One drill had the kids line up opposite from each other and given a number. The coach would then call their number at random then throw the ball up in the air. Whoever got the ball and scored first won the drill. The kids were overcome with competitive spirit and joy during this drill. Photo by Moose Lopez.
Matthew “Moose” Lopez Sports Editor Basketball season may be over, but the work is just beginning for these young Pirates. Lytle High School hosted a basketball camp in order to better facilitate the development of their young players. Hosted by Slam Dunk for Life, the event welcomed 4th to 9th graders to participate in a two-day camp for the low price free-99. It’s no secret that Lytle sports has been performing at a high level for years, and the foundation for this starts within the character they build in people first, not skills on the court. Lorenzo Vela, president of Slam Dunk for Life, emphasized that they want to teach kids a healthy lifestyle on and off the court. “Get [the kids] motivated to come out here and have fun, learn the game of basketball but also learn different principles of your life,” Vela explained. “Trying to instill good character in them.” Vela emphasized discipline as one of the main focuses of the camp. To be diligent enough…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!
Despite the blistering heat, every single participant at the Devine ISD soccer camp competed with intent, ferocity and big smiles on their faces. Photo by Moose Lopez.
Matthew “Moose” Lopez Sports Editor Soccer is at the height of its popularity in the states with the 2026 World Cup being hosted on North American soil. Team USA advanced to the round of 16 in stylish fashion, sparking a new generation of American soccer fans. Some have dubbed this as one of the most exciting tournaments in a long time. Capitalizing on the momentum of the beautiful game is the Devine Soccer club, however the club didn’t appear with the World cup, this organization has been in the works for over two years now. Club president Pablo Carmona wanted to bring soccer to Devine and with the persistence of numerous supporters and the backing from city council, he was able to make this a reality. The club has already developed two soccer fields and is currently working on a third to host games in the near future. Carmona wants to offer athletes a chance to continue their soccer journeys past 6th grade while potentially opening opportunities to further their careers whether it be through scholarship or professionally. Carmona says they are wasting the potential of these young athletes by having them drop soccer in the midst of their formative years. Carmona isn’t looking to “re-invent the soccer wheel”, he wants to bring the development practices he’s seen from elite programs to Devine. The main focus is to develop the young talent here in Devine then pitting them against teams all over South Texas. Professional soccer player Mohammed Abu and professional trainer Oscar Garcia (also a former professional player) serve on the board of directors for the club to help ensure the proper steps are taken in building a sustainable and successful program. Carmona wants to follow the examples of larger clubs, so having professionals involved helps expedite the process of bringing the soccer athletes up to standard. Carmona wants to supply the community with an outlet to compete at a high level outside of recreational play, because ultimately the team is for the people of Devine. In the past, Carmona said they’ve had to travel to San Antonio, La Vernia and Canyon Lake to find playable fields, but now players won’t have to go far to get some shots at the net! He’s excited to play soccer at the height of its popularity but wants to make sure that excitement and investment people have in the sport continues beyond the world cup. The Devine soccer club will be hosting a food drive training clinic on July 11 and 25 at John Curcio Park here in Devine. The event will include field and goalie training with ages 5-11 starting at 10 A.M to 11 A.M. and ages 12-18 beginning at 11:30 A.M. to 12:30 A.M. The camp will be led by Mohammed Abu and Oscar Garcia.
The Devine ISD soccer camp divided the kids into three different age groups. The oldest of the kids were tasked with dribbling balls around a line of cones. Photo by Moose Lopez.
The youngest group of participants had a scrimmage against each other rather than a specific drill. Photo by Moose Lopez.
Josh Gutierrez and Pierce Carrillo at the Regional Meet.
By Kristi Gentry DEVINE, Texas — What began in 2024 as a way for a handful of local high school athletes to extend their track season has quickly grown into one of the area’s most exciting youth athletic programs. Founded by Kristi Gentry, the Devine Speed AAU Track and Field Team started with just a few athletes looking to sharpen their skills beyond the UIL season and gain a competitive edge. In just two years, that vision has blossomed into a thriving program that serves athletes from across South Texas. This season, Devine Speed welcomed more than 50 athletes between the ages of 10 and 18, along with several younger competitors under the age of 10. The team’s rapid growth reflects the increasing interest in year-round track and field opportunities for young athletes from rural communities. The 2026 AAU Outdoor season concluded with an impressive list of accomplishments. 18 Devine Speed athletes qualified for the AAU Regional Meet, showcasing the program’s depth and talent. Among the team’s standout performers, Brooklyn Saenz earned a coveted qualification to the AAU Junior Olympic Games in Iowa, one of the nation’s premier youth track and field competitions. Meanwhile, 3x UIL State Track Qualifier Rowdy Esparza qualified for and competed at the Nike Outdoor Nationals in Eugene, Oregon, competing against some of the top high school athletes in the country. Devine Speed draws athletes from several surrounding communities, including Devine, Natalia, Lytle, Pearsall, Cotulla, and Carrizo Springs, creating opportunities for young competitors who may not otherwise have access to elite offseason training and competition. The program offers both outdoor and indoor track seasons, allowing athletes to continue developing year-round while building confidence, discipline, and friendships across school district lines. What started as an effort to help a few athletes improve has become much more—a program that is creating opportunities, building champions, and proving that small-town athletes can compete on the biggest stages. As Devine Speed continues to grow, the team is not only developing faster runners and stronger competitors but also helping putSouth Texas Track and Field on the map, one race and event at a time. A special thanks to our All Volunteer Coaches, Kristi Gentry, Matthew Saenz, Matt Martinez, Cynthia Calame, Candace Esparza and Jazmine Olivas.
John Steffens at the discus event.
Malia and Makenna Esparza.
Liberty Ritchey and Jazlyn Olivas are having a strong season for the Devine Speed AAU team.
Devine Speed’s 10U 4×100 team (left to right) Landrey Martinez, Ainsley Martinez, Brooklyn Saenz and Jolene Medina.
Warhorse Rowdy Esparza competed at Nike Outdoor Nationals.
Matthew “Moose” Lopez Sports Editor Being born in San Antonio means you inherently hold three things close to your heart: Your favorite breakfast tacos, what side of town you’re from and the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs have been a pillar in the community since before I could even formulate a sentence. San Antonio is a basketball city. Babies are given basketballs with their birth details at hospitals. Images of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Gregg Popovich pepper the outsides of buildings and the insides of bars and restaurants, serving as shining symbols of consistent excellence fortified by a passion to win as a group, ever as an individual. I couldn’t tell you where it all started. I wasn’t born when David Robinson or Duncan got drafted. When I was barely three years old, the Spurs were on championship number two of their five ring dynasty. By the time I was graduating Middle School, the Spurs had taken down the infamous Lebron James led Miami Heat after losing to them in seven games the year before. The city-wide party that erupted in 2014 was an experience I’ll never forget. The streets were flooded with honking cars, cheering fans and smiling faces. When the Spurs are successful, the city has a buzz to it, as if the trials and tribulations of life melt away once tip-off happens. The Spurs are the only prominent professional sports team (save for the rising star of the Missions) in San Antonio, so rooting for the home team feels all the more gratifying when your whole city unifies for it. However, the last few years would see the Spurs fall out of relevance. The team has missed the playoffs the past six years and the franchise cornerstone players had all left or retired. The Spurs teams that people grew up with and the names the community had ingrained in their psyche were gone. The quiet dominance of the silver and black soon faded into the history of the NBA. The city stopped caring as much and who could blame them, winning wasn’t a luxury but an expectation. To be honest there wasn’t much to cheer for anyways, for a while they were one of the worst teams in the league. I have to admit that Spurs fans are spoiled. We’ve known nothing but victory for the better part of two decades. Now the Spurs are back in the NBA Finals, a familiar place for the organization and the city, but the faces that got them there are as green as they come. San Antonio has fully backed this new young squad with the ferocity and passion of my formative years. This wasn’t an overnight change, this was built up all season. This team of young talented players had to prove to the city that they were worth its unwavering support and they did so ten-fold. Going into the season, the average fan had reasonable expectations of simply making it to the playoffs. It was a very realistic goal given how much talent the roster had. Soon, Spurs fans and the entire NBA would realize that these young hoopers were capable of so much more. This team is unquestionably ahead of schedule. They soon rose from an exciting up-and-coming team to title contenders in a matter of months. For the first time in my adult life, the Spurs are good and that sentiment applies to a lot of the population in San Antonio. I think that’s what makes this run all the more special for the community as a whole. For the older generation, they are seeing a return to form while the younger fans are witnessing the beginning of a potential dynasty; both have been starved to see a winning Spurs season. The excitement and buzz the city once had in my childhood has returned and now you can’t go anywhere without someone talking about the team or talking about the game from the other night. People I’ve known for years and have never once mentioned basketball in a sentence are bringing up which referees will be officiating the Spurs games. It’s not just in San Antonio though, the silver and black fandom reaches all the way here in Medina County. I see trucks with huge Spurs flags waving behind coming down East Hondo Avenue here in Devine. People from Natalia brandishing spurs shirts on game days. Lytle hosting huge watch parties at various establishments. They’re not even from San Antonio but the excitement for the team is as passionate as anyone from the 210. Sports are funny because it’s such a physical and tactile thing, but the concepts and emotions surrounding it are so abstract. I can’t tell you why I cried when the Spurs beat the Oklahoma City Thunder to advance to the finals. I can’t explain why families come together to watch the games. I can’t describe why complete strangers are embracing in the streets after every Spurs win. The only rationale I can come up with is that it makes people happy and sometimes that’s the only explanation needed. At the time of press, the Spurs just took a big win in game three over New York at Madison Square Garden. San Antonio is trailing the Knicks 1-2 in the series, but no matter how this series plays out, I’ll be tuned into every game. The roller coaster of emotions that comes with supporting your team is what makes sports so special.
Natalia’s graduating class of 2026 release their caps into the air in celebration of leaving High School behind and beginning their own unique journeys into the world. Photo by Mable Byrd.
Tessa Del Toro receiving her dipolma. Photo by Mable Byrd.
Raeann Juarez gave the benediction during Natalia’s 2026 graduation ceremony. Photo by Mable Byrd.
Jayston Rodriguez gave the closing remarks and the recognition of the tassels during Natalia’s 2026 graduation ceremony. Photo by Mable Byrd.
Andres Terrazas receives his dipolma during the 2026 Natalia graduation ceremony. Photo by Mable Byrd.
This young lady, Gwyn Mia DeLeon has overcome a lot in her young life, and it is evident that she has touched and will continue to touch many lives along the way with her uplifting attitude, grateful heart, and her touching story. Photo by KK Calame.
By Kayleen Holder Editor Look at her go! Everyone smiled as Devine High School Class President Gwyn Mia DeLeon gave her speech at Warhorse Stadium Friday night. Due to time constraints, she wasn’t able to give the full speech she had written, so we are proud to present more of this bright young lady’s thoughts, born from a very grateful heart. This young lady has overcome so much, and it is evident that she has touched many lives along the way with her story. DeLeon thanked everyone who “made it possible for us to stand here today in our maroon caps and gowns.” And for Gwyn, these words carry more weight than they might for the average teen. Just a few years ago, as she was beginning her high school career, DeLeon’s family received devastating and completely unexpected news–her kidneys were failing. At the age of 14, DeLeon, who was a freshman at Devine High School at the time, quickly began dialysis, while her family prayed for a donor. The bright young woman has always been very active in school and church, and it was not long before the community rallied around her, with more than 100 people stepping forward to register to be tested to be on the living donor list on her behalf. Soon, Gwyn’s biological mother learned she was a match and donated her kidney in a successful transplant in November of 2023. DeLeon will be attending St Phillips College in San Antonio where she will study radiology. When she was awarded Student of the Month this past November, she stated,” I have always had a passion for the medical field and I plan to live that out helping those in need,” DeLeon said. In her address, DeLeon thanked everyone from parents and teachers and coaches, to those working behind the scenes such as staff, administrators, school board…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!
LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!
Devine had an astounding 14 student athletes make the South Texas Coaches Association All-Star game. Devine had multiple representatives across basketball, volleyball and football. The Warhorses who hit the field were Tyler Hinnant, Nate Martinez, Riley Gutierrez, Jackson Hagdorn, Trystan LaFond, Ty Sadler, Jeremy Steinbrunner, Mario Vicente and Derek Taylor. Photo from Devine Athletic booster club.
Jerel Beaty Staff writer For many high school athletes, the final game or meet of their senior season marks the end of a journey years in the making. But for 14 Devine High School seniors, the opportunity to compete one more time became a reality after earning selection to one of the prestigious South Texas Coaches Association All-Star Game in Floresville on May 14. The honor serves as both a celebration of their accomplishments and recognition from opposing coaches who witnessed firsthand the impact these athletes made throughout their careers. Selections to an all-star event are never handed out lightly. Coaches across South Texas evaluate athletes not only for statistics and performances, but also for leadership, consistency, sportsmanship, and the ability to compete at a high level against strong competition. For Devine, having 14 seniors chosen speaks volumes about the caliber of athletes the Warhorses and Arabians placed on the field and court for their final taste of glory during the 2025-26 school year. The selections also reflect the respect these seniors earned from rival programs throughout the region. Week after week, Devine athletes competed with determination and pride, often elevating the level of play around them. Whether through clutch performances, relentless effort, or simply being dependable teammates, these seniors left lasting impressions on their own coaches as well who now have the privilege of watching them compete one final time, but this time, as fans…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!
Devine had two Arabian seniors participate in the South Texas Coaches Association All-Star game. Bella Flores and Cami Carroll got to hit the hardwood one final time in Floresville. Photo from Devine Athletic booster club.
Arabian Abriella Kayl will be attending Bryant & Stratton College. In her senior season Kayl had 13 plate appearances, nine at bats, one run and one RBI. Photo by Brigid Howard.
Congratulations to all the students furthering their athletic careers!
Warhorse Jackson Hagdorn signed to the United States Coast Guard. Hagdorn earned All-District honors in his last season at Devine. Photo by Brigid Howard.
Warhorse Riley Gutierrez signed to Schreiner University. In his final season in Devine, Gutierrez led his team in total runs at 17 and earned an honorable mention on the All-District team this year. Photo by Brigid Howard.
Warhorse Rudy Castillo signed to Arlington Baptist University. In his senior season, Castillo earned All-District first team honors with a .333 batting average, 13 hits and 27 K’s. Photo by Brigid Howard.
Warhorse Ryan Weinkam will be attending Texas A&M University- San Antonio. Weinkam was a force on the track this season. He and his relay team broke multiple school records and punctuated his senior with a trip to the State track and field meet in Austin. Photo by Brigid Howard.
Warhorse Tanner Davis will be attending Texas A&M- Kingsville. During a meet in Kerrvile this season, Davis won three gold medals and contributed 30 points to Devine’s 73 total. He took first place in High Jump, Pole Vault and the 400m dash. Photo by Brigid Howard.
Warhorse Trystan LaFond will be attending Wayland Baptist University. In his senior season at Devine, LaFond had 124 rushing yards while leading his team in total conversion points. Photo by Brigid Howard.
Warhorse Ty Sadler will be attending Bethel College. In his final season on the diamond, Sadler made the Academic All-District team. Photo by Brigid Howard.
