MARCH JACKET ATHLETES OF THE MONTH

 Baseball – Mac Rose, Senior

Mac Rose is a Catcher, First Baseman and Pitcher for the Rockwall Yellowjackets baseball team.  He has signed to play baseball at McLennan Community College in Waco (2021 NJCAA National Champions). Mac was the leading hitter for the month of March with 25 hits in 54 at bats, 9 doubles, 2 triples, 2 home runs, 24 RBI, and 9 runs scored.  On the mound, he was 3-0 with 24 innings pitched, 24 strikeouts, 4 walks, 9 hits allowed, and only 5 runs (4 earned) allowed.

In addition to his hard work on the baseball field, Mac will graduate with 30 hours of college credit.

He is also a type 1 diabetic (diagnosed at age 12) and overcomes this life disease every day to be a successful student athlete.

Softball – Ainsley Pemberton, Junior

Ainsley is a fierce competitor and one of the toughest pitchers around. She constantly wants to perfect her craft and knows what it takes to achieve greatness. So far this season, she has had 164 strike outs and a 1.18 ERA. So far in her career at RHS, she has had 652 strike outs and a 62-15 record in the circle. She dominates in the circle and is an intimidating pitcher to face. Not only is she a competitor on the field, but she is also equally as competitive in the classroom.  Ainsley has earned her way into the Ivy Leagues with a commitment to attend and play softball at the University of Pennsylvania. She epitomizes what JFND truly means!  Ainsley is a well-respected team Captain and a difference maker with her leadership and tenacity for the game. 

Men’s Gymnastics – Jirden Ware, Senior

RHS competed in three meets during the month of March: RHS vs Trinity, Battle for the Rock, and District Championships.  Jirden had a good showing in all three meets.  He scored a 9.2 on Optional Vault against Trinity (1st place).  He scored a 9.3 on Vault at the Battle for the Rock in which he competed in a brand new vault (2nd place).  At District, he scored a combined 19.1 on floor (2nd place) and a combined 18.8 on vault (1st place).  Jirden scored a career high 9.5 for optional floor at the District Championships.

In addition to competing well, Jirden has grown into a great leader for our team.  He has been voted by his teammates as Co-Captain, and he is always motivating and challenging his peers to be their best.  Congratulations to Jirden!

Women’s Gymnastics – Kylie Pittman, Senior

Kylie is a strong leader who comes to practice every day with a positive attitude and drive to always be better than the day before.  She leads by example and holds herself to the highest of standards in and out of the gym.  Her teammates know they can count on her 100%.

Men’s Track – Collin McCrillis, Junior

Collin is a hurdler for the Jackets, and he is finally getting into his grove with the hurdles.  Collin was injured late last season and remained hurt for the entire summer and a small part of the fall.  He was determined to get back on the track and did everything needed to do so.  Collin was able to compete at the Jesuit Sheaner Relays on March 25th where he placed 2nd and ran a Personal Best time.  Collin also qualified for Texas Relays where he was one of 56 hurdlers.  After the prelims, Collin finished 16th overall with a new Personal Best time.  With the District meet about to take place, Collin has more to give in the tank and will continue to work towards punching a ticket to the state meet.  

Men’s Track – Brendon Ross, Junior

Brendon is one of the speedsters on the track team.  Brendon has been burning up the track in the 100 and 200 meter races this season.  Brendon is really close to breaking the 200 meter dash record.  The current record is 21.54 and Brendon ran a 21.79 this season.  Brendon may also break the 100 meter dash record since he has a personal best time of 10.75 and the record is 10.68.    Brendon is FAST!  Brendon also gets to display his speed on Friday nights as a Yellow Jacket Football Player. 

Men’s Track – Michael Wells, Junior

Michael is one of our weight men who throws the shot and discus.  Michael has become a student of the throwing events, and he is constantly analyzing himself.  He also researches and studies new techniques, which has paid off.  On March 22nd, Michael threw personal best throws in the discus (147’5”) and the shot (52’2.5”).  Knowing Michael and his work ethic, further throws are in the near future.

Women’s Track – Claire Lowrey, Senior

Claire has started her final year off with a bang!  After six meets, she is undefeated in the girl’s high jump.  On March 25th, she defended her title at Jesuit and won the Jesuit Sheaner Relays.  The biggest accomplishment this year, so far, just happened on March 31st at Texas Relays.  Pitted against many of the best jumpers in the state of Texas and a few from outside of Texas, Claire won the Texas Relays with a jump of 5’10”.  Claire still has a few meets left as a Rockwall Yellow Jacket.  She is expected to remain undefeated in 2023 and bring home the State Championship Gold Medal on May 13th.

Women’s Track - Girls 4x400 Relay (Ally Otis, Charley Hamilton, Emma Santoro, Kaela Perez, Elizabeth Laurence, & Helana Turner)

The 4x400 Relay has ran 5 meets and are undefeated on the season as they head into District competition.  This group of young ladies are tougher than nails and they refuse to lose.  Yes, a relay consists of 4 members that actually run, but you have to have alternates that are ready at a second’s notice.  We have run three different relay lineups.  The first three names are the constants that have been on it all five times. The last three names we have plugged in week to week.  Each week, we have gotten the same result.  This group now has their sights set on bringing the District 10-6A 4x400 title back to Rockwall where it belongs!

Women’s Track – Rachel Kinniburgh, Freshman

On March 1^st, Rachel broke a 21 year-old record in the girls 3200 meter run by running an 11:12.69.  Just a week earlier, she was just under 10 seconds away from the record.  She and Coach McCrary stood and stared at the record board.  As they were staring at the 3200 meter record, Coach McCrary told Rachel that she had the opportunity to have her name on the board very soon.  He was not expecting it to happen just 2 days later! Rachel is a very young and very talented runner.  If what she has already done in such a short period of time is any indication, she will be able to do so much more during her time at RHS.  Rachel will put that 3200 meter record out of reach before leaving RHS in 2026.