Biggest stories from high school sports’ busiest time of the year
We’re into those two weekends where all of the winter and spring sports clash. The third weekend in February had another strong Northeast Tarrant County presence from our coverage schools.
Carroll boys take swimming title
The Dragons own Austin as they won their sixth consecutive state title. This program is pretty much a machine. It starts with great senior leadership from Carson Klein, Kyle Derevyanik and John Everett. Mix in junior Austin Whelan, sophomores William Karau and Griffin Rea and freshman Jack LeVant and you can see where this is going.
Led by Klein’s close win in the 500-yard event and junior Nathaniel Hernandez capturing the one-meter dive, Carroll actually won fairly easily with 214 points. Katy Cinco Rank finished second with 164. Keller finished eighth with 78 points, while Keller Central was 41st.
As for the Carroll girls, they finished sixth. Keller Central and Keller Fossil Ridge finished 18th and 26th.
Another wrestling feat
You have to feel good for Keller Timber Creek’s athletic program. When freshman Rachel Bridges took home the 215-pound state championship this past Saturday at the Culwell Center in Garland, it became the first state title in school history.
Sometimes, the innocence of just showing up and doing great is refreshing. Like Bridges told our Randy Sachs, “I didn’t imagine I’d go all the way to the finals and win” following her lengthy bout. “Coach [Brent Wasche] told me to just think of the finals like another match.”
And then, Grapevine’s Andrews family legacy continues. Brian Andrews won the 195-pound Class 5A state championship. It was his first. When young talent wins state championships, it’s always a fascinating ride to watch how the remainder of their high school career will fare.
With Grapevine qualifying for the playoffs in football, volleyball and boys and girls basketball, it’s pretty clear that the move to Class 5A is agreeing with the school. Keep in mind this program went from being one of the smallest now-Class 6A schools to one of the largest 5A schools. There’s definitely strength in numbers.
Baseball starting
The high school baseball season was set to start this week with games on Monday (weather permitting). But more and more high school teams are bypassing the first Monday and Tuesday and beginning on Thursday with tournaments.
Grapevine and Colleyville Heritage will once again be the host schools for the Baylor Healthcare Classic. The field will include South Grand Prairie, Fort Bend Elkins, Richardson Pearce, Waxahachie and Midlothian.
Several of the stories that will be followed are Lee Yeager taking over the Grapevine baseball program and trying to restore the tradition left by Tim McCune. Yeager had a very successful career at Corpus Christi Carroll. Given that District 6-5A will not be considered a strong baseball district, the Mustangs should at least make the playoffs.
Carroll should have the pitching depth to make another deep run. The District 7-6A baseball district is expected to be very tight between the Dragons, Panthers and Coppell. Euless Trinity and Hurst L.D. Bell will also be in the mix.
District 5-6A should be wide open. Denton Ryan and Denton Guyer have had strong programs. But you have to imagine that everybody is going to have to go through the Keller schools. Byron Nelson’s overall depth will be tested as it transitions to Class 6A. At this level, it’s all about having enough arms.
This story was originally published February 23, 2015 at 12:10 PM with the headline "Biggest stories from high school sports’ busiest time of the year."