SPORTS
County athletes compete at state
County athletes made their way to compete at the UIL state track meet at the University of Texas in Austin this past weekend, with most competing on Friday.
All together, five athletes competed in six events, with Bowie’s Kamryn Cantwell bringing home a silver medal in the girl’s 3A 400-meter dash on Friday night.
Cantwell also competed in the girl’s long jump event first thing Friday morning. She finished fifth with a jump of 17-06 1/4. It was a bit of a disappointment for her, as she had jumped over 18 feet in her previous two meets, which would have at least gotten her a bronze medal.
“I’m sure there was some weight on their minds with the tragedy that happened at school with Trent,” Coach Chuck Hall said. “I’m sure that factors into it. We might all deny it, but we have all been thinking about it and thinking about their family and what they’re going through.”
With one last chance at a medal, Cantwell knew she would have to run her best. A runner from La Marque had a faster start than the rest of the field and was able to hold on in the end for first, while Cantwell battled her regional nemesis Shiean Walters from Coleman and just beat her in a personal record time of 57.09 seconds, only .17 of a second faster.
“It brings a great conclusion to her career as an athlete at Bowie High School,” Hall said.
Bowie’s Kason Spikes had a rough day in the 3A boy’s high jump. Facing a stiff field that included the winner setting a 3A record, Spikes failed to make the opening height of 6-0.
This is higher than every other meet, with most regular meets having jumpers start at 5-6 or 5-8, letting some jumpers get into a groove. The stiff opening height along with the big stage of state leads to many high jumpers underperforming. Combine that with a breeze that was strong enough to blow the bar off by itself a couple times, it was a nerve wracking environment for anyone.
Still, Spikes had conquered pressure before. In the basketball state championship game in March, Spikes sunk the game clinching free throws down the stretch to win it for the Jackrabbits. He was dealing with a different kind of pressure on Friday.
“With everything that went on in the last day and half and just trying to stay focused and trying to get your head right, that’s hard for anyone to do,” Coach Justin Prescott said. “I’m proud of him for even coming down and putting in the time and effort. I know he didn’t get anywhere near where he wanted to get, but its just one of those things in life you learn from.”
Another high jumper, Prairie Valley’s Chase Edwards, also had a tough day in the boy’s 1A division. The opening height was 5-10 and Edwards, being the first jumper, cleared it on his first try no problem.
However, he failed to make the next height at 6-00. Three other jumpers failed the height as well, but with Edwards making the opening height in less attempts, he ended up ahead of them in sixth place.
Still, Edwards was disappointed, but was proud he got to represent his community.
“They have shown me a lot of support and stuff,” Edwards said. “Just helping me get here was a big part of it. I feel like there are going to be a lot more kids in our school area that is going to attempt to try to get here. It is an honor.”
The cousins from Forestburg, Zach Bradley and Lexi Britain, both competed in the 1A shot put event on the boys and girls side.
Britain competed first thing Saturday morning. Her best throw came in at 34-01.50, more than two feet farther than she threw at the regional meet. While it was not a personal record for her, it was good enough to place her in fifth place as she closed out her high school career that included her staring on both the volleyball and basketball teams.
“Personally, I think it’s pretty great,” Britain said. “I mean it’s state. Not many people get to come here, but I think I enjoyed team sports better.”
Bradley competed during the heat of the day on Friday and finished in eighth place, throwing 42-02 1/2. There was only one other sophomore in the field besides Bradley. Bradley did well to beat him and gained valuable experience for hopeful future visits to the state meet.
“Just the experience of being here,” Coach Cori Hayes said. “You come here for the first time. You are jittery and nervous. You don’t know what to expect with schedules and stuff like that. That prepares you for the future so that at least you know what to expect. A little easier to get in the groove.”
To read more, pick up a copy of the mid-week edition of the Bowie News.
Saint Jo will have a new boy’s basketball coach this school year.
Jacob Nocktonick is coming to the district after spending the last two years at Bland as an assistant coach. It is his first head coaching job in basketball.
Nocktonick graduated from Princeton High School in 2015 where he played and loved basektball. He graduated in 2019 from Tarleton State University and despite playing basketball up until he graduated, he did not see coaching in his future. He worked for most of three years after college at a landscape supply company, but something was missing from his life.
“I realized after being out of it for three or four years, something was missing from my life that I really loved,” Nocktonick said. “That was playing the game I love and being around people that really love to be there.”
Nocktonick did not have much experience coaching before then, but through his experience at Bland, he knows he has found his true purpose.
“I missed that passion,” Nocktonick said. “I love it and love the kids I have been working with.”
Nocktonick is especially excited in his role in shaping young men for the future through basketball.
“At the end of the day, people aren’t going to remember me for my records,” Nocktonick said. “I get to touch lives in this role. It’s a lot different than other jobs because I have a lot of kids that look up to me. Even past players from Bland still hit me up, asking for life advice and it’s just different.”
He describes himself as the type of teacher who likes to climb up on his desk and get everyone involved more than just lecture through power point presentations. That extends to his coaching as well.
“I am extremely passionate and enthusiastic,” Nocktonick said. “I want kids to know when the time is to be serious, but know we are going to have fun, bond and become like family. I am not in this for the business. I am in this for the relationships.”
To read the full story, pick up a copy of the mid-week edition of the Bowie News.
The Bowie cheerleading team went to cheer camp on July 13-16 at Texas Women’s University.
It was a good opportunity for the team to learn new things to take into the school year, according to cheer sponsor Destanie Curry.
“They learn their job is not to just lead the crowds in cheers, but they are ambassadors of their school and community and how to fulfill that role to the best of their ability,” Curry said. “Of course, they also learn stunt safety, new stunts, new cheer material and how to incorporate all this into pep rallies, routines and games.”
It can be intense, with campers expected to eat, sleep and breathe cheerleading from morning until night, staying positive and spiritful in everything they do since councilors are always watching and looking to see who will earn extra awards.
At the end of the four days, the Lady Rabbits cheerleading team took home several team and individual awards.
The team won one spirit stick daily and one on the final day. They were awarded each night to teams who demonstrated leadership, positive attitudes, excellent class participation and who respect and encourage one another, their coaches and staff.
Bowie earned its National Federation of State High School Association’s squad credential. The group earned Stunt SAFE, which was presented to teams that displayed excellent skills in spotting and stunt technique.
The final team award was in the Game Day Championship trophy. The competition included crowd involvement with a game day chant and cheer learned at the camp.
They were judged on crowd leading effectiveness, use of props, incorporation of stunts, technique and execution of skills.
To read the full story, pick up a copy of the mid-week edition of the Bowie News.
Nocona got its new press box into place this week at Jack Crane Stadium. The old press box, which was in place for more than 60 years, was taken out in early June and moved to Indian Valley Raceway. The new press box was by the Southern Bleacher Company out of Graham. Athletic Director Black Crutsinger said they looked at a lot of press boxes and decided they liked the one at Lindsay High School and went with that model. Sean Hutson operated the crane from the Hurd Crane Service that put the press box up for Nocona.
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