LACE'EM UP. It's time to hit the open courses again this fall as cross country season is under way. The best of the best if Goose Creek CISD ran their way to the 2021 VYPE Fall GCCISD Media Day. Let's hit the trail!
Photo provided by Cullen Thompson
Wonder Twins… Activate!
For the younger crowd out there, you might not remember the classic cartoon The Wonder Twins, but meet the real-life version—Cullen and Halle Thompson. This twin brother-sister duo is taking the athletic world by storm.
Last year, the sibling spotlight shined on Shadow Creek’s Mackenzie Collins (Texas volleyball) and her twin brother Mikey Collins (UL-L basketball). This year, it's all about the Thompsons.
Their older sister, Fallon, set the bar high, playing volleyball at Gonzaga. Now, Halle is following in her footsteps—and then some. The No. 2 volleyball recruit in the nation, she’s committed to Wisconsin and already boasts two Class 6A State Titles at Grand Oaks.
It took a little longer, but Cullen is now making his mark, exploding onto the football recruiting scene as a 6-foot-4 edge rusher.
“As twins, it’s different from just a regular sibling relationship,” Cullen said. “We share birthdays, we share a car, we share a deep connection. So when she was getting all the attention in volleyball, I wasn’t jealous—I was really proud. I knew my time would come.”
That time has arrived. With offers from SEC, Big 12, and Big Ten schools, Cullen is a rising force.
“I think my speed, lateral quickness, athleticism, and my ghost rush really set me apart,” he said. “My football journey is just getting started. My trainers call me ‘The Mutant.’ I didn’t watch much football growing up, but I’ve been told I have the athleticism of Javon Kearse—he was called ‘The Freak.’”
Athleticism runs in the family. Their mom, Libra Thompson, played volleyball at Rice and is known for her big personality. Their dad, Scott, is the more laid-back type.
And in a wild twist, when the twins were less than a year old, Libra was selected for the CBS reality show Big Brother, where she finished ninth overall after 38 days in the house.
“My mom is a big personality—that’s where Halle and I get it from,” Cullen laughed. “We get our rambunctious side from her. My dad is our chill side.”
The Thompson twins are a team in every sense, and Cullen is hoping to lead his Grand Oaks football squad to a historic season.
“I feel like Grand Oaks is on the rise,” he said. “I’m going to be showcased on defense, and we have some nice players around me. I really feel like I’m going to have a breakout senior season that will open up even more opportunities.”
An early graduate, Cullen is looking for the right fit at the next level.
“This process has taught me to be patient,” he said. “My time will come on the field in college, too. Graduating early will help me develop sooner. I’m going into a school to learn and earn my way on the field. I don’t have to play as a freshman—I just want a staff that will get the most out of me.”
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SIMEON CANNON HAS ALWAYS HAD “HOPS.”
The senior has turned his jumping ability into a potential ticket to the UIL State Track and Field Meet in 2025.
“Last year was my greatest memory, but also my most disappointing one,” he recalled. “I was one jump short of reaching the State Meet... I’ll never forget it. Coach (Justin) Scott stood with me, and he knew I was upset. He just told me, ‘We’ll get there next year.’”
Well, now it’s next year.
Cannon is a multi-event athlete at Hastings, excelling as both a jumper and a sprinter. This winter, he has been making waves in the 400-meter dash and relays, but it’s his jumping that could punch his ticket to Austin.
“I’ve always been able to jump, but I didn’t really take it seriously until my sophomore year,” he said. “My goal is 24 feet in the long jump and 6-foot-10 in the high jump. I didn’t realize how good I was until last year. Now, I’m really working on my craft.”
While Cannon shines on the track, his athleticism and versatility have also made him a standout on the football field. A first-team all-district selection, he can line up anywhere—from defensive back to receiver to special teams.
“I love football and would love to do both in college,” he said. “I’m working on the recruiting process now, but just know—if I get a chance, I’m going to make the most of it. Anything can happen.”
When he’s not training or watching football, Cannon is busy working—at Chuck E. Cheese.
“Having a job really gives you a different perspective on life,” he said. “You learn how to deal with customers and work as a team. It teaches you accountability and how real-world business works.”
Maybe after he reaches the State Track Meet and earns a college football scholarship, his first Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal could come from none other than... Chuck E. Cheese.
Like he said, anything can happen.
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NEXT TO SOCCER, BASEBALL IS A SPORT THAT TRANSCENDS CULTURES WORLDWIDE. THE CURRENT MLB DEMOGRAPHIC IS A TESTAMENT TO THE SPORT’S GLOBAL APPEAL, WHICH EXTENDS FAR BEYOND THE UNITED STATES.
For Alief Elsik senior Abraham Morales, baseball is more than just a pastime—it’s his passion and his life.
Having moved from Cuba to Texas just two years ago, Morales has faced his share of challenges, particularly with the language barrier, which he continues to adjust to.
Despite these obstacles, his love for the game remains unwavering, and he has quickly become one of the key players in the Alief Elsik baseball program.
With the help of his bilingual teammate, Danny Zelaya, we were able to connect with Morales to learn more about his journey.
VYPE: In your experience with Elsie, have you noticed any changes with the team, since you started playing?
MORALES: “I used to see things differently here in the program. Now, I notice that there are different expectations for us and myself. I’m hoping that we can build off of each other and execute the way that we’ve envisioned.”
VYPE: What would you say is your greatest strength as a player?
MORALES: “I think it relates to my adaptability. I was originally an outfielder, but given my experience in Cuba, where I played everywhere, I was able to transition over to pitching pretty quickly. I’m comfortable being on the mound, but I know that I’m capable of playing any role that’s needed for the team.”
VYPE: What would you say has been the biggest difference since moving to the U.S.? MORALES: “There are a lot more possibilities here. I’m extremely grateful for the opportunities that I’ve been given and I’m hoping that I can make the most of them.”
VYPE: What got you into baseball? What do you love about it?
MORALES: “Baseball is my life. It’s always been everything to me, because it’s been passed down through my family and country. This game is always by my side, so I make sure to bring it with me at this stage.”
VYPE: Has it been difficult adjusting to life here in the U.S.?
MORALES: “It’s a little hard, having to get used to the English. But, like I said, the opportunities are worth taking on something new, and I’m still working on it.”
VYPE: What do you hope to do after you graduate?
MORALES: “The first goal is to play in college, whether that be at a big university or at a JuCo. The MLB is the main objective for me, but I’m just trying to find something that comes around my way to begin with.”
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