Category: Warhorses & Arabians

Matthew “Moose” Lopez
Sports editor
The Devine Arabians snag the bi-district championship after the series sweep against the Navarro Panthers. The Arabians began both games trailing and battled back in epic fashion to secure the wins and move on to the area championship. In game one, Devine was trailing 1-3 to the Panthers but slowly crept their way to a tie in the fourth inning at 8-8. After the fourth frame, the Arabians would score four more runs while holding off Navarro, winning 12-8.
In game two, that same resilience shined as the Arabians trailed Navarro almost the entire game. Devine was down 2-5 in the opening frame then wouldn’t score again until the top of the fifth. With the score at 5-6 in favor of Navarro, the Arabians would score two clutch runs in the final inning to seal the victory and the series at 7-6.
Head coach Micheal Sotelo said it’s no surprise the team responded to adversity so well because the coaching staff has primed them for these moments all season.
“ We’ve put these girls in uncomfortable positions all year and they have become comfortable with our decisions,” Sotelo said. “They have become so resilient this year and it has been fun to watch. We’ve had different girls all season come up with some quality at bats and make plays on defense.”
When looking ahead to their matchup against Wimberley Texans, Sotelo said the teams matchup well. Sotelo noted that while the Texans may hold a slight edge in certain areas, the same applies to the Arabians.
“We hope to keep the game close and give our team a chance to win it in the end,” Sotelo said.
The Area playoff games will start this Wednesday, April 28 at Alamo Heights Athletics Mule Diamond in San Antonio at 7 P.M.…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!

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
Twelve Warhorse athletes combined for 129 points to defeat runner-up Floresville (107) to capture the Area Track and Field Championship on April 16 in Cuero.
Devine narrowly defeated the Tigers just a couple of weeks ago by two points to win District 27-4A but left little doubt this time around who was the best overall team from combined districts 27-4A and 28-4A.
Rowdy Esparza, Mikey Rodriguez, Karter Brown, Zach Guerra, Ryan Weinkam, and Jonathan Cantu were all gold medalists in their respective events while silver medalists included Cantu, Weinkam, Lucas Hudson, Esai Sanchez, and Bo Wheeler.
Earning bronze were Hall, Esparza, Sanchez, Weinkam while Brody Lane, and Tanner Davis also added points to the area-champion 129-point total.
Regional Qualifiers
Individual event regional qualifiers were Rowdy Esparza in 400m, Long Jump, and Triple Jump, Mikey Rodriguez in 110m and 300m hurdles, Karter Brown in Shot Put, Bo Wheeler in High Jump, Enoch Hall in 100m, and Brody Lane in 300m Hurdles.
All three relay teams qualified led by the mile relay champion foursome of Zach Guerra, Ryan Weinkam, Jonathan Cantu, and Esparza, the runner-up 800m squad of Cantu, Lucas Hudson, Esai Sanchez, and Weinkam, and the third place 400m tandem of Hall, Esparza, Sanchez, and Weinkam.
Alternates include…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!

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
Oh so close! Devine placed second in the District 27-28 4A Area Track and Field Championships on April 16 in Cuero by a mere two points as La Vernia took top honors by a narrow 94-92 margin.
The Lady Bears were down 14 points 92-78 entering the 4x400m Relay but finished second to score 16 points to take the team lead over the Arabians who did not have a foursome in that event.
Gold medal performances by the Arabians belonged to Kylie Monreal and Rylie Wells while Kenzie Schott earned the lone silver medal.
Bronze went to Caroline Suhr and Camila Sierra while Peyton Dixon-Davis and Ivy Stricker also scored points for the Area Runner-Up Arabians. Glorianna Jimenez finished just out of reach of scoring a point in her event.
Regional Qualifiers
Individual regional qualifiers were Kylie Monreal in 100m Hurdles, 300m Hurdles, and Long Jump, Rylie Wells in Triple Jump, 100m Hurdles, and Long Jump, Kenzie Schott in 100m Hurdles, Caroline Suhr in Pole Vault, Camila Sierra in 400m, and the 400m relay foursome of Schott, Wells, Peyton Dixon-Davis, and Ivy Stricker.
Team rankings…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!

Matthew “Moose” Lopez
Sports editor
The Devine Arabians regular season comes to a close after a heated defensive battle against number one seeded Somerset. Despite the loss, the Arabians had a fantastic season. The team would finish second in the district standing with a record of 8-4 and an overall record of 18-14-1. In all eight of their district wins they averaged almost 10 runs scored per game while holding opponents to about 2 runs per game.
Now the Arabians will take on the Navarro Panthers Thursday, April 23 in Devine at 7 P.M. at home for game one, then will travel to Navarro for game two on Friday, April 24 at 7 P.M. Game three of necessary will be at an SAISD school Saturday April 25 at 3 P.M. Head coach Michael Sotelo said the Panthers mirror Devine’s play style so this first round matchup is sure to be a good one.
“They have some good bats in their lineup,” Sotelo said. “Some solid defense behind their leaders in Cadee Zimmer centerfielder and Shelbi Stevens catcher. With some decent pitching in Peyton Cisneros.”  
With the end of every season comes goodbyes. The Arabians have five seniors leaving this year and Sotelo noted that the upperclassmen’s time in the dugout will leave a lasting impact on…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!

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
What slim hopes were left of a UIL Postseason run for the Warhorse baseball team may have all but evaporated in their April 17 home loss to Somerset.
Despite grinding out 11 hits few came with runners in scoring position as Devine fell to the Bulldogs 11-4.
Eight Warhorses delivered hits led by Esai Sanchez with three and Kaleb Oropeza with a pair. Christian Beaver, Karter Brown, Rudy Costilla, Riley Gutierrez, Brayden Mann, and Duke Wheeler also collected singles.
Sanchez, Beaver, and Brown each drove in a run.
Devine played their last road game of the season on April 21 in Pearsall and now close 2026 with a home tilt against Floresville.

Matthew “Moose” Lopez
Sports editor
Spring tennis has officially wrapped up for Devine, as Jeremy Steinbrunner took a tough loss in the second round, 6-2, 6-0, of the regional tournament. Steinbrunner won his first match handily, winning 6-0,6-0 against Evan Hamilton, Eastside Early College Prep. His loss in the second round came from “a very good player” Miguel Mejia from Valley View, the fourth seed, who would go on to the finals. Head coach Kandi Darnell said Steinbunner had a good spring season and was proud of the performance he put on at the tournament.
“[Steinbrunner] had three first place finishes  and four second finishes this season,” Darnell said. “He represented DHS tennis well. Our competition at 4A was toughest which made for some great tennis.”
Congratulations to Jeremy and his incredible season!

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
The Arabian Track and Field team wrapped up a third place finish in last week’s District 27-4A Meet in Somerset. Devine scored 119 points to place behind runner-up Pleasanton (128) and champion Floresville (157½).
Kylie Monreal pulled out three gold medals with her championship efforts in High Jump and both the 100m and 300m hurdles. She also earned bronze medals in Long Jump and Triple Jump.
Rylie Wells earned two gold medals as she conquered both Long Jump and Triple Jump. She also earned a silver medal in 100m Hurdles.
Camila Sierra earned a gold as well by winning the 400m.
Joining Wells on the 400m relay foursome were Kenzi Schott, Peyton Dixon-Davis, and Ivy Stricker as they claimed bronze medals.
Schott (100m Hurdles), Caroline Suhr (Pole Vault), and Glorianna Jimenez (Shot Put) also had bronze medal performances.
Others scoring…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!