State-Bound Billies

FHS golf to send both teams to state tournament in May

By Reed Graff Standard-Radio Post Sports Editor

For the second consecutive year, the Fredericksburg Battlin’ Billies golf program is sending both teams to the UIL 4A State Golf Tournament.

Region IV was little trouble for the Billies, as the Lady Billies claimed the Region IV crown in Victoria last week and the boys finished one stroke shy of doing the same. Both squads head into the state tournament with their heads held high.

“We are definitely excited about both teams making it to state,” head coach Tim Kaman said. “To think that we were one stroke away from winning both the boys’ and girls’ region. We played well at the right time.”

Boys make it to state

Going into the 2022 season, Kaman knew he had a younger squad on the boys’ side. But the Billies have done nothing but succeed all season long and he said he has seen that growth from his young team.

“Going into the spring, I was not sure if we had enough firepower to get here,” he said. “Our guys have really worked hard on improving their games.”

After Day 1 of region play, the Billies were in a good spot, holding a 15-stroke lead over Boerne and Kingsville thanks to strong performances from Colin Fairchild, Shepherd Findley and Lewie Melton. Fairchild finished Day 1 tied for first with Wimberley’s Jaxon Donaldson with a total score of 69, which was two under par.

“The key was to keep the ball in play, as there were out of bounds and bunkers and holes on every hole,” Kaman said. “We did a great job of that on Day 1, which is why we had the lead. The second day, we sprayed the ball everywhere. We even hit a few houses.”

After shooting a plus21 on Day 1, a plus-46 on Day 2 resulted in the Billies tying with Kingsville at the end of Day 2.

The tie resulted in a playoff, which the Billies lost by one stroke.

“The 18th hole was our undoing,” Kaman said. “If we could have finished a little better, we would have won. But that is golf.”

Findley and Fairchild finished third and fourth, respectively. Freshman Lincoln Staats finished tied for 16th with a 165. Lewie Melton finished 25th.

Lady Billies claim the crown Opposite from their male teammates, the Lady Billies rebounded from a slow Day 1 to power their way to a Region

Region IV Golf Tournament April 18-21 at Colony Creek Golf Course in Victoria Boys’ final team standings

1. Kingsville, 67 (36, 31); 2. Fredericksburg, 67 (21-46);

3. Boerne, 83 (36, 47); 4. Calallen, 93 (47, 46); 5. Devine, 112 (63, 49); 6. Pleasanton, 115 (52, 63); 7. Uvalde, 143 (59, 84); 8. Beeville, 146 (88, 58); T-9. Calhoun, 147 (84, 63); T-9. Hondo, 147 (71, 76); 11. Sweeny, 160 (80, 80); 12. Navarro, 168 (85, 83); 13. Grulla, 183 (77, 106); 14. Raymondville, 209 (111, 98); 15. Needville, 266 (154, 112); 16.

IV Championship on Day 2.

“The girls kind of played the opposite of the boys,” Kaman said. “We struggled the first day but played much better the second day.”

The Lady Billies shot a plus-60 on Day 2, topping La Vernia for the region crown by one stroke.

Audrey Benfield led the way for the Lady Billies with a gross score of 161, good for fifth. Paige

Somerset, 300 (158, 142).

FHS boys’ results

3. Shepherd Findley, 149 (74, 75); 4. Colin Fairchild, 151 (69, 82); T-16. Lincoln Staats, 165 (82, 83); T-25. Lewie Melton, 173 (80, 93); T-56. Colton Bernhardt, 188 (98, 90).

Girls’ final team standings

1. Fredericksburg, 127 (67, 60); 2. La Vernia, 128 (61, 67);

3. Davenport, 140 (82, 58);

4. Uvalde, 151 (67, 84); 5. Navarro, 175 (90, 85); 6. Hondo, 210 (123, 87); 7. Calallen, 236

McDade finished tied for 11th with a 172 and Jaley Itz finished tied for 16th with a 179.

“Jaley shot the best round of her career on Day 2 and came up huge as we won the championship by one stroke,” Kaman said. “Paige was consistent with a pair of 85s. (Sterlin) Richardson and (Gracie) Alford hit some really good shots.”

(127, 109); 8. Devine, 258 (134, 124); 9. Rockport-Fulton, 263 (141, 122); 10. Needville, 291 (156, 135); 11. Calhoun, 308 (175, 133); 12. West Columbia, 313 (165, 148); 13. Hidalgo, 326 (168, 158); 14. Zapata, 333 (167, 166); 15. La Feria, 424 (226, 198).

FHS girls’ results 5. Audrey Benfield, 161 (77, 84); T-11. Paige McDade, 172 (86, 86); T-16. Jaley Itz, 179 (95, 84); 20. Sterlin Richardson, 183 (93, 90); 44. Gracie Alford, 211 (107, 104).

What a crazy week, huh?

In my first week back since becoming a father, life did not take it easy on me and let me ease back in, as sports in Gillespie County are as busy as ever.

To start, let’s talk about the week Fredericksburg High School athletics had, starting with the golf teams. Head coach Tim Kaman came into the year with a pair of younger squads, but they have not let that youth hold them back, as both squads will compete for state titles in May.

I don’t think any extra motivation or incentive is needed when battling for a state title, but Kaman went ahead and gave the Lady Billies just that, making a deal with his girls that if they medal, he will let them dye his hair. I hope they get it done and that the hairdo makes it to next basketball season. Maybe he took motivation from his 2022-star Kaleb Partin and his Slim Shady look.

I am gearing up to make my second trip to Kingsville this year, as the Billies insist on succeeding at every sport they play in and keep making it to region championships.

Of course, this time around it is not solely the Billies travelling to the coast, as Harper will meet them there for the big Region IV track meet. I am excited to get out there and watch as the Billies compete for spots in Austin. Stay tuned to our social media accounts for videos and updates from that meet.

Both Harper and Fredericksburg are sending their softball teams to the postseason. It will be curious to see which team sends me to the state level this season, as it seems the Billies have made trips to the state playoffs a habit this year.

I am excited to see how this softball playoff season goes, as I think both squads have the potential to make noise in their brackets.

As for fatherhood, there has definitely been some hurdles to clear and sometimes I wish I could clear them like Gary Seidenberger does in his 110-meter races. There has been a lot of learning, growth and emotions in these first few weeks. I got a lot of advice and warnings heading into at St. Mary’s, 4:30 p.m. at Oak Crest Park

Softball St. John Bosco at St. Mary’s, 4:30 p.m. at Oak Crest Park

Check out the Standard Sports Talk podcast!