The Lions Swimming Program has taken off with a bang over the last five years. When Head Coach Mark Saroni jumped on board, there were only about ten swimmers, but the Lions have banded together, trained hard, had fun, and earned some trophies along the way.
Both the boys and girls teams won the TAPPS 5A State title in 2018, and the girls were able to secure the title for another year, winning it again in 2019.
By Allison Ling
Having several returners on both squads, the team looks ready to compete at the Division I level. Southern United Methodist commit Morgan Schield leads the team, having earned a State Champion title in all of her races last year. Some other girl's team standouts to watch in the water are Grace Malin and Abi Leal.
By Allison Ling
The boy's team has some State Qualifiers returning, as well as some new swimmers to the program expected to help lead the team. Jake Beaver, Nic Turnipseed and Matt McCrory will bring their experience to the new guys as the Lions hope to have a strong presence at State again in the coming months.
No. 6 San Antonio Pieper (11-0) vs. Corpus Christi Flour Bluff (10-1)
7 p.m., Friday, Warrior Coliseum
Last Week: Pieper 63, Southwest Legacy 0; Flour Bluff 35, McAllen Memorial 10
Pieper continues to ascend remarkably. In just its second year of varsity play, the Warriors enter the area playoffs undefeated after a regional finalist appearance last year. … Pieper is averaging 50.3 points per game and allowing 22.5. … Offense is the name of the game for the Warriors. Senior QB Cayden Keethe has completed 70.7% of his passes for 3,176 yards and 39 TDs to eight interceptions. He’s also rushed for 313 yards and six TDs. Keethe’s primary target is senior WR Isaiah Champagne, who has 60 catches for 1,124 yards and 15 TDs. Three other Warriors, however, have five or more receiving TDs. … On the ground, Pieper is just as potent with junior RB Brady Hopper (596 yards, 11 TDs) and senior RB John Hamilton (525 yards, 11 TDs). … Flour Bluff’s only loss this year was a 36-33 overtime setback to 9-2 Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial. … The Hornets are averaging 46.1 points per game and allowing 13. … Flour Bluff has not lost in the area round since 2019. The Hornets have made the regional final twice and state semifinal once since then. … Winner plays San Antonio Southwest or Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial in the next round.
No. 21 San Antonio Brennan (10-1) vs. No. 10 Austin Westlake (10-1)
7 p.m., Friday, Heroes Stadium
Last week: Brenna 28, S.A. Reagan 7; Westlake 46, Vista Ridge 17
Brennan avenged a 31-9 loss to Reagan in the season opener and has now won 10 straight since that setback. … Brennan is seeking its fifth straight trip to the regional semifinals, but it will be a tough task. … Brennan is 0-3 all-time versus Westlake. The Chaps beat the Bears in the regional final 47-7 in 2022. … Brennan is averaging 44.2 points per game and allowing 7.8. Westlake is averaging 46.6 points per game and allowing 12.5. … Westlake’s lone loss this season came Sept. 13, in a 39-21 loss to No. 4 state-ranked Atascocita. … Brennan’s offense is paced by its dominant running back duo of senior Malik White (810 yards, 18 TDs) and junior Micai Thompson (702 yards, 14 TDs). The run game accounts for 65% of Brennan’s offense. … Westlake is more balanced. Junior QB Rees Wise had completed 68% of his throws for 1,924 yards and 17 TDs. Senior RB Grady Bartlett has 596 yards and 11 TDs. Senior WR Brody Wilhelm has 478 yards and eight TDs. … Winner of this game will advance to play San Antonio Johnson or Los Fresnos in the next round.
Similar to how the football postseason is played, the UIL has split the upcoming basketball playoff format into two divisions -- meaning there will be more state champs, and one less game needed to acquire the title.
Out of San Antonio, there are a numbers of programs, on both the boys' and girls' side, that could potentially make their way to their backyard of the Alamodome.
For the boys, Veterans Memorial (5A) reached that point last year. But, as it stands, Brennan and Wagner seem to be poised for another lengthy run this winter. Don't sleep on Harlan, Somerset, or Jay, though.
Meanwhile, the Brennan and Boerne girls' programs wound up in the state final-four a year ago, and will be eager to repeat that effort, with Wagner, Churchill, Cibolo Steele, and Harlan right on their heels.
As teams begin their respective tournament seasons, it's time to examine the most elite teams that the San Antonio-area has to offer in 2025.
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VYPE SATX BOYS TOP-10 (Class 6A-4A)
*Last section indicates 2024 result
1. Brennan Bears (6A) -- 31-5; 16-0 in District (Regional Semifinalists)
2. SA Wagner Thunderbirds (5A) -- 24-12; 9-5 (Regional Semifinalists)
By Allison Ling
By Allison Ling
