The south Houston area is loaded with talented athletes who give it their all in their respective fields of play.
Welcome to the VYPE Playmakers powered by UTMB Health, where we’re highlighting five standouts from the previous week who stole the headlines.
Here are the UTMB Athletes of the Week.
Gabbie Roundtree, Pearland Softball
Photo by Lloyd Hendricks (Hendricks Rockography)
Roundtree celebrates her game-tying 3-run HR with her teammates
In the bottom of the seventh inning of the Class 6A Regional Finals, Pearland was down 5-8 against Deer Park.
With their hopes of reaching the State Tourney hanging in the balance, pinch-hitter Gabbie Roundtree (Sr. OF) came in the clutch with a 3-run homer to tie the game. Soon after, the Lady Oilers would emerge victorious by a score of 9-8 to punch their ticket to Austin.
Brandon Schirck, Friendswood Track & Field
Photo acquired via Twitter: @FWoodBoysTrack
Friendswood's Brandon Schrick (Left) & Albert Archundia (Right)
Friendswood’s Brandon Schirck had a remarkable showing throughout his team’s Spring campaign. The junior Mustang further evidenced this by taking gold in the Shot Put at the UIL Regional Meet, followed by a second-place finish (59-09.75) at the State Meet. With another year left in his career, expect him to improve upon those stats in 2024.
Albert Archundia, Friendswood Track & Field
Similarly to Schirck, senior Albert Archundia led another outstanding year on Friendswood’s Track & Field team. After finishing second at Regionals, Archundia took bronze at State in the Shot Put event (58-10.00), to cap off an exceptional high school career.
Kristyn Whitlock, Pearland Softball
Photo by Lloyd Hendricks (Hendricks Rockography)
Whitlock rounds the bases after hitting a solo-homer against Deer Park
Pearland’s senior infielder Kristyn Whitlock played an instrumental role in the Lady Oilers’ victory in the Region III Final. The SHSU-signee had a solo homer in the contest, on top of three RBIs--one of which was the walk-off sac-fly to send her team to the State Semifinals. Whitlock will undoubtedly be a key figure in Pearland’s push for a title this weekend.
Friendswood Girls Golf
Photo acquired via Twitter: @FwoodGolf
After winning yet another district championship, the Mustangs Girls Golf team would go on to place third at Regionals--earning them a spot in the UIL State Tournament at Legacy Hills Golf Club in Georgetown. Friendswood ultimately finished ninth-overall against some tough competition, with a composite score of 674, which has set the standard for the young program.