Burleson County’s top sports stories for 2023

  • JAE MATHIS’ BRONZE medal in the girls long jump at the UIL State Track & Field Championship tops the sports stories for 2023.
    JAE MATHIS’ BRONZE medal in the girls long jump at the UIL State Track & Field Championship tops the sports stories for 2023.
  • SNOOK ACE Aubrey Becker earned her 300th and 400th career strikeout in 2023 -- as only a sophomore.
    SNOOK ACE Aubrey Becker earned her 300th and 400th career strikeout in 2023 -- as only a sophomore.
  • BC MACHINE PITCH 7-8 year-old softball All-Stars won the Texas East District 13 tournament championship in 2023. The team included Carly Sheppard, Braely Polasek, Karlee Praesel, Avery Balboa, Blakely Kemper, Bailey Barnes, Cambree Johnson, Kinzleigh Ortega, Jesenia Herrera, Marley Kocurek, Sheyanne Simons and Olivia Zamora. They were coached by Robert Polasek, Adrian Sheppard, Jana Johnson and Flo Ortega. Their title-winning season made the 2023 Top 10 sports stories.
    BC MACHINE PITCH 7-8 year-old softball All-Stars won the Texas East District 13 tournament championship in 2023. The team included Carly Sheppard, Braely Polasek, Karlee Praesel, Avery Balboa, Blakely Kemper, Bailey Barnes, Cambree Johnson, Kinzleigh Ortega, Jesenia Herrera, Marley Kocurek, Sheyanne Simons and Olivia Zamora. They were coached by Robert Polasek, Adrian Sheppard, Jana Johnson and Flo Ortega. Their title-winning season made the 2023 Top 10 sports stories.
  • THE DEANVILLE REDS 12U Pony League All-Star Team won the South Zone Region title in 2023 and advanced to the Zone Tournament. The team was, from left, back, Coach Blake Drew, Coach Josh Freeman, middle, Brodie Ford, Evan Hildebrand, Kade Groce, Candon Sanchez, Kolton Willard, Rylan Cross, Blake Elkins, Ajryan Sims, Joceph Rosas, bottom, Parker Smith and Levi Freeman. Not pictured are Coach Nick Rackel and Chase Rackel.
    THE DEANVILLE REDS 12U Pony League All-Star Team won the South Zone Region title in 2023 and advanced to the Zone Tournament. The team was, from left, back, Coach Blake Drew, Coach Josh Freeman, middle, Brodie Ford, Evan Hildebrand, Kade Groce, Candon Sanchez, Kolton Willard, Rylan Cross, Blake Elkins, Ajryan Sims, Joceph Rosas, bottom, Parker Smith and Levi Freeman. Not pictured are Coach Nick Rackel and Chase Rackel.
  • THE DEANVILLE REDS 10U Pony League All-Star Team fell in the South Zone championship in 2023, but still qualified for the Zone Tournament. The team was, from left, back, Brent Willard, Nathan Glidewell, Nathan Meier, Clayton Polasek, Jax Groce, front, Will LaSeur, Rowen Harris, Riggin Baldwin, Carson Ferrel, Ryker Chollett, Nick Glidewell and Ryan Burns. The team is coached by Head Coach Jeff Baldwin, Assistant Coach Nick Harris and Assistant Coach Lee Glidewell.
    THE DEANVILLE REDS 10U Pony League All-Star Team fell in the South Zone championship in 2023, but still qualified for the Zone Tournament. The team was, from left, back, Brent Willard, Nathan Glidewell, Nathan Meier, Clayton Polasek, Jax Groce, front, Will LaSeur, Rowen Harris, Riggin Baldwin, Carson Ferrel, Ryker Chollett, Nick Glidewell and Ryan Burns. The team is coached by Head Coach Jeff Baldwin, Assistant Coach Nick Harris and Assistant Coach Lee Glidewell.
  • KEITH CRAWFORD OF Somerville moves in for a shot against Weimar. Somerville won 53-37. -- Tribune photo by Roy Sanders
    KEITH CRAWFORD OF Somerville moves in for a shot against Weimar. Somerville won 53-37. -- Tribune photo by Roy Sanders
  • DAWUD MAJIED of Somerville dribbles the ball past this Weimar defender. Somerville won 53-37. -- Tribune photo by Roy Sanders
    DAWUD MAJIED of Somerville dribbles the ball past this Weimar defender. Somerville won 53-37. -- Tribune photo by Roy Sanders
    The year 2023 saw many sports triumphs and failures, such as: * Taylor Swift’s relationship with Kansas City Chief tight end Travis Kelce boosting NFL views and sales, * The University of Nebraska women’s volleyball team played before the largest crowd ever for a women’s sporting event in the entire world -- 92,000 fans at the football stadium, * Simone Biles returned to gymnastic competi...

    Premium Content is available to subscribers only. Please login here to access content or go here to purchase a subscription.