BISD has impressive year with student athletes

July 24, 2025

By David Tuma

The Belton Journal

The Belton Independent School District had impressive numbers participating in sports this past school year.

At the high school level, there were 1,543 athletes in sports. This includes NewTech High School at Waskow, Belton High and Lake Belton High School.

At the junior high level, the number of participants in sports was 1,251. The total number of students attending BISD schools participating in sports was 2,794.

The schools won 10 district championships, seven bi-district championships, and two area championships (Lake Belton).

Lake Belton softball lost to Melissa in the regional finals. Melissa went on to win the state championship for the second year in a row.

The Belton High boys basketball team also lost a close game in the area finals.

The schools combined with 31 all-state players. Lake competed with 2,270 in attendance at Class 5A, Division I level, and Belton with 1,742 at the Class 5A, Division II level.

“We have a really strong group of head coaches running our programs,” Belton ISD athletic director Sam Skidmore said. “We love our athletic staff. There was tremendous participation, which is a great thing to have.

“At the junior high level, they are teaching terminology, getting ready for high school sports. Every junior high has a proper weight room open to all sports. “In wrestling, this was our first year. The participation was good. Lake Belton’s unified team made it to state. This is where special needs athletes compete with athletes together.”