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Burnet coaches see big increase in attendance for voluntary workouts

The number of Bulldogs attending voluntary strength-and-conditioning sessions thrills the Burnet High School coaching staff. That’s according to defensive coordinator Ben Speer. Burnet is averaging triple-digit attendance by athletes in grades 7-12, about 50 percent increase from summer 2021. The seven-week summer strength-and-conditioning sessions began June 6. “We can’t be disappointed with that,” Speer said. “Last summer we had 60 guys, and we thought that was good.” Several factors have contribute to the increase of attendees, he said. First, head coach Bryan Wood is beginning his second summer in Burnet.…

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Burnet improves existing athletics facilities for more space, to conserve valuable resources

While much of the talk regarding athletics facilities revolves around the construction of the new activity center projected to open in February 2023, Burnet Consolidated Independent School District officials aren’t ignoring existing facilities. They include replacing scoreboards and natural grass and adding track lanes. It’s difficult to miss where these upgrades are happening when fans are at Bulldog Field. At Bulldog Diamonds, the baseball and softball fields are receiving artificial turf and new scoreboards. Originally both facilities had natural grass when they opened in 2008. The scoreboards that are being…

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Basketball Featured High School 

Next Level boys hoops features Marble Falls, Faith Academy, Johnson City players

The Next Level boys select basketball team was within seconds of a earning one of the program’s biggest wins. Instead a charging call allowed nationally-known Sky High, a squad consisting of players 16 and younger, to escape with a 44-41 win last weekend. The contest was part of the Lace Em Up tournament in Georgetown June 3-5 where Next Level finished with a 2-1 record. The Next Level players include Gabe Lopez and Tidus Willie, both Faith Academy of Marble Falls athletes; Roman Brown, Jamie Castillo, Cooper Cochran, Garon Jones,…

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Health battles help Burnet’s Escamilla discover her calling

Burnet High School graduate Marissa Escamilla’s health battles helped her discover her career path and how she wants to be a blessing for others the way her mentor, Dr. Jason Hill, has been a blessing for her. The 2018 graduate recently earned her bachelor’s degree from Tarleton State University in kinesiology thanks to being on a basketball scholarship. But the Lady Dawg battled numerous injuries throughout her four years playing for the TexAnns, none bigger than a back injury that medical professionals told her would require she wear a back…

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Burnet Lady Dawgs draw 55 for strength and conditioning

The Burnet High School athletics department began its seven-week summer strength-and-conditioning program June 6. The Bulldogs and Lady Dawgs’ sessions begin at 8 a.m. Monday-Thursday. Girls athletics coordinator Rick Gates noted the first day drew 55 Lady Dawgs, a number that encouraged him. “I think it’s a good number for sure with our outgoing seniors and incoming freshmen,” he said. “We always want more. Several girls contacted us to let us know ‘I’m going to miss this first week.’ It’s a little bit of a transition.” Because the boys and…

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Marble Falls athletics trainer earns Doctor of Athletic Training

Call her Dr. Stephanie Thompson. The Marble Falls High School athletics trainer earned her hood from A.T. Still University, located in Mesa, Arizona, June 4 for her Doctor of Athletic Training that culminated five years of dedication. “It was all online except I had to go for one week,” she said. “I didn’t have to sit down for lectures. They gave me the materials, and I learned them. They gave it to us, and we did it on our own.” In addition to writing papers and passing exams, Thompson had…

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Ten Highland Lakes Sports Insights

Welcome to this weekly column where readers will find a summary of sports across the region and the impressions left on this writer. Though summer strength-and-conditioning sessions aren’t scheduled to start for a few more days at University Interscholastic League schools, high school athletes aren’t resting. That was apparent at Bulldog Field when quarterbacks were working on pass routes. Burnet will have a new starting quarterback in 2022, senior Taylor O’Hair, who has taken most of the snaps during 7-on-7 play. O’Hair and the other quarterbacks are showing the commitment…

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Marble Falls athletes show positive gains in the weight room

Being a member of another prestigious crew is paying off for the Marble Falls High School football program. Known as the 1,000-pound club, players become members if their weight totals in the incline bench, bench press, squat and power clean add up to 1,000 pounds. Of the 95 players tested, 17 are in the club, including senior quarterback Hayden Miller, with another 20 who have totaled more than 900 pounds. “When I first got here in 2020, we struggled with light weights, and (the players) didn’t want to put themselves…

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Basketball High School 

Lampasas basketball league welcomes new district foes Burnet, Marble Falls, Lago Vista

Though basketball season doesn’t tip off until November, area players aren’t waiting for the beginning of the 2022-23 school year to hit the hardwood thanks to the start of the Lampasas summer basketball league, which begins Monday, June 6. The girls play on Monday evenings, while the boys play on Tuesday nights. Teams committed to playing include Burnet, Evant, Hamilton, Lago Vista, Lampasas, Lometa, Marble Falls and San Saba. The league has a varsity and a junior varsity division. Full-court games last 40 minutes and teams play two contests a…

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Parker is new girls athletics coordinator at Llano High School

Llano High School has a new girls athletics coordinator and head cross country and girls basketball coach, announced Llano Independent School District athletics director Matt Green. It’s Jay Parker. Parker served as the Shallowater High School head boys cross country and girls assistant basketball coach for the last four years including during the 2019-20 season when the Lady Fillies won the basketball Class 3A state championship. One player on that team was Paige Parker, the coach’s daughter, who graduated in 2022. Chuck Darden retired as the Lady Fillies head coach…

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