Two Years POST-Cancer with Navarro Alum Triston Brashears-Cervantes

Story by Chris Austin Courtesy Photos

Nearly two years ago, Triston Brashears-Cervantes was told he had cancer. A Navarro High School student-athlete in the middle of his senior year, Triston was treated for a concussion he sustained while playing for the Panther football team in the fall of 2021. During that trip to the doctor, he was also found to have testicular cancer. Further tests revealed that the cancer had spread to Triston’s left lung.

The diagnosis ended Triston’s football season, but he vowed to return to competition on the baseball field in the spring. Triston got support from his parents Amber and Dennis and also from his fellow students along with coaches, teachers, parents and people in the surrounding communities and neighboring schools.

The community adopted the slogan “T-Strong” in support of Brashears-Cervantes and his family. Propped up by the community, his classmates, teachers and his family, Triston worked hard to get back to the diamond.

After surgeries and chemotherapy treatments in the fall and winter, Triston returned to the baseball field helping the Panthers win the district championship while earning All-District accolades for the second straight season. He put together an outstanding spring campaign, batting .375 with two home runs, five doubles, 20 RBIs, 19 runs scored, and a .483 on-base percentage while excelling behind the plate at the catcher position as well. He capped off his senior year by signing a commitment to play on the collegiate level at East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, Texas.

Triston is now 19 years old. He will be 20 in August. He recently finished his freshman year of college at East Texas Baptist University and competed as a member of the program’s developmental squad. Seguin Today visited with Triston to talk about his recovery from cancer and to see how he has been doing since he graduated from Navarro High School in 2022 to attend college.

“Yeah it really was. It was really disheartening for me because I was in the middle of my senior year of high school football and I was looking forward to participating with my team in the playoffs. And then I was also worried that I wouldn’t make it back in time for my senior year of high school baseball. So, yeah, it was really crushing and disheartening for me to hear that when the doctors told me.”

We all know you had to go through cancer treatments in order to come back for the baseball season. It had to be grueling just to get back into baseball shape.

“It was. In the very beginning, the first day of practice I was dying. I had to stop like halfway through because I was so out of shape and so unconditioned because of all the chemo treatments.”

The school and the community got behind you during your recovery. How did it feel to have everybody backing you?

“It felt amazing. I really appreciated all the support and love that I felt from them. Right before I had one of my surgeries, we all gathered together in the high school parking lot and they all came up and prayed for me and wished me the best on my surgery and my fight with cancer.”

You put in a lot of hard work to get back on the field. You had a great season and then got college offers. Did you always feel you would get to that next level?

“Before the cancer diagnosis, I was sure 100 percent that I would play in college. But after (the diagnosis), my thoughts of college were secondary because I was just focused on getting healthy and surviving the treatments.”

Give us an update on how your life is now and how your first year in college at East Texas Baptist went.

“I’ve been doing really well lately. My first year of college was kind of a struggle. In the beginning to be honest, I guess I was learning to be by myself. It was a whole new territory for me since during the chemo and all the cancer treatments, my mom (Amber) was always beside me. She was beside me for months and months at a time. So when it was time for me to leave for college, it kinda threw me into shock a bit. I had to learn how to be by myself and function by myself without my mom by my side.”

You played baseball on the college level on the ETBU developmental team as a freshman too, has that been an enormous challenge considering everything you’ve had to overcome?

“It most definitely was. All the guys that I was competing with at the time were so healthy and didn’t have to go through that. It kinda sounds like me complaining but at the same time, I embraced the challenge and I worked twice as hard to catch up to where they were at currently.”

What are you studying at East Texas Baptist University?

“Currently, I’m studying business management.”

What do you plan to do after college?

“After college, I plan to go work somewhere where I can use my degree to better my life and improve on what I’m currently dealing with.”

How are you doing with your recovery? Are you cancer free or are you in remission?

“Currently I’m in remission. It would take four more years of no signs of the cancer cells coming back for me to officially say that I am 100 percent cancer free.”

Are you still going through treatments and rehab?

“I’m not going through treatment anymore, but I am getting monthly check-ups and I am rehabbing.”

Your story has been inspirational to people and students at Navarro High School, in Seguin and nearby communities. What do you want to tell people about your fight in overcoming cancer?

“One thing I’d like to tell people is never let anything stop you from fulfilling your dream. It’s what I’ve done. I didn’t let cancer stop me fulfilling my dream which is to go on to play on the college level and compete.” •

Upcoming events and special promotions happening locally! JULY

To promote your event on this page contact advertising at 830-379-2234 or email communitycalendar@kwed1580.com

July 2023

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Featured Events

Featured Events

Seguin PD Backpack Drive

School supplies that are needed include: clear backpacks, notebooks, writing utensils, and folders. Monetary donations are also being accepted in the form of cash or cashapp to $seguinpd. Donations can be dropped off from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Seguin Police Department, located at 350 N. Guadalupe St. in Seguin. The 2023 Back to School at the Pool event will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 5 at the Seguin Wave Pool. For questions, email CommunityEngagement@ seguintexas.gov.

July 10-14

Music Camp Registration

Registration for the July 10 through July 14 Summer Strings and Choral Camps, for grades 2 through 6, runs from through Saturday, July 1. The camps will be held at the Schuech Fine Arts Center on the campus of Texas Lutheran University. The cost is $125 and discounts are available. For more details and to register, visit www.tlucma.org.

July 19

Lunch and Learn

The Seguin Young Professionals will have its Bi-Monthly Lunch and Learn from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 19 at the GVEC Community Room, located at 927 N. Hwy 46. Get inspired by Jay Johnson from J2 Servant Leadership as he shares insights on teamwork and building a productive team. RSVP at www. seguinchamber.com/events.

July 14

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HOLIDAYS

4th - Independence Day

Join the SEF Board

The Seguin Education Foundation (SEF) is seeking dedicated individuals for its board of directors. As a nonprofit committed to supporting students and teachers in Seguin Independent School District (SISD), your involvement can make a difference. Apply at www.tinyurl. com/2sx2hfeb The deadline to apply is Friday, July 14.

July 21

TLU Nursing Fair 2023

The Texas Lutheran University Service Learning & Career Development will have its Nursing Fair 2023 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 21 at the New Braunfels Campus. Register on Handshake. For more information, email pgentry@tlu.edu.

July 17

Media Guide Deadline

The Seguin Sports Booster Club is seeking members and advertisers for its media guide that will be available at each home game this upcoming football season. The deadline for submitting information is Monday, July 17. For application/form, contact Cathy Beicker at 830-401-1954 or cbeicker@gmail.com.

August 8

Master Naturalist Training

The Guadalupe Master Naturalist Chapter will offer a Master Naturalist Training Classes will be held every other Tuesday from 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 8 to Nov. 18 at the AgriLife Extension Building in Seguin. The Cost is $125. For application and class information, visit http://txmn.org/guadalupe Learn more about the program at http://txmn.org.