Celebrating 126 Years of Serving the communities of Devine, Natalia, Lytle, Bigfoot, and Moore in Medina, Frio, and Atascosa Counties
Lytle Pirates and Lady Pirates Sports
Eric Smith
Staff Writer
The Lytle Pirates continued to make recent history, as they defeated the West Campus Cougars (1-2) 33-0 to improve to 3-0 on the season as they prepare for a big rivalry this Friday vs. Natalia. Coach Mike Trevino continued to praise his squad for their efforts and continued improvement and execution.
Continue reading “Lytle Football downs Cougars to improve to 3-0”
Jerel Beaty
Staff Writer
The Lytle Cross Country teams ran in the massive FEAST Cross Country Invitational last Saturday morning in San Antonio. The Lady Pirates placed 2nd in the 32-team varsity girls division with 181 points. Poth was the team champion with 103 points.
Running in both varsity boy divisions, the Pirates placed 7th in the 44-team open division and 8th in the 33-team 1A-4A division.
Eric Smith
Staff Writer
There is a buzz around Lytle, Texas, as a new sense of hope and pride is alive and well. This pride escalated last Friday night, as Pirate Nation was able to “Dig Deep” with 28 seconds to go as the Pirates were set for a game winning 31 yard field goal attempt.
Continue reading “Clutch Field-Goal lifts Pirates to opening victory!”
Jerel Beaty
Staff Writer
The Cross Country Coaches Association of Texas released its first poll of the 2023 season and to no one’s surprise the Lytle teams found themselves at or near the top of each list.
Continue reading “Texas Poll shows Pirate Cross Country at the TOP”
Eric Smith
Staff Writer
There is a new sense of hope, a new sense of pride, a brand new offense and new leadership at the helm of the Lytle Pirate Football program. Will unstoppable success come overnight? No one will know that, until the lights shine in November. For now, one thing is for sure and that is the boys in black and gold are ready to “Dig Deep” as they welcome the Carrizo Springs Wildcats this Friday at Walter Joyce Stadium.
Continue reading “Pirates ready to dig in Friday night v Carrizo Springs @ the Peanut Butter Bowl”
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!
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!
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!
Last Thursday, March 16th, Lytle Lady Pirates Nivea Sanchez, Brianna Paredes, and Natalie Pacheco traveled to the THSWPA State Powerlifting Championship held in Frisco, Texas to compete for gold. Of these three girls, Natalie Pacheco was the only to place, and with a first place title at that! Way to go ladies! Congratulations on a successful season as the 2023 girls powerlifting season has come to an end.
Natalie Pacheco, first place, squat 475, bench 255, dead lift 415, total 1145.
Brianna Paredes, eleventh place, squat 335, bench 120, dead lift 290, total 745.
Nivea Sanchez, disqualified, squat 405, bench 0, dead lift 315, total 0.
Jerel Beaty
Staff Writer
Lytle came within three points of playing in the Alamodome this past weekend at the State Tournament as their season ended in the Regional Final game against Columbus 62-59. Lytle won their Regional Semifinal against Rio Hondo 69-48. Lytle finished its season at 27-11.
“Behind the great support we had in Seguin, we scored 31 points in transition and had 19 steals against Rio Hondo! Our defense was too much for the Valley-team to handle. We were up 35-17 at the half and never looked back. Fizz Hutton picked up 500 steals for her career here in Lytle she got the name ‘Pick a Pocket Fizz’!”
The Lady Pirates made it back to the Regional Final, or the “Elite 8” as Coach Wilson likes to refer to it.
“This time we knew we had a chance to advance to the dome if everything worked out. We knew we were facing a good Columbus team, but we felt our defense could get us past them.”
Lytle was down by three after the first quarter, 14-11, but Calyssa Sevier hit a big three-pointer that helped her team to a 29-25 halftime lead.
That momentum quickly faded as Columbus went on a 22-10 third-quarter scoring-spree to take a 47-39 lead into what would become the last eight minutes of the quarter for the Lady Pirates.
“We had a rough 3rd quarter,” was Wilson’s statement regarding that ill-fated eight-minute stretch.
Lytle was not going to give up the ship, however, and fought back to outscore Columbus 20-15 in the final frame.
“We took the lead with 1:40 left in the game, but we were in foul trouble. The first one to go was Katara then after we took the lead by one.”
Sevier fouled out moments later, followed by Cadee Martinez.
“Calyssa got the hot hand that brought us back, but she got called for a tick-tack foul and had to leave the game with 5 fouls. We are still up at that point, though, but then Caddie got called for a tick-tack foul as well. Now, three of our five starters are not on the floor.
The remaining two starters and reserves who were ready for the moment almost brought Lytle a Regional Championship.
“We still have a chance to tie the game, only down by three points. Fizz tried for a three, but it was short and time ran out.”
It was quite the season for the Lady Pirates. A season that saw them play a rigorous schedule in hopes that it would propel them to the Final Four in the Alamodome. The team came up just short of that goal, but created so many good memories for themselves, their coaches, and for the community of Lytle.
“All year long if you have watched these girls, we play hard defense and never have never had three starters fouled out of any game. To get some of the calls we got in a Regional Final game was heartbreaking. If you were in the gym you felt the heartbreak and saw the tears. This will be one of those games that will be talked about for years to come!”
The support that Lytle generated throughout the season was simply amazing.
“What I loved about this season is the support from the community. People always say Lytle has no spirit, well, we sure proved them wrong. I had alumni from all years calling and texting how proud they were of the team and that is what it is all about. To represent your community with pride and to see their excitement and having them feel good about our little town is amazing. This season may have come to an end but the memories will last a lifetime.”
Lytle returns seven players from this team for the 2023-2024 season, and Wilson is high on her 8th grade group that will be freshmen next year.
Even so, saying goodbye to seniors is never an easy thing, especially to a senior group that has put Lytle’s name on the map in girls basketball.
“I feel for seniors Cadee Martinez, Fizz Hutton, Mac Sessom, and Rose Scotello. For the last three years, they (Cadee and Fizz) have been part of a team that combined for more than 60 plus wins, 3 District Titles, back-to-back Regional Final Appearances, and 10 golden balls in all. I have to say that is an incredible resume. They gave everything they had and they will be remembered forever as the Lytle basketball team that made history!”
Big Thanks!
“I want to thank everyone that followed us all season, and for all the support. I will not personally thank anyone because I know I would leave someone off, but we know who you are! It was a great ride, but everything great has to end sometime…I just wish we would have had one more week.”
Combined stats
Calyssa Sevier had an incredible showing in the Regional Tournament this girl is the real deal 65 points 13 rebounds 5 assists 12 deflections 16 steals 2 charges; Fizz Hutton 26 points, 17 rebounds, 3 assists, 22 deflections, 12 steals, 1 charge; Cadee Martinez 16 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 deflections; Katara Whitfield 14 points, 18 rebounds, 1 block, 1 assist, 5 deflections, 1 steal; Amelia Martinez 2 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 deflections, 4 steals; Mac Sessom 3 points, 4 rebounds, 4 deflections, 2 steals; Arianna Garcia 2 points, 1 rebound.
Lytle has three lady pirate lifters who are Statebound in Powerlifting including Natalie Pacheco, Nivea Sanchez, and Brianna Paredes. They will head to state on March 16th in Frisco.
Pacheco placed 1st in her weight class and set the regional record for deadlift twice, first at 390 then again at 410 pounds! She is also ranked 1st in the state heading into the state meet! Nivea Sanchez placed 2nd in her weight class and Brianna Paredes qualified by reaching her qualifying total.
In the boy’s side, Pirates Mario Diaz, Luke Estrada, and Robert Inming qualified for Regionals. Mario Diaz earned 1st place in his weight class and the Outstanding Deadlifter Award, officially punching his ticket to the State Meet in Abilene. Robert Inming and Luke Estrada gave their all and gained great regional experience.
“These kids continue to push boundaries, and again I am so proud to be your coach,” said Coach Melissa Gomez in a recent post.
Regional Qualifying Lytle Pirates (left to right): Luke Estrada, Mario Diaz (state qualifier), and Robert Inming.
