Gelinas and Dishman win 3rd place title at 4A Tennis State Championship
Devine Tennis players Johnathon Gelinas and Kelsey Dishman took 3rd at State in Mixed Doubles.
Category: Sports
Local Sports coverage of your Warhorse and Arabians, Colts, Fillys, Lytle Pirates, Lady Pirates, Mustangs and Lady Mustangs
Statebound!
Lady Pirate Track is STATE BOUND; Cook, Lopez, Gomez, & Sevier
Cook, and Sevier. The talented group of girls set a school record finishing with a time of 4:02.88 which was just enough to qualify as the “Wild Card” team going into their last, and biggest, race of their season.
Jerel Beaty
Staff Writer
The Lady Pirate track season continues to Austin, its final destination of the 2023 season as Klayre Cook, Marissa Lopez, Moriah Gomez, and Calyssa Sevier all advanced past the regional round this past weekend in Seguin.
Gomez qualified in both the 800m Run and in the 4x400m Relay along with teammates Lopez, Cook, and Sevier. The foursome set a school record finishing with a time of 4:02.88 which was just enough to qualify as the “Wild Card” team going into their last, and biggest, race of their season.
“Wow! Did we just do that?” was the initial response by head coach Gilbert Ruiz. “That is what went through my head as Moriah was crossing the finish line as the anchor leg in the 4x400m relay 10 minutes after placing 3rd in the 1600m.”
It was a monumental moment in the history of Lytle track and field.
“Not only did she become the first Lytle track athlete to get on that Regional Track medal stand three times, but she also helped the team set another school record of 4:02.88, bettering it by 5 seconds. This after placing 2nd in the 800m earlier in the day, breaking her own school record set last week at Area (2:20.28) with a time of 2:18.59 and becoming the first female to make it State since Natalie Cortez did it in 2014 in the 1600m and 3200m.”
With nine lanes available at Mike A. Myers Stadium in the state’s capital, there will be two teams from each of the four regions along with Lytle who snatched up that sole spot as the next best team out of all Regional track events.
“That 4:02.88 was only good for 3rd place (that time would have won last year), but we knew it would give us a chance for the State Wild Card Slot (Fastest 3rd place of all 4 3A Regions) and it did. This after we just ran a 4:07 the day before and I told them we needed at least a 4:04.”
Having yet another goal set in front of them, the Lady Pirates did not blink an eye in going for the gusto for what could have been their last race.
“They gave it their all for each other for four laps with Calyssa running a :58 split third leg to get us closer and now becoming the first 4x400m Relay to make it to State and the most we have ever had that will be participating at the State Track Meet.”
It was a great day for both the Lady Pirates and the Pirates, according to Ruiz.
“We had three Personal Records” Ruiz said in reference to Moriah’s and the 4x400m team and included Pirate Robert Wagner who did so in the 800m Run as well. “They set those records in very windy conditions on Saturday and all of those three efforts helped them get to the State Meet that will be held on May 11th for 3A.”
Up next
Moriah, followed by Robert will run the 800m at 5:20pm Thursday, May 11 at 5:20pm. Marissa, Klayre, Calyssa, and Moriah run the 4x400m Relay at 8:20pm.
Results
Sevier placed fourth in the 400m Dash with a time of 1:01.20. Lopez also finished fourth in the 800m with a time of 2:26.83, while Cook came in soon thereafter at 2:33.46.
Gomez was so close to qualifying for State in the 1600m Run as she came in third with a time of 5:25.82. Samantha Mujica set a personal record in the 3200m with a time of 12:14.91 that placed seventh overall.
Congratulations to all Lady Pirates, and best of luck to Klayre, Marissa, Moriah, and Calyssa in Austin!
Pirate Robert Wagner STATE BOUND in the 800m Run
Jerel Beaty
Staff Writer
Robert Wagner gets to run the 800m race one more time on the state’s biggest stage as he qualified for the State Meet to be held in Austin on Thursday, May 11. Wagner placed second in Seguin at Regional last week with a time of 1:58.78 which was less than a second behind the 800m champion Isai Moran of Great Hearts Northern Oaks who crossed the finish line at 1:57.92.
Wagner competes in Austin after Lady Pirate Moriah Gomez runs her 800m which begins at 5:20pm. Wagner was also trying to qualify in the 1600m but came in 12th with a time of 4:59.43.
Abel Sanches was in the mix for a state-spot in the 800m as well as he came in fifth at 2:03.63. Brandon Obando was 9th at 2:05.68. Sanchez also ran the 3200m, coming in 7th at 10:03.47.
Johnny Rey Alvarez placed 7th in the 1600m at 4:44.72 and was 8th in the 3200m at 10:16.30.
Tristan Lopez was the last distance runner in competition for the Pirates. He placed 12th in the 3200m with a time of 10:36.75.
The lone speedster in the group was Brandon Adkins as he ran the 200m Dash. He placed 12th in preliminaries at 24.72.
The Pirates were well-represented in field events too as Conner Martin competed in Pole Vault and High Jump, Alex Medina in Discus, and both William Davalos and Mario Diaz in Shot Put.
Martin vaulted and even 13’0 to place third, missing that state-qualifying spot by one. He high jumped 5’10 to place 9th.
Medina was also in that third place finish spot as he threw the discus 146’2.
Davalos placed 11th in Shot Put, throwing 42’6.
Diaz was 15th in Shot Put with an effort of 37’9.75.
Congratulations to all Pirate Regional Qualifiers and best of luck to Robert in Austin!
Two Devine teams Statebound!
Warhorse footballers Santos, Camarillo, Bonilla Honorable Mention All-State
Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
Texas Sports Writers of America honored three Warhorse football players by naming them to the TSWA All-State Honorable Mention squad for their performances during Devine’s District Championship, state playoff qualifying 2022 season.
Junior running back Ethan Santos, senior defensive tackle Logan Camarillo, and junior tight end Aaron Bonilla all earned the special recognition.
“These young men had very successful seasons and I am excited that they get recognized by the Texas Sports Writers Association for their hard work. These young men put a lot of hours and commitment towards being the best football players that they can be and we appreciate them,” said excited Head Coach Paul Gomez.
Erxleben, Elias, Nunez Academic All-State Arabian powerlifters
Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
Three senior Arabian powerlifters fit the term “student-athlete” to a T as they landed on one of three Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association Academic teams at the conclusion of last season.
Jordan Erxleben earned the highest possible ranking as she was recognized on the Academic Elite honor roll. Jordan was one of 104 lifters from the entire state to make the Elite list.
Cassandra Elias was tabbed First-Team Academic All-State. Elias was one of 78 to make the First-Team.
Victoria Nunez made Second-Team Academic All-State. Nunez was one of 114 honored on the Second Team.
“These ladies excelled both in the sport of powerlifting and in academics,” stated Head Coach Paul Gomez. “It is a full time job to be on the top of both of those categories and we are very proud of them!”
Congratulations Jordan, Cassandra, and Victoria for upholding the academic value of being a true student-athlete and excelling both in the classroom and in athletic competitions.
Lori Wilson finalist for TABC 3A Coach of the Year
Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
Lytle Lady Pirate Head Coach Lori Wilson was one of four finalists from around the state in Class 3A for the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Dean Weese Outstanding Coach of the Year Award. Wilson recently led her team to another berth in the Regional Tournament before falling in the championship game to Columbus.
Wilson guided her team to a 27-10 overall record and won her district’s championship for the third consecutive year.
Antonio Burks from Rice was voted as the winner with Kurt Richardson of Shallowater, and Chad Woodard of Paradise joining Wilson as the remaining finalists.
Congratulations, Coach Wilson, on being recognized as one of the top coaches from around the state!
Mason Saunders District 29-4A Champion; Team is Regional Bound!
Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
Devine freshman Mason Saunders won the District 29-4A individual championship after a three-hole playoff against Blake Mainz of Floresville. Devine finished as runner-up overall for District 29-4A, qualifying for Regional in Victoria at The Club of Colony Creek in Victoria.
Saunders won his playoff in dramatic fashion as he and Mainz replayed holes #1, #18, and #1 once again before the individual champ was crowned. Saunders converted a pressure-filled 12-foot putt on the first playoff hole to extend the playoff, then put an exclamation mark on his day with a 30-footer to swing victory in his favor.
The Warhorses shot 681 to finish behind team champion Pleasanton who posted 663. Devine shot 333 on Monday which happened to be a nice, sunny, windless day then followed with a 348 on a windy, cold, cloudy Tuesday.
Saunders led the team naturally with a 76 Monday, and an 81 Tuesday for a 157. Jacob Rodriguez was the model of consistency as he tallied 85/85 for a smooth 170. Jameson Ramirez posted 82/95 for 177 and Aaron Gallegos was pretty consistant as well with 90/89-179. Diego Gerlach went 95/93 for 188 to round out the scoring for Devine #1 team.
Devine #2 placed fifth of the eight teams with a 767. Team #2 shot 383 Monday then followed with a 384 Tuesday.
Johnathan Gelinas led Team #2 going 91/86 for 177 followed by Wyatt LaFond who posted 91/101 for 192. Gavin Williamson went 108/97 for a two-day 205, Antonio Gamboa shot 93/114 for 207, and Jackson Hagdorn tallied 117/100 for 217.
Victory Schaefer posted Devine’s overall second leading score as he shot 75 Monday then followed with 91 Tuesday for a two-day 166.
Devine gets a little time to work on their game as Regional is just under a month away. Tee times are to be determined.
Team results
1st Pleasanton 663 (322/341) Mark Thornton 82/82-164, Luke Thornton 78/88-166, Levi Turner 82/86-168 Jake Casias 83/85-168, Brady Stevens 80/94-174 2nd Devine 681 (333/348) Mason Saunders 76/81-157, Jacob Rodriguez 85/85-170, Jameson Ramirez 82/95-177, Aaron Gallegos 90/89-179, Diego Gerlach 95/93-188 3rd Floresville 701 (355/346) Blake Mainz 81/76-157, Ray Ramirez 86/81-167, Kollman Street 93/94-187, Luke Martin 95/95-190, Ryan Street 99/97-196 4th Uvalde 702 (355/347) Joseph Roswell 85/86-171, Ryder Torres 90/87-177, Jack Brock 91/87-178, Chance Luevanos 89/89-178 5th Devine-#2 767 (383/384) Johnathan Gelinas 91/86-177, Wyatt LaFond 91/101-192, Gavin Williamson 108/97-205, Antonio Gamboa 93/114-207, Jackson Hagdorn 117/100-217 6th Pearsall 849 (448/401) Cody Sekula 100/88-188, Weston Hurst 117/95-212, Jordan Tagle 97/121-218, Jackson Earley 134/97-231, Jacob Elizondo 143/NS-NS 7th Carrizo Springs 771 (385/386) Abryam Urenda 89/92-181, Jonah Hernandez 94/100-194, Jeremy Escamilla 108/94-202, Reme Jimenez 104/100-204, Evan Castellanos 98/125-223 8th Somerset 855 (429/426) Tyler Corn 93/98-191, Ty Denton 115/106-221, Leo Strozzi 117/104-221, Oscar Hernandez 104/118-222 Medalists Victor Schaefer-Devine 75/91-166, Grant Moos-Pleasanton 94/88-182, Owen Mendez-Floresville 103/93-196, Hazen Manuel-Floresville 103/105-208, Bardo-Guanajuato-Carrizo Springs 93/118-211, Tyler Mutz-Floresville 102/111-213, Jaxon Parker-Uvalde 104/NS-NS.
Eight Devine HS golfers earn All-District for their 29-4A perfomances
Warhorses Mason Saunders and Victor Schaefer and Arabian Brianna Schaefer led the way for Devine High School’s 29-4A All-District teams after their two-day performances in Uvalde last Monday and Tuesday. First team honors went to Saunders who was the boys overall individual champion and to Victor, while Brianna placed third overall on the girls side.
Second team honors went to Warhorses Jacob Rodriguez, Jameson Ramirez, and Johnathan Gelinas and to Arabians Raynee Allen and Gabby Morales.
Devine’s DeLeon 9th at State Meet
Jerel Beaty
Staff Writer
Devine powerlifter Seth Deleon moved up from 12th place going into the State Meet to finish at number nine in the 148-pound division by the time it was said and done. DeLeon set personal records in the squat with 465 lbs and with his total lifted which is now 1,225lbs.
Congratulations, Seth, on a fantastic junior season and Warhorse Nation is looking forward to what you can accomplish in 2024 as a senior!
148lb results (squat-bench-deadlift)
1st Jeremiah Metzgar-Sealy 510-345-545-1,400 2nd Jessiah Barr-Gonzales 520-330-510-1,360 3rd Weston Hill-Sanger 535-280-520-1,335 4th Javier Martinez-Perryton 500-335-485-1,320 5th Drew Carter-Salado 515-335-465-1,315 6th Noah Garcia-Somerset 525-370-380-1,275 7th Juan Garcia-Beeville Jones 460-310-500-1,270 8th PJ Brown-Alice 425-320-485-1,230 9th Seth DeLeon-Devine 465-320-440-1,225 10th Anthony Cuellar-Brownsboro-465-325-430-1,220 11th Anthony Lopez-Ferris 500-310-400-1,210 12th Chandler Tran-Snyder 470-285-450-1,205 13th Jasael Ruiz-Marble Falls 465-240-500-1,205 14th Rowdy Parker-Bridgeport 485-225-460-1,170 15th Demarion Sanders-Tyler Chapel Hill 380-275-510-1,165 BO Tristian Davila-Corpus Christi Tuloso-Midway BO Roberto Suarez-Lumberton.
State Champ!
Congratulations to Lytle Pirate powerlifter Mario Diaz as he claimed the first place title last Friday, March 24th, after competing at the state powerlifting championship held at the Taylor Count Expo Center in Abilene, Texas. What a great way to end this year’s 2023 powerlifting season, way to go Mario! Mario Diaz, region 3, 198lb weight class, squat 650, bench 375, deadlift 600, total 1625.
Arabian Softball steals three wins
Rios, Barnett, and Featherly with home runs!
The Arabians were hard at work over spring break, totaling three wins for the week. Last Friday the Devine varsity Arabian softball team took on the Carrizo Springs Wildcats. Hilary Barnett came to the ballpark and meant business on Friday, tallying four hits and leading the Arabians to a 13-3 win over Carrizo Springs. Barnett doubled in the first, homered in the second, doubled in the fourth, and singled in the fifth. The Arabians hit three home runs on the day. Rios, Barnett, and Featherly each knocked the ball out of the park during the second inning, contributing to a six run inning. The Arabians collected 15 hits. Barnett, Yaya Rodriguez, Denise Contreras, and Rios all managed multiple hits. Barnett went 4-for-4 at the plate to lead in hits. Pitcher Barnett surrendered three runs on five hits over five innings, striking out ten and walking one. Stats for the match are as follows:
Batting: Hits: Valle-1, Rios-2, Rodriguez-3, Cruz-1, Featherly-1Barnett-4, Dugosh-1, Contreras-2. Runs: Valle-1, Rios-1, Rodriguez-3, Cruz-1, Rivera-2, Featherly-1, Barnett-1, Dugosh-1, Contreras-2.
Fielding: Outs: Valle-1, Rodriguez-10, Featherly-2, Contreras-2.
Pitcher: Barnett: Hits Allowed-5, Walks-1, Strikeouts-10.
Barnett throws a no hitter!
The Arabians next match over the holiday took place midday against the Pleasanton Eagles. Hilary Barnett was brilliant in the circle on Tuesday, as she threw a no-hitter to lead the Arabians past Pleasanton 9-0. Leading in hits was Arabian Kynedie Cruz who went 4-for-4 at the plate. Cruz singled in the first, singled in the third, singled in the fifth, and singled in the sixth. The Arabians put up five runs in the sixth inning. The pressure was put on with a single from Cruz, and a home run from Maddie Brown. Pitcher Barnett lasted six and two-thirds innings, allowing zero hits and zero runs while striking out 18 and walking one. The Arabians racked up 13 hits in the game. Cruz, Kate Featherly, and Brown all managed multiple hits for the Arabians. Cruz led the Arabians with five stolen bases, as they ran wild on the base path. Stats for the match are as follows:
Batting: Hits: Valle-1, Rios-1, Cruz-4, Featherly-2, Barnett-1, Hernandez-1, Brown-2, Contreras-1. Runs: Valle-1, Rios-1, Cruz-1, Coronado-2, Brown-1, Contreras-1.
Fielding: Outs: Hernandez-18, Dugosh-1, Blanton-1.
Pitching: Barnett: Hits Allowed-0, Walks-1, Strikeouts-18.
Blanton with a homerun!
The Arabians final match over spring break was another midday game versus our rival Hondo Owls. The result was an easy 12-2 victory. The Arabians got things moving in the first inning, when Hilary Barnett doubled on a 1-0 count, scoring one run. The Arabians tallied five runs in the fifth inning. The offensive firepower by was led by Janelle Coronado, Natalie Valle, Kynedie Cruz, and Skylar Blanton, all driving in runs in the frame. Pitcher Barnett went five innings, allowing two runs on four hits and striking out nine. A threat in the batter’s box, Blanton launched one home run in the fifth inning. The Arabians tallied 12 hits in the game. Blanton, Valle, and Allie Dugosh all managed multiple hits for for the Arabians. Blanton went 3-for-3 at the plate to lead in hits.
Batting: Hits: Valle-2, Rios-1, Cruz-1, Barnett-1, Hernandez-1, Dugosh-2, Coronado-1, Blanton-3. Runs: Valle-1, Rios-1, Cruz-2, Barnett-1, Dugosh-2, Coronado-1, Blanton-2.
Fielding: Outs: Valle-2, Cruz-1, Barnett-2, Hernandez-9, Brown-1.
Pitching: Barnett: Hits Allowed-4, Walks-3, Strikeouts-9.
The winning streak has placed the girls at third in district with a 3-2 record. Tuesday, March 21st, the Arabians will travel to Somerset to take on the Lady Bulldogs. The following Friday, March 24th, the Arabians are scheduled to travel to Pearsall to take on the Lady Mavericks. Good luck Arabians!