Jacket Backers Athletes of the Month

Each month, the Jacket Backers, Rockwall High School’s Booster Club selects student athletes who are nominated by their coach for Jacket Athlete of the Month.  For the month of September Jacob Clark, Kate Avery, Matthew Watkins, Hollie James, River Hill and Emma Hultquist, were each nominated by their coaches and selected as Jacket Athletes of the Month.

Jacob Clark, Senior Quarterback and Minnesota Gopher Commit passed for 630 yards and 7 TD's and rushed for 4 more TD's in September wins over Bowie and Martin.  He led the offense to 61 points per game in both of these two victories for the Rockwall Jackets Football Team.  This submission was made prior to the varsity’s football game last September game versus Longview High School.

Varsity Head Football Coach Rodney Webb added, “Jacob represents everything we value in a Jacket football player...heart, commitment, high expectations, high character. Jacob played as well in September as any QB I've ever coached.”

For Cross-Country, Coach Howell nominated junior standout Kate Avery.  He mentioned, “Kate has been the top scorer on the team the last two cross-country meets. In Tyler she place 4th overall in the race with a time of 20:03.  At the Lake Highlands meet in the elite division she place 13th and ran a time of 20:34. This race had some of the best runners in the metroplex.”  

Kate has been in the top two finishers on the team the entire season. Howell adds, “Kate is the poster child for hard work.  She is relentless in her training and understands what it takes to be one of the best around.  She is always willing to go the extra mile to be the best and finds pleasure in achieving greatness.  She is an excellent student and exemplifies what a student athlete should be.  She is now and always a good choice for athlete of the month. Kate finds new boundaries for herself all the time and is why she has been so successful at running....she is never complacent and always strives to be the best she can be.”

Rockwall High School Golf Coach, Billy Watkins has the pleasure of nominating two golfers, juniors Matthew Watkins and Hollie James.  

Matthew Watkins played in the District Preview at Tempest Golf Club.  He shot the lowest score at the club of a 63.  This course is not open yet, so basically has the course record.  The course will open at the end September on the 29th.  He led the Jackets to victory as they defeated Hallsville by 1 stroke.  Watkins has played well for 2 years and been the #1 player for the Jackets during that time.  He is being recruited by several colleges at this time and should be able to help a program at the next level.

Coach Watkins states, “Matthew spends countless hours working on his golf game.  If you need him, you'll probably find him at a golf course somewhere.  He knows the game, and what needs to be done to get to the next level.  He's worked hard since he was a child and it is paying dividends now as he leads our team in scoring over the last 2 years.”

Hollie James shot 75 and won the District Preview at Tempest Golf Club on Sept. 18.  Hollie helped the Lady Jackets to victory as the girls won first place while the other team of Lady Jackets placed 2nd.  “Hollie is a hard worker.  She has been a valuable asset to the Lady Jackets for 2 years now.  This year she has set the bar high and will work to reach the goals she has set for herself.  Being a hard worker and I believe this is the year that we see all of her hard work show up on the course.  She started the year off well, and I look forward to seeing her get better and better as the year goes on.  She should be the leader of our team as we move forward” adds Coach Watkins.

When Coach Howell was asked to talk about his Cross-Country Boys Team he nominated sophomore River Hill for the recognition.  River has been the top finisher on the team in every race this season.  The last 4 races he has finished 1st or 2nd.  He has a season best time of 15:44.  At the Lake Highlands meet he finished 1st place with a time of 16:34.  

Howell mentions, “River is having an excellent season.  River is the most talented runner to come through the halls of Rockwall High school in many years.  He competes at the highest level in every race and has been very successful.  His lowest finish of the season is 5th place and at the last meet he earned the 1st place victory.  River is one of the most talented runners to come through the halls of Rockwall High school in many years.  He has great potential to do big things.”  All of Jacket Nation hopes that he lives up to those expectations, but first we get to see him compete for 2 ½ more years!

New Head Coach for RHS Swimming, David Partenheimer, nominated senior swimmer Emma Hultquist.

Going on multiple NCAA division 1 recruiting trips she has committed to the University of Arkansas swim team.  Emma is the team leader and captain.  “I haven't coached the team for long, but it's such an accomplishment to be recruited by multiple division 1 NCAA schools and then finally committing to one in such a big conference as the SEC” says Coach Partenheimer.

Congratulations to each of these Rockwall High School Athletes!

The Jacket Backer Booster Club is a non-profit association formed to maximize fundraising efforts for Rockwall High School Sports, and other charitable activities that promote the development of good character, high morale, and maximum effort, highest standards of sportsmanship, competitive spirit, pride, and community service.

For more information on how you can support, vote and promote Rockwall High School’s Student Athletes visit the Jacket Backers website at https://www.jacketboosters.com/ and be sure to follow all of our athletes’ accomplishments on Facebook or Twitter @RHSJacketBacker.

It’s a Great Time to be a Jacket Backer!!!