TO THE EDITOR
Griffin's 'All Senior Squad' selections didn't go far enough
I was disappointed in Mike Griffin's inaugural All Senior Squad and recap of Cyclones' sports (in last week's View.)
First of all, there should have been more recognition. You could have reduced the large pictures and added some written columns. There should have been a summary on great accomplishments for some of the Cyclone teams.
It is not true that there were "many" that deserved honorable mention. The two in volleyball, Jenica Shippy and Mallory Deneen, are set apart from the rest and their accomplishments rival those of Oba and Aragon.
Last season Deneen and Shippy led the Cyclones to the prestigious state tournament (the "Elite 8"). They helped the Cyclones to the regionals and barely missed out qualifying for the Elite 8 the previous two seasons in their sophomore and junior years.
They both made all-state in their junior and senior years, including second-team all-state last season. Jenica Shippy received the Gatorade Award for Rookies during her freshman year and Mallory Deneen was the league's MVP. They both received college athletic scholarships.
According to CHSSA, girl's high school volleyball is the most popular sport in participation numbers, far more than softball, soccer and track. Yes, even more than basketball.
It is a greater honor to make the state final 8 and all-state selection than soccer and softball because of the sheer number of players and teams. To make the second team all-state is a great honor because there are so few selections - six on the first team and the next six on the second team.
The main reason why the Cyclones were state champions during Aragon's sophomore and junior years was because of (Christie) Zinanti. They were without Zinanti this year and did not get far into the state tournament. I am not saying that Aragon does not deserve to be mentioned. I am comparing the accomplishments of Aragon with Shippy and Deneen.
The soccer team did not go far in the state tournament either.
How can you not mention the Cyclones swim team winning the (league title) for the first time?
Terry Shippy
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