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THE PLAYMAKERS: Slappers, Sprinters and Winners 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.
Marquis Johnson, Dickinson Track & Field
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Prior to the playoffs, Dickinson’s Marquis Johnson was the district leader in the 100m, 200m and Long Jump events. However, that was only the beginning.
After qualifying for this past week’s UIL-6A State Meet, the Missouri football-signee would proceed to win the individual State Title in the 100m Dash with a stifling time of 10.45 seconds.
In addition, Johnson earned silver in both the 200m (20.86s) and the Long Jump (25-00.75) to cap off an incredible high school career as a Gator.
Mea Slayton, Santa Fe Softball
Juan De Leon (VYPE)
Santa Fe is one of the few Houston remaining in the Class 5A softball playoffs
Junior OF Mea Slayton has been one of the big contributors to the Indians' deep postseason run, most recently having two RBIs in the team’s 4-2 win over Foster, ultimately leading to their advancement to the Regional Semifinals.
The Indians are currently preparing for their matchup against Georgetown. With their goal of a State Championship on the line, Slayton will be expected to continue playing a major role.
Jackson Musgrave, Clear Lake Track & Field
Following an exemplary outing at the 6A Regional Meet in which he took gold in the 800m (1:56.78), Clear Lake junior Jack Musgrave was the only Clear Creek ISD boys representative to advance to the State Meet.
His hot streak didn’t stop there, though.
Musgrave concluded the 800m event in third place with a time of 1:52.28, which marks a personal best for the track star.
Considering he still has another year left in high school, expect Musgrave to make a run for gold a year from now.
Kennedy Thompson, Clear Brook Track & Field
Senior Kennedy Thompson enjoyed a tremendous season for Wolverines track and field, leading to her silver finish in the girls discus event (138-6) at the 6A Regionals.
Subsequently, Clear Brook’s Thompson earned bronze at the State Meet, after reaching a remarkable distance of 146 feet-8 inches.
With an already impressive tenure on the CBHS volleyball team, this was a perfect conclusion for Thompson’s athletic prep career.
Lutheran South Academy Girls Golf
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
The Lady Pioneers golf team was exceptional this Spring, which was indicative of their ensuing advancement through the TAPPS 5A postseason, ultimately resulting in LSA competing in the State Final.
Once the tournament had concluded last Tuesday, the Lutheran South girls had become State Champions for the second time in school history, with a final composite score of 689.
Furthermore, freshmen Addison Trahan and Emma Poffinbarger were named TAPPS All-State golfers after individually finishing in 8th (160) and 9th (162) place, respectively.
LEGACY ON THE LINKS: Pounds, TWCA Golf wins TAPPS State
The TAPPS Golf Championship is nothing new for TWCA, considering they’ve won it each of the last two years.
This Spring was more of the same for Warriors Golf, with their four senior stars--Aaron Pounds, Jake Maggert, Jack Ushner and Sam McClure--looking as efficient as ever between the links.
Coach Tanner Field and the TWCA boys golf team traveled to Glen Rose, TX last week, to take part in the 5A championship which took place at Squaw Valley Golf Course.
Photo acquired via Twitter: @TWCAgolf
When all was said and done on the fairway, The Woodlands Christian Academy had won its third consecutive TAPPS State Title with a final score of 537, which was an insane 44 strokes under the second-place finisher (Hyde Park).
Furthermore, each of the aforementioned seniors finished in the Top-10, making them All-State selections. Sam McClure tied for 8th overall (140 strokes), while Jack Usner and Jake Maggert took fourth (137) and third place (132), respectively.
But of course, the icing on the cake was TWCA’s Aaron Pounds winning the boys individual State Championship, completing the course with a score of 128 (16 strokes under par).
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“Winning individually along with securing our third title in a row was an amazing way to cap off my TWCA golf career,” said Pounds. “Our team has played with so much confidence this year and we feel like we are the best team in the country. I feel like this senior class was able to leave an amazing legacy and I'm super excited for the future of the TWCA program under Coach Fields. I can't thank my teammates and coaches enough for getting me to where I am today."
Pounds will be joining teammates Usner and Maggert at Texas A&M in the upcoming school year.
“I am so excited to be alongside two of my best friends at the next level," Pounds said. "We're very competitive with each other and have been practicing and competing with one another all throughout high school, which has made us all so much better and I expect that to continue at A&M."
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
What some people might not know about Pounds is that golf wasn't his first passion.
"I love basketball," he said. "I grew up loving to watch the NBA and could name every player on the roster at one point. I played basketball up until my freshman year of high school and still love to play pickup games with my friends. It's helped me to become the golfer I am today, both physically and mentally."
However, the young man was born to be a golfer and may become a pro one day. He'll be studying Finance at Texas A&M as he and his teammates strive for that ultimate goal.
"When we all committed to A&M, we made it clear that winning a National Championship is our main focus," Pounds said. "We're going to work hard every day to make that a possibility. I know that managing my time wisely is going to be super important and I feel like TWCA has prepared me extremely well for my future."