With a new school year comes new faces and opportunities. As El Cap begins the new year, there has been a sense of optimism and excitement surrounding the incoming staff and curriculum. Leading the high school and Jr. High this year will be Richard Campbell and Jeff Bertuzzi. Mr. Jeff is also the new ESS director.
El Cap has a variety of new elective opportunities and teachers, among whom are Billy Wright, former heavyweight boxer, and Kathleen Timpson, who cooked for the sports banquets last year. They will be teaching Agriscience and Culinary Arts respectively.
The social studies and history teacher, Michael Barca, will be teaching business management along with recreation sports. In this class, students will be able to go mountain biking, go off road riding, and hike around many trails. Along with that, Mr. Mic will be teaching the fundamentals of bushcraft and survival skills.
Another new course this year will be Journalism, taught by Derek Lange. This class will publish the school yearbook and regular articles about the school and district community, including sport events, school activities, and other happenings at El Capitan and Cottonwood elementary, such as the school improvements at both El Capitan and Cottonwood Elementary. The schools both benefited from major progress in construction with the completion of the new cafeteria at Cottonwood and the framing of El Capitan’s highly anticipated gymnasium.
Other new teachers at El Capitan and Cottonwood Elementary include Ms. Daisy, who is not only the new counselor at Cottonwood Elementary, but will also be teaching a Volleyball Class at the high school. Taylor Cole will be teaching math at the Jr. High while Summer Lee and Jubal Schneider will be teaching first and fifth grade respectively at Cottonwood Elementary. These new changes to our school have brought much enthusiasm for this coming year!
Eagles volleyball is coming off an electric season, and after tallying a 22-5 record, winning Region, and making it to the quarterfinals in last year’s state tournament, they hope to replicate their success this season. While the Lady Eagles will miss departing graduates Jaelynn Musser, Lexi Timpson, and Leta Hammon, they will be in great hands this year under the leadership of 6 standout seniors.
This season’s defensive specialists include senior Sabrina Naylor and Priscilla Black. Juniors Aiyana Hammon and Ruth Timpson will join senior Marissa Williams at Middle Blocker. Rotating as Outside Hitter will be seniors Adison Musser and Sarita Timpson with juniors Samantha Hammon and Priscilla Black. Right Side hitters will be standout seniors Ashlynn Hammon, Adison Musser, and Sarita Timpson. Setting for the Eagles will be Ashlyn and Alyssa Hammon while rotating at Libero will be Alyssa Hammon and Sabrina Naylor.
The Eagles will be led by first year co-coaches Daisy Mills and Guinevere Timpson. Coach Guinevere led last year’s JV program to a successful season, while Coach Daisy, a state championship winning coach, has joined us from Las Vegas. Coach Daisy also has collegiate experience having played and coached at Long Beach State.
How will the Eagles measure success this season? “You’ve gotta have some wins, you’ve gotta have some fun, and you have to learn something” says Coach Daisy. “We have some really strong hitters, strong servers, and they’re all really strong leaders.” Aiyana Hammon adds the importance of player mindset and attitude, saying, “we can put all this work in practice and we can do reps upon reps upon reps, but our mental game and mindset is going to take us down or build us up.” Junior Samantha Hammon couldn’t hold back her optimism about this upcoming season: “I’m looking forward to playing with my seniors before they leave,” says Hammon. “I just think this year’s going to be a lot to remember.”
The Lady Eagles kick off their season with back to back games, playing Grey Hills on the road on Wednesday and Water Canyon at home on Thursday. Come cheer on the Eagles as they make another run at State!
Eagle Volleyball Home Schedule:
08/29/24 vs Water Canyon, 5 PM
09/06/24 vs Milford, 6 PM
09/24/24 vs Water Canyon, 6 PM
09/26/24 vs Dishchii’bikoh, 1 PM
10/01/24 vs Rough Rock, 5 PM
10/05/24 vs St Michael, 2 PM
10/17/24 @ Fredonia (AWAY), 5 PM
10/18/24 vs Willaims, 6 PM
The Eagles are coming off their best season ever, but with a host of departing seniors, they will look to younger athletes to build on that success. To graduation, the Eagles lost Zedakye White at quarterback; Denim White, Monte Hammon, Donald Timpson, Claude Timpson, and Kevin Broadbent at receiver; Jay Timpson at Running Back; and Ethan Hammon and Tyson Zitting on the line. First year head coach Cole White could not say enough about that team last year, praising the culture that they left behind: “That team raised the standard for this team and it made it a lot easier for us this year,” says Coach Cole, who was an assistant coach on that team. “These young guys got to watch and learn from that team and they showed them what it takes–the level of commitment, effort, and hard work.”
How do the Eagles hope to build on last year’s success? “Discipline,” says junior captain Eaen Dockstader. “More than ever, our team last year was very disciplined and they stayed to what they know is true football. If we can do that this year, and keep building on our plays like we know how to, we’ll get just as far.” “We’ve got to keep the discipline,” echoes senior captain Nate Williams. “We’ve got to work all season. We can’t get complacent.”
The Eagles are young this year but not without talent. This year stepping up to fill the role of signal caller will be junior Avery Hammon who led El Capitan’s first ever JV program to a winning record last season. Juniors Eaen Dockstader and Treyton Timpson and sophomores Marion and Myron Hammon will round out a talented backfield. Playing tight end this year will be junior Tallen Holm along with sophomores Justin Cooke and Chris Hammon. Senior Jairus Hammon will lead a proficient receiving group along with juniors Moroni Musser, Carter Naylor, and sophomore Brayden Hammon. And anchoring the offensive and defensive lines this year will be seniors Kanyn Nez, Nate Williams, Alvin Timpson, Nemo Tapoof, and sophomore Riley Barlow.
On defense, the Eagles will be returning an experienced linebacking unit with Eaen Dockstader, Tallen Holm, and Marion Hammon. Rounding out the defensive backs will be Myron, Brayden and Chris Hammon; Treyton and Kayden Timpson; Moroni Musser; and Carter Naylor.
El Capitan will travel to cross town rival Water Canyon Friday at 7pm to defend “the Rock” in the annual Border Battle. The Eagles have defeated the Wildcats in the previous two Border Battles, winning 46-6 in 2022 and winning 64-14 last season. Water Canyon is coming off an impressive 72-0 win against Utah Military Academy. Come support your Eagles this season!
Mr. Jeff Bertuzzi joins the El Capitan team as the Junior High Principal and ESS Director. He replaced Ms. Sarah McDonald who left the school to assume a director position at a charter school close to her home. Mr. Jeff brings years of counseling experience to this position along with an extensive knowledge of exceptional student services. He has established a great rapport with the teachers and students through his year as a counselor at Cottonwood Elementary and is now bringing the same energy and enthusiasm to our junior high.
El Capitan High School has a new principal!. Mr. Richard Campbell has joined our team and is looking forward to leading our school community. He hopes to build a positive school culture and create great relations with the Colorado City community. Once hired, he immediately became a presence at the school working diligently to understand his role and prepare for the upcoming school year. Please join us in welcoming him to El Capitan High School.