The Mansfield ISD Hall of Honor inducted a new class of honorees on November 2, including several state champions and a legendary basketball coach.
The hall, begun in 2013, honors former Mansfield ISD athletes, coaches, administrators, and volunteers who have made a significant impact on the school district. Honorees were celebrated at a reception at the Dr. Jim Vaszauskas Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday and will have their photos and biographies on plaques placed in the Community Room at Vernon Newsom Stadium.
This year’s class included Candi Harvey, Timberview High School’s first girls’ basketball coach and girls’ athletic coordinator. Harvey coached at Timberview from 2004-2012, leading the Lady Wolves to the Class 4A State Championship in 2010, finals in 2009, and four district championships.
Harvey, who has coached collegiate and professional women’s basketball, said Timberview will always be her favorite.
The 2011 Mansfield High School boys golf team, which won the first state boys title in the history of the Mansfield ISD, was also honored. The team included Kolton Crawford, Andy Ariens, Andre Garcia, Luke Neely, and Hayden Frederick. The team scored a two-day team total of 575 to win the Class 5A state title.
Kyla Hill Taggart, who is already a member of the Hall of Honor along with two Mansfield High girls basketball teams, was chosen to be honored as an individual member. Taggart served as captain of the girls’ basketball team in 1999 and 2000 when the Lady Tigers won the first two of four straight state titles. She was named to the All-District, All-Area, and All-State basketball teams. She also earned All-District, All-Area, and Academic All-State honors for volleyball.
Kayla Taylor earned three trips to the state meet in the discus and shot put while at Legacy High School. After high school, she attended the University of Southern Mississippi; where she was a three-time All-Academic Athlete. In addition to being a member of the Hall of Honor, Taylor is also a teacher and coach at Lake Ridge High School.
Camille Cherry Smith led Summit High School’s volleyball team to the bi-district and area championships before graduating in 2011. She was named to the All-State team twice and All-District MVP her senior year. She also set the school record for assists.
To nominate an athlete, coach, or volunteer, go to mansfieldisd.org/departments/
