In the 100+ year history of Teague, Texas, there hasn't been many things that haven't been accomplished in the orange and white. However, on the softball field, Teague senior Kaylee "KK" Cuevas became the first Lady Lion to reach 1,000 strikeouts in school history this past season. She leads Teague into the postseason hoping to help the Lady Lions to an area championship for the first time in school history.
What a story 13-year old PJ Trojanowski is. Doctors diagnosed PJ with Stage 4 Kidney cancer in both of her kidneys while she was in kindergarten on January 27th, 2017. Two days earlier, PJ cheered on a Baylor Men's Basketball comeback win over Texas Tech from the stands. Seven years later, she returned back to watch the Bears cancer free and even spent time shooting hoops and designing shoes for HC Scott Drew, with the help of the American Cancer Society and Coaches vs. Cancer, to wear on the anniversary of her diagnosis.
'Sideline Second Act'
This is the story of China Spring ISD Senior Finley Petersen and his perseverance through a joint disorder diagnosis that ended his high school basketball career.
Now, Petersen continues to lead in his senior season as the Cougars look to compete for a district title despite being diagnosed with Osteochondritis dissecans, a joint disorder where a segment of bone and cartilage begins to separate after repeated stress.
"The big thing is he didn't let his role define his impact on the program." - China Spring head basketball coach Philip McCaslin
Corbin Mock is a senior at Lake Belton High School who was born with Thoracic Insufficiency Syndrome and has had 41 surgeries in just 17 years of life. His passion for the game of football kept him looking for ways to stay involved with the Broncos and head coach Brian Cope had the perfect opportunity - as a student QB coach.
Covering my first coaching firing proved to be a tall task but gave me valuable experience. Texas A&M let go of Jimbo Fisher without much warning on a Sunday toward the end of the 2023 football season. I used elements from his introductory presser and tied them into his untimely departure, six years later.
'Beep Baseball' is a sport that allows blind or visually impaired individuals to take part in America's pastime, just with a little added twist!
Stories like these are why sports are so impactful toward giving opportunities to those that otherwise wouldn't have an outlet to participate.
Josie Bower was the only Senior on the Baylor Softball team in the 2023 season. She brought the power Baylor needed to contend with some of the best teams in the nation and get the Bears back in the NCAA Tournament. Her brother Aaron, who was diagnosed with Autism at age 11, powered the Bears in a different way... in the stands. Using their respective 'Bower Powers' the Baylor Bears turned in their best regular season since 2017 en route to an NCAA Regional appearance.
China Spring's Cory Beckham is a winner by every definition of the word. Beckham won a state championship in 1984 with the Cougars as a player and returned home to lead China Spring eventually to its first state title since 2000 as a coach in 2023. As Coach Beckham always says, "Once a Coug... always a Coug."
Throw out all of the stats, the wins and the losses. The only number that matters to sophomore wide receiver Jerry Cephus and his family is the same number he wears across his chest, #11. That number isn't just a number, it's a message to keep pushing and an example to never give up.
Cephus continues to wear #11 at UMHB to honor his brother, Brock, whose football career ended due to developing a brain tumor and having to relearn how to walk.
Ivan Diaz is a Senior defensive tackle at Waco High School but he's more than just an ordinary football player. Growing up, Ivan began cutting hair as a way to save money for his family struggling to make ends meet. Now, Diaz is known as one of the best young barbers in the city of Waco with hundreds of clients coming to his house for fresh cuts. Instead of supporting his family, he contributes to the community by using some of his proceeds to help feed the homeless in Waco.
In my first story at Fox 44, I got the opportunity to sit down with Dustin Schumacher or 'Exel'. His hit single 'Luka Magic' went viral within the Dallas Mavericks community, inspiring basketball fans and local musicians alike. Exel grew up mostly being raised by his bigger brother, while his mother tried to make ends meet and worked two jobs. He said he hopes to show young kids that they can achieve their dreams, similar to what most NBA players do.