1. Choctaw Fall Athletics Preview
Fall is in the air, which undeniably means pumpkin spice lattes, flannels, and Choctaw
game day! Fall sports are in full throttle and the Choctaws are better than ever. Our male and
female athletes will be pushed to their fullest potential, competing in a higher level bracket now
that we’re Division 2.
With MC’s athletic department expanding, Coach Michael Shumaker, Randal Pharr, and
Matt Frederick make up our newest strength and conditioning program. Each athletic team will
be in the weight room, weekly, to enhance their performance, targeting muscles and techniques
specifically to their sport in preparation for the upcoming season.
“I WILL” is the Choctaw football team’s moto, signifying each individual player’s
commitment and dedication to the team and themselves. Head coach John Bland put up a poster
in the football locker room and field house reminding the team what “I WILL” stands for.
“1. I will – give great effort in the classroom. 2. I will – promote a positive image. 3. I
will – prepare to win.”
Bland will be entering into his first year coaching at MC this season, with high praises
and expectations for his team. “We have a good group of hard workers with positive attitude,”
said Bland, “It makes it enjoyable as a coach.”
Returning quarterback Jonathan Redd is expected to have a good senior year, coming
back to camp stronger than before and withholding great leadership skills. With lots of new
players on the offensive line, MC football faces the lack of depth that they need if injuries occur.
But, Bland believes the team will, “continue to grow all season and be the best we can be.”
The Choctaw’s first home football game will be held this Saturday, September 13 at 7 pm
against North Alabama.
Being uncertain how his team’s season is going to play out, head coach Kevin Johns of
the men’s soccer team is confident that he has solid players.
“We knew what to expect in previous years but now it’s a whole new year with whole
new opponents,” admits Johns, “The season is a question mark for the staff, players, and
program.”
Bringing in more than 40 new players and the change to Division 2, the men’s soccer
team’s goal is to be competitive in the Gulf South Conference and make it to the NCAA
nationals just as they did last season. In previous seasons, the Choctaw’s were regular season
champions and conference champions last year.
With such a new team, MC’s men’s coaching staff, made up of Kevin Johns, Carl Sheard,
Allen Hannon, and Emerson Negrete look forward to the challenge.
Their next home game will be September 16, following the Lady Choctaw women’s
soccer game, starting at 2 pm.

2. Coach Daryl Longabaugh is entering into his 18th year coaching the Lady Choctaws, but
his first year as a Division 2 coach. Simply put, when asked about the goal of this team’s season,
Longabaugh said, “to win.” The Lady Choctaws will be working toward making it to post season
in NCAA, and hopefully to nationals.
Having a majority of upper classmen make up the team, new records could be set this
season by senior, outside forward, Macey Lee and senior, midfielder, Melanie Benner. Lee is
nine goals away from breaking Jennifer Benson’s school record for most goals in a career, while
separating the all-time assist record from Benner is just five.
This season the Choctaws have also acquired three international players which
Longabaugh has high hopes for, “These girls can play good soccer,” said Longabaugh regarding
Sayit Mejia Bello, Eri Unai, and Caitlin Hayes.
The biggest addition to the soccer program, in Longabaugh’s opinion, is the strength and
conditioning. “Weight training is making the girls stronger,” said Longabaugh, “and the stronger
we are the better we’ll be.”
The men’s and women’s track and cross country coach, Butch Ard, unlike the other
sports, knows what to expect this season.
“Every meet the Choctaws and Lady Choctaws run against are Division 1, Division 2, or
NAIA so our schedule and the runners we run against won’t change,” explained Ard, “The only
difference is now we’ll be more talented and have five or six that will be able to score well.”
Having 13 girl runners, 11 of which are freshmen with only two seniors, the expectations
for this season are unknown.
Despite the newness of the Lady Choctaw team, senior runners Meredith Johnson and
Mallory Montgomery show great leadership and example, both going to nationals last year.
“Meredith is running very, very well right now,” said Ard, “She’s a great leader on the team.”
Complimentary of Mallory, Ard said, “She is running better this year than ever since she’s been
here. She’s also helping a lot with the freshmen.”
Coach Ard is in the least bit concerned about the male Choctaw runners. Finishing
twentieth in the nation last year, and mainly being made up of freshmen, this year five runners
return from that nationally ranked team as well as adding on three “really good freshmen guys,”
said Ard, “So our guys’ team is really good.”
The cross country team’s next home meet is October 3, at 4:30 pm at the Choctaw Trails.
“The make-up of this team will be better than previous years. Bringing in a scholar athlete will
be fun to watch,” excitedly said head coach Peter Cosmiano of the Lady Choctaw volleyball
team.
Equally having the same amount of returning players as new comers, Cosmiano is also
excited to have some height on the team as well as experience. The Lady Choctaws and
volleyball will be setting their team’s objective this week but Cosmiano has own goals that each

3. member works as a team and is competitive. The Lady Choctaws will be hosting West Alabama
this Tuesday in the Coliseum and 7 pm.
Don’t forget to come out and support your school and show ‘em how to “DO IT LIKE A
CHOCTAW!”
Leslie Fallon