GAMES
RANKINGS
The TAPPS-3A Individual State Champion -- Rosehill Christian's Kaden Jenkins
THE LEADERBOARD: TAPPS State Golf Wrap; TWCA, LSA, RCS take gold once again
With the TAPPS State Golf tournament coming to a close, it was made perfectly clear that Houston was well-represented on the private school course.
Check out some of the major headlines to emerge from this week's competition.
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TWCA Boys program makes it four in a row
Photo acquired via Twitter (@twcasports)
There's no doubt about it, anymore. The Woodlands Christian Academy golf program is a dynasty.
Despite the fact that the stars of last year's championship team -- namely Aaron Pounds, Jake Maggert, Jack Ushner, and Sam McClure -- departed for college, coach Tanner Field and company still found ways to exceed expectations this Spring.
Look no further than their recent TAPPS-5A state title acquisition, which marks TWCA's fourth-consecutive championship.
They did so with a final score of 560, a whopping 19 strokes ahead of the second-place finisher, All Saints Episcopal.
The Warriors were led by Alex Malanga (3rd--137), Duke Heise (6th--140), Quentin Frost (T-7th--141), and Hudson Grace (T-10th--142), who all finished within the top-10, individually.
Given the dominance they displayed in 2024, it is unlikely that anything stands to change a year from now.
LSA Girls go back-to-back in TAPPS-5A
Photo acquired via Twitter (@TAPPS_Golf)
On the girls' side in TAPPS-5A, no team has experienced more success in recent memory than Lutheran South Academy.
After claiming the state title last season, the LSA girls program proceeded to repeat at Glen Rose's Squaw Valley Golf Course. Only, this time, they increased their margin of victory to 22 strokes, with a final tally of 677.
The Pioneers were led by sophomores Emma Poffinbarger (5th--157) and Addison Trahan (T-6th--158), who were both recognized as All-State recipients.
Under the direction of coach Geoff Stresman, LSA is now on the precipice of becoming a dynasty in their own right.
Logos Prep Girls takes gold
Photo acquired via Twitter (@TAPPS_Golf)
The Lady Lions were the top team to surface out of TAPPS-4A, finishing with a composite score of 708, which was a whole eight strokes ahead of Trinity Christian.
After finishing second overall a year ago, this victory was made especially sweet for Logos Prep, due to the efforts made by the team all Spring.
Coach Ben Bromberg had a trio of competitors end up in the top-10, including the state runner-up Audrey Kuntz (157), as well as Keira Wagner (8th--173), and Lauren Kuntz (10th--178).
Now that the precedent has been established, count on LP making a run for a repeat in 2025.
Rosehill Christian Boys finish on top yet again
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
When it comes to TAPPS-3A golf, Rosehill Christian has become the gold standard.
Back-to-back state titles speak for itself, and the RCS boys program took that a step further this week, by making it three in a row.
The Eagles finished with a total score of 637, and were elevated by the performances of Kaden Jenkins (1st--143), Aaron Evans (6th--158), and Rylen Cannon (9th--164).
While the girls' team narrowly missed out on a four-peat, coach Kristen Jenkins and co. still hold the distinction of having the 3A individual champ -- Jaycee Jenkins (134) -- among their ranks.
The scary thing about Rosehill Christian golf is the fact that they are still incredibly youthful, which bodes well for the team, moving forward.
OTHER NOTABLE PERFORMERS AT STATE
TAPPS-6A BOYS
9th Place -- Tyler Rosson, St. Pius X (151)
12th Place -- Evan Anderson, Concordia Lutheran (155)
15th Place -- Landon Donnelly, St. Thomas (156)
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TAPPS-6A GIRLS
2nd Place -- Sophia Ellestad, St. Agnes (142)
8th Place -- Etta Huffman, St. Agnes (153)
14th Place -- Emerson Swanner, Concordia Lutheran (166)
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TAPPS-5A BOYS
1st Place -- Eli Walker Campbell, FBCA (129)
T-7th Place -- Christopher Torn, Second Baptist (141)
12th Place -- Karsen Parker, Lutheran South Academy (143)
13th Place -- Carson Elder, Second Baptist (143)
18th Place -- Matthew Elder, Second Baptist (146)
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TAPPS-5A GIRLS
1st Place -- Jamison Louie, FBCA (142)
T-6th Place -- Zoe Nobile, Frassati Catholic (158)
10th Place -- Anastasia Rowlen, Second Baptist (166)
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TAPPS-4A BOYS
3rd Place -- Grayson Petru, Cypress Christian (138)
T-12th Place -- Micah Stewart, Bay Area Christian (149)
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TAPPS-4A GIRLS
11th Place -- Lauren Petru, Cypress Christian (179)
T-12th Place -- Claire Johnson, Cypress Christian (180)
15th Place -- Brooke Fledderman, Bay Area Christian (181)
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TAPPS-3A GIRLS
1st Place -- Jaycee Jenkins, Rosehill Christian (134)
4th Place -- Cayla Pavlik, St. Francis Episcopal (176)
Deer Park's Emerie Garcia
THE PLAYMAKERS: On The Upswing powered by UTMB Health
The South Houston area is loaded with talented athletes who give it there all in their respective fields of play.
Welcome to the VYPE Playmakers powered by UTMB Health, where we’re highlighting five standouts from this past week who stole the headlines.
Here are the UTMB Athletes of the Month, as we enter the closing stages of the Spring season.
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Friendswood Girls Golf
Photo acquired via Twitter (@FWoodGolf)
After yet another successful campaign this Spring, the Friendswood girls golf team is one of the few groups headed back to the UIL State Tournament.
The Mustangs return to Georgetown on the heels of placing first at the Region III-5A Tournament (total score of 628), which marks the first time the program has accomplished this feat in 34 years.
Coach Scott Smith should certainly be proud of the efforts made by his team, which includes Trinity Bosley, Margaret Kerr, Katherine Janda, Mary Scheschuk, and of course, senior Mary Kerr.
Kerr, in particular, was the top finisher for Friendswood in last month's Regional tourney, having shot for 152 in the two-day stretch, which made her the No. 5 overall golfer to emerge from the golf course at the Margaritaville Lake Resort.
Smith and company will now prepare to travel to Legacy Hills Golf Club this upcoming Monday, as they contend for a state championship.
Max McCloskey, Clear Creek Boys Golf
Photo acquired via Twitter (@ccwildcatgolf)
The Clear Creek golf program traveled White Wing Golf Club in Georgetown earlier this week to compete in the UIL Boys State Golf Tournament, following an exceptional performance at Regionals.
While things may not have quite panned out the way they would've hoped, the Wildcats still ended up within the Elite-12, which is a testament to the level of talent seen on the final course.
Furthermore, Clear Creek do still hold the distinction of having one of their own finish as in the top-5, individually.
Sophomore Max McCloskey concluded the two-day tourney by tying for fourth overall in Class 6A, with a final score of 141.
Despite the considerable youth on his roster, coach Daniel Brown's team displayed expertise beyond their years, which should indicate that the Wildcats may very well be back in Georgetown a year from now.
Emerie Garcia, Deer Park Softball
This Spring has seen more of what we've come to expect from the 2021 state champs -- Deer Park.
The Deer re-entered the postseason on the heels of claiming their fourth-consecutive undefeated district title, which they followed up by sweeping North Shore in the Bi-District round, bringing their current record to 27-7.
As one of the top teams in our pre-playoff rankings, it shouldn't come as a shock that the Deer would carry their momentum into the postseason. Coach Amy Vidal-Bush knows how to optimize the talent on her lineup on an annual basis, which is evidenced by the immense success the program has seen during her tenure.
This year's lineup has featured the talents of Hanna York (Houston Christian-signee), Payton Tullis (Southern Arkansas), Kylie Wilson (Prairie View-A&M), and Mia Montemayor, among others.
Although, one of the unsung heroes of the club, Emerie Garcia, has made some clutch performances in recent weeks.
The San Jac-signee racked up five RBIs to close the team's district schedule, which was followed up by similar outings against North Shore.
With their Area Round rematch against Alvin taking place this weekend, expect Garcia to have a starring role.
Wilson Klein, Lutheran South Academy Track & Field
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Following another prosperous endeavor this season, Lutheran South Academy will be returning to the TAPPS-5A State Track & Field championship this weekend.
That shouldn't come as a surprise, considering the success they've seen in years past.
With the prowess displayed by athletes such as Marcus Gaitan, Kris St. Clair, Elaine Ward, Matthew Gaitan, Cole Noack, Alma Martin, and not to mention their relays teams, the Pioneers should expect some top finishes at Midway ISD's Panther Stadium.
However, alongside the Gaitans, no LSA athlete has been more consistent in their respective event than Wilson Klein.
The Lutheran South senior recently took gold in the pole vault event at the TAPPS-5A Regional Meet, with an astounding height of 15 feet-7 inches.
The pole vault is, without question, Klein's bread-and-butter, which will be evidenced once the Pioneers take to the track to close the week.
Erianna Garcia, Clear Springs Softball
Photo acquired via Twitter (@garcia_erianna)
The Chargers made a statement to open the playoffs, by defeating a formidable Dawson team in a 2-1 series victory.
Alongside the considerable efforts made by Emma King, Logan Kieselhorst, and Alana Strever, Erianna Garcia has proven to be perhaps the most consistent weapon on coach Jennifer Knight's roster.
Garcia went 7-for-10 during the three-game series against Dawson, which included 7 RBIs to propel Clear Springs to the Area Round.
Furthermore, the uncommitted junior was recognized as the team's Offensive MVP to close April.
While Clear Springs may currently be one game down in their series against Kingwood, Garcia could easily be one of the many figures to change the tides.