Klein ISD VYPE - December 2022

Dear Klein ISD Community,

We are so excited to continue highlighting our student-athletes in VYPE magazine! Our students who participated in fall sports did an incredible job of representing our amazing district, and we can’t wait to cheer on our winter sports athletes at all of our high schools.

In Klein ISD, we take great pride in providing a well-rounded learning experience for all of our students. Our exceptional students excel in Academics, Arts, and Athletics—making our outstanding school district AAA through our high-achieving students and programs! Thank you to our talented studentathletes, dedicated teachers and coaches, supportive families, and our Klein community for your commitment to creating a culture of excellence.

We’re looking forward to celebrating an awesome winter sports season with our hardworking studentathletes, cheering them on, and rallying support for these exceptional students!

Dr. Jenny McGown Superintendent

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Linsie

HOOP SCOOP

THE KLEIN COLLINS GIRLS HAD A BREAKOUT SEASON IN 2022 AND RETURN THEIR TOP PLAYMAKER CHRISTIN CALLENS, WHO WAS THE DISTRICT OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR. THE TIGERS WENT THREE ROUNDS DEEP IN THE POSTSEASON AND ARE LOOKING FOR MORE IN 2023. KLEIN CAIN AND KLEIN ALSO MADE THE PLAYOFFS BUT BOTH FELL IN THE FIRST ROUND. ON THE BOYS’ SIDE, KLEIN AND COLLINS SPLIT THE DISTRICT TITLE AS BOTH WERE 9-3. COLLINS WON A PLAYOFF GAME AGAINST BRIDGELAND AND RETURN THE DISTRICT MVP ETHAN WYATT. KLEIN FOREST ALSO REACHED THE PLAYOFFS IN 2022. COLLINS SHOULD REPEAT AS DISTRICT CHAMPS BUT THE REST OF THE PLAYOFFS SPOTS WILL BE WIDE OPEN. STAY TUNED.

Klein Oak’s Kiana Vega, Brianna Womack, Cenei Burns, Madyson Johnson and Khloe Vaughn

Klein High’s Caleb Evans, Nick Ivins, Aaron Martin, Keegan Overton and Brevan Webb

Rebecca Meyer, Klein Cain

Chandler Williams, Klein Forest

Klein Collins’ Aubrey Campbell, Ashlynn Hollis, Linsie Allen, Christin Callens and Jada Thompson

Klein Forest’s Aidan Lewis, Chandler Williams, Joshua Ugloaja, Nicholas Plummer, Traelyn Taylor, Xavier Wiley Klein Cain’s Camryn Beck, Rebecca Meyer, Tirea Reed

Klein High’s Jahari Porter, Kaliyah Porter, Haley Blackhurts, Karley Cook and Abi Diamond

Klein Collins’ (above) Eli Wyatt, Gary Curry, Aaron Perez, (below) Ethan Wyatt and Greg Jackson

Klein Cain’s Braden Fobbs, Cole Rosen, John Clark, JT Kirbie, Koye Rodeno, Nick Delgado, Saif Sheikh

Brianna Womack, Klein Oak

Greg Jackson , Klein Collins

Aubrey Campbell, Klein Collins

Bryson Holmes, Klein Oak

Keegan Overton, Klein High

Leandria Holmes, Klein Forest

Camryn Beck, Klein Cain

Gary Curry, Klein Collins

Cenei Burns, Klein Oak

Joshua Ugloaja, Klein Forest

Braden Fobbs, Klein Cain

Abi Diamond, Klein High

Klein Forest’s Anari Parker, Jada Hampton, Leandria Holmes, Nadazia Simien, Shayda Fletcher

Shayda Fletcher, Klein Forest

JT Kirbie, Klein Cain

TJ Robinson, Klein Oak

Kaliyah Porter, Klein High

Klein Oak’s Brennan White, Jace Little, TJ Robinson, Daniel Perez, Isaiah Walker and Bryson Holmes

Caleb Evans, Klein High

THE BLUE AND GOLD

Klein High

Ashley Wilson

THE BEARKATS HAVE BEEN A POWER IN THE POOL OVER SEVERAL DECADES, DATING BACK TO THE 1980S. IT WAS JUST FOUR YEARS AGO THAT BOTH THE BOYS AND GIRLS EARNED SIXTH-PLACE FINISHES AT STATE. THE GIRLS WON DISTRICT IN 2020 AND THE BOYS WON IN 2019. THIS YEAR’S GROUP IS LED BY QUINN FLAVIN, QUINT ERWIN AND LORENZO VITERI, WHILE JESSICA POWELL, ISABELLE DOLLAR AND CIARA O’SULLIVAN SET THE PACE ON THE GIRLS’ SIDE.

Lorenzo Viteri, Jessica Powell, Isabelle Dollar, Quint Erwin, Ciara O’Sullivan and Quinn Flavin

Quinn Flavin

Isabelle Dollar

Lorenzo Viteri

Ciara O’Sullivan

Klein High

Tiana Thompson, Madalyn Nissen, Ashley Wilson and Elena Siekas

Julio Mata Madalyn Nissen

soccer

PHENOMS OF THE PITCH

BOYS AND GIRLS TEAMS RIDING SUCCESS OF LAST SEASON INTO 2023

\\ By Matt Malatesta

WHAT A YEAR IT WAS FOR THE KLEIN HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS’ SOCCER TEAM IN 2022 AS THE BEARKATS WON DISTRICT AND ADVANCED TO THE REGIONAL FINAL.

The ‘Kats are back with State title aspirations in 2023 as some key playmakers return to the huddle. The girls finished 21-4-2 overall; 10-0-2 in district last season and hope to ride that momentum this winter.

The leader is Tiana Thompson, a returning firstteam, all-state selection and Stephen F. Austin-signee. Maddie Nissen (Northern Michigan signee) will help with the scoring after earning first-team, all-region accolades.

Ashley Wilson and Elena Siekas (Concordia-St. Paul)

will be huge keys on the offensive side of the ball as well and should have breakout seasons.

The boys had a successful season on the pitch, reaching the Regional Quarterfinals before bowing out to MacArthur. The Bearkats were fourth in district play, racking up a 128-2 overall record.

Back in goal is first-team, all-region selection Julio Mata, who keeps the ball out of the net. Parker Bowman is great on the attack along with Michael Wells. Stephen Atienza is stellar as a defensive midfielder.

If everything goes according to plan, Klein High’s winter regular season should bear fruit throughout the spring.

Parker Bowman, Julio Mata, Michael Wells and Stephen Atienza

Elena Siekas

Parker Bowman

KING OF THE MAT

WRESTLING IS WOVEN INTO MCGUIRE’S DNA

\\ By Matt Malatesta

THE KLEIN HIGH BEARKAT WRESTLING ROOM IS WHERE LEGENDS ARE MADE.

Over decades, so many great wrestlers have honed their skill in the blue and gold mat room, and this season will be no different.

This year’s alpha is senior Timothy McGuire, who took bronze at the 2022 UIL State Meet in the 126-pound weight class. McGuire defeated South Grand Prairie’s Esteban Duran 15-4 and finished the

year 47-8 overall. He also led the boys’ team to an overall third-place finish in the end-of-the-year event.

Now as a senior, McGuire looks back on what he has accomplished and when he flipped the switch on his

career.

“I’ve been wrestling since the third grade in club all the way through high school, but last year a light went on,” he said. “During our wrestling camp, we were playing dodgeball and I broke my ankle.

“I was done and couldn’t wrestle for a while. Wrestling had been my life for so long, so I just went to practice and watched. I’m a very committed person and I had to be there for my teammates. That was really hard, and at that point I really realized that I loved the sport and wanted to wrestle as long as I could.”

McGuire played a little football growing up and ran cross country for years. His father is the cross country coach at Montgomery High School.

“Wrestling just became my thing for a couple of reasons,” he said. “I love how physical and tough the sport is. I also love the technical side of the sport, which gets overlooked all the time but is so important. Finally, wrestling just keeps my life on track. From my daily schedule to keeping my grades up to making sure my body is in great shape, wrestling keeps my focused.”

While he is laser-focused on the upcoming season, McGuire is also looking towards the future.

“My favorite wrestler is Austin Gomez and I love the Wisconsin program, but I’m looking more at a Division II school where I can get on the mat,” he said. “I have to be on the mat and not on the sideline.”

Isaac Sheeren, Gaby Sanchez, Timothy McGuire, Sienna Batiste, Andrew Clayton, Alissa Perez, Brandon Carrillo and Jacee Skillicorn

Alissa Perez

Andrew Clayton

Klein High wrestling

Brandon Carrillo

Sienna Batiste

Gaby Sanchez

WINTER BLAST

Alejandro Michelena

Klein cain

THE CAN’T-MISS KID

CAIN HAS AN ELITE TALENT IN MARTINEZ

\\ By Matt Malatesta

NATHAN MARTINEZ WAS BORN TO PLAY THE BEAUTIFUL GAME.

He’s pretty quiet and doesn’t like the limelight, but what he can do with his feet will put him on a big stage someday. He’s already witnessed the big stage firsthand.

His father, Alfredo Martinez, played professionally in Mexico and coaches for the Houston Dynamo Youth Developmental Program.

Nathan is a star in his own right in the developmental academy along with being the undisputed leader of Klein Cain’s budding soccer program.

“I’ve been playing since I was four years old,” he said. “My family has always been very athletic, so I had it in me since I was born.”

In two quick seasons, Martinez has been named the District Newcomer of the Year and co-Midfielder of the Year for the Hurricanes, leading Cain to the postseason in 2022.

“I think my strength is having the awareness of where everyone is on the field,” he said. “I’m checking my shoulders all the time to know where the defenders are, too. I’m a really good shooter also.”

Those are the intangibles that make an elite soccer player, and he’s learned from the best.

“I watched my dad and his teammates train in the pro leagues before he retired,” he said. “I just learned off of them and how they saw the game. Having all of the behindthe-scenes access, helped

me build a strong soccer IQ. I was learning from pros at an early age.”

While he is a star on prep fields, the developmental offseason league is where he earns his stripes and scholarships.

“My ultimate goal is to

play at the professional level,” he said. “I’m looking for every opportunity I can and taking them. I feel I have a good shot at playing with Team USA after my performance at the camps, so we will see how that goes. I’m also hearing

from Campbell University and Oklahoma to play in college.”

But what’s at the top of his list?

“Really, I’m just trying to make my family proud,” he said.

Emily Quiroga, Erica Cervantes, Isabella Harrington, Julie Raup, Kate Heineman, Morgan Oliver and Riley Brown

Jesus Belandria

Klein cain soccer

Jesus Belandria, Donny Cacaj, Atsoma Agbu, Omar Contreras and Nathan Martinez

Julie Raup

EXPERIENCE; TALENT MAKE BOTH CAIN TEAMS DANGEROUS IN DISTRICT WANTING MORE

\\ By Matt Malatesta

LIKE ALL POWERFUL HURRICANES, THE KLEIN CAIN SOCCER PROGRAMS ARE BUILDING IN STRENGTH.

The boys’ team has reached the postseason in back-to-back seasons and are looking to advance past the first round in 2023. Cain finished third in district and was eliminated from the playoffs by Bridgeland (2-1).

Back in the fold is District co-Midfielder of the Year

Nathan Martinez, who is Cain’s quiet quarterback. He directs the motion of the offense and is a pin-point passer. Omar Contreras also lends a hand in the midfield, while Jesus Belandria holds down the defensive back end.

Atsoma Agbu can put the ball in the net along with Donny Cacaj. They are going to need to score in bunches in this tough district.

The girls’ team narrowly

Kate Heineman

missed the postseason in 2022 with a 10-10-2 record but should be a lock for the playoffs this year.

The ‘Canes are seniorheavy and balanced throughout their roster. Kate Heineman and Erica Cervantes push the ball from the midfield, feeding the ball to Isabella Harrington and Riley Brown.

Julie Raup and Sidnee Smith lead the defense and

Morgan Oliver (Mary HardinBaylor-signee) anchors the net. Emily Quiroga can relieve Oliver when needed.

“The culture has sunk in after my first year and the chemistry is much better coming into this season. They know what to expect,” coach Christie Mestayer said. “I don’t want that fourth playoff spot, I want the second or third spot and I know we are capable of that.”

Morgan Oliver

Omar Contreras

Atsoma Agbu

Klein cain swimming

Alejandro Michelena, Chantel Watson, Corrine Herbel, Diego Rangel, Holden Muirhead, James Gottfried, Mackenzie Nash and Peyton Keggins

Corrine Herbel

James Gottfried

Peyton Keggins

Holden Muirhead

Landon Clark

Allie Gonzalez, Donovan Strader, Elena Gutierrez, Jake Cruz, Landon Clark, Madi Mansour, Nico Lozano, Talyn Naylor and Ty Mims

Elena Gutierrez

Talyn Naylor

Jake Cruz

LET’S ROAR

Godfrey

Klein collins swimming

Gabrielle Vazquez

Brooke Dailey Kara Dyott Luke Johnson Sam Hinson

Cooper Sanders

Sam Hinson, Brody Zentz and Luke Johnson. (Below) Cooper Sanders and Aiden McBride

(Above) Kara Dyott, Siumy Coreas, Maggie Hunt, Julie Anne Scott and Ryann McBride. (Below) Gabrielle Vazquez, Kaitlyn Winston and Brooke Dailey

EXPERIENCE MATTERS

AFTER SIXTH-PLACE FINISHES, BOYS AND GIRLS READY FOR PRIME TIME

\\ By Matt Malatesta

THE KLEIN COLLINS GIRLS’ TEAM FELL SHORT OF THEIR GOAL A YEAR AGO, FINISHING SIXTH IN DISTRICT AND OUT OF THE POSTSEASON PICTURE. COACH LAURA MCCULLOUGH UNDERSTANDS HOW COMPETITIVE THIS DISTRICT HAS BEEN OVER THE YEARS BUT HAS A WINNING GAME-PLAN IN 2023.

“We are going to lean on our five seniors heavily this year and will build upon what we learned last year to propel us into

the playoffs,” she said. “This district is one of the toughest in the state and you have to show up and compete every night. There are no nights off, so I think we are better prepared for that this season.”

Leading the way is District Goalkeeper of the Year Jamine Kessler, who is committed to UTSA.

“She’s amazing and is the voice of our team,” McCullough said. “She can do everything. She even

scored for us last year.”

Gabi Trevino and Karli Orantes will control the midfield and Kristina Cromwell is a talent on the attack. Brooklyn Bailey was the team’s leading goal scorer but suffered an injury in the offseason. They hope to have her back by the playoffs. Ella Dang will patrol the back line on defense.

The boys’ team also finished sixth in district, but a year of experience

puts the Tigers in a position to pounce on a postseason spot.

Returning are leading scorers Landon Guenther, Godfrey Ponce and Aidan Spinks. The goalkeeper Jake Berrada returns with protection from Andres Palma and Diego Gomez. Berrada, Ponce and Palma were just sophomores a year ago and Gomez was a freshman. Their game experience should show this season.

Ella Dang, Kristina Cromwell, Jasmine Kessler, Gabi Trevino and Karli Orantes

Klein collins soccer

Andres Palma, Jake Berrada, Aidan Spinks, Diego Gomez, Landon Guenther and Godfrey Ponce

Kristina Cromwell

Karli Orantes

Jake Berrada

Diego Gomez

Braike Jones, Chris Wilemod, Aven Rendon, Jerry Cadena and Eric Synatschk

(above) Julissa Aguillar, Rita Long, Annalie Mejie and Aniyea Dickerson, (below) Emily Lozano and Sara Jean Van Horn

Sara Jean Van Horn and Rita Long

Aniyea Dickerson

Aven Rendon

Jerry Cadena

Klein collins wrestling

DUAL-SPORT ROYALTY

KLEIN COLLINS’ WYATT A STAR IN FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL

\\ By Dennis Silva II

The 6-foot-3, 189-pounder is an all-district performer on the basketball court, where he averaged 16.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game for the Tigers last season. And he’s a three-star prospect and Division I-caliber receiver for the football team, totaling 446 yards and seven touchdowns on 21 catches through the first five games of this season.

“I’ve been doing this forever,” Wyatt said. “We started playing both at the same time. I’m just used to it. I don’t even know how I do it. I’m just used to it.”

“We” is Wyatt and his twin brother Eli, a cornerback on the Tigers’ football team and point guard on the basketball team. They started playing basketball when they were three years old. They started football when they were five.

Wyatt’s favorite basketball memory?

“Probably my freshman year when I got moved up to varsity,” he said. “My coach trusted me. I started in the middle of the season and went from there, scoring like 20 points every game.”

And his favorite football memory?

“My sophomore year when we went against

Tomball Memorial, my first catch was unbelievable,” he said. “I got my first offer off that game.”

Wyatt, who admires former Houston Texan DeAndre Hopkins and the Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James, said football helps with his aggressiveness on the basketball court. Basketball helps with conditioning and training as he heads into football offseason in the spring.

But it’s football that has won Wyatt’s heart.

“Football, I love playing with my team,” he said. “I’ve been playing with my brother since I was little. We both liked the sport ever since we touched the ball. It’ll always be fun.”

It’s the sport he’s looking to play at the next level. Wyatt currently holds offers from Marshall, Tulsa, Kansas and Texas Southern.

“I’m leaning towards football right now,” Wyatt said. “I’m looking for a school that can take me to the next level right away. I

feel I can get there.”

Five years from now, Wyatt sees himself playing in the NFL. For now, though, he’s riding out his senior season at Collins and enjoying playing with Eli one last year.

“He helps me a lot,” Wyatt said of Eli. “We go outside every day, one on one. Argue with each other, fight. It’s a big help. We’re always there for each other, and it’s always going to stay like that.”

IN AN ERA OF SPORTS SPECIALIZATION AT THE HIGH SCHOOL RANKS, KLEIN COLLINS SENIOR ETHAN WYATT ISN’T JUST A STANDOUT CONTRIBUTOR FOR THE TIGERS’ VARSITY FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL TEAMS. HE’S A STAR PLAYMAKER WHETHER IN SNEAKERS OR CLEATS.

THE GOLDEN EAGLES

Alejandra Roma and Nadine Sanchez

Klein forest

Klein forest swimming

Chelsea Hernandez Victor Collazo

Kimberly Rivera

Hector Garcia

(Above) Chelsea Hernandez, Pauline Garcia, Hector Garcia, Victor Collazo, Samantha Flores, Ximena Medellin, (Below) Alivia Kincer, Rolando Moreno and Kimberly Rivera

Jennifer Coreas

Christian Cañas

Fernando Villarreal Alexia Ruiz

Alejandra Romo, Alexandra Aguilar, Alexia Ruiz, Diana Silvera, Jennifer Coreas, Michelle Alcantara, Nadine Sanchez, Samantha Martinez

Klein

\\ By Matt Malatesta

THE KLEIN FOREST GOLDEN EAGLE BOYS’ TEAM HAS HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR 202223 AFTER REACHING THE PLAYOFFS LAST SEASON WITH A FOURTH-PLACE FINISH IN THE DISTRICT (7-6).

The Eagles’ season came to an end with a 3-2 loss to Cypress Ranch in the first round of the postseason.

“We have a golden generation coming through KF this year,” sixth-year head coach Roger Ramirez said. “This group of seniors have

been playing varsity for three years and have great chemistry. They are very coachable.”

Captains Cristian Canas and Javeth Figueroa set the tone on both sides of the ball.

“Cristian wants to be the leading scorer in the district and displays intensity and mental toughness,” Ramirez said.

“Javeth has great timing with defensive tackles, a good touch and vision to help build from the back.”

Ramirez also mentioned

Fernando Villarreal and Joshua Reyes in the midfield; Diego Martinez and Marvin Juarez on defense and Alex Discua in goal as tremendous players back in the nest.

“Our kids love to put on the KF jersey and represent their community,” he said. “They want to put KF soccer on the map.”

The girls struggled through a 0-12 district campaign but continue to battle and compete.

Coach Juan Loera is

building his culture and the girls are buying in.

“It’s all about chemistry and grit for us,” he said. “We don’t want to be the underdog in the district anymore. We are trying to create some chaos, build perseverance, win a few district games and go from there.”

The strength of his team is the defense led by Alexandra Aguilar and Nadine Sanchez, while Alejandra Romo looks to provide a spark on offense.

Abel Figueroa, Alex Discua, Christian Cañas, Diego Martinez, Fernando Villarreal, Javeth Figueroa, Joshua Reyes, Marvin Juarez

Marvin Juarez

Alexandra Aguilar

Alex Discua

Diana Silvera

COMING OF AGE

SIMIEN MAKING A NAME FOR HERSELF IN ATHLETICS; ACADEMICS

\\ By Matt Malatesta

KLEIN FOREST ATHLETE NADAZIA SIMIEN HAS A PRESENCE.

She is the “It Girl” inside the Golden Eagle nest as a star for the volleyball and basketball teams. She’s has blossomed into a great ambassador for the school on the court.

But it wasn’t always that way.

“It was really tough in middle school,” she said. “I was teased all the time for being so tall and so darkskinned. It’s hard for a girl that age.

Things changed quickly when I arrived at high school. Doors just opened up for me. I played sports;

I saw the pathway to earn scholarships… I could get everything I wanted if I just worked hard enough.”

The 6-foot-1 senior was a late-comer to the youth sports world.

“It was never my intention to play sports as a kid,” she said. “One of my middle school teachers who also coached approached me to come out and play basketball. She said I was a natural fit for the sport because of my size. I hadn’t played a day in my life. I tried out and I was a natural at it. After that, I just started getting serious about the game. Then I started playing volleyball

and fell in love with that, too.”

Fast-forward six years and Simien has just enjoyed a successful season anchoring the net for Klein Forest in volleyball and has big expectations for her team on the hardwood.

“I feel like we can go to the playoffs in basketball,” she said. “I want to change the perception of Klein Forest basketball. We have the potential to do it, it’s just on us. I want to average a double-double and be the District MVP. Why not?”

While sports are a big part of her life, that does not define the cerebral

teenager.

“I want to be a doctor,” she said. “I love helping people. I know I want to be a registered nurse, but being a doctor is my real goal.

“People might not know I also like to write, and the last book I read was Black Like Me. Academics are very important to me and I work just as hard in the classroom as I do in athletics.”

“At the end of the day, I just want people to know my name when I leave Klein Forest. I want to be known.”

Mission accomplished.

Christopher Huerta, Murphy Amos, Leo Salazar, coach Erick Weed, Heven Turner, Tiffanie Castro and Jade Turner

Heven Turner

Christopher Huerta

Murphy Amos Tiffanie Castro

BEAST MODE

Carter Canizaro

Klein oak wrestling

Rylee Ferranti

Jayden Jones

Brecket McLunn

(Above) Rylee Ferranti, Brecket McLunn, Kennedi Lewis, Carter Canizaro, (Below) Jayden Jones and Laita Perez

Laita Perez

OAK’S

NATURAL IN THE POOL WONDER IN THE WATER

JOHNSON A

\\ By Dennis Silva II

CAMERYN JOHNSON KNEW AT A VERY YOUNG AGE THAT SWIMMING WAS HER THING.

The Klein Oak senior played almost every sport as a kid but was at her best when she was in the water.

“I liked how it was a

summer sport,” Johnson said. “I did summer league swim and I loved racing people and winning. Every time I touch the wall, I get that instant gratification.”

There’s been a lot of gratification. Ever since she

was six years old, Johnson has dominated any and all competitors.

“Even then, a lot of people saw me as a swimmer,” Johnson said. “Like, that was my thing. But I didn’t really pick it until I got to high school. I finally figured I needed to focus my time into swim if I was going to be the best I can be in that one sport.”

She’s certainly there.

Johnson is District 14-6A’s back-to-back 100 freestyle champion. She was the number one seed in the 100 freestyle and third in the 50 freestyle at the Region IV-6A Championships last year.

She helped Oak’s 200 freestyle relay to a secondplace finish at Regionals.

It’s no surprise, then, that colleges desired her talent. Johnson is a Missouri State-commit.

“I’m a very social person and I like to have friends who are like my family,” Johnson said. “Right when

I got to Missouri State, my host made me feel like she was my sister. The whole team made me feel like my best friends. My coach I have now is pretty much a twin of my coach I’ll have there. They’re almost exactly alike, they even look alike. I feel like all that will make the transition to college easier.”

Outside of swimming, Johnson is very much involved with her school. She is a singer in Oak’s Chorale choir. She is also a staff member for her school’s media team and helps cover Friday night football by doing interviews and digital media.

Johnson wants to be an international broadcaster, having gone on international mission trips with her church every summer. This summer, she spent two weeks in Alaska.

“Everybody I know sees me being an international broadcaster,” Johnson said. “It’s pretty cool.”

Bella Ortiz

Andrew Carlson, Savannah Green, Will Ridley, Bella Ortiz, Kevin Georgetown and Cameryn Johnson

Will Ridley

Kevin Georgetown

Klein oak swimming

Savannah Green

ALL GRIT

KLEIN OAK’S NUGIER A TOUGH PANTHER TO DEAL WITH

\\ By Dennis Silva II

TO BE A GREAT CENTER BACK ON THE SOCCER FIELD, SOMEONE NEEDS TO BE TOUGH, GRITTY.

They have to embrace contact and sacrifice their body, doing anything and everything to thwart an

opponent’s scoring chance. They have to be like Alaina Nugier.

The Klein Oak senior loves the physicality of futbol. Don’t let her smile and friendly demeanor fool you.

Nugier is as tough as they come.

“It took a lot of yelling from coaches at first to get in there for me get to the ball and scrap,” Nugier said. “Once I got more comfortable, it just got fun. Messing with the forwards and getting them agitated and out of their game. On the field, I’m definitely very competitive. I’m always going after it.”

Last season, Nugier was the anchor of the backline for a Panthers’ defense that surrendered just 27 goals in 23 games. She was honored as District 15-6A’s Defensive Player of the Year and was a Texas Association of Soccer Coaches All-Region 2 first- team selection. A team captain, Nugier also contributed four goals and two assists.

“I started soccer when I was six years old and I was trying out various things,” Nugier said. “When I was 10, I really started getting into it and wanting to be better.”

Nugier appreciates the team aspect of the game.

“If it was a single-person sport, I don’t think I’d have as much fun,” she said. “Teammates make things a lot better.”

She also enjoys getting her uniform dirty by constantly throwing herself in the way of the ball. As a child, Nugier looked up to star defender/midfielder Julie Ertz because of the strength and toughness she played with.

“I love making tackles,” Nugier said. “Those moments when you’re running up to the ball and make a good slide tackle … it just feels good. You get to stop the attack and can counterattack. It’s cool to me.”

Nugier is a Western Kentucky Universitycommit, so her soccer career will go on to the collegiate level. But her long-term goal is to go into nursing.

“I like helping people,” Nugier said. “There are always going to be jobs in the medical field, and I think it’s really cool to learn about the body.”

Before then, however, she plans to enjoy her senior year playing for a school and community she adores.

“It’s my second family,” Nugier said of Klein Oak. “I have so many friends and I’m always having a good time. Especially with soccer, I really love it.”

LET’S KICK IT

PANTHER GIRLS LOOKING FOR DISTRICT TITLE; BOYS BUILDING NEW CULTURE

\\ By Matt Malatesta

GIRLS’ SOCCER

Riley Knox, Annika Murdoch, Avery Mills and Sarah Blank lead one of the best offenses in the city and look for

sophomore Kira Schkade to play a bigger role this season from her midfield spot. The defense is locked down be Alaina Nugier – a Western Kentucky-signee. She has an amazing soccer IQ and controls the game from the defense end. Sophomore Lydia Butler will also help out on defense.

The Panthers will have their eyes on Klein High, the defending district

champ, as their main target.

There is a new voice in the Klein Oak boys’ locker room as Gregg Gutierrez takes over a program that is looking for a new culture. Gutierrez played his high school ball at Jersey Village and college soccer at Schreiner University.

The first-year head coach brings a fresh perspective to a program that was 3-12-2 last

season, due to his youthful point of view.

The good news is that the cupboard is not bare at Klein Oak. The midfield is handled by Fabrizio Fereira and junior Wilmer Maldonado. Diego Luna will lead the charge up front, while Mason Mills and Eduardo Worner set the defense. Ian Thorsen will be in goal.

The Panthers have a new vibe, but let’s see if that translates into wins.

Fabrizio Fereira, Ian Thorsen, Mason Mills, Diego Luna, Eduardo Worner and Wilmer Maldonado

Avery Mills, Riley Knox, Annika Murdoch, Alaina Nugier, Sarah Blank, Kira Schkade and Lydia Butler

THE KLEIN OAK

PROGRAM RETURNS A DEN FULL OF TALENT FROM A TEAM THAT FINISHED SECOND IN DISTRICT AND WENT 15-5-3 OVERALL IN 2022. WITH ANOTHER YEAR OF EXPERIENCE, CAN THEY BRING HOME THE DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP’S GOLDEN BALL?

Fabrizio Fereira

Ian Thorsen

Sarah Blank

Avery Mills

Leading

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• Minimally invasive procedures

• State-of-the-art physical and occupational therapy

Whether you’re suffering from simple aches and pains or dealing with a complex injury, we can get you back on your feet — and keep you moving. And, you can be confident that we are taking every necessary precaution to keep you safe during your visit.