Ford Bell
While several BHS track team members contributed to the state title, none came up bigger than Ford Bell, a senior distance specialist. Bell was superb, producing 16 key team points in the closing hours of competition, before anchoring the deciding 4x400-meter relay.
 
Less than an hour after finishing third in the 1,600-meter run, Bell returned to the track to stun the capacity crowd by winning the 800 meters. Not expected to win entering the race, Bell swept to the lead with 200 meters left, then comfortably extended the margin to the finish line. Bell ran the 800 in a sizzling 1:53.89 to claim the state title. 

The University of Tennessee track team signee holds the BHS school record in the 400 and 800 meter runs as well as 4 x 400 meter relay, as the anchor.

Lauren Caballero and Madison Stankevich
Ravenwood sophomores Lauren Caballero and Madison Stankevich captured the individual state title in doubles tennis.  In the teams run to the state championship the duo went undefeated in singles play at line one and two respectively, as well as in doubles at line one.  In individual play they went undefeated all the way.

Both girls compete year round in tournaments throughout the southeast.  They state being able to spend so much time focusing on doubles in actual match play will greatly help with tournaments. 

“Playing school tennis is so much better than tournaments, where you are alone.  During a school match we have all our teammates cheering after every point.  Usually during a tournament match it’s quite, there’s a lot of tension and you are on your own,” Madison and Lauren agree.  “With all the travel involved, the hotels, the training, one match in tournament tennis is such a big deal.  School tennis is so easy, plus the pride of representing your school.”

This week Lauren and Madison are competing in the largest junior tournament of the summer in Chattanooga, the Tennessee state qualifier.  Lauren goes into the tournament seeded #2 in singles in a draw of 128 Tennessee girls in the 16’s division.  From there she plans to compete in back to back tournaments every week all over the nation including the U.S. Open Juniors qualifier.

Whatever tournament titles the Madison and Lauren win on their own, and there will be many, both agree none will be sweeter than their first school state title victory.

Kevin Lazas
Kevin Lazas, BHS senior and University of Arkansas signee, successfully defended his Class AAA state decathlon title Tuesday at the TSSAA Spring Fling in Murfreesboro.  Lazas said the state high school event is really a warmup event for him in the decathlon as he competes for the top two places at junior nationals and a spot in the world meet in Canada this summer.  Lazas currently has the second-highest points in the nation in juniors.

 "Obviously the great thing about him is that he loves it so much," BHS track coach Gary Kinder said. "It's like when people say 'I love my job -- it's not really work.' That's what he brings to it. Every day, he's happy, smiling, he's taking care of business. With him, it's like he's a little kid on the playground."  Lazas also states training with Kinder is one of his contributing factors to success.  “He’s more than a coach, he’s my best friend, AND mentor.  He’s been a champion decathlete, so there is a high respect factor there as well.”

Germantown Houston senior Austin Crenshaw, second place finisher, and Memphis track signee states, "He's on a whole other level, I'm real with myself in knowing I'm not going to get close to his level, and I’m GOOD!"

Sean Karl

One of Sean Karl’s goals going into his sophomore year at Ravenwood is to win the state title in tennis all four years. One down, three to go. Only one other person in the history of TSSAA has ever done it.  Defeating his Brentwood High rivals and best friends will be a challenge, however beyond Brentwood players no one comes close to spoiling his dream. 

Sean trains year round at the Wildwood Tennis Club under Coach Andy Veal, who is also the state champion BHS tennis teams coach.  Sean states he has seen vast improvements in his game the last nine month he has been with Veal. 

Karl kicks off his summer tournament schedule as one of the top seed in the boys 18’s Tennessee State Qualifier tournament this week.  From there he will compete in top tier Southern and National events.  His younger brothers Steven and Justin also play tennis and are ranked nationally.

Sean is famous throughout the country for his pre-match rituals. Though he refuses to disclose any secrets or meaning to his choice of music, stretches, or chants Sean does say his opponents are so freaked out by it the time the match starts he usually wins.