By Bradley Collier
Whataburger Team of the Week: Kingwood dominates in State Final to claim first-ever title
04 Jun, 2025
For the first time in program history, the Kingwood Softball organization are State Champions—and now, they’re also being honored as the Whataburger Team of the Week following their dominant run through the UIL 6A-Division 2 postseason.
Kingwood capped off a remarkable season with a 4-1 victory over Forney in the title game this past Saturday, securing the championship in their fifth overall appearance at the UIL State Tournament. The Mustangs finished the year with an impressive 34-4-1 record and did not lose a single game throughout the playoffs.
Sophomore right-handed pitcher Hunter Quentel was named the game’s MVP after a standout two-way performance. Quentel notched seven strikeouts in the circle and delivered the game’s decisive blow with a two-run homer in the third inning.
She finished the season with an 18-3 record and cemented herself as one of the state’s rising stars.
Kingwood jumped out to an early lead with an RBI single from junior third baseman Frei Pizarro in the second. Subsequently, KHS widened the gap the following inning, beginning with an RBI double from senior catcher Mia Gagliardi (Virginia Tech-commit) — who went 2-for-3 with two doubles and an RBI.
Moments later, Quentel launched her home run over the left-field fence, giving Kingwood a comfortable 4-0 lead.
Forney's only run came in the later innings via a sacrifice fly by Ashlyn Oscars, but it wasn’t enough to challenge Kingwood’s grip on the game.
In addition to Quentel, Gagliardi, and Pizarro, several Mustangs were named to the UIL State All-Tournament team, including standout senior shortstop Addy Sheppard (Stanford-commit), senior second baseman Leilani Garcia, sophomore first baseman Kendall Yates, and senior outfielder Abella Mata.
Head Coach Christa Williams-Yates, now in her second year leading the program, guided the Mustangs to their historic title with poise and purpose.
A former Olympian and Texas Longhorn, Williams-Yates was a member of the first team to play at McCombs Field in 1998. Nearly three decades later, she returned to that same field—this time as a coach—to lead Kingwood to its first-ever state crown.
With a mix of veteran leadership and emerging young talent, the Kingwood Mustangs have not only made history—they’ve set a new standard for excellence in Texas high school softball.
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VYPE AWARDS: Public & Private School Boys and Girls Tennis by Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
03 Jun, 2025
Welcome to the 2024-2025 VYPE Awards presented by Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine! VYPE will recognize the top teams and athletes in his and her respective sports.
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PUBLIC SCHOOL BOYS TENNIS PLAYER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
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PUBLIC SCHOOL GIRLS TENNIS PLAYER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
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PRIVATE SCHOOL BOYS TENNIS PLAYER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
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PRIVATE SCHOOL GIRLS TENNIS PLAYER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
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Watch the video below to find out who won the Public and Private School Boys and Girls Tennis VYPE Awards presented by Houston Methodist Orthopedic & Sports Medicine
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2026 Katy Jordan (Texas) three-star athlete Tanner West took his official visit to Kansas State this past weekend—and he didn’t leave without making a major decision.
After touring the campus, meeting with coaches, and connecting with current Wildcat players, the H-Town standout committed to K-State over offers from Rice, Tulsa, Kansas, and others.
“While I was there, I could just feel what the culture was all about,” West said. “The way Coach [Chris] Klieman runs the program is unlike any other place I’ve been. I love Coach Klieman and Coach [Matt] Anderson, and the rest of the staff—just genuine people with a strong plan for me. Talking with the players already there really sealed the deal. It just felt like the right place.”
West made the trip with his family—who are no strangers to elite athletics. Both of his brothers currently play baseball at Rice, and his entire family has deep roots in collegiate sports.
So, when West announced his commitment inside Coach Klieman’s office with his family by his side, it was a surreal moment.
“It’s something I’ve dreamed about since I was a little kid,” he said. “That moment—committing with my family there—was the most exciting moment of my life. They were all jumping for joy. It was special to see all the hard work pay off.”
With his pledge, West becomes another name etched in the young but growing history of Katy Jordan, now in its sixth year as a program. And he’s proud to represent what the school stands for.
“It means a lot to show that Jordan is a place where top-level talent can come from,” he said. “I’ve loved my time here. To be able to show the younger guys that it can be done—through discipline and focusing on the details—that’s something I take seriously.”
Now committed, West can fully shift his focus to a big senior campaign. His goals? Lead his team to Jerry’s World in December and leave a legacy in the record books.
“The goal is obviously to win a championship and play in Cowboys Stadium,” he said. “We’ve got a great group that can get it done. But it starts this summer at SAC camp. Personally, I’m chasing the all-time Jordan scrimmage yards record—I’m about 1,500 yards away—and I’m aiming for 21 more touchdowns to hit the all-time mark there, too.”
With his future locked in and history in sight, expect Tanner West and the Katy Jordan Warriors to make serious noise in 2025.
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