Willis ISD April 2025

WILLIS ISD HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

WILLISISD.ORG

Spotlight articles

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The Family Business The Pivot Bringing the Boom Take 5

pregame

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Dear Willis ISD Community,

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Now that we’re halfway through the spring season, I’ve been thinking about how proud I am to be part of this district. Our students, staff, and families continue to amaze me every single day. There’s a great energy on our campuses right now, along with many chances for our Wildkats to shine in athletics, the arts, and any other activities they may enjoy. Our students continue to show what it means to work hard and lead with heart. Whether they’re practice, they always strive to do their best. However, they could not do this without the support of their families, coaches, and teachers, who cheer them on and keep them motivated. It’s a great reminder to us all that success is rarely competing in tournaments or putting in the effort during

something we achieve on our own. I encourage you to stay involved this spring and keep cheering on our students. Your presence shows them that what they’re doing matters and that they are seen, valued, and appreciated. Moments like these, when our community joins together to support our kids, have been a true highlight of my first year in Willis ISD. I’m proud of all we’ve accomplished together and grateful for the incredible moments we’ve shared. I look forward to finishing the year strong and celebrating another season of growth, success, and Wildkat pride. Go WildKats! Dr. Kimberley James Superintendent, Willis ISD

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WILLIS ISD HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

WILLISISD.ORG

on the cover Photo by Bradley Collier

LEVEL UP: Willis’ Summer Clark, Shawndrick “SJ” Young Jr., Sydney Prihoda and Heath Grant are raising the bar for the Wildkats this year.

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Go WildKats!

As we gear up for another exciting spring season, I want to take a moment to express my pride and enthusiasm for our student athletes, coaches, and supporters. This time of year is always special as our WildKats take to the fields, courts, and stages, showcasing their hard work, dedication, and WildKat spirit. Our programs, from basketball, baseball, softball, track, swimming, powerlifting, cross country, tennis, band, cheer, dance, and Air Force JROTC, all share a common goal: to strive for excellence both on and off the field. I am constantly inspired by the commitment of our students and the incredible support from our community. It is

this collective effort that drives our success and makes Willis ISD a truly remarkable place. I encourage everyone to come out and support our WildKats this season. Your presence in the stands and at our events means the world to our athletes and performers. Together, we can create an atmosphere that not only drives our teams to victory but also builds lifelong memories for our students. Thank you for your unwavering support. Let’s make this season one for the history books. Go WildKats! Trent Miller Athletic Director & Head Football Coach, Willis ISD

THANKS TO OUR BOARD MEMBERS

Kyle Hoegemeyer PRESIDENT

Paulett Traylor VICE PRESIDENT

Chad Jones SECRETARY

Scott Carson MEMBER

Nikita Lagway MEMBER

Charles Perry, Sr. MEMBER

Cliff Williams MEMBER

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Photo feature

Amy Roberts

Saydigrace Wood

Irvin Cortes

Madison Irvine

Gavyn Braun

PERSONALITIES P R E M I E R

WILLIS WAS WELL-REPRESENTED THROUGHOUT THE WINTER SEASON

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Photo feature

Edmund Granton Jr.

Hunter Wren

Elijah Small

Avery Johnson

Nija Calyen

Adrian Diaz

Sandy Horton

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Boys Basketball

WELCOME TO THE NEW AGE WILLIS ON THE COME-UP IN H-TOWN HOOPS

Rondell Lewis

Jackson Day

Chan Beasley

IN WHAT CAN EASILY BE DESCRIBED AS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL SEASON THE PROGRAM HAS EVER EXPERIENCED, WILLIS PROCEEDED TO NOT ONLY FINISH WITHIN THE TOP 3 OF DISTRICT 13-6A, BUT ADVANCED ALL THE WAY TO THE REGIONAL SEMIFINALS – DEFEATING WESTFIELD (54-52) AND CY SPRINGS (55-47) TO REACH SAID POINT. LED BY JUNIOR GUARD SJ YOUNG (19 PPG, 10 RPG, 2 APG), THE WILDKATS PROVED THAT THEY POSSESSED THE TENACITY TO MAKE AN EXTENSIVE RUN IN THE POSTSEASON. WITH THE MAJORITY OF THEIR ROSTER COMING BACK NEXT WINTER, WILLIS WILL REMAIN ONE OF THE PREMIER CONTENDERS IN HOUSTON.

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Cover Feature

YOUNG CHASING HIS FATHER FOR RECORD BOOK SUPREMACY THE FAMILY BUSINESS \\ Matt Malatesta

our playoff game. Next year, we want to win district and go even farther. If everyone has the same mentality as me, we’re going to get there.” The summer AAU circuit and offseason training will be critical for the 6-foot-5 hybrid, who has college hoops aspirations. “I’m a forward at the high school level… but not in college,” he said. “I’ve got a good shot, I’m a really good passer and rebounder, but I’m locked in on two things this offseason—getting stronger and tightening my ball-handling. I can get to my spots now, but I’m going to add strength so I can take the contact in the paint and still finish.” And when he’s not in the gym? It’s still hoops. “I love playing the (video) game, of course,” he said. “But me and my friends go to the park, and before you know it, we’ve got some really competitive five-on five runs going. That’s Willis for you.” When it comes to watching basketball, one player has Young’s attention. “I like the Rockets’ Amen Thompson,” he said. “I try to pattern my game after his. He can do a little of everything, and he’s a tough rebounder. That’s what I pride myself on, too. If I’m playing someone way bigger than me, they’re going to have a fight on their hands. I’m a high-energy guy.” Must be in the genes.

Young was the engine behind Willis advancing to the third round of the UIL Class 6A playoffs, something the school had never done before. “The school really rallied around us,” he said. “We had a pep rally where everyone lined the halls as we left for

motivation? It’s personal. Very personal. “My dad holds a lot of the old scoring records here at Willis,” Young said with a laugh. “He was thought to be the best thing walking the halls at Willis… now it’s me. I want all the records, and that really pushes me.”

WILLIS BASKETBALL STAR SHAWNDRICK “SJ” YOUNG

JR. HAS ALWAYS HAD TUNNEL VISION—HE’S WIRED THAT WAY. The junior averaged nearly 20 points per game, earning District 13-6A Co-MVP honors while leading the Wildkats to school history this past season. But his

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Girls Basketball

ONE STEP AT A TIME WILLIS GBB ON A STEADY UPWARD TRAJECTORY

Heaven Sims

Sofia Dominguez

THE LADY WILDKATS SHOWED NOTICEABLE IMPROVEMENT IN DISTRICT PLAY THIS SEASON, FINISHING 5-11 IN THE COMPETITIVE 13-6A STANDINGS. THOUGH THEY FELL JUST SHORT OF A PLAYOFF SPOT, SEVERAL PLAYERS DELIVERED STANDOUT PERFORMANCES. SENIOR POINT GUARD NIJA CALYEN EARNED FIRST-TEAM ALL-DISTRICT HONORS FOR HER CONTRIBUTIONS THROUGHOUT THE SEASON. AMY ROBERTS (JR. G/F) WAS NAMED TO THE DISTRICT’S SECOND TEAM, WHILE HEAVEN SIMS (SR. G/F) AND ALEXI (FR. F) RECEIVED HONORABLE MENTIONS. WHILE CHALLENGES REMAIN, WILLIS APPEARS TO BE A PROGRAM ON THE RISE, WITH A FOUNDATION IN PLACE FOR FUTURE SUCCESS.

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Boys Soccer

N E X T MAN UP SENIORS HAVE PAVED THE PATH AS WILLIS SOCCER LOOKS TO RESTRUCTURE NEXT WINTER

Christopher Luna

Cash Hayter

Alexander Hernandez

COMPETING IN A DISTRICT LOADED WITH HOUSTON POWERHOUSES LIKE COLLEGE PARK, GRAND OAKS, CONROE, AND THE WOODLANDS IS NO EASY TASK, AND WILLIS FACED ITS CHALLENGES THIS SEASON. WHILE A POSTSEASON BERTH IN 2025 SEEMED UNLIKELY, THE LEADERSHIP OF VETERANS SUCH AS ALEXANDER HERNANDEZ (SR. RW/D), CHRISTOPHER LUNA (SR. MF), ELIJAH SMALL (SR. F), CASH HAYTER (SR. D), AND ADRIAN DIAZ (SR. GK) SET A STRONG EXAMPLE. THEIR EFFORTS SHOULD PROVIDE THE NEXT GENERATION OF WILDKATS WITH A CLEAR BLUEPRINT FOR SUCCESS IN THE DEMANDING 13-6A COMPETITION.

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Girls Soccer

Head Coach Sean Day

Nathalie Cortes

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ON THE CUSP WILLIS GIRLS SOCCER NEARING THE POINT OF ENTERING THE DISTRICT CONVERSATION

Chelsea Mentado-Perez

Milena Munaretto

UNDER SECOND-YEAR HEAD COACH SEAN DAY, WILLIS REMAINED IN THE PLAYOFF HUNT DESPITE COMPETING IN ONE OF HOUSTON’S TOUGHEST DISTRICTS. THOUGH THE WILDKATS NARROWLY MISSED THE POSTSEASON, THEY SHOWCASED GRIT AND RESILIENCE THROUGHOUT 2025. THE IMMINENT GRADUATION OF KEY PLAYERS LIKE SUMMER CLARK (SR. MF/F), CHELSEA MENTADO-PEREZ (SR. MF), AND SAYDIGRACE WOODS (SR. MF) WILL LEAVE SIGNIFICANT GAPS TO FILL NEXT YEAR. HOWEVER, THE EMERGENCE OF YOUNG TALENT—SUCH AS MILENA MUNARETTO (SO. GK) AND NATHALIE CORTES (FR. RW/D)—OFFERS HOPE FOR A PROGRAM THAT CONTINUES TO INCH CLOSER TO A POSTSEASON BREAKTHROUGH.

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Cover Feature

T H E PIVOT \\ Matt Malatesta

DUAL-SPORT CLARK CHOOSES VOLLEYBALL OVER HER LIFE-LONG SPORT OF SOCCER

LOOKING BACK ON FOUR YEARS OF HIGH SCHOOL, YOU CAN’T HELP BUT ASK: “WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE?” For Willis senior Summer Clark, it flew by in the blink of an eye. It feels like just yesterday she was a freshman earning honorable mention as an attacking midfielder on the soccer field. Twenty-two goals later, she finished her career as a back-to-back first-team selection in one of the toughest districts around. “My dad got me into soccer at a very young age,” she said. “It was our father-daughter bonding thing. It’s been a huge part of my life— playing club and high school.” Clark had an offer to play soccer at Indiana University, but made a life-changing decision. “I was always planning to play college soccer,” she said. “But in the end, the sport became draining, and I burned out. The hardest part was telling my dad I didn’t want to play in college. He was heartbroken… it was a tough conversation, but I had something else I wanted to pursue.” That “something else” was volleyball. Bitten by the bug in high school, Clark rapidly improved and wrapped up her career with 1,000 assists and a second-team, all-district selection as a senior. “Coach (Kayla) Jenkins came in and made volleyball fun,” Clark said. “I improved so much, and it was refreshing. I know I’m playing catch up trying to get recruited, but that’s my focus right now.” Between club soccer, high school soccer, club volleyball, high school volleyball, dual credit classes, and being ranked in the top 11 percent of her graduating class… where does she find the time? “I like to be busy,” she laughed. “That’s probably an understatement.” Clark plans to pursue a degree in Exercise Science, with hopes of becoming a coach or athletic trainer. “I think I have a good sports IQ,” she said. “My coaches have always told me I should get into coaching.”

The only question left? Which sport will it be.

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JROTC

FOR THE COLORS HIGHER PURPOSE SERVED THROUGH WILLIS’ JROTC PROGRAM

Hayden Cabell

Emma Johnston

Kayden Willis

Allen Harcrow

Khloe Kennedy

THOUGH OFTEN OVERLOOKED, THE INDIVIDUALS IN JROTC MAY ONE DAY BECOME THE FUTURE OF THE UNITED STATES MILITARY. AT WILLIS HIGH SCHOOL, SEVERAL STUDENTS ARE PREPARING TO DEDICATE THEMSELVES TO SERVING THEIR COUNTRY. WHILE MILITARY SERVICE DOES NOT ALWAYS RECEIVE WIDESPREAD RECOGNITION, THESE CADETS UPHOLD THE VALUES OF DISCIPLINE, LEADERSHIP, AND COMMITMENT. AS THEY LOOK TOWARD THE FUTURE, THEY CONTINUE TO EMBODY THE HONOR AND TRADITION ASSOCIATED WITH THE NATION’S ARMED FORCES.

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Swimming

T H E AQUAKATS WHS CONTINUES TO MAKE AN IMPACT IN THE WATER

Claire Mayronne

Gavin Flowers

Carli Murray

Paul Brown

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Guy Barker

Claire Smyth

DESPITE HAVING A YOUNGER ROSTER THAN MOST, THE WILLIS SWIM TEAM MADE ITS PRESENCE FELT AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL THIS SEASON. LED BY COACH KRISTI BROWN, THE WILDKATS SHOWCASED A STRONG MIX OF UPPER AND UNDERCLASSMEN, INCLUDING GUY BARKER (JR.), KYNDAL RICK (SO.), PAUL BROWN (SR.), CLAIRE SMYTH (SO.), AND CLAIRE MAYRONNE (SO.). THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS HELPED PROPEL THE TEAM TO A COMPETITIVE SHOWING AT DISTRICT. WITH ANOTHER YEAR OF EXPERIENCE UNDER THEIR BELTS, WILLIS IS WELL-POSITIONED TO CONTINUE ITS GROWTH AND RE-ESTABLISH ITSELF AS A FORCE IN 13-6A NEXT SEASON.

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Wrestling

Jacob Hoot

Ana Ramirez

Melodie Eakin

FINDING THE VANTAGE POINT WILDKAT WRESTLING CONTINUES TO BE ON THE RISE

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AMONG WILLIS HIGH’S ATHLETIC PROGRAMS, WRESTLING IS EXPERIENCING SOME OF THE FASTEST GROWTH. UNDER HEAD COACH BRYAN THOMAS, BOTH THE TEAM’S ROSTER AND COMPETITIVE CULTURE HAVE EXPANDED RAPIDLY. FACING POWERHOUSE PROGRAMS LIKE COLLEGE PARK AND THE WOODLANDS, THE WILDKATS HAVE BEEN BATTLE-TESTED AGAINST TOP-TIER COMPETITION. THAT LEVEL OF CHALLENGE HAS ONLY STRENGTHENED THE PROGRAM, SHAPING IT INTO A RISING FORCE. IF THE TEAM CONTINUES TO BUILD ON ITS MOMENTUM, A TRIP TO THE UIL STATE MEET MAY NOT BE FAR OFF IN THE COMING YEARS.

Jonathan Marquez

Lauren Rivas

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Photo feature

Jonathan Martinez

Dahlyla Tyson

Kelsie Wyland

DaZia Denson

Eva Munaretto

WILLIS HIGH IS FULL OF FRESH FACES THIS SPRING CROWD FACES IN THE

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Photo feature

Felix Appiah

Christian Hall

Addison Murray

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Paisley Baylor & Kodi Goss

Hadley Lebow

Gage Blinka

Madison Morgan

Baseball

P L AY BALL WHAT WILL WILLIS BASEBALL DO FOR AN ENCORE?

Dylan Hawthorne

Kelley Abke

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Zadin Cannon

THE WILLIS WILDKATS MADE HISTORY LAST SEASON, ADVANCING TO THE PLAYOFFS AFTER FINISHING THIRD IN THE ULTRA-COMPETITIVE DISTRICT 13-6A. THE ‘KATS DIDN’T STOP THERE— THEY PUSHED ALL THE WAY TO THE THIRD ROUND BEFORE RUNNING INTO EVENTUAL STATE CHAMPION TOMBALL. SO, WHAT’S NEXT FOR WILLIS BASEBALL? WHAT WILL THEY DO FOR AN ENCORE? COACH BRETT WASHBURN’S SQUAD RETURNS A STRONG CORE, LED BY STANDOUT MIDDLE INFIELDERS KELLEY ABKE AND GAGE BLINKA. AT THE PLATE, DYLAN HAWTHORNE, JORDEN TAYLOR, AND ZADIN CANNON LOOK TO PROVIDE SOME SERIOUS PUNCH TO THE LINEUP. THE BIG QUESTION MARK? WHO WILL STEP UP ON THE MOUND AFTER THE GRADUATION OF ACE MADDOX KEO, WHO’S NOW PITCHING FOR RICE? IF A FEW ARMS CAN EMERGE, THE ‘KATS HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO MAKE ANOTHER DEEP RUN.

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Softball

FOR EACH OTHER PLAY WILLIS SOFTBALL LEANING ON CULTURE

PLAYERS TO WATCH ALEXI FORD JOSIE FOXWORTH ADDIE HALL HADLEY LEBOW

Coach Leechelle Lara

SYDNEY PRIHODA KELSIE WYLAND

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Addie Hall

Kaitlyn Sprayberry

WE’VE GOT SOME SERIOUS OFFENSIVE POWER ON THIS TEAM, AND OUR PITCHING IS REALLY SOLID. BUT THE KEY FOR US THIS SEASON IS OUR CULTURE. IF WE GET THAT RIGHT AND TRULY PLAY FOR EACH OTHER, WE’RE GOING TO DO BIG THINGS. SYDNEY PRIHODA IS A BEAST AT THE PLATE, AND HADLEY LEBOW AND ALEXI FORD WILL BE OUR ACES IN THE CIRCLE. IT’S AN EXCITING GROUP.

LEECHELLE LARA, HEAD COACH – WILLIS SOFTBALL

Audrie Call

Rylee Gage

Cover Feature

PRIHODA BRINGS BIG BAT, TOUGHNESS TO WILLIS SOFTBALL BRINGING THE BOOM \\ Matt Malatesta

SYDNEY PRIHODA IS A FLEX. The Willis senior outfielder, already with double-digit home runs this season, has signed to play softball at Sam Houston State. She’s a bona fide star—whether she’s in the field, at the plate, or blazing around the base paths. “My dad has always pushed me to be my best, and I appreciate that,” Prihoda said. “He and his brothers played baseball at Sam Houston, and he’s had a bat in my hands for as long as I can remember. He’s the ultimate ‘girl dad’.” Prihoda grew up surrounded by boys— her brother, her cousins—it was always game on. “I’m the only girl in our extended family, so I had to learn sports, boats, and fishing,” she laughed. “I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I love deep-sea fishing, the adrenaline of being flung on a tube behind a boat, and, of course, hitting home runs.” Growing up the tough one in a crew of boys meant plenty of bumps and bruises along the way. “I was super injury-prone as a kid,” she smiled. “But it made me tough. And it also helped me find my passion beyond softball. I’d love to be a chiropractor or an athletic trainer for a professional team. I want to stay around sports and be in the field of medicine.” As Willis’ clean-up hitter, Prihoda has big expectations for her senior year. The program missed the playoffs last season— but not if she has anything to say about it. “I was co-Offensive Player of the Year as a freshman,” she said. “After that, I was getting everyone’s best pitch. This year, I’m hoping to get back to those numbers and provide the leadership my team needs. I love this game—but really, I play for my teammates.” With Prihoda leading the way, Willis Softball should be thinking playoffs as April turns to May and the district race heats up. Stay tuned.

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Cover Feature

TA K E 5 \\ Matt Malatesta

HEATH GRANT KEEPS WILLIS IN THE FAST LANE

WILLIS HIGH SCHOOL KEEPS CRANKING OUT STARS. Former QB DJ Lagway was the Gatorade Player of the Year in football and now starts for the Florida Gators. Junior Jermaine Bishop Jr. is ranked the No. 3 athlete in the Class of 2026. Lefty Maddox Keo is spinning it on the mound for Rice Baseball. And now? It’s Heath Grant’s time to shine. The senior track star is putting Willis on the national radar. And the best part? He doesn’t even have to change his wardrobe. “I feel like I really put in the work and earned my scholarship to Kansas State,” Grant said. “The facilities are amazing, and I get to keep my school colors. I’m really looking forward to it.” VYPE’s Matt Malatesta caught up with the Big Man on Campus at Willis for our TAKE 5 feature. … VYPE: You could’ve played any sport… why track? GRANT: I played Little League football like everybody else. I was fast, had great stamina, but I wanted to do something different. Track called me. It’s a tough mentality—there’s no hiding. You have to train consistently, even when you don’t feel like it. That’s the only way to become elite. VYPE: What’s on your playlist before a race? GRANT: Juice WRLD. Anything by him gets me

them. At the end of the day, it’s all in God’s hands. VYPE: How do you unwind? GRANT: I like messing around with other sports— throwing the football or playing basketball for fun. Other than that, I’m pretty chill. I hang out with friends, listen to music… just enjoy the downtime.

as the top dog, so I can’t let my guard down. VYPE: Who do you love watching on the track? GRANT: My two favorites are Auhmad Robinson from Texas A&M and Grant Holloway, the Olympic hurdler. I don’t run their events, but I love how they approach the sport. I’ve got Olympic dreams too, so I have to stay locked in—like

hyped. That’s my go-to. VYPE: What are your goals for 2025? GRANT: I’m chasing a low 1:46 in the 800 meters, :45 in the 400, and :24.5 in the 200. The 800 is what I’m going to college for, and it’s an insanely tough race. Sometimes I’m just praying to make it to the finish line. I feel like everyone wants to beat me now. They see me

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Boys Track & Field

DISCIPLINE, EFFORT, ATTITUDE WILLIAMS’ CORE VALUES PROVIDE THE BASELINE

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De’Quentin Willis

PLAYERS TO WATCH

FELIX APPIAH HEATH GRANT DORIAN SMITH DE’QUENTIN WILLIS

Dorian Smith

OUR PROGRAM IS ABOUT DISCIPLINE, EFFORT, AND ATTITUDE. THOSE ARE MY CORE VALUES, AND I PRAY THEY SEE HOW IT’S MODELED AND GAIN FROM IT. FROM A DISCIPLINE STANDPOINT—ARE YOU TIMELY TO YOUR EVENT? ARE YOU PROPERLY WARMED UP? EFFORT-WISE, MAYBE YOU DIDN’T HIT YOUR 300 YARD MARK, BUT HOW ARE YOU GOING TO FINISH? AND WHEN IT COMES TO ATTITUDE—RAIN, SLEET, OR SNOW, WE GOTTA GO.

DARRELL WILLIAMS - WILLIS BOYS TRACK

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Girls Track & Field

PLAYERS TO WATCH XIMENA BANDA JOSELYN LIRA EVANGELINE MUNARETTO FERNANDA RUIZ

N EW BREED WILLIS GIRLS BUILT ON COMPETITION

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Ximena Banda

YOU HAVE TO HAVE AN ‘ALL IN’ ATTITUDE TO RUN AT WILLIS. THE WORKOUTS ARE GRUESOME, AND WE PREACH TO THEM ALL THE TIME—TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODIES AND YOUR BOOKS. IT’S COMPETITIVE HERE. IF YOU’RE NOT ON YOUR GAME, SOMEONE’S READY TO TAKE YOUR SPOT. I FEEL LIKE OUR STRENGTH THIS YEAR WILL BE OUR MID-DISTANCE AND DISTANCE GROUPS.

AARON BREED - WILLIS GIRLS TRACK

Fernanda Ruiz

Joselyn Lira

Golf

FORE! BRITTON TAKES OVER WILLIS GOLF

Connor Carson Drake Perry

PLAYERS TO WATCH

PAISLEY BAYLOR CONNOR CARSON

KODI GOSS JACOB LEE DRAKE PERRY

WHEN I CAME IN, THE BOYS’ GOLF PROGRAM WAS ALREADY IN GOOD SHAPE. THERE WERE SOME GREAT LEADERS IN PLACE WHO MADE THE TRANSITION EASY. THEY DO THE RIGHT THING ALL THE TIME, ON AND OFF THE COURSE. I JUST BROUGHT A LITTLE MORE STRUCTURE TO WHAT THEY WERE ALREADY DOING. WE’RE A PRETTY YOUNG TEAM, SO THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT. GOLF TEACHES SO MANY GREAT LIFE LESSONS. THIS SPORT WILL KNOCK YOU DOWN… BUT YOU’VE

JUST GOT TO GET BACK UP AND HIT THE NEXT SHOT. MICHAEL BRITTON, HEAD COACH – WILLIS GOLF

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Tennis

WILDKAT TENNIS THRIVES ON SUPPORT AND ATTENTION TO DETAIL T H E Y COMPETE

Cade Ford Abigail Turnbull

PLAYERS TO WATCH CADE FORD NATHANIEL FOSSLER RYAN JACKSON ADDISON MURRAY JEWELL STEEN ABIGAIL TURNBULL

I LOVE HOW OUR KIDS WORK IN PRACTICE AND PUT THE TIME IN. THEY ARE COMPETITORS, AND THAT REALLY SHOWS UP IN OUR TOURNAMENTS. WE GRADUATED 12 SENIORS LAST YEAR, SO WE’RE A PRETTY YOUNG TEAM NOW, BUT IT’S A GOOD MIX OF NEW AND EXPERIENCED PLAYERS. THEY ARE GREAT STUDENTS AS WELL, AND I LOVE THE WAY THEY RALLY AROUND EACH OTHER DURING THEIR MATCHES. THAT TEAM ENERGY MAKES A DIFFERENCE. IT’S ALL ABOUT COMPETING AND PAYING ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS—ON THE COURT AND IN THE CLASSROOM.” GARRY KEMP - WILLIS TENNIS

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Powerlifting AT THE SEAMS BUSTING WILLIS POWERLIFTING FULL OF PROMISE… AND ATHLETES

Aniyah Phlilo

Christian Hall

Austin Hernandez

IT HAS BECOME A THING HERE. IT’S CAUGHT FIRE, AND THE CULTURE HAS CHANGED THE SCHOOL. PEOPLE SEE OTHER PEOPLE GETTING STRONG, AND STRENGTH BECOMES CONTAGIOUS. BUT YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE ‘IT’ FACTOR. IT TAKES A LOT OF HARD WORK AND COMMITMENT. THIS IS A YEAR-ROUND SPORT, AND YOU HAVE TO BE WILLING TO SACRIFICE YOUR BODY.

RYAN ANTHONY - WILLIS POWERLIFTING

Logan Hilton

PLAYERS TO WATCH

DA’ZIA DENSON CHRISTIAN HALL AUSTEN HERNANDEZ LOGAN HILTON

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Introducing

Official Campus Facebook Pages

Stay Connected!

Stay up-to-date on all the fun things taking place at your child’s campus! This year, each Willis ISD Campus has its own Facebook page, where they will be posting daily to keep you updated on the day-to-day happenings at your student’s school.

A R Turner Elementary @WISDTurner

Cannan Elementary @WISDCannan Meador Elementary @WISDMeador Lynn Lucas Middle School @WISDLynnLucas

C C Hardy Elementary @WISDHardy PArmley Elementary @WISDParmley Roark Early Education @WISDRoark

Lagway Elementary @WISDLagway

Brabham Middle School @WISDBrabham Stubblefield Academy @WISDStubblefield

Willis High School @WISDWillisHS

Willis ISD @WillisSchools