Athletics are a huge part of the culture at Dee-Mack High School. Who helps build that culture? The students.
Some of Dee-Mack’s fall athletic programs include football, volleyball, golf, cross country, and spirit/cheer team. Each team has a full roster, including captains who fill leadership positions that benefit the team. Whether the captains are seniors or are other members of the team, they share special experiences that will bond them for a lifetime.
Football Captains: Parker Eggenberger, Tkye Albrittion, Carson Knott, Shaun Dennistion, Drew Swadinsky, Vinnie Peak, Hunter Fogle, Colton Ragar, Zack Day
Parker Eggenberger is a four year member of the football team here at Dee-Mack. Starting for two years, Parker has played many roles that have contributed to the Chiefs’ success. He has played on the team as a wide receiver, defensive back, a kicker, and as a punter. Parker says this year’s team has built on their team chemistry to motivate them. At the team meal every Thursday, the team participates in a spelling bee. Team bonding as such creates raw memories and laughter amongst the program. He shares a prediction for the season to end with a 7-2 record with his longtime teammate, Tkye Albritton. To achieve this, the pair shares common goals to stay composed under pressure and watch more game film as a team. While reflecting from experience, Tkye leads the underclassmen in football to buy into the weight training program their coaches provide for them.
Volleyball Captains: Rease Kelley and Jaelyn Nunley
The Dee-Mack volleyball program is a successful one, coached by state champion and alumn, Addie Patton. Although only two seniors, Rease Kelley and Jaelyn Nunley were chosen as captains, Coach Patton is very fortunate to have five seniors with a high work ethic. Rease Kelley says working hard during practices translates into big games. One of her biggest highlights this season is beating Tremont for the first time in years! Jaelyn Nunley explains to achieve goals like this, the team prioritizes bonding. Each person on the team utilizes their time to build relationships with others, creating a successful team entails leading by example. Rease and Jaelyn both create a positive environment by encouraging players and supporting their questions and needs. They give advice from experience. One thing they’d both tell their freshman selves is to ignore past mistakes and stay composed. Jaelyn believes if the team keeps working together cohesively, they will keep improving and have a far run in the post season.
Cross Country Seniors: Brandon Harding, Lincoln Rassi, Andrew Sauder, Matthew Debolt, and Orion Mahannah
While the cross country team is one of the most “underground” teams of Dee-Mack, they are one of the most successful. Led by multiple seniors and experienced head coach, Sam Ingram, the Chiefs have a good chance at qualifying for state. This would be the fourth time in school history since 2019. Pre-season is one of the most important times in sports, and Lincoln Rassi’s favorite team activity is the team’s summer get-togethers. He says they team bond by playing games like slip and slide kickball with the team, which is his favorite. Lincoln is also a senior who leads by experience and example, “The main way I encourage the underclassmen is by reminding them that they are not tied only to their successes. What matters so much more than that is what you are willing to give and how much you are willing to try for the team and for one another,” he says. Lincoln relays advice like this to underclassmen as this is the exact advice he’d give his freshman self. By keeping a positive attitude especially on hard days, Lincoln believes the team can push past anything. He summarizes that challenges like this have been hills the team has already climbed. Every member of this year’s cross country team is extremely focused and will support each other through anything.
Cheer Seniors: Rylee Lockart, Jadyn Sheets, Cadence Martinez, and Emma Lovelace
Dee-Mack’s cheer/spirit team is coached by Jeannie Fogle, but led by many seniors including Cadence Martinez and Emma Lovelace. Cadence leads quietly by example, while Emma loves to prepare the underclassman by telling them what they should expect. Emma Lovelace wishes she’d joined the team earlier in high school, but is grateful for the experience. The one piece of advice Cadence Martinez would give to her freshman self is to try not to live up to everyone else’s standards. Her key to success is to be herself. She is a firm believer that everyone will meet people along their journey they will never have to change for. The cheerleaders perform for a variety of sports. They cheer for football in the fall, boys basketball in the winter, and even girls basketball some games as well! Pregame dances are Emma’s favorite as she and Cadence both feel the teams’ tempo is much faster than previous years. The Dee-Mack cheer team is vital to the success of every sports team here at Dee-Mack High School!
