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Nathan Mocygemba signed to play football at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. Mocygemba played as a lineman for the Rangers, earning All-District honors as a junior.

Spring signing

16 athletes signed letters of intent to pursue college athletics
Sports Staff • April 14, 2021
This year's third signing day was the largest, with 16 Rangers signing to play college sports and 5 others pursuing careers in the military.
Both the girls and boys golf teams placed first in district, and they will move on to the regional tournament on April 19-22.

Ranger Roundup

Girls track and golf win district, baseball continues winning streak
Sports Staff • April 7, 2021

Baseball Christian Keller walloped a three-run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning to run-rule South San on Tuesday, 11-1. The win extended the team’s win streak to 13 games; over that period,...

Kasen Wells rears back to swing against Harlan. It'll be a lot easier for Wells to zone in if he takes our walk-up song advice.

Walk and roll

Baseball just earned walk-up songs, and we have some suggestions
Jackson Posey, Sports Director • April 6, 2021
Baseball just earned walk-up songs, and we have some suggestions
John Garza prepares to charge a ground ball. Garza, a breakout third baseman, has played a key role in baseball’s 11-game winning streak.

Ranger Roundup

Soccer completes season, tennis finishes district
Sports Staff • March 31, 2021
Girls soccer lost their bi-district match against Johnson, playing a full game, two 10-minute overtimes and finally losing in penalty kicks.
Senior Helene Farris takes a free kick in the district championship against Steele. Farris committed to play soccer at UTSA last month, and this year is her first at Smithson Valley.

One game at a time

Girls soccer wins district, moves into playoffs
Emma Siebold, Sports Editor • March 26, 2021
The Rangers face Johnson Friday, at 7 p.m. at Davenport High School. The victor will advance to the second round and play either Westlake or Round Rock, though the team is taking playoffs game by game.
Siblings Ryan and Sage Benca square off in the snow. Both compete for the schools wrestling team.

The Battlin’ Bencas

Star sibling wrestlers Ryan and Sage aim high
Parker Maroney, Staff Writer • March 26, 2021
The Benca siblings are finishing their stay at Smithson Valley, and they intend to go out with a bang.
Braxton Alexander & Cade Dornburg show off their plaques for THSBA Hill Country Division - Anglers of the Year

Ranger Roundup

Soccer begins playoffs, bass fishing wins fourth tournament of the year
Sports Staff • March 24, 2021
Baseball run-ruled New Braunfels on Tuesday, 10-0, behind Brandon Taylor’s six-strikeout shutout and David DeHoyos’ grand slam.
Running in the 4X400 relay, senior Amalie Mills takes her strides to the finish line. At the Ranger Relays, she ran the relay after running the mile. The girls 4x400 m relay placed first in the Brenham meet with a time of 4:05.

Making the most of an opportunity

Track begins season one year after UIL shutdown
Noah Autry, Staff Writer • March 24, 2021
One year ago, track and field athletes, training all year for the opportunity to show their talents and skills on the field. Then COVID-19 hit, causing an early end to the season.
After adjusting his gloves, Kasen Wells steps into the batter's box. Wells, a junior, leads the team in OPS and stolen bases.

Depth perception

Baseball enters district play with deep roster, sky-high expectations
Jackson Posey, Sports Director • March 16, 2021
Baseball enters district play with a deep roster and sky-high expectations
Standing in the dugout, baseball locks in before a game on March 6, 2020. One week later, these players – and others across the state – would lose their respective seasons to COVID-19.

Coronaversary

Athletes reflect on anniversary of UIL shutdown
Emma Siebold and Jackson Posey • March 13, 2021
Student-athletes breathed a collective sigh of relief; there was still hope. Until two hours later, when the UIL officially shut everything down.
Senior Jewel Mann takes the ball down the field against New Braunfels. Mann has 14 goals and 10 assists this season.

Ranger Roundup

Girls soccer prepares for playoffs, baseball begins district season
Sports Staff • March 10, 2021

Girls soccer Girls soccer beat Judson 9-0 at home on senior night, with all four seniors (Jewel Mann, Jadelin Castillo, Helene Farris and Captain Kendall Spillman) scoring goals and Malia Thalman, Sabrina...

Cody Garcia celebrates after leading the Rangers to a win over South San on Jan. 8. Garcia's experience proved key in leading the team to a play-in game.

Step 3: Handling winning

Boys basketball’s resilience nearly enough for playoff berth
Jackson Posey, Sports Director • March 8, 2021
Boys basketball’s resilience nearly enough for playoff berth
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