Sports

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP BELL RINGING: Seniors Caleb Lengefeld and Taylor Long ring the bell after bringing home state track medals. The first Bulldog to bring home three medals from one state track meet, Lengefeld claimed gold in the 3200-meter run, silver in the 1600-meter run and bronze in the 800-meter run. The most decorated gold medalist in HHS history, Long brought home gold medals in the 400-meter dash and 800-meter this year to add to his 2021 gold in the 800-meter run. Sttaff photo/Hinton

JOHN HALL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP: Members of the Hall family presented scholarships to three worthy senior Bulldog recipients, including Jaydon Watson, Caleb Lengefeld and Dawson Melde, during the Bulldog Athletic Banquet on Monday. Pictured (l-r), HHS Athletic Director Casey Jones, Roseann Hall, Nathan Hall, Watson, Lengefeld, Mason Hall, Melde and Chelsi Hall. Sttaff photo/Lengefeld

FINAL GAME - Hamilton seniors Jaydon Watson (left) and Garrison Blackwell (right), pictured after a regional baseball quarterfinal game versus Anson in Brock last Thursday, helped lead the 22-8 Bulldogs to the third round of the playoffs and a District 7-2A Championship this year. Staff photo/Lengefeld

ALL-DISTRICT - 10 members of the 22-8 2022 district, bi-district and area champion Hamilton Bulldog baseball team received alldistrict honors. First year Head Coach Jeffrey Timmons was named the District 7-2A Coach of the Year, and Chase Weaver was recognized as the District 7-2A Most Valuable Player. Receiving first team nods were outfielder Jaydon Watson, infielder Hayden Blackwell and catcher Bryson Tarpley. Utility player Ryan Worbington, outfielder Cole Bauman, infielder Sutton Lee, catcher Garrison Blackwell and pitcher Caden Hopper all received second team recognition. Pictured (l-r) following the Hamilton Bulldog Athletic Banquet on Monday in the Chandler Craig Auditorium, all-district baseball award recipients, including Head Coach Jeffrey Timmons, Caden Hopper, Garrison Blackwell, Sutton Lee, Jaydon Watson, Bryson Tarpley, Chase Weaver, Cole Bauman, Hayden Blackwell and Ryan Worbington. Sttaff photo/Lengefeld

After claiming a regional title for the second consecutive year, the Hamilton Bulldog track team earned a place on the UIL State Track and Field Championships medal stand for the first time in program history. Perhaps more impressively, the Dogs accomplished the feat with just four athletes competing in Austin last Friday. 71 2A schools were represented in Austin, and the Bulldogs claimed silver with 47 points scored, behind only Refugio. Caleb Lengefeld earned a team high 24 points, including individual gold, silver and bronze medals, and Taylor Long staked 21 points with two gold medal performances and a sixth-placed finish in the 200-meter dash. Also adding a pair of points to Hamilton’s tally was Dawson Melde with a fifth-place finish in the 3200-meter run. Pictured (l-r) on the front row, Athletic Director Casey Jones and coaches Zach Wood, Patrick Blount, Howard Cox, Brandun Massingill and Ryan Marwitz. In the back, athletes Taylor Long, Caleb Lengefeld and Mason Guinn. Not pictured, Coach Cathe Allen and Dawson Melde. Staff photo/Lengefeld

For the second consecutive year, Hamilton’s Bulldog golfers joined the state’s top 12 Class 2A golf teams in Austin for the UIL State Golf Tournament held at the Lions Municipal Golf Course. Hamilton placed sixth last season in Austin and returned on Monday and Tuesday of last week to stake a fourth in state finish with a team score of 697.

For the second consecutive year, the Hamilton Bulldogs will face the Anson Tigers in the regional quarterfinal round of the Texas 2A UIL Baseball Playoffs. Anson bounced the Bulldogs from the playoffs last season in a tight three-game series. After sneaking past the Dogs 1-0 in game one played in Weatherford, the Tigers advanced with a 3-2 decision over the Dogs the following day in Hermleigh. This year’s regional quarterfinal rematch will be decided in just one game to be played at 7 p.m. this Thursday at Brock High School.

TURN TWO- Second baseman Caden Hopper toe taps second before attempting a double-play throw to first versus Hawley. Staff photos/Lengefeld

HARRY BULLARD MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT - 63-2 person teams battled the heat at Perry Country Club during the 12TH annual Harry Bullard Memorial Golf Tournament last weekend. Staff Photo/ Kim Hinton