By Rubin E. Grant From the moment Jenny Senske met her future husband, Dr. Mike Ryan, in 2010 in New York City, she heard about his best friend and college roommate, Dr. Marc Rothermich. Mike Ryan told her about their goal to work in the same medical practice. Senske was more than skeptical. “I thought it was a pipe dream,” said Jenny Ryan, who married Mike Ryan on New … [Read more...]
MB Eighth Graders Score Metro Volleyball Title
Mountain Brook Junior High’s eighth grade volleyball team capped off its season by claiming the Metro Championship recently. The team defeated Liberty Park on Oct. 4, followed by straight set victories over Oak Mountain and Thompson to get to the finals in the tournament. The Spartans had to play Thompson again after that team came back through the double elimination bracket … [Read more...]
Gibbs Proving Worth the Wait for John Carroll
By Rubin E. GrantWhile Jeremiah Gibbs was sitting out the 2018 high school football season at John Carroll Catholic after transferring from a school in Maryland, Cavaliers coach Logan Colafrancesco knew a gifted athlete had joined his team.“I saw he had the ability to be good,” Colafrancesco said. Even so, the coach had his reservations.“Not seeing him in a game … [Read more...]
Growth Spurt: Howard Grows Into Versatile, Dominant Lineman for Briarwood
By Rubin E. Grant Trent Howard doesn’t remember how much he weighed when he was in the seventh grade. What he does remember is how his jersey fit his 5-foot-9 frame. “I was No. 76 and my jersey swallowed me up,” Howard said with a laugh. Howard was one of the smallest linemen on his middle school football team, but late in his eighth grade … [Read more...]
‘Super Talented’: Competition Brings out the Best in Rebels’ Strand
By Rubin E. Grant Something happens to Vestavia Hills junior distance runner Ethan Strand on race days. He becomes transcendent, almost otherworldly. “He really responds well to competition,” said Brett Huber, Vestavia Hills’ track and cross-country coach. “He becomes a different athlete when he’s competing rather than training. That’s what separates him from other … [Read more...]