With the upcoming school year approaching quickly, here are athletes that Dawson County Tiger fans should keep their eyes out for in the coming season:
Molly Muenchen - Senior
Soccer
Muenchen has already had a historic career while playing with the Lady Tigers soccer team. She has the record for most goals ever scored in a single season, scoring 36 goals last season. Muenchen has already committed to continuing her soccer career at Georgia State University, but first, she will play through her senior year.
“I love the game, I love the fitness aspect of it and I love all the friends I've made from it,” Muenchen said.
This past season, Muenchen took on a leadership role and was able to lead the Lady Tigers to two late-season wins before the season was cut short due to COVID-19 concerns. Muenchen hopes to take the late-season into the start of this upcoming season.
“I’m gonna try to lead by example and play to the best of my ability and represent Dawson County,” Muenchen said.
Jaden Gibson - Sophomore
Football
With his dad, Jason as the athletic director and his brother, Jasper headed to Emmanuel College to continue his basketball career, Jaden Gibson is poised to step into the spotlight this season.
In an interview earlier this year, Head Coach Sid Maxwell said that Gibson was his secret weapon on offense. He said Gibson could be used as a quarterback, running back or receiver in this year’s offense.
Keep an eye out for Gibson on the basketball court as well, with all five starting positions up for grabs this basketball season. However, Gibson still loves the gridiron the most.
“I love walking out on the field before a Friday night and the fans are yelling and going crazy,” Gibson said. “Friday night lights just hit differently.”
Bella Henson - Senior
Softball
“It’s my escape from everything going on around me, all the stress from school and life just disappears when I play,” Henson said.
Bella Henson, who also plays basketball for the Lady Tigers, started playing for Head Coach Jimmy Pruett her freshman year. She said this year will be the deepest run that the Tigers have had in the state tournament in her career and has full confidence they can accomplish “amazing things.”
Softball has always been her favorite sport. The first baseman has been playing since she was little and said she still has room to improve at the plate and on the field.
Henson said she wants to continue her softball career collegiately, but there might be new roadblocks to conquer.
“It’s really tough right now in my class on getting recruited due to everything going on, but I’m going to keep pushing to find the right fit for me,” Henson said. “If it doesn’t work out then it just wasn’t meant to be.”
Dakota Sonnechsein - Senior
Football
Sonnechsein has been a part of the Dawson County varsity team since he was a freshman. An electrifying kick returner, Sonnechsein said he loves to play his heart out and give everything he has to be successful and have fun.
“My favorite thing about playing football is being able to play for the fans and being a positive role model for kids,” Sonnechsein said.
Sonnechsein plays both offense and defense for the Tigers, but said that football is a team sport and it’s going to take more than just one player’s effort to see success on the field.
“Football is my favorite sport,” Sonnechsein said. “It has created a lot of opportunities for me and has also helped shape the person I am today.”
Sonnechsein has yet to commit to a collegiate program but has plans to do so this upcoming season.