SPORTS
BOWIE NEWS YEAR IN REVIEW: Bowie volleyball reaches new heights
By ERIC VICCARO
sports@bowienewsonline.com
The Bowie News tracked athletic accomplishments yet again throughout 2016, and a slice of history turned into this year’s No. 1 story.
It was a close call, but the Bowie High School volleyball team edged out the Jackrabbit baseball team for “Story of the Year” honors.
Of all the Bowie High School teams, volleyball and baseball had the deepest penetration of the bunch by reaching the regional semifinals.
This marked the first time volleyball had reached such a climax, meanwhile baseball has been here before – three times, in fact.
This was a grand year of great achievements, also included in the top-10 was Sarah Patrick’s gold medal finish for Saint Jo in the pole vault, Ezekiel Vaughan scored 16 points for Bowie at the state track meet and powerlifter Cristian Martinez earned a silver medal at state.
Bowie volleyball
Bowie didn’t beat Holliday at all during the 2015 season; but, this past year, the Lady Rabbits defeated the Lady Eagles three times.
And Bowie won when it mattered most in the Conference 3A Region I quarterfinals as the Lady Rabbits topped Holliday in five 25-16, 17-25, 21-25, 25-21, 15-11 at D.L. Ligon Coliseum on the Midwestern State University campus.
“The kids bought in, and I can’t say enough about the seniors,” said head coach Jeanie Stark. “They did it. I think it started in 2015 when they just got in.”
Accountability became the buzzword for the Bowie volleyball team, all the players were accountable to each other and that lifted the Lady Rabbits to unforeseen heights.
Bowie (29-14) eventually lost to Shallowater in five sets in the regional semifinals, but the Lady Rabbits finished ranked ninth in the state in 3A.
Bowie’s Jeanie Stark (right) receives a hug from her son and athletic director Dylan Stark after the Lady Rabbits defeated rival Holliday in the Conference 3A Region I quarterfinal at D.L. Ligon Coliseum in Wichita Falls. (News file photo by Eric Viccaro)
New Saint Jo Boy’s Basketball Coach Terry McLennan said the school’s family atmosphere is what prompted him to join the Panther family.
“This is an opportunity to be an important program but also part of a great community,” McLennan said. “I’ve been looking to get back to a small town environment like the one I grew up in and played ball and this should do that.”
McLennan played basketball in Hubbard outside of Waco. McLennan comes to town after being the assistant girl’s basketball coach in Grand Prairie.
McLennan contends he’s a defensive style of coach but says his team will focus on intensity.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
New Saint Jo Boy’s Basketball Coach Terry McLennan said the school’s family atmosphere is what prompted him to join the Panther family.
“This is an opportunity to be an important program but also part of a great community,” McLennan said. “I’ve been looking to get back to a small town environment like the one I grew up in and played ball and this should do that.”
McLennan played basketball in Hubbard outside of Waco. McLennan comes to town after being the assistant girl’s basketball coach in Grand Prairie.
McLennan contends he’s a defensive style of coach but says his team will focus on intensity.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
After some coaching time in East Texas, Bret Botard will be the new girl’s basketball coach at Bowie.
Botard said it’s a chance to work with Bowie Athletic Director Tyler Price once again. Price was Botard’s assistant when he coached at Nocona.
“I wanted to get back into the area,” Botard said. “It’s a good community.”
Botard graduated high school in 1995 from Del Valle High School, outside Austin, and went to Texas Tech. He started his coaching career in Lubbock followed by returning to his alma mater where he was an assistant for his high school coach.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
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