Regionals week hits Texas, impacts local athletes

By AL PICKETT
Sports Editor

Golfers from Wylie, Baird and Anson hope to rekindle the magic a year ago.

And the Abilene High girls hope to find success in uncharted waters.

One of the busiest sports weeks of the year begins today. This is regional week, in which golfers, tennis players and track athletes try to finish in the top two in their event individually or as a team in order to earn a coveted trip to the state competition in two weeks in Austin.

A year ago, both the Wylie boys and girls rallied in the second round to finish second at the Region I-3A golf tournament in Odessa, earning trips to Austin. The Wylie girls finished fifth and boys sixth at the Class 3A state tournament last year.

The Bulldogs are back in Odessa today with virtually the same boys and girls teams, looking to earn a return ticket to Austin. The Wylie teams are led by District 6-3A medalists Jason Darby and Ashley Andress.

The Baird boys are are also looking to return to Austin, where they'd like toavenge last year's heartbreak. Memphis nipped the Bears by one stroke to win the Class 2A boys state golf championship a year ago.

Baird has the same five returning this year, and opens defense of its Region I-2A title today on its home course, Shady Oaks Golf Course between Baird and Clyde.

The Anson girls are also playing at Shady Oaks today. A year ago, Stefanie Ramirez sank a putt on the 18th hole to allow the Lady Tigers to slip into second place at the Region I-2A tournament. Anson finished fourth at the state tournament.

While the area's top Class 2A golf teams will be playing at Shady Oaks the next two days, area Class A teams will be at Maxwell Municipal Golf Course in Abilene for the Region II-A tournament.

The Abilene High girls golf team will be in Lubbock today and Tuesday for the Region I-5A tournament. But there's no previous track record to judge the Lady Eagles. They are making their first regional appearance in school history.

Also on the regional schedule today is the Region I-4A boys and tennis tournament in San Angelo which includes players from Sweetwater, Snyder and Big Spring and the Region I-4A boys and girls golf tournament, also in San Angelo. The Snyder girls won the regional golf title last year and went on to finish third, but top player Brooke Lowrance is now playing for Texas Tech.

Also on tap today is the Region II-2A boys tennis tournament and II-2A girls golf tournament in Stephenville and the Region I-A boys and girls tennis tournament in Levelland.