Juan De Leon (VYPE)
BASEBALL HAS BEEN IN THE CARDS FOR GOOSE CREEK MEMORIAL’S STAR SENIOR PITCHER SAMMY IBARRA JR.
CONSIDERING HE WAS BORN INTO THE CULTURE, HE WOULDN’T HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY.
“I started when I was six years old because of my grandfather,” said Ibarra. “He’s always played since he was a young man, which kind of served as a motivation for me. I always liked the sport after watching him play.” Since then, the sport has suited Ibarra well, ultimately leading to him being the ace for the GCM baseball and signing a college scholarship with Ranger College.
Juan De Leon (VYPE)
“I’ve always had a pretty decent arm,” he said. “But, I think it was around my eighth-grade year when I thought that I had the potential to build a future around the sport. I’ve just kept pushing from that point.” Ibarra has a knack for being versatile on the mound, throwing a fastball that ranges in the low 90s, with the capability of mixing in his off-speed slider.
His impressive stats (6-4, 2.33 ERA, 81 K, 6 CG) earned Ibarra a first-team, all district selection in 2022. It wouldn’t come as a surprise if he repeats those kinds of numbers this Spring, as he hopes to guide the Patriots to the postseason.
2022-23 Goose Creek Memorial BaseballJuan De Leon (VYPE)
“I just want to be a leader to the team, first of all, and be a good example,” Ibarra said. “Of course, making the playoffs is our initial plan. Individually, if I can beat my team record for most single season strikeouts from last year, that would be pretty cool too.”
In addition to his dedication to the sport, Ibarra has numerous contingencies for his future.
“You always need to have a few backup plans, just in case baseball doesn’t work out,” he said. “I like the automotive industry. I’m really into cars and rebuilding stuff, getting into motors, etc. I’d like to be somewhere in that industry. Hopefully, as a master mechanic one day.”
Further establishing himself as a jack of all trades, the senior Patriot is also a talented musician.
Juan De Leon (VYPE)
“I actually play the accordion,” Ibarra laughed. “My dad was the one who got me into that because he’s always loved Mexican music. I started learning around my freshman year and I used to play in a band with my buddies, either on the accordion or the guitar. We would perform for my family.” Ibarra and the rest of GCM will look to make some music on the diamond this Spring.
Stay tuned for the encore.
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WHAT WILL HE DO FOR AN ENCORE?
Ben McGown is the back to-back district champion in the pole vault. Can the senior make it three-in-a row?
“I’ve been training hard for this season,” said McGown. “I drive up to College Station three times a week for pole vault practice at my club team (Mac Vault) as well as lifting weights and mentally preparing before each meet. I hope to leave a legacy here at Fulshear.”
He has his sights on another PR this season. His top mark came at the 2022 Area Meet, where got over the bar at 15-feet.
“It has taken a lot of hard work and sacrifice to be able to reach the goals I’ve been able to achieve,” McGown said. “I’ve had to battle to be a two-time district champion and an area champion.
This past year it was more physical. At district, I was going over a bar to win the meet and it fell off and busted my face open. They didn’t want me to compete anymore, but I asked the trainer to give me some butterfly tape and I got back to it. In the Area Round, I injured my back in warmups but pushed through and came out with a double PR and a gold medal.”
That kind of toughness may have been bolstered through his time spent playing safety for the Fulshear Football team, which advanced three rounds in the UIL postseason this past fall.
“Playing football and doing track always gives me an opportunity to compete,” he said. “That is something we pride ourselves with. At Fulshear, we always compete to produce relentless athletes. So, it helped me as a track athlete even when my jumps aren’t perfect or the conditions are bad, to just compete and come out on top. I hope that when people see me at track meets, they know I’m serious because I’m from the ‘Dirty F’.”
McGown will be attending Baylor University at the conclusion of this semester, not as an athlete but as a student. With that in mind, he intends to give it his all this spring.
“I hope to leave a legacy that anyone can make it, if they work hard,” said McGown. “I’m not anything special, but my work ethic is. I am relentless and I want people to see that if the short guy from Fulshear can do it, then they can too. But more than just me, I want to leave an imprint on my teammates and coaches that I didn’t get myself to where I am, God did. He gets all the glory, not me.”
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Matthew Ogle (VYPE Media)
The Flower Mound Marcus Lady Marauders took a trip to Georgetown, Texas last week and came home with some hardware! The team competed in the UIL Class 6A Girls Soccer State Tournament and capped their season with a championship victory. VYPE was there to capture some of the action!
After posting a 4-0 semifinal victory over Round Rock Westwood on April 14, the Lady Marauders took their skills to the championship game against Fort Bend Ridge Point. Bringing the same amount of momentum into the championship matchup, Flower Mound Marcus was able to keep Ridge Point scoreless from start to finish. Sealing the victory for the Lady Marauders was forward Bella Campos who scored both goals in Flower Mound Marcus' 2-0 victory. In the goal, Bry Russell and Taylor McEaney combined for three saves.
Flower Mound Marcus finishes their season having allowed only a combined 15 goals scored against them all season. For photos from the championship game, see below!
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