Tiger track star Rachael Devee proudly represented Smithville High School in the UIL State Track and Field Meet in Austin last Friday and Saturday.  She was the only Tiger track and field athlete to advance and compete at the State level this season.

Davee competed well in the competition, placing seventh out of nine competitors with a time of 2:21.90 in the 800-meter run.

With this time she achieved her personal best for the year.

“Davee ran a good race and competed hard with tough competition,” said girls track head coach T.J. Christian. “Rachael has been working very hard to get where she got and did an amazing job throughout the year.”

Christian added that she looks forward to what Davee will accomplish next year and she hopes to see her back at the UIL State Track and Field meet in 2013.

In their second trip to the UIL State Tournament, Bailey Johnson and Brittany Hairgrove represented Smithville with great pride and spirit.

The girls came up short to Hondo High School girls double’s duo of Gilliam and Coyne 6-3, 0-6, 4-6 in a tough three set match.

During the first set the duo was on fire, forcing errors and capitalizing on Hondo’s mistakes to win the first set 6-3.

The Tiger girls put up a few errors too and lost the second set 6-0, forcing a third set.

Johnson and Hairgrove opened up the third set winning the first three games to go up 3-0. The girls lost two in a row but came back to go up 4-2 in the third set.  The duo couldn’t hang on, losing the match 6-4, which led to elimination from medal contention.

Smithville was the smallest 3A high school in the girls doubles draw and went up against schools with enrollments of over 600 students.

“Our team and coaching staff is very proud of the girl’s accomplishments this year,” said head coach Jason Segel.  “They had a season record of 13-2 for the year and carry an unmatched record of 38-8 over the past two years of playing together.”

Segel added that Johnson and Hairgrove are two time Region 3 champions in girls doubles and have qualified for the State Tennis Tournament two years in a row.

“It was another great season for our tennis kids and a wonderful run at the State title for Johnson and Hairgrove,” he said.

Unfortunately for Zimmerhanzel, a quote in a Times story last week may have made it sound like winning the state championship wasn’t a big deal for him.

Zimmerhanzel said it was one of the most special moments of his life.

At the tournament Zimmerhanzel played without teammates and competed by himself as a medalist. He was asked if that changed his game.

“That’s really not a big deal. It’s still just golf,” Zimmerhanzel said. “I wasn’t playing all that great coming in here, but I guess I did just good enough.”

For golf coach Ken Moree and everyone in Smithville it was a proud moment. Zimmerhanzel joins Tiger golfer Bill Bunte, who won the crown in Class A in 1966.

Zimmerhanzel was tied for the lead after the first round with a 71. Going into the final round he said he felt good and that he knew he had a chance to win.

“I hadn’t been playing that great going into the State Tournament,” Zimmerhanzel said. “But my dad gave me a few tips and they worked out pretty well for me.”

The Smithville junior said his competitors were tough and played very solid throughout the tournament. He finished with a 74 on the course, ending with a 1-over 145.

“I’m grateful for everything. I want to thank my parents, Coach Moree and everyone who believed in me,” he said.

Andrew Short, who is based in Smithville, is one of the top riders in the world in the sport of supercross. After a devastating injury ended his 2011 season, Short won Supercross Seattle on April 21 in his first victory ever in the 450-cc class.

Short won in front of 50,000 fans who packed Seattle’s CenturyLink Field on a Saturday night.

Short has been riding in the Supercross Class for six years and is now with the Jeremy McGrath-owned Honda Racing Team.

“My team has been through some challenges, but we stuck together,” Short told the press. “All I wanted to do was be out here and to win is unreal.”

Short won the 15^th race of the 2012 Monster Energy AMA Supercross series.

Short will debut in his first Monster Energy Cup race in Las Vegas on Oct. 20 aboard his Chaparral Honda.

MOUNTAIN BIKING

Tristan Uhl, who was raised in Smithville and attended Smithville High School, won the open division of the Austin Rattler 100 Mountain Bike Race at Rocky Hill Ranch on Saturday, which is part of the Leadville Race Series.

The 23-year-old, who has raced since he was in grade school, was up against a strong field. Uhl won by just over two seconds over the next group of riders in the field.

Rocky Hill Ranch hosts the Sun and Ski Sports Rocky Hill Roundup on Saturday and Sunday, May 19-20. For more information visit the Texas Mountain Biking Racing Association at www.tmbra.org.

Next up at Rocky Hill is the Texas XC Mountain Bike State Championships series, the Rocky Hill Roundup, on Saturday and Sunday, May 19-20.

The Smithville High School track team traveled to Humble to compete in the Regional Track meet on April 27-28.

According to the girls head coach T.J. Christian, Smithville athletes had a successful year at the Regional relays.

From the girl’s track team, Rachael Davee ran a great time of 2 minutes and 25 seconds in the 800 meter run to place second overall in the Region. Davee will move on to participate in the State Track meet on May 11-12 in Austin.

“Davee worked very hard this year and she deserved to get her spot at State,” said field coach Tony Quitta. “If she can drop three seconds on her time she can be a competitor for a place at State.”

Coach Christian praised the effort the Tigers put on the field.

Andrea Dameworth has got the field part down as part of the Tiger Track and Field team. She finished third place in District in shot put.

“I am very proud of each athlete who had the opportunity to participate in the Regional Track meet,” Christian said. “Each one of the athletes worked very hard to get where they were and they put in many hours.”

Smithville’s Maygan Washington also hit a personal best, jumping 35 feet and 10 ¾ inches in the triple jump. This put her in sixth place overall.

“Washington reached her personal best with this jump and that was her goal,” Quitta said.

From the boys team, Colin Quitta took fourth place overall in pole vault and met his personal record for the year at 14 feet, barely missing the 14 feet and 6 inches which would have tied school record.

According to Quitta, he was really third but he had one miss and that miss was the tie breaker for third place to qualify for State.

“He was only one miss away from State,” he said. “He worked very hard and the results showed in the end.”

Quitta had an injury during football season that kept him off of the track team until January.

Smithville’s Colin Quitta takes a leap to success as he won District Championship and finished as a Regional qualifier for his pole vaulting skills on the Tiger Track team.

“All participants did an amazing job and we are looking forward to having them all back next year,” Christian said. “Good luck to Davee at State and congratulations to all who participated in the Regional meet.”

Coach Christian also thanked the parents, booster club and supporters.

“I would like to thank everyone for their support. It has been a great season and we couldn’t have done it without you,” she added. “I appreciate all you have done for our athletes.”

Uhl is currently a freshman at Union College and earned the Bulldog Award for Women’s Cycling. This award is given to the female cyclist that has exhibited the core values of the Champion of Character.

The Co-Curricular Awards recognizes the accomplishments of Union Students outside of the classroom.

Founded in 1879, Union College is four-year liberal arts institution related to the United Methodist Church.

Not only was the high school junior the first Smithville golfer to advance to the state tournament in 46 years, he earned Class 3A honors as well.

Zimmerhanzel shot a 1- under 71 on Thursday and a 74 on Friday ending with a 1-over 145 to earn the title at the famous Austin course.

Zimmerhanzel was competing strictly as a medalist, and was without any teammates.

“That’s really not a big deal. It’s still just golf,” Zimmerhanzel said. “I wasn’t playing all that great coming in here, but I guess I did just good enough.”

According to golf coach Ken Moree, it was a proud moment for everyone in Smithville.

“It could not have happened to a better young man, “he said. “ He put a lot of time and effort in to his game and truly showed his composure and competiveness throughout.”

Zimmerhanzel joins Bill Bunte, who won in Class A in 1966 and brought the crown to Smithville.

“We are very proud of his accomplishments,” said Smithville athletic director Justin Wiley. “His hard work and persistence really paid off.”

Smithville golf coach Ken Moree, left, stands with 3A State medalist Kraig Zimmerhanzel and Smithville Athletic Director Justin Wiley at Jimmy Clay Golf Course in Austin during the UIL State Golf Tournament on Thursday, May 4.

Activities and deadlines include:

APRIL

26^TH- Registration deadline for the Adult Racquetball Tournament

27^TH- Early registration deadline for Challenger Sports British Soccer Camp

MAY

4th – Movie-N-Park at Riverbend Park (free admission-starting around 8:30 p.m.)

5th – Junior High Prom ($5 admission from 8-11p.m.)

10th – Registration deadline for Adult Basketball League

10th – Registration deadline for Memorial Bed Races and Kickball Tournament

19th – Honor Our Heroes Veterans Memorial Park Fundraiser

21st – Registration deadline for Youth Golf Lessons

25th – Early registration deadline for Smithville PARD All-Sport Camp

25th – Pre-registration deadline for the 3rd Annual Disc Golf Tournament

JUNE

5th – Bird Cookie Craft ($5 from 10-11:30 a.m.)

7th – Senior trip to Zilker Botanical Gardens ($25 with lunch included from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.)

8th – Late registration deadline for Smithville PARD All-Sport Camp

8th – Early registration deadline for Little Kickers Soccer

9th – 3rd Annual Disc Golf Tournament

9th – 14th – Late registration for Little Kickers Soccer

11th – 15th – Challenger Sport British Soccer Camp (time dependent on age)

16th – Smithville Swing Golf Tournament

12th – Yarn Bowl Craft ($5 from 10-11:30 a.m.)

18th – 22nd – Smithville PARD All-Sport Camp (7:30 a.m.-12 p.m.)

26th – Gatti Town kid trip ($20 with lunch included from 9 a.m. -4 p.m.)

JULY

3rd – Bug Mobile Craft ($3 from 10-11:30 a.m.)

5th – Senior trip to Duchman Winery ($20 and lunch not included from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.)

10th – Crayon Craft ($5 from 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.)

17th – Sharpie Tie Die T-shirt ($5 and bring your own shirt from 10 a.m. -12 p.m.)

19th – Senior trip to Fredericksburg Main Street for shopping ($20 and lunch not included from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.)

24th – Candle Making craft ($5 from 10-12 p.m.)

31st – IMAX 3D kids trip ($25 with lunch included)

AUGUST

Little Bumpers Youth Volleyball coming soon

You can find registration forms on the website, http://www.ci.smithville.tx.us/PARD.aspx or by visiting the Rec center at 106 Royston St.

Please not all dates, times and activities are subject to change. Please call 237-3282 for more information.

The Smithville tennis team competed in the Regional Tennis Tournament in Bryan on April 16 and 17.

Making history for the Smithville High School tennis team were Bailey Johnson (12) and Brittany Hairgrove (11) who retained their Regional crown as girls doubles champions at the UIL Regional Tournament.

Johnson and Hairgrove are the first SISD players ever to win back-to-back Regional titles, the first girls doubles team to win back-to-back Regional titles, and the first team to qualify for the UIL State Tennis Tournament as Regional champions.

“This is a great accomplishment for a small 3A school like Smithville,” said head coach Jason Segel.

Johnson and Hairgrove won the Regional tournament with wins over Poston and Autrey (Gatesville) 6-0, 6-0, Hudspeth and Crowig (District Champs from Center) 6-3, 6-2, Harlan and Parker (District Champs from Groesbeck) and in the finals beat Bellville’s District Champions Chaney and Koehn 6-5, 6-3.

The girls will travel on April 30 to UT’s Penick-Allison Center in Austin, the home of UT Longhorns Tennis Team, to play for the Girls Doubles State Title.

Boys doubles team Jamie Swartz and Blake Hickman placed fourth overall and qualified as State alternates.

Swartz and Hickman earned the fourth place finish by beating Kirbyville’s Seals and Sims 7-6,7-6;  Columbus’s Binder and James 7-6,6-0; lost to Groesbeck’s Brewer and McWhorter 1-6,1-6; and lost the third place match to Bullard’s Wags and Sanson, 2-6,1-6.

In Boys singles, Gray Morris made it to the quarterfinals by beating Gatesville’s Holden Radle 6-1,6-5; then lost to No. 1 seeded Seth Grant from Center 6-1,6-0.

In girls singles, Morgan Vinklarek lost to Tomball and Alex Crank lost to Center in the first round.

“All singles players played their best and will be back next year to take the next step toward the making the State tournament,” Segel said.

The 2012 softball season has come to an end for the Smithville Lady Tigers. They finished in fourth place out of six teams in District 23-3A play and hold a 4-6 record against La Grange in first, Rockdale in second, Giddings in third, Caldwell in fifth and Navasota in sixth.

“The only team we never had a lead on in district was Rockdale, but we played them close both times,” said head coach Holly Britain.

Smithville played the Giddings Lady Buffaloes on April 10 on the road and lost by only two runs, 11-9.

“We finished 2-2 in the last four games and we had the lead in all four games,” Britain said. “We were only six outs away from beating Giddings and essentially six outs from the playoffs.”

Cadie Jones, Macy Wilhelm and Trina Deyo brought home a total of six runs between the three of them.  Andrei Rogers, Samantha Emberton and Julia Kubicek earned a total of three runs to finish the game with nine runs total.

The Lady Tigers then moved on to face the Navasota Lady Rattlers at home April 13 and won with a score of 4-0.

Smithville held Navasota to a scoreless game and brought home four runs to gain the victory.

Scoring players for Smithville were Deyo (1), Randi Smith (1), Aeja Burleson (1) and Jones (1).

It was a battle of the wildcats in La Grange on April 17, when the Lady Tigers faced the Lady Leopards and fell by 9-4.

During the first inning, both teams scored two runs followed by another run by La Grange in the second inning to put them in the lead, 3-2.

The Lady Leopards came back in the third and the fifth inning, totaling up nine runs.

Smithville brought home two runs in the sixth but just couldn’t shoot them down in the end.

Smith led the team with two runs, followed by Jones with one and Deyo with one run.

The Lady Tigers showed up in Caldwell on April 20 with victory on their minds and defeated the Caldwell Lady Hornets 10-6 to finish the 2012 softball season and District play.

Caldwell scored the first two runs in the first inning and Smithville came back with one in the second.

By the end of the fifth inning, the Lady Hornets were ahead 6-3, but Smithville came back and scored a total of six runs in the sixth to steal the lead.

But the Lady Tigers were not finished yet – they brought home one last run in the bottom of the seventh to finish the game with a victory.

Scoring players for Smithville were Jones (3), Wilhelm (3), Taylor Haworth (1), Kubicek (1), Smith (1) and Deyo (1).

“Next year we will be another year older, another year wiser and another year mentally tougher,” Britain said. “We won two district games last year. Four, this year and I’m predicting eight next year.”