Cougars shoot their way back to state
Cinco Ranch gets set to compete for big prize for fifth time in six years
The Cinco Ranch boys golf team is returning to state.
The Cougars placed second to Clear Lake at the Region III-6A tournament last week at the Eagle Pointe Golf Club in Mont Belvieu, sending them into the state tourney for the fifth time in six years.
They fired a twoday 592, finishing 14 strokes behind a record-setting Falcons club.
“We had one of our best showings as a team and played some of the best golf we’ve played all year, and on Day 2 we closed the gap and finished second,” said first-year coach Nate Embley, who replaced the retired Rick Nordstrom this year after 16 years coaching tennis at Cypress Springs.
The Cougars were solid all season, coming from behind to win three consecutive tournaments at one point.
They won the District 19-6A title by 15 strokes.
Senior Jared Bray paced that victory, finishing first overall after a three-hole playoff with Seven Lakes’ Dawson Daily.
“That was huge for him individually,” Embley said. “Any time you win a district tournament, it’s a really big deal.”
Bray and junior Cade Kiser led the team all year.
They were in the top 10 individually at the regional tourney, both carding 146s to set the bar for the Cougars.
“The first day of the regional tournament, Cade Kiser went eagle on 17 and birdie on 18 to give us a three-stroke lead going into Day 2,” Embley said.
“Those three strokes were key. If he goes parpar, we’re tied for second going into Day 2.”
Junior Jamie Rogers fired a 152 at the regional tourney, junior Lorenzo Siboro went 154, posting a career-low 75 on Day 2, and senior Will Speer carded a 150, with a career-best 72 on Day 2.
“They are the epitome of a team in golf,” Embley said. “They can go really low, but we didn’t have the 67s or anything like that all year.
“We just had five guys who worked their butts off.”
The Class 6A state tournament is set for April 25-26 at Legacy Hills Golf Course in Georgetown.
“We’re going to try as hard as we can, like we do at every tournament,” Embley said. “It’s just another golf tournament for us. These guys know what to expect, they put in the time and effort, working their tails off, so we’re going to go there and do as well as we can, and if we can squeak out a metal we’ll be thrilled.” Lobos win
Langham Creek finally arrived.
The Lobos boys track and field team claimed their first district championship in 17 years last week at the District 17-6A meet at Cypress Ridge.
They scored 115 points to lead the pack.
Cy Woods took second on the boys side with 84 points and Cy Ranch was third with 83.
“Last year, it was super close between us and Cy Falls, but we couldn’t overcome the gap,” Langham Creek coach Walt Yarrow said. “This year we had the goal to come back and win it.
“It was a tougher year and we faced a lot more adversity, but I think it made them stronger and it makes this victory a lot sweeter.
“We got points from everywhere, from our field events, our distance guys and the relays. We have a great group of studentathletes, and I think it’s a credit to our school, our community and our athletic department.”
The top four finishers in each event move on to the 17-6A/18-6A area meet Thursday, April 21 at Cy Ridge.
The Lobos’ team title included a win in the 400-meter relay, with Pierre Mamia, Jalen Campbell, Toneil Carter and Jeremy Gamble combining to finish in 41.90 seconds. Cy Springs (42.01) was second.
David Zavala added a win in the 3,200 run (9:40.86).
In the field events, Langham Creek’s Jordan Murray won the long jump with a leap of 22 feet, 6½ inches, and Andre Cowans won the high jump with a 6-6.
Other boys track winners included Cy Woods’ Jared Taylor, who won the 100 (10.45) and 200 (21.33), and Alec Esposito in the 1,600 (4:25.67), Cy-Fair’s Tien Henderson in the 400 (49.11), Cy Lakes’ David Linares in the 800 (1:57.19), and Cy Ranch’s Branndon Marion, who won the 110 (13.85) and 300 (37.45) hurdles.
Cy-Fair prevailed in the 800 (1:27.96) and 1,600 (3:20.56) relays.
On the girls side, Cy Springs won its third consecutive district team championship with 138 points. Cy Woods was second at 114 and Cy Ridge third at 74.
“I’m really proud,” coach Ruqayya Gibson said. “They continue to exceed my expectations. They really proved to me that, regardless of what obstacles come our way, if we want it bad enough, anything is possible.
“This was the meet we needed. We had three girls PR in the 200, we ran an amazing 100. It was an excellent meet and I’m really proud. ”