Articles - Sports - Dripping Springs Century News

Lady Tigers Sweep Bi-District

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 15:52:00 -0500

It was expected the Dripping Springs softball team would have little trouble with their Bi-District opponent, RR Cedar Ridge. They did not disappoint. Eleven runs was the magic number in their two games. It was 11-0 in the first and 11-1 in five for the second.

This will set the Lady Tigers up for a much tougher match in the Area round. It will be with SA O'Connor (26-4). They are ranked 19th in the state while the Lady Tigers are 18th. It is a matchup that deserves to be played later in the playoffs but it happens at times that a good team goes out early.

In the first game it looked like Cedar Ridge might try to make a game of it when a homerun gave them a 3-1 lead after two. Sadie Bradford shut them down from that point and the Lady Tigers started piling up the runs for the win. Emma Phillips loved the pitching. She had four hits, a homerun and four RBI's. The next game ended quickly as the Lady Tigers scored eleven runs in the second and third and that was enough to invoke the ten-run rule after five.

Vs CR1: Hits: Phillips 4, Lauren Byrnes 2, Alex Wiatrek 2, Lorelei Gamble 2, McKenna Riley, Lillian Wearden, Bradford. 2B: Gamble. WP: Bradford 7IP, 6H, 3R, 3ER, 3W, 8K, 1HR.

Vs CR2: Hits: Tatum Green 3, Brooklyn Reiling 2, Mc Riley 2, Wiatrek 2, Phillips 2, Byrnes, Lyla Dusing, Addie Glenn, Wearden, Gamble. HR: Phillips. WP: Green 5IP, 8H, 1R, 1ER, 2K.

Tigers Split A Pair With Westlake

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 15:52:00 -0500

As has been the strategy in district play each team has one ace pitcher and the coaches decide to not pit them against each other and hope to get lucky. Dripping Springs split with Bowie, Lake Travis and now Westlake to give them a 9-3 record and second in district. Lake Travis took both from Bowie and Westlake. So the Tigers will become the first seed in Division II and will match up with Vista Ridge in Bi-District play.

In the first game, the Tigers would go through seven pitchers without success. The Chaps wasted no time in scoring five runs in their opening inning and matched that again in the fourth. The Tigers battled back with single runs in the third and fourth, plus another pair in the sixth but it would be too little too late in the 10-4 loss.

The second game, at home, was turned over to the Tiger ace, Blake Cox. As has been the case all season, he took care of business by shutting out the Chaps while his teammates gave him plenty of backing with their bats and gloves to carve out the 10-0 victory.

Vs Westlake 1: Team Hits: 7-9; DS Hits: Jason Steele, Ryan Gambin, Anthony Delgado, Nixon Badilla, Cade Sanders, Colby Wilson, Breydan Madeley. Pit: Cruz McBride .2IP, 2H, 5R, 5ER, 3W, 1K; Oscar Johnson 0IP. 1W; Cody McDaniel 2.1IP, 1H, 2W, 2K; Tyler Sanders .2IP, 4H, 5R, 2ER, 1K; Karson Gardner .1IP; Rhett Robinson 1IP, 1H; Rhett Strauss 1IP, 1H, 1W, 1K.

Vs Westlake 2: No stats available at press time.

Track team competes in District 26-6A meet

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 12:53:00 -0500

Connor Hall executes his jump at the Tiger Relays. PHOTO BY CORTNI REID

Track season is fast coming to an end. For most of the competitors, it comes to an end after the district meet. District 26-6A held their two-day meet at Burger stadium in Austin. The top four places in each event earn a spot in the Area meet that competes against an adjacent district. The top four then advance to Regional, then State.

In District 26-6A, track followed the results of almost every other sport with the top four staying in place. This year Lake Travis dominated both divisions followed by Westlake. Dripping Springs was a distant fourth.

Girls standings: LT 217, Westlake 169, Bowie 85, DS 70, Del Valle 53, Austin High 17, Akins 2.

Lady Tigers results: 3200: 4. Callie Schumacher 11.45.27; 5. Quinn Hendrickson 11.52.08. 400 relay: 4. 49.12 (Talia Alvarado, Lily Aleshire, Gabriella DaCunha, Amara Mouton). 800: 2. Morgan Riley 2.19.40. 100H: 5. Meghan McClelland 16.29; 6. Aleshire 16.76. 800R: 4. 1.47.29 (McKenna Riley, DaCunha, Alvarado, Emmy Phillips). 400: 3. Mc. Riley 59.15; 5. M. Riley 59.89. 300H: 5. Aleshire 49.45. 200: 5. Mouton 26.32. 1600: 6. Hendrickson 5.22.63. 1600R: 3. 4.02.37 (Mc Riley, Eliato Amato, Jade Hanko, M. Riley). PV: 1. Adeline Spies 11'0. Disc: 4. Gracelyn Prehar 99'7.

Wheelchair: Isabelle Crew: 100: 19.21; 800: 2.13.89*; SP: 18'6.5.

Boys standings: LT 202, Westlake 138, Bowie 91, DS 58, Akins 47, Del Valle 44, Austin 40.

Tigers results: 3200: 3. Wes Anderson 9.19.62; 400R: 5. 5.45.76 (Judah Satterfield, Ben Donohoe, Grey Magby,Gavin Panska). 800: 4. Bryce Chomko 1.57.47. 110H: 5. Jairo Alacaraz 16.16; 6. Trip Wiese 16.18. 800R: 5. 1.32.32 (Thiago Valles, Harrison Rohrer, Hayden Fontenot, Frank Accetta); 300H: 4. Alacaraz 41.36; 6. Wiese 16.18. 1600: 4. Anderson 4.18.36. 1600R: 6. 3.35.17 (Alcaraz, Accetta, Valles, Keadrian Barnett). HJ: Logan Kiem 6'0. LJ: 3. Valles 20'10. TJ: 3. Landon Upchurch 41'0. Disc: 5. Cooper Schmidt 129'10. SP: 1. Major Bettridge 52'1; 5. Cash Falconer 43'4.5.

Miles Kennedy races at the Canyon Cougar Relays on Feb. 28. PHOTO BY CORTNI REID

Lady Tigers clinch title

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 12:52:00 -0500

Even though it was a foregone conclusion, the Lady Tigers made it official. Their 9-5 win over Lake Travis gave Dripping Springs the 26-6A district championship. The 11-6 win over Del Valle only leaves the final game with Westlake as the obstacle to an undefeated district season. Regardless, the Lady Tigers will open the Bi-district playoffs with Round Rock Cedar Ridge.

Vs LT: Team hits: 14-10; DS Hits: Lauren Byrnes 3, Sadie Bradford 3, Lorelei Gamble 2, Tatum Green 2. 2B: Bradford 2, Alex Wiatrek; HR: Gamble. WP: Bradford 6IP, 9H, 5R, 5ER, 4W, 4K. Green 1IP, 1H.

Vs DV: TH: 10-7; DH: McKenna Riley 4, Gamble 2. 2B: Bradford, Gamble; HR: Gamble. WP: Green 4IP, 7H, 6R, 4ER, 1W. Bradford 3IP, 2K.

Tigers shut out Del Valle

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 12:36:00 -0500

With one series left in district play, the Tigers baseball team kept their hopes for a title alive with a pair of shutout wins over Del Valle. They trail Lake Travis by one and the Tigers have two games left with Westlake. It is difficult odds. The first game was an extra base 14-0 extravaganza in five. The second took the whole game to post the 6-0 win.

Vs DV1: Team hits: 12-1; Hits: Jason Steele 3, Sam Branyon 2, Bobby Wilkinson 2, Anthony Delgado 2, Breydan Madeley 2. 2B: Wilkinson 2, Steele 2, Delgado, Branyon: 3B: Madeley, Delgado.WP: Logan Starnes 2IP, 5K; Cruz McBride 2IP, 1W, 6K; Nixon Badilla 1IP, 1H, 3K.

Vs DV2: TH: 8-1; Hits: Badilla 3, Wilkinson 2; 2B: Wilkinson, Badilla; 3B: Wilkinson. WP: Blake Cox 2IP, 4K; Oscar Johnson 2IP, 1H, 1W, 4K; Tyler Sanders 2IP, 4K; Rhett Strauss 1IP, 1W.

Lady Tigers advance on penalty kick wins

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 16:22:00 -0500

Teams making the playoffs usually find nothing but tougher and tougher teams, as it should be. Soccer is certainly no different. Goals are scarce enough as it is but even more so in the playoffs. Many of the teams own undefeated seasons. Last week the Lady Tigers confronted undefeated Harlingen which ended up 1-1 and penalty kicks. Brooke Greenville scored the lone goal assisted by Juanita Diaz Fajardo. The 4-3 edge in PKs was gained by Carson Thompson, Shae Sisson, Emerson Barefoot and Bailey Stephenson.

This brought it to the regional finals with Vandegrift. The Lady Vipers would tie the game at one with 23 seconds left. After two scoreless OT's, the Lady Tigers moved on to state semis with undefeated Kingwood, by a 6-5 margin in PKs. This time Fajardo got the lone goal, assisted by Stephenson. PKs: Greenville, Thompson, Ella Castillo, Stephenson, Annabelle Pittman, Barefoot. Pittman's save on Vandegrift's final PK try for the win earned her player of the game.

The Lady Tigers push for another state championship was stopped at the semi level when undefeated Kingwood eked out a single goal and made it stand up. DS ended their season 20-2-4.

Tigers Baseball in a split mode

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 16:22:00 -0500

As the Tigers enter the top district teams, they have been able to recover from opening series losses to gain splits and stay in the hunt for the championship. After their split with Austin Bowie, the Tigers faced the undefeated Lake Travis Cavaliers. It was a tremendous series featuring some of the top pitchers in the area. In both games the winner was decided in the first inning. In game one, the four Tiger pitchers that tried could not stop the scoring. LT opened with five runs enroute to a 10-0 win. The LT pitcher allowed three hits and struckout 15. Cade Sanders, Sam Branyon and Bobby Wilkinson collected the hits.

The second game was home and the Tigers were not about to be embarrassed again. They started their ace, Blake Cox, and he responded with a one-hit complete game, including 8K. Branyon opened with a walk and Jake Pardue singled. With one-out, Jason Steele drove them in with a triple and then scored on Nixon Badilla's sac fly. That was it for the night.

Lake Travis has a series with Westlake ahead as does Dripping Springs. The results of those will decide the district.

Prior to the LT series, the Tigers defeated Austin Anderson 10-2 in a practice game. Getting two of the 12 hits were Pardue, Steele, Sanders, Wilkinson and Breydan Madeley.

DS Softball leads the pack

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 16:21:00 -0500

The Lady Tigers hold a three-game lead with three to play after taking two more wins the past week. Tatum Green, with good help from the bats and gloves, pitched a 5-hit shutout in six to down Austin High 10-0. After a slow scoreless start for two innings, the Lady Tigers scored 1-4-1-4 for the win. Lauren Byrnes had the outstanding night at third as she snagged two screaming line-drives to prevent runs.

Next in line was Sadie Bradford. She would toe the rubber against Bowie and come away with a 10-3 complete game. Her ten runs was similar. 4-0-1-4-1.

Vs Austin: Hits: Brooklyn Reiling 2, Byrnes 2, Alex Wiatrek 2, Sadie Bradford 2; 2B: Byrnes, Wiatrek, Bradford, Lorelei Gamble; HR: Bradford.

Vs Bowie: Hits: Lillian Wearden 3, Wiatrek 2, Emma Phillips 2, Green 2; 2B: Wiatrek. WP: Bradford 7IP, 8H, 3R, 2ER, 3W, 7K.

Kyle rider sets THCBRA barrel racing record

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 16:04:00 -0500

The spring racing series for the Texas Hill Country Barrel Racing Association (THCBRA) is currently underway. Events are held on Tuesday nights at Dripping Springs Ranch Park now through April 21.
On March 24, a Kyle rider set a new record during the series. Brooklyn Alexander and her horse, Streak, posted a time of 17.108 seconds - the fastest time ever recorded in a THCBRA race. The following week, on March 31, Alexander placed second with a time of 17.370 seconds.
The series is open to the public and features both open and youth classes.
The THCBRA is a Dripping Springs-based nonprofit that promotes barrel racing and pole bending for riders of all ages across the Texas Hill Country region.
For more information, find the Texas Hill Country Barrel Racing Association on Facebook.

Brooklyn Alexander and her horse, Streak, are from Kyle, Texas. PHOTO BY VINCE CURLETTA

Lady Tigers continue to cruise

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 13:22:05 -0500

PHOTO BY CELESTE GAMBLE

Morgan Riley goes to bat against Akins High School.

PHOTO BY CELESTE GAMBLE

Sadie Bradford pitches against Fredericksburg High School.

The Lady Tigers remain undefeated in district softball play with wins over Westlake and Austin Akins. Westlake scored five in the sixth to tie the game at seven but the Lady Tigers would break loose for another seven in the top of the seventh to nail down the 14-7 win. Akins yielded 21 runs early as the game was stopped after three.

Vs Westlake: Team hits: 13-14. Hits: Tatum Green 3, Brooklyn Reiling 2, Alex Wiatrek 2, Lillian Wearden 2, Lorelei Gamble 2. 2B: Wiatrek, Gamble. HR. Gamble. WP: Green 1.1IP, 2H, 1W, 1K; Sadie Bradford 5.2IP, 12H, 7R, 6ER, 7W, 6K, 1HR.

Vs Akins: TH: 16-2. Hit: Lauren Byrnes 2, Kara Daniel 2, Emma Phillips 2, Gamble 2. 2B: Byrnes, Wearden, Daniel. 3B Gamble. HR: Bradford. WP: Green 1IP, 0H, 0R. Jackie Harrod 2IP, 2H, 2K.

Lady Tigers soccer team advances to regional finals

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 13:22:04 -0500

The Lady Tigers survived two nerve-wracking wins to put them opposite Vandegrift in the regional finals. DS scored in the last three minutes to ease past SA Sotomayor 1-0 and had to go beyond with Harlingen. Regulation ended 1-1, plus an OT period. Rules call for a shootout to decide and the Lady Tigers emerged a victorious 5-4 for the win.

In the first game Bailey Stephenson would get the lone goal on a cross shot assist by Juanita Diaz Fajardo. Carson Thompson was named Player of the Game. The winner of the Vandegrift game will draw the Kingwood-Tompkins winner in the state semis.

Baseball team still in the running for district lead

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 13:22:03 -0500

The Tigers enjoyed two five-inning victories over the Austin Maroons to stay in the running for the district lead. The first was an 11-0 shutout, followed by a 19-7 win. Their next district opponent was Bowie. The Tigers lost to the Bulldogs 6-1 and then rebounded for a 3-2 win. Their 5-1 record will get them into the playoffs and the results of the Lake Travis and Westlake games will determine the district championship.

Vs Aus1: Team hits: 13-1. Hits: Bobby Wilkinson 2, Jason Steele 2, Breydan Madeley 2. 2B: Ryan Gambin, Jake Pardue, Sam Branyon. WP: Blake Cox 4IP, 1H, 1W, 5K. Rhett Strauss 1IP, 2K.

Vs Aus2: TH: 14-5; Hit: Cade Sanders 3, Pardue 2, Nixon Badilla 2, Colby Wilson 2, Madeley 2. 2B: Sanders. WP: Oscar Johnson 1.1IP, 1H, 4R, 2ER, 3W, 2K; Logan Starnes 1.1IP, 3W, 4K; Badilla 1.1IP, 2K; Cody McDaniel 1IP, 1H, 2R, 2ER, 1W, 2K.

Track Meet Results

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 13:22:02 -0500

The track teams entered the huge Charles Austin Varsity Classic sponsored by Texas State University in final preparation for the district meet in a couple of weeks. There were dozens of schools with top talent which means only the top members are competing for places and the rest are competing for self-improvement and to give the team depth at the district meet. The results will include the top Dripping Springs finisher in each event.

DS girls: 3200: 4. Callie Schumacher 11.52.73. 400R: 4. DS 49.53; 800: 14. Kate Rapp 2.23.95; 100H: 10. Meghan McClelland 16.44; 100: 3. Amara Mouton 12.50; 400: 32. Rapp 1.04.65; 300H: 17. Jade Hanko 49.33; 200: 6. Mouton 25.55; 1600: 16. Quinn Hendrickson 5.32.67; HJ: 3. Avery Dixon 5’2; TJ: 18: Avery Ames 31’11.25; PV: T1. Adeline Spies 11’6.

DS boys: 3200: 26. Wes Anderson 10.37.15; 400R: 25: DS 50.26; 800: 4. Bryce Chomko 1.58.97; 110H: 16. Trip Wiese 16.04; 100: 27. Hayden Fontenot 11.31; 800R: 9. DS 1.30.65; 400: 52. Wyatt Dukes 56.65; 300H: 10. Jairo Alcaraz 40.97; 200: 23. Fontenot 22.81; 1600: 8. Anderson 4.28.44; 1600R: 11. DS 3.36.43; HJ: 2. Soloman Igharo 6’4; TJ: 17. Landon Upchurch 39’7; Discus: 4. Major Bettridge 147’1.25; SP: 2. Bettridge 53’7*.

Wheelchair: Izzy Crew: 100: 18.83; 400: 1.05.52.

Forty Year Anniversary

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 09:54:14 -0500

A commonly asked question about important events that have happened is “Do you remember what you were doing on a certain date?” If it was something like the JFK assassination or the bombing of the Twin Towers, then one probably does.

If it was a local event, then the local event will probably be remembered when prodded but the date will pass over their heads. So my question is, if you were a Dripping Springs student or a member of the community, what were you doing on March 7-8, 1986?

It probably will not ring a bell but it was a very important event in the history of DSISD sports. On those two days, thirteen student-athletes, one young head coach and many Tiger supporters were attending the Frank Erwin Center to watch and play in the 2A state tourney vying for a state basketball championship.

Now those in attendance will have a clearer memory.

The Tigers, coached by Poe Shelton, a DSHS grad and a vital cog in the first ever Tiger district champion in 1969 were up against seasoned opponents. It would be the Tigers first appearance and it has turned out, the only one. He would be leading a squad that included Pat Leonard, Michael Escobar, Don Childs, Kelby Palmer, Scott Schwartz, Richard Hampton, Jerry Simpson, Mark Simpson, Bryan Simpson, Dennis Grady, Geoff McCartney, Jeff Ahrns and Steve Spencer.

They were sporting a 31-3 record as they took on Gladewater-Sabine in the semis. They prevailed 55-48 to make it to the finals against Morton, a team that already had state championships under their belts. The Tigers were unable to hang with them and dropped the 73-59 decision.

It was just as difficult to earn the right to state in the regional tourney. They eked out a 70-68 win over Shiner and topped off with a 41-30 victory over Thorndale. There were other Tiger teams that had the capability to make it to state but regional proved to be the obstacle they could not overcome.

Anyway, the banner representing this event hangs proudly from the ceiling of the gymnasium. So 40 years have passed. My how time flies. Even so, the 32-4 mark is still the best record in school history and many of their accomplishments still remain in the record book.

Coach Shelton went on to coach for 22 years at DSHS, garnering 441 career wins that included four district championships and eight more playoffs.

Lady Tigers soccer team moving on

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 09:53:12 -0500

PHOTO BY VINCE CURLETTA

Carson Thompson (#17) keeps the ball away from the Westwood player in Thursday's playoff game

PHOTO BY VINCE CURLETTA

Ella Castillo (#15) stays ahead of a Westwood player in Thursday's playoff game

Last year RR Westwood stopped the Lady Tigers quest for state with a 2-1 win in Bi-district. Once again Westwood was primed to repeat their feat. However DS fought through the tough match and triumphed 2-1 to advance in the playoffs. Bailey Stephenson opened scoring with an assist by Isa Guerrero and Brooke Greenville broke the tie with Guererro’s assist. Last Tuesday the Lady Tigers (17-1-4) took on SA Sotomayor (17-5-3). The winner will take on the winner of the Clemens-Harlingen match, probably Friday.

Lady Tigers softball nears halfway point of season

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 09:53:08 -0500

It is amazing how fast the sports seasons seem to zoom by. The Lady Tigers softball team has seven district games left before starting the playoffs. They have a 5-0 record in district play. Their last two was a 4-0 shutout against Lake Travis and then 8-1 over Del Valle before spring break. They played Fredericksburg during spring break to keep sharp. However, the game apparently took spring break off as well. It took on the character of a slowpitch game rather than a good fastpitch. The final was 20-14 with 13 errors being committed and three homeruns by each.

Vs LT: Team Hits: 7-3; Hits: Brooklyn Reiling 2, McKenna Riley 2, Lorelei Gamble 2. 2B: Gamble 2; HR: Alex Wiatrek. WP: Sadie Bradford 7IP, 3H, 1W, 8K.

Vs DV: TH: 13-6; Hit: Gamble 3, Wiatrek 3, Lauren Byrnes 2, Bradford 2. 2B: Wiatrek, Gamble. WP: Tatum Green 6IP, 5H, 1R, 1ER, 1K; Bradford: 1IP, 1H, 3K.

Vs Fred: TH: 10-13; Hit: Reiling 2, Byrnes 2, Lillian Wearden 2, Gamble 2, Green 2. 3B: Wiatrek, Jackie Harrod. HR: Gamble 2, Lyla Dusing. WP: Bradford 4.1IP, 6H, 9R, 1ER, 4W, 5K, 2HR. Harrod 2.2IP, 7H, 5R, 3ER, 1K, 1HR.

Tigers fast start district play

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 09:53:07 -0500

And all of a sudden the start of district play for the baseball team is here. The format for district play is different for baseball. Instead of round-robin, both district games between opponents are played in the same week. The idea is to keep a team with one good pitcher from being saved for the good teams and reward full staffs. The opening opponent was Austin Akins and the Tigers mauled them pretty badly. Akins just could not play a complete game. In the first game they walked 12 batters in four innings as the Tigers took it 18-1. In the second game it was eight errors that contributed to their 11-1 loss.

Vs Akins1: Team hits: 12-2; Hit: Karson Gardner 2, Cade Sanders 2, Breydan Madeley 2. 2B Madeley, Jason Steele; 3B Sam Branyon. WP: Blake Cox 3IP, 6K; Cody McDaniel 1IP, 1H, 1K; Rhett Strauss 1IP, 1H, 1R, 1ER, 1W, 2K.

Vs Akins2: TH: 11-1; Hit: Nixon Badilla 3, Anthony Delgado 2, Cruz McBride 2. 2B Badilla, McBride. WP: McBride 4IP, 1H, 2W, 9K. Logan Starnes 2IP, 5K; Badilla 1IP, 1W, 2K.

Tigers Lacrosse riding midseason momentum

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 09:52:04 -0500

The Dripping Springs High School Varsity boys lacrosse team has enjoyed a strong first half of the season. The team opened with convincing wins over Vista Ridge and Georgetown before dropping back-to-back games to perennial powerhouses Woodlands and Lake Travis. Since then, however, the Tigers have been on a roll, riding a five-game winning streak and climbing to No. 10 in the state rankings. In late February the Tigers traveled to Dallas, where they earned wins over Rockwall and McKinney. They returned home to dominate Kingwood 21–4 and followed that performance with a hard-fought victory over Anderson. Last week the Tigers accomplished something they had not done in eight years — defeat Austin High. The Tigers jumped out to a commanding 7–1 lead in the first quarter and never looked back, cruising to a 19–4 victory over the Maroons.

On the defensive side of the field, there were real concerns before the season began when returning long-stick defender Parker Zimmerman suffered an ACL tear at the end of the football season. After starting every game as a freshman last season, Zimmerman was expected to be a cornerstone of the defense. His loss forced second-year head coach Mike Staub and first-year defensive coordinator JT Kidd to make bold adjustments, including deploying an entirely new lineup of starting long poles: seniors Jackson Kinley, Hudson Ela, and Gage DeLoSantos. At the midpoint of the year the unit has gelled and is playing stout defense in front of returning All-American goalie John Ault, who has been outstanding in the cage. Senior Braydon Gardner continues to provide leadership and outstanding play at defensive midfielder. He has been joined by senior Lawson Attaway, who is new to lacrosse this season but has quickly proven that athletic skill position football players can immediately impact a lacrosse team — and earn college opportunities. Ironman senior Kaden Fults has taken nearly every rep at both long-stick midfielder and faceoff. His success at the dot has been a key factor in swinging momentum in the Tigers’ favor throughout the season.

Offensively, the Tigers have been led by a trio of senior attackmen: Ty Wittenburg, Jake Stockton, and Will Wright. The Tigers’ depth at offensive midfield has been key to their ability to finish games strong. Seniors Austin Garza, Logan Garza, Coyt Packer, and Max Kort—alongside sophomores Solomon Rand and Nolan Scott—have kept the offense humming, moving the ball crisply and adding scoring punch. Freshman Holden Wottrich showed early promise before being sidelined by injury.

Home game atmospheres have been electric all season. The dynamic DJ-and-announcer duo of Crissy Kinley and Fish Montgomery have kept the energy high, while a rowdy student section leaves no doubt for visiting teams that they’re deep in enemy territory.

Last Thursday, the DSHS Track stadium was packed as Austin High — the Class A state runner-up last season — took the field against the Tigers. The home team gave fans plenty to cheer about from the opening face-off. Senior Ty Wittenburg was nearly unstoppable, scoring six goals and adding an assist. Fellow senior Jake Stockton repeatedly attacked the left side of the cage for five goals of his own. Austin Garza, a Virginia Wesleyan commit, added three goals, and senior midfielder Max Kort scored twice. The Defense smothered Austin High’s normally potent offense leading to a 14-2 halftime advantage. Fults, Gardner, Attaway, and the trio of senior poles consistently kept the Maroons out of scoring range, and Ault cleaned up the rest.

The Tigers carry their momentum to Houston this weekend where they face Kinkaid and Cypress and then return home for two more games the following week. Head Coach Mike Staub would like to welcome the whole community to the final two games at the DSHS Track Field against Westlake on Wednesday, April 8 at 8pm and Vandegrift on Saturday, April 11 at 4:30.

Whether you’re a die-hard lacrosse fan or just curious to check out the sport for the first time, you are sure to be entertained by this dynamic Tiger squad.

Don Shelton Relays results

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 11:21:06 -0500

The Dripping Springs track teams made the short trip over to the Hays HS track and showed their improvement. This was one of the larger meets with 15 teams, so the cream of the crop places and the rest gets to improve their personal performances.

Tiger results: 3200: 1. Wes Anderson 9.41.30; 400R: 6. 43.64; 300H: 4. Jairo Alcaraz 41.89, 6. Trip Weise 42.90; 200: 5. Hayden Fontenot 22.54; 1600: 1. Anderson 4.22.72; LJ: 3. Landon Upchurch 20’3; SP: 2. Major Bettridge 49’0.

Lady Tiger results: 3200: 5. Callie Schumacher 11.59.87, 6. Quinn Hendrickson 12.04.96; 400R: 3. 50.61; 800: 4. Morgan Riley 2.25.45; 100H: 3. Meghan McClelland 16.44, 5. Lily Aleshire 16.79; 100: 1. Amara Mouton 12.65, 5. Talia Alvarado 12.96; 800R: 3. 1.44.97; 400: 2. M. Riley 1.00.52; 300H: 5. Aleshire 49.36, 6. Tatum Green 49.56; 200: 4. Mouton 25.77, 5. McKenna Riley 26.38, 6. Ella Castillo 26.49; 1600R: 3. 4.07.32; HJ: 1. Avery Dixon 5’0, 6. Emma Disxon 4’8; PV: 3. Adeline Spies 11’6; Disc: 5. Grace Prehar 86’8; SP: 2. Prehar 34’0.

Wheelchair div: Isabel Crew: 100: 20.04; 400: 1.07.09; 800: 2.15.33.

Tigers playing well in last baseball tourney

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 11:20:05 -0500

Tournament season is over and the Tigers are primed by their play to contend for the district title. They hosted the Keith Tuck Memorial Tourney and had to sweat out unfavorable weather forecasts. They were able to dodge it until Saturday afternoon when lightning called a halt to the proceedings. However the Tigers were able to play five games and were 3-2. They will enter district play with a 12-4-1 record. All of the games in the tourney were close matches besides the Flower Mound team scored all their ten runs in one inning.

Vs Hays: 4-2. Team Hits 6-5; Hits: Sam Branyon, Cade Sanders. RBIs: Nixon Badilla 2, Breydan Madeley 2. WP: Cruz McBride: 4.1IP, 4H, 1R, 1ER, 4K.

Vs SA Reagan: 3-0. TH: 6-2; Hit: Sanders, Jason Steele, Hayden Smith (2rbi). WP: Blake Cox 5IP, 1H, 5K.

Vs Flower Mound: 0-10: TH: 3-8. Hit:Bobby Wilkinson, Ryan Gambin, Anthony Delgado. LP: Oscar Johnson 2.1IP, 2H, 6R, 5ER, 5W, 4K.

Vs China Spring: 2-1; TH: 3-3; Hit: Branyon, Sanders, Badilla. RBI: Badilla 2. WP: Logan Starnes 4.2IP, 3H, 1R, IER,3W, 5K.

Vs Calallen: 2-3; TH: 2-9: Hit: Pardue, Wilkinson 3B. Pit: Steele 2.1IP, 6H, 1R, 1ER, 1W, 1K. LP: Sanders 2.2IP, 3H, 2R, 2ER, 1W.

Lady Tigers on cruise control

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 11:20:04 -0500

The first three games in district play were just no match for the Lady Tigers softball team, as they pounded each opponent. They started with a 15-0 decision in three against Akins. Next Austin bit the dust 17-2 and finally Bowie could not stay in 11-5.

Vs Akins: Team hits: 15-0; Hit: Emma Phillips 2, Lorelei Gamble 2. 2B: Kara Daniel, Sadie Bradford; 3B: McKenna Riley, Gamble; HR: Gamble. WP: Tatum Green 3IP, 2K.

Vs Austin: TH: 12-3: Hit: Brooklyn Reiling 2, Lauren Byrnes 2, Alex Wiatrek 2, Phillips 2, Green 2. 2B: Wiatrek, Gamble, Green. HR: Wiatrek. WP: Bradford 5IP, 3H, 2R, 2ER, 5W, 11K.

Vs Bowie: TH: 17-5; Hits: Wiatrek 4, Green 4, Byrnes 2, Riley 2, Bradford 2. 2B: Wiatrek, Green. WP: Green 3.1IP, 5H, 5R, 3ER, 2W, 1HR. Pit: Bradford 3.2IP, 6K.

One finished, one just getting started in soccer

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 11:20:03 -0500

PHOTO BY VINCE CURLETTA

Annabelle Pittman (#0) shouts instructions to teammates in Tuesday's game against Westlake

PHOTO BY VINCE CURLETTA

Josie Hardin (#23) moves the ball in Tuesday's game against Westlake

It seems like only yesterday that the soccer season began but the regular season is already over. The Tigers finished a very hardluck 5-13-3 season with a 1-4 loss to Westlake, with Tucker Fuston getting the last goal assisted by Kyle Kruez.

With their season completed the all-district team can be revealed. Tigers making it: First team: Trey Gonczeruk; Canyon Shaw. Second team: Vince Lombardo, Trip Dickens. Hon Men: Fuston, Jack Miller, Noah Doherty.

The Lady Tigers, 16-1-4, took care of Westlake 2-0. The JV and 9th teams had scoreless ties with Westlake. Emerson Barefoot scored in the 5th minute with help by Isa Guerrero. Early in the second half Carson Thompson, assisted by Bailey Stephenson scored the second.

Dripping Springs will host the Bi-district game with RR Westwood on March 19 at 7 p.m.

Coach Payne collects 400th baseball victory

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 13:58:04 -0500

Paraphrasing a popular Texas claim “Chris wasn’t born with 400 wins but he got there as soon as he could.” After a couple of years on the staff, Coach Payne was elevated to head coach in 2006-07. This is his 20^th season in the position. Because of the Covid epidemic in 2020, the season was suspended with no conclusion. In the other 18 seasons, he coached five district championships and eleven more playoff appearances. He had 395 victories to start the year and when the team overran Baytown 8-0 in the Comal tourney, the magic number was achieved. Now on to the next 400.

Lady Tigers hit a rough patch at Barbers Hill Tournament

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 13:58:03 -0500

The Lady Tigers softball team ran into some good competition at the Barbers Hill tourney and finished with a 2-4 record. Barbers Hill is a state contender almost every year and it is no surprise there were good teams in it. Most good teams want good competition so they can measure their progress. The highlight game came against Clear Springs when Lorelei Gamble came to the plate in the bottom of the seventh with the bases loaded and trailing 3-2. She would add to her homerun total with a grandslam for the win.

Vs Deer Park: 2-3: Team Hits: 4-4: Hit: Tatum Green 2, Sadie Bradford 3B. Pit: Bradford 4IP, 3H, 3R, 3ER, 3W, 3K. Jackie Harrod 1IP, 1H.

Vs Katy: 2-9; TH 5-8; Hit: Gamble 2, Green 2. HR: Gamble. Pit: Green 2IP, 4H, 4R, 3ER, 1W, 1K, 2HR.

Vs Clear Springs: 6-3: TH: 7-5; Hit: Gamble 2 HR, 5rbi. Pit: Green 3.1IP, 4H, 3R, 3ER, 1K, 1HR. Bradford 3.2IP, 1H.

Vs Brazoswood: 8-4; TH 4-11; Hit: Gamble 2. 3B Alex Wiatrek HR Gamble. Pit: Abby Knapp, 4IP, 8H, 3R, 2ER, 1W.

Vs Weslaco: 1-2: TH: 7-5; Hit: Wiatrek 2, Lillian Wearden 2, 2B Wiatrek. Pit: Green 6IP, 6HH, 6K; Bradford 1IP, 1H, 2R, 2ER, 1W, 2K, 1HR.

Vs Lake Creek: 3-5: TH: 10-6; Hit: Lauren Byrnes 2, Bradford 2, Green 2. 2B Byrnes, Bradford, Green. HR Gamble. Pit: Bradford 6.2IP, 6H, 5R, 5ER, 2W, 2K.

Soccer season winding down

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 13:58:02 -0500

PHOTO BY VINCE CURLETTA

Brooke Greenville (#4) watches the ball in the game against Lake Travis

PHOTO BY VINCE CURLETTA

Ella Castillo (#15) moves the ball down field against Lake Travis

Going into the final game with Westlake, the Lady Tigers already know they are the District Champions while the Tigers, who have been snakebit with many one-point losses, will have to wait until next year. With that one game left, the Lady Tigers have carved out a 15-1-4 season and a 9-0-2 district record. The Tigers have a 5-12-3 season and 2-7-2 district.

Lady Tigers results:

VG vs Lake Travis: 2-0. Goals: Bailey Stephenson 2. Annabelle Pittman shutout.

VG vs Del Valle: 4-0. Goals/Assists: Isa Guerrero/Juanita Diaz Fajardo; Stepehnson/Carson Thompson; Lilly Ruff/Audrey Funk; stephenson/Thompson.

JVG vs DV: 8-0. Goals: Maddie Sulser3, McKinley Logsdon2, Gemma Mazzantini, Lilly Webb, Chloe Sprockett.

9G vs DV: 7-0. Goals: Alex Perez 3, Kinley Clark 2, Lien Pham, Sanfiga Banky.

Tigers results:

Vs LT: 1-4. Goals/Assists: Trip Dickens/Trey Gonczeruk.

Vs DV: 3-4. G/A: Trent Trotter/Kyle Kreuz; Rico Aguilar; Noah Doherty/Aguilar.

Dripping Springs track does well at Viper Relays

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 13:58:01 -0500

The Dripping Springs track teams competed in the Vandegrift Viper Relays with four other schools and had an enjoyable day. The small meets give teams a better chance to be successful, especially the down the line competitors. The Lady Tigers finished second and the Tigers third.

Boys division standings: Vandegrift 168, Westlake 163, DS 97.5, Cedar Park 97, Lake Travis 94.5.

Dripping Springs boys results:

3200: 6. Cole Schumacher 11.06.97. 400R: 3. DS 43.32 (Harrison Rohrer, Frank Accetta, Jaceton Gotta, Hayden Fontenot); 800: 2. Bryce Chomko 2.01.56; 110H: 4. Trip Weise 17.18; 800R: 3. DS 1.31.78 (Dodge Reid, Acetta, Rohrer, Fontenot); 300H: 5. Reid 43.89; 6. Weise 43.94; 200: 3. Fontenot 23.23; 1600: 1. Wes Anderson 4.30.00; 1600R: 5. 3.37.66 (Judah Satterfield, Reid, Thiago Valles, Accetta); HJ: 2. Soloman Igharo 6’2; 5. Liam Lawson 5’10; LJ: 2. Valles 20’2; TJ: 3. Landon Upchurch 39’9.75; 5. Connor Hall 39’6; 6. Igharo 38’10.5; SP: 1. Major Bettridge 51’10*; 6. Holden Yeldell 43’9.

Girls standings: Vandegrift 159.5, DS 147, 3. Westlake 139.5, Lake Travis 119, Cedar Park 47.

Lady Tigers results: 3200: 1. Callie Schumacher 12.16.91; 6. Mia Thomason 12.54.05. 400R: 2. 50.23 (Ella Castillo, Lily Aleshire, Talia Alvarado, Gabriella DaCunha); 800: 3. Morgan Riley 2.25.98; 100H: 3.Aleshire 17.23; 4. Meghan McClelland 17.87; 6. Tatum Green 18.14. 100: 5. Alvarado 12.35. 800R: 1. 1.47.77 (Mckenna Riley, Amara Mouton, Alvarado, Emma Phillips). 400: 2. Morgan Riley 1.00.65; 4. Castillo 1.01.49. 300H: 3. Aleshire 49.15; 6. Green 50.70. 200: 1. Mouton 26.26; 3. Mc Riley 27.75; 4. Castillo 27.80. 1600: 3. Quinn Hendrickson 5.38.01. 1600R: 2. 4.09.49 (Mc. Riley, Eliana Amato, Lauren Velasco, M. Riley). HJ: 3. Avery Dixon 5’2. PV: 1. Adeline Spies 10’0.

Wheelchair div. Isabel Crew: 100: 20.91; 400: 1.07.17; 800: 2.17.11*; SP: 19’6.

Soccer season closing out

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 17:02:15 -0600

Vince Curletta

Ella Castillo (#15) moves ahead of her Akins opponent.

The soccer season is rapidly coming to a close. With three games remaining, the Lady Tigers are leading the pack and assured a spot in the playoffs. The Tigers are fighting a treacherous battle to get to the playoffs. They are trailing by one game and all three teams they have left to play are all ahead of them in the standings.

Vs Akins: 9-0: Goals: Bailey Stephenson 2, Addison Novosad 2, Juanita Diaz Fajardo, Carson Thompson, Josie Hardin, Brooke Greenville.

JV vs Akins: 8-0: Goals: McKinley Logsden 2, Chloe Sprockett 2, Gemma Mazantini, Ryleigh Ramirez, Malaika Stevenson, Lily Webb.

Var vs Austin High: 4-0: G/A: Rachel Darilek/Isa Guerrero; Greenville/Darilek; Alyssa Creelmore; Guerrero/Lilly Ruff.

JV vs AH: 4-0: Sprockett, Webb, Maddi Sulser, Whitney Best.

9th vs AH: 4-0: Colleen Andren, Ileana Compean, Hadley Pavkov, Alexa Perez.

VG vs Bowie: 1-0: B. Stephenson scored the lone goal. Goalkeeper Annabelle Pittman earned another shutout.

JV vs Bowie 0:1; 9th vs Bowie 0-4.

VB vs Akins: 3-4: G/A: Jack Miller, Trey Gonczeruk/Tucker Fuston, Fuston/ LaneHahnel.

VB vs Austin High: 3-2: Fuston/ Canyon Shaw; Fuston/Noah Doherty; Fuston/Doherty.

VB vs Bowie: 1-1: Trip Pickens scored the lone goal with an assist from Kyle Kruez.

Brittany Tuck Tourney Results

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 17:01:03 -0600

The Lady Tigers softball team hosted the Brittany Tuck Memorial Tourney and played well in the tough set of opponents. The tourney has gotten a good reputation over the years and good teams like the competition. The Lady Tigers had their win streak stopped with a 3-2-1 record. The Lady Tigers also began district play by taking Akins 15-0 in three innings.

Vs River Road: 13-2: Team hits: 12-8. Hits: Kara Daniel 3, McKenna Riley 2, Sadie Bradford 2. 2B: Lauren Byrnes, Daniel. 3B: Daniel, Bradford. HR. Addie Glenn, Gamble. WP: Jackie Harrod: 3IP, 8H, 2R, 2ER, 1W, 1HR.

Vs Cedar Park: 11-1. TM 6-5: Hit: Elianna Amato 2, Emma Phillips 2, Bradford 2, Gamble 2. 2B: Bradford, Gamble; HR: Amato, Gamble, Bradford, Green. WP” Addy Knapp: 3IP, 3H, 1R, 1W, 1K.

Vs Barbers Hill: 1-6; TM: 2-8. Hit: Mc Riley, Gamble. 2B: Gamble. WP: 7IP, 8H, 6R, 5ER, 3K, 1W.

Vs Smithson Valley: 2-7; TH: 5-9. Hit: Wearden. 2B: Wearden, Gamble. LP: Tatum Green: 4.2IP, 7H, 5R, 1ER, 1K, 1HR.

Vs NB Canyon: 11-10: TM: 13-10. Hit: Brooklyn Reiling 3, Kara Daniel 3, Gamble 2. 2B: Reiling, Daniel. HR: Gamble. WP: Knapp: 3.1IP, 6H, 6R, 1ER, 1W. Bradford: 2.2IP, 4H, 4R, 1W, 1K, 1HR.

Vs Calallen: 8-8: TH:11-12. Hit: Gamble 3, Green 2, Wiatrek 2. HR: Bradford, Gamble. Pit: Bradford: 2IP, 7H, 6R, 4ER, 1K,1HR. Green: 4IP, 4H, 2R, 1ER, 1W, 2K, 1HR.

Hill Country Baseball Invitational Results

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 17:01:02 -0600

The Dripping Springs Tiger baseball team got their official season started by hosting a tourney. They would have a 3-2-1 record in the tournament.

Vs Keller: 2-2: Team hits: 6-4: Hit: Sam Branyon, Cruz McBride. Pit: Oscar Johnson: 4IP,3H, 2R, 2ER, 1W, 5K, 1HR. Nixon Badilla: 3IP, 1H, 1W, 6K.

Vs Rockwall: 6-4: TH: 5-5; Hit: Bobby Wilkinson 2, Cade Sanders 2. 2B: Wilkinson. 3B: Sanders HR; Sanders. Pit: Brandon Hendricks 1IP, 2H, 3R, 2W, 1K; Karson Gardner 3IP, 2H, 1R, 1ER, 2W, 5K, 1HR. G. Marks: 2IP, 2W, 2K.

Vs Hutto: 11-0. TM: Luke Alvarez, Anthony Delgado. 3B: Wylder Supak. WP: 3IP, 1H, 1W, 4K.

Vs Pearce: 6-2: TH: 9-3. Hit: Wilkinson 3, Sanders 2. 2B: Wilkinson 2. Pit: Blake Cox 3.2IP, 2H, 1R, 1W, 11K.

Vs Waxahachie: 6-2: TH: 4-7. Hit: Branyon 2. 2B: Delgado HR: Branyon. Pit: Logan Starnes 3IP, 2H, 2R, 1ER, 4W, 5K. Rhett Strauss 2.1IP, 4H, 1R, 2W, 1K.

Vs San Marcos: 3-5; TH: 9-6. Hit: Jake Pardue 2, Branyon 2, McBride 2. Pit: McBride 3IP, 3H, 2R, 1ER, 3W, 2K. Sanders 1IP, 3H, 3R, 1ER.

Track teams compete at NB Canyon Relays

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 17:01:01 -0600

The Dripping Springs track teams put their efforts up against more than 15 good schools at the NB Canyon Relays and had a hard time cracking the top six places in the events.Wes Anderson won gold medals in the 1600 and 3200 to shine the brightest. It is my guess part of the problem of depth was taken away when some of their shared athletes were out of town with their main team.

Boys varsity results: 3200: 1.Anderson 9.52.75. 400 R. 2. 43.14 (Jaceton Gotta, Harrison Rohrer, Frank Acetta, Miles Kennedy). 110H; 5. Trip Wiese 16.75. 800R: 5. 1.32.14 (Dodge Reid, Rohrer, Accetta, Kennedy). 1600R: 6. 3.36.2.26 (Hrusovsky, Reid, Anderson, Accetta). HJ: 2. Soloman Igharo 6’4. LJ: 4. Kennedy 20’10. TJ: 3. Kennedy 43’1. Dis: 6. Hunter Bettridge 123’11. SP: 5. Major Bettridge 43’11.

Girls varsity: 100: 6. Talia Alvarado 13.20. 400: 6. Ella Castillo1.02.36. 300H: 6. Lily Aleshire 49.07. HJ: 6. Avery Dixon 5’0. SP: 5. Hania Yeargan 30’5.25.

Wheelchair Div: Isabel Crew: 800: 2.17.17*; 100: 19.47; 400: 1.05.29; SP: 18’7.