GAMES
RANKINGS
FAT BOY’S PIZZA Player of the Month: All smiles for Katy’s Jackson-Bray as she makes her State Meet debut
This Spring has seen a plethora of elite talent emerge onto the high school track scene, which is a testament to the skill produced by the state’s top programs.
However, it’s unlikely that there has been any athlete with a more sudden impact than Katy’s London Jackson-Bray.
After narrowly missing out on the UIL State Meet a year ago, Jackson-Bray made a statement in last week’s Region III-6A Meet.
Not only did she take gold in the Girls 100m Dash (11.44 s), but she took that a step further by placing second in the 200m Dash (23.72 s), which ultimately punched her ticket to Austin.
“It feels incredible,” she said. “Sometimes I can’t believe how far I’ve come in the last year. I’ve been so blessed in my time with the team and coaches.
I think what might set me apart from others is that I find fun in the competition. It’s not like a job for me since I just want to go out there and enjoy myself. It’s a sport, and sports are meant to be fun, so I don’t take it too seriously. At the end of the day, I want to leave with a smile on my face.”
Photo provided by London Jackson-Bray
There have been plenty of smiles to be had for the Katy program in recent weeks, and not just for Jackson-Bray.
She will be joined by fellow qualifiers, Elizabeth Brooks (800m), Adam Carter (Shot Put), and Tyler Willis (Shot Put), when the team travels to Mike A. Myers Stadium in May.
It’s not just her teammates that inspire the Katy speedster, either. After all, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
“Both of my parents ran track at the University of Houston,” said Jackson-Bray. “Plus, my sister ran all four years of high school, so it’s always been in my family. I originally played volleyball and didn’t start competing in track until seventh grade.
While that might be a little overwhelming to live up to for some people, I see it as more of an inspiration. My parents never pushed me into the sport. It was something I found by myself, and they’ve obviously been very supportive of me and my journey.”
Jackson-Bray continues to play volleyball to this day, for both Katy High and her club team, Katy United.
While being a multi-sport athlete can be time consuming, it’s certainly benefited this Katy junior.
Photo provided by London Jackson-Bray
“I feel like the training I’m not able to get out of track, I’m able to get in volleyball,” she said. “I’m able to increase my experience in the sense of jumping, being explosive, and improving my reaction time with everything.
I love volleyball, but I think track is what I’m leaning to more in college. I do have a few offers as of right now, so I feel like that’s the route I’m meant to take when I graduate.”
When she’s not going on a shopping spree at Lululemon with her friends or watching her go-to show Grey’s Anatomy in the coming years, Jackson-Bray intends to pursue a career in dermatology once she reaches the collegiate level.
Although, she’s now preparing to contend for a state title.
With another year left in her high school career, it’s becoming increasingly evident that Jackson-Bray is on the path towards an exceptional future.
It all begins at the starting line.
THE PLAYMAKERS: The Final Stretch 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.
...
Chris Creedon, Clear Creek Boys Track & Field
Photo acquired via Twitter (@creek_speed)
This Spring has seen numerous athletes from Clear Creek ISD surge, but none more so than Chris Creedon.
After reaching the Regional Meet in 2023, in which he competed in the 800m event, and running in the UIL State Cross Country Meet in the Fall, the Clear Creek junior proceeded to expand upon that by entering this year's 1600 meter run.
Lo and behold, Creedon would claim gold this past weekend, with an astounding time of 4:14.51 -- an entire second before the No. 2 finisher -- which punches his ticket to the UIL State Meet.
As one of the Wildcats' most premier long-distance runners, Creedon's exceptional endurance will give him a genuine opportunity to be a contender for the state title in May.
Madison Peters, Pearland Girls Track & Field
Photo acquired via Instagram (@maddiepeters1108)
It's no secret that Madison Peters is one of the most elite long-distance runners in the state, much less Houston.
She's no stranger to state-wide competition, as she placed in the top-10 of last year's UIL 1600m and 3200m races, prior to claiming bronze in the 2023 UIL State Cross Country Meet which earned her back-to-back All-Greater Houston Girls XC Runner of the Year honors.
The senior Texas A&M-signee followed that up by placing first in the Region III-6A 3200m event (10:35.05), which puts her right back in the fold of competing for a state championship.
In her final season with Pearland, Peters could very well claim the gold medal she's been within arm's length of throughout her illustrious high school career.
Brandon Schirck, Friendswood Boys Track & Field
Schirck (Right) poses with his two medals, securing his spote at State
@Photo acquired via Twitter (@BSchirck)
Just like several others on this list, Friendswood's Brandon Schirck is plenty familiar with what it take to reach the State Meet.
After all, the senior Mustang finished second overall in last year's UIL-5A Shot Put event.
Months later, Schirck would ultimately seal his chance to continue his athletic career in college when he signed with the University of Texas this past October.
Most recently, however, the soon-to-be Longhorn took gold and silver in the Region III-5A Shot Put (64-00.00) and Discus (180-02.00) events, respectively.
It seems like fate that his last high school throws will be taking place on the very same venue (Mike A. Myers Track Stadium) he'll be spending his a significant portion of his collegiate career on.
Mackenzie Collins, Shadow Creek Girls Track & Field
Photo acquried via Twitter (@kenzCollins2025)
What a season it has been for the Shadow Creek girls track & field program!
After dominating in the Area Meet, the Sharks would follow that up by having an equally commanding performance at Turner Stadium this past weekend, which saw them claim the Region III-6A title.
Junior Mackenzie Collins played a starring role in said acquisition, as she placed first in the 300m Hurdles with a swift time of 42.50 seconds.
Furthermore, Collins was a key contributor to the Shadow Creek relay team, which won the 4x100m (45.72 s) and 4x400m (3:49.04) events, while also finished in the No. 2 spot of the 4x200m race.
The Sharks relat team took gold in last year's 4x400 race, and if their performance at Regionals is any indication, they have a strong chance at making it back-to-back.
Ashtyn Lewis, Iowa Colony Girls Track & Field
Photo acquired via Twitter (@ICPioneersTF)
Ashtyn Lewis is back at it again!
After winning the gold medal for the 400m event in last year's State Meet, the Iowa Colony sophomore seems to be on the fast-track to a repeat.
As a whole, the Pioneers are coming off an exceptional outing that saw both the girls and boys teams claim the Region III-4A title.
Naturally, they were propelled by Lewis, who took gold in the 200m Dash (24.45 s), the 400m Dash (55.18 s), and was major factor in the first-place finishes for the 4x200m (1:41.39) and 4x400m (3:54.31) relays.
Given the momentum she and ICHS have picked up thus far, it's a safe bet to assume that more gold medals are in store.