SPORTS
Bowie teen earns karate black belt
A Bowie teen earned the prestigious black belt title in karate in late July, the culmination of eight years of dedication.
Fourteen-year-old Brycen Ivy, son of Steve and Chanda Ivy, earned the title after an impromptu test was issued at the North Texas Karate Academy in Bridgeport on July 21.
“We had to spare 15 rounds,” Brycen said. “Each round is one person and is two minutes long. The rest in between rounds is only one minute.”
The opponents were other black belts, usually adults and they are instructed to not hold back. A few rounds featured a two-against-one scenario that would last one minute.
“It was very intense,” Brycen said.
The shy teen has been working towards this achievement for more than half his life ever since he was five years old.
“A friend of mine told me about North Texas Karate Academy in Bridgeport,” Chanda said. “They have a homeschool class on Fridays in the morning. So Brycen and his brother both started going. Zac decided it wasn’t necessarily his thing, but Brycen kept with it.”
His instructor Stephen Starnes said he only has had a little less than 50 black belt students, with Brycen being his 47th.
Besides the sparring, the first stage months earlier was the mastering of forms which Brycen passed.
Even after passing the most physically grueling challenge, there is still the 18 month probation period he has to pass, which requires a continued demonstration of dedication to the sport as well as showing great character. Starnes is not worried.
“He is a very disciplined young man,” Starnes said. “Very devoted. He practices a lot. Really dedicated to coming to class. Just a great kid who is very polite.”
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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