VYPE caught up with Montgomery High School Girls Soccer Coach Brandi Wilkinson at the Montgomery ISD Winter 2023 Media Day, discussing the upcoming season and more!
Check out the interview below!
Baytown Sterling's Irad Mixon
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
“I stepped on the track and just burned everyone,” Mixon said with a laugh. “Ever since then, I’ve loved the thrill of it all, since I tend to be a really competitive person. It’s an exhilarating feeling to test the true physicality of who you areas an athlete. It feels like home to me, so that’s where I stay.”
Now a senior at Baytown Sterling, Mixon has turned that early passion into proven success.
Last season, he captured gold in the 400mDash at the District Meet before placing third at the Area level, securing a spot at Regionals. He also helped Sterling’s 4x200 Relay team reach the Regional stage, further cementing his role as a leader on the squad.
But Mixon isn’t satisfied. He has even greater ambitions in his final campaign.
“I’ve become really focused on my goals since last year,” he said. “I know what I’m capable of. I don’t want to just finish in the Top-3 at the Area meet—I want to win it. More so than that, I want to do well enough at regionals to get my place at State.”
Mixon has spent all four years with the Rangers, and he credits the program for helping him develop into the competitor he is today.
“Being with this team has definitely boosted my confidence,” he said. “That’s not always an easy thing to do, especially when you compete against other talented opponents. But Sterling has helped me stay focused on what I can accomplish. As long as I stay on track, I know I can be comfortable with the results.”
While track is his primary focus, Mixon also has plans beyond the sport. He intends to pursue a degree in electrical engineering while hoping to continue his athletic career at the next level.
When he’s not training or competing, Mixon enjoys unwinding with his favorite shows—Game of Thrones, The 100, and Alice in Borderland.
However, his current attention is directed toward the last stretch of his high school career.
With a decorated resume already behind him, Mixon is determined to make his senior season his best yet—one that could end on the biggest stage in Texas high school track and field.
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MacArthur's Daniel Reyna
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
His journey began early, laying the foundation for the competitor he is today.
“I started playing baseball when I was three years old, and I’ve always had a love for the game,” Reyna said. “I grew up playing against older kids, so I got used to facing adversity. But at the end of the day, it’s a childhood game we’re all lucky to play—and there’s nothing better than leaving school early to play baseball.”
That passion has fueled his growth throughout high school. From early struggles at the plate to becoming a reliable offensive threat, Reyna has embraced every challenge.
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
“I think the biggest improvement I’ve made is definitely with my hitting,” he said. “My first couple of years were rough. I’d find myself behind in the count a lot. But after my sophomore season, I put in work over the summer and fall, had a solid junior year, and now I feel confident stepping up in big moments.”
A big part of his evolution comes from MacArthur’s coaching staff, who have helped shape his game—and mindset.
“The coaches push us every day to be our best,” Reyna said. “They know nobody’s perfect, but they help us focus on the little things that make a big difference. They’ve helped me understand what I need to work on and how to keep improving.”
The stars of 2024-25 MacArthur BaseballJamey Wright (VYPE)
As his high school career winds down, Reyna has his eyes on the next chapter—continuing to play at the collegiate level and staying close to the sport he loves.
“I’m hoping to play baseball at the next level, wherever that may be,” he said. “There are a few colleges I’m looking at, and it’s exciting—for me and my family. I also want to study Sports Medicine or something similar. One day, I’d love to come back and coach at Aldine ISD. I’ve coached before, and helping kids grow their game is something I’m passionate about. That’s the ultimate goal.”
With his determination, leadership, and genuine love for the game, Reyna has already made a lasting impact at MacArthur. And as he prepares for what’s next, there’s no doubt he’ll keep making an impact—on and off the field.
Aldine Softball Head Coach Leigha Doyle
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“After graduating from college, I knew that softball was going to be a part of my life,” Doyle said. “Giving back to the game, which gave so much to me, is everything. I can honestly say that I love what I do.”
Doyle starred at Atascocita High School before beginning her collegiate career at Galveston College. She then transferred to Southern Arkansas University, where she started two seasons at shortstop and earned NFCA Division II Scholar Athlete All-American honors.
After college, Doyle kicked off her coaching journey as an assistant at C.E. King High School, eventually landing her first head coaching job at Aldine.
“I just love the atmosphere at Aldine High,” she said. “I love the administration, but mostly I love working with my girls. They’re so fun and coachable. They have a great bond, which is something I really try to promote. We all have the same mindset—to play hard, turn some heads, and win games.”
2024-25 Aldine High School SoftballBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
As a softball lifer, Doyle has shaped her coaching style by drawing from her own experiences as a player.
“I’ve had some great coaches—and some bad ones,” she laughed. “Honestly, you learn the most from the bad ones, by figuring out how not to run a program.
“My coach, Corey Lyon at Southern Arkansas, has been a huge mentor for me. I know if I ever have a question, he’ll always pickup the phone. He really gave me the confidence to step into this profession.”
For Doyle, her biggest lesson as a young coach comes down to one word: trust.
“Building relationships and trust with your players is what I believe in,” she said. “If that’s established, your program will be in a good place. Good or bad, you have to be honest with your players. If that bond is there, they’ll run through a wall for you—and they know I’ll go to the mat for them, too.”
Wise beyond her years, Doyle is helping turn Aldine Softball into something special.
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