On October 28^th, the cross country runners at Brashier competed for the 1A regional title. Both the boys and the girls came in first place for regional.

“That’s really good,” says Sophomore Will Railey. “I’m really proud that [our school] can accomplish something like this.”

“I felt really proud of us,” said Sophomore Runner Eddie Laiewski.

The teams had a short time to prepare for the state meet in Columbia. The teams trained extra hard for the upcoming competition.

“[For regionals] we would run about 3-4 miles a day,” says Sophomore Runner Yianna Kyriacou.“For state we stepped it up and worked on speed. We ran 4-5 miles a day.”

When state came on November 5^th, boys and the girl’s teams say they were prepared to run their best. Both the boys and the girls came in 6^th place.  Now that the season’s over though, the players have to keep busy to stay active.

“I’m joining the basketball team so I can stay in shape,” says Laewski.

“I hope to keep training and eventually run a half marathon,” says Kyriacou.

“The preseason went really well. We had a few new players that will definitely contribute in the upcoming season. I think we’ll have a solid season. I am looking for us to be competitive in the region,” said Brown.

Even though the girls have been conditioned hard, they were also practicing and getting ready for the upcoming tryouts on January 31st.

“I’m excited. I think we’re going to do a lot better this year because we have more experience and the attitudes are much better,” said Junior Amanda Boehme.

Even though the Brashier softball team only won 2 games last year, the coaches and the players are looking forward to a competitive and winning season.

“The biggest difference this year, compared to last year, will be our attitude,” Brown said. “We need to generate a winning attitude, and I believe we are going to kick that off in our very first game! We have a very strong freshman class this year to go along with our returning players, which made huge strides last year, to make for a very exciting time to be part of Brashier Softball!”

The players agree, saying that they think the team is going to win more games this year.

Sophomore Caroline Cripps said, “I think it’s gonna be pretty intense.”

“I feel honored, actually,” says Burke, “I’ve always been the one watching people sign…”

On November 9th, Burke became the first Brashier student to sign with a college for a sport, golf in particular.  Though North Greenville College had offered her a scholarship first, she chose to sign with Limestone College.

“I chose Limestone because they have my major, the campus is really pretty, there’s things around the campus to do… and just [because of] the golf aspect,” explains Burke.

Burke feels that playing golf for Brashier has greatly prepared her for playing golf in college.

“…being able to play boy’s golf and having a tougher competition was really… helpful,” says Burke.

Burke was able to develop a skill that didn’t go unnoticed. Representative of Limestone College Nick Biershenk chose Burke for many reasons.

“…she’ll bring leadership… a hard-working mentality… athleticism… and she brings a lot of competitive drive,” says Biershenk.

Burke has already brought a new inspiration and drive to other athletes. 

“It’s [Meghan’s signing] definitely shown me that when you work hard enough your dreams can come true and [it] makes me want to work harder,” says Freshman Golfer Bella Harris.

Burke will also bring much recognition to Brashier, according to Principal Mike Sinclair.

“Meghan’s… breaking the ice,” says Sinclair.

Meghan’s mother Laurie Burke feels the same way.

“… I think it’s going to bring a lot of attention to the possibility of going further than high school sports for this school,” says Laurie Burke.

And now, because of her great achievement, Meghan has set a standard for future classes to come.

“My goal is that each class tries to achieve something different from the last class,” says Sinclair.

But what kinds of things will Burke achieve?

“I know that there’s… hopefully a national championship in my future and in Limestone’s future,” says Burke.

Biershenk agrees.

“…I think we can go on to win a conference championship and maybe a national championship one day with her.”

Track and field is a sport consisting of multiple events that challenge the human body. There are three event categories for track and field: track events, field events, and combined events. There is sprinting, hurdling, jumping, pole vaulting, and throwing.

But, to start a track and field team it requires overcoming some obstacles.  

“We don’t have a track, a pole vaulting mat, sticks, shot put, or discus. It costs a lot of money, which our Sports Program does not have at the time,” says Athletic Director Beau Bibb.

Although Brashier is lacking equipment, Bibb has thought about adding the sport.

“Yes we have thought of it. But with our current Spring Sports, we are pretty much stretched to the limit with kids being able to play,” Bibb adds.

However, there are some students who are interested in the possibility.

“I would try out if we had a team,” says Sophomore Ethan Lomas.

“I would maybe join it if we had a team,” says Junior Addison Hughes.

Along with the Athletic Department, Social Studies Teacher Chantee Cruell has offered to help with the possible program.

“I think it would be another outlet for the students,” says Cruell .

Cruell ran track in high school, and she thinks it would be beneficial to BMC to start a team.

“I enjoyed the competition against other schools. I loved running and was very good. I didn’t pursue it in college due to the fact I ran for fun.”

So while the chance of getting a team is slim, the idea is still on the table.

 “There is a possibility. At this time, it is very unlikely. But, over the next few years we will pursue any leads on tracks and equipment,” Bibb adds.

Next year, Brashier will be moving regions: from section 1 of single A to section 2. Some of the other schools in this region are: Greenville Technical Charter High School, Greer Middle College, Christ Church Episcopal School, Southside Christian School, St. Joseph’s Catholic School,  and for some sports, the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind.

Athletes at Brashier are excited and nervous about the change.

“Our region is going to get harder in just about every sport,” said Sophomore Vince Sims.

Sophomore Dallis Kennedy said, “It will definitely be a challenge, but it will make the athletes step up their game, and the fans become more competitive.”

According to Sinclair, he had no part in this decision. The High School League realignment committee made the change.  This is the first time that Brashier Middle College has switched regions; before now Brashier has always been in section 1.

At Brashier Middle College, attendance to sports events has been less than impressive. Many students have conflicts outside of school, live too far away, or just have no interest in coming. But, students have expressed much larger interest in attending once Brashier has changed regions.

Sophomore Sierra Singh said, “I’ll probably come more because the games will be more important.”

Principal Mike Sinclair says, “This change will help a lot. We won’t have to travel as far to games, so we’ll save fuel money, and more students will come to the games because they’ll be closer to home and they might know people from the other schools.”

Most students at Brashier say that they will attend games more often once Brashier changes regions. They feel that the change will have a positive impact on the school overall. However, Sims pointed out a drawback of the switch.

“I think that attendance will decrease because we will probably lose more games,” said Sims.

Hearing this comment, Kennedy was quick to disagree. “I have friends that say they won’t come because they know we will lose. Personally, I think that’s a stupid reason. I will definitely attend more.”

Senior HT Warren says, “I was really disappointed in Clemson. I think everyone was.”

“I always watch the Super Bowl,” Junior Jake Torres says.

“I love NFL,” says Junior Ryan Wright.

The loyal fans paint their skin in passionate colors, they scream at their TV, they cry when they lose, and they cry when they win. These are the loyal fans to the sport, who have hearts as big as footballs. But almost any fan has a special team in their heart.

“Obviously the Dallas Cowboys, because they’re America’s team,” Wright says.

“I like the Panthers,” says Junior Colleen Bresette.

“I like the Carolina Panthers because they are exciting to watch,” Freshman Tommy Sanders says.

Many sports commentators have their professional opinions on what teams will make it to the Super Bowl. However, Brashier Middle College has its own Super Bowl picks.

“My pick for the Super Bowl is the Green Bay Packers because Aaron Rodgers is doing work currently,” Wright adds.

“I think the Packers are going to repeat because I think they are the best team in the league,” Sanders says.

The Super Bowl is one of the biggest televised events; people watch it for many different reasons. Whether it is for the commercials, the spirit of the game, or to make bets, people are always making commotion about the big game.

“I love watching the two teams face off for the title,” says Wright.

“I like the commercials,” Bresette adds.

“I like seeing the two best teams in the league compete for the championship,” Sanders says.

Some students at Brashier would like to see more opportunities in athletics, and Freshman Jacob Cavett is trying to start a new sport at Brashier. Cavett started a Facebook post with Brashier students interested in a tennis team. He’s working to get a team started soon, in order to play this school year. He has a list of interested students, but he says a team needs more than interest.

“The [tennis] team would require a coach, many interested students, a place to practice, and competitors,” Cavett said.

Athletic Director Beau Bibb described some requirements for a new sports, saying, “I have to find a coach and make sure the team meets the requirements of a high school league.”

Not all 1A schools have a tennis team, but a fellow charter high school is well into a tennis season. The Greer Middle College Blazers have both a girl’s tennis team in the fall, and a boy’s tennis team in the spring, according to the Greer Middle College website.

When asked how this affects his opinion of Brashier not having a tennis team, Cavett said, “I feel that this shows that schools like Brashier are perfectly capable of having tennis teams.” The Blazers compete in over fourteen matches in the girl’s fall season, with matches against St. Joseph’s Catholic School, Christ Church, Blue Ridge, and other local high schools.

Bibb commented on the athletics at Brashier, saying, “For a 1A [school], we’re pretty competitive, with the exception of football obviously.”

Freshman Cross Country runner Elizabeth Conroy says Brashier has some room for improvement, saying, “We’re such a small school.  I mean we’re not terrible, but we could definitely improve.”

Although size does matter, Cavett is thinking about budget, saying, “It[the athletic budget] could be a problem because Brashier may not have enough money. However, we could host fundraisers to raise money.”

Brashier athletes enjoy Cross Country, Golf, Softball, Basketball, Soccer, and even Yoga, but a majority of the students would like to see other sports.

Conroy says that a tennis team might not affect  her, but it would be nice for those who do play. “I don’t play tennis. I mean it would be a good opportunity for those who do play. It would be a chance for those who do play to get scholarships.”

Freshman Kate Earle has two years of previous tennis experience and would like a tennis team at school. “A Brashier tennis team would allow me to play in a team environment with our school.”

Starting a tennis team not only would allow previous tennis players to get involved, but other Brashier students as well.

“I might try new sports,” says Freshman Lauren Avila.

Cavett wishes he could start the team himself, but knows it’s more than he as a student can handle. “While I can’t start the team, I could greatly help out and devote myself to it.”

Anyone interested in becoming involved in a Brashier Tennis Team should contact Jacob Cavett by going to the Brashier Middle College Facebook Group.

Most people who play golf play their Driver off the tee, but BMC’s number 5 player Junior Caitlan Stevens said she liked her “Driver, because  I like the sound it makes when I hit it.”

The Bengals beat the Blazers for their first win of the season with Burke shooting the low score for the day of a 44.

This week the Bengals are playing Ware Shoals at Ware Shoals. Sophomore Abby Lothridge who is number 4 on the golf team thinks this match will be hard, “Because of the Ware Shoals girl who’s crazy good.”

The Bengals currently have one win and one loss.  “We will have more wins than losses,” said BMC’s former Girl’s Golf Coach Kristin Hill.

“I saw a local program on the news that talked about a man named Beau Welling… and by the way, he decided he was gonna start a curling club in South Carolina,” says Wiggins.

And as a curler would say, she’s been throwing rocks through houses ever since.  In other words, she’s been brought back to her passion of curling.  Not only has The Palmetto Curling Club brought back former curlers, but it has also sparked a new interest in the sport in the Upstate.

“[Curling is] normally a winter sport… played on ice… you play with teams of four against each other…” explains Michel Plante, a member of The Palmetto Curling Club’s Board of Directors.

To elaborate, curling is played on pebbled ice as opposed to slick hockey ice.  It can be compared to shuffleboard and bowling put together.  One player slides a 44 pound stone down the ice, and two other players sweep in front of the stone to cause it to slide faster if necessary.  The goal of the game is to get your stone into the middle of a target, called the house.  And according to Curling Club members, it’s very enjoyable.

“…[it’s a] fun sport,” Plante says.

“It takes all of my physical as well as mental talents,” says Wiggins.

In April of 2010, Beau Welling started The Palmetto Curling Club in Greenville. His interest in curling began when he was in high school.

“I was a sports fanatic and all of a sudden here’s a sport that I’ve never heard of… [and] it’s in the Olympics,” recalls Welling.
Welling became fascinated with the sport to the point where he wanted to start his own team.  His fascination was only fed even more while he worked in Canada for a period of time.

“I would joke with my Canadian colleagues that I was gonna form the redneck curling team and that it was gonna be the biggest thing since the Jamaican bobsled team,” Welling says.

And, even though Welling didn’t form a team, his Curling Club has helped to raise awareness of the sport.  Because of its popularity in the Olympics, the sport of curling itself has also become more recognized, even by students and faculty at Brashier.

“I think it’s a really cool sport to watch,” says Athletic Director and P.E. Teacher at Brashier Beau Bibb.   “…it’s neat what they do and how they do it…”

“…it’s not like any other sport where you throw a ball or kick a ball or pass a ball or hit a ball… it takes more skill than doing something with a ball,” says Junior Bradley Biera.  “…it deserves to be there [in the Olympics].”

Senior Shelby White disagrees.

“I kind-of think it’s a waste of time… I feel like you could be doing something a lot more strenuous,” says White.

For more information about The Palmetto Curling Club, check out  http://palmettocurling.com/.