SPORTS
Area athletes qualify for state cross country

The regional cross country meets were on Monday and Tuesday for county athletes this week and there will be a lot of them moving on to the state meet next week.
In all, the girl’s teams from both Saint Jo and Nocona qualified while individual athletes from Prairie Valley and Gold-Burg are going as well.
Some are first timers while others are returning.
The Lady Panthers not only are heading to state, but are going there as the 1A Region III champions, winning by a comfortable margin of more than 20 points.
Saint Jo was led by Abby Carter who finished second overall with a time of 12:35. Her teammates ran well as Taylor Patrick finished 12th, Tatum Morman finished 17th, Aubrey Morman finished 25th and Kaycee Clark finished 47th.
This is not only the first time in recent memory a Lady Panther team qualified for state, but the last time a Saint Jo individual girl runner had was back in 2010 when Claire Weger competed at state.
The Nocona girls’ team was trying to get back to state after making it their last year for the first time in school history. Still, it was not easy. The Lady Indians were the last team to qualify in their race, finishing fourth though they made it by more than 30 points.
Bayler Smith was the team’s top runner, finishing 21st with a time of 12:50. The teammates included Jayce Rose finishing 25th, Melissa Segura finishing 46th, Jolie Rose finishing 54th and Regan Phipps finishing 68th.
With it being the same group that did it last year, it was special for Coach Kyle Spitzer.
“We knew we had to start fast and get up front early and that’s what they did,” Spitzer said. “The conditions were muddy because of the rain the night before, but there was no rain until right after we finished. I am extremely proud of this accomplishment. What these six girls have done over the past two years has been nothing short of great. The consistency of their work ethic has been truly remarkable. Our goal from day one was to get back to state. This group made it happen. Back-to-back state appearances is something to be extremely proud of.”
The four individual runners came from the 1A races. Gold-Burg had junior Isaac Renteria qualify for state for the third straight year. He finished fifth overall with a time of 17:17.
He will be joined from Gold-Burg by sophomore Ollie Gaston, who finished 11th in the girls race with a time of 13:10. She missed out qualifying last year as she finished 23rd, but ran better this year to do it.
Coach Cheryl Cromleigh was proud of both athletes for qualifying for state. With both also heavily involved in fall sports, football for Renteria and volleyball for Gaston, it makes it even more impressive.
From Prairie Valley, it is a similar story. Junior Linzie Priddy is heading back to the state meet after qualifying her freshman year. She finished eighth overall with a time of 13:02.
She is joined by freshman Josh Stout who qualifies for the first time as he finished seventh overall with a time of 17:35.
Coach Seth Stephens was proud of both runners putting in the extra effort and time for a chance to run against the best in the state, saying Stout has been running since June while Priddy has had to balance volleyball as well.
While no one else was able to qualify for the state meet, it does not mean no other area teams or athletes did well.
The Bowie boy’s team finished 17th at the 3A region I meet in Lubbock. Alex Castro was the team’s top runner finishing 49th with a time of 18:27. The team’s top five runners also included Liam Pearson (61st), Ryder McChesney (130th), Jackson Frie (137th) and Monte Mayfield (139th).
The Nocona boy’s team finished one spot short of qualifying for state in fifth place, though they were 45 points behind fourth place. Claudio Segura was the team’s top runner, finishing 18th with a time of 18:11. The Indians top five runners included Ivan Vera (30th), Andrew Perez (40th), Freddy Duran (45th) and Omar Salinas (50th).
Coach Brody Wilson was devastated for his guys falling short after finishing so close.
“It was tough for them to swallow,” Wilson said. “They ran so hard and really gave it their all. They knew going into it that they had a chance, but it just didn’t come through. I think they ran well and gave it everything they had. It was definitely one of the best overall races they have run all season. I’m extremely proud of this group and all they have accomplished. I mean going back to regionals and winning district for the second straight year was huge. Hopefully we can get over the hump and advance as a team to state next year.”
The Saint Jo boy’s team finished sixth overall. Barrett Johnson was the team’s top runner finishing 27th with a time of 18:45. The team’s top five runners also included Elijah Young (39th), Zeke Bonn (43rd), Julian Luna (44th) and Jayden Curry (47th).
Finishing right behind the Panthers was the Prairie Valley boys in seventh place. While the team’s top runner qualified for state, he was not the only runner to have a good day.
Dale Neugebauer finished 25th overall with a time of 18:45. The top five runners also included Jayton Jones (56th), Tyson Easterling (66th) and Hunter Camden (83rd).
Stephens was proud of his boy’s team overall.
“The rest of our boys also completed well and we had our fastest overall times of the year Stephens said. “Neugebauer ran a (personal record) and was really close to qualifying for the state meet. We’re excited for what we were able to accomplish this year as a team and we reached a lot of our goals.”
The Bellevue girls team finished 11th overall. Brittany Gill was the team’s top runner finishing 37th with a time of 14:05.
The Lady Eagles top five runners also included Brylie Hager not far behind (41st), Callie Martin (76th), Tristan Shook (81st) and Kaycee Conner (95th).
The state meet is at Old Settler’s Park in Round Rock on Nov. 3-4. The 1A races are on Nov. 3, with the girl’s race scheduled for 10:10 a.m. and the boy’s race following at 10:40 a.m. The 2A girl’s race is scheduled for 10:10 a.m. on Nov. 4.
To see full results of all area runners, pick up a copy of the weekend edition of the Bowie News.
SPORTS
Baseball Roundup

Nocona
The Nocona Indians ended their regular season with a sweep of Alvord to secure a number one seed heading into the playoffs.
The Indians won 13-6 and 3-1 to earn the top seed in the big school division in the playoffs.
With that much on the line despite already securing a playoff spot the previous week, Nocona had a lot to play for in its final regular season series.
The Bulldogs got on the board first with two runs, but the Indians answered with nine runs in the bottom of the first inning to retake the lead 9-2.
Both teams scored one run in the third inning before Nocona scored three runs in the fourth inning to go up 13-3. Alvord was able to extend the game and avoid getting run-ruled by scoring two runs in the fifth and one in the sixth inning.
The Indian bats were cold in the final three innings, but the defense bounced back to shut out the Bulldogs in the seventh inning to win 13-6.
RJ Walker and Jayce Lehde each drove in three runs to lead the team while Ladon Fatheree and Zyrus Moreno both drove in two runs. Nocona finished with nine hits and drew nine walks during the game.
On the mound, Walker Murphey pitched six innings and allowed six runs (five earned) on 12 hits while striking out one and walking two.
The second game was more a pitcher’s duel that had far less action scoring runs.
The Indians scored first in the second inning with one run, but Alvord tied the game with one run in the fourth inning. Nocona answered with two runs in the fifth inning and held on to win 3-1.
Lehde and Fatheree drove in one run each while Murphey scored the other run on the basepaths thanks to a wild pitch. Nocona had only two hits while the team drew seven walks.
Walker helped carry the team on the mound, pitching the whole game while giving up one run on four hits and striking out 13 batters. The defense committed no fielding errors.
Bellevue
The Bellevue Eagles ended their season on Monday this week, losing some tough games on the way out before closing with a win.
The Eagles lost to Perrin-Whitt 13-1, to Bryson 17-2 before beating Saint Jo 7-2 to end the season on a high note.
Bellevue struggled against the two other 1A teams in its district in its previous matchups as both teams are heading towards the playoffs. Both the Pirates and Cowboys proved it once again in the final matchup on April 22 and Monday before playing a team more on its level.
The Eagles and Panthers were 1-1 against each other this season. Playing after Bellevue’s loss to against Bryson right before on Saint Jo’s home field, the Eagles wanted revenge.
Bellevue got it with a 7-2 win against the Panthers to end both team’s season and this year improve the series 2-1 in the Eagles favor.
River Trail led the team with two RBIs while Hunter Blackburn had a team high two hits.
The team finished with seven hits and drew 10 walks.
On the mound, Bryce Ramsey allowed two runs on nine hits while striking out seven and walking five. The defense committed one fielding error.
Saint Jo
The Saint Jo Panthers had a tough final week to their disappointing season.
The Panthers lost to Bryson 10-4 before losing to Bellevue 7-2 to close out their season.
Saint Jo knew it was out of the playoff hunt and was playing for pride as it hoped to end the season with its head held high.
The Panthers played the Cowboys on April 22 and were put behind the eight ball when Bryson rallied off seven runs in the third inning. Saint Jo closed the game well, but could not overcome that bad inning as it lost 10-4.
Sam Martin, Charlie Evans, Mathew Sampson and Jayden Curry each drove in one run each. Saint Jo had nine hits and drew six walks during the game.
Unfortunately, Saint Jo’s defense allowed 10 hits and nine walks while committing five fielding errors.
The Panthers then waited a week before ending their season on Monday, due to rain causing the game to be rescheduled, against Bellevue. Each team had beaten the other so far this season and with both teams out of the playoffs, it was a game about local pride more than anything.
Unfortunately for Saint Jo, it did not go its way on Monday. The Eagles scored in every inning besides the first and seventh inning while the Panthers only scored in the fourth inning. Bellevue won 7-2.
Devin Stewart led the team with two RBIs on a double he hit. The team finished with eight hits and drew six walks, but it was not enough to hang with the Eagles.
The pitching staff allowed only four hits, but three fielding errors and nine walks allowed Bellevue to rack up the runs.
To read the full story, pick up a copy of the weekly edition of the Bowie News.
SPORTS
Jackrabbits end season with series sweep

The Bowie Jackrabbits finished their season last week with a dominant series sweep against Vernon.
The Jackrabbits won both games by run-rule 13-2 and 11-1 against the Lions.
Bowie came into the week with its playoff hopes shot after splitting with Holliday. The Jackrabbits were playing for pride and knew they had what it took to win decisively against Vernon and made sure to show it.
Game one did not start off great as the Lions scored two runs in the first inning, but Bowie answered with three runs of its own in the same inning, taking the lead 3-2 and never looking back.
The Jackrabbit defense shut down Vernon the rest of the game while scoring three runs in the second and fourth innings and four runs in the third inning.
It was enough to end the game early after four and half innings, Bowie winning 13-2 in its final home game on senior night.
Edmond De Leon led the team with four RBIs while Boston Farris, Trae Seigler and Jorge De Leon each had two RBIs. The team finished with 10 hits and drew seven walks as the team consistently found ways to score every inning of the game.
Farris got the start on the mound and allowed two runs on six hits while striking out seven and walking four during five innings of work. The defense committed no fielding errors.
The second game was on the road, but the Jackrabbits made sure not to start slow like they did in game one. Edmond De Leon blasted a three-run home run in the first inning to put Bowie up 3-0.
After a scoreless second inning, the Jackrabbits scored three runs in the third and fifth innings and two runs in the fourth inning. With the Lions scoring only one run in the third inning, that was all the run support Bowie needed to end the game early again after five innings.
The Jackrabbits won 11-1.
Edmond De Leon led the team with three RBIs while hitting a home run and a triple. Seigler and Austin Cheney drove in two runs. Bowie finished with 10 hits and drew six walks.
On the mound, Seigler pitched four innings and allowed one run (zero earned) on two hits while striking out and walking one batter. The defense committed three fielding errors.
To read the full story, pick up a copy of the weekly edition of the Bowie News.
For pictures from the last home game, click here https://www.dotphoto.com/go.asp?l=bnews1&AID=6874727&T=1
For pictures from senior night, click here https://www.dotphoto.com/go.asp?l=bnews1&AID=6874728&T=1
SPORTS
Saint Jo softball loses to Knox City 21-7 in the playoffs

The Saint Jo Lady Panthers season ended on Thursday night in the bi-district round of the playoffs against Knox City.
The Houndettes won by run-rule 21-7 after six innings, ending the Lady Panthers year since the series was condensed to just one game.
Saint Jo came into the series after winning the district title, but knew Knox City would be tough. Still, the Lady Panthers had played in and won several games with high scores which gave them hope they could hang with whatever the Houndettes to could bring.
Knox City got on the board first, scoring on a three-run triple to go up 3-0. Saint Jo answered in the same inning with Kamron Skidmore driving in two runs on a single to cut the lead to 3-2.
In the third inning the Houndettes drove in five runs on a single, double and home run to increase their lead to 8-2. The Lady Panthers got one run back in the same inning thanks to a fielding error at third base that drove in one run to make it 8-3.
After a scoreless fourth inning, Knox City added to its lead in the fifth inning. A fielding error allowed one run to score and a three RBI triple added three more to make it 12-3.
In the sixth inning, the Houndettes reeled off nine runs to as it looked like the end was near for Saint Jo. Down 21-3, the Lady Panthers needed to score nine runs to avoid getting run-ruled.
Down to the final out, Saint Jo started a two-out rally. An error at short stop resulted in two runs to score. Jordyn O’Neal then ripped off a two RBI triple as the Lady Panthers had more than doubled their score.
Unfortunately that is where it would end. The next batter grounded out for the final out.
Knox City won 21-7.
Skidmore led the team with three RBIs while O’Neal was second with two. The team finished with seven hits and drew two walks, but it was not enough to keep up with the Houndettes who had 13 hits and drew 12 walks. Saint Jo committed two fielding errors.
To read the full story, pick up a copy of the weekly edition of the Bowie News.
For more pictures from the game, click here https://www.dotphoto.com/go.asp?l=bnews1&AID=6874729&T=1
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