Miguel A. Laboy
Phillip John Wolters
Warren McKentley Isaac
William Thomas
Dorothy E. Wilson
Michael Roy Parker
The postseason has arrived, and Lake Belton appears ready. In their final meets of the regular-season schedule, the Broncos and Lady Broncos traveled to the Temple Invitational last week, and numerous lifters returned home with medals. Equally important, Lake Belton emerged with the girls team title. Paced by five first-place finishes, the Lady Broncos (1st, 60) cruised to the championship, beating second-place Belton (28) by 32 points. Along the way, Lake Belton standouts Jaya Lisenbe and Moriah Rydberg were named top overall lifters for their respective combined weight classes. Rydberg won the 114 division by combining a 260-pound squat, 155 bench press and 265 deadlift for a 680 total, while Lisenbe’s 365-240-335–940 showing won the 220 title. Gold medals were also earned by Catalina Esquivel (105, 195-125-215–535), Nani Rubio (123, 290-120-315–725) and Aralina Acosta (181, 300-170-315–785), while teammates Shekayla Munoz (2nd, 123, 240-150-225–615), Emyle Love (2nd, 132, 245-140-280–665), Analicia Diaz (2nd, 148, 275-155-335–765), Macie Solis (3rd, 114, 230-140-245–615) and Baylie Anderson (3rd, 242, 195-110-245–550) completed the Lady Broncos’ top-three outings. The Lady Tigers were guided by Riley Lawhon (165, 255-155-255–665), Anahi Perez (198, 300-185-345–830) and Byonka Donaldson (242+, 245-210-345–980), who each placed first. Ciaran Messersmith (132, 200-135-240–575) was third. Waco University (3rd, 22) and Copperas Cove (4th, 18) followed in the final standings. Lake Belton also found success in the boys division, where it placed second (45) with just three points fewer than champion Waco (48). Weight-class winners were Wesley Bradley (165, 445-245-375–1,065), Matthew Jackson (181, 450-340-440–1,230), Hunter Loraus (220, 550-355-485–1,390) and Evan Lazott (275, 520-400-500–1,420). Also landing on the medal stand for the Broncos were Jax Holliman (2nd, 148, 410-265-450–1,125), Colton Crocker (2nd, 308, 520-315-560–1,395), Prince Kabuya (3rd, 181, 440-300-430–1,170) and Kaleb Truelove (3rd, 308, 550-325-485–1,360). Copperas Cove was third (40) and Waco University was fourth (20). Behind bronze-medal showings from Jorge Guardiola (3rd, 148, 415-235-405–1,055) and Keaton Richardson (3rd, 275, 400-215-430–1,045), the Tigers were sixth, scoring 13 points. Now, both Belton and Lake Belton turn their full attention toward the regional meets. The girls meet will be held March 7 at Del Valle, while the boys meet is set for March 14 at Joshua. Before then, however, there are opportunities to improve. Lake Belton hosts a last-chance qualifying meet today, where lifters can attempt to earn a spot at the regional meet by achieving qualifying totals.
The Lady Broncos spent all season earning their state ranking. Monday, they proved it was deserved. After dominating the competition throughout its schedule, losing just one game and earning an undefeated District 16-5A championship, No. 4 Lake Belton took its first step toward a state title, and it was impressive. Playing in the Division I bracket, the Lady Broncos traveled to Waco Midway to open their playoff run against Midlothian and delivered a one-sided showing as they never trailed en route to a 65-41 victory. Lake Belton led 30-8 following the first quarter, and the Lady Panthers could not recover. Junior point guard Aniya Taylor recorded 12 of her game-high 16 points in the second half, and the performance was complemented by four more double-digit scorers. Alexa King, a sophomore guard, finished with 14 points, while junior teammate Gemma Pierce had a dozen points. Additionally, freshman small forward Olivia Dann and sophomore guard Erica Taylor each scored 10 points for the Lady Broncos. The outcome sets up a second-round encounter with either Seagoville (22-12) or Dallas White (12-22) either tonight, Friday or Saturday. Lake Belton (34-1) will not play a state-ranked opponent until potentially facing No. 24 Texarkana Texas (21-3) in the third round. No. 8 Prosper Walnut Grove (29-5) also resides in Region II. LADY TIGERS Belton’s turnaround season came to a close Tuesday evening at Maypearl, where No. 20 Midlothian Heritage earned a 50-34 victory. The Lady Jaguars posted the game’s first six points and never eased up en route to reaching the Class 5A, Division II second round. By the conclusion of the first quarter, the lead expanded to 15-8, and Heritage owned a 27-13 halftime advantage, closing the period with a 7-1 outburst. The Lady Tigers were within seven points, 32-25, to begin the fourth quarter as sophomore Laila Koonce-Huston scored six of her team’s 12 points in the period, but it was not enough. Heritage (29-7) scored six unanswered points to begin the final quarter. The defeat concluded Belton’s first playoff appearance since 2022 and ended the careers of seniors Ke’Ara Shanks and Emma Flory, who helped the Lady Tigers produce a 17-18 overall record.
Melissa Farmer made history over the weekend. In her first season as a member of the Lady Tigers’ wrestling roster, the junior excelled, earning a berth at the University Interscholastic League Class 5A Wrestling State Championships, where she capitalized on the opportunity. Farmer finished fifth in the 235 weight class, marking the first time Belton has ever landed on the medal stand at state. Farmer suffered a pinfall loss in the opening round to eventual state champion Alyciana Rogers — a junior from Liberty Hill — but she responded with three consecutive wins before a defeat sent her to the fifth-place match. The final outcome against Canyon sophomore Josselin Large was decided by pinfall in 1 minute, 43 seconds. Along the way, Farmer defeated Midlothian Heritage junior Kendall Jones, who was the state runner-up last year. BOYS BASKETBALL The Tigers captured a share of the District 16-5A championship Tuesday with their 72-53 victory against visiting Waco University. Belton (28-6, 8-2) held an eight-point cushion, 33-25, at halftime and led 54-38 after three quarters. The Tigers split the title with Killeen Ellison (8-2) after the Eagles defeated Lake Belton 80-51 to conclude the Broncos’ season with a 20-14, 1-9 record. Belton and the Eagles, who have reached the Division II state semifinals in each of the last three seasons, will be joined by Killeen Chaparral (7-3) and the fourth-place Trojans (5-5). Lake Belton and Waco (1-9) rounded out the league standings. The Tigers will open their playoff run either Monday or Tuesday against either Ennis or Crandall. SOFTBALL The Lady Broncos and Lady Tigers will look to continue their strong starts to the season at weekend tournaments. Lake Belton will travel to Dripping Springs, while Belton will take part in the three-day Round Rock tournament. Both events begin today. Then, on Tuesday, the Lady Broncos travel to Hutto for a 7 p.m. start, and the Lady Tigers host Salado at 7 p.m. Both teams opened their tournament schedules at the three-day NFCA Leadoff Classic at College Station, where Belton finished with a 2-4 record, defeating Robinson 13-0 and Coppell 7-1. The Lady Tigers lost to Clear Springs (10-0), Humble Kingwood Park (5-3), Leander Rouse (6-4) and Lexington (6-3). The Lady Broncos won four of five games before inclement weather prevented them from concluding the tournament. Led by home runs from Addison Sims and Avery Park, Lake Belton defeated Lake Ridge to open the event before beating Willis 1-0 and Argyle 8-4. After falling to Montgomery 5-1, the Lady Broncos bounced back with a 3-1 win against Tomball, which ended early due to rain. Following the tournament, Lilliana Herrera helped Lake Belton defeat Fredericksburg 4-1 on Monday. Herrera allowed just three hits and struck out a dozen batters in seven innings. BASEBALL The Broncos return to action today, opening play at the Round Rock/Liberty Hill tournament. They are set to play Round Rock Cedar Ridge, San Antonio Churchill and Liberty Hill Legacy Ranch. Then, on Saturday, Lake Belton will host Rockwall-Heath and Liberty Hill at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., respectively. Belton travels to Pflugerville Connally tonight after beating Leander Glenn 7-4 in their home opener Monday. Habt Childers allowed three hits and one run as the starting pitcher before being relieved by Billy Young and Pecos Smith. Offensively, Cason Morton went 2-for-3 with three RBIs as the team amassed nine hits. TRACK & FIELD The Lady Broncos opened their season at the Lake Travis Invitational, where they finished fifth behind a trio of first-place showings. In the sprint medley relay, the quartet of Aleya Russell, Moriah Rydberg, Bella Garcia and Lucy Loa delivered a gold-medal time of 4 minutes, 25.45 seconds, and the showing was complemented by wins in the 400-meter relay and Swedish relay. Kaleileana Cress, Nylah Berriar, Russell and Garcia combined for a winning time of 47.87 in the 400 relay, while Ty’anah Debose, Russell, Garcia and Berriar won the Swedish relay in 2:18.97. The Lady Broncos will look to build on the showing in Bastrop Saturday.Melissa Farmer made history over the weekend. In her first season as a member of the Lady Tigers’ wrestling roster, the junior excelled, earning a berth at the University Interscholastic League Class 5A Wrestling State Championships, where she capitalized on the opportunity. Farmer finished fifth in the 235 weight class, marking the first time Belton has ever landed on the medal stand at state. Farmer suffered a pinfall loss in the opening round to eventual state champion Alyciana Rogers — a junior from Liberty Hill — but she responded with three consecutive wins before a defeat sent her to the fifth-place match. The final outcome against Canyon sophomore Josselin Large was decided by pinfall in 1 minute, 43 seconds. Along the way, Farmer defeated Midlothian Heritage junior Kendall Jones, who was the state runner-up last year. BOYS BASKETBALL The Tigers captured a share of the District 16-5A championship Tuesday with their 72-53 victory against visiting Waco University. Belton (28-6, 8-2) held an eight-point cushion, 33-25, at halftime and led 54-38 after three quarters. The Tigers split the title with Killeen Ellison (8-2) after the Eagles defeated Lake Belton 80-51 to conclude the Broncos’ season with a 20-14, 1-9 record. Belton and the Eagles, who have reached the Division II state semifinals in each of the last three seasons, will be joined by Killeen Chaparral (7-3) and the fourth-place Trojans (5-5). Lake Belton and Waco (1-9) rounded out the league standings. The Tigers will open their playoff run either Monday or Tuesday against either Ennis or Crandall.
Alma Jo Barrera is a trailblazing figure in BMX Freestyle, recognized as one of the first female riders to make her mark in the sport during the early 1980s. Raised in Corpus Christi, she grew up riding to the Bayfront with friends, honing tricks, sharing Big Gulps, and occasionally helping shrimp boats clean nets for fish — a reflection of her humble beginnings. Her competitive career with the American Freestyle Association (AFA) saw her compete against male riders, often placing well, with a standout second-place finish in the 19 & Over Intermediate Flatland class at a major 1987 event, celebrated in *American Freestyler* magazine. Barrera’s skill earned sponsorships from S&M (Steve & Mike), Vision Street Wear, Visage Bikes and Fanta, leading to appearances at iconic events like the Mountain Dew Classic in Portland, Oregon, and the Veldrome in West Covina, California, where she placed second again, mastering new tricks at the famed Spaghetti Bowl. She contributed to a Fanta commercial shoot and talked about new and innovative bike designs, including a lightning bolt on the bottom tube. Was it her idea or was it already in the books? … We may never know, potentially influencing the CW Phaze 1. During a GT show in Corpus Christi, Josh White dubbed her “Rad Mom,” marking her rising prominence. Facing personal challenges — losing her parents in 1984 and becoming a teen mom at 15 — Barrera found support from friends’ families, with her son Lee riding on the pegs during local adventures. Transitioning to adulthood, she served in the United States Army through multiple deployments, retiring with a successful career. Despite battling PTSD, maintaining and riding her bikes — preserved through moves — reconnected her to carefree childhood days. Her emotional response to BMX’s debut at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, reflecting her pioneering role, fuels her hope to inspire girls and women to embrace the sport and discover its peace and happiness.