Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
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.
Hailey Nutter, Barbers Hill Softball
Juan De Leon (VYPE)
As expected, Barbers Hill was a force to be reckoned with in Texas high school softball this Spring. Eagles ace, sophomore RHP Hailey Nutter was a big reason for that.
Her precision and prowess on the mound was enough to stifle the best of them, which gave other playmakers--Reagan Duty (Sr. IF), Sophie Naivar (Sr. OF), Brookelyn Livanec (Sr. OF), and senior IF KateLynn Cooper--plenty of opportunities to light up the scoreboard.
Nutter earned her second-consecutive District 17-5A MVP nod for her efforts. Count on Nutter and the District Defensive POTY selection, Peyton Helmly (So. C), to be the faces of the franchise moving forward.
Boots Landry, Friendswood Baseball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Prior to the season, it was no secret that senior 3B Boots Landry was as heavy-hitter on the diamond.
As one of the captains on Friendswood’s stellar roster, featuring the likes of fellow stars--Easton Tumis (Sr. P), Kyle Lockhart (Jr. UTL), Dane Perry (So. C), and junior OF Peyton Adams--it can be difficult to stand out.
But Landry had no trouble flourishing to help lead his team back to the postseason, while being named District 18-5A MVP in the process.
Now that he has graduated, Landry will soon be taking his talents to College Station, where he will play for Texas A&M in the ensuing season.
Hailey Golden, Pearland Softball
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
The Lady Oilers became state champions for the first time since 2010, marking the third time Pearland has been crowned. This was thanks in large part to senior OF Hailey Golden, who played a key role in accomplishing this feat.
Golden went 3-for-4 in the championship game against Denton Guyer, while driving in two runs to help lead Pearland to a 4-2 victory at McCombs Field in Austin.
For her standout performance, Golden was named the Class 6A State Final MVP to cap off her high school career, before moving on to Texas A&M in the coming months.
Janelle Wilson, Friendswood Softball
Juan De Leon (VYPE)
Like so many on this list, standing out among the vast array of next-level talent is easier said than done. But, Janelle Wilson (Sr. P/IF) saw to it that her final season with Friendswood would be her finest.
Wilson led the Mustangs to another trip to the postseason, in which they advanced three rounds deep. As the team’s ace, she maintained an ERA of 0.60 with nearly 250 strikeouts, and an exceptional performance at-bat (.300 BA, 24 RBI, 3 HR) throughout the season.
Given the impressive statline and presence she brought to the diamond, Wilson earned District 18-5A MVP honors before moving on to UNC this upcoming Fall.
Nico Partida, Pearland Baseball
Photo taken by Lloyd Hendricks (Hendricks Rockography)
Provided by Nico Partida (Twitter: @partidanico1)
Given the superfluous amount of talent on coach David Rogers’ roster, it’s truly remarkable how much sophomore right-hander Nico Partida stood out for Pearland this year.
Partida showcased experience beyond his years as one of the starters for the Oilers, earning him the title of All-District Co-MVP.
Furthermore, he was a major contributor in Pearland’s 11-1 win against Westlake in the State Semis--allowing just one earned run, with two strikeouts, and an RBI at-bat.
Despite the team narrowly falling to Flower Mound (4-6) in the Class 6A Final, Pearland Baseball should continue to thrive, as a program, with Partida on the mound.Read More...Read Less
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It’s summer time and 72 days until the 2023 Texas high school football season. But another season is starting to heat up.
Commitment season is upon us and many Houston recruits will be making their decisions prior to the start of the Season. For one Houston-area star, the decision took one visit.
Morton Ranch athlete Mike Gerald visited University of Minnesota this past weekend and pledged his commitment to the Golden Gophers.
Gerald picked Minnesota over Washington State, Utah, Marshall, Kansas State, Texas State, UTSA and Others.
The commitment might have seemed like a quick decision to most, but playing for a Power 5 program like Minnesota in the BIG 10 has always been a dream for Gerald.
“It’s mind blowing," he said. "I’ve always wanted to play in the Big 10 growing up, and now that I have the opportunity, I’m going to take full advantage of it.”
What made the Houston native pick to go play in the upper midwest?
“The culture of the program... everyone has the same mentality and goals,” Gerald said. “Being able to connect with the staff and some of the current players helped me make my decision.”
Since visiting this past weekend, Gerald also mentioned the great relationship he has already built with head coach PJ Fleck and Co-defensive coordinator/corner coach Nick Monroe.
The Morton Ranch star also said he will be recruiting some others in the area to join the Gopher class.
“It’s a great place to be, and it’s big time football in the Big 10 at Minnesota," he said. "I will definitely recruit some guys and show them what it’s all about."
Now that he’s committed, Gerald is looking forward to his senior year at Morton Ranch wanting to give his all to help the program stay successful. Don’t be shocked to see a big senior season from him this Fall and an early impact for the Gophers in the coming years.
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Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
Shortly after winning their second-straight UIL state championship, Lake Creek Softball dropped another bombshell.
Following her impeccable tenure with the Lions, Michelle Rochinski ultimately decided to step away from her position as head coach of the softball program.
She had ultimately come to this decision prior to her team’s 8-0 victory against Comal Canyon in the Class 5A finale.
Along with concluding her time as her daughter’s coach, the knowledge of her intention makes it clear as to why all the emotions finally hit her as she walked off the field.
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
“Only a few people knew that it [the championship] was my last game as the softball coach,” said Rochinski. “There were several different emotions and thoughts at play when I started to tear up. But, the girls didn’t know until our meeting on Monday, because I didn’t want to make their moment about me. They’re the ones who fight and battle on the field, and it was their time to shine.”
Having started her 24-year coaching career at Klein, before moving on to Montgomery and eventually a brand-new Lake Creek school in 2018, it’s easy to empathize with Rochinski’s reasoning.
“It hasn’t always been easy,” she said. “My husband and my kids [Kalee and Cade] have been so supportive through all the ups and downs that we’ve gone through--the times when I’d still be in coaching mode with Kalee at home, and the long hours. We’ve had our heated moments, but in the long run, I wouldn’t take anything back.”
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
To cap off her coaching career, Rochinski was recognized as the NFHS Coach of the Year minutes before the Title game which would see the Lions come out on top, yet again.
However, Rochinski will continue her career at Lake Creek, as an assistant athletic coordinator, while remaining in education and possibly some assistant coaching roles. She will now be given the opportunity to pass on her experience to other coaches.
What advice might she share?
“Well, they’ve got to stay strong,” Rochinski said. “Things are different than they used to be twenty-something years ago, but we ultimately do this for the kids. So, we always have to keep that in mind. Even though parents may not think that we’re right, we’re in it to do what’s best for the kids and the programs.”
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
Back-to-back championships, a record of 138-4 over the past four years, and an array of collegiate athletes--Michelle Rochinski will go down as a coaching legend.
Now, it’s time for her to move on to the next phase of her career.
“I don’t think Lake Creek is done, softball-wise,” said Rochinski. “They’re still going to be a great team. I’m looking forward to being able to sit in the stands and cheer them on. When I dropped the news to them, I let them know that I’m going to be their biggest fan.”
“It’s going to be hard for a little bit. But, I think I’ve made the right decision and I just think it’s time.”
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