SPORTS
OUTDOORS: State funds to stop invasives
Record-funding approved by the Texas Legislature will help the state in the war on aquatic invasive species.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is ramping up efforts to control and stop the spread of invasive plants and creatures.
Examples of invasive creatures are giant salvinia and zebra mussels covering Texas lakes, giant reed and saltcedar smothering rivers and streams and exotic fish that are altering Texas’ ecosystem.
Silver carp and bighead carp also are threats, recently entering Texas in parts of the Red River and a few other locations in primarily northeast Texas.
“It’s a huge challenge to address these problems all across our state, and no one organization can do it alone – the scale of the problem is just staggering,” Tim Birdsong, from TPWD’s Inland Fisheries Division, said.
Birdsong said the state will expand education efforts, and the TPWD needs the help of boaters, riverside landowners, river authorities, water management districts and other partners.
The annual economic impact of aquatic invasive species is estimated at more than $140 billion nationally, and globally the impact is at more than $4 trillion.
The most troublesome aquatic invasive species are giant salvinia, water hyacinth, saltcedar, giant reed and zebra mussels.
Water hyacinth consumes 13 times more water than native aquatic plants, which contributes water supply concerns. Read more in the March 30 Bowie News.
Zebra mussels are increasingly becoming a problem in Texas. (Courtesy photo from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department)
In its first match since last year’s state semifinal appearance, Saint Jo hosted Bryson Aug. 11 and took a 25-13, 25-12, 25-21 win over the Cowgirls.
The Lady Panthers lost some talent to graduation but have five seniors ready to have a successful season. Savannah Hil, one of the five, got Saint Jo rolling offensively with a four-point serving string, including a pair of aces. Abby Carter’s kill and Kamron Skidmore’s block helped put the Lady Panthers up 5-2 in game one.
Hadleigh Moore added a four-point string of her own to extend the lead to 10-3. Tatum Morman’s pair, helped by a Hill kill, gave Saint Jo a 14-5 lead. Bryson got within five before a Hill 3-pointer, with help by a Carter kill, put the lead back at 18-10.
After an Olivia Johnson kill broke serve, Jordyn O’Neal served up the final five points, with Johnson providing a kill to move things along.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
Despite being the smallest school in the Brock varsity classic volleyball tournament, the Lady Indians finished 4th out of the eight teams there.
After losing to the host team in its first pool play match Aug. 14 18-25, 14-25 and also to Class 3A Wall 12-25, 8-25, Nocona rebounded to close out pool play with a 20-25, 25-23, 25-20 win over Christoval. Sy Parker had 16 kills and 7 blocks in the three matches. Raylea Bowles had 12 kills, 17 digs and served up three aces. Maddyn Bowles had seven kills and 14 digs while Paige Davis had seven kills and 15 digs. Baylee Thomas added 11 digs.
From the setter spot, Kasi Castro had 20 assists, served up five aces and contributed 14 digs. Leah Meekins added 18 assists and six digs during the three matches.
To open Saturday’s bracket play, the Lady Indians posted a 25-18, 18-25, 26-24, 25-19 win over Fort Worth Christian. Castro staked Nocona to a 2-0 lead in game one. Kills by Parker set up pairs of points from Raylea Bowles and Leah Meekins helped Nocona negate an early deficit and take a 10-9 lead.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
County football teams had their first scrimmage of the season Aug. 14 with mixed results.
Forestburg hosted Azle Christian and Victory Christian. Under a new system with new head coach Cori Hayes, the Longhorns looked pretty good in the coach’s eye.
“The first team looked good,” Hayes explained. “Overall we need to work on our pace and blocking assignments and blocking assignments. Overall we looked good for the new regime.”
Forestburg hits the road to scrimmage Newcastle Aug. 21.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
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