Category: Track & field

by Evan Ren

FEATURE: Stephenville’s Brister overcomes knee injury to land two state berths

STEPHENVILLE — Creece Brister could have very easily chosen to feel sorry for himself in the aftermath of a devastating knee injury suffered during the football season. 

He instead chose to count his blessings and to get back to work. 

Track season was right around the corner and moping wasn’t going to help the defending Class 4A state shot put champion prepare for the event. So the 6-foot-5, 310-pounder (who also earned state silver in the discus last year) put his nose to the grindstone and began prepping in earnest in November. 

The effort has now paid off with regional titles in both the shot put and discus, giving him two state berths despite being less than 100 percent. He will compete in both events in the 2024 UIL State Track & Field Meet at Mike A. Myers Stadium on Thursday in Austin.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Zach Duncan, Special to Big Country Preps

FEATURE: Gordon’s track teams ready to finish off special year

It’s been a special year for Gordon’s athletics program.

The Longhorns captured their first state football title in more than two decades. The boys basketball team advanced to state, while both track programs won regional titles. Baseball has a chance to make a run, too. 

This Saturday potentially could be the cherry on top as the Longhorns will enter as the favorite at the Class 1A Meet, while the Lady Longhorns should also be in the mix thanks to their relays.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Cisco hurler takes the top spot after remarkable turnaround

Coming off a subpar performance in Game 1 of last week’s 2A bi-district series with Hawley, Cisco pitcher Hannah Rogers did something few expected: a complete about-face. 

Rogers, who had been beaten up in an 11-4 loss on Friday afternoon that saw her allow 14 hits, quickly regained her form for Game 2 that evening. Limiting Hawley to seven hits, she led Cisco to a series-tying 5-2 win. 

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Zach Duncan, Special to Big Country Preps

FEATURE: Reel’s non-stop work paying off for Jayton junior

Photos contributed by Bobby Brown 

Griff Reel didn’t want a break.

A couple days after helping Jayton win its first state basketball title, Reel turned his attention to track.

Motivated by a second-place state finish in the 400 last year, Reel was looking to carry his junior season success over to the next sport.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Zach Duncan, Special to Big Country Preps

FEATURE: Bronte’s Jackson ready for busy state weekend 

Photos contributed by Amy Bohensky/Bronte Yearbook

Emily Jackson knows a thing or two about state track. 

The Bronte senior’s trip to Austin for Saturday’s Class 1A Meet will be her fourth and final appearance.

In every year, she’s increased her state event total. After participating in both hurdles and the long jump as a junior, it’s only fitting Jackson is a five-event qualifier in her last trip.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Daniel Youngblood

REGION I-3A TRACK MEET: Brock boys claim fourth straight team title; area athletes show well

ABILENE — The Brock boys track team claimed its fourth consecutive region title Monday, headlining a strong showing by area athletes at the rain-altered Region I-3A meet at Abilene Christian University’s Elmer Gray Stadium. 

Led by Dylan Foster, who claimed gold medals in both hurdle events, earned bronze in the long jump and ran a leg on Brock’s gold medal-winning sprint relay team, the Eagles finished with 99 points, edging runner-up Holliday by 13 points and topping third-place Wall by 44 points.

The Brock boys scored in 10 events and claimed nine medals on their way to the team championship, capping a meet that saw athletes from the Big Country Preps coverage area combined to earn 32 medals and claim 23 automatic berths to the Class 3A state meet May 2 in Austin.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Eula’s Cauthen takes our weekly award through three sports

There is very little that Eula’s Halie Cauthen isn’t good at athletically. Already an Honorable Mention All-Big Country Preps basketball player, the EHS junior showed her full range of versatility last week with three big performances in three different sports.

To begin with, Cauthen opened the week by qualifying for the 1A state golf tournament as an individual at the regional tournament, closing with rounds of 103 and 105.

Then, after playing 54 holes of golf in three days, Cauthen rushed back to compete for the district championship in softball against Cross Plains. 

With a game time of 7:30 p.m., she arrived from the golf tournament at 7:25 and went 4 for 4 with three triples, three RBIs and four runs scored to help Eula clinch the district title in a 10-1 victory.

But Cauthen wasn’t finished quite yet.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

CLASS 2A/1A REGIONAL TRACK RECAP: Big Country sending multiple athletes to Austin

Big Country athletes are no strangers to the state track meet, carrying long tradition of success at Mike Myers Stadium in Austin.

The area’s small schools have been particularly successful and 2024 will again offer an abundance of Big Country talent shooting for the medal stand in Austin, courtesy of several regional wins over the weekend. 

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Daniel Youngblood

REGION I-4A TRACK RECAP: Stephenville boys win team title to headline successful meet for area

LUBBOCK — Big Country athletes made a strong showing at the Region I-4A track meet Friday and Saturday at Lowrey Field, combining to earn 19 medals and 12 automatic bids to the state meet May 2 in Austin. 

Between the boys and girls competitions, area entries accounted for eight gold medals, four silvers and seven bronzes, while the Stephenville boys did enough to edge Canyon by two points for the team title.

The Yellow Jackets finished with 59 points, headlined by double gold medalist Creece Brister, who won both throwing events. Brownwood, meanwhile, had the highest girls finish, taking third with 48 points, led by gold medals from Kaya Phillips in the 200 and its 800-meter relay team.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Daniel Youngblood

REGION I-5A TRACK RECAP: Cooper long jumper Hatcher, AHS boys sprint relay earn trip to state meet

LUBBOCK — Cooper girls long jumper Jazlyn Hatcher and the Abilene High boys sprint relay team of Bryson Perez, Jaden Jackson, Brayden Henry and Ryland Bradford both earned trips to the state track meet May 3 in Austin with strong performances at the Region I-5A meet on Friday at Saturday at Lowrey Field.

Hatcher won gold in the long jump, leaping 19 feet, 3¼ inches to edge Justin Northwest’s Levariya Pinder (19-0), while AHS’ 400-meter relay ran a silver medal time of 42.17 seconds to finish behind only Mansfield Timberview (41.94).

Those efforts headlined a solid showing by Abilene’s three largest public schools, which combined to earn points in 11 events.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Clyde senior tosses no-no, takes the award

With plenty of competition for the top spot, our Big Country Preps Player of the Week goes to Clyde senior pitcher Trip Ancheta. 

When in doubt, a dominating no-hitter is usually a solid choice. 

Ancheta did exactly that in a 14-0 mercy rule win over Grape Creek that saw him work all five innings with 11 strikeouts — narrowly missing a perfect game by one walk. 

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Zach Duncan, Special to Big Country Preps

FEATURE: Albany’s Roberson has big plans after close calls

Photos by Amanda Tabor 

ALBANY  — Kiana Roberson knows she can be a state champion this year.

After all, the Albany senior was close to accomplishing that feat twice last spring. Roberson was nine inches shy of gold in the Class 2A discus and a mere 2.5 inches shy in the shot put.

“When I got second last year at state, I was happy because it was better than the previous year,” Roberson said. “But with that being said, it just shows me it’s possible to win it all, and that’s my plan this year.”

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Zach Duncan, Special to Big Country Preps

FEATURE: Stamford’s Brady, relays hitting their stride 

As soon as Stamford’s football season came to an end, Jared Brady wanted to know when track season started.

The senior Bulldog loves track more than any sport. He’s a returning state qualifier who runs the 100 and both sprint relays. And he’s looking forward to ending his high school track career with another trip to Austin.

“This year I’ve put in blood, sweat and tears to making it this far, and I’m not done yet,” Brady said. “Medaling in Austin would mean that I’ve proven to everyone that I am a winner and that I can push beyond my limits.”

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Wall’s Jones takes five district titles and our Player of the Week

While we normally try to share the love in our Big Country Preps Player of the Week column, five district titles in one week isn’t easy to sidestep. 

And while Wall’s Briggs Jones has already pulled down our award once this year, he earned a second with his showing at the District 6-3A meet in Clyde last week by sweeping the long jump (23-2), the triple jump (44-10.75), the 200 meters (21.92), the 100 meters (10.72) and assisting the 800 relay team to gold with a 1:29.68 split. 

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Zach Duncan, Special to Big Country Preps

FEATURE: Tutter, Brock seniors hitting their stride 

Brett Tutter is conflicted when it comes to these last few weeks of track season.

The Brock senior is excited about the possibility of getting back to state for the third time.

But he readily admits to being bummed that his days competing as an Eagle with his buddies are almost over.

Tutter and the Eagles are coming off a strong showing at last week’s District 8-3A Meet in Dublin. Not only did Tutter win the 100 with a season-best time of 10.71 seconds, but he also anchored both sprint relays to gold.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Daniel Youngblood

DISTRICT 4-5A TRACK MEET: AHS boys narrowly miss team title as local athletes combine to claim 48 medals

Entering the mile relay just two points down to Lubbock Cooper in the team race, the Abilene High boys track team gave itself a chance to claim team gold at the District 4-5A meet Thursday at the Shotwell Annex.

But after taking three of the top four spots in the 1,600 meters to put themselves in that position, the Eagles finished second to the Pirates in the final race of the evening to close the two-day meet with 172 points — six short of a district championship.

That 1-2 finish between LCHS and Abilene High mirrored the finish in the girls team race, which saw the Lady Pirates earn 141 points to top the second-place Lady Eagles by 29 points and the third-place Cooper Lady Cougars by 37.

The team medals, which also included a bronze for the Wylie boys (73 points) capped a successful district meet for Abilene’s three largest high schools, which combined to earn 48 medals (24 girls, 24 boys) and claim 68 spots at the Districts 3/4-5A area meet next week at Lowrey Field in Lubbock.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Zach Duncan, Special to Big Country Preps

FEATURE: Goldthwaite’s Jernigan ready to defend state hurdles titles

Photos provided by April Wetzig 

GOLDTHWAITE — Lainey Jernigan is excited to begin the next chapter of her life as a member of Angelo State’s track team.

But before Jernigan moves on, the Goldthwaite senior still has her sights set on defending her two Class 2A state titles in the hurdles.

“Going out as a double state champion would mean the world to me,” Jernigan said. “It would represent all of my years of hard work, dedication and sacrifice in this sport. It would also mean so much to my teammates, coaches, family and supporters who have been with me every step of the way.”

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Hermleigh senior takes this week’s accolade

Sometimes the mercy rule and cheat a player a bit, limiting their number of plate appearances or the number of innings they can pitch. 

But in District 15-1A, there is an added mercy rule, beyond the standard 10-run lead after five innings. There, a 15-run lead after three frames is enough to end a game early, which left our Big Country Preps Player of the Week (Hermleigh’s Summer Smith) short of what may have been a staggering set of numbers. 

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Zach Duncan, Special to Big Country Preps

FEATURE: May’s Amanda Harrell begins her battle for state meet return

Amanda Harrell’s senior season of track has only just begun.

But the May senior fully expects it to last until May 4. That’s the date of the Class 1A UIL state meet in Austin.

Harrell left state last year with a second-place finish in the discus, but she’s hoping for a gold this time around in what would be her third trip to state.  

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Wall junior has huge day in San Angelo to capture our award

Wall junior Briggs Jones may be on the verge of a major breakout season in area track and field. 

Our Big Country Player of the Week not only won five medals at the coveted Angelo State Spring Break meet, but he broke two solo school records and helped break a third. It seldom gets much better than that. 

Aside from setting school marks in the long jump at 23-9.5 (for gold) and the triple jump at 45-2 (for gold), Jones was part of the 800 relay team’s silver medal performance of 1:28.49 — another Wall school mark. 

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Jayton’s Gentry takes this week’s award

Big moments attract big-time players and our Big Country Preps Player of the Week, certainly made the most of his opportunity over the weekend. 

After scoring nine points, grabbing 11 rebounds and dishing four assists in a state semifinal win over Fayetteville last Thursday, Jayton sophomore Colt Gentry, saved his best for last in a 60-53 win over Benjamin in the 1A boys state title game on Saturday.

Gentry charted a team-high 19 points to go with six boards, four assists, a steal and a block to help the Jaybirds to the state title and earn state tourney MVP honors in the process. 

It was his second straight week of huge performances under pressure, the first of which helped the Jaybirds win the regional tournament.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY BOYS TRACK FORECAST: Who are the top boys athletes to watch in 2024?

The Big Country loves its track and field and with dozens of team and individual state championships to its credit, the area has proven itself to be a hotbed.

Soon, we’ll begin the season-long process of seeing who will represent their schools and the entire Big Country area at the state meet in Austin. 

For now, let’s have a peek at the top boys talent we have coming back. 

Below you’ll find a comprehensive list of this year’s top returnees, along with their personal best times and distances from last year. 

Enjoy. We’ll see you at the track. 

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY GIRLS TRACK FORECAST: Who are the top girls athletes to watch in 2024?

The Big Country loves its track and field and with dozens of team and individual state championships to its credit, the area has proven itself to be a hotbed.

Soon, we’ll begin the season-long process of seeing who will represent their schools and the entire Big Country area at the state meet in Austin. 

For now, let’s have a look at the top girls talent we have coming back. 

Below you’ll find a comprehensive list of this year’s top returnees, along with their personal best times and distances from last year. 

Enjoy. We’ll see you at the track. 

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

SIGNING DAY 2024: Multiple area athletes have now inked their commitments

With National Signing Day taking place on Wednesday, the Big Country, as always, saw a large number of athletes finalize their commitments to compete at the next level. 

Headliners among this year’s signees include Albany running back Adam HIll and Hawley receiver Chandlin Myers, both of whom signed early with Texas Tech University. 

Stephenville offensive lineman Creece Brister (TCU) and Comanche defensive back Kyler Beaty (Baylor) also inked their letters early. They’re joined Brock offensive/defensive lineman Hunter Fay (Navy) and standout hurdler Dylan Foster (Army) as the top signees in the Big Country Preps coverage area.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

2023 ALL-BIG COUNTRY PREPS DREAM MEET: Boys field

While the UIL state track meet provides a fun and exciting end to the high school track season every year, giving the best athletes in each part of the state an opportunity to compete against the other top athletes in their classification, we here at Big Country Preps weren’t quite ready to say goodbye to the sport.

We now present our annual All-Big Country Preps Dream Track Meet.

As with our All-Big Country Preps teams for other sports, our Dream Meet is our way of honoring some of best athletes the Big Country had to offer this past school year. But our concept for this is just a little bit different.

Instead of being presented as a team, we’re treating this like a meet with an area-wide field in each event. There are no distinctions made for classification, just a collection of the top performers from across the BCP coverage area. 

Without further ado, we present our first All-Big Country Preps Dream Meet boys field. We hope you enjoy reading through our selections.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Daniel Youngblood

2023 ALL-BIG COUNTRY PREPS DREAM MEET: Girls field

While the UIL state track meet provides a fun and exciting end to the high school track season every year, giving the best athletes in each part of the state an opportunity to compete against the other top athletes in their classification, we here at Big Country Preps weren’t quite ready to say goodbye to the sport.

After introducing the inaugural All-Big Country Preps Dream Track Meet in 2021, we’ve decided to reprise it this year.

As with our All-Big Country Preps teams for other sports, our Dream Meet is our way of honoring some of best athletes the Big Country had to offer this past school year. But our concept for this is just a little bit different.

Instead of being presented as a team, we’re treating this like a meet with an area-wide field in each event. There are no distinctions made for classification, just a collection of the top performers from across the BCP coverage area. 

Without further ado, we present our All-Big Country Preps Dream Meet girls field. We hope you enjoy reading through our selections.

Continue reading “2023 ALL-BIG COUNTRY PREPS DREAM MEET: Girls field” →

by Brandon McAuliffe

STATE TRACK ROUNDUP: Big Country finishes week with Roby claiming Class 1A girls championship

AUSTIN — The rain that hit most of Texas from Friday night into the wee hours of Saturday morning also affected the schedule at Mike A. Meyers Stadium on the campus of the University of Texas for the final day of the UIL State Track & Field meet.

A delayed start to the day was met with no breaks between events, which caused a heavy day for area Class 1A participants to become even busier with less time for rest and recovery.

Entering the meet, the Big Country had 23 athletes that had posted qualifying marks that were in the top three of their respective events. Saturday’s action then netted the area 25 medals (2 gold, 15 silver, 8 bronze) and a state team championship for the second consecutive day as Roby claimed the girls title with 47 points.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Zach Duncan, Special to Big Country Preps

FEATURE: Gordon hurdlers Reed, Crowe set for state after special regional meet moment

Photo/video contributed by Gordon coach Mike Reed

The picture of Gordon’s Stryker Reed crossing the finish line in the 110-meter hurdles two weeks ago at regionals says it all. 

As soon as Reed steps across the white stripe, he turns to his right to celebrate teammate Kaden Crowe also locking up his state berth with a second-place finish. 

The two Longhorn freshmen are great friends away from the track and fierce competitors between the lines. Now they’ll get to race together one more time this season Saturday night at the Class 1A track meet in Austin. 

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Brandon McAuliffe

STATE TRACK ROUNDUP: Stamford girls claim share of Class 2A team title

AUSTIN — After a slow start in the field events on Friday saw the Big Country net just four medals, things heated up in the evening session when the track events got rolling.

Big Country athletes picked up 10 medals under the lights at Mike A. Meyers Stadium at the University of Texas, giving the area 14 for the day.

On top of that, the Stamford girls team finished in a three-way tie with Refugio and Panhandle with 32 points to claim a share of the state championship. Goldthwaite’s girls finished three points back in fourth.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Brandon McAuliffe

STATE TRACK ROUNDUP: Area Class 3A, 4A athletes claim 14 combined medals at state meet

Cover photo courtesy of Stephenville coach Kolt Kittley

AUSTIN —The UIL State Track and Field meet kicked off Thursday with Classes 3A and 4A competing at Mike Meyers Stadium on the campus of the University of Texas, and the Big Country had a fairly strong showing.

The closest finish determining who would be on and off the podium came in the Class 3A girls 800 meter run where Ballinger’s Addison Martin ran the race in  2 minutes, 17.522 seconds, edging Holliday freshman Kenli Atwood by a microscopic 0.007 seconds after diving through the finish line in her final event of a storied career.

Martin’s podium finish, where she was just one-tenth of a second off what had been the top qualification mark, was one of 14 medal-worthy performances for area athletes.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

FEATURE: Relay races a family affair in Cross Plains

CROSS PLAINS TEAM PHOTO LEFT TO RIGHT: Theron Albrecht, Gray Albrecht, Asher Moses, Noah Moses, Ryan Reed and Ryder Reed.

CROSS PLAINS — While his relay teams were getting their photos taken following the Region II-1A track meet, Cross Plains boys track coach Daniel Purvis noticed an oddity that he had never before realized. 

The entirety of his three relay teams consisted of three sets of brothers: Theron and Gray Albrecht, Asher and Noah Moses, along with Ryan and Ryder Reed. Six athletes, all with one sibling to call a teammate and all six qualifying for this week’s state track meet in Austin. 

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Stephenville’s Cameron takes this week’s award

It’s always a great accomplishment to go to the state track meet in multiple events. But when it’s done in dominating fashion at the Class 4A level or above, you’re generally talking about a very special, gifted athlete. 

Our Big Country Preps Player of the Week, Victoria Cameron of Stephenville, falls directly into that category and she has the regional hardware to prove it. 

Taking four gold medals at the Region I-4A meet, Cameron scored 30 individual points while clinching four berths to the state meet. 

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Daniel Youngblood

REGION IV-2A TRACK RECAP: Goldthwaite teams collect nine combined medals, earn seven state berths

KINGSVILLE — The Goldthwaite girls and boys track teams both made successful showings at the Region IV-2A track meet Friday and Saturday at Texas A&M-Kingsville’s Javelina Stadium, finishing third and sixth in their respective team races.

The Lady Eagles claimed six medals and clinched five berths to the state meet, while the Eagles earned three medals and secured two state bids.

The GHS girls finished 63 points to tie with Shiner for third, 18 points behind team champion Thrall and nine points behind runner-up Refugio. The boys, meanwhile, totaled 37 points to finish three points outside of the top five. Refugio won the boys team title with 88 points, followed by Falls City with 53, Mason with 52, Stockdale with 42 and Shiner with 40.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us