The Durant High School Academic Team, coached by Jackie McMichael, is entering a competitive stretch of the season as they prepare for postseason play. “The Durant academic team is gearing up for the area tournament coming up in January,” McMichael said. “They’ve been putting in time studying and sharpening their math skills to be more competitive.” The team has embraced the challenge of conference competition, as McMichael noted, “The team has been enjoying conference play and has had several competitive match ups.” Their hard work has paid off early, as the team is “currently 8-2 as of the writing of this post.”
Leadership and consistency have played a major role in Durant’s success, highlighted by Caden Mussett. According to McMichael, “Caden always shows up and has the answers we need!” His impact has been especially evident in close contests, including a key early-season matchup. “He always scored the tiebreaker point needed to ensure we had the lead in a week three match up against Turner,” she said. McMichael added, “Caden is dedicated to making sure our team is successful.”
Looking toward the future, freshman Evan Schoeni has emerged as a standout underclassman. “Evan is a freshman who has shown he has the commitment to excel,” McMichael said. “He has surprised many with his knowledge and excitement for the game!”
The team’s culture is further strengthened by junior Stella Rhynes. McMichael described her as “a junior on the team who is always there when it counts and is ready to support her team the best she can.” She continued, “She volunteers to fill whatever role she’s needed in and is such a positive player.” In a demanding activity, McMichael emphasized, “In a sport that is very mentally challenge, it is so refreshing to see a player who is consistently shining!”
Support behind the scenes has also been vital, including Mom of the Month Jennifer Mussett. “Jennifer is a blessing to our team because she is always quietly supporting us,” McMichael said. “Whether it is snacks, drinks, or just a word of encouragement, she is always there ready to help.”
Durant’s senior leadership includes Carson Veenstra, “our captain and one of our top point earners. He is eager to win!” Kate Wallentine, the team’s co-captain, “constantly challenges herself to learn more.” Senior Kyric Lehrling “has been with us his entire high school career” and “does a great job juggling all he does!” Team manager Natalia Freeman is indispensable, as McMichael said, “Our team could not function without her!”
