SPORTS

HIGH SCHOOL FISHING: Bowie poised for state bass meet

Published

9 years ago

05/18/2017

By ERIC VICCARO
sports@bowienewsonline.com

When the Texas High School Bass Association had its first state tournament four years ago, it contained six schools and 20 two-person teams.
Now the THSBA is on the verge of splitting into six divisions.
But, before then, the organization will have its state tournament from May 20-21 at Lake Ray Roberts in Sanger.
“It’s been overwhelming and exciting,” said tournament director Matt Tolnay, who joined the THSBA three years ago. “We have had an average growth of 35 percent each season, and we are adding two new divisions next year.”
Tolnay remarked he wishes the association was going when he was in high school at Bonham, and this fishing league gives students a chance to excel in a yet another sport.
Bowie has experienced an incredible dose of success this season, which included the Gold-Burg pair of Blake Allen and Will Hamilton claiming first place at the Lake Texoma Tournament this winter.
Allen and Hamilton fish with Bowie jerseys on.
“It’s been rewarding for me to see them improve on their skills,” said Weldon Duff, who serves as Allen’s and Hamilton’s boat captain.
Competing in high school fishing has helped turn what’s seen as a weekend hobby into a passion where the boys are constantly honing their craft.
“Rusty Edwards has been instrumental in Jared’s life,” said Toni Stone, the Bowie Bass Club coordinator. “The knowledge and experience Jared has gained the past two years has been invaluable.”
Toni Stone reported her son, Jared Stone, would like to join the fishing team at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, where he will major in criminal justice. Read more in the May 17 Bowie News.

Bowie’s Hadley Morgan and Lane Hopson have been mainstays since the fishing team began more than three years ago. Both Morgan and Hopson will attempt to put their experience to good use at the Texas High School Bass Association state tournament this weekend at Lake Ray Roberts in Sanger. (Courtesy photo by Toni Stone)

SPORTS

Bowie softball team falls in area round

Published

8 hours ago

05/07/2026

bowienews

Bowie softball had a historic season, where the squad made the postseason for the first time since 2019 and knocked a top seed from the playoffs, come to an end April 29.

No-4 ranked Tuscola Jim Ned got out to a quick start and took an 11-1, five inning win in the area round of the Class 3A Division I playoffs. Bowie had its season end at 19-15.

With a large crowd at Weatherford High rooting them on, Bowie took the field looking to knock out another top seed, as they did with Early last week.

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

SPORTS

Willett, Richey off to State

Published

8 hours ago

05/07/2026

bowienews

Bowie will have two track athletes at the State track and field meet May 14 with top two finishes at the Region 1-3A track meet at Abilene Christian University May 1-2.

Tyler Richey finished 2^nd in the pole vault with a 15’ leap. Richey was also 9^th in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 15.39. Sophomore Braden Willett was 3^rd in the 1,600-meters with a school record best of time of 4:21.93. Willett was 4^th in the 3,200-meter run with a time of 9:29.71.

Several other Rabbits and Lady Rabbits competed at the regional meet. The 800-meter relay foursome of Colton Dosch, Richey, Finn Riddle and Jaxon White finished 6^th with a time of 1:30.24 while the 1,600-meter relay team of Dosch, Judah Livsey, Riddle and Blaine Leonard finished 8^th with a time of 3:30.76.

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

SPORTS

Fourteen track athletes head to State

Published

8 hours ago

05/07/2026

bowienews

Saint Jo’s boys and girls track teams took top honors at the Region III-A track meet at Hewitt Midway High School May 1-2 and will send several athletes to the state track and field meet May 16 in Austin.

The boys were led by Damon Byrd who won both the long jump with a 22’9 ¾” leap and triple jump with a 45’ 10 ½”. Byrd also won the 100-meter dash with a time of 1.03 and was a member of the victorious 800-meter relay along with Trent Gaston, Barrett Johnson and Lee Yeley with a time of 1:30.80.

Yeley won the high jump with a 6’ leap. Byrd, Yeley, Dominic Luna and Gaston combined for a 2^nd-place finish in the 1,600-meter relay with a time 3:32.81. Gaston was 2^nd in the 110-meter hurdles with a tie of 16.09. Johnson was 2^nd in the 400-meter dash in 50.75, Ayden Giambruno was 6^th in the 3200-meter run in 11:05.24 with Yeley 8^th in the 200-meters with a time of 25.61.

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