Central District News

Coaches of the Year, 2007, Central District, DII Caleb Colon, Harker Heights High School's Knights Caleb Colon, first-year coach of the Harker Heights Lacrosse Team, was selected as the rookie Coach of the Year. He succeeded despite being the team's fourth head coach in one year; the other three were soldiers who were deployed to the fight in Iraq. One was wounded there. Earning a record of four wins versus seven losses in the team's first year as a varsity DII squad, Coach Colon's record included a one-point loss, shocking the Bowie Bulldogs, a Central District Finalist early in the season and defeating three other established varsity squads. The highlight of his season was playing against Reagan High in San Antonio before an audience that included Purple Heart recipients who were bussed from Brooke Army Medical Center to Randolph Air Force Base High School for the game. Peer coaches and spectators complimented Coach Colon's Knights throughout the season for their sportsmanship, conditioning and improving levels of play. For his ability to overcome leadership turnover, to prepare a relatively untested and inexperienced team for league play, and to teach the Knights' young men life lessons including maintaining self-control in the face of more experienced teams, Coach Colon was chosen by his peers as the Rookie Coach of the Year. Chris Knight, Cedar Park High School's Timberwolves Cedar Park Timberwolf Lacrosse head coach Chris Knight has been named co-coach of the year for the Texas High School Lacrosse League Central District Division II, along with Harker Heights' coach Caleb Colon. The honor was bestowed to him on a vote of fellow coaches in the 14-team Central District. Knight, in his second year at the helm of the T-wolves, led the team to its best finish ever with a 12-7 record in the just-completed 2007 season. The Timberwolves reached the Central District semi-final playoff game before losing to eventual Central District champion St. Stephens. Last year, Cedar Park put together a 7-8 record in a modest improvement over 2005's 7-10 record. Under Coach Knight's leadership, Cedar Park was honored last year as a co-winner of the sportsmanship award. The sportsmanship award is given by the Friends of Central Texas Lacrosse to the team that best demonstrates the attributes of respect, integrity, teamwork, control and exemplary behavior, serving as a model for other clubs to follow. In addition, Knight is recognized as one of the most effective referees in the region. His knowledge of the game is even more remarkable because Knight has never played lacrosse. A graduate of Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology, Knight, the father of a little boy, donates his spare time to working with novice youth referees at the Town and Country Optimist sports complex in Austin. Coach Knight represents the spirit of selflessness, generosity, and commitment to the next generation, and his selection reflects the effects of those qualities on his community and his family.