Football by Kara Graham

From August to November fans packed the stands and crowds cheered for every touchdown. Tupelo football team has a momentous season with each game bringing joy and excitement from the Tupelo alumni and students to the community.

Coach Ty Hardin led the team with this year being his third consecutive year as head coach. Tupelo football went undefeated in regular play with a 12-0  record and made it to the playoffs. This is the first time Tupelo went undefeated in the regular season since 2017.

Tupelo ended the season on a positive note by being crowned the division champs by winning the game against the Clinton Arrows with a final score of 35-7. Tupelo also gained home field advantage during the playoffs.

Tupelo made it to the first round of the playoffs against one of their rivals and previous opponent, the Madison Central Jaguars, winning the game with a score of 28-7 qualifying them for the second round. The Wave played one of their previous district opponents during the regular season, the Starkville Yellowjackets.

The Wave lost to the Yellowjackets with a score of 41-32, but nevertheless Tupelo had a great season and reached new heights. 

Cross Country

When you think of cross country you may think of grit, perseverance, and the adrenaline that comes with running on the dirt roads. Tupelo cross-country is the embodiment of all these things. Even though the runners run individually to break their own record they support and work together as a team. Cross country is more than just the finishing time. As the team developed their running time they also developed their teamwork skills and dedication to the sport. The men’s team finished 2nd class in 6a for the 2nd consecutive year. Two members, Jean Bridges and Taylor Brown, ran 15 minute 5ks. The women’s team finished 5th at the state meet. Brooklyn Morgan had a 3rd place overall finish and made the state championship team.  

Volleyball

The Wave volleyball team had a productive season.

The team ended the season with a 9-13 record and 2-1 in district play. Tupelo won the district games against Starkville with a score of 3-0 and 3-1. The Wave played two teams in Tennessee by the names of Crockett County, Lausanne Collegiate, and Brighton. The team won against Brtighton with a final score of 2-1. The volleyball team advanced to the first round of playoffs against the Hernando Tigers but lost by one point with the final score being 3-2. 

Swim by Bella Maka

On October 21, 2022, the annual MHSAA State Championship Swim Meet was held at the Tupelo Aquatic Center. 

To prepare for State, Tupelo swimmers endured high-intensity workouts and continuous swimming through burnouts. Upon Coach Henderson’s arrival at Tupelo High, he focused on work conditioning, stroke technique, and mental acuity.  “In order to be a swimmer, you have to be mentally tough as well as physically strong,” Coach Henderson said. A week prior to the State Championship the swimmer’s taper. Tapering is when swimmers cut back on the yardage they swim throughout practices. “you’re dialing back the yardage of your practices to sort of get your energy back so that you can swim at your highest level for the state championship,” Coach Daniels said. 

“I wanted to win and I wanted to win in style. I didn’t want to go in and just barely win, I wanted to show them who I am.” Brooks Johnson said. That is what he did, Brooks won both the 200 Individual Medley and 100 Butterfly. He swam 1:57.16 in the 200 Individual Medely and 50.68 in the 100 Fly.

“Coach Smith always told us to swim cocky and I do that, I don’t go behind the block a little wimp.”

The girls placed runner-up with 50 points in the entire Class 2 State meet. Bringing the team to the podium, Captian Mary Lawson Lesley won the 200 Individual Medley and 100 Breastroke. Reagan Thomas placed 2nd and Mae Martin 3rd in the 500 Freestyle. 

2 weeks after the State meet Tupelo swimmers stated preparation for the on coming swim season.“It’ll be a team effort to make it competitive next year. Am I saying that it’ll be a for-sure win or a state win? No. I’m saying that it will take everyone to be able to make our dream of reclaiming a state title possible.” Coach Henderson said.