Evon Nguyen
by Wale Dada

Evon “Shorty” Nguyen is one of Shaw High’s many stellar athletes. Basketball has been Nguyen’s passion since age five, but she added volleyball to her athletic pursuits at Shaw two years ago.

This year, Nguyen received a shelf full of trophies, including those from Shaw High, Auburn University and Columbus State University’s Shooting Camp. Their titles read: Most Valuable Player, Hustle Award, Defensive Player of the Year and Free Throw Champ.  Her trophy collection is complimented by her performance records. Nguyen averaged eight digs, seven blocks and five hits per game for her Lady Raiders volleyball team. Her basketball stats at Shaw are just as impressive, averaging 11 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals per game.

Nguyen is an avid student and maintains a 3.5 grade point average while playing sports. Eager to extend her athletic career, Nguyen communicates with 16 college coaches on a regular basis, sending them game film and noting her experiences in each game.  She has also applied for scholarships and grants. Head volleyball coach Lindsay Dunton believes that Nguyen’s drive will propel her in college. “Shorty will be very successful on the next level due to her desire to be the best, and this is evident in the initiative she’s taken in researching colleges and career paths,” Dunton says. “Evon is one of the hardest-working people I’ve ever coached. She always gives it her absolute all when she steps onto the floor.”

Nguyen’s family is from Vietnam. She lived in New Orleans, Louisiana, for 13 years, but the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina prompted her family to relocate in Columbus. Other than sports, her favorite hobbies are spending time with her family and texting friends. Like some families with foreign origins, Nguyen’s diet is not completely American. Although she does consume foods typically found in fast-food restaurants, her favorite dish is her mother’s fried rice.

Nguyen’s aspirations include joining the United States Coast Guard and playing in the International Women’s Basketball Association.

Torrion Brummitt
by Wale Dada

Soaring over the heads of most of his opponents, Torrion D. Brummitt stands at a colossal 6’7”.  The starting junior center for Shaw High School’s basketball team can’t remember when he didn’t tower over his teammates.

Brummitt has played for various teams in his career, including the Georgia Blazers and the Atlanta Knicks. “I got a good deal of my experience from AAU teams like these,” Brummitt says. Over seven years, his AAU teams have played at tournaments in Kentucky, South Carolina and Florida.

Last year, Brummitt’s accolades included Defensive Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player, but his career highlight took place during his freshman year. “I stole the ball and then dunked on the guy two times in a row!” Brummitt says. In the same year, he noted another influential change. Brummitt experienced his most significant growth spurt between his freshman and sophomore years, which improved his game. “I became more aggressive – I started truly wanting to win.” He started fighting for rebounds, slam dunking and giving his all.  

Brummitt’s mother is a guiding force in his life. She attends all of his high school and AAU matches and pushes him to be his best, no matter what he’s doing.  A great deal of Brummitt’s success can also be attributed to coach Terry White, who Brummitt says helped him to focus on the things he wanted in life and then go after them. “Even when I mess up, Coach White stays calm,” says Brummitt.  “That’s why I feel he is my most effective coach.”

The hard conditioning that can crush lesser athletes is part of Brummitt’s training regimen and includes hours of drills and practicing everything from ball control to shot accuracy. Brummit says, “I shoot about 500 shots at every practice.”

White’s tough conditioning schedule keeps Brummit in excellent cardiovascular shape. Some of the exercises that the Shaw High Raiders perform to stay in shape include the Super 8, a suicide-type drill in which an athlete must run to four points on the court and back; the Carolina Run, which is a four-point run on the court followed by a sprint to the starting point; and the Raider Run, which is a jog around the campus of Shaw High School and Brummit’s personal favorite.

Through his hard work and dedication, Brummit has become a dangerous weapon in Shaw’s arsenal. The future holds unlimited potential for this athlete but he isn’t limiting himself to basketball. When Brummit leaves high school, he hopes to earn a college degree in accounting. For a stellar athlete with an aspiration to be legendary, the sky’s the limit, and Brummit is already on his way.

Shaw Wrestling
by Wale Dada

The proud Shaw Raiders wrestling season has finally begun. With the addition of new community coaches, an influx of young athletes to mold and a steady stream of dedication from all involved, the Raiders have taken great strides in improving their standing among wrestling teams in Columbus, Georgia.

Elaine Morgan has been head coach for three years. The wrestlers call her “Momma Mo” because she is truly like a mother to the team. She makes sure everyone stays on a consistent diet and provides healthy snacks during practices and matches, which is essential to winning matches. She feels that her wrestlers are finally beginning to bond as a team.

Among the wrestlers at Shaw High School are six seniors who have spent a great deal of time on the mat and have gained a solid respect for the sport.

Senior Tyler McGilton has been wrestling for four years at Shaw. He loves the feel of the mat on bare skin and the thrill of a pin as his opponent struggles weakly under him. During the course of four years, he feels he made the biggest improvement in his technique during his preparation for this season. Tyler says, “The team as a whole has changed. Better coaching plus harder practices produces a harder working team.”

Another four-year Raiders wrestler is senior Michael “Shaggy” Lloyd, who returns each year because of his passion for the sport. He feels that his teammates are working harder and loves them all as he would family. “The fact that we used our summer to train and we learned lots of new techniques has made us a stronger unit,” says Lloyd.

Ian Culbrethson spent two years on the mat before an injury put him on the bench, but he gladly returns this season for his senior year. He feels that his teammates are great guys and they have a lot of shared memories. Experience has been Culbrethson’s greatest teacher. “Only experience has taught me to wrestle,” he says. “If you never get down on the mat, you won’t know what you’re doing.”

Senior James Williams loves the wrestling singlets because they “show off his gorgeous body.”  The bond he shares with his teammates and coaches has led to strong friendships. “Practice makes perfect” is not only his motto but the reason the Raiders are advancing in the region.

A senior wrestler [name not provided], affectionately known to his teammates as “Jon- Jon,” wrestles for the thrill of victory. He loves competition and revels in the joy of conquering an opponent. “I get to kick his butt, and the best thing is I don’t even get in trouble,” he laughs. He loves his teammates as he would family, and says, “They are my family away from home.” He cites the ability to listen to one’s coach has improved his wrestling ability, and that realization is the reason Shaw’s wrestling team has improved.

Senior Andrew Pastor says, “Wrestling is what I’m good at.”  He describes his coaches by saying they are good guys but even better role models. “Our coaches have high expectations, so we have to reach high to fulfill them.” The summer camps that Pastor attended have helped him this season. While at camp, he learned his signature move, the power half, a technique used to pin an opponent.  He attributes the team’s success to an improvement in the chemistry of the teammates.

Prospects for the future of Raiders wrestling include Chris Golden and Jamal Mitchell, two talented athletes who will make immense contributions to the team’s success.

Speedy Gonzalezs
by Wale Dada

The finish line is in sight as the Gonzalez twins sprint around the last corner of the five-mile race. The end is close and the finish is within their grasp. Adrenaline pumps furiously through their veins as they hear the screams of the crowd. With one last burst of energy, they sprint to the finish. Flying down the road as fast as their legs will carry them, they break the finish line. There is no victor between the two, each leaving the race as champion.

“If you aren’t first, you’re last” is the way Jazzmine Gonzalez views life. She is proud of her quick feet and perpetual endurance. She is an amazing athlete as her array of medals and trophies attest. Two words that describe her are aggressive and competitive. Her will to win drives her to jog extra miles every week through the comforting streets of her neighborhood. When running, she focuses on her stride to conserve energy. She runs for the thrill of competition.

“It isn’t about being first, it’s about making it to the finish line. Everything will work out if you just keep running,” says Kenya Gonzalez, the more relaxed twin. She loves to run and does not mind coming in second as long as she finishes the race. Like a river, she flows steadily, always reaching her destination. When she runs, she assesses her strengths to determine what steps she can take to improve. Running has a calming effect for her.

It is nearly impossible to distinguish one twin from the other and even their closest friends have difficulty from time to time. However, the difference in their personalities stands out. They share an interest in reading and agree that Copper Sun is their favorite inspirational book. The girls stay healthy and strong with a proper diet and by running nine miles a day. They limit themselves to three fast food outings per month. Their favorite foods are sloppy joes and seafood.

This is their first year running for Shaw’s cross country team, though it is not their first experience with Lady Raiders track coach Edgar Johnson. They ran track last year and have trained with Johnson since. The twins agree that Johnson has been the most influential coach that they have ever had. There is a long road to the top for these twin track stars, but every journey begins with the first mile.

Coach Lindsay Dunton
by Walé Dada • photography by George C. and Rosie McDuffie

Coach Lindsay Dunton has been on some sort of field or court since she began playing sports at the age of 10.  She received a basketball scholarship from Auburn University at Montgomery, where she started for the Lady Senators as a sophomore. Suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament her junior year, Dunton rebounded her senior year until she injured her other ACL, which permanently took her out of the game. During her time at AUM, she played in one conference championship and made it to the national tournament three of her four years of eligibility.

Dunton is currently in her fifth year at Shaw High School and her third as Lady Raiders volleyball coach. Dunton enjoys working with her team to make them better at the sport they love and to be the best student, athlete or person they can be. Through her support and mentorship, the Lady Raiders made it to the state tournament again.

The team has shown tremendous improvement during the 2010 season. Led by seniors Kemaya Walker and Evon Nguyen, the girls have greatly improved since the first game of this season. The Lady Raiders graduated six of their starting seniors from last year’s team and their setter transferred to another school, leaving only one starter from last year. Despite all odds, the team played for an 18-18 record, made it to the area champion ship and will be hosting the first round of the state tournament.

Volleyball is more than a sport for the Lady Raiders.  It has been a life-changing lesson where they learned to love, to never give up and to play hard until the last whistle sounds. By organizing team barbeques, Dunton has given the girls the opportunity to bond and has instilled a sense of family. “Coach Dunton has had a huge impact on my life.  She taught me that if I fall down seven times, I have to make sure I get back up eight times,” say Ngyuen.

Dunton is a role model for her team. She was a stellar athlete, headed to the top until injuries took her off the court. Although coaching is her way to remain involved in sports, Dunton is more than a coach. She is a mentor, a teacher and a friend.

Dunton teaches Special Education at Shaw High School. With compassion, she supports those with disabilities and attends Special Olympics each year.

Sharp Shooter
by Walé Dada • photography by Rosie and George C. McDuffie

His hand slides over the cold steel; he sees his target and knows the kill is near. He pulls the trigger and the roar of the shotgun echoes through the silent range. Bull’s-eye! The skeet shatters, and flakes of the shattered disc fall to the earth.

Jess Harless, 18, is a pre-Olympian marksman attending Shaw High School. Harless has entered more than 50 community and national tournaments, earning in excess of 70 ribbons, trophies and medals. His impressive collection of awards is further complimented by his number eight ranking for Best Shot in the nation.

Harless has won individual and team trap championships, including 2008 ATA Georgia State Trap Team Champion, 2008 GSSA Skeet Team Champion, 2008 USA Shooting Georgia State Junior Olympic Champion, 2009 AIM Georgia State Trap Team Champion, 2009 Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) Georgia/Alabama State Olympic Team Champion and 2009 SCTP National Junior Olympic Trap Champion. Earlier this year, he won team gold as the AIM Georgia State Trap Champion. Harless says the Junior Olympics offered the toughest competition among the events.

Because of his success, Harless has attracted sponsors to pay for his gun upgrades. Ion Bond coated his shotgun with a diamond coating to prevent scratches from damaging the interior. A Japanese sponsor, Transamax, outfitted his gun with a high rib so Harless could lock on targets faster. That improvement was an $1,100 value.

The first gun Jess owned, a custom .30-30 bolt action sniper rifle, was a gift from his father. He was 11 when he first fired it and has been in love with shooting ever since. “I’ve always had a pretty good shot but it took some work to get to the level I am at now,” says Harless. His father, a gunsmith for the United States Army Marksmanship Unit, piqued Harless’s interest in shooting.  “My parents have spent $6,000 for me to have my shotgun, so I’d have to say they are my biggest supporters,” Harless adds. He competes with his father and sister on the range, winning more often than not.

Shooting competitively isn’t the only time Harless uses his Beretta Silver Pigeon shotgun. In fact, it was a huge transition for him to go from shooting for leisure to competitive shooting. So much so that he went to a psychiatrist to learn techniques for improving his focus and concentration. Harless learned how particular muscles in his face could be flexed or relaxed in order to attain better brain function.

His training schedule is similar to that of an Olympian. Harless spends 15 hours a week on the range and shoots 200-300 rounds of live ammunition a day. “Shooting is really 80 percent mental, 20 percent technique. You have to clear your mind of everything before you take the shot,” he says.

Shooting targets isn’t his only interest. Harless hunts deer and the occasional alligator. On weekends, he spends hours taking apart computers then rebuilding them. He hangs out with friends and plays video games. Despite being a nationally-ranked sharpshooter, Harless is an everyday teenager.

Seniors Lead The Way
by Tierra Reid • photography by George C. McDuffie

New head football coach Jamie Fox is proud of his Shaw Raiders, especially the 15 seniors. The senior football players are Andre Lewis, Chris Baker, Collins Jones, Deonte Campbell, Devon Lawson, Jalen Baker, J.C. McDonald, Kyel Darner, Nick Lando, Malcolm Upshaw, Marquis Brown, Marvin Watson, Oscar Horne, Patrick Pearson and Tramez Walker.  Coach Fox predicts a winning season and expects the senior players to provide leadership. The goal this year is to make it to the playoffs.

Fox has been a coach since 1995, serving as an assistant under Charles Flowers and Scott Newman. Ready to lead the Raiders, Fox says, “Being head coach requires more responsibility, and there is always something – always expect the unexpected. It requires a lot of attention, not only on the fields but off the field as well.”

The Raiders have been hard at work during the summer, and Fox has noticed improvements.  J.C McDonald really stepped up this season, taking a leadership role on the offensive line.  Jalen Baker increased his speed tremendously while his brother, former quarterback Chris Baker, successfully filled the running back position.

Fox says some of his players have the potential for scholarships.  “It really isn’t up to me to decide, it’s more the recruiter.  …I can call them a billion times, send films, request appointments, but it’s still up to them.  It’s basically out of my hands. A portion of it is also handed out to the player. They have to show dedication and be determined throughout practices and games. They have to stand out, improve and do things to make a recruiter want them.”

Senior Patrick Pearson, who played at Hardaway last year, says, “From the first practice I knew I belonged on the team.”  Oscar Horne, another senior, has big dreams of playing college football. He would like to play for Middle Tennessee State or Jacksonville State.

The Raiders have a positive attitude and all agreed they have improved this season. Senior running back Malcolm Upshaw says, “Being on the football team for three years at Shaw has taught me a lot. I’ve learned discipline and to push myself; not only has it taught me a lot physically but mentally as well. Being around Coach for the time that I have has been a great experience. He isn’t just a coach; he is also like a mentor, a good leader and a father figure at school.”

The Raider football team and the Raider fans are expecting a stellar season. The players, especially the seniors, are prepared and ready to lead the Raider football team to victory.

A Family That Plays Together Wins Together
by Wale Dada

“One thing I always had growing up was family; we always had each other,” says Lady Raiders head softball coach Laurie McInroy. To McInroy, the idea of family means caring and supporting each other. The Lady Raider softball team bonded over a long summer of excruciating workouts, which made them grow close and become a family.

This year, the team is structured around seven returning seniors. The seniors have stepped into the shoes of leadership. Some are considered enforcers while others are making sure everyone is doing the right thing.

An example of different leadership roles is demonstrated by captains Vanessa Belton and Olivia “Libby” Oxford. Belton brings an intensity that strikes fear into the hearts of the opposition while Oxford quietly but forcefully leads her teammates to play as hard as possible. This is the reason the team calls their captains Fire and Ice.

Another asset to the Raider family is the loyal parents. Most can be seen cheering the team on at every game. Not only do they make great cheerleaders, they also work the gates on game day, record the scores during tournaments and make sure the game is going smoothly. McInroy emphasizes that without the parents there would be no Lady Raider softball.

This year McInroy introduced the “green mentality” strategy. When a player makes a mistake and begins to start losing her mental toughness, “like a green light at an intersection, she must keep the car moving forward.”

During the 2010 season, the Lady Raiders aim to eradicate errors every inning. “The fewer mistakes we make, the fewer times the other team scores,” McInroy explains. A tiny mistake in one inning could alter the outcome of an entire game.

The Lady Raiders are ready for the tough season ahead. They attended camps, visited the University of Tennessee and met Olympic bronze medalist Elana Meyer. There was no lack of motivation as the girls prepared for the grueling season to come. The team strives to be one of the top four in the region, which requires battling their way through one of the toughest schedules in Georgia. Two 3-AAA regions have been combined, adding Central Carrollton, Carrollton, Haralson and Manchester to the fray.

Strengths this year are the talented outfield, the battle-hardened infield and the bench. The outfield is dominated by junior Chantel Sims, a third-year starter. During those three years she won All-Bi-City and broke Shaw’s stolen base record twice. The team also has a strong infield and several talented freshmen. Overall, McInroy feels this is a very good team. The ideals that run Shaw softball are play hard, keep a positive mentality and keep it all in the family.