Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Three members of the Springtown Lady Pines powerlifting team brought home bronze medals after third-place finishes in their respective weight classes at the Class 4A Division State Meet at the Comerica Center in Frisco March 15.
In all, the Lady Pines had six lifters place in the top five of their weight class. As a team, Springtown was fifth with 14 points.
Zoey Adams placed third in the 105-pound division, lifting a total of 705 pounds (275 squat, 145 bench press, 285 dead lift). Hayley Knight was third in the 148 division with 915 pounds lifted (380 squat, 190 bench, 345 dead lift) and Ashianya Elam took third in the 198 class with 1,000 pounds (420 squat, 240 bench, 340 dead lift).
Taking fourth in their divisions were Abigail Stoner, 132 class, 930 pounds lifted; and Grace Lewis, 165 class, 935 lifted. Melissa Chavez was fifth in the 148 class, lifting 875 pounds.
Also competing for Springtown were Callee Gaston, eighth in 114 division, 705; Izzy Parker, 10th in 114 division, 675; Skyler Tyree, sixth in 123, 810; Jessica Montgomery, eighth in 123, 795; Destiny Ramirez, 11th in 165, 785; Lyndsey Shotwell, ninth in 181, 890; Addison DeGreek, ninth in 220, 875; and Isabella Medina, 10th in 242, 840.
“The state meet is just such an exciting meet. The parents and community really made us feel special as we headed to state. There were signs along the road, flags and people honking,” coach Missy Castro said. “The Springtown Fire Department and police led the way out of town. Then, the Parker County Sheriff and Reno Police Department got us to Azle. This really was a special moment for the team and coaches.”
The 14 state qualifiers are the most ever for the Lady Pines program.
“I am so proud of this young team. Nine out of the 14 were first-year qualifiers. This was their first time ever competing at state,” Castro said. “The girls gave it everything they had at the meet, improving in many ways.
“In the long run I think our inexperience got to us here and there. I am excited about the experience we gained with several of our freshmen, sophomores and juniors.
“Second through fifth place was just a battle and too close to call until the very end.”
Beeville won with 40 points, followed by Port Lavaca Calhoun with 18 and La Fiera and Hidalgo tied for third with 15 points.
In addition to the lifting, three senior Lady Pines are academic all-state. Tyree and Montgomery were named first team and Lilly Siegel was named second team.
“Our seniors have been great leaders and definitely set the bar high for the underclass,” Castro said. “We will miss having them around, but we are excited for their next chapter. Tradition never graduates.”
AZLE GIRLS POWERLIFTING
Raegan Williams of the Lady Hornets placed third in the 123-pound division at the 5A Division I State Powerlifting Meet at the Comerica Center March 16. She lifted a total of 840 pounds (315 squat, 170 bench press, 275 dead lift).
“I felt that it went really well, proud of the girls. Really excited that the program has only one senior graduating,” coach Tanner Street said.
Also for Azle, Emma Sustala placed eighth in the 181 division, lifting 900 total pounds. Ella Swaim was 11th in the 105 class, lifting 585 total. Also qualifying for state from the Lady Hornets, but not placing, was Kyndal Robbins in the 97 division.
“It was fun, but also scary seeing all the people there while I was competing.” Emma Sustala said. “Having the right people supporting me like family, friends, and coaches that helped me to be successful this season.”
“Going to state this year as my first year being in powerlifting was one of the biggest achievements I could’ve had. Just knowing that I was at state was such an amazing feeling for me,” Robbins said. “Especially knowing I’m around the best of the best. Though I did not achieve the outcome I would’ve hoped for, I try and look at the bigger picture of how far I have come in the short couple of months.”
AZLE BASEBALL
In a showdown of two of the favorites in District 5-5A, the Azle Hornets and Granbury Pirates split games this past week, each winning at the other’s venue. On March 12, the Pirates won 9-6 in Azle and the Hornets won the next day 2-1 in Granbury.
In the victory, Cole Webb pitched a complete game gem, giving up seven hits with seven strikeouts and no walks. Ty Bonnett led the offense with two hits and an RBI, while Tyler Vaughn also drove in a run.
In the loss, Liptow had two hits and two RBIs and Jacob McGee had a double with three RBIs.
The Hornets (11-4 overall) were playing at Saginaw at press time. They host Saginaw March 22, host Northwest March 26 and travel to Northwest March 28, all at 6:30 p.m.
AZLE SOFTBALL
The Lady Hornets (13-8-1 overall) improved to 3-0 in District 5-5A with a 7-0 victory at Northwest March 13 as Brandie Phillips had three hits, including a double. Ema Lehr had two hits and four RBIs, Shaylea Cassell’s two hits included a double and an RBI, and Corynne Barone had two hits.
Adrianna Weidman got the pitching victory, throwing five innings with five hits, seven strikeouts and a walk. Morgan Terrell pitched two innings with a hit and three strikeouts.
Azle visits Aledo March 22 and hosts Brewer March 26, both games starting at 6:30 p.m.
AZLE GIRLS BASKETBALL
Five members of the Lady Hornets were named to the All-District 5-5A Team by the league’s coaches. Leading the selections is senior Cheryl Grubbs on the first team.
Second-team picks are junior Abby Natusch and senior Vielka Gonzalez. Honorable mentions went to seniors Landri Seward and Faith Summers.
The Lady Hornets finished 17-18 and advanced to the bidistrict playoffs.
AZLE BOYS BASKETBALL
Cason Cook of the Hornets has been named the District 5-5A Newcomer of the Year by the league’s coaches. Also honored with a second-team selection was junior Britt Haas.
Seniors Gunner Crow and Kaleb Braswell are honorable mentions.
SPRINGTOWN GIRLS BASKETBALL
Lady Pines senior Allison Ford and junior Esther Ballado were named to the All-District 8-4A First Team by coaches. Second-team accolades went to seniors Chloe Kirk and Paige Winstead, along with sophomore Brooklynn Quintanilla and Brylynn Bazzell.
Junior Kylie Russell received honorable mention.
Academic all-district honors were earned by Bazzell, Kirk, Quintanilla, Russell, Winstead, junior Amelia Espinoza, sophomore Abby Miller, sophomore manager Megan Lejueness and freshman Makinze Nation.
The Lady Pines are coming off a 19-18 season and bidistrict appearance. It is their most victories since the 2010-11 season.
SPRINGTOWN BOYS BASKETBALL
Senior Dayne Thompson of the Porcupines was named the District 8-4A Offensive Player of the Year. Junior Dylan Crutchfield was selected by the league coaches for first team all-district.
Senior Kelby Castro and junior Chase Thompson were honored as second-team choices. Honorable mentions went to seniors Braylon Easter and Ty Parrott.
The Porcupines finished 19-13 and were second in district with a 7-3 record. They advanced to the playoffs, falling 71-69 to Burkburnett in bidistrict. It was their most wins since the 2012-13 season.
SPRINGTOWN GIRLS TRACK
Mackenzie (Mack) Flaugher of the Lady Pines is ranked No. 8 in the state in the triple jump in Class 4A and leads Region I with a 35-foot, 9-inch effort to win the Lovejoy Invitational.
Flaugher, a junior, is seeking a third consecutive berth at the 4A State Track and Field Meet this season. She finished fourth in 2023, jumping 38 feet, 3.75 inches. As a freshman she was seventh at state, clearing 37 feet, 6.25 inches.
Her career best triple jump is 38 feet, 4.5 inches at the 4A Region I Meet in 2022.
She is also third in Region I in the long jump this season, having leaped 17 feet, 0 inches.
AZLE TRACK
Four members of the team competed in the Texas Distance Festival in Southlake March 15-16. Leading the runners, all competing in the 1600-meter run, was Brooke Maples, clocking a time of 5 minutes, 52.04 seconds among the girls. The lone boy to compete for Azle was Eli Walker, who posted 5:53.98.
Also for the Lady Hornets, Lily Hudman had a time of 6:01.29 and Azucena Neri clocked a 6:06.86.
RODEO
Area athletes are among North Texas High School Rodeo Association leaders. The top 15 in each event at the end of the regular season advance to the NTHSRA Finals in May.
Girls all-around: 2. Laurel Allred, Azle; 6. Delaney Harris, Springtown; 8. Hevenli Scribner, Azle; 15. Andrea Allred, Azle.
Boys all-around: 4. Kasen Scarlato, Azle; 6. Xavier Reyes, Azle; 10. Sean Bunero, Azle.
Barrel racing: 6. Scribner; 14. Kaylee Buchanan, Springtown.
Breakaway roping: 12. Paige Bunero, Springtown.
Bull riding: 1. Colton Phillips, Springtown; Tucker Barbee, Azle.
Calf roping: 6. S. Bunero; 10. Tanner Piller, Springtown.
Chute Dogging: 5. Wyatt Allison, Azle; 6. River Cassell, Azle; 7. Scarlato; 10. Cade Walker, Springtown; 11. Shaye Winford, Springtown; 13. A. Allred.
Walkup goat tying: 1. L. Allred; 5. A. Allred; 7. Delaney Harris, Springtown; 12. Caitlyn Colley, Azle; 14. Winford.
Poles: 1. L. Allred; 7. Scribner; 10. Colley.
Ribbon roping: 5. S. Bunero; 6. P. Bunero.
Steer wrestling: 2. Walker.
Team roping;header: 1. Reyes; 12. Scarlato.
Team roping-heeler: 1. Scarlato; 11. Reyes.
