Category: Sports

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

Devine Youth Sports Golf closes outseason with awards

What a fantastic way to close out our golf season! A huge CONGRATULATIONS to all of our players for their effort, sportsmanship, and improvement throughout the year. We’re so proud of every one of you!
Intermediate Girls
1st – Violett Miranda
2nd – Emmi Gilliam
3rd – Elena Alexander
Player of the Year: Emmi Gilliam
Intermediate Boys
1st – Gunnar Weber
2nd – Luke Downing
3rd – Daniel Baxter
Player of the year: Jaxson Schott
Advanced Boys
1st – Cohen Carr
2nd – Cooper Stricker
3rd – Charles Stricker
Player of the Year: Cohen Carr

UIL heat safety guidelines for outside athletics and marching band

Jerel Beaty
Staff Writer
The University Interscholastic League has a big say in protocols school districts must follow to help reduce the chances of heat related issues that could arise with the beginning of football, tennis, Cross Country, and marching band. The following is from the UIL website.
WBGT
The UIL heat guidelines emphasize the use of Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) to monitor heat stress and ensure the safety of student-athletes during outdoor activities.
The guidelines are designed to protect student-athletes from heat-related illnesses by implementing scientifically validated monitoring and response strategies. Schools are encouraged to familiarize themselves with these guidelines to ensure a safe environment for outdoor activities. For more detailed information, you can refer to the official UIL resources.
Key Components of the UIL Heat Guidelines
Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT): The UIL has adopted WBGT as the standard measurement for assessing heat stress. This measurement considers temperature, humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation, providing a comprehensive view of environmental conditions that affect athletes’ safety.
Monitoring Protocols
Regular WBGT Readings: Schools are required to take WBGT readings every 30 minutes during outdoor practices, with the first reading taken within 15 minutes before practice starts.
Record Keeping: It is essential to maintain a record of WBGT readings for all outdoor activities to ensure compliance with safety protocols.
Activity Modifications: Based on WBGT levels, schools must adjust outdoor activities to prevent heat-related illnesses. This includes modifying practice intensity, scheduling, and hydration breaks according to established WBGT thresholds.
Emergency Action Plans: All schools must have a plan in place to address heat emergencies, including access to rapid cooling methods such as cold-water immersion tubs or ice wraps.
Cooling Zones: Schools are required to establish cooling zones for WBGT readings of 80°F or higher, ensuring that athletes have access to immediate cooling options.
Hydration and Rest: Coaches must provide unlimited access to water during practices, and rest breaks should focus on rehydration. The guidelines specify the number and duration of rest breaks based on WBGT levels.
Key Updates for 2025-2026
Rapid Cooling Zone Requirement Adjustment: It is a requirement that all schools have equipment that allows for full body immersion in ice water if an individual is experiencing heat illness and distress.
WBGT readings must be taken within 15 minutes prior to the start of practice to ensure accuracy.
Consistent Monitoring: When possible, the same individual should take all WBGT readings during the practice window for consistency.

TWO-A-DAYS are UNDERWAY!

Best of luck to the Horses, Mustangs, & Pirates

Jerel Beaty
Staff Writer
High school football is back!
As the August sun beats down on South Texas, the smell of fresh-cut grass, athletic tape, and determination fills the air in small towns like Devine, Lytle, and Natalia. And with it comes the grueling tradition of two-a-day practices, more intense weight-training sessions, and post-practice sprints followed by ice baths and rehab, and first and second scrimmages that all combine to set the tone for the season ahead.
To the proud football squads here’s wishing you the absolute best in 2025 as you lace up your cleats, buckle your chin straps, and latch those pesky clips in front of your shoulder pads prior to doing the dirty work that many do not even knows exists during these next three weeks of critical preparation.
While it is true that district championships are not won during the initial parts of the training cycle, the habits formed now, good or bad, will be the ones that carry through the season and ultimately play a huge role in the success of each team’s campaign.
Wishing all good health above all else, then sending out good luck and winning vibes to each team’s program.

Arabian Volleyball Alumni Game August 9, Coach McIver sends a call-out to former players

Jerel Beaty
Staff Writer
What has become a wonderful tradition to signify the beginning of another season of Arabian Volleyball, Devine Head Coach Leigh Anne McIver continues to include former players in the build up towards what hopes to be another amazing season for her squad.
McIver gives a shout out to those who played in the maroon and gold to join in for the Annual Alumni Game which is August 9 with first serve coming at 11am.
This will be the first volleyball game/scrimmage on the somewhat newly name Sessions Court, although the team does have a scrimmage in Navarro on Friday, August 8.

Little Lady Mustang Volleyball League… Register through Aug. 7

Natalia High School Volleyball is proud to bring back our youth volleyball league for our future Lady Mustangs. We hope to spark an interest and instill a love for the game of volleyball in all athletes at an early age within our community. The mission of our league is to:
Teach teamwork and cooperation as a member of a competitive volleyball team
Improve volleyball skills
Develop competitive players who strive to achieve both personal and team goals
League fee cost is $40.00 and will include a team t-shirt. Practices will be Wednesdays from 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm (8/20, 8/27, 9/3, 9/10) with games on Saturdays (8/23, 8/30, 9/6, 9/13) from 9am-12pm. We will have detailed information for games after registration.
Items/Equipment each player will need black shorts or spandex, knee pads, and tennis shoes. Coaches will be the Natalia High School Volleyball Players.
If you have questions please contact Coach Cortinas at tara.cortinas@nataliaisd.net.
Last day to register is Thursday, August 7, 2025.

Youth Sports registration open in Devine

Flag Football and Volleyball, sign up by Aug 4

The 2025 Devine Youth Sports Association’s Flag Football and Volleyball registration is now open. In addition, DYFL youth Tackle Football registration is also ongoing.
DYS Flag Football is offered from Kinder-6th grade. Volleyball is offered for 1st through 6th graders. Register by August 4.
The seasons start in September and more info can be found at the registration link below:
https://leagues.bluesombrero.com/devineyouthsports

Tackle Football Sign ups Aug. 3

Two Divisions-JRs (3rd & 4th graders) & SRs (5th & 6th graders).  Football signups will be held: Sunday, July 27th and Sunday, August 3rd from 11am-3pm @ 717 Tuttle Dr. Devine, Tx..
Registration fee is $100.00 & a copy of Birth Certificate is required when registering. If questions, contact Jack Zimmerle 210.215.4944.

Youth Sports registration open in Devine

Flag Football and Volleyball, sign up by Aug 4

The 2025 Devine Youth Sports Association’s Flag Football and Volleyball registration is now open. In addition, DYFL youth Tackle Football registration is also ongoing.
DYS Flag Football is offered from Kinder-6th grade. Volleyball is offered for 1st through 6th graders. Register by August 4.
The seasons start in September and more info can be found at the registration link below:
https://leagues.bluesombrero.com/devineyouthsports

Tackle Football Sign ups July 27 & Aug. 3
Two Divisions-JRs (3rd & 4th graders) & SRs (5th & 6th graders).  Football signups will be held: Sunday, July 27th and Sunday, August 3rd from 11am-3pm @ 717 Tuttle Dr. Devine, Tx..
Registration fee is $100.00 & a copy of Birth Certificate is required when registering. If questions, contact Jack Zimmerle 210.215.4944.

Local fans back adding soccer to Devine athletics

Longtime dispute with contractor also settled

By Anton Riecher
Pablo Carmona, founder of the Devine Soccer Club, led a group of nearly 40 supporters attending the Devine school board regular session Monday urging the addition of soccer to the district’s athletic curriculum.
“When I moved here 20 years ago I was shocked to see that soccer was not in your school district,” Carmona said. “I come from the poorest school district in San Antonio and it is there. It is all over San Antonio.”
Carmona said he enrolled his son in soccer locally at age five. However, that program ended in the sixth grade “so we quickly moved him to San Antonio where he has been playing club soccer ever since.”
Meanwhile, students and players from across Medina County participate in the Devine Soccer Club locally.
“We started this soccer club for the sole purpose of ensuring that soccer players had an opportunity to play from five years old up to high school,” Carmona said. The club gives them the opportunity to choose pursuing the sport at a college or professional level.
“What is obvious is that soccer is a way for these students to earn a scholarship,” he said. “So by not having it in the school district you are really taking this opportunity away from these students.”
The infrastructure to support participating in University Interscholastic League soccer is already in place in Devine, Carmona said.
“You have the lighting and the field,” he said. “It would not take much except for those [official] steps through the UIL to be able to get approved.”
District superintendent Todd Grandjean said that adding soccer to the curriculum…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!

Pirates sail to Semi-regionals

Lytle Pirates Varsity baseball are Area Champions after sweeping the Industrial Cobras 2-0. Lytle moves on to the semi-regional round where they face Orange Grove at Karnes City Thursday, May 15 at 6:00 p.m. Above the Pirates dowse Coach Bippert after the big win.

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