Mule News, Bits & Briefs

MULE NEWS, BITS & BRIEFS News from the Field, Sidelines & Stands Most Decorated In Texas

You work hard, day in and day out. You face challenge with hope and continue to pursue your goals, even when it is difficult. These are just a few of the ways that the Alamo Heights High School Cheerleaders persevered in a year like no other. The Alamo Heights Cheerleading Program is now considered the most decorated in Texas history! To date, the teams have earned four Gold State Medals/State Rings and two State Silver Medals over the history of the University Interscholastic League (UIL) Spirit Championships! The squad earned the Silver Medal in the 5AD2 Division in 2021. The teams have taken their talent to the national stage, competing annually with top teams from around the country, making a name for themselves, ranking consistently in the Top Ten. The teams earned the Bronze Medal in the Junior Varsity Game Day routine, 7th Place in the Large Varsity Game Day routine, 4th Place in the Small Varsity and 4th Place in the Junior Varsity Performance categories.

All-State

Alamo Heights High School Band members Kaia Santos and Abby Golden have earned spots in the Texas All-State Band, a top honor for high school musicians in Texas. “We are so proud of their hard work and tenacity,” shared Band Director David Stephenson. Congrats to Choir member Lili Gnam and Orchestra member Daniel Halff for earning spots in their respective areas of performance at the state level! #MulesUp

The National Cheer Association (NCA) has a tradition of awarding the Go Be Great award at NCA High School National competitons. The Go Be Great Award is presented to a coach, team or program who goes above and beyond to make the world a better place, outside of cheerleading. You guessed it, this year’s Go Be Great winners were Alamo Heights High School Cheerleaaders, honored for leading with kindness in their communities. This program of young leaders kicked off the holiday season by collecting gifts and raising funds for a local ministry serving more than 850 children and adults with intellectual developmental disabilities. It didn’t stop at the holidays for this cheer team. This group also gave back to their wonderful school custodians and district nurses by raising over $2,000 to provide gift cards to their local grocery stores right before the holidays amid a pandemic. The girls credit their peers on the Spurs Dance Team and the Churchill Cheerleaders for their help and support in earning the Go Be Great award. Coach Ashley Johnson says, “Community is important to our program. We see the value that service teaches, acquiring life skills and knowledge beyond the scope of your own team or school. I’m beyond blessed to work with a group of young ladies that want to give back and see that being a cheerLEADER means being a leader beyond the team, into the larger community.” Johnson earned her own accolades this year, named the Texas UIL Cheer Coach of the Year and National Federation of High School Coaches, Texas Girls Spirit Coach of the Year. #MulesUp

DANCING THEIR WAY TO THE TOP

The AHHS Spurs Dance Team took the stage by storm as they competed in the Showmakers of America national dance contest. The team earned the coveted Sweepstakes and Judges Awards, along with top honors in Showmanship and

Choreography in all three of their routines! They earned distinction in

Technique in HipHop and

Pom, Precision accolades in HipHop, with an overall 4th Place ranking in HipHop, and a 2nd Place ranking in Pom. Their coach, Jessica Marie Sanchez calls them, “The most competitive, resilient team she has had the pleasure to coach!” #MulesUp

On March 2, the girls swim team competed at state alongside 58 teams from across Texas. The Mules tied for 4th Place and earned a coveted state banner. Coach Norm Collins shared, “This was truly a team effort. With eight girls participating in eight events, six individual and two relays, no place or point could be spared. I am extremely proud of their accomplishments!” Sophia Carroll was recently selected as an Academic All-American by the National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association. The boys team competed a week earlier, earning a Top-Ten finish, taking 8th Place out of 63 teams to compete. The seven team members competed in four races, two individual and two relay events. Swimmer Connor Foote earned State Swimmer of the Meet, along with two Gold Medals in the 100-yard Freestyle and Backstroke. Foote was recently named the San Antonio Express-News Swimmer of the Year.

On Location Swimmers Jake Borowski and Maia Young share their experiences “On Location!” Watch it on our YouTube Channel: Alamo Heights Mules

SPORTS BRIEFS Basketball

Boys Basketball led an exciting season, topping it off with a first round playoff appearance! All players earned Academic AllDistrict honors! Golf Both Boys and Girls teams are headed to state after the girls team took 1st Place and the boys took 2nd Place at the district competition and qualifying honors at the regional competition. Track Track and Field competitions continue with several athletes earning district and regional accolades, moving forward with eyes on state. Soccer Both the Boys and Girls Soccer teams had great seasons, earning trips to the playoffs, with two outstanding first-round appearances. We loved watching them play and compete! NEW NATATORIUM MAKING A SPLASH

AHISD Athletics is excited to share the offerings available in our new Natatorium:

HS Swimming, Diving, Water Polo

Tryouts held April 22, 4:30-5:30 pm Club Swimming, Diving, Water Polo

These competitive programs are for those who want to swim or dive or play water polo year-round. Swimming, diving and water polo lessons are also available. Information: www.teamunify.com/team/txaaaa/page/home Swim Lessons

Begin May 3 and include lessons for those who need to learn to swim/be safe in the water for 4 years and up. Will also provide lessons for those who can swim but want to swim better. Lessons will be 30-minutes per day, M-Th, for two weeks. Summer Swim League

The AHISD Natatorium is going to be a satellite pool for the Pool Sharks summer league. The Alamo Heights outdoor pool will host the early group, 7-9 am, and the AHISD Natatorium will host the late group, 9-11 am. For information: ahpoolsharks.swimtopia.com/. Technique Tune Up

This is a bridge program for those who have competed in summer swim league but need a little help before making the jump to year-round swimming. Email Technique Coach, John Ryan, at jryan@trinity.edu. Open Swim/Lap Swim

Lap swimming opened April 12. It runs daily, 11 am to 1 pm. Cost is $4/day for adults and $3/day for children 16 and under. A punch card will bring that cost down to $3 for adults and $2 for children, with cards available for purchase at the front desk from 11 am to 1 pm. AHISD students are $1/day. Gold Card members are free. Questions? Contact Norm Collins, AHISD Aquatics Coordinator, Swimming, Diving, and Water Polo Coach, via email at ncollins@ahisd.net.