Defending champs, district titles and making history. What could’ve been in 2020
Some of my fondest memories are playing high school football, wrestling in the state tournament and finishing my final three months getting Hawaii state runner-up in judo.
As an athlete, my senior seasons were very special to me.
Along with final senior events, such as prom and graduation, I’ll always remember my senior year.
People tend to live in the moment without realizing how much something means to them. They take the days for granted, but in today’s world, you need to cherish every aspect.
The Class of 2020 have also made memories that will last a lifetime, but for different reason.
Coronavirus took away their final three months.
Student-athletes went on spring break and never returned to the field. There hasn’t been a high school game since March 13.
The University Interscholastic League, Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools and Southwest Preparatory Conference canceled all spring activity in April after nearly a month-long suspension.
No state championships in UIL soccer, golf, tennis, track and field, softball and baseball.
“I was gutted and so were the boys,” Arlington Bowie boys soccer coach Brandon Voss said. “Our last district game was senior night, scheduled for the week after spring break, but everything was canceled. So my seniors didn’t get recognized, and they didn’t get playoffs either.”
Bowie would have entered the playoffs as a strong contender to make it to Georgetown for the state tournament. The Volunteers were 18-2-1 overall and 14-1 in district.
They had already sealed up the program’s first district championship.
“It was a special year,” Voss said. “I know anything can happen in the postseason, but we would’ve made another good run.”
I think back 13 years ago when I placed sixth in wrestling and second in judo, and those medals being draped over my head.
This year’s spring athletes didn’t get the chance to experience that moment.
And Bowie wasn’t the only one making history.
Defending the title
What about the teams that would’ve snapped playoff droughts? How about school and state records on the verge of being broken? And could state champions defend their titles?
Mansfield Timberview returned no starters from its 2019 Class 5A state title boys basketball team, yet the Wolves made it back to state this year.
They were set to play their semifinal game on March 12 when the UIL suspended the tourney because of COVID-19.
Grapevine girls golf could’ve gone for the four-peat and Aledo’s Graydon Morris was about to add to this state medal total in track.
The Southlake Carroll baseball team was looking for the rare three-peat and another trip to state would’ve made it four in a row for the Dragons. Argyle was also looking for a three-peat and Colleyville Heritage was hoping to win back-to-back.
“Each year is special when you get to spend it coaching the great game of baseball. I hurt for the seniors of 2020,” Heritage coach Alan McDougal said. “I get a new opportunity each season I coach, but the Class of 2020 had one shot to leave their unique mark on Panther baseball. That shot will always be left chambered.”
Jayda Coleman is among the thousands of athletes that continued to climb the record books.
Already with eight career softball records at The Colony, she had her sights on national marks such as runs scored, hits, doubles, triples and stolen bases.
“It was upsetting not to finish my senior season,” said Coleman, who was named Gatorade Texas and National player of the year. “I had unfinished business to do.”
Avenging the loss
While teams such as Timberview wanted to defend its title, teams such as The Colony were seeking a bit of redemption.
The Colony, which made state two of the past three years, lost in last year’s 5A state semifinals.
Forney softball did as well.
“We felt pretty good about a possibility of a state run. We feel like we had a great group of returners and had some new kids that were talented to be able to fill some holes where kids graduated,” Forney coach Pat Eitel said.
Many predicted a Forney vs. The Colony state matchup.
“We were disappointed mainly for the seniors who have worked so hard to get to this point and felt bad for them not being able to finish out their senior year with a possible third [straight] trip to Austin,” Eitel said.
Other teams that wanted to turn the page from 2019, Southlake Carroll boys soccer. The Dragons were ranked No. 1 in the state last season, but lost in the first round.
Carroll returned even stronger and with Star-Telegram player of the year Robbie Pino, posted a 19-1 mark.
“Our mission this season was to peak in the playoffs and make a deep run. Each game we improved and gained momentum,” said Carroll coach Aaron Cottrell, who was a finalist for USA Today boys soccer coach of the year.
A trip to state would’ve been the Dragons’ first since winning in 2011.
“The chemistry of this team was just incredible,” Cottrell said. “We were ready to do something very special.”
Burleson Centennial girls soccer made history in 2019 with a trip to the regional final. The Spartans kept the foot on the gas this season. They didn’t drop a single match in 21 contests.
They won their last game on March 10 to capture an undefeated district crown.
But they never got back on the pitch.
“It was heartbreaking,” coach Heather McMahan said. “We all truly believed we could make it all the way.”
The team scored 95 goals and allowed only eight. They posted 14 shutouts.
“This group was one of the best I’ve ever coached especially at the high school level,” McMahan said. “It’s hard to get everyone to buy in, but they did. They were goofy a lot of the times, but I never had to question their work ethic and desire to win.”
The softball team at Brock had made the state tournament in four consecutive seasons.
The Eagles were looking for a fifth straight and to finally get over the bump, having lost in the semis every time.
“We were devastated knowing we wouldn’t get a chance to win district again, fight through the playoffs and make another state appearance,” 2020 pitcher Lauren Kizer said. “This group was something special. We all get along and are best friends. We push each other to get better and practices and games couldn’t have been more fun with these girls.
“Very sad to see it end this way and not getting a chance to finish the way we wanted, but I’m so grateful for all the amazing opportunities I’ve been presented with throughout my career.”
Notable stats
- Felipe Medina, senior, Arlington Bowie boys soccer: Led the Fort Worth-area with a school-record 35 goals scored this season. Named Bowie’s first District MVP.
- Boys Basketball: 9 teams from DFW at state tournament, including all 6 defending state champs (Slidell, Shelbyville, Dallas Madison, Oak Cliff Faith Family, Mansfield Timberview, Duncanville).
- Highland Park girls soccer: State champs in two of the past three seasons (2017-19).
- Flower Mound boys soccer: 2019 state champ, a first in program history.
- Johana Rodriguez, senior, Fort Worth South Hills soccer: 28 goals and 27 assists. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Offensive Player of the Year scored 100 career goals (second in program history) and 97 assists.
- Keller softball: State berth in three of the past four seasons (2016-19).
- Laney Roos, senior, Aubrey softball: 12 home runs and 41 hits this season, both first in DFW. On pace to break the DFW record of 19 home runs in a season by Wylie’s Mary Stephens in 2011.
- Bohyun Park, junior, Carrollton Ranchview golf: 2-time Class 4A state champ.
- Lizbeth Aguero, Fort Worth North Side soccer: Tied for the Fort Worth lead with 38 goals this season.
- Frisco Wakeland boys soccer: State final in four straight years (2016-19).
- Peyton Kirby, senior, Azle baseball: Led DFW with a 0.730 batting average.
- Jayda Coleman, senior, The Colony softball: Second in the area with 41 stolen bases.
- Nathan Norris, senior, Frisco Legacy Christian: Led DFW with 25 RBIs.
This story was originally published June 25, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
