The varsity Lady Bulldogs won the team competition, finishing ahead of district competitor Fredericksburg.

Junior Kaylee Fried led Bandera with a third-place finish. Milesia Casas placed sixth, Cassi Williams ninth and Veronica Ibarra-Villegas 11th, with all three earning medals. Olivia Rynarzewski rounded out Bandera’s top five with a 14th-place finish.

Other varsity Lady Bulldogs were Merry Robinson, 23rd; Aubrie Moore, 26th; Addison Ashcraft, 27th; Briley Clark, 30th; and Amy Rodriguez, 46th.

The junior varsity Lady Bulldogs finished second as a team behind Fredericksburg. Jada Bergfield led Bandera with a fifth-place finish, followed by Sydney Bowman in sixth, Xoi Cook in seventh, Autumn Prater in eighth, Abigail Sizemore in 12th, Vanessa Gonzales in 14th, Emma Rynarzewski in 15th, Abigail Gilbert in 16th and Maricel Casas in 19th.

All nine JV Lady Bulldogs finished in the top 20 and earned medals.

The varsity Bulldogs finished ninth overall. Luciano Martinez led Bandera with a 27th-place finish in 18 minutes, 39 seconds. Other top finishers included Rudy Esparza, Walter Roque and Michael Ramirez.

All 10 varsity boys improved their 5K times from the previous week by at least one minute.

The JV Bulldogs finished sixth overall, led by freshman Kash Griffith, who placed 27th in 23:53. Other top finishers included Samuel Hernandez, Talin Edwards and Ashton Vargas.

All of the JV boys also improved their 5K times from their previous meet.

Bandera wrapped up its preseason Thursday, Aug. 20. at Bulldog Stadium, hosting the Pleasanton Eagles in its final scrimmage before opening the 2026 regular season at Fredericksburg.

The Bulldogs’ offense found the end zone three times through the air. Quarterback Dalton Parks connected with Jaymin Klein for a touchdown, while Breydan Gherman hauled in two touchdown passes from Parks.

Defensively, the Bulldogs continued to improve as the scrimmage progressed. Bandera stopped Pleasanton on several third-down attempts, demonstrating its ability to make plays in key situations and get off the field.

Following the scrimmage, Head Coach Fontenot-Amedee said the effort displayed throughout the Bulldogs’ two scrimmages has been one of the team’s biggest positives.

“The thing I am most proud of over our first two scrimmages is that our guys played hard,” Fontenot- Amedee said. “We scrimmaged two very different teams, and while there are always momentum swings in high school football, our guys didn’t waver. They played hard through the whistle. We caused several turnovers and had several big plays as well, all of which we are excited about moving forward into Week 1.”

The Pleasanton scrimmage gave the Bulldogs one final opportunity to fine-tune their execution before the games begin to count. With the preseason officially in the books, Bandera now turns its attention to Fredericksburg and its first regular-season game since the Bulldogs’ 2025 campaign ended in the bi-district round of the playoffs.

Last season, Bandera finished the regular season undefeated before its run came to an end with a 24-14 loss to Gonzales in the Bi-District Championship.

Parks and Gherman connected for a 46-yard touchdown in that game, while the Bulldogs built a 14-0 halftime lead before the Apaches rallied in the second half.

The 2025 senior class left behind a strong legacy, including five consecutive playoff appearances and three straight district titles.

Fontenot-Amedee said that group established a standard for the players who would follow.

“These seniors have set the bar extremely high for the groups to come,” he said. “As important as any win, our guys play the game the right way. They played the game with integrity and class. We never lowered our standard, and the expectations and standards will remain high because this group of seniors gave us the blueprint.”

Now, with another season beginning, the Bulldogs will travel to Fredericksburg for a matchup that marks the first meeting between the two teams in approximately a decade.

“We are ready to play,” Fontenot-Amedee said. “We are excited to be playing Fredericksburg for the first time in about a decade. I know the stadium will be packed, and it’s going to be an electric atmosphere Friday night in the land of the Battlin’ Billies!

“I can’t wait to see the Bandera faithful throwing up their money signs on third down and getting their fours up at the beginning of the fourth quarter. We Are One!”

After two scrimmages and weeks of preparation, the Bulldogs are ready to begin the games that count.

Bandera will face the Fredericksburg Billies on Friday, Aug. 28, in Fredericksburg. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Game results were not available by press time.

The Bulldogs will then return home to host Hondo on Sept. 4 before traveling to Lytle on Sept. 11 and Ingram Moore on Sept. 18. Bandera opens District 13-4A Division II play Oct. 9 at Gonzales.

According to Medina ISD Superintendent Lindsey Kunz, the team was invited to Wolff Stadium through the efforts of the San Antonio Missions organization and Mickey Holt.

During the visit, the Bobcats met players, took the field with the team before the game, were recognized during the second inning, participated in a trivia contest and received Missions merchandise.

The evening ended with the Missions earning a walk-off victory on a home run in the bottom of the 12th inning.

Kunz said the experience was a fitting way to celebrate the accomplishments of the Bobcats following a historic season.

“We are incredibly proud of this team and grateful for an experience our players will remember for years to come,” Kunz said.

Bandera coach Brooke Ashcraft said the state meet reflected the progress and effort shown throughout the season.

“This season was truly one for the books,” Ashcraft said. “To see our athletes compete at this level, battle against the best in Texas and carry themselves with such poise makes me incredibly proud of this entire program.”

Milesia Casas opened competition for Bandera in the girls 800-meter run and finished eighth in the state. Later in the meet, Casas returned to compete in the girls 400-meter dash and placed fourth after a close finish down the final stretch.

Bandera also qualified a team for the girls 4x400-meter relay. The relay team of Merry Robinson, Milesia Casas, Cassi Williams and Sydney Moore placed seventh overall and recorded the second-fastest time in school history.

In addition to competition, Bandera students contributed to the operation of the state meet. Under the supervision of coaches Keane and Hartsfield, a group of student-athletes assisted event staff by moving starting blocks and escorting medalists to the awards area.

Ashcraft said the student workers represented the program well while gaining experience at the state level.

Bandera returns several athletes next season and will look to build on this year’s state appearances moving forward.

The annual showcase recognizes top senior baseball players from across the greater San Antonio area.

Trussell, selected to compete for Team Liberty, started at third base and turned in a productive performance at the plate, finishing 1-for-2 with a single and a walk.

“Having the opportunity to showcase your skills on a professional field like Nelson Wolff Stadium is an incredible milestone,” Bandera head baseball coach Cody Fields said. “Brady earned this moment through years of hard work, discipline and commitment to the Bulldog program. He represented our school and baseball family flawlessly, both in his play and his character.”

Competing through heavy rain, strong winds and a late cold front, the Lady Bulldogs turned in several standout performances, highlighted by regional titles from Milesia Casas and the girls 4x400-meter relay team.

Casas captured regional championships in both the 800-meter and 400-meter races. She posted a personal- record time of 2:16.86 to win the 800 and followed with a 56.15 in the 400, setting both a personal best and a new Bandera school record.

Bandera’s 4x400 relay team of Merry Robinson, Casas, Cassi Williams and Sydney Moore also claimed a regional championship, finishing in 3:57.73 to secure a berth at the UIL State Track and Field Championships.

Moore recorded a season- best time of 15.70 in the preliminaries of the 100-meter hurdles before improving to a personal- best 15.60 in the finals. She also placed fourth in the 400-meter finals.

Robinson qualified for the finals in the 100-meter dash and finished seventh overall against a competitive field.

In the field events, Madison Davis concluded her high school career with a personal-best discus throw of 103 feet, 10 inches after qualifying for the regional meet.

Bandera athletes will next compete at the UIL State Track and Field Championships.

The pair signed during a ceremony at Bandera High School surrounded by family members, coaches, teammates and classmates.

Harman and Evans have been key contributors to the Bulldog football program during their high school careers, helping lead the team on and off the field.

“These two have done everything we’ve asked of them and more,” Head Football Coach and Athletic Director Joel Fontenot-Amedee said. “Watching them earn this opportunity to keep playing the game they love at the college level is a proud moment for our entire community. Schreiner is getting two great football players and even better young men.”

By signing with Schreiner, Harman and Evans will remain in the Texas Hill Country while competing at the NCAA Division III level for the Mountaineers.

Benton Cloudt led the effort on the mound, pitching five innings while allowing four hits and one earned run. He also reached base twice with two walks.

Offensively, Brady Trussell paced the Bulldogs with three hits and two RBIs. Jackson Aragones added two hits, a walk and a run scored, creating consistent pressure on the basepaths.

Dalton Parks, Jake Cesta and Cooper Gunderman each added a hit to support the offense.

In varsity boys competition, Mason Cadenhead won the 200-meter dash and placed second in the 400 to qualify for area in both events.

Davis Peterson finished second in the 300-meter hurdles, while Gaige Pitts won the high jump. Holland Cook qualified for area with a fourth-place finish in the 800 and also placed fifth in the 400.

Cooper Arnold placed sixth in the discus.

On the varsity girls side, Allison Watts placed second in the 400 to qualify for area. Olivia Longoria advanced in both throwing events, finishing third in discus and fourth in shot put. Crista Zirkel placed second in the high jump to secure an area berth.

In junior varsity boys competition, Uriyah Ayers placed second in the 400 and 200 and fourth in the 100. Robert Cagle won both the discus and shot put.

The junior varsity girls team won the district championship, led by Keeley DeLeon, who won the 100 and 200.

Cerydwen Villarreal won the 400, while Sreya Ayers placed second in both the 400 and 200.

Amelia Andrews won the discus and finished second in the shot put. McKayla Crowther added a fourth-place finish in the 100.

Area qualifiers will compete at the Area Championships on April 20 in Leakey.

“Our athletic identity is unified,” assistant athletic director and head girls track coach Brooke Ashcraft said. “Whether it’s varsity or JV, sprint or field, we are all Bulldogs. Seeing our girls embrace that ‘We Are One’ spirit and turn it into personal records is what this program is all about.”

Milesia Casas led the varsity squad with firstplace finishes in the 400 meters and 800 meters, setting a personal record in the latter.

The 4x400 relay team of Merry Robinson, Casas, Cassi Williams and Sydney Moore also claimed first place.

Robinson added second- place finishes in the 100 and 200, with a personal record in the 100, while Moore placed second in both the 400 and 100-meter hurdles.

Madison Davis took third in discus and fifth in shot put, and Williams finished fourth in the 300 hurdles with a personal record.

The 4x200 relay team placed fifth, and the 4x100 relay finished sixth. Pyper Barnard tied for sixth in the high jump.

On the junior varsity side, Autumn Prater finished second in the 200, and the 4x400 relay team placed second with a season-best time.

The 4x200 relay team took third.

Ellie Voss placed fourth in the 400 with a personal record, while Maci Haby finished fourth in pole vault, also with a personal record.

Addison Ashcraft recorded personal bests in both the 400 and 800, placing fifth in each event.

Mariska Collazo finished fifth in the triple jump, Abigail Gilbert placed sixth in the 400 with a personal record, and Taylor Marrs took sixth in discus.

Bandera will advance to area competition, carrying forward the same unified approach that fueled its district performance.

Bower was not only selected to compete among the region's elite in the All-Star game but was also honored for his community impact with the San Antonio Sports and Valero 'Beyond the Game' award.

Selection for the All-Star game is a high-level distinction, reserved for players who have demonstrated exceptional skill, leadership, and performance throughout their senior season.

Representing Bandera, Bower competed against the top talent in the San Antonio area, marking a significant milestone in his athletic journey.

While his play on the court earned him All-Star status, his conduct off the court earned him the 'Beyond the Game' recognition.

This program, sponsored by San Antonio Sports and Valero, honors athletes who demonstrate 'the heart of a champion' through community service and high moral character.

Bower has been a pillar of the Bandera Boys and Girls Club since 2022, dedicating his time to mentoring local youth and supporting community initiatives.

'To be chosen as an All-Star is a testament to James's talent and the work he’s put into his game,' Coach Nick Salas. 'To receive the 'Beyond the Game' award at the same time shows that he is a complete leader. He represents the best of what Bandera Athletics stands for.'

Following graduation, Bower will continue his education at Northeast Lakeview College, where he plans to pursue a degree in Construction Management.

The honors were led by second-team selections for Sahira Porlouis and Robert Cagle. Porlouis was also recognized for her performance in the classroom, earning a spot on the Academic All-District list.

Four additional Medina students received honorable mention or academic recognition for their contributions during the season.

KJ Watts and Emma Nordlander both earned honorable mention nods and were named Academic All-District selections.

Gaige Pitts also received an honorable mention All-District selection.

Rounding out the district honors, Kirstin Pierce was named to the Academic All-District team.

Gherman finished first in the 100 meters with a time of 10.70 seconds, breaking the previous Bandera record of 10.89 set by Tommy Cardenas in 2020. He also won the 200-meter dash.

The Bulldogs also found success in the relays, with the 4x200-meter team of Ruffin Scartocci, Carter Hanks, Ian Prothro and Gherman placing first. The 4x400-meter relay team of Scartocci, William Vidmer, Prothro and Zach Goodin also finished first.

Goodin added another gold medal for Bandera with a first-place finish in the 3,200 meters, while Luciano Martinez placed third in the 1,600 meters.

In field events, Logan Harman placed third in the shot put. Bandera also claimed third, fourth and fifth place in the pole vault with Jonah Klein finishing third, Jaymin Klein fourth and Prothro fifth.

The junior varsity team also posted several strong performances. Josiah Lehman won the pole vault, while Cooper Cale and William De La Paz finished first and second in the 800 meters. Tristan Wilson placed second and Michael Ramirez third in the 1,600 meters.

Kyler Hebert earned two medals in the throws, finishing second in the shot put and third in the discus.

Bandera will next compete Thursday at the Antler Relays in Kerrville.

Cadenhead set a new Medina school record in the 400-meter dash Thursday at the Medina High School Bobcat Relays, clocking a winning time of 49.34 seconds. The mark eclipsed the previous school record of 50.6 seconds, which had stood since 1978.

The two-day meet began Wednesday with the Medina Junior High Bobcat Relays, where the seventh- grade boys team finished third overall.

Jamir Granderson led the seventh-grade boys with a first-place finish in the 100-meter dash in 13.04 seconds. He also helped power the 4x100-meter and 4x200-meter relay teams to third-place finishes alongside Carter Powers, Colt Cook and Tripp Taylor. Granderson added another first-place finish in the high jump at 4 feet, 4 inches, while Cook placed fourth at 4-2.

In the seventh-grade girls division, Harper Holcomb placed fifth in the 100-meter hurdles in 22.82 seconds and fourth in the 300-meter hurdles in 65.33. Theodora Perkins finished sixth in the 300 hurdles in 69.20. The 4x100 and 4x200 relay teams, comprised of Ashton Ojeda, Brianna Luna, Karlee Quinones and Perkins, each earned third-place finishes. Holcomb also placed third in the high jump at 3-10.

For the eighth-grade boys, Slayton Hall recorded fifth-place finishes in both the 1,600-meter run with a time of 6:24.61 and the 2,400-meter run in 10:04.53.

At the high school meet Thursday, Medina’s varsity and junior varsity squads continued the momentum.

In the varsity boys division, Cadenhead added a third-place finish in the 200-meter dash in 22.81 seconds to go with his record- setting 400-meter performance. Davis Peterson claimed first in the 300-meter hurdles in 42.97 seconds and placed third in the 110-meter hurdles in 17.88.

Holland Cook finished second in the 800-meter run in 2:18.25. The 4x400-meter relay team of Cadenhead, Cook, Gaige Pitts and Peterson placed second in 3:43.24.

Pitts also won the high jump, clearing 6-4, and placed fifth in the 400-meter dash in 57.38 seconds. Jackson Perez finished sixth in the discus at 80-6.

In the varsity girls division, Allison Watts won the 400-meter dash in 67.43 seconds, followed by teammate Cerydwen Villarreal in second at 71.73. Keeley DeLeon placed sixth in the 100-meter dash in 14.23 and fifth in the 200-meter dash in 29.32. Sreya Ayers finished sixth in the 800-meter run in 3:04.81.

Olivia Longoria placed third in the shot put at 277¾ and second in the discus at 72-8, while Lia Andrews finished fifth in the discus at 66-9. Crista Zirkel claimed first in the high jump with a clearance of 4-8.

In the junior varsity girls division, Riley Patton placed fifth in the 200-meter dash in 33.74 seconds.

The annual relays showcased depth across Medina’s junior high and high school programs, with multiple athletes earning podium finishes as the track and field season continues.

The choir received a superior rating for its onstage concert performance and an excellent rating in the sight-reading portion of the contest.

According to school officials, the combined scores placed Bandera among the top three of the 11 participating high school choirs.

School representatives said the students represented Bandera High School with confidence and professionalism during the competition.

Senior Breydan Gherman led the varsity Bulldogs with first-place finishes in both the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes.

Gherman also anchored Bandera’s winning 4x100-meter relay team, joining Ruffin Scartocci, Dalton Parks and Cooper Gunderman to secure another gold medal.

Bandera also delivered a strong performance in pole vault, with Jonah Klein winning the event and Jaymin Klein finishing second.

Teammate Ian Prothro placed fifth to round out the Bulldogs’ scoring in the event.

Parks added to Bandera’s medal count with a third-place finish in the long jump.

The junior varsity Bulldogs also posted several strong finishes, highlighted by second-place finishes in both the 4x100-meter and 4x200-meter relays.

The relay teams included Siah Barnett, Charles Harman, Mayson Gonzales and Garner Grabs.

Gonzales placed third in the long jump, while Kyler Hebert earned third in shot put. In discus, Isaiah Coloney finished fifth and Hebert placed sixth.

Bandera will look to build on its early success as the Bulldogs prepare for their next invitational meet.

The Lady Cats softball team began its season with a decisive 23-8 victory over San Saba.

Medina continued its early momentum at the Center Point Softball Tournament, held Feb. 19-21, where the team earned an 18-4 win over Runge.

The Bobcats baseball team also opened its season at the Center Point Baseball Tournament that same weekend and finished with two wins.

In one game, Medina rallied from a 4-0 deficit to defeat Boerne Geneva 6-5.

The Bobcats followed with an 18-2 victory over Runge, powered by a strong offensive performance.

Senior Audrey Gatlin of the Lady Cats and sophomore JT Kunz of the Bobcats were each named to their respective All-Tournament teams in recognition of their performances.

The varsity Lady Bulldogs claimed the team title with 144 points, finishing 55 points ahead of runner-up Ingram.

The 4x200-meter relay team of Merry Robinson, Milesia Casas, Cassi Williams and Sydney Moore earned first place, as did the 4x400-meter relay team of Casas, Kamryn Fried, Williams and Moore.

Casas also earned an individual gold medal in the 200-meter dash. Robinson finished second in the same event, while Moore placed second in the 100-meter hurdles and Williams finished second in the 300-meter hurdles.

Briley Clark earned third in the 400-meter dash, and Madison Davis placed third in shot put.

The Bandera junior varsity squad also secured a team championship, finishing first with 149 points, nearly 40 points ahead of Llano.

Amy Rodriguez won the 3,200-meter run, and Maci Haby claimed first in pole vault.

The 4x100 relay team of Casas, Ashlyn Jess, Shelby Prater and Isabella Hinojo took first place, and the 4x200 relay team of Casas, Jess, Prater and Addyson Ranly also finished first.