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Kristyn Whitlock of Pearland Softball
THE PLAYMAKERS: Wrapping up the Spring powered by UTMB Health
The south Houston area is loaded with talented athletes who give it their all in their respective fields of play.
Welcome to the VYPE Playmakers powered by UTMB Health, where we’re highlighting five standouts from the previous week who stole the headlines.
Here are the UTMB Athletes of the Week.
Gabbie Roundtree, Pearland Softball
Roundtree celebrates her game-tying 3-run HR with her teammates
Photo by Lloyd Hendricks (Hendricks Rockography)
In the bottom of the seventh inning of the Class 6A Regional Finals, Pearland was down 5-8 against Deer Park.
With their hopes of reaching the State Tourney hanging in the balance, pinch-hitter Gabbie Roundtree (Sr. OF) came in the clutch with a 3-run homer to tie the game. Soon after, the Lady Oilers would emerge victorious by a score of 9-8 to punch their ticket to Austin.
Brandon Schirck, Friendswood Track & Field
Friendswood's Brandon Schrick (Left) & Albert Archundia (Right)
Photo acquired via Twitter: @FWoodBoysTrack
Friendswood’s Brandon Schirck had a remarkable showing throughout his team’s Spring campaign. The junior Mustang further evidenced this by taking gold in the Shot Put at the UIL Regional Meet, followed by a second-place finish (59-09.75) at the State Meet. With another year left in his career, expect him to improve upon those stats in 2024.
Albert Archundia, Friendswood Track & Field
Similarly to Schirck, senior Albert Archundia led another outstanding year on Friendswood’s Track & Field team. After finishing second at Regionals, Archundia took bronze at State in the Shot Put event (58-10.00), to cap off an exceptional high school career.
Kristyn Whitlock, Pearland Softball
Whitlock rounds the bases after hitting a solo-homer against Deer Park
Photo by Lloyd Hendricks (Hendricks Rockography)
Pearland’s senior infielder Kristyn Whitlock played an instrumental role in the Lady Oilers’ victory in the Region III Final. The SHSU-signee had a solo homer in the contest, on top of three RBIs--one of which was the walk-off sac-fly to send her team to the State Semifinals. Whitlock will undoubtedly be a key figure in Pearland’s push for a title this weekend.
Friendswood Girls Golf
Photo acquired via Twitter: @FwoodGolf
After winning yet another district championship, the Mustangs Girls Golf team would go on to place third at Regionals--earning them a spot in the UIL State Tournament at Legacy Hills Golf Club in Georgetown. Friendswood ultimately finished ninth-overall against some tough competition, with a composite score of 674, which has set the standard for the young program.
STUNTING: Singleton Reflects On Fond Memories With FBCA Cheer
FBCA HAS BECOME A MAINSTAY IN THE UNIVERSAL CHEERLEADERS ASSOCIATION (UCA) GIVEN THE PHENOMENAL AND TIGHT-KNIT CHEERLEADING PROGRAM THAT’S BEEN DEVELOPED INSIDE THE EAGLES’ NEST.
This is something senior Nina Singleton knows all too well, as she has been a leading figure of the FBCA Cheer throughout her four-year varsity tenure.
“Being a cheerleader at FBCA has been nothing short of spectacular for me,” she said. “Every year, it’s been something different and new. What’s made my senior year so special are the bonds I’ve created with my teammates and fellow seniors. Those friendships and relationships will carry on for the rest of my life.”
Considering the success and notoriety she’s accrued as a part of Eagles Cheer, it’s no surprise that Singleton will be taking her talents to new heights.
“Next year, I’ll be going to cheer at Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans,” said Singleton. “I’m very excited to go there because they are defending a National Title in Cheerleading, and because cheering on the collegiate level will be a new experience for me. It’ll be nice to be part of an entire new family and an esteemed program like that.”
Singleton’s cheerleading journey began early on in her childhood.
“I first starting cheering when I was about 5 years old,” she said. “I think that I found an interest whenever I began tumbling, cheering and stunting like so many girls in this do. Over time, I found a connection with it and made plenty of fond memories. Senior Night, Homecoming and my last TAPPS Cheer competition with the other two seniors on the team was really special, because we’ve been together for so long and it was nice to finish the whole experience with them.”
It’s evident that Singleton is a “people person” and her extraverted nature will fit in perfectly when she joins Xavier-Louisiana at the conclusion of her time at FBCA.