• Home
  • Texas
  • Kansas
  • Louisiana
  • Alabama
  • Arkansas
  • Mississippi
  • New England
  • Communities
  • Log in
SUBSCRIBE
LOG INSIGN UP
Markets:
  • Texas
    • Houston
    • DFW
    • Austin
    • San Antonio
    • West TX
    • Panhandle
    • The Valley
    • SETX
    • Deep East
    • Central TX
    • Private Schools
  • Alabama
  • Arkansas
  • Kansas
  • Louisiana
    • Public Schools
    • Private Schools
  • Mississippi
  • Oklahoma
  • VYPE Media
  • VYPE Live
  • VYPE U
  • Video
  • Magazine
  • Recruiting
  • Photos
  • Polls
  • Shop
  • Events
  • Scores
  • VYPE Campus
  • Home
  • State
  • City
  • Type

CFISD gymnasts help continue winning pedigree at national level

Joshua Koch
Jun 21, 2019

(PRESS RELEASE FROM CY-FAIR ISD COMMUNICATIONS)

Before recent CFISD graduates Jack Freeman, Lazarus Barnhill and J.R. Chou go their separate ways and continue their athletic careers in gymnastics at the collegiate level, they helped continue a dynasty that has become heavily influence by the Cypress area.

Among the many accolades the trio achieved as seniors was helping lead USA Gymnastics' Region 3 to a victory in March in the Elite Team Cup, which pits the nation's best junior elite gymnasts. It marked the fourth consecutive win for Region 3. Barnhill and Chou were both members of the winning team in 2018.


The format features nine men's regional teams, with six gymnasts on each. Region 3 represents Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas, and leans toward Texas and CFISD.

"I don't know about other regions, but it would be incredibly hard to be as close as we are," Chou said after the win in North Carolina. "I think that team bond really helps us at meets when things are getting tough."

Barnhill and Freeman both signed with the University of Oklahoma, while Chou signed with Stanford University. The two decorated programs finished first and second at the 2019 NCAA Men's Gymnastics National Championships. Stanford edged Oklahoma, winning its sixth title in history and ending its rival's four-year run as champions.


Barnhill and Chou recently graduated from Cypress Creek High School. Freeman is a Cypress Woods High School graduate, while Garret Braunton is a rising senior. Two reserves from Region 3 were also CFISD products – Zach Nunez and Daniel Simmons are rising seniors at Cypress Woods and Bridgeland high schools, respectively.

In 2018, Barnhill and Chou were joined on the team by Evan Davis, a Jersey Village High School graduate who just completed his freshman year at the University of Iowa.

All six members of the 2019 team are also teammates for Cypress Academy of Gymnastics, which has two of its locations within CFISD.

"We take pride in so many being not only from Texas but CFISD," Barnhill said. "When you're closer together, it just makes you that much closer and more like family. I've known most since I was 7 or 8 years old."

Many continued that success into the spring. Barnhill and Freeman led Cypress Academy to a win at the Texas State Championships in March, with Freeman edging his teammate for the all-around title.

In April, Braunton, Barnhill, Freeman, Nunez and Simmons claimed the top five spots in their division (Level 10 Junior Olympic and Junior Elite) at the Region 3 Optional Championships.

Barnhill captured a national title a month later, placing first at the U.S. Men's Junior Olympic National Championships in Nevada. Freeman finished two spots behind in Junior Elite Level 10 and the duo led Region 3 to a first-place finish as well.

Despite the success, Barnhill said better competition across the country is helping the sport and keeping all athletes focused on improving.

"We had a lot to look forward to but this year was especially hard because the competition is getting better all the time," he said. "The gap gets closer and closer, but it pushes everyone in my region to get better as well."

cy-fair isd cy-fair jack freeman lazarus barnhill j.r. chou usa gymnastics ncaa ncaa gymnastics gymnastics

Through the Lens: LSA Spring Media Day

VYPE
03 Mar, 2021

The VYPE Media team traveled out to Lutheran South Academy earlier this year for the LSA 2021 Spring Media Day.

VYPE captured images of the top spring sport athletes. Check out some of our favorite pics below!

Read More... Read Less
tapps sports texas private schools vype houston high school sports houston high school sports lsa lsa media day lutheran south academy

Bar Set High: Lutheran South men's soccer season ends in State Semis, seniors leave a legacy

Joshua Koch
03 Mar, 2021

HOUSTON - Every senior class strives to be remembered for something.

Lutheran South Academy's Braden Leimkuehler, Darryl Scheer, David Aguilera and Eli Garrabrant are ones that won't be soon forgotten for their accomplishments on the pitch.

The Class of 2021 leaves LSA soccer with three district championships, three trips to the TAPPS Final Four and the 2018 TAPPS Division II State Championship.

Definitely, a class that won't be forgotten.

Read More... Read Less
houston high school soccer houston high school sports lutheran south academy soccer soccer tapps tapps soccer texas high school soccer vype houston high school sports texas private schools tapps sports lutheran south pioneers high school soccer lutheran south soccer

VYPE 2021 Baseball Preview: Private School No. 1 Kinkaid

Matt Malatesta
03 Mar, 2021

The defending Southwest Preparatory Conference champs are the Kinkaid Falcons. While they are talented on the field, they might even be more talented in the classroom. This is the All-Academic squad in H-Town.

Read More... Read Less
baseball high school baseball houston high school sports kinkaid baseball kinkaid falcons kinkaid flacons baseball spc sports tapps sports texas private schools vype houston high school sports kinkaid
TRENDING

VYPE Houston Defensive Back of the Year Fan Poll

VYPE 2021 Baseball Preview: Private School No. 2 Lutheran South Academy

VYPE 2021 Baseball Preview: A Year to Remember

VYPE Live Lineup - Tuesday 3/2/21

VYPE Live - TAPPS State Semifinal Boys Soccer: Lutheran South vs. TMI

GAMES

VYPE Live Lineup - Wednesday 3/3/21

VYPE Live - Track & Field: Dick Phillips Relays, Episcopal High School

7PM - Lacrosse: Westwood vs. Vista Ridge

VYPE Live - Baseball: St. John's vs. St. Thomas

VYPE Live - Vandegrift Football Banquet

VYPE Live - Boys Lacrosse: St. Stephen's vs. Hyde Park

VYPE Live - Boys Soccer: St. Stephen's vs. Celtic Cowboys

VYPE Live - Softball: St. John's vs. St. John's XXIII

VYPE Live - Boys Soccer: Elgin vs. Cedar Creek

VYPE Live Lineup - Tuesday 3/2/21

VYPE Live - 6A Region III Boys Basketball Semifinal: Elkins vs. Summer Creek

VYPE Live - 5A Region IV Girls Basketball Final: Cedar Park vs. Georgetown

VYPE Live - TAPPS 5A Area Boys Basketball: St. Michael's vs. Second Baptist

VYPE Live - 6A Region III Boys Basketball Semifinal: Ridge Point vs. Atascocita

VYPE Live - TAPPS Area Boys Basketball: Woodlands Christian vs. TMI Episcopal

VYPE Live - Baseball: St. John's vs. Second Baptist

VYPE Live - Girls Lacrosse: St. Andrews vs. Lake Travis

VYPE Live - Girls Lacrosse: Episcopal Houston vs. Memorial

VYPE Live - Girls Soccer: Elgin vs. Weiss

VYPE Live - Baseball: Dripping Springs vs. Johnson

Join the #VYPETEAM

Get up to date news from all over the country! 

FROM THE WEB

VYPE Football 2020 Preview: Class 6A - No. 1 North Shore

Inside the Program: John Cooper School Girls Cross Country

Gatesville High football coach headed to join Art Briles at Mount Vernon

Michael Rose hired as Midland High boys' and girls' Tennis coach

Zachary High track star Sean Burrell overcomes injuries to win Louisiana Gatorade boys track award

CONNECT WITH US
Connect With Us
Copyright Ⓒ VYPE - All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions - Board Directory