SPORTS
Saint Jo hires Hantz as new athletic director
Saint Jo announced the hiring of CJ Hantz as the new athletic director and head football coach for the 2024-2025 school year.
Coach Hantz brings a wealth of experience and a track record of success. He has five years of experience in athletic administration, having most recently served as athletic director and head football coach at Throckmorton where he led the Greyhounds to five undefeated district titles.
Hantz has gotten to know Saint Jo’s current Athletic Director Mark Stevens through the years and has admired the Panthers success on and off the field during that time.
“I know Coach Stevens does a great job over there,” Hantz said. “I’ve seen him at a lot of track meets. They always have some pretty good success with football and every time I see his kids they are real respectful and you can tell they have good character.”
With a proven commitment to elevating student-athletes’ experiences both on and off the field, Hantz is motivated to guide Saint Jo to new heights of excellence.
“We lift weights here at Throckmorton at 5:30 in the morning and then we go through a full day,” Hantz said. “That prepares them for the real world. I know when I lay my head down at night, these kids up here are going to be good fathers, mothers, go to college or work program and have a successful life. I want to bring that to Saint Jo. Have that trust and these kids can come in with whatever they need. We can have that hard talk and tough love, but they will also know I care about them.”
Hantz is eager to build upon the district’s notable history of athletic achievements and aims to develop a comprehensive program that combines academic success, athletic excellence, and personal growth. Hantz is joining an enthusiastic and dedicated athletic department that is committed to excellence.
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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