By Mary Beth Marino

Marist High School senior James Baugus has been named to the All Catholic-All American Prep Football Team by the Chicago Catholic newspaper. The archdiocesan paper has been selecting this team annually for 34 years and has accepted nominations from all over the country. This year there are 120 on the team.

The 17-year-old Marist student weights in at 230 pounds, complimenting his six-foot-four-inch height. Playing football since he was seven years old, Baugus has had nothing but honors follow him through school.

The Atlanta Touchdown Club named him lineman of the week during the season; the DeKalb Touchdown Club named him to the “All County All Star” team and he has had honorable mention on the All State team. At Marist he has contributed to the team’s successful record, drawing second place in the state with a 13-2 win-loss record. The Georgia Athletic Coaches Association, which met last weekend, named Baugus to play in the All Star Game in July.

Recruiting season for colleges has brought many offers from Army and Air Force, Notre Dame, North Carolina State and Furman College.

Jim is a native of Georgia and the son of John and Darlene Baugus of Dunwoody. He has an older brother, John Jr., 20, and a sister, Kathy, 18.

Baugus has also played soccer and basketball, but football has always been his first love. In an interview, his mother was asked if she still worried about injuries, “I don’t think that’s a worry you ever get over,” she commented. “You just have to take a game at a time and hope for the best.”

Dean Hargis, Marist coach and head of the Athletic Department, said he was proud of Baugus. “He played under some pretty hard, tough circumstances. He accepted a challenge and made the most of it,” Hargis said.

Father Joel Konzen, principal of Marist High School, said Baugus was a fine athlete. “He deserves the honor,” Father Konzen said, “especially after this year’s season.”

It will be interesting to see what college will be the benefactor of Baugus’ skill. It is apparent that he has a rewarding future ahead of him.