SPORTS

HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY: Nocona’s moving and grooving

Published

11 years ago

10/21/2015

By ERIC VICCARO
bnewssports@gmail.com

The Nocona High School boys’ cross country team had three of the first 13 finishers, and the Lady Indians had two of the top-11.
Those performances helped spur Nocona to compete at the regional meet later this month.
“I thought we ran well and rose to the occasion,” Nocona first-year head cross country coach Bret Botard said. “We ran our best times and placed well. I was pleased with how well they competed.”
Botard wanted Nocona to run in groups for success, and it certainly paid off at the District 3A-9 meet on Thursday morning at Kiwanis Park in Wichita Falls.
“We discuss in practice we want to be tightly grouped,” Botard said. “It’s the best chance to score.”
Nocona finished third on the girls’ side with 83 points, 11 points better than Henrietta. Holliday’s girls won the meet with 33 points, 20 better than Paradise. Bowie placed sixth.
“It’s one of the toughest cross country districts in the state,” said Bowie head girls’ cross country coach Colby Davis-Pastusek. “We ran into a buzzsaw. But, I am very proud. We ran personal-bests, and I can’t be disappointed with how we competed.”
On the boys’ side, Nocona scored 64 points – 27 points fewer than Paradise. Holliday was the winner with 27 points, 22 less than Boyd. Paradise lost a slew of runners to graduation from its 2014 squad. Bowie was fifth.
“Holliday has improved so much,” Bowie head boys’ coach Chuck Hall said. “The top teams in our district are balanced and strong, and we happen to be on the outside part of it.”
The top-3 teams and top-10 individuals advanced to the Region 2-3A meet set for Lynn Creek Park in Grand Prairie set for Monday, Oct. 26.
Brayden Skinner from Nocona was the area’s top finisher, taking seventh in 17 minutes, 52.93 seconds. Teammate Luis Rico was eighth, roughly 8.5 seconds back (18:01.43), over the 5,000-meter course. Read more in the weekend Bowie News.

Nocona’s Luis Rico (left) and Joan Gomez run in the lead pack during Thursday’s District 3A-9 cross country race at Kiwanis Park in Wichita Falls. Rico and Gomez both qualified for the regional meet. (News photo by Eric Viccaro)

SPORTS

Norwood new Bowie boys hoop coach

Published

7 days ago

04/30/2026

bowienews

Landry Norwood has agreed to become the new Head Boys Basketball Coach for Bowie High.

Norwood grew up in Paradise, playing a number of sports for the Panthers during his high school career. With a number of family members still in the area and the position coming open, Norwood applied and was hired.

“I know the tradition up here,” Norwood said. “I was glad (Athletic Director and Head Football) Coach Tyler Price felt he could put his trust in me.”

Bowie’s varsity went 2-10 last year, both wins coming against Vernon. Norwood spent five years as an assistant in Lipan before spending the next four years at Llano, three years as head coach. He said his last two years in Llano were rough after graduation of nine seniors his first year and a 26-7 squad.

For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News

SPORTS

Nocona softball falls to Archer City

Published

7 days ago

04/30/2026

bowienews

Nocona came into game two of its Class 2A Division I bi-district series with Archer City looking to rebound from a 17-0 loss in game one.

The Lady Indians took a quick lead but the Lady ‘Cats had too much in the tank and knocked Nocona out of the playoffs courtesy of a 13-3, five-inning victory winning the best of three series, 2-0.

Kylea Wallace reached base on a second baseman’s error. With one out, M’leigha Franklin took a pitch over the wall in left field for a home run, igniting the Lady Indian crowd with a 2-0 lead.

Archer City prevented further damage by retiring the next two hitters. The Lady ‘Cats struck in the bottom of the inning for seven runs.

For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.

SPORTS

Lady Rabbits win bi-district

Published

7 days ago

04/30/2026

bowienews

Culture. It’s a beautiful word.

Bowie Softball Coach Griffin Fields has been trying to install a positive, winning culture since taking over the job. For the first time since 2019, the Lady Rabbits qualified for the postseason, facing District 8 top seed Early in the bi-district round.

After beating the Lady ‘Horns 9-8 in game one of the best-of-three series April 23, Early came back and evened the series less than 24 hours later, 15-0. The Lady Rabbits used the aforementioned culture and got out to a quick lead in game three.

Bowie was then forced to come from behind for the second straight night. Kinley Baker, who had the game winning RBI in game one, came through again in game three and broke a 6-all tie with a single to lift the Lady Rabbits to a 9-6 victory in the finale.

For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.