Category: Sports

Local Sports coverage of your Warhorse and Arabians, Colts, Fillys, Lytle Pirates, Lady Pirates, Mustangs and Lady Mustangs

Arabian track pops 211 in Lytle, Rylie Wells sets school record in Long Jump

Arabian Claria Gulley hands off the baton to Brooklyn Hinnat during Devine’s dominant win at the track meet in Lytle. Photo by Moose Lopez.

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
Once again, the Arabian track and field team put together a 200-point performance as they won the Lady Pirate Relays in Lytle last week. Their 211 points topped Hondo who finished with 99 while third place San Antonio Cole wrapped up the day with 91 points.
As one can imagine, Devine had several gold medal outcomes but none more impressive as Rylie Wells setting her new…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!

Warhorses team champs in Lytle with 195 points

Warhorse Enoch Hall and Pirare Angel De La Rosa race with full effort towards the finish line during the track meet in Lytle. Photo by Moose Lopez.

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
The Warhorse track and field team keeps racking up championship plaques as they secured yet another just down I35 in Lytle last week. Devine almost hit the 200-point plateau falling just short with 195 but it was still more than enough to defeat runner up San Antonio Cole who finished with 116. Lytle was third with 102.
Devine had several first place finishes, especially in the…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!

Local Volleyball alumni goes international

Devine, Texas — Rylee Esquibel, Devine High School graduate and former Arabian is taking her volleyball talents across the globe. Lakeland University Women’s Volleyball Team will be traveling to Brazil internationally to experience the global side of the sport.
The trip will provide Esquibel and the Lakeland University squad with the opportunity to play against international teams while immersing themselves in Brazil’s vibrant culture. For the athletes, the experience will be about more than just competition — it will also be about representing their university and communities on an international stage.
Esquibel, who made a name for herself during her time at Devine High School as a dedicated and hardworking athlete, continues to build on that legacy at the collegiate level. Known for her strong work ethic, she has become a valuable contributor to Lakeland’s volleyball program.
The international experience will allow the athletes to explore Brazil’s landmarks, cuisine and culture, while creating memories that will last well beyond their volleyball careers.
For the Devine community, seeing one of their own succeed at the collegiate level and travel internationally is a source of pride. Esquibel’s journey from a local high school gym to international volleyball courts serves as an inspiration for young athletes.
As Esquibel continues her volleyball career at Lakeland University, her trip to Brazil marks another milestone in a journey that began in Devine — proving that dedication, teamwork, and passion for the game can open doors around the world.

Local Athletes headed to Nike Nationals in New York!

The team includes Twister Kluth (Hondo, sophomore), Rowdy Esparza (Devine, junior), Ryan Weinkam (Devine, senior), and Sebastian Garcia (Lytle, junior). Photo courtesy of JVail Photography..

A talented group of track athletes from Devine, Hondo, and Lytle are preparing to compete on one of the biggest stages in high school track and field the Nike National Track Meet in New York City.
The four athletes have qualified as a 4×400 relay team, an impressive accomplishment that brings together runners from multiple schools and showcases the strength of small-town athletics across the area. The team includes Twister Kluth (Hondo, sophomore), Rowdy Esparza (Devine, junior), Ryan Weinkam (Devine, senior), and Sebastian Garcia (Lytle, junior).
Rowdy and Ryan both run with Devine Speed, and later joined forces with Twister and Sebastian who run with Tri-County Track & Field Club to form the 4×400 relay team, a collaboration that has proven successful at the national-qualifying level.
In addition to qualifying with the relay team, Rowdy has also earned individual qualifications in the triple jump, long jump, and the 400-meter dash, giving him the opportunity to compete in multiple events at the national meet.
As the boys prepare for the trip to New York, they have been overwhelmed by the support from their communities. Local businesses, families, and supporters from Devine, Hondo, and Lytle have stepped up by sponsoring, donating drawing items, purchasing tickets, and helping spread the word to help cover travel expenses.
The team is currently holding a drawing featuring over $2,000 in prizes, and tickets are still available. The athletes will be selling tickets at Market Place in Devine all day on Saturday, March 7th. The drawing will take place on Sunday, March 8, at 3:00 p.m., and winners do not need to be present to win.
As these young athletes get ready to represent their hometowns on a national stage, they do so with pride and with the support of an entire community behind them.

Lytle ISD 2026-2027 School Calendar Now Available

The Lytle ISD 2026-2027 School Calendar is now available, and it features some small adjustments that provide big benefits for students. An additional 15 minutes have been added to the school day allowing for a 175-day student calendar that still meets all required instructional minutes under Texas law. It also includes built-in bad weather days that will help avoid make-up days.
Daily Schedule Adjustments
To gain the extra 15 minutes, the Primary and Elementary school day will end a little later and the Junior High and High School day will start a little earlier.
Primary and Elementary Schedule – 7:45 a.m.-3:15 p.m.
Junior High and High School Schedule – 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Our transportation area has confirmed that these adjustments can be accommodated within our current bus routes.
Deeper Learning
For our students, this small adjustment allows for deeper learning and more time for acceleration and intervention.
Days Off
The calendar also features two extra days off and a change to the October days off:
Nov. 4 – This day off will allow our entire community to support our band WHEN they return to state competition.
April 23 – As a result of Easter falling in March in 2027, the April 23 day off was added to provide a needed break during the month and happens to align with the Battle of Flowers Parade in San Antonio. This is consistent with our effort to provide at least one day off a month.
Oct. 2 and 5 – This past year, the October break included the Columbus Day holiday. Based on feedback we moved the October break to Oct 2-5 (football bye week) which allows more staff and students to enjoy the break as well.
The 2026-2027 School Calendar can be viewed on the district website at this link https://www.lytleisd.org/page/academic-calendar.

District play on the horizon for Arabians

Varsity Arabian Olivia Taylor swings for the base hit during a recent tournament in Jourdanton. Taylor has been a threat at the plate and in the circle for Devine so far this season. Photo by Moose Lopez.

Matthew “Moose” Lopez
Sports Editor
The Arabians have officially wrapped up the tournament season and are set to begin district play Tuesday against Pearsall then host Floresville on Friday, March 6 at 7 p.m. Devine is currently 10-8-1 after their tournament in Seguin. Head coach Micheal Sotello is confident that these regular season and tournament games have prepared the team for district grind before them.
“The district will continue to be tough and our young ladies will compete for a chance at that district championship,” Sotello said.
Vs Cornerstone Christian 2/24
In a grueling, grind it out game, the Arabians were barely edged out by Cornerstone Christian falling 1-2. Sotello…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!

Warhorse baseball on 3-game streak; Dilley Tourney on deck

Varsity Warhorse Aiden Martinez slides to second after a single from the previous batter. Photo by Moose Lopez.

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
Devine posted a solid 3-1 record in the competitive South Texas Slugfest held last weekend at Warhorse Field. After a tough loss in their opening game on Thursday, the team bounced back impressively with three consecutive victories, including an exciting walk-off win in their final contest.
Game One vs Boerne Geneva
Boerne Geneva handed the Warhorses a 10-1 defeat in the opening round of the tournament. Devine was within striking distance early, trailing just 2-1 after two innings.
However, Geneva broke the game open with four runs in both the third and fifth innings, making a comeback out of reach for Devine.
Game Two vs Antonian Prep
Devine responded with a 7-2 win over Antonian Prep, putting up three runs in the bottom of the first inning and adding four more in the bottom of the fourth to secure the victory. The Warhorses outhit…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!

Warhorses roll through playoffs ends in Area with 75-74 loss to Manor New Tech

Varsity Warhorse Tanner Davis barrels through the paint for the contested layup during Devine’s Area championship game against New Manor Tech. Davis was the second leading scorer for Devine with 12 points. Photo by Moose Lopez.

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
One point short. The 2025-2026 season for the Devine Warhorses ended in dramatic fashion, but not without leaving a mark on the program’s proud history. Devine finished the year with an impressive 25-13 overall record and claimed the District 27-4A crown with a strong 10-3 mark in league play.
From the opening tip in November to the final buzzer in the postseason, the Warhorses proved themselves as one of the most resilient and competitive teams in the entire San Antonio area.
Their playoff run embodied the grit that defined their season. After blasting Navarro 59-24 in the first round of the UIL State playoffs, Devine came within a single point of advancing to the regional semifinals.
One possession…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!

Four Pirates medal at Powerfest

The Pirate Powerlifting team at their meet in Crystal City! Photo by Melissa Gomez.

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
Four seniors medaled in Crystal City on February 21 as Jaden Araujo, Thomas Rubal, Noah Smoot, and Evan Syma all took some hardware back to Lytle.
Araujo won 1st place in the 123 weight class with a total of 895 pounds.
Rubal took 2nd place in the 165 weight class with a total of 1205 pounds.
Smoot earned 2nd place in the 181 weight class with a total of 1275 pounds.
Syma netted 3rd place in the 114 weight class with a total of 580 pounds.
Head Coach Melissa Gomez was happy with what she got from all of her lifters.
“We took eight lifters…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!