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Spring 2018 | Madison County Spring Sports | 1 BREAKING OUT

PHOTO BY CAMPBELL ATKINS The 2018 Varsity Madisonville Mustangs baseball team (not pictured: basketball players Sam Bennett and Kasey Williamson). Mustang baseball ready for 2018 season By Campbell Atkins | Reporter Th e Madisonville baseball team will playoff round and were eliminated. Th e ginning of the season,” said Sitton. “When- I think that’s something we can do and not boast 8 returning starters to the diamond Mustangs have been a staple in the 4A pre- ever there are outside things like rankings, getting that done was one of the bigger dis- in 2018 as they try and live up to the pre- season polls as the season approaches, usu- you need to realize that nothing matters appointments from last 2017.” season hype that surrounds the club. ally cracking the top 10. until the end of the year. To me, any presea- Among the returning stars from the “Th is is probably the most best and “Th ese players are very close and they son hype is a distraction.” Mustangs will be Matt Rudis, who will most experienced team I’ve been associat- care for one another,” said Sitton. “I think Th e Mustangs have looked impressive move on to TCU to pitch for the Horned ed with,” said Madisonville head baseball that’s extremely important because baseball in a handful of scrimmage games and be- Frogs aft er his senior season. coach Keith Sitton, who is ready for his is so stat-driven and there’s a lot of noise gan the season with a matchup in China Rudis was selected to the Under Armor second year in charge of the program but coming from people who aren’t necessarily Springs. Most of the non-district schedule All-America Game at Wrigley Field in Chi- has been coaching for over 25. “On top of in between the lines.” will consist of tournaments on the road, cago last summer. He will be joined by se- 8 returning starters we’ll return all of our Th e players are also focused. Th e cama- but district play will begin on March 20 nior Zach Poe, who hit .358 with 7 doubles pitchers. We have a lot of depth and a lot of raderie between the team loaded with se- against Athens, who beat out Madisonville and 27 RBIs in 2017. guys that can do diff erent things well.” niors and experience has come in handy for the crown a season ago. While Coach Sitton tries to keep his In Sitton’s fi rst year, the Mustangs fi n- more than ever in terms of keeping their “We played some good teams last season players focused for the task at hand, fans ished 24-7 and earned second place in goals in mind and concentrating on what and the district is loaded again this year,” in Madisonville are undoubtedly starting district behind Athens. Th ey lost two-out- they need to do in practice. said Sitton. “Our goal, once we get to dis- to buy the hype and look forward to some of-three to Liberty Hill in the bi-district “Everybody has expectations at the be- trict play is to win a district championship. memorable baseball games in 2018.

2 | Madison County Spring Sports | Spring 2018 DATE OPPONENT TIME LOCATION NUMBER PLAYER YEAR Preseason: 1 Jordan Baker Junior Feb. 6 AMC 4:30 p.m. HOME 2 Sam Benne Senior Feb. 9 Caldwell 7 p.m. HOME 3 Ben Phillips Senior 4 Ma hew Hager Senior Feb. 13 Cameron 7 p.m. HOME 5 Brad Rudis Freshman Feb. 16 Navasota 7 p.m. HOME 7 Riley Wood Senior 8 Brandon Larson Junior Regular season: 9 Max Allen Junior Feb. 19 China Springs 7 p.m. Away 10 Bryce Benne Senior Feb. 22 Weatherford Tournament 4:30/7:15 p.m. Azle 11 Kody Moore Sophomore 13 Kasey Williamson Senior Feb. 23 Weatherford Tournament 1:45/4:30 p.m. Aledo 14 Corey Shuck Junior Feb. 24 Weatherford Tournament 12:45 p.m. Weatherford 15 Daniel Young Junior Feb. 27 Elkhart 7 p.m. Away 16 Jake Risinger Junior March 1 Cameron/Rogers Tournament 6/8 p.m. Cameron 17 Zach Poe Senior March 2 Cameron/Rogers Tournament 11 a.m. Rogers 18 Will Hudson Senior March 3 Cameron/Rogers Tournament TBA TBA 19 Ma Rudis Senior March 9 Franklin Tournament 9 a.m. Franklin March 10 Franklin Tournament TBA Franklin March 15 Caldwell 2:30 p.m. HOME March 16 Lu in Hudson 2:30 p.m. Away March 20 Athens 7 p.m. Away* March 23 Mexia 7 p.m. HOME* March 27 Pales ne 7 p.m. Away* March 29 Navasota 7 p.m. HOME April 3 Fairfi eld 7 p.m. HOME* April 6 Athens 7 p.m. HOME* April 7 Liberty 1 p.m. HOME April 10 Mexia 7 p.m. Away* April 13 Pales ne 7 p.m. HOME* April 14 College Sta on 1 p.m. HOME Have a great spring season, April 17 Navasota 7 p.m. Away April 20 Fairfi eld 7 p.m. Away* Mustangs & Bulldogs April 27 West 7 p.m. HOME * DISTRICT MATCHUP FOR UPDATES ON THE LATEST MCISD SCORES:

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Spring 2018 | Madison County Spring Sports | 3 MUSTANG MADNESS

PHOTO BY CAMPBELL ATKINS The 2018 Varsity Madisonville Lady Mustangs pose together following practice. ‘Team 24’ set to take the diamond By Campbell Atkins | Reporter

Aft er a disappointing campaign a season assistant coach Miranda Butts. Th e coach- one of the sole seniors on the team, has Renner. “We are the 24th soft ball team in ago, the new look Mustangs take the dia- ing staff has stated they will try and build a been dubbed the leader in the outfi eld with the history of this school. We want to to be mond with a new coach and a new attitude. foundation of discipline, hustle, eff ort and a great glove. She’s also very speedy and a remembered for our hard work and deter- Madisonville has already begun their pre- fi ght. Th ey will try and teach the girls life triple-threat on off ense. mination. Our theme in ‘Hold the Rope’, season scrimmages in preparation for the lessons through soft ball and how they are Renner also recognized her catcher, Av- which helps us focus on being a team player season and will offi cially start on Feb. 20 at playing for something bigger than them- ery Simms, for her position as a role model and holding each other up.” home against Onalaska. selves. for the team thus far and her ability to al- While the young Mustangs have a lot to “I wasn’t here last year, but I can say we On top of Renner taking the helm, the ways do the right thing with no one around. learn, Renner knows they will improve im- need to improve on our defense and our Mustangs will try and rebound from last Two freshmen to watch for will be Kasey mensely in most areas as the season rolls confi dence,” said Madisonville soft ball year’s 4-15 overall fi nish aft er six seniors left Long and Sidnie Smith. Both can be quiet along. For now, they will need to win games coach Ashley Renner. “We are still shift ing the team. Th e Varsity roster, which has yet surprises and youngsters and come up big with stellar defense and situational hitting, some players around to see where they fi t to be fi nalized as of publication, will surely in key situations. otherwise known as “small ball.” best and I know we will be young in a lot of be full on new faces that are eager to prove But for Renner’s squad to be successful, Aft er the conclusion of preseason scrim- big places. I have a lot of eager and coach- themselves. she knows it’ll have to be done together. She mages, the Mustangs will host Onalaska to able kids, so I’m excited about that.” Despite the culture change around the has worked hard to build a team culture and start their home slate and compete in tour- Coach Renner was the head soft ball program, Renner has already identifi ed one of determination since the fi rst day or naments in Hudson, Caldwell and Franklin. coach at Rusk for 10 years before joining the some players she expects to make a diff er- practice. District play will begin on March 15. Madi- Mustangs this season. She will be joined by ence for the team in 2018. Kandace Smith, “Our slogan this season is ‘Team 24’,” said sonville was 2-6 in District last season.

4 | Madison County Spring Sports | Spring 2018 DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIME

Preseason: Feb. 6 Grapeland Scrimmage HOME 6 p.m. Feb. 9 Elkhart Scrimmage HOME 6 p.m. Feb. 13 Cameron Scrimmage Cameron 7 p.m.

Regular Season: Feb. 15 Hudson Tournament Hudson TBA Feb. 20 Onalaska HOME 7 p.m.

Feb. 22 Caldwell Tournament Caldwell TBA Feb. 27 Normangee Away 6 p.m. March 2/3 Franklin Tournament Franklin TBA March 6 Giddings Away 6 p.m. March 9 Navasota HOME 6 p.m. March 15 Fairfi eld Away 6 p.m.* March 20 Athens Away 7 p.m.* March 23 Mexia HOME 7 p.m.* March 27 Pales ne Away 7 p.m.* April 3 Fairfi eld HOME 7 p.m.* April 6 Athens HOME 7 p.m.* April 10 Mexia Away 7 p.m.* April 13 Pales ne HOME 7 p.m.* * District matchup

PHOTO BY CAMPBELL ATKINS Madisonville softball coach Ashley Renner hits grounders to her players during practice.

Spring 2018 | Madison County Spring Sports | 5 PHOTO BY CAMPBELL ATKINS The Madisonville soccer team celebrates together after a 9-1 home victory over Crockett on Jan. 26. Soccer rolls into District play By Campbell Atkins | Reporter Th e Madisonville men’s soccer team is aged to openly speak their minds in the rale is never going to falter and we can use have a lot to live up to aft er last season. already well into their season, which began name of winning. this as motivation. We know we can play Madisonville won District with a perfect at the start of the new year. Th e Mustangs “We focus on general leadership because with the best, and that’s a big confi dence record of 8-0 and are determined to run the burned through the fi rst half of the year we are a team,” said the coach in his third booster.” table again in 2018. with an impressive overall record of 11-1-2 year at the helm. Sure enough, Madisonville bounced “We just need to keep doing what we’ve and appear poised to defend their District So far, it has paid clear dividends for back with back-to-back wins at home. Th e been doing so far,” said Reyes. “If we stay Championship the rest of the way. Madisonville. Aft er starting the year 2-0, fi rst was over Sealy and the second was prepared and keep playing hard it’ll be “My team puts all their heart on the fi eld the Mustangs tied in back-to-back matches their fi rst District matchup of the season tough to take that District title away from with every performance,” said Madison- with Cleveland and Bryan before they rat- against Crockett. us. Our top priority has always been to stay ville’s head soccer coach Baltazar Reyes. tled off 7 straight wins. Th e lone loss of the Th e Mustangs have already battled focused and I always tell them there’s room “We have a team philosophy and there are season came at home against highly-tout- Crockett twice this season, once as a for improvement.” no individuals. Th ese guys could care less ed Palestine, but the Mustangs didn’t stay non-District opponent and again for their Th e Bi-District playoff round will begin who scores the goals.” down long aft er the 2-0 defeat. District opener, and will play them again the following spring break from March 22- Reyes and the Mustangs have displayed a “A ft er the fi rst loss I just told the boys on Feb. 23. In just two performances, Mad- 24. Madisonville picked up wins over Scar- united attitude to win games and have fun to keep their heads up,” said Reyes. “Th at’s isonville has outscored the Bulldogs 15-1 borough and Royal in last year’s postseason doing it. In team huddles you’ll fi nd a loose a great team and hopefully we’ll see them including 9 goals from Luis Aceves. before they were eliminated by Wheatley in group of focused players who are encour- again somewhere down the road. Our mo- Despite the great start, the Mustangs still a highly contested matchup.

6 | Madison County Spring Sports | Spring 2018 DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIME/RESULT NUMBER NAME NUMBER NAME

JAN. 4 RUDDER HOME W 40 0 Hernan Saldana 11 Dixon Veliz JAN. 5 MEXIA HOME W 31 1 Jesus Mar nez 12 Daniel Hernandez JAN. 6 CLEVELAND HOME T 22 2 Jose Ibarra 13 Andy Gonzalez JAN. 9 BRYAN HOME T 33 3 Alan Torres 14 Luis Aceves JAN. 11 BAY CITY BRENHAM SELECT CUP W 70 4 Arcenio Melo 15 Keven Mar nez JAN. 12 ROBINSON BRENHAM SELECT CUP W 50 6 Noe Rodriguez 16 Alex Reyes JAN. 13 GIDDINGS BRENHAM SELECT CUP W 20 7 Diego Guevera 17 Mauricio Aceves JAN. 13 BRAZOSPORT BRENHAM SELECT CUP W 21 8 Bayron Veliz 18 Hector Rodriguez JAN. 19 RUDDER AWAY W 61 9 David Parras 19 Dervin Lanza JAN. 23 BRYAN AWAY W 20 10 Josue Hernandez 20 Jared Solis JAN. 26 CROCKETT HOME W 91 30 Guillermo Rosa JAN. 30 PALESTINE HOME L 20 FEB. 2 SEALY HOME W 21 FEB. 6 CROCKETT HOME W 60 FEB. 9 CLEVELAND AWAY W 21 FEB. 13 HEMPSTEAD HOME W 100 FEB. 16 HEARNE AWAY 7 P.M. WE PROUDLY SUPPORT OUR LOCAL ATHLETES! FEB. 20 NAVASOTA HOME 7 P.M. Good Luck Mustangs and Bulldogs in the upcoming year! FEB. 23 CROCKETT AWAY 7 P.M. FEB. 27 CLEVELAND HOME 7 P.M. MARCH 2 HEMPSTEAD AWAY 7 P.M. MARCH 6 HEARNE HOME 5 P.M. MARCH 9 NAVASOTA AWAY 7 P.M. #1 Best Auto * DISTRICT MATCHUP Repair Shop & #1 Wrecker Service

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Spring 2018 | Madison County Spring Sports | 7 PHOTO BY CAMPBELL ATKINS The Madisonville Lady Mustangs soccer team poses together following a 1-0 home victory over Crockett on Jan. 26. Lady Mustangs look to build in district By Campbell Atkins | Reporter Th e Madisonville women’s soccer team coach before he left to start the program at and Crockett. Th ey also tied with Florence of the team. She has seen multiple positions have been forced to battle injuries and can- Anahuac High School. on Jan. 11. Th ey picked up losses to Bren- throughout the year and even stood in as celations throughout the fi rst part of their He hopes that his players won’t just be ham, Houston Math and Science Tech, Jar- goalkeeper once when injuries forced Ras- schedule and entered their district slate better soccer players by the conclusion rell and Cameron Yoe. beary to really shake things up. with an overall mark of 3-4-1. of the season, but better young ladies as Rasbeary was impressed with how all of While many coaches come in and seem As they begin the most important part well. He wants to win like every coach, but his players stepped up in a tough situation. to demand the world from jump street, of the schedule, fi rst year coach Travis Ras- knows a team needs to overcome adversity As a former goalkeeper’s coach, he men- Rasbeary respects the process and knows beary is confi dent in his team’s ability mov- and play for something bigger than itself. tioned how pleased he was with the play of that a great program takes time and can’t ing forward. “We were hit with our adversity early in sophomore and captain Brianna Abad in be built overnight. “We had a little bit of a rough start,” said the year,” said Rasbeary. “Some of the play- her fi rst full year at the position. No matter where the team is in the sea- Rasbeary. “But we are fi nally recovering ers that we expected to be big playmakers “While (Brianna) didn’t play much goal- son, you will always see them honing basic from our injuries and have been challenged for us disappeared from our lineup early. ie last year, she plays like an experienced fundamentals such as foot skill, passing, by some very good opponents thus far and Our players were willing to move around keeper,” said Rasbeary. “She has been the shooting and dribbling. played them well. I believe the girls will at positions and do what was best for the talk of every opposing coach we’ve played “Th ose are the most important aspects of achieve District champion honors.” team. Instead of holding their heads and against thus far. It’s rare to have a keeper as the game,” said Rasbeary. “Many of my girls Th is is Rasbeary’s fi rst year at the helm sulking, our girls laced up their cleats and young as her who can control the fi eld and are playing for the fi rst time. As a coach, in Madisonville, but his fi ft h year of coach- did what they had to do.” isn’t afraid to be aggressive.” you need to be willing to prepare those ing. He spent three seasons at Willis High Madisonville was able to pull off victories Cielo Torres Morales has also stepped up players not just for the current season but School as their head JV and goalkeepers in non-District play over Terry, Rockdale as a leader and was also named as a captain also to build a tradition here.”

8 | Madison County Spring Sports | Spring 2018 DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIME/RESULT

Jan. 4 Brenham Away L (9-0) Jan. 5 Houston Math Science and Tech Away L (5-0) Jan. 6 Terry Away W (1-0) Jan. 11 Florence Away T (0-0) Jan. 12 Rockdale Away W (3-0) Jan. 13 Jarrell Home L (7-0) Jan. 26 Crocke Home W (1-0) Feb. 2 Cameron Yoe Away L (5-0) Feb. 9 Cleveland Away L (11-0) Feb. 13 Hempstead Home W (3-0) Feb. 16 Crocke Away 5 p.m. Feb. 20 Navasota Home 5 p.m. Feb . 23 Willis Home 5 p.m. Feb. 27 Cleveland Home 5 p.m. March 2 Hempstead Away 5 p.m. PHOTO BY CAMPBELL ATKINS March 6 Westwood Away 7 p.m. Madisonville women’s soccer coach Travis Rasbeary looks on as the Lady Mustangs battle Crock- March 9 Navasota Away 5 p.m. ett on Jan. 26.

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Spring 2018 | Madison County Spring Sports | 9 BOYS Al Angeles Jose Arjon Maxx Badillo Jertavius Brown Michael Deboisblanc Carson Fraley Evan Guderian Kyle Huff Chalres Le Andres Lopez Cesar Rosas Guillermo Rosas SPECIAL TO THE METEOR Daniel Saldana Madisonville tennis players (from left) Jordan Davis, Cindy Rodriguez, Jordan Sanchez, Madison Clopton, Alexandrea Gonzalez and Liz Arjon pose together following a JV tournament in Madisonville. Jordan Sanchez Jace Snook Tennis starts spring season Isaac Wilson GIRLS By Campbell Atkins | Reporter Sarah Binch Th e Madisonville tennis team is under- to improve on last year’s splendid showing. ment. Th ey were already a force in the Fall Kennedy Bryant way with their spring season and have an Sedlacek touts juniors Kennedy Bryant Team Tennis season and received fi rst team Madison Clopton overall group of competitive players who and Harper Wiseman as the top up-and- all-district honors for doubles. are experienced and others willing to prove comers for the women’s and expects them to “Th e players know that only the top-10 Jordan Davis themselves. surprise people. Th ey also have quite a few boys and girls get to travel to Varsity tour- Yadira Fernandez “I’m eager to see this team fl ourish to- new additions to the Varsity team this sea- naments, and only 8 for the district tourna- Alexandrea Gonzalez gether as a group,” said Madisonville’s tennis son including the doubles tandem of Ash- ment,” said Sedlacek. “I like to see this level Ashlyn Hahn coach Catherine Sedlacek, who returns for ley Saucedo and Fabiola Vera. Th ey placed of competitiveness in the team; it pushes her fourth season as head coach and seventh at every JV tournament they played in last each player to continue to improve and Odalys Hernandez overall. “Th is may be the most competitive year and fi nished at the JV District Tourna- keeps players sharp.” Brooke Huff group I’ve coached here yet, especially the Sindy Jimenez younger members.” Th e men’s team returned a lot of players Madeleine Kelso from last year and were consistently strong Rocio Ramirez throughout the fall season. It was sort of a Evie Rickard transitional period for the girls, who lost a DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIME lot of players in 2017. Coach Sedlacek was Cindy Rodriguez pleased with her girls and how they stepped Lizbeth Rodriguez up in a tough situation. Th e two have al- Feb. 16-17 Uvalde Tournament Uvalde HS 8 a.m. Ashley Saucedo ready topped the record of 85 Varsity wins Feb. 23 Taylor Tournament Taylor HS 8 a.m. Samantha Vazquez for Madisonville. March 2 Madisonville Tournament Home 8 a.m. Evan Guderian and Daniel Saldana are Fabiola Vera expected to be the two top seniors on the March 6 College Park Tournament College Park HS 8 a.m. Harper Wiseman men’s team. Th ey were named district Co- March 23-24 Ranger Invita onal Tourney B/CS district 8 a.m. MVP’s in the fall season. Together, they fi n- March 27 Groesbeck Tournament Groesbeck HS 8 a.m. ished fourth at regionals last spring. Th ey will compete again as a doubles team hoping April 3-4 Varsity District Tournament Home 8 a.m.

10 | Madison County Spring Sports | Spring 2018 Mustangs hit the links

By Campbell Atkins | Reporter

Th e Madisonville golf team is well un- would compete in a tournament on Feb. der way with their season and have already 12 at Hilltop Lakes hosted by Normangee. showcased themselves well in a couple of Both golfers competed well and Larson tournaments to start the year. placed second overall. Nail is currently the Th e Mustangs men fi nished 8th out of 24 only girl listed on the Madisonville golf ros- teams at their fi rst competition of the year ter. in Jan., which was hosted by Woodlands “Our overall goal is to compete each week High School. Sam Bennett led the way and and try to get better,” said Madisonville golf fi nished fi rst with a score of -1. coach Russell Smith. “We want to get back Madisonville mens won their second to the regional golf meet and hope to com- tournament of the season as a team at the pete for a spot in the state tournament. Panorama Golf Club. Th e tournament was Th is is Smith’s fi rst season at the helm of hosted by Willis High School. Bennett fi n- the Mustang golf team. ished fi rst in this competition as well with “We just need to stay focused and prac- even par while Ben Phillips placed fi ft h, tice with a purpose,” said Smith. “A lot of Bryce Bennett sixth and Jordan Prescott my players compete in two sports during eighth. the spring, so time management is certainly Both Brandon Larson and Alyssa Nail a must.”

SPECIAL TO THE METEOR Madisonville men’s golf team members (from left) Jordan Prescott, Baylen Mills, Sam Bennett, Bryce Bennett and Ben Phillips pose together after winning a tournament at the Panorama Golf DATE HOST LOCATION TEAMS Club.

Feb. 16-17 Montgomery HS Bentwater CC Boys Feb. 23-24 Huntsville HS Ravens Nest Girls Gordon Wells 5545 Stephen F. Austin Dr. Conroe, Tx 77302 Feb. 26 Mart HS Ba le Lake Golf Club Girls 864-979-3526 • [email protected] March 1 Brenham HS Brenham CC Boys www.bandwhomes.com March 5 Buff alo HS Hilltop Lakes Boys/Girls March 23-24 Huntsville HS Ravens Nest Boys March 26 Teague HS Tri-County Golf Club Fairfi eld Girls WeWS Support our Madison Mdi County C April 2 & 9 District Golf Tournament Athens CC/Tri-County GC Boys/Girls Student Athletes. Have a great Spring Season Madisonville & North Zulch

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SPECIAL TO THE METEOR custom building too!” Madisonville’s Sam Bennett competes in a golf tournament earlier this season.

Spring 2018 | Madison County Spring Sports | 11 SPECIAL TO THE METEOR Madisonville’s Johnny Simpson stands on the podium after fi nishing third in the 200m at the state meet last season.

SPECIAL TO THE METEOR Madisonville’s Chloe Olvera, who was an area qualifi er in 2017, leaps over a hurdle in Lorena last season. Track seeks another strong season

By Campbell Atkins | Reporter VARSITY GIRL Th e Madisonville track team will look to included Madi Caperton, Shakayla Burns their one and only home meet, in which RETURNERS build off of a successful 2017 campaign that and Chris Scott. Chloe Olvera was an area they host Navasota and Palestine. Th e dis- saw many of their competitors qualify for qualifi er in both hurdle races and the 4x400 trict meet will take place at Palestine in Chloe Olvera state in certain categories. relay. April and will be followed by area, regional Garlanesha Gilbert “Both girls and boys have some tremen- Madisonville will begin their season with and state action. Mitzi Holiday dous talent,” said Madisonville track coach Russell Urbantke in his second year at the Madi Caperton helm. “Our goal is to get better each week Khyra Cooper as well as lower our times and improving Shakayla Burns throughout the season. We need to work hard in our workouts if we hope to achieve DATE OPPONENT LOCATION these goals.” Last year, Madisonville women saw VARSITY BOYS Garlanesha Gilbert qualify for state in the Feb. 22 Tri-meet with Navasota/Pales ne Home RETURNERS 4x100 and 4x200 relay, which she earned March 1 Eagle Relays Fairfi eld Johnny Simpson third place. Mitzi Holiday also qualifi ed for March 8 Bulldog Relays Crocke state in the 4x100 relay. Cornelius Merchant March 22 Leopard Relays Lorena Th e men had four state qualifi ers last Aaron Nellums year. Johnny Simpson qualifi ed in the March 29 Dogwood Relays Pales ne Kurt Gray 4x200 relay and saw a third place fi nish in April 4-5 District Meet Pales ne the 200 meter. Cornelius Merchant, Aaron April 18 Area Meet TBA Marcus Dorman Nellums and Kurt Gray also qualifi ed for Chris Sco state in the 4x200 relay. April 27-28 Regional Meet Huntsville (SHSU) Regional qualifi ers among all Mustangs May 10-12 State Meet Aus n Gabe Coleman

12 | Madison County Spring Sports | Spring 2018 NZ softball gears up for new year DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIME By Stephen Cook | Special to the Meteor Feb. 20 Anderson-Shiro Home 5 p.m. Th e sounds of bats cracking, cleats dig- the soft ball season. Feb. 22-24 North Zulch Tournament Home TBD ging in the dirt, and the clap of soft balls be- “Th is Tuesday was our fi rst practice with Feb. 27 Iola Home 6 p.m. ing caught in leather gloves are fi lling the everyone there aft er basketball. We can- air around North Zulch. celed our fi rst game last week due to our March 1-3 Franklin Tournament Away TBD Head Coach Victoria Rivera joined basketball girls still in season and not hav- March 6 Mumford Away 6 p.m. North Zulch to lead the Lady Bulldog’s ing enough girls without them,” said Coach March 12 Snook Home 6 p.m. soft ball team, but she went on maternity Bohannon. leave just before the start of the season. Th e weather has not been cooperative March 13 Somerville Away 6 p.m. Kali Bohannon will be assuming head since practices began last Tuesday. Th e March 20 Normangee Away 6 p.m. coach responsibilities until coach Rivera rain has made practices diffi cult to con- March 23 Burton Home 4 p.m. returns to the team. Coach Bohannon was duct, so they will not have much time on March 24 Somerville Tournament Away TBD previously the assistant coach, so she is fa- the fi eld together before their fi rst game. miliar with the responsibilities required of Th e Lady Bulldogs have four seniors and March 27 Iola Away 6 p.m. being a head coach. three juniors retuning this year, so their March 29 Mumford Home 6 p.m. Bohannon loves soft ball and has been past experience together will help them April 6 Somerville Home 6 p.m. playing since a young age, saying, “Th ough succeed this season. April 7 Mumford Tournament Away TBD I don’t have near the experience as Coach Th e lack of practice time has made it dif- Rivera, playing in college, I grew up living fi cult for Coach Bohannon to create a ros- April 10 Snook Away 6 p.m. and breathing the sport by playing travel ter, and she wants to use all of her available April 13 Normangee Home 6 p.m. soft ball as soon as I was able to.” time to create the best rotation for the Lady April 17 Burton Away 6 p.m. Th e basketball season delayed the start of Bulldogs.

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Spring 2018 | Madison County Spring Sports | 13 DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIME

Feb. 23 Snook Home 4:30 p.m. Feb. 27 Hempstead Away 6 p.m. March 1-3 Snook Tournament Away TBA March 6 Lovelady Home 4:30 p.m. March 8 Somerville Tournament Away TBA March 9 Latexo Away 4:30 p.m. March 10 Somerville Tournament Away TBA March 13 Centerville Home 4:30 p.m. March 16 Slocum Away 2 p.m. March 20 Normangee Home 4:30 p.m. March 23 Grapeland Away 6 p.m. March 29 Lovelady Away 6 p.m. April 3 Latexo Home 4:30 p.m. April 6 Centerville Away 6 p.m. April 10 Slocum Home 4:30 p.m. April 13 Normangee Away 6 p.m. April 17 Grapeland Home 4:30 pm. April 23-27 District makeups and playoff warmups

PHOTO BY STEPHEN COOK Bulldogs baseball player Cole Weaver delivers a pitch during a game in North Zulch last season. Bulldog baseball awaits opening day Good Luck By Stephen Cook | Special to the Meteor Th e spring is fast approaching, and in Th e baseball team will not have any pre- Mustangs Texas this means baseball season. Th e season practices or scrimmages, because North Zulch Bulldogs are not ready for the many of the player are currently playing season to start, but they will be when the basketball and O’Neal does not want to and Bulldogs! time comes. distract them in their postseason run. Th e North Zulch Bulldogs’ baseball “Th e boys will have to learn on the fl y, team is led by Head Coach Jim O’Neal. He but they have been playing together for a “An athlete is not crowned joined the North Zulch team this summer while,” said O’Neal. “So, I am confi dent unless he competes as the boy’s athletic coordinator and base- they will pull together.” according to the rules”. ball head coach. North Zulch has not been able to hold 2 Timothy 2:5 He has played baseball all his life, and he tryouts at this point, but they will work on earned a scholarship to play at Sam Hous- building the roster once basketball season ton State University and Houston Baptist is complete. 1207 S. Madison St. (Hwy 90 South) University. Coach O’Neal got his start in Th e Bulldogs had a rough season last 936-349-4401 • [email protected] coaching at HBU as an assistant, and he has year, missing the postseason. Everyone is been coaching ever since then. excited to return to the baseball fi eld and “Th is year we will win with pitching. said go for it this year. Coach O’Neal on his strategy for 2018. “We Th e boys would enjoy any and all sup- have a solid rotation that will keep us com- port, so make it out the season to cheer on petitive in every game.” the Bulldogs.

14 | Madison County Spring Sports | Spring 2018 NZ Bulldogs sprint into new season GOOD LUCK By Stephen Cook | Special to the Meteor Th e North Zulch track and fi eld team is ic group of kids and will be ready to com- set to begin their 2018 season on Feb. 22 at pete at the fi rst meet. Somerville. Make sure to come out and see the Bull- Head Coach Kimberly Branch will be dogs as they participate in one of the world’s leading both the boys and girls team this oldest forms of competition. Th e fi rst home season. track meet for North Zulch is on Tuesday “Th is is my fi rst year as head coach, but March 5. I have been involved with the track team most of the years I have coached,” said Branch, who also heads the women’s volley- ball and basketball teams for North Zulch. Many of the Bulldogs will have to com- pete in multiple disciplines, because they DATE LOCATION are a smaller school that will not have enough athletes for each event. 2018 MUSTANGS! Branch has been quite busy with basket- Feb. 22 Somerville ball but now that it’s done she shift her at- March 1 Iola tention to building the track team. March 5 North Zulch Th e Bulldogs have not held tryouts for March 22 Buff alo the team at this point, because they are April 9 District meet at Iola Easterling waiting for the end of basketball season. Branch started practices at the end of last April 13 Area meet at Thrall week and will be fi nalizing a roster in the April 27-28 Regional meet coming days. Veterinary Services Coach Branch is excited for the season. at A&M Kingsville She believes that North Zulch has an athlet- May 11-12 State meet at Aus n Large and Small Animal Medicine and Surgery 2233 Hwy 90 South Madisonville, TX 77864 Phone: 936-348-3645 • Fax: 936-348-5423 After hours/ Emergency: 979-574-3048 Dr. Denise Easterling, D.V.M. Open Monday -Friday 7:30 am - 5:30 pm Saturday by appointment www.easterlingvetservices.com Email: [email protected]

PHOTO BY STEPHEN COOK The North Zulch High School track awaits awaits the start of the 2018 season.

Spring 2018 | Madison County Spring Sports | 15 Good Luck to the 2018 MUSTANGS AND BULLDOGS

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16 | Madison County Spring Sports | Spring 2018