COACHES OF THE MONTH SPOTLIGHTS

Each month, the Eagle Mountain Saginaw ISD Athletic Department will recognize a coach for his/her accomplishments in the classroom, on the field, and in the community. The recipient will receive a free pizza and drink courtesy of MOD Pizza. "Our coaches work hard on the field and in the classroom with our students and student-athletes," Athletic Director Brent Barker said. "We wanted to recognize them for their hard work and dedication to EMS ISD Athletics and thank you to MOD Pizza for sponsoring this."

MAY 2023

Boswell Head Softball Coach Carrie Stidham is the May Spotlight Coach of the Month.
“This is so cool. So many times, we are judged by our wins and losses,” she said. “But to know that the hard work that we all put in, not just me but my entire staff and my team put in is greatly appreciated and this means a lot,”
The Lady Pioneers had a young team this year, featuring five seniors (three starters), and a freshman pitcher. They overcame a 4-12 start, to take second in District 3-6A and secured a bi-district championship, area championship, and were regional quarterfinal finalists. They ended the year 20-13 overall.
“The talent was there, we just hadn’t figured out our path,” she said. “I’m a firm believer in positive reinforcement, and we just needed to stay the course, play our game and not get sucked into playing somebody else’s game. Most importantly, I told them to enjoy what we get to do and have fun. When we have fun, magic happens.”
Starting out 0-2 is never ideal in a tough 3-6A district, but a few tweaks and adjustments and the Lady Pioneers went on a tear, winning 16 of their final 19 games.
“Offensively, I have never coached a team that has been that offensively sound from 1-11,” Coach Stidham said. “I say 1-11, but I had two bench players that contributed every time they were called upon. Defensively, I think we were one of the best in the district.”
Now the focus turns to next year. Of the five seniors, the entire right side of the field is graduating, but there are several players that the coaching staff is confident will help step in and fill the void.
“Coach Stidham and her staff did an outstanding job all season,” Campus Coordinator Wes Weaver said. “They took a young group of girls and went three rounds into the playoffs against a tough district slate. All of the girls competed to their utmost, and that is a reflection of Coach Stidham and her staff.” 

APRIL 2023

Boswell High School Boys Gymnastics Coach Jimmy Averitte and Girls Gymnastics Coach Candice Vincent were the Coaches of the Month for April.
Coach Averitte has been at Boswell since 2000, and Coach Vincent since 2014.
“It’s a really great honor to receive this,” Coach Averitte said. “It means a lot that my peers think I’m doing a great job and think highly of me for this award.”
“Our campus coordinators are also coaches, and doing the same things that we’re doing. It’s special and means a lot to be recognized for all of our hard work,” Coach Vincent said.
The state meet took place last weekend, and Boswell placed in the top 10, with the girls and boys both taking ninth place.
Both coaches spoke beforehand about how proud of their teams and the work they put in all year long.
The Pioneers and Lady Pioneers both had outstanding seasons. The boys finished in the top three nine times, including third place at regionals defeating Trinity by 0.2 points to qualify for the state meet. The girls had top three finishes in all their meets this year, including a first-place finish at the Railroad Rumble against Saginaw and Chisholm Trail, a district championship, and a third-place finish at regionals.
“Coach Averitte and Coach Vincent do a great job with their programs,” Campus Coordinator Wes Weaver said. “We always field competitive teams that are among the strongest in the region. They do a great job of taking kids who arrive at Boswell with various levels of experience and mold them into a team.” 

MARCH 2023

Boswell Head Baseball Coach Josh Stone is the March Spotlight Coach of the Month.
“I am thankful to have campus coordinators in Coach {John} Reese, Coach {Wes} Weaver and formerly Coach {John} Abendschan that take note of our staff’s work and success,” Coach Stone said. “It makes our job easier when you have supportive coordinators that have your program’s best interest in mind.”
The Pioneer baseball team has been riding a hot streak, winning 12 of their last 15 games, including going 5-0 in the Crowley ISD Tournament leading up to spring break, and the start of district play. Their only losses in that time frame were to a scrappy Paschal team, and Brewer.
“Since the loss to Brewer, we’ve been playing really clean baseball,” Coach Stone said. “Our pitchers have done a great job at whenever guys were on base, or an error was committed, they turned the page and didn’t let that affect them.”
Stone spoke about the schedule, and how many close ballgames they won, which he said will help them down the stretch.
“For me, this is awesome to see because we do have some young guys in our lineup and on our pitching staff,” he said. “In a heat of the moment situation with runners on base, I’m not afraid to hand the ball to a younger guy, because I know he will go out and compete.”
Boswell is off to a 3-2 start, and Stone knows it will be an extremely competitive District 3-6A, having to play their best to get a win. Their number one goal is to win a district championship, and then he says, they will worry about the playoffs, but right now, they’re taking it one day at a time.
“Coach Stone does a fantastic job of connecting with kids in baseball, and throughout the building,” Campus Coordinator Wes Weaver said. “He has a clear plan that he implements in baseball and has excellent attention to detail as a leader of that program.  We are lucky to have him here at Boswell.”

FEBRUARY 2023

Boswell Head Girls Soccer Coach Kristin Williams is the February Spotlight Coach of the Month. 
Coach Williams is in her first year at Boswell, and brought with her a wealth of knowledge on the sport of soccer. 
“I am so proud of the girls, and the work they have put in this year,” she said. “The work they have put in has reflected their play on the field. I think they feel themselves growing as players. These girls deserve every bit of success, and I believe we will close out the season with some victories.” 
With the season winding down, Coach Williams expects them to take some points from their opponents. She noted several games where they were unlucky, and either went to penalty kicks, or gave up a goal in the final minutes of regulation. 
“From the off-season when I first started to now has been night and day,” she said. “I remember in the summer thinking that we had some work to do, but now I can see how much they believe in what they can do. Every aspect of their game has gotten better.” 
Boswell has four games left and is looking to get some wins and carry the momentum into next season. 
“Kristin {Williams} is a go getter, and her intensity and passion can be seen through her kid’s growth and development. Assistant Campus Coordinator John Reese said. “She continues to challenge them to be their best and has made great strides this season.” 

JANUARY 2023

Boswell Head Boys Track and Field Coach and Football Offensive Coordinator Wes Weaver is the January Spotlight Coach of the Month.
On the gridiron this fall, Weaver assisted in guiding the Pioneers to a district runner-up finish in a competitive 3-6A district, and a berth in the state playoffs. 
“This award is very nice, and I’m so appreciative of my campus coordinators,” Coach Weaver said. “It’s nice to know that I’m having an effect on the program in a positive way, and that’s why I do this. I want to have a positive effect on our student athletes.” 
Now the focus turns to off-season football, and making a run at the district title next year. 
“Off-season has gone very well, the guys are working hard, and they’re bought in on what we’re doing and what we want to accomplish,” Coach Weaver said. “A lot of these guys are multi-sport athletes, competing in powerlifting, track, etc. and that’s great for us, and makes our school that much better.” 
While off-season workouts take place in the mornings, in the afternoons you can catch him getting the Pioneer Track and Field team ready for the season. 
“We have a lot of kids coming out this year,” he said. “Coach {Bryan} Ruiz has done a great job with the distance runners, and it looks like we’re going to have more kids participating than last year, and I’m excited to get out and watch them compete.” 
“Coach Weaver is the epitome of the Boswell spirit and pride,” Campus Coordinator John Abendschan said. “He played QB and basketball for the Pioneers, and was part of leading one of the biggest football upsets in school history ending Stephenville’s unbeaten streak here at Pioneer Stadium. Wes is a great teacher, leader, and Boswell is better because of him.”   

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

Boswell Head Volleyball Coach Rafael Lopez is the November/December Spotlight Coach of the Month. 
Coach Lopez has been with the Lady Pioneers since 2013, starting as an assistant coach, then taking over head coaching duties in 2017. He earned his 200th career victory as a head coach this year and has 166 wins and counting at Boswell. 
"We always set ourselves up with a tough tournament season," Coach Lopez said. "We had our ups and downs this season. I think the loss to Weatherford woke us up, and our seniors did a great job leading us all season long." 
Boswell is coming off their best season in 6A. They won 35 games, a share of the district title and advanced to the regional semi-finals defeating Eaton, El Paso Franklin and Byron Nelson in the first three rounds of the playoffs. They'll graduate eight seniors, which Coach Lopez said are a "special group."
"They have taken the Lady Pioneer Volleyball culture and made it a family," he said. "Our success was a result of their leadership. Out of all my years at Boswell, this team came together in a special way. They truly enjoyed each other's company and celebrated each other's successes. This entire team, and the coaching staff, made this year an amazing ride." 
Boswell will return several starters, key pieces and all-district players including defensive specialists Emerson Chadwell, and Alena Lopez, along with outside hitter Camille Middleton and middle blocker Keoni Williams, who broke the school record for blocks in a season last year. 
"Coach Lopez has set a standard of excellence in his program, and on campus," Campus Coordinator John Abendschan said. "Their expectation to succeed in all areas carries over to the court. Kids love playing for him, and it shows." 
"Coach Lopez continues to put a product on the floor that wins," added Assistant Campus Coordinator John Reese. "They are in contention every year, and his teams thrive during district play, and the playoffs. They are fun to watch!" 
The ladies are in off-season workouts, working with Strength and Conditioning Coaches James McCarry and Don Sommer as they prepare for next season.

OCTOBER 2022

Boswell Head Cross Country and Girls Track and Field Coach Bryan Ruiz is the October Spotlight Coach of the Month.
Coach Ruiz is in his first season at Boswell, and his first season at the helm couldn't have gone much better. The girls team had two first place finishes, and five total meets ended with them in the top 10. The Lady Pioneers also clinched their third straight district title. The boys had a first place finish and had four finishes as a team in the top 10. 
"This award feels good, and I've gotten a tremendous amount of support from our campus coordinators," Coach Ruiz said. "I appreciate them believing in me, and always helping me out when I needed it." 
At regionals, the Lady Pioneers took home eighth place (their highest finish in 6A), and Owen Bowles ran well. All of the runners improved upon their times throughout the season, and also ran better times than a season ago. 
"Coach Ruiz has taken the cross country program and raised the level even higher," Campus Coordinator John Abendschan said. "His work ethic, moral standards and positive outlook make him a cut above the rest." 
The focus now turns towards track and field season, but Coach Ruiz will not lose any seniors, as the girls cross country team will look to win their fourth straight title next season.

SEPTEMBER 2022

Boswell Women's Gymnastics Coach Candice Vincent is the September Spotlight Coach of the Month. 
She is in her ninth season as the gymnastics coach. Under her leadership, the Lady Pioneers have brought home five consecutive district championships; since 2017 they have finished no lower than third at Regionals (Boswell was the Regional Champion in 2019, after finishing second the prior two years) and finished in the top 10 at the State Gymnastics Meet for four consecutive years that included a second place finish in 2017, and third in 2018. Coach Vincent is a two-time regional coach of the year, and coached the first ever four time state gymnastics champion. She also coached the U.S. Senior National Team in 2019. 
"It is an honor to receive this award, because we have so many great coaches here on campus," she said. "We all work well together, and I love being here." 
The Lady Pioneers have eight returners from last season, and seven incoming freshmen on the 2022-23 team as they look to bring home another district championship, and advance to the state meet in a tough district, and region. 
"Candice has raised the gymnastics program to state level every season," Campus Coordinator John Abendschan said. "Her drive and relationships with kids are just a couple of reasons for her success. She makes Boswell better."

AUGUST 2022