Soccer Players Speak Out Against Coach Firing

By Trinity Thompson

Garinger soccer team players said today that they will quit the team because their coach was fired.  

Players received a letter from Dr. Gwaltney this morning during second block. The letter stated that “Coach Garrett will no longer be coaching for Garinger High School…Coach Eric Summerour, Garinger graduate and teacher, will take over as soccer coach immediately.”

Several of the players were called into the media center during second period. Dr. Gwaltney, Dr. Tornfelt,  Mr. Summerour, and the soccer players were all in there.  According to players at the meeting, team captain Heber Castro raised  his and said “I don’t want to play anymore.”

That’s when Coach Huggins asked who else wanted to quit and most of the soccer players raised their hands also, the players said.  

Dr. Gwaltney didn’t give them a reason as to why Coach Garret was fired.  As a rule, administration is not allowed to discuss personnel issues.

Senior Alfredo Flores, a varsity player, said, “I am really disappointed in the decision that Dr. Gwaltney made.  I really think it is unjust that she didn’t give us a reason behind it and just left it at that. But I do respect her for telling us and going up to us and meeting us, telling us what happened and the decision she made.”

At lunch, Dr. Tornfelt said, “I have realized that Dr. Gwaltney has made a decision, and that decision stands, and I recognize that there are aspects to the situation that are unfortunate. I do wish the soccer players would continue to play, and I know that they are making that choice not to stay.”

Alfredo said that he quit because “ Coach David Garrett has been there since I was a freshman, and he has truly made me grow not only as a player but as a person.”

“When you make decisions in life, you’ve got to own them and there’s going to be consequences to your decisions, regardless of who you are and what situation you’re in, ” Dr. Tornfelt said.

“I want our students to own their decisions and grow into mature young men. I love our soccer team. There are incredible guys on there and I just really want the best for them.”

Two Garinger athletes sign national letters of intent

Francisco Gonzalez and Tresor Mbuyu conversing before the big signing moment at Garinger February 4th, 2015.

By Deonte Kirkpatrick and Tanay Woodard

Two student athletes from Garinger High school signed their national letters of intent on February 4, 2015.

Tresor Mbuyu will be attending Division 1 Liberty University and Francisco Gonzales will be attending NAIA Montreat College, both for soccer.

Tresor Mbuyu earned All conference, All Region, All State, Charlotte Observer player of the year again and All American for Top Drawer Soccer and the NHSCAA. He scored 56 goals in his favor, making him the top scorer in the state.

Francisco Gonzalez racked up 24 saves and accumulated 2 shutouts this past season as goalie, helping his team to an overall 18-4-2 season.

Francisco Gonzalez (left) and Tresor Mbuyu (Right) Signing National letters of intent on February 4th, 2015 at Garinger High School.

Garinger’s first All-American

Tresor Mbuyu scores a goal in the second round of playoffs against Watauga HS.                                                                (photo by:tarheelsportsphotography)

Mbuyu warms up before the second round of playoffs.     (photo by:tarheelsportsphtography)

By Francisco Gonzalez
Earlier this season, senior Tresor Mbuyu was nominated for Top Drawer Soccer All American team and put on the watch list. On Friday October 24 he was officially named All American, making him the first All American at Garinger and the only player from North Carolina to be on the All American team for 2014. On Sunday December 7 the NSCAA, the official national soccer coaches association, also named Mbuyu “All American.”

“It wasn’t a surprise for me” said David Garrett, the Garinger varsity soccer coach, “Tresor is one of the best players I’ve seen… his passion and dedication make him what he is.”

Mbuyu had an outstanding season, beating his records from his previous season. Last season Mbuyu was all conference, all state, the Charlotte Observer’s Player of the year and had a total of 34 goals. This year Mbuyu earned All conference, All Region, All State, Charlotte Observer player of the year again and All American for Top Drawer Soccer and the NHSCAA. He scored 56 goals in his favor, making him the top scorer in the state.

“Its an honor to be nominated for All American and without my teammates I would have never made it to where I am this season.” Mbuyu takes great pride in his team, he said he knows its not just the individual achievements but the team effort  that counts.

The Wildcats made it to the third round of playoffs this year, the furthest any Garinger soccer team has ever made it. This being Mbuyu’s senior year, he hoped to win a state championship.Although the wildcats season came to a tragic end, as they lost 3-0 to the now state champions Reagan High, Mbuyu said he is proud of what they accomplished.

“I just wanted to finish the season off strong,” he says. With his high school season over and college recruiters on the hunt for Mbuyu, he says he hopes to be in college next year (he has a few offers already), continuing to do what he does best which is “playing the beautiful game of soccer.”

Support Soccer Saturday

The Garinger men’s soccer team will be playing TC Roberson in Asheville this Saturday, Sept. 13.

This is a big game to the  Wildcats because TC Roberson won state last year.

Garinger’s current record is 6-2-1 so make sure you go out to the game and support our Garinger Wildcats.

Admission is 5 dollars. – Misael Robles

Women’s 2014 soccer schedule

Date	Result	Time	Location
Wednesday, March 12, 2014	cancelled	5:30 p.m.	Vance
Tuesday, March 18, 2014	L 9-0	5:30 p.m.	Butler
Friday, March 21, 2014	W 4-1	5:30 p.m.	Rocky River
Tuesday, March 25, 2014	L 9-0	5:30 p.m.	Porter Ridge
Wednesday, March 26, 2014	L 9-0	5:30 p.m.	Vance
Friday, March 28, 2014		5:30 p.m.	Independence
Tuesday, April 1, 2014		5:30 p.m.	East Meck
Friday, April 4, 2014		5:30 p.m.	Myers Park
Thursday, April 10, 2014		5:30 p.m.	Butler
Tuesday, April 22, 2014		5:30 p.m.	Rocky River
Friday, April 25, 2014		5:30 p.m.	Porter Ridge
Tuesday, April 29, 2014		5:30 p.m.	Independence
Friday, May 2, 2014		5:30 p.m.	East Meck
Tuesday, May 6, 2014		5:30 p.m.	Myers Park

Pep-ing it up

By Dre’Quan Gibson

Commentary

Garinger High School is having the first ever pep squad for the 2013-2014 basketball season. Coach Dixon and Coach Coley are the masters behind the whole thing. They plan on having a student section that’s only allowed for students that currently attend Garinger. These students will have to be rowdy and very school spirited; the section will be known as “The Cat Cage.”
Big changes are being made at Garinger,  such as the amazing new gym that was just remodeled, and the pep squad is a great tag-along. In my opinion, this is a good look for the school, a very good way to look past our bad reputation. Every school year comes with a fresh start and this is definitely a fresh one. I believe this is a very swell idea because this supports our basketball team to play their hearts out every game. It will encourage more students and teachers to come out and support our Wildcats, as well as make sure that visitors know that they have just left Garinger and that our students are die-hard fans.

Some people may say that a pep squad is not a good idea because it could cause chaos at the games.  The idea that some students may possibly get in a dispute with another school is not necessarily true because students are expected to be mature and handle themselves appropriately.
So, every Garinger high school student should come to at least one high school and scream their lungs out for the team!

Wildcat named Player of the Year

By Jaden Jones

Garinger student Tresor Mbuyu was named the Charlotte Observer’s Player of the Year in men’s soccer. – Photo by Jaden Jones

From birth he was destined for greatness, one would say.

Charlotte Observer player of the year, Tresor Mbuyu, an all-state junior from Garinger High School, has achieved greatness all his life.

The future seems bright for the gifted young forward from Congo.
Moving from Congo at a young age of 13, Tresor had begun his interest in the sport of soccer. Tresor’s opportunity to play for the Garinger Wildcats has earned him the respect of his teammates and coach. When asked how he feels to have this amazing honor, Tresor simply replied, “I am thankful for having great players and this was the most amazing season I have ever had in my life.”

Tresor’s respect for  his teammates, peers, and his coach is enormous. “They’re proud of me and they were excited to win the conference but we didn’t win it all,” Tresor said.
Tresor was also asked about the other awards he has achieved over the years and how they compare to this award, and he simply answered, “It’s kind of the same, but this is my first time winning Player of the Year.”
Another question was asked about the support of Tresor’s friends, teammates, coaches, and family. He replied, “My coaches train me and I also train myself. My friends and family also help me train.” His motto is “I learn about life with a soccer ball at my feet.”
Tresor’s father also impacts him on and off the field.

“My dad helps me with training and he also helps me with staying in school,” he said.

With the awareness of his future approaching, Tresor has not yet made a choice of the college he would like to attend.  “I want to play for college and go play for the pros.”
Tresor was asked of his final thoughts over young his career. He replied, “Without God I would not be where I am now.”

Born to play

Tresor Mbuyu

By Vanessa Robles

As early as he can remember, he’s been touching a soccer ball.

His parents are proud of him and his dad attends every soccer game he can.

Throughout his life he’s been asked to go play in Europe, and he is only at an age of 16.

Playing as forward in his past and present teams, Tresor Mbuyu has always has of luck of scoring goals. Tresor says he doesn’t know what motivates his goals, he just scores them.

Coming from Congo at an age of 13, he started playing soccer there and still continues playing so he can grow in skill.

As of now, Tresor attends an academy named One7, where he has been honored to travel and play in  such games as the regionals in Virginia and nationals in Chicago.

Garinger High is the school Tresor attends. The school has also given him an opportunity to play in the school team.

“If I had to choose between school and soccer, I’d choose soccer,’’ claims Tresor. As a junior, he is close to graduation and plans to play college soccer. Tresor is not decided on what college he wants to attend but he’s sure that he wants to make it to college.

His favorite player, a Brazilian named Lucas Moura Rodrigues, is also a part of his inspiration.

At the end of a game, Tresor’ s dad gives him words of inspiration, such as “you did great, I’m proud of you son,” and that is what touches him the most, Tresor said.. The emotion after each win touches Tresor as well as his coaches, family and friends.

‘’It simply did not take countless hours of training, money, extra time, etc… For me to be a good player somehow I learned all about life and the game with a ball at my feet,’’ he said.

Soccer streak still in effect

First row, from left: Coach Kyle Hunt,  6. Christian Ortiz, 11. Hussein Arsene , 00. Francisco Gonzales, 20. Jesus Ramos, 1. Erick Ortiz, 10. Tresor Mbuyu, Coach David Garrett. Second row, from left: 12. Juan David Vanegas, 5. Sergio Alvarado-Garcia, 3. Juan Carlos Ramirez, 9. Ruben Patino, 7. Jose Vanegas Cruz, 15. Eduardo Morales, 13. Shalom Dutey 4. Oscar Castro

The Garinger Wildcats soccer team won Wednesday’s (Oct. 9)away conference game against Porter Ridge by a score of 3-2.

The Wildcats were losing during the first half 2-0.

Their comeback began in the second half in the last 10 minutes.

Shalom Dutey   scored the  first goal,  Jose Vanegas  score the second, and Tresor Mbuyu scored the winning goal in the last minute of the game, giving the Wildcats another victory to take home.

Overall, he Garinger Wildcats men’s soccer team has had an amazing season so far. The  team has won every match that they have played.

Goalkeeper Francisco Gonzalez has shut out all but 11 balls. The offense has scored a total of  110 goals.

the last game wildcats played at East Meck the score was 6-3. Wildcats was winning first half of the game 4-1 and second half East Meck score two goals. but the game wwasn’t over Tresor he come in and he score two amazing goals and garinger take the victor home.

The Wildcats also are ranked 13th nationally, eighth in state rankings 3 and first in NC Class 4A, according to maxpreps.com

The Wildcats’ next game is 6 p.m.   (Oct. 21) at Myers Park.

Schedule

Date Result Opponent Time 08/19 W 5 – 0 Hopewell (Huntersville, NC) 5:30pm 08/22 W 5 – 0 @ Hickory (Hickory, NC) 6:00pm 08/24 W 7 – 0 Hickory Ridge (Harrisburg, NC) 4:00pm 08/26 W 4 – 0 West Mecklenburg (Charlotte, NC) 5:30pm 08/28 W 6 – 0 @ Vance (Charlotte, NC) 5:30pm 09/03 W 9 – 0 Sun Valley (Monroe, NC) 5:30pm 09/04 W 9 – 0 Harding University (Charlotte, NC) 5:30pm 09/09  W 4-0 @ Butler (Matthews, NC) 6:00pm 09/10  W 9-0 @ North Mecklenburg (Huntersville, NC) 6:30 pm 9/11 W 10-1 Rocky River (Mint Hill) 6:30 p.m 9/16 w 6-1 @Porter Ridge 6:00 p.m 9/18 W 2-1 @Independence 6:00pm 9/23  w 3-1 @East Mack 6:00pm 9/25  w 4-1 @Myers park 6:00pm 10/02  w 4-2 Butler (Matthews, NC) 6:00pm 10/04  w 4-2 @ Central Academy (Monroe, NC) 6:30pm 10/7  w 8-0 Rocky River 6 p.m. 10/9  W 3-2 @ Porter 6 p.m. 10/14  w 2-1 @ Independence 6 p.m. 10/16  W 6-3 @ East Mecklenburg 6 p.m. 10/21 @ Myers Park (Charlotte, NC) 6:00pm

Roster

Coaches:  David Garrett, Kyle Hunt

#	Name	Position	Grade
1	Francisco Gonzalez	GoalKeeper	Jr.
4	Oscar Castro	Defender	So.
5	Sergio Alvarado Garcia	Defender	Sr.
6	Christian Ortiz	Midfielder	So.
7	Jose Vanegas	Forward	Sr.
8	Juan Ramirez	Midfield, Forward	Sr.
9	Ruben Patino	Midfielder	So.
10	Tresor Mbuyu (C)	Forward	Jr.
11	Hussein Arsene	Forward	Sr.
13	Juan David Vanegas	Midfielder	Jr.
14	Eduardo Morales	Defender	Sr.
15	Juan Carlos Ramirez	Defender	So.
17	Shalom Dutey	Midfielder	So.
19	Erick Ortiz	Midfielder	Fr.
20	Jesus Ramos Beltran	GoalKeeper	Fr.

 

Garinger Varsity Men’s Football Schedule – Fall 2013

 

Date	Result	Opponent	Time
08/23	L  55 – 0	@ Hopewell (Huntersville, NC)	7:00pm
08/30	L 27 – 8	Harding University (Charlotte, NC)	7:00pm
09/06		@ West Mecklenburg (Charlotte, NC)	7:00pm
09/12		@ Vance (Charlotte, NC)	TBA
09/27		@ Butler (Matthews, NC)	7:00pm
10/04		@ Rocky River (Mint Hill, NC)	7:00pm
10/11		Porter Ridge (Indian Trail, NC)	7:00pm
10/18		@ Independence (Charlotte, NC)	TBA
10/25		East Mecklenburg (Charlotte, NC)Garinger Home Coming	TBA
11/01		Myers Park (Charlotte, NC)	TBA
11/08		@ Concord (Concord, NC)	7:30pm

Garinger Varsity Men’s Basketball Schedule – Winter 2013

 

Coach: Joshua Coley

Date	Result	Opponent	Time
11/19		Hopewell (Huntersville, NC)	7:00pm
11/21		@ Harding University (Charlotte, NC)	7:00pm
11/26		North Mecklenburg (Huntersville, NC)	7:00pm
11/30		Grimsley (Greensboro, NC)	12:00pm
12/03		West Mecklenburg (Charlotte, NC)	7:00pm
12/06		@ Weddington (Matthews, NC)	7:00pm
12/10		@ East Gaston (Mt. Holly, NC)	7:00pm
12/13		@ Butler (Matthews, NC)	7:00pm
12/17		@ Rocky River (Mint Hill, NC)	7:00pm
12/19		Porter Ridge (Indian Trail, NC)	7:00pm
12/27		TBA	TBA
12/28		TBA	TBA
12/30		TBA	TBA
01/07		@ Independence (Charlotte, NC)	7:00pm
01/10		East Mecklenburg (Charlotte, NC)	7:00pm
01/17		Myers Park (Charlotte, NC)	7:00pm
01/18		@ Hillside (Durham, NC)	5:00pm
01/24		Butler (Matthews, NC)	7:00pm
01/28		Rocky River (Mint Hill, NC)	7:00pm
01/31		@ Porter Ridge (Indian Trail, NC)	7:00pm
02/04		Independence (Charlotte, NC)	7:00pm
02/07		@ East Mecklenburg (Charlotte, NC)	7:00pm
02/11		@ Myers Park (Charlotte, NC)	7:00pm

Wildcat baseball struggles to score

Ma'Lik Berginer stands in front of Garinger's baseball field. Photo by Demetri Johnson.

By Ma’Lik Berginer
Baseball has been a struggle at Garinger High School.
For the past four years we have won a total of 14 baseball games. Year after year it has been loss after loss.
At times, we were led to believe that it was the players who were disobedient and disrespectful. But that wasn’t the case. Since I arrived at Garinger when I was a sophomore, I have realized many things. I witnessed some coaches who didn’t want their players to succeed, some teachers who wouldn’t teach and much more.
The sad part about the start of this season is the fact that we did not get a coach until four days before our first game, and we had a total of three practices.
That is not fair when there are other teams who have been practicing all year to prepare, yet we have three days to get it together.
Coach Lorenzo Graves said he saw “some hard working players who give their all…I hope the best for them.”
Next year, he plans to start training early.
“We will win. Best believe that,” he said.
Yes, the odds have been stacked against students who go to Garinger High School, especially sports wise, but I also have seen athletes make it out of here and become something great.
Take me for example. I’m going to N.C. State as a red-shirted walk-on for the football team. Darius Dobson is going to Wingate University, Kemmi Pettway is going to UNC Chapel Hill and Donquarious Howie is going to UNC Charlotte.
In the future, I think Garinger students will have a better chance at success. Maybe not this year, maybe not next year but in four years it will become a completely different environment here at Garinger High School.
I see the change happening now, so I look forward to seeing what’s next.
I hope it all changes for the best.

From struggle comes strength: Wildcat football

By Demitri Johnson and Yahya Abdur-Razzaq

In the past four years, the Wildcat football team has won 12 out of 40 games, has had four different head coaches, and just last season fell 0-9.
Many people believe that the Wildcat football program is a joke; other teams tend to schedule them for homecoming in order to have an easy win.
Well, this upcoming season, they plan to turn that around.
The Wildcats are lead by coaches Alston (Head Coach), Pope (Asst. Head Coach), Stovall (Offensive coordinator), and Brumfield, Neeley, Scott and Jordan (DB and Line coaches), who all have a strong ambition for winning.
They are trying to change the morale here at Garinger.
“We must have structure, discipline, commitment, effort, knowledge, courage, wisdom and intensity in order to become a winning program,” Coach Pope said.
The Wildcats are not only concerned about winning games; they are also concerned about the community and establishing more school sprit here at Garinger.
“We plan to have cookouts and raffles to get more people in the stands,” Pope explained.
The one advantage that this team has is that it has a good core group of players returning, mostly lineman that plan to have a major impact.
Lineman who were the Achilles heel of the team last year plan to turn that around this season.
The Wildcats have a bad taste in their mouth, one that they will never forget and hope to never taste again.
Will this be the season that the Wildcats turn it around, or will it just be another fail?

If you want to be part of the positive change on the football field, the team holds practice every Monday through Thursday after school. The coaches ask that you have your grades intact and come ready to work.

The woman behind Kemmi’s success

Kemmi Pettway poses for camera as the sun hits his face

By Pedro Segundo
“It’s very easy to work hard when you’ve got someone pushing you,” said Kemmi Pettway.
From a very early age, Kemmi has been pushed: pushed by life, pushed by his coaches, but most importantly, pushed by his mother.
His mother is the person who always saw something special in him, the person who would push him to be better than the rest and the person who would motivate him at the hardest of times.
From a very early age, Kemmi saw struggles in life, and everything he has experienced and gone through is what defined his character and the person he is today.
Kemmi, 18 and a senior at Garinger, remembers when his mother took him to work with her. He remembers when he had to spend eight hours waiting in the booths while his mother worked in a fast food restaurant.
His mother bought him the first football he ever owned.
“She always pushed me to be better than the rest, not just average,” Kemmi recalled recently. Even when things were not looking good for him, at times when he felt like giving up, he never did because his mother motivated to keep going, to keep trying and not give up.
That perseverance has finally paid off. Earlier this year, Kemmi was accepted to UNC Chapel Hill, where he will play football and major in business. The Charlotte Observer featured his successes in a Sunday article in February, explaining how a recruiter visited Garinger to sign him on.
Being recognized on the field – and in the media – were two of Kemmi’s long term goals.
Education, however, always comes first.
“School is my priority; football was just a way for me to get into college without having to worry my mom about college loans,” he said.

His mother is still paying her college loans to this day.
To put it simple, his mother is his role model because she pushed him to be what he is today. Now that he is off to Carolina, his motto is “Work hard or stay home.”

Fierce wrestlers never fear

By Carolina Alvarado

The Rambler

 
Pushing yourself to limits, being strong, not giving up, and knowing you can do it. This is how hard of an effort Garinger’s wrestling team puts into their training and preparing for the final battle.

 We are strong, not afraid, and have confidence in each other. We work hard on the mat, but we also work together to help one another get to where we need to, and be better than before.

 We are like family, a strong one.
After school, we train for about three hours, with only two breaks in between. We work nonstop because we know that if we keep going, and set our minds to work hard, we will do it.

 We learn our weaknesses and our strengths, and we work on becoming better.

 We give each other support to not give up, and push ourselves hard. If you don’t try, or put effort in training, then you shouldn’t be there because we are willing to work hard and you are not.

Wrestling can be fun, and enjoyable, but you need to make it happen, and put everything you got out there.
“You need to set your mind on trying, and not stopping until you are finished,” said Coach Ingram.
“We are like brothers and sisters, help each other,” added Coach Davidson.

Garinger’s next wrestling match is on Tuesday, December 4, 2012 at West Charlotte High School.

Team Members and their nicknames”

Terrell Thompson-Bell: “psycho”
Corey Atkins: “smack”
DeShawn Patterson “scrappy”
Terrence Thompson: “radio”
Quay Howie: “The Enforcer”
Brandon Addison: “Green bean”
Jarvey Gomez: “Free bird”
Roberto Garcia: “The ringer”
Tarik Metwaly: “Sandman”
Carolina Alvarado