GAMES
RANKINGS
MAKING A SPLASH: Klein's Erwin beats to own drum
WHEN A NICKNAME FITS, IT JUST STICKS.
Quint “QT” Erwin loves the story.
“One of my closest friends is named Quinn and I am Quint,” he said. “Coach Svoboda would call out ‘Quinn’ and we would both turn and head his way. It was super confusing and annoying for all of us. Coach made the decision that he would be Quinn and I would be QT.”
It has stuck ever since.
“I know when you run it together it sounds like cutie,” he laughs. “I get that all the time. It’s a conversation starter, for sure.”
Erwin enters his junior season as one of leaders of the Bearkat swim and dive team, specializing in the 200 butterfly and 50 freestyle.
“What really kept me inspired happened during my freshman year,” he said. “Every season, Coach Svoboda pulls up one swimmer from the junior varsity to swim in the varsity district meet. He picked me. That has really kept me going. It gave me so much confidence.”
Two years later, he has lofty goals entering the 2024 season.
“I’m looking at getting to State,” he said. “I also want to go back to the Junior Nationals and eventually swim in college.”
Erwin found himself in the pool.
“I tried all the sports growing up,” he said. “I just found my clique with swim. I love being with my friends and I also like getting up early to practice. It makes me feel like I’ve done something during the day.”
What does he listen to before a big race?
“This sounds weird, but I listen to country music ballads,” he said. “Something like Jimmy Buffett or Kenny Chesney. My heart rate is super high during a meet, I need something to calm me down.”
Outside of the pool, Erwin is the outdoorsy-type.
“I love to fish, bike, hike and water ski,” he said. “I love the beach or biking the trails of Colorado. I could see myself travelling to state parks across the country when I’m older and being a part-time park ranger. I’m also dabbling into art a little bit.”
His uniqueness doesn’t stop there.
“I’m big into reading about history,” he said. “My favorite subjects are Henry Ford and Alexander Hamilton. They are really fascinating.”
QT Erwin beats to his own drum, which is unique in the world of high school where everyone is trying to just fit in. That sets him apart as he swims upstream in pursuit of his goals.
Klein Oak's Rylee Ferranti
LEGACY ON THE MAT: UIL State Wrestling Championship Wrap
The Berry Center was loaded with H-Town representatives this past weekend, as several challengers staked their claim for a UIL State Championship on the wrestling mat.
Not so surprisingly, there were several notable performances which resulted in some hardware.
Big names such as Klein Oak's Rylee Ferranti, Riley Rayome (The Woodlands), Isaac Sheeran (Klein), and Avery Beckman (Friendswood) won their second-consecutive state title, further establishing their legacy as potentially all-time greats.
Of course, there were some first-timers on this list.
Check out who took gold at the UIL state wrestling meet, below.
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UIL Girls Wrestling State Champions
Avery Beckman--Friendswood 5A--185 lbs. **(Back-to-back State Champion)
Riley Rayome--The Woodlands 6A--114 lbs. **(Back-to-back State Champion)
Rylee Ferranti--Klein Oak 6A--185 lbs. **(Back-to-back State Champion)
UIL Girls Wrestling State Runner-Ups
Madison Canales--Foster 5A--132 lbs.
Arriana Beltran--The Woodlands 6A--107 lbs.
Vanessa De La Cruz--The Woodlands 6A--114 lbs.
Alexis Booth--Jersey Village 6A--145 lbs.
Anna Vogt--College Park 6A--145 lbs.
Brooklyn Lawrence--Oak Ridge 6A--152 lbs.
Lumiere Kahongo--Cypress Springs 6A--185 lbs.
UIL Boys Wrestling State Champions
Calo Aron--College Park 6A--126 lbs.
Jackson Herman--Cinco Ranch 6A--132 lbs.
Garrett McChesney--Katy Jordan 6A--138 bs.
Kolton Oborny--College Park 6A--157 lbs.
Isaac Sheeran--Klein 6A--190 lbs. **(Back-to-back State Champion)
Za'Qwaun Nunn--Clear Springs 6A--285 lbs.
UIL Boys Wrestling State Runner-Ups
Cameron Lewis--Terry 5A--285 lbs.
Santiago Ramirez--Houston Westside 6A--113 lbs.
Matteo Nikolov--Tompkins 6A--165 lbs.
Rocco Grazier--Bellaire 6A--175 lbs.