SportsXpress Austin July/Aug 2018

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A Summer Hit! RBI Austin changing young lives for the better Plus ‌ get your training on with Outright Fitness, cheers for Signature Care Team of the Month, and much more! 1

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Create your own Team News Page

Join our sales team, have fun and make some extra $$

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Sports Connection

July/August 2018 Austin Edition

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Entertaining, informative and engaging articles on local athletes, sports and teams.

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Is your child ready to play at a higher level?

Finding family and community with i9 Sports RBI Austin program a home run; more mentors needed One on one with RBI Austin coach JJ Garza The PAC: your home for fall basketball and more Austin Wings win big in Omaha; One World, Iron Horse compete in Colorado

teamprofiles

Profiling community sports in words and photographs.

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Express pitcher one step away from historic call-up Signature Care Emergency Center Teams of the Month: CRUSH Cheer All-Stars

health&fitness

Informative articles on sports health & fitness.

06 | Train with purpose with Outright Fitness 11 | Fun, sweat and cheers at Orangetheory

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Coming Soon: A local show featuring highlights, fumbles and bumbles!

Capture a spectacular catch?

A towering home run? A fantastic shot?

Maybe a hilarious blooper?

WE WANT YOUR ACTION VIDEO CLIPS!

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Sports Connection

Check out our website at Austin.SportsXpress.com

July/August 2018 PUBLISHERS Derek Castillo Derek@SportsXpress.com 512-560-4286 EDITOR Jane Penteker GRAPHIC DESIGN Alyssa MacLeod alyssa@sportsxpress.com CONTRIBUTORS Erika Canales, Julia Essington, Andrew Felts, Matthew Jordan, Jenny Leeds, Mario Gonzales, Elizabeth Stephens, Laura Sykes, Janis B. Meredith, Jerry Merlick, Breezy Rourk, Lauren Witt and the Austin SportsXpress team ACCOUNT Anne Tiedt EXECUTIVE anne@sportsxpress.com Fort Wayne FRANCHISE Austin ZONES Rochester Syracuse Utica FRANCHISE Contact SportsXpress at: INQUIRY 1-800-577-7195 or email Franchise@SportsXpress.com NATIONAL AND 1-800-577-7195 REGIONAL SALES FOUNDER/ Walter Browning HEAD COACH walter@sportsxpress.com

Our local show featuring highlights, fumbles and bumbles will debut in Summer 2018!

We are gearing up for our community sports highlight show and we need your video clips!

Shoot us an email with the clip and a sentence or two describing the action (who, what, when, where). You may see your clips on our highlight show!

Submit to: derek@sportsxpress.com

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TEXAS FRANCHISE DEVELOPER Derek Castillo derek@sportsxpress.com

VP BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Rob Bennett rob@sportsxpress.com

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Reproduction or transmission of any article, photograph or artwork in any form or by any means without permission from the publisher is prohibited. SportsXpress is published six times per year. SportsXpress Inc. is committed to protecting your privacy as our customer. We may collect personal information only if it is required for the proper functioning of our business and only share this information with our business partners. The editors and contributors who write for SportsXpress Inc. attempt to provide accurate and useful information and commentary. However the editors, contributors and SportsXpress Inc. cannot and do not guarantee the accuracy of this information. We assume no responsibility for any actions or decisions taken by any readers based on the information provided.

sportsfiles

Is your child ready to play at a higher level?

Three next steps for you and your young athlete Article by By Janis B. Meredith To every sports parent, I say, “I hope your young athlete is enjoying their youth sports experience. I hope they are having fun, growing, making friends, developing skills, and learning valuable life-impacting lessons.”

I recognize, however, that for many of you, the youth sports experience has become more serious because in the process of learning to love the game, your child has become very passionate about being the best they can be, and they desire to keep playing at higher levels.

If that’s you — your child wants to keep pushing themselves and working towards the next level — then you may wonder, how can I best help my child reach their potential?

Some of you may be thinking: I don’t know enough about the sport to really help my child.

I can’t afford all the private camps or the elite teams that they may need to really reach their potential.

I can’t fit in one more night out of taking my kid to a private trainer!

If that’s you, then I’d like to take a few minutes to help you and your child take that Next Step, to get them on their way to reaching their goals. I cannot tell you how to take the whole journey. You will figure that out as you go, as your child progresses, and as opportunities arise. But I can tell you how to take the Next Step in your child’s development as they seek to improve and hone their skills and game experience.

Next Step #1: Look for opportunities for your athlete to play against older competition.

If your child is very competitive and ready to handle the challenge, they may be ready to “play up.” Simply dominating their peers will not benefit your child and help them improve.

This doesn’t necessarily have to happen every season, but if your child

is not challenged, is ready to really push themselves, and is eager to compete at a higher level, this might be the next step that will help them work towards and reach their goals.

it’s allowing their bodies a day of rest from playing sports. Pick one thing that needs to be improved, and let it become a habit.

Next Step #2: Get honest and objective feedback that your child can use to improve.

This is where you have to be careful.

Many private coaches are willing to take your money even if they don’t see much hope for your child really progressing in a sport. Before you go hiring an expensive coach or private trainer to help your child, try getting some free or at least less expensive feedback.

Talk to a variety of coaches who’ve seen your child play. Ask them what they see in your young athlete, as far as what they need to work on to play at the next level.

Why the NEXT STEP is so important

Every morning as I walk, I see this house that’s being built. I saw them lay the footers, install the plumbing, and brick by brick, build up the walls, then finally add the trusses and put on the roof.

They did not start with the walls or the roof; they started with the foundation. And so it is with your child.

Someday, if they achieve their goals, they may be a college athlete, playing at any number of levels, but they will not get there this week, this season, or even this year. Their progress must be made step by step. And right now, today, this season, help them figure out what that next step is for them, and then support them as they take it.

Next Step #3: Pinpoint what your child needs to be doing better to care for their body.

There’s always something your athlete could improve on when it comes to proper care and feeding of their physical body. Instead of telling them they need an overhaul from eating junk food, not getting enough sleep, and not allowing bodies to recover from the strain of competition, help them focus on one thing they can do differently to improve.

Maybe it’s to give up soda. Maybe it’s to get eight hours of sleep. Or maybe

Janis Meredith, a sports mom for 20 years, and a coach’s wife for 28, lives in Palo Cedro, CA. She can be reached at jbmeredith@usa.com. Read more on her blog at jbmthinks.blogspot.com.

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health&fitness

Train with purpose with Outright Fitness

Article and photos by Outright Fitness Choosing to get better takes commitment and discipline. Whether you want your athlete to get to the next level, or you want to be ready for your next competition, or you simply want lose weight and look better, what it takes to get there requires focus, and determination, and small sacrifices. An important part of this journey is finding the right trainer and training program to keep you accountable and hungry for success. That’s where Outright Fitness & Performance comes in. We specialize in athletic development, and we also use athletic training to help nonathletes build their best body.

We understand that goals are personal and individualized. At Outright Fitness, we believe your training plan should be trackable, progressive, and unique to you. Large group training is great, but to truly have a chance to compete at the next level or build the body you want, you need a plan that is individualized and one where you can

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track your progress. Work ethic has to become a lifestyle rather than a fad.

To be motivated and stay consistent, your workouts shouldn’t be hard for the sake of getting you tired nor should they be random. You have to see progress to help you stay motivated to continue to work hard.

Progress is a process that involves consistency in your training plan and in your commitment. You have to have a baseline so that you can check if your vertical got higher, your 40-yard time got faster or if your body fat has decreased. Therefore, tracking progress means a consistent training plan that allows you to measure your progress.

At Outright Fitness, we know that strength, power, and speed are important components of any training plan. As an athlete, increasing strength is directly proportional to increases in speed and ultimately power production.

For non-athletes, these components help with weight loss, improve cardiovascular health, and can even prevent falls by helping you react swiftly if you start to trip or lose your balance.

As important as these components are to a training plan, you can’t train all three at the same time. They are not independent of each other. They should complement each other. If you

have a heavy weight lifting session, your legs are too taxed to exert the appropriate power needed to do box jumps correctly and safely. If you have a hard sprinting session, it will impact your strength training session. If you do try to train all three components, then you are no longer able to appropriately and effectively produce power, speed, and strength. You, or your athlete, are not getting faster, stronger, or more powerful. You are just getting fatigued.

Speaking of fatigue, if you’re tired of the old routine and tired of not seeing results, we can help. Let us develop a training program that is appropriate for you or your athlete. To learn more, visit us at www. outrightfitness. com or text Outright to 41411.

sportsfiles

Finding family and community with i9 Sports

The Merlick family Article by SportsXpress and photos by i9 Sports & the Merlick family Jerry Merlick estimates that his four children have played more than 25 seasons of i9 Sports. If you break that down, that’s more than 300 games combined. What’s more, Jerry has coached each of his child’s teams at least one season. So, if you’re looking for the ultimate i9 Sports family, the Merlicks are it.

“We’ve had a great experience,” said Merlick. “The attention to detail of the organization is awesome. The desire

to meet the needs of the parents and family is second to none.”

The Merlicks’ two daughters and two sons have competed in all of the i9 Sports — basketball, football, baseball, soccer, and lacrosse. Although, games and practices keep them busy most weekends, the Merlicks have found that the i9 mantra, “The Way Youth Sports Should Be” has allowed for quality family time away from the field or court.

“At this early age, the scheduling and games is just right. With practices and games on the same day, it means we don’t have to sacrifice family time for

sports,” said Merlick.

The coaching experience has been fruitful as well.

“Personally, I think it’s important to encourage kids to try their hardest,” said Merlick. “I enjoy seeing a kid who was a bit timid at the beginning improve and become a solid contributor toward the end of the season.” “i9 Sports also creates community. I get to know my children’s friends and their parents. We have fun after the games.

We all need a sense of community, and i9 definitely provides that.”

i9 Sports is taking registrations for all fall sports. To find a league in your area, visit www.i9sports.com.

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sportsfiles

RBI Austin program a home run; more mentors needed

Article by SportsXpress and photos by RBI Austin

Growing up in Northeast Austin, Booker Gilbert saw lots of negative influences around him. Some cousins and friends Booker and Leighton went down the wrong path. Some ended up in prison. He was determined not to let that happen to him.

Years later, after earning a business degree and starting a successful insurance career, Gilbert heard about RBI Austin.

“A friend was telling me about RBI Austin and how they utilize baseball as a means of mentoring at risk youth and I’m like, ‘man, how do I get involved?’” said Gilbert. “I was blown away about the impact that RBI Austin was having in my city.”

In 2015, Gilbert jumped right into RBI Austin’s mentor program and he was matched with Leighton, a young boy growing up under the care of a single mom. His dad was in jail and not in the

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picture. As a child of an incarcerated father, Leighton is six times more likely to be suspended or expelled from school than other children. He had anger issues and his defense mechanism was to lash out verbally and physically.

“Leighton doesn’t know his real dad,” said mother, Willie Mae. “Mr. Gilbert became that male role model and that really influenced Leighton a lot. I cheer Leighton on, but when another positive person cheers him on, he believes it more.”

Gilbert did more than cheer on Leighton. He got him involved in baseball. It turned out to be an experience that has been life changing.

“We introduced him to baseball, and I think he surprised himself. You could see that self esteem building up in him. He’s challenged himself to do something that he had not done before,” said Gilbert. “I don’t think he’s had a chance to display his leadership characteristics. Baseball has helped him tap that characteristic that he didn’t know he had. That’s the transformation that I have seen and I can only attest that to his play in baseball games and seeing positive adult male figures in his life.”

More than two years later, Leighton

continues to play in the RBI Austin summer baseball league. His team reached the championship last year.

“Baseball is like a metaphor of life,” said Booker. “Like the game, you’re going to have ebbs and flows in life.

So how do you learn from mistakes?

The only mistake is making the same mistake over and over.”

“I can see the changes. I’m not saying he’s perfect, but I’m not seeing that fight every day like I used to,” said Willie Mae. “It takes a community to raise a child. RBI and Mr. Booker are that community. RBI Austin changed our lives and has made Leighton the young man that he is today.”

Consistent, enduring relationships are game changers in the lives of youth. Through the RBI Austin mentor-match program and baseball/ softball programs, 142 of the 1,171 RBI Austin kids are engaged in a yearround relationship with an RBI coach or mentor. That’s just 12 percent of the program’s participants.

To find out how you can help, visit www.rbiaustin.org.

sportsfiles

One on one with RBI Austin coach JJ Garza

JJ Garza In the world of youth sports, it seems a little odd to chase down your players.

If the player wants to be there, then it’s his or her responsibility to get to practice, arrive to games on time, to be prepared and engaged. But some need a little extra attention. JJ Garza knows that all too well.

JJ Garza and his family have developed strong relationships with the families of their T-Ball Rockies team for the last few years and it has benefitted player and coach.

Q: Is there one player or family in particular that comes to your mind who you’ve specifically and intentionally had to pursue and who you’ve seen feel more a part of RBI/ your team because of this?

We first met Sergio Melendez in the summer of 2016. I say “we” because my wife and kids were an integral part in building a relationship with Sergio and his family.

Sergio was a very shy four-yearold. I noticed him coming out of his shell with a little attention and praise during practice. I came to find out he was the only boy in a family full of girls. RBI was his first experience in a team environment. We asked our daughter Emma to show him the ropes a little. Soon both of my kids were

engaging Sergio more in conversation.

Throughout the season you could see his confidence grow along with his smile. We witnessed his effort and engagement in the game increase.

My wife, Danette, was wonderful in engaging Nikki, Sergio’s mother. The following season, Nikki registered her daughter, Sophia, with RBI and joined our team. Sophia was a tiny little thing experiencing the same engagement issues as her big brother. It was wonderful to see how Sophia was quickly accepted and brought into the fold.

It has been worth it.

I’ve received so much back, more than I put in. I’ve grown so much in coaching but most of all as a father to my own kids. The skills I’ve learned with RBI are not only applicable in coaching baseball, but have been beneficial skills as a father as well.

It’s been a fun ride.

For more photos of RBI Austin, visit austin. sportsxpress.com

Q: What are some challenges you’ve faced in coaching with RBI? I had no coaching experience when I started with RBI. I signed up to be assistant coach; to observe and learn.

To this day, I don’t know how I ended up with my own team. Nonetheless, I am happy it worked out the way it did.

It forced me to learn and grow, not only with baseball, but as a communicator, specifically with young kids.

Q: How has your mentality or approach had to change or adjust since coaching with RBI? I was “drills-driven” in the beginning.

I thought that repetition was the most important thing in coaching. But, I quickly learned that 4- to 6-year-olds’ attention span is extremely short. So, I had to incorporate some fun drills and not call them “drills.” Bottom line, I had to learn to make practice and games fun for the kids. I needed to be reminded that it is just a game.

JJ Garza and the Rockies

About RBI Austin RBI Austin, an affiliate of Major League Baseball’s Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities program, exists to engage and develop inner-city Austin youth athletically, academically, and spiritually, empowering them to lead the transformation of their communities.

Q: Has it been worth it? Why? I’m going on my fourth year of coaching. Every year, it seems I prepare sooner and sooner to start the new league year. I’m reading, watching videos, attended group discussion on how to positively use baseball as a venue to impact young lives.

Starting with 118 kids in 2011, RBI Austin now serves 1,171 kids ages 4 to 18 with plans for reaching more kids and families in 2018 and beyond.

With 94 percent of their budget funded by charitable contributions, individual contributions make RBI Austin affordable and accessible for all.

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sportsfiles

The PAC: your home for fall basketball and more on August 25th.

CenTex Attack racking up wins, experience

5th grade team wins championship in the Rise Up Tournament.

Article by SportsXpress, Photos by CenTex Attack What Central Texas sports complex can be transformed into three high school basketball courts, or six youth basketball courts, or six tournament volleyball courts? And what local facility has 2,200 square feet of training space, party rooms, concession areas, and three sand volleyball courts? If you’ve been to the Premiere Athletic Complex (the PAC), then you know the answer!

Even more impressive than the PAC’s facilities are the training programs. The PAC offers something for all ages and skill levels. This fall, the PAC features youth recreation leagues in basketball and volleyball. Also, for the young athlete that is playing at the club/ select level, the PAC’s CenTex Attack basketball program is holding tryouts

Speaking of the CenTex Attack, the teams are tearing it up this summer.

The 16U Boys National teams picked up several Great American Shootout (GASO) tournament wins in San Antonio and Bryan/College Station and are gearing up for Las Vegas Live Tournament in late July. They’ll be joined by the 17U Boys team in Vegas.

“Our coaches are really excited about the growth we are seeing from our teams,” said CenTex Attack Director, Carmelo Lee. “We work them hard during the week. We run a more structured offense and defense, and we’re playing good team basketball.”

On the girls’ side, the CenTex Attack 4th grade team won several tournaments, and the 5th grade team has played “up” and competed very well.

The 8th grade team won one tournament and finished second in several others.

The high school girls’ team, composed of several freshman, has been competing at the varsity level and has shown much promise for the future.

“It feels good to see all the hard work happening in practice and then seeing it games,” said Lee. “We’re all about seeing progress from our players. Even if we don’t come out on top in every game, seeing progress from our players is a win.”

16U National Team

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Key Dates — Fall 2018 CenTex Attack Tryouts (4th-8th grade)

August 25

Youth Recreation Basketball League September 23 to November 4 Registration opens July 16 Early registration ends August 31 Visit www.pac-tx.com for more information about PAC programs and teams

JV Girls take 3rd place at Tournament for Hope.

5th Grade team volunteering at Central Texas Food Bank.

health&fitness

Fun, sweat, and cheers A family that works out together, stays together

Brendan and McKenna Greenwood McKenna, Sonya and Brendan Greenwood at Orangetheory Fitness Circle C. Article and photos by SportsXpress There’s nothing like a little friendly competition to take your workouts to the next level. But a family competition between father and daughter can really get the heart pumping. Just ask Brendan Greenwood and his daughter, McKenna.

“We definitely push each other,” said Brendan. “When we’re on the treadmill at the end of the workout and really pushing hard, I kind of look at her speed out of the corner of my eye.”

“Oh yes, he’ll look over and then increase his speed,” said McKenna. “Then I’ll increase my speed. If he’s at a 7, I go to 7.2.

Then he goes to 7.3, then next thing you know we’re burning at 7.5! It’s great!”

The Greenwoods moved to Austin from

Sonya Greenwood

everybody knows your name!”

Orangetheory uses heart rate-based interval training that is designed to maintain a target zone that stimulates metabolism and increases energy.

Members can burn between 500 and 1000 calories in an hour. There’s also a big calorie burn afterwards.

Brendan and Sonya can attest to the results. They finished second in Orangetheory’s Weight Loss Challenge last year. McKenna is a cross country runner at Dripping Springs High School and enjoys the variety of workouts at Orangetheory.

“I love how every workout is different,” said McKenna. “It’s so much fun. The coaches are running around, dancing and yelling words of encouragement. Everyone there is working towards the same goal: working hard to achieve a healthy lifestyle. It’s so motivating.”

To learn more about Orangetheory Fitness and to find a location near you, visit www.orangetheoryfitness.com.

“

Everyone there is working towards the same goal: working hard to achieve a healthy lifestyle. It’s so motivating.

” Arizona three years ago and were looking for a family-friendly gym similar to their old facility. They tried other gyms, but nothing felt right until they discovered Orangetheory Fitness. The family has been working out together at Orangetheory since the facility opened late last year. Mom, Sonya, also joins the family workout. Seeing the Greenwoods working out side by side by side is a common sight at the Circle C location.

“We’ve been there since the beginning and we have come to know the coaches and the core group of members and they know us well,” said Brendan. “It’s kind of like Cheers where

Circle C (Slaughter & MoPac) (512) 858-8008 South Austin (Southpark Meadows) (512) 969-6626

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teamprofiles

Express pitcher one step away from historic call-up Article by Round Rock Express and photos by Julia Essington Nearly 9,100 miles — or, should we say 14,732 kilometers — from home, Round Rock Express pitcher Tayler Scott is on the brink of accomplishing his lifelong goal.

Pitching at the Triple-A level for the first time in his career, Scott is one promotion away from becoming the first-ever South African-born pitcher in MLB history.

Growing up in Johannesburg, where cricket, soccer, and rugby are king, Scott didn’t discover the game of baseball until he was about 10 years old.

“I came across baseball during a drive with my dad. We saw some kids playing on a field and thought to go check it out,” Scott said. “In

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South Africa, baseball is just a fun recreational thing. Guys show up once a week to play a game. There’s no facilities or anything like that, it’s just for fun.”

Scott fell in love with baseball.

He knew he needed to move to the U.S. to pursue his dream. Scott and his parents relocated to Scottsdale, Arizona so that he could further his budding baseball career.

The move paid off as he was selected in the fifth round of the 2011 June Draft by the Chicago Cubs, becoming the first-ever South African born player drafted by an MLB club.

After time with the Cubs minor league organizations and a stint in independent baseball, Scott signed with the Milwaukee Brewers organization before being traded to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Jeremy Jeffress.

Tayler Scott

“It was very unexpected,” Scott said of the trade deadline deal. “To find out I had been traded, then to find out that it was a straight up trade for a big league guy was even crazier.

Obviously, the Texas Rangers value me and it was very encouraging.”

With his value rapidly increasing, Scott is closer than ever to accomplishing his goal.

“It really means a lot to me. Growing up, my goal was to become the first South African baseball player ever, but Gift Ngoepe ended up accomplishing that. But I can become the first pitcher. Getting to be the first to do that would mean a lot to me and my family and what they’ve sacrificed.”

As Scott continues to post impressive numbers, he knows he’s on the doorstep of accomplishing history. His unique path that began in Johannesburg and is currently in Round Rock has just one more step to become complete. Regardless of the outcome, he is proud to be part of a group growing the game back in South Africa.

teamprofiles Signature Care Emergency Center Teams of the Month

Proudly Supported By:

CRUSH Cheer All-Stars

Liberty Belles Article by SportsXpress, Photos by CRUSH Cheer The cheer season can be long and grinding. From June through May, many teams work out three times a week to prepare for just a handful of competitions. But, when the season ends with a National Championship, those long hours are well worth it.

The CRUSH All-Star teams can attest to that. Three of their teams took home national titles at the U.S. Finals in Dallas, and they have also earned

the honor of being the Signature Care Emergency Center Teams of the Month.

“Our three teams had to earn a bid just to compete at the U.S. Finals,” said Director, Jeff Hobbs. “We couldn’t have scripted a more perfect way to end the season with all three of our teams taking home titles.”

The Mini Level One (6-8 years), Youth Level One (8-12 years) and Junior Level Two (9-14) placed first in the final competition of the year. Hobbs credits hard work and a new choreography

(above) Capital Cuties (below) Justice League team for the success.

“They girls sacrificed a lot this year,” said Hobbs. “The win is a culmination of great coaches, kids, and parents. They all had a common vision of winning, and this is a huge achievement for us.”

Congrats to the CRUSH Cheer All-Stars — the Signature Care Emergency Center’s Teams of the Month!

Austin.SportsXpress.com

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sportsfiles

Austin Wings win big in Omaha; One World, Iron Horse compete in Colorado Recaping the latest sports news in Austin, Texas Congratulations to the 11U Austin Wings Gonzales for winning the Battle of Omaha tournament in late June. The tournament coincided with the College Baseball World Series.

The Wings outscored their opponents 37–3 with dominating pitching performances by Sterling Hurd and Jackson Hamilton. This same team dominated last summer winning the 2017 USSSA Global World Series in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

One World Soccer’s 06 Boys Blue team earned an invitation to the prestigious Premier SuperCopa in Denver and the boys from Central Texas did not disappoint.

The team made it all the way to the semifinals before losing on penalty kicks.

During their impressive run at SuperCopa, One World beat the number one teams from Texas and Oklahoma to finish 3rd/4th in the event. Only 24 teams were invited to compete in Denver.

Another Austin area team made a summer trip to the Rockies. Iron Horse

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Lacrosse sent three boys teams (2023, 2024 Chrome, 2024 Steel, 2025) to the Denver Shootout and the Vail Lacrosse Tournament. Both teams earned topeight finishes in each tournament with the Chrome team taking home second place in Denver.

Article by SportsXpress, Photos by Mario Gonzales, Elizabeth Stephens, Laura Sykes

The Iron Horse 2022, 2023, and 2024 girls’ team also participated in both tournaments.

sportsfiles

Austin SportsXpress Supports Local Sports: One World Soccer, Dripping Springs Tigers Bass Fishing Club, HALO, Austin HS Tennis, LBJ Tennis, Austin Horns, Shady Hollow Sharks

Email your photos to contact@sportsxpress.com

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