SPORTS
MSU soccer coach retires
Doug Elder announced his intention to retire as men’s soccer coach at Midwestern State University of Texas Thursday afternoon as he will step down prior to the start of the upcoming 2018 season.
“It has been an honor and privilege to lead the men’s soccer program here at Midwestern State,” Elder said. “Words cannot describe the appreciation I have for all of the people who were a part of 18 amazing years not only as coach but as an instructor at MSU with special thanks to the administrators, students and fans that supported us on and off the field.”
Michael Meachum, who has served as associate head coach since 2011, immediately assumes interim head coaching duties. The search for an assistant begins immediately.
Elder ends his tenure as the program’s all-time leader with 274 wins. He is the second winningest coach in NCAA Division II winning an even 80 percent of his matches while leading the Mustangs to 13 postseason appearances while claiming 11 conference titles.
“As the legend of Westwood, John Wooden, once said, ‘A great coach can change a game, but a greater coach can change life.’ Doug Elder is one of those greater coaches,” MSU Texas Director of Athletics Kyle Williams said. “Doug loves Midwestern State both on and off the field. His desire to lead young men to championship seasons is quite evident, but his ability to guide the MSU men’s soccer team for life after soccer is what we will miss.
“I personally will miss it so much that I tried to three different times to talk him out of it. However, his mind is made up and we rejoice and certainly thank Doug for his 18 years here at Midwestern State. He leaves the program in great shape.”
Elder’s players claimed 27 All-America honors, while 75 gained all-region accolades and 97 were tabbed all-conference performers. He is a seven-time United Soccer Coaches’ Region Coach of the Year and claimed conference coach of the year honors on nine occasions.
“The credit for my success lies in countless sacrifices made by past and present coaching staff and more importantly the student-athletes themselves,” Elder said. “I have been blessed with many memorable victories, but those were not as important as watching these men grow into great husbands and fathers.”
He led teams to national semifinal showings in 2007 and 2010, while five other squads advanced to the national quarterfinal round.
To read the full story, pick up a copy of the weekend edition of the Bowie News.
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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