San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
50 athletes to watch this high school sports season.
The 2019-20 high school sports season is two weeks old after the start of volleyball season. Football and cross country seasons begin over
the next two weeks, kicking off a nonstop sports season that culminates with June’s UIL baseball championships.
Many of the area’s top sports stars from last season return, including four who earned All-America distinction. Another made a mark as one of the country’s top triple jumpers. There are four reigning state champions and a host of others who earned state medals in a variety
of sports. Here’s a rundown of 50 athletes who are looking to build from successful seasons last year. WILMAR AGUILAR, LEE SOCCER, SR.
The forward earned local, state and national accolades after recording 25 goals and 24 assists for LEE last season. The Express-News Co-Player of the Year for 2019 also made the Allstate All-America team and the Texas Association of Soccer Coaches 6A All-State team.
KHORI BANKS, JOHNSON SOCCER, SR.
The forward scored 30 goals and was named the District 27-6A MVP last season. Banks has 60 career goals, a school record. The Jaguars are counting on her as they try to qualify for the Region IV-6A tournament.
JORDAN BATTLES, BRANDEIS FOOTBALL, JR.
Battles, the Express-News Newcomer of the Year in 2018, combined for 3,474 yards in his first season as the Broncos’ starting QB. He completed 111 of 203 passes for 1,837 yards, 17 TDs. He rushed 220 times for 1,637 yards and 21 TDs.
EVELYN BRUNER, STEELE SWIMMING, SR.
The Texas A&M pledge was named the Express-News Swimmer of the Year after finishing third in the 200-yard freestyle and seventh in the 100 freestyle. She was also named the Outstanding Swimmer at the Region IV-6A meet.
LAYNE BOLLI, BOERNE CHAMPION TRACK & FIELD, SR.
Bolli made up ground and finished third in the Class 5A 400-meter dash at the UIL state championships. She was also a member of the Chargers’ 1,600 relay team, one of the top squads in the state.
LUKE BOYERS, BOERNE CHAMPION BASEBALL/FOOTBALL, SR.
Boyers is an outfielder in baseball and quarterback in football. Boyers, who is committed to TCU baseball, hit .414 with 44 RBIs. As a QB, Boyers completed 159 of 285 passes for 1,839 yards and 20 TDs. He rushed 167 times for 1,406 yards and 21 TDs.
L.J. BUTLER,
WAGNER FOOTBALL, JR.
Butler ran for 2,028 yards and 32 TDs on 198 carries as the main cog in the Thunderbirds’ veer offense. He the only area running back who topped 2,000 rushing yards last year.
MIKE CHANDLER, JUDSON FOOTBALL, SR.
Chandler totaled 3,386 total yards in his first season as the Rockets’ starting quarterback last season. He completed 124 of 244 passes for 2,228 yards, 26 TDs and rushed 138 times for 858 yards and 12 TDs.
ABIGAIL CRAIG, SA CHRISTIAN TRACK & FIELD, JR.
Craig won three individual events and anchored a gold-medal winning relay at the TAPPS Class 5A state championships. Craig defended her title in the pole vault (11 feet) and won the 100 dash (12.20) and 200 dash (25.09).
FIONA CRAWLEY,
ALAMO HEIGHTS TENNIS, SR.
Crawley won her third straight girls doubles championship last spring at the UIL Class 5A state championships. She and Brianna Wilbur beat a team from Dallas Highland Park to win the title.
ANDREW ERICKSON, LEE SOCCER, SR.
Erickson, a defensive midfielder, was named Gatorade’s Texas Player of the Year for last season. The Kentucky pledge scored seven goals and had eight assists and led a defense that recorded 14 shutouts. He was also named to the Allstate All-America team.
MORGAN FEY, SOUTHWEST TRACK & FIELD, SR.
The Express-News named Fey as its Girls Field Athlete of the Year for 2018-19 season after she captured gold in the discus and bronze in the shot put at the UIL Class 5A state championships. Her season best’s last season were 142-10 in the discus and 41-8¾ in the shot put.
JOSE GALLEGOS, C. CATHOLIC SOCCER, SR.
The forward was named to the Allstate All-America team after recording 21 goals and nine assists last season. Those efforts helped the Buttons capture their third straight TAPPS Division I state title.
GRACIE GIBSON,
CLARK VOLLEYBALL, SR.
After missing 2017 with a knee injury, the outside hitter bounced back to tally 291 kills and 85 blocks. She was a unanimous District 28-6A selection was named to the Express-News Super Team.
JALYN GIBSON, BRANDEIS VOLLEYBALL, SOPH.
The outside hitter was named the Express-News Newcomer of the Year after recording 426 kills, 564 digs, 32 aces and 25 blocks. Prep Volleyball named her one of the nation’s top 72 first-year varsity
players in 2018.
DEVIN GRANT, ANTONIAN FOOTBALL/BASKETBALL, SR.
The 6-3, 230-pounder is a multi-sport star for the Apaches. He is committed to Colorado as a defensive end. He recorded 27 tackles and 6½ sacks last season. Grant also played forward on Antonian’s TAPPS Class 6A state-championship team.
DEMARCUS HENDRICKS, WAGNER FOOTBALL, SR.
The defensive end/linebacker recorded 83 tackles, 14 sacks and four interceptions (all for TDs) last season. Hendricks was an honorable mention All-State selection.
JOE HUNT,
SMITHSON VALLEY SWIMMING, SR.
Hunt is looking to improve from last year’s silver-medal winning performance in the 100-yard backstroke at the UIL Class 6A state championships.
VINCENT IWUCHUKWU, COLE BASKETBALL, SOPH.
A 6-10 center nicknamed “Baby Shaq,” Iwuchukwu helped the Cougars advance to last year’s UIL Class 3A state tournament. Iwuchukwu had 10 points and eight blocks against eventual state champion Dallas Madison in the 3A semifinals.
DANIEL JACKSON, STEELE FOOTBALL, SR.
Jackson, a receiver, had 66 receptions for 1,053 yards and 16 TDs last season. He is committed to Iowa State and is 247Sportscom’s 69th ranked recruit in Texas.
REAGAN JOHNSON, KARNES CITY TRACK & FIELD, SOFTBALL, SOPH.
Johnson almost captured gold in her first UIL state track and field state championship meet when she took second in the Class 3A 300 hurdles. She clocked in at a school-record 44.58, which was .02 behind the winner.
JAYLON JONES,
STEELE FOOTBALL, SR.
The 6-3 cornerback is committed to Texas A&M and is the state’s fifth-ranked college football recruit for the 2020 class, according to 247Sports.com. He recorded 36 tackles and had eight pass breakups in 2018.
SAHARA JONES, VETERANS MEMORIAL BASKETBALL, SR.
The 6-0 forward averaged 21.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.6 steals last season. She was an Express-News Super Team selection and earned AllState honors from the TBCA and TGCA.
ANNIKA LITTERIO, WARREN SOFTBALL, JR.
The pitcher recorded four no-hitters while going 23-3 with a 0.75 ERA and 286 strikeouts in 1771⁄3 innings. She also had 14 shutouts and four one-hitters.
MATTHEW LUNA, E. CENTRAL BASEBALL, SR.
Luna, a senior left-hander, was 10-2 with 1.58 ERA and 131 strikeouts in 792⁄3 innings. The Texas Tech pledge was District 26-6A’s MVP and a first-team All-State pick last season.
DELANEY MARTIN, TMI GOLF, SR.
The Houston pledge won the TAPPS Class 5A championship by eight shots. Martin was named to the Express-News All-Area Super Team after turning in a 69.6 stroke average. She also qualified for the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship at Old Waverly Golf Club in West Point, Miss., where she advanced to the round of 32.
JASMINE MONTGOMERY, REAGAN TRACK & FIELD, JR.
Montgomery set a Region IV-6A meet record in the 100 dash with a time of 11.56. She also anchored the Rattlers to a school record 46.32 at the regional meet. She finished seventh in the 100 and 200 dashes at the UIL Class 6A state championships.
VALERIE NAVARRO-CAVAZOS, BURBANK TENNIS, JR.
The Express-News selected NavarroCavazos as its Player of the Year after she earned a silver medal in girls singles at the UIL Class 5A state tournament. She was the first player from San Antonio ISD since 1965 to earn a state medal.
DUNCAN NAYLOR, GREAT HEARTS ACADEMY TRACK & FIELD, SR.
The 2018 Express-News Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year finished third overall at last season’s UIL Class 2A state championships. He also qualified in the 3,200 and 1,600 runs at the state track and field meet. He earned a bronze medal in the 3,200.
AALIYAH ORTIZ, SOUTHWEST SOFTBALL, SR
The third baseman belted an area-record 22 home runs while hitting .667 and compiling 79 RBIs. She also scored 72 runs and drew 50 walks. As a result, the McNeese State pledge earned All-American honors from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.
RASHOD OWENS,
ROOSEVELT TRACK & FIELD, FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, SR.
The Express-News selected Owens as its Dan Cook Boys Athlete of the Year for 2018-19. Owens set a city record (49-10¾ inches) in the triple jump and earned a bronze medal at the UIL state championships with a mark of 48-10. He also earned unanimous All-District 27-6A honors in football and basketball.
LOGAN PARR,
O’CONNOR FOOTBALL, SR.
The 6-4, 305-pound offensive lineman has started 46 straight games since his freshman season. The Texas commit is the state’s 35th ranked recruit, according to 247Sports.com.
NICK PATTERSON, SA CHRISTIAN FOOTBALL, SR.
Patterson, a 6-3, 225-pound tight end, had 53 receptions for 558 yards and five TDs in nine games in 2018. He is committed to Michigan, where his older brother Shea is the starting quarterback this season.
JOURNEE PHILLIPS, WAGNER BASKETBALL, SR.
The guard/forward averaged 18.0 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.5 steals last season. He was selected to the UIL Class 5A all-tournament team after recording 22 points and 12 rebounds against Mansfield Timberview in the state final.
JUAN REYNA,
ANTONIAN BASKETBALL, JR.
The 6-2 guard averaged 20.8 points, 3.2 assists and 1.8 steals and helped the Apaches capture the TAPPS Class 6A state championships. Reyna earned AllState honors from the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches and TAPPS. He was also a member of the TAPPS all-tournament team.
JUSTIN RODRIGUEZ, JOHNSON FOOTBALL, SR.
The workhorse running back rushed 236 times for 1,731 yards and 23 TDs in 2018. He was an honorable mention All-State selection.
WALKER RUDASAILE, MARION TRACK & FIELD, SR.
Rudasaile claimed the gold medal in the Class 3A pole vault at the UIL state championships with a clearance of 15-6, winning the event by three inches. He missed three tries at 16-0, a mark he hopes to hit this season.
KIERRA SANDERLIN, JUDSON BASKETBALL, JR.
Sanderlin, a 5-8 guard, is the top returner from the team that won the 2018-19 Class 6A state championship. Sanderlin averaged 13.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 3.4 steals last season. She also earned a spot on the UIL 6A state tournament team.
MARISSA SANTOS, D’HANIS SOFTBALL, SOPH.
Santos made a lasting impression in her first season on varsity by earning MVP honors after the Cowgirls downed Chireno, 9-7, to claim the UIL Class 1A state championship. She finished the season with 19 victories.
CASSIDY STEADMAN, CLEMENS VOLLEYBALL, SR
Steadman, a setter, recorded 1,457 assists last season, which was No. 1 in the state and No. 5 in the country, according to MaxPreps. She was named District 26-6A MVP after also tallying 298 digs, 56 kills, 22 blocks and 18 aces.
TRAVIS STHELE, REAGAN BASEBALL, FOOTBALL, SR.
Sthele, who plays shortstop and pitcher, is committed to Texas in baseball. He has also been the Rattlers’ starting quarterback since his freshman season. In baseball, he was 9-2 with a 1.11 ERA and 110 strikeouts on the mound. He hit .407 with seven doubles and 23 RBIs.
KYLE TOTORICA, REAGAN TENNIS, SOPH.
Totorica turned in an impressive varsity debut season by earning a silver medal in boys singles at the UIL Class 6A state tournament. He lost four matches last season and was named the Express-News Player of the Year.
AVIANNA TRINIDAD, SMITHSON VALLEY, TRACK & FIELD, SR.
Trinidad cleared a personal-best height of 12-9 to win silver in the pole vault at last season’s UIL state Class 6A state championships.
SIERRA WANNAMAKER, MADISON SOCCER, SR.
The defender, who is committed to UIW, made huge contributions on both ends of the field, tallying 18 goals and seven assists while leading a defense that recorded 10 shutouts and had a 0.78 goals against average.
KASEN WELLS, SMITHSON VALLEY BASEBALL, SOPH.
The Express-News named Wells its Newcomer of the Year last season after he hit .493 with nine doubles, 21 RBIs and 18 stolen bases as the Rangers’ lead-off hitter. His 56 total hits were two short of the school’s single-season record.
CARLEIGH WENZEL,
O’CONNOR BASKETBALL, SOPH.
The Express-News named Wenzel its Newcomer of the Year for the 2018-19 season after she averaged 12.7 points and 6.5 rebounds. The 5-11 forward also was named the District 28-6A Newcomer of the Year.
KEELY WILLIAMS,
JUDSON SOFTBALL, SOPH.
The outfielder was named Newcomer of the Year by the Express-News after she hit .459 with eight doubles, six triples, 26 RBIs and 32 stolen bases. Williams is committed to Texas A&M.
FRANK WILSON IV, BRANDEIS FOOTBALL, SR.
Wilson, who is committed to UTSA, tallied six interceptions, 59 tackles and three pass breakups last season. He also was an honorable mention All-State selection.
JARED ZIRKEL, KERRVILLE TIVY FOOTBALL, SR.
Zirkel, who is committed to Georgia, made 3 of 4 field goals with a long of 59 yards last season. He also kicked off 51 times, and 49 of them went for touchbacks. Zirkel also averaged 40.8 yards on 44 punts.
VICTOR ZUNIGA,
JOHNSON TRACK & FIELD, SR.
Zuniga capped a strong 2018 by finishing third in the 800-meter run with a time of 1:53.37 at the UIL Class 6A state track and field championships.