives a feeling of continuity
throughout the film. Picture a fork in the
road. One choice is mild, while the other
is intense. This movie takes the intense
road every single time. From the lead
character’s getting ruthlessly mauled by a
bear to the final fight scene, the viewer is
on the edge of his seat. Most importantly,
this movie is great for not only those who
just want to see an entertaining movie,
but also for people who really delve into a
movie’s details such as the score, editing,
and cinematography.
dollar. Throughout the city, dances were immensely popular. Between high school sponsored dances and community dance clubs,
three dances were held each month. However,
frequent attendance was discouraged by the
school to prevent distractions from schoolwork. Held near holidays, MUS dances were
very formal affairs with the “well-known society belles of younger Memphis” as dates for
the MUS students.
MUS clubs have always been diverse.
Clubs of bygone days included the following: Roller Skating Club, Auto Club, Matinee
Roosters, Irish Club, German Club, Hunting
Club, Fair Sex Club, and Lunch Club. One of
the most noted clubs at MUS was the Overalls
Club. Members of this club, which included
some teachers, wore overalls to school as a
form of protest against the expensive cost of
clothing in the 1920’s.
The Athletic Association managed all of
the sporting events at MUS. This student-led
organization worked with coaches and faculty members to plan the sporting activities.
All students were a part of the association
and were charged a yearly fee of two dollars that helped pay for equipment, clothing,
and travel expenses. In addition to these responsibilities, the Athletic Association was
in charge of a building that served as a locker
room for many teams. The first sports to exist
on campus were gymnasium, track, football,
baseball, and tennis. Students soon became
involved with other sports such as soccer,
basketball, golf, swimming, boxing, wrestling, and fencing.
By looking at where we started and where
we are today, I have an even greater appreciation for MUS. As time marched on so did the
school. It changed and altered as needed but
still held on to a commitment to excellence.
However, I do regret missing out on a trip to
the pie house, being a member of the Overalls
Club and the Matinee Roosters Club, or only
paying a dollar for a dance ticket. Oh well,
at least I do not have to worry about where
to park my horse.
Weather Drives
Memphis Recreation
Austin Hord
Managing Editor
IMDB
A Movie That Makes Me Sad: Ride Along
2
Ride Along 2 should be sub-titled
The Sequel No One Asked For. At this
point, I feel like Kevin Hart is laughing at MY pain as I watch this horrible
movie. Do not get me wrong, he was
hilarious a few years ago, but his humor
has run into a comedic wall. Also, I
was hoping Ice Cube’s bullying of Hart
would take a break for some heart-toHart. Sorry. That was bad. This movie
is rubbing off on me. Back to the point,
nope, there was no break. However,
there were scenes that showed some
promise for this movie. Unfortunately, these scenes were too few and far
between, and I wondered why I spent
ten dollars on a forgettable movie. If
there is one redeeming quality about
this movie, it is that you will be able to
focus completely on your date.
IMDB
Here in Memphis, contrary to the belief
of many teenagers, there’s always something
fun to do if you look hard enough. However,
how you decide to spend your free time can
depend largely on the weather.
On a warm, sunny day, tons of opportunities for entertainment seem obvious to me,
but there are a few that best represent what
this city has to offer. For example, what better way to enjoy the outdoors than to walk
around in the sunshine and admire dozens
of animals? At the Memphis Zoo, you have
the rare opportunity to see tigers, flamingos, polar bears, giraffes, hippos, snakes, and
everything in between, all in one place. The
Memphis Zoo is a fantastic way to spend an
afternoon, especially since admission is free
every Tuesday during the summer. Walking around from exhibit to exhibit can be
great exercise, but if you are in the mood for
something even more active, try biking on
the Shelby Farms Greenline. The Greenline
is a scenic 6.5 mile path for biking, running,
or walking that stretches across most of the
city from Tillman Street to Shelby Farms
Park. After biking on a hot day, a way to
cool off is by going to one of Memphis’ most
popular spots: Jerry’s Sno Cones. You will
have to stand in a long line outside, but it is
well worth the wait. At night, another array
of activities presents itself. If music is what
you seek, Levitt Shell hosts a free outdoor
concert series throughout the summer. If you
are more of the sports type, or even if you are
not, a Redbirds game is a good bet. There is
food, baseball, and a laid-back atmosphere.
Whatever you are in the mood for, there are
plentiful options for warm-weather fun in
Memphis.
Memphis winters, on the other hand, can
be rather cold, making outdoor activities
fairly undesirable, but there are still plenty
of ways to enjoy yourself while staying warm.
Great coffee spots include Republic Coffee,
Otherlands, and Café Eclectic. An interesting
way to spend an afternoon indoors is to take a
tour of the Gibson Guitar Factory downtown.
You can witness firsthand the detail craftsmanship essential to the creation of a multithousand dollar guitar. Ice skating at the zoo
is a possibility during the winter months if
you are willing to bear the cold. During the
holiday evenings, you can pile some friends
into your heated car and drive through the
Starry Nights light display at Shelby Farms,
or you can escape the cold by watching the
Grizzlies or Tigers play at the FedEx Forum
during basketball season. Regardless of the
weather, Memphis is a city filled with exciting and interesting fun.
6
24 February 2016
The Owl’s Hoot
Features
Basketball Homecoming, a Full-Court Success
Above: “Headmaster Haguewood” (senior Jackson Pacheco) introduces a chapel during the Pep Rally.
Right: Homecoming t-shirt design created by senior Jackson Pacheco
Garrot Braswell
Writer
The enthusiasm of the students during basketball
homecoming week spurred on the varsity team’s win
against St. Benedict at Auburndale. Students and faculty dressed in 1950’s, 60’s, and 70’s throwback apparel
Monday through Wednesday. Homecoming t-shirts were
worn on Thursday and the ever-popular Grub Day attire
on game day. Friday night, the students decked out in
neon for the game and the following dance. Everyone
was on the edge of their seats in the tight 60-59 victory
over the Eagles. At halftime, St. Mary’s Episcopal School
senior Kaitlin Fields was crowned homecoming queen,
escorted by Beck Blake. Once the final buzzer sounded,
the student body and female guests packed the Dining
Hall for the post-game dance. Hudson Anthony’s brother, Kyle Anthony, rocked the Dining Hall as a DJ with
flair. The appearance of special guest, iheartMemphis,
propelled the dance to even greater heights with performances of all his hits, including “Hit the Quan.” The 2016
basketball homecoming definitely did not disappoint.
Student Council Concludes
Successful Year
Barry Klug
Writer
Brooks Eikner
Copy Editor
The Student Council election results were announced
near the end of the 2014-15 school year. When the winners took the stage of Hyde Chapel, they received a resounding cheer from the student body. Their tenure is
now drawing to a close, and once again, the student body
will vote for new members of the Student Council.
But first, let us review the accomplishments of this
year’s Student Council. In an effort to provide a different
setting for the fall dances, the Victory Dance was held in
the Morrison Courtyard, and the football Homecoming
Dance filled the Todd Snowden Gym. Although an area
of grass had to be replaced in the courtyard, each dance
was a success, attracting large crowds and providing a
great deal of fun. Fall Festival returned this year with
a special musical appearance by Matt Tutor (’91). Said
Student Council advisor Judd Peters (’81), “Trammel
[Robinson, Commissioner of Social Events] was committed to having a Fall Fest this year and delivered in a big
way.” Finally, the Student Council hosted the basketball
Homecoming Dance on February 5, 2016. Peters commented, “Steven Regis had a bloody nose and two girls
had their big toenails ripped off, otherwise a good time
was had by all.” Each homecoming dance was preceded
by a pep rally in place of the Friday chapel service, and
Peters felt the pep rallies “have been the best we’ve had
in a while.” This year’s Student Council is also especially
noteworthy for its t-shirts designed by senior Jackson
Pacheco, Student Council Vice-President, and sold to
the student body.
The year may be coming to an end, but, according
to Peters, “This council still has a few tricks up their
sleeves.” The Spring Formal is scheduled for April 9,
2016, and will feature the BB King All-Stars and guest
performances by MUS students. President Tom Fowlkes
and Pacheco have led a successful year for the Student
Council, raising the expectations for incoming officers.
Back Row: Billy Dunavant
Grizzlies Face
Identity Crisis
MUS Publications
Middle Row: (L-R) Eli Weinberg, Tom Fowlkes, Russell Sands
Front Row: (L-R) Max Murray, Trammell Robinson, Mac McCartor, Hudson Anthony, and Jackson Pacheco
The Grizzlies have been defined by the slogan “Grit and Grind” ever
since the Grind Father himself, Tony Allen, coined the expression in an
interview with sportscaster Rob Fisher. Yet, the blue-collar Memphis
Grizzlies seem to be slowly fading from that once-loved motto. It is not the
Grizzlies’ fault. I personally blame Steve Kerr, head coach of the Golden
State Warriors. After benching David Lee and replacing him with the
up-and-coming Draymond Green, Kerr changed the future of basketball.
Basketball would no longer be about the large frontcourt that imposed
fear onto all those who faced them in the paint. Basketball style would
instead focus on pace, quickness, and spreading the floor with outside
shooters. After the success of the Warriors in 2015 and its continuation
this year, teams are slowly shifting from the traditional two big-man
lineup to a single center with a three-point shooting stretch forward.
But the Grizzlies are not made for that type of play. One reason is that
despite numerous trades, we still cannot shoot the three ball. The other
reason why we cannot change to this new style is Zach Randolph, the
heart of the team. Although he propelled the Grizzlies to the playoffs
in 2011 and the Western Conference Finals in 2013, the two-time NBA
All-Star’s role continues to diminish. Randolph went through a period of
being placed on the bench, losing his starting role to the ex-Clipper Matt
Barnes. The hope was that Barnes would help the Grizzlies transition to
the newer style of play, but this did not work. Randolph was soon placed
back in the starting lineup, and as of February 20, 2016, the Grizzlies
record is a middling 32-22, placing them at the number five spot in the
Western Conference.
Many reasons explain why the Grizzlies are not the dominant team
they once were. First, as mentioned, is the failure to transition to the
new style of basketball. Second, certain key players are struggling to find
their roles this year. Marc Gasol was arguably the best center in the NBA
last year. He was dominant in the high post, an aggressive defender, and
possibly the best passing center in the NBA. However, this year Gasol
has struggled with his consistency and usually ends up at the low end
of the stat sheet. Still, losing Gasol to a season-ending injury is a major
blow to the team. Another team member who has not performed at his
standard level is Tony Allen. He was, in my opinion, the second best
perimeter defender last year, with Kawahi Leonard of the Spurs being
number one. Allen was aggressive and fought for every possession, earning a coveted First-Team All Defensive Player honor. Sadly, Father Time
has crept up on Tony. As of this year, Allen has been several steps slow.
His constant knee injuries have prevented him from being the dominant
player that he once was. He is slow on the court, passive on defense, and
inconsistent on offense.
As the second half of the NBA season begins, the Grizzlies are faced
with numerous problems, exacerbated by the Gasol injury. Grizzlies
management faced the headwinds with one eye on the current season and
an eye to the future. They decided to keep the “Core Four” intact but
finished the dismantling of the 2014-2015 roster started in the off-season.
Gone are starters Jeff Green and Courtney Lee. In return the Grizzlies
picked up Chris “Birdman” Andersen, Lance “Ear Blower” Stephenson,
and a slew of future draft picks. Many of the new faces are soon-to-be
free agents, so it looks like the Grizzlies top brass are preparing for a
full makeover. We will have to wait and see if the Grizzlies can push the
Warriors and the Spurs with this season’s make-shift lineup and the
retooled team that is obviously coming.
The Owl’s Hoot
24 February 2016
SPORTS
Tennis Aces Prep for
Season
MUS Publications
Colin Threlkeld
Sports Editor
Coming off its third straight state championship last spring, the varsity tennis team looks to
continue its dominance during the 2016 season.
Despite the loss of three key senior players to
Division I colleges (Paul LaHue, Spencer Richie,
and Michael Apple), Coaches Bill Taylor and Phil
Chamberlain still have plenty of talent returning
this year. “We might not be able to cruise through
state like last year, but I believe this squad has
what it takes to go all the way again,” said senior
Andres Carro.
It is a testament to the continuing dominance
of the program that even a rebuilding year retains the expectation that the team will win the
state championship. The tennis Owls kick off
their season with a match against Collierville
High School on March 16, 2016, at MUS.
Baseball Team Looks
to Shutout
Competition
Colin Threlkeld
Sports Editor
Following a 2015 season cut short by a playoff loss to St. Benedict at
Auburndale, the 2016 baseball Owls expect to build on the work of last
year’s team. Despite losing a talented core of senior players, including
Birmingham-Southern recruits Preston White and A.J. Hunt, University of Memphis recruit Colton Neel, and University of Alabama-bound
Connor Wright, the Owls still have a number of players returning who
were able to gain valuable experience during the 2015 season. This year’s
team is led by seniors Will Buser, Mac McArtor, Max Murray, and Chris
Roberts and are supported by a very talented group of underclassmen.
Senior Andres Carro practices in the MUS tennis facility.
Bowling Team Falls to FCS at State
With a relatively small contingent of senior players, the underclassmen will have ample opportunity to contribute to the team. Entering
his second season at MUS, head coach John Jarnagin will have plenty of
options and lineups at his disposal. The team will have “a great chance to
make some noise this year” in the postseason, said senior third baseman
Max Murray. The Owls open the spring campaign at MUS on Saturday,
February 27, 2016, against Bolton High School.
Marcus Gronauer
Writer
MUS Publications
After finishing the season with a record of 9-6 and qualifying for the TSSAA state tournament,
the Memphis University School bowling team was eager to compete against seven other teams for the
Division II Boys Bowling State Championship. The team left for Smyrna, Tennessee, the morning
of January 21, 2016, so that its members could watch their teammate, sophomore Jimmy Morrow,
compete in the individual competition. Morrow entered the tournament with the fourth best average
(207.25) for Division II boys in the city. After struggling initially, Morrow progressively got better
(131, 152, 171), but ultimately he finished in 15th place out of a field of 24 bowlers.
The team competition began the next morning with a Baker-style scoring tournament that would
determine the seeding for the next round of the tournament. In a Baker-style match, a team selects
its five best bowlers, and each bowler bowls two frames. However, there was a change in plans. As
the MUS bowling team woke up in the morning, bad weather was moving into Smyrna, Tennessee,
with snow predicted to accumulate up to six inches. “I hopped in the shower when it was raining at
8:00 a.m. and hopped back out at 8:20 a.m. and saw snow all over the ground,” sophomore Macon
Orr said. Coach David Jackson received word from the TSSAA that the tournament was postponed
to the following weekend due to inclement weather. “There is always a different story every time
you come to Smyrna,” Jackson said.
The team left early the following Friday morning to travel to Smyrna Bowling Center for the
rescheduled tournament on January 29, 2016. The Owls were poised and ready to take on a solid
Friendship Christian School bowling team led by state champion, Donny Turner. What started out
as a close match ended up being a tough day for the Owls, as they would go on to lose to FCS 23 to
4. It was a disappointing loss but an incredible season for a team that had lost 8 out of 12 bowlers
from the previous year’s team.
The bowling team had a historic year; one in which the Owls set records that will go down in
the history books forever. Morrow became the first bowler in MUS history to record a 600 series
(600 pins knocked down in 3 games). He continued this success, finishing with multiple 600 series
scores by the end of the season. In another noteworthy moment, sophomore Jackson Moody became
the second MUS bowler in school history to record a 600 series.
The team also had some incredible matches, especially with rival Christian Brother’s High
School. In that match, the Owls made a remarkable comeback to win by one of the slightest margins
of victory possible: 20 pins. Thanks to three strikes in the tenth frame from Morrow and junior
Marcus Gronauer, the Owls went on to win 16-11. The Owls look forward to heading back to the
state tournament next year; hopefully, next time it will be a story with a different ending.
Fencers Foil Competition
Chang Yu
Back Row: (L-R) Marcus Gronauer, Reece O’Keefe, Murray Morrison, Nelson Kaye,
Macon Orr, and Jackson Moody
Front Row: (L-R) William Dellinger, Jimmy Murrow, Andrew Hopkins
Trap Shooting Owls,
Armed and Ready
Writer
Barry Klug
The Memphis University School fencing
team performed well in the preseason tournaments, competing in épée and foil. Épée
is a style of fencing that uses a heavy blade
with three sides. This type of fencing requires
high concentration, fast reflexes, and accurate
strikes because the scoring target may be any
location on the body. Foil, in contrast, is a
style that uses a slender, two-sided blade. Foil
is more controlled than épée and emphasizes
technique over speed.
for St. Jude held at St. Mary’s Episcopal School
on October 31, 2015, sophomore Jason Wang
placed third in épée with Tomes and senior
Wesley Wells tying for third in foil.
In the Preseason Open on September 26,
2015 at the Ross Lynn Arena, junior Dylan
Riggs placed second and sophomore Jacob
Webb placed third in the épée division. In foil,
Riggs placed first, junior Will Tomes second,
and sophomore Landon Springfield third. In
the All Saints Day Open, a fundraising event
Two events remain on the fencing calendar: The MUS Open scheduled for February
27, 2016, and the High School Championship
planned for March 19, 2016.
At the Tennessee Junior Olympic Qualifier in Nashville on November 21, 2015, Wang
placed first and Riggs third in épée. Webb
placed first, Riggs second, and Wang third in
foil. In the words of Wang, the fencing team is
always looking for a “striking success.”
Writer
As the fall months shifted into winter,
the most well-armed of the athletic Owls, the
Memphis University School trap shooting
team, began their season. With a total roster
of 43 shooters, the Owls are ready to take
on the competition. Practicing at the Memphis Sport Shooting Association in Lakeland
on Saturday mornings and at Shelby Farms
on Mondays after school, the trap shooting
Owls hone their skills in preparation for their
monthly meets.
Led by 11 seniors and coached by Hamilton Eggers and Jonathan Large, the Owls look
to be on target this year. The team expects
to be competitive against rivals Saint Agnes
Academy and St. Mary’s Episcopal School in
their first match of the season on February
27, 2016. Commenting on the upcoming season, senior Patton Orr said, “Trap shooting
requires a lot of discipline, but it’s an enjoyable challenge. The guys are looking forward
to the meets this year.”
7
8
24 February 2016
The Owl’s Hoot
SPORTS
MUS Publications
Basketball Team Shoots
for Playoff Success
Philip Freeburg
Amusements Editor
With playoffs looming, the varsity basketball
team has experienced one of its finest seasons in
recent memory. The squad started with a brisk 5-0
record before heading into Christmas break with
an 8-4 record and a respectable runner-up showing
at the Millington Invitational, held December 2123, 2015. The Owls traveled to Sioux Falls, South
Dakota, for the Mike Miller Classic on December
28-29, 2015, where they overcame harsh weather
to pick up two solid victories.
An eight-game win streak through late January
included a crucial regional win over St. Benedict
at Auburndale on January 15, 2016, and a comefrom-behind victory over St. George’s Independent
School on January 27, 2016. The Owls subsequently
lost two regional games against Christian Brothers
High School and Briarcrest Christian School, but a
later win at Briarcrest locked MUS into a runnerup finish in the region, guaranteeing a first-round
bye and a home game in the quarterfinals of the
state tournament.
A veteran group, the team has reaped outstanding leadership from its seven seniors, including
captains Philip Freeburg and Owen Galvin, Cole
Harrison, Matt Kruczek, Austin Lacy, Reid Smith,
and Connor Whitson. Juniors Josh Gray and Luke
Wilfong and sophomores John McBride and Zachary Street have also been instrumental in the team’s
success. On the heels of a competitive regular season and strong finish to league play, the Owls look
to move into the state tournament full of confidence. “We’re very pleased with our season so far,”
said Coach Matt Bakke, “but there’s much more we
want to accomplish.”
Despite a regular-season ending loss to rival
CBHS, 50-36, on February 19, 2016, the squad’s
19-7 record is the best in nearly a decade. The team
takes a week off until the quarterfinals of the state
tournament which begin on Saturday, February 27,
2016, at MUS, before hopefully heading to David
Lipscomb University in Nashville for the semifinals on March 4, 2016.
Above: Senior center Cole Harrison takes a jump shot in the lane
Track Team Off to a Running Start Soccer on Solid Footing
for New Season
Parker Ford
Writer
The Memphis University School varsity track team
excelled during last year’s regular season, winning
four home meets and the Bonner Relays at Harding
Academy, placing second at the Allstate Sugar Bowl
Classic, and taking a fifth place finish at the Division
II TSSAA State Championship. Last season, current
senior Terrell Jackson ran the second fastest 800-meter dash time in the nation, and junior Jack Heathcott
won the regional decathlon. With the return of Jackson
and senior CJ Turner, the team possesses a strong
senior class capable of leading the team to success.
Although the team lost one of their fastest runners
with the departure of MUS alumnus Carlton Orange
(’15), many promising underclassmen have joined the
team. Commenting on the upcoming season, Coach
Bobby Alston remarked, “This is a new year. We lost
some excellent runners last season and will be looking
for some new faces.”
Parker Ford
Writer
The Memphis University School varsity soccer team reached the quarterfinals
of the state tournament last season, finishing with a regular season record of
(11-4-2). With the return of seniors Jack Skahan and Michael Swift, the soccer
team looks to be even more competitive this season.
Commenting on the strong senior class and the return of Skahan and Swift,
Coach Vincent Beck said, “They shouldn’t steal the show. The younger players should still play alongside them.” The team looks forward to competition,
especially playing against rival Christian Brothers High School who narrowly
defeated them in games last year. The opening game begins at 7:00 p.m. at Collierville High School on March 17, 2016.
Senior Terrell Jackson, courtesy MUS Publications
Wrestlers Go to the Mat with
Strong Finish
Sam Bartz
Editor-in-Chief
Above: 2015-2016 Varsity Wrestling Team
MUS Publications
Lacrosse Ready for McCallie
Austin Hord
Managing Editor
At last year’s state championship against The McCallie School, the lacrosse Owls were
edged out by two goals, ending the team’s four-year state championship streak. This spring,
the team takes on McCallie in the season opener, so the players will have plenty of motivation
at the first face off.
The lacrosse season begins during spring break with road trips to Chattanooga, where they
play against McCallie on March 3, 2016, and Atlanta, where they will play against The Westminster School and Centennial High School, on March 4 and 5, respectively. All three opponents will
be tough matchups. Head lacrosse coach Elliott Dent is entering his 20th season as the team’s
coach, and he is assisted by coaches Whit Tenent and Buck Towner (’07). Looking forward to
the season Coach Dent said, “The team’s seniors are very self-motivating, and they’re a great
group in terms of leadership.”
The lacrosse team is led by senior captains Swep Wallace, William Rantzow, Winn Medlock,
and Trammel Robinson. There are only five home games including Christian Brothers High
School on Friday, April 29, 2016, which is the last game before the playoffs start. Robinson
said, “I can’t wait for our season to start; with such a small number of home games, student
support is really important.”
Last season, the Memphis University School
varsity wrestling team struggled in competition with injuries plaguing many members and
finished with a disappointing record of (3-6)
in dual matches. However, with strong performances from both seniors and underclassmen,
the team saw tremendous improvement and finished this year’s regular season (8-3) in dual
matches and had impressive showings in several
regional meets.
The team opened the regular season at
Southwind High School on November 24, 2015,
with dominating wins over Southwind (45-24)
and Kingsbury High School (52-30). These wins
were quickly followed by a victory over Millington Central High School (67-10). At the
Black Horse Invitational, eighth grader Jake
Knaff finished in sixth place for his weight class,
and sophomore Joe Carter finished sixth in his
weight class. The Owls soon defeated Cordova
High School (42-34) and East High School (5418). At the Trojan Wars Invitational, the team
finished third overall.
Over the semester break, the team travelled to the Christian County Invitational in
Kentucky where several wrestlers placed well
in their weight classes: Knaff (3rd), junior
Tom Wells (5th), and senior Gil Humphreys
(5th). The Owls suffered their first loss in dual
matches in a competition against Bolton High
School. A resounding (60-13) victory over Germantown High School increased the team’s mo-
mentum going into the Millington Invitational
where they finished second overall. The Owls
returned to dual matches and quickly defeated
St. George’s Independent School (65-18) and
Briarcrest Christian School (42-36). After finishing third at the Dawg Fight Invitational, the
team suffered defeats to St. Benedict at Auburndale (42-37) and Bartlett High School (57-23).
Although the team went into the Regional
Tournament with two straight losses in dual
matches, they finished third and advanced as
a team to the state championship dual meet
in Nashville, February 5-6, 2016. At the state
meet, the Owls lost their first match to The McCallie School (54-30) and were eliminated from
competition following a loss to Franklin Road
Academy (48-28). Despite the team’s defeat in
the dual meets, four Owls advanced to the individual state championship: Knaff, Carter, and
juniors Ramiz Somjee and Eli Christenbury.
Commenting on the improvement of the
team, Knaff said, “As a whole, we were more
determined and focused. We had more guys at
practice, which helped everyone improve and
become more competitive. We have a lot of
talented underclassmen and even a few eighth
graders that had an impact on our performance.” When asked about the future of the
program, Knaff also said, “Our strong group
of underclassmen and junior varsity wrestlers
will only continue to be better. The future of
this team looks very bright.”