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THE PLAYMAKERS: On The Upswing powered by UTMB Health
The South Houston area is loaded with talented athletes who give it there all in their respective fields of play.
Welcome to the VYPE Playmakers powered by UTMB Health, where we’re highlighting five standouts from this past week who stole the headlines.
Here are the UTMB Athletes of the Month, as we enter the closing stages of the Spring season.
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Friendswood Girls Golf
Photo acquired via Twitter (@FWoodGolf)
After yet another successful campaign this Spring, the Friendswood girls golf team is one of the few groups headed back to the UIL State Tournament.
The Mustangs return to Georgetown on the heels of placing first at the Region III-5A Tournament (total score of 628), which marks the first time the program has accomplished this feat in 34 years.
Coach Scott Smith should certainly be proud of the efforts made by his team, which includes Trinity Bosley, Margaret Kerr, Katherine Janda, Mary Scheschuk, and of course, senior Mary Kerr.
Kerr, in particular, was the top finisher for Friendswood in last month's Regional tourney, having shot for 152 in the two-day stretch, which made her the No. 5 overall golfer to emerge from the golf course at the Margaritaville Lake Resort.
Smith and company will now prepare to travel to Legacy Hills Golf Club this upcoming Monday, as they contend for a state championship.
Max McCloskey, Clear Creek Boys Golf
Photo acquired via Twitter (@ccwildcatgolf)
The Clear Creek golf program traveled White Wing Golf Club in Georgetown earlier this week to compete in the UIL Boys State Golf Tournament, following an exceptional performance at Regionals.
While things may not have quite panned out the way they would've hoped, the Wildcats still ended up within the Elite-12, which is a testament to the level of talent seen on the final course.
Furthermore, Clear Creek do still hold the distinction of having one of their own finish as in the top-5, individually.
Sophomore Max McCloskey concluded the two-day tourney by tying for fourth overall in Class 6A, with a final score of 141.
Despite the considerable youth on his roster, coach Daniel Brown's team displayed expertise beyond their years, which should indicate that the Wildcats may very well be back in Georgetown a year from now.
Emerie Garcia, Deer Park Softball
This Spring has seen more of what we've come to expect from the 2021 state champs -- Deer Park.
The Deer re-entered the postseason on the heels of claiming their fourth-consecutive undefeated district title, which they followed up by sweeping North Shore in the Bi-District round, bringing their current record to 27-7.
As one of the top teams in our pre-playoff rankings, it shouldn't come as a shock that the Deer would carry their momentum into the postseason. Coach Amy Vidal-Bush knows how to optimize the talent on her lineup on an annual basis, which is evidenced by the immense success the program has seen during her tenure.
This year's lineup has featured the talents of Hanna York (Houston Christian-signee), Payton Tullis (Southern Arkansas), Kylie Wilson (Prairie View-A&M), and Mia Montemayor, among others.
Although, one of the unsung heroes of the club, Emerie Garcia, has made some clutch performances in recent weeks.
The San Jac-signee racked up five RBIs to close the team's district schedule, which was followed up by similar outings against North Shore.
With their Area Round rematch against Alvin taking place this weekend, expect Garcia to have a starring role.
Wilson Klein, Lutheran South Academy Track & Field
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Following another prosperous endeavor this season, Lutheran South Academy will be returning to the TAPPS-5A State Track & Field championship this weekend.
That shouldn't come as a surprise, considering the success they've seen in years past.
With the prowess displayed by athletes such as Marcus Gaitan, Kris St. Clair, Elaine Ward, Matthew Gaitan, Cole Noack, Alma Martin, and not to mention their relays teams, the Pioneers should expect some top finishes at Midway ISD's Panther Stadium.
However, alongside the Gaitans, no LSA athlete has been more consistent in their respective event than Wilson Klein.
The Lutheran South senior recently took gold in the pole vault event at the TAPPS-5A Regional Meet, with an astounding height of 15 feet-7 inches.
The pole vault is, without question, Klein's bread-and-butter, which will be evidenced once the Pioneers take to the track to close the week.
Erianna Garcia, Clear Springs Softball
Photo acquired via Twitter (@garcia_erianna)
The Chargers made a statement to open the playoffs, by defeating a formidable Dawson team in a 2-1 series victory.
Alongside the considerable efforts made by Emma King, Logan Kieselhorst, and Alana Strever, Erianna Garcia has proven to be perhaps the most consistent weapon on coach Jennifer Knight's roster.
Garcia went 7-for-10 during the three-game series against Dawson, which included 7 RBIs to propel Clear Springs to the Area Round.
Furthermore, the uncommitted junior was recognized as the team's Offensive MVP to close April.
While Clear Springs may currently be one game down in their series against Kingwood, Garcia could easily be one of the many figures to change the tides.
THE FINAL COURSE: UIL Girls State Golf Tourney Preview
With May finally beginning, so to does the UIL State Girls Golf Tournament.
As fans make their way towards Georgetown's White Wing Golf Club (Class 6A) and Legacy Hills Golf Club (Class 5A) this upcoming week, it's now up to the state's most highly acclaimed female high school golfers to prove who's the best of the best.
Starting Monday, Houston's top teams -- namely The Woodlands, Kingwood, Lake Creek, FB Clements, Montgomery, Friendswood, Katy Jordan, and Jordan -- will look to end their season on a high note.
Individually, Klein Cain's Zoe Hobbs, Jasmine Do (Bridgeland), Kara Holm (Ridge Point), Jacqueline Lawrence (Barbers Hill), Taylor Horacefield (Clear Springs), Jannel Calixterio (Westfield), Madeline Buckley (Magnolia West), and Jersey Village's Daniela Palmeros will be among the numerous competitors seen on the course.
Given that information, here is the complete list of Houston golfers competing for a title.
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CLASS 6A GIRLS STATE QUALIFIERS
***In alphabetical order
(Teams)
Fort Bend Clements Rangers: Angela Cui, Savannah Du, Katelyn Lam, Sophia Liu, Annika Shetty
Katy Jordan Warriors: Candelaria Carlevaro, Jennie Dong, Rumi Kurihara, Leia McKenzie, Abbi Nelson
Kingwood Mustangs (Region III-6A Champs): Bella Flores, Mariana Hernandez, Khloe Jones, Gabriela Sison, Cameron Stewart
The Woodlands Highlanders (Region II-6A Champs): Blythe Bowman, Veronika Exposito, Tate Hutcheson, Claire Smith, Charlotte Stick
Tomball Cougars: Casandra Cantu, Regina Cantu, Makenzie Minshew, Sarah Pace, Rafaela Vintimilla
(Individual Qualifiers)
Jannel Calixterio, Westfield
Jasmine Do, Bridgeland
Zoe Hobbs, Klein Cain
Kara Holm, Ridge Point
Taylor Horacefield, Clear Springs
Daniela Palmeros, Jersey Village
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CLASS 5A GIRLS STATE QUALIFIERS
***In alphabetical order
(Teams)
Friendswood Mustangs (Region III-5A Champs): Trinity Bosley, Katherine Janda, Margaret Kerr, Mary Kerr, Mary Scheschuk
Lake Creek Lions: Kylie Ellegood, Brooke Mills, Evangelina Stowers, Addie Surber, Sonja Tibbetts
Montgomery Bears: Jordyn Herridge, Addison Payne, Tarren Suffield, Carsyn Thomas, Ava Winfield
(Individual Qualifiers)
Madeline Buckley, Magnolia West
Jacqueline Lawrence, Barbers Hill
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