<\/p>\n
Weiss Wolves wide receiver Dallas Schad (11) carries the ball as Anderson Trojans Yaheim Riley (4) pursues during the first half of the game between the Wolves and the Trojans at the Pfield in Pflugerville, Nov. 6, 2025.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Cedar Park senior Joy Udoye passes the ball during the 2025 high school volleyball season.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mike McLennan\/Special to American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Thorndale junior Bethany Preusse set a state record in the Class 2A shot put with this toss Friday at Mike Myers Stadium. She won the discus earlier in the day.<\/p>\n
Rick Cantu\/Photo by Rick Cantu<\/p>\n
Rowan Cox, swimmer at Bowie High School, Faces off the Field on Thursday, March 5, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Rowan Cox, swimmer at Bowie High School, Faces off the Field on Thursday, March 5, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-StatesmanThe Austin area had a fair share of state championship teams and individuals in the 2025-26 academic year. Led by Taylor tennis player Rylee Michna and Bowie swimmer Rowan Cox, Central Texas athletes were successful in almost every UIL sport. State team champions included Cedar Park volleyball, Wimberley and Round Rock girls soccer and the boys and girls golf teams from Westlake.<\/p>\n
Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n
Each year, the American-Statesman identifies the top 50 athletes from Central Texas schools for that academic year. In all, this year’s top 50 list is comprised of 26 boys and 24 girls from 23 different schools. Lake Travis placed five athletes, which led the Austin area, followed by four selections each from Anderson, Dripping Springs and Westlake.Two of our top 50 athletes are finishing their high school careers having earned spots on our annual honor list for every year. Dripping Springs volleyball player Henley Anderson and Taylor tennis player Rylee Michna also made our 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 lists, too.Two of our top 50 athletes are finishing their high school careers having earned spots on our annual list all four years. Dripping Springs volleyball player Henley Anderson and Taylor tennis player Rylee Michna were on our 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 lists, too.<\/p>\n
Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n
Two of our top 50 athletes are finishing their high school careers having earned spots on our annual honor list. Dripping Springs volleyball player\u00a0<\/p>\n
Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n
Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n
MORE:\u00a0Austin parents are spending thousands on fulfilling their kids’ sports dreams<\/a><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n RICK CANTU’S GOODBYE: A retiring sportswriter’s 10 favorite stories from his 45-year career<\/a><\/p>\n Ten others from this year’s list are repeat selections from last year: Bowie’s Rowan Cox, Dripping Springs’ Lucy Clarno and Jackson Shipley, Lake Travis’ Amelia Clark, LASA’s Eva Cragnolino, Leander’s Brooke Frushour, Anderson’s Colby Huntress, Vandegrift’s Miles Teodecki and Cedar Park’s Nathan Reilly and Joy Udoye.<\/p>\n The American-Statesman’s top 50 Central Texas athletes from the 2025-26 school year:<\/p>\n Rylee Michna of Taylor High School holds up her trophy after winning the Class 4A state tennis championship for the fourth straight year.<\/p>\n Monee Michna\/Photo by Monee Michna<\/p>\n 1. Rylee Michna, Taylor tennis<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Literally almost unbeatable, the Ducks tennis standout finished her incredible high school career with her fourth UIL Class 4A state championship in May. With a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Prosper Richard’s Amanda Tanaka in the title match, she improved her four-year record to 99-1. The valedictorian of her senior class, Michna will enroll at Texas this fall to study environmental science.<\/p>\n 2. Rowan Cox, Bowie swimming<\/p>\n A dominant force at the UIL state swimming and diving championships<\/a>, he finished first in the 100-meter backstroke with state-record time of 46.27 seconds,. The senior later added his second gold medal in the 100 butterfly with a time of 45.47, nearly three seconds ahead of the silver medalist. He has signed to swim for Texas.<\/p>\n 3. Colby Huntress, Anderson runner<\/p>\n A state champion in both cross-country and track and field, the future Texas Longhorn<\/a> won the state cross country meet in 5A in the fall. He earned his first career state gold medal in track and field by winning the 800 meters in 90-degree heat in May. He later triumphed in the 1,600, winning the race by a split second after trailing at the midway point.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n 4. Bo Ogden, Westlake basketball<\/p>\n After averaging 21.6 points and 9.2 assists a game, the Chaparrals senior was named “Mr. Basketball”<\/a> by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches. The Central Texas boys player of the year led Westlake to the state championship game in Class 6A. He will follow his dad Chris, a former Longhorn and UT’s general manager for men’s basketball, by playing for Texas in the fall.<\/p>\n Westlake guard Bo Ogden (5) shoots the ball during the UIL 6A Division 2 State Championship game against Little Elm at the Alamodome on Saturday, March 14, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n 5. Jackson Shipley, Dripping Springs wrestling<\/p>\n The Tigers senior wrapped up another great season by winning a Class 6A wrestling championship<\/a> at 120 pounds in February. Almost perfect, he finished the year with a 47-1 record. In the state finals, he defeated James Murray of Lake Travis 19-3. During the state meet, he also avenged his only loss of the year by beating Allen’s Oliver Putnam 5-3.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n 6. Trae Hill, Cedar Park football<\/p>\n Bound for Abilene Christian, the\u00a0Central Texas offensive player of the year\u00a0<\/a>led the area with 2,300 rushing yards and 34 touchdowns. His spectacular season came one year after suffering multiple fractures in his big left toe during an early-season game. He was named the Statesman’s Central Texas newcomer of the year as a sophomore.<\/p>\n All Central Texas Football Offensive MVP, Cedar Park running back Trae Hill (21) at Cedar Park High School, Jan. 8, 2025.<\/p>\n Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n 7. Bethany Preusse, Thorndale track and field<\/p>\n The Bulldogs junior won the discus and shot put at the Texas Relays and did the same at the UIL state track and field championsips\u00a0<\/a>in May. She set Class 2A state records in the discus and shot put. Her discus toss of 152 feet, 9 inches was exactly 23 feet further than her closest competitor.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n 8. Joy Udoye, Cedar Park volleyball<\/p>\n After leading Cedar Park to the state championship in Class 5A Division II, Udoye was named\u00a0Central Texas’ player of the year<\/a> by the Statesman after finishing with spectacular numbers: 581 kills, 364 digs, 34 aces and 30 blocks. She was the leader of a team that went 39-12.<\/p>\n Lorelei Gamble of Dripping Springs High School follows the ball as she practices on the softball field in Dripping Springs, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. The future Texas Longhorn leads the nation with 18 home runs.<\/p>\n Mikala Compton\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n 9. Lorelei Gamble, Dripping Springs softball<\/p>\n One of the nation’s leading home run hitters with 23, the Tigers junior has committed to\u00a0Texas softball<\/a>. She helped carry her team to a 32-8-1 record with massive numers at the plate that included a batting average of .574, 60 RBIs, 13 doubles and 4 triples. Feared by opposing teams, she walked 58 times.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n 10. CJ Hansford, Lake Travis baseball<\/p>\n A force at the plate and on the mound, Hanford was one of the big reasons Lake Travis reached the Class 6A DI state championship game for the first time. Not only was he among the team leaders with a .355 batting average, he finished with a 9-1 pitching record and an ERA of 0.96.<\/p>\n Our other 40 top athletes in Central Texas<\/p>\n Players are listed alphabetically.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Henley Anderson, Dripping Springs volleyball:\u00a0A Texas signee, she finished her high school career with 261 kills and 107 blocks for a team that reached 6A state championship match.<\/p>\n Antione Baker, LBJ football\/track and field: A Vanderbilt signee, he made the All-Central Texas football team and was a valued veteran on the LBJ track and field team.<\/p>\n Gentry Barker, Lake Travis volleyball: The San Diego State pledge had 572 kills this year earned MaxPreps All-America honors<\/a>.<\/p>\n Gentry Barker, a junior at Lake Travis High School, is one of the top 10 Austin-area volleyball players to watch this high school volleyball season. Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n Elizabeth Bircher, LASA diving: A senior, Bircher struck gold in the 1-meter diving event at state, the first medal in her four years of high school.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Mauricio Bryant, Leander wrestling:\u00a0Bryant (39-3) won state in the 5A 165-pound division.<\/p>\n Carter Buck, Lake Travis football: The TCU signee broke a Cavaliers single-season record with 22 sacks and earned Statesman Central Texas defensive player of the year<\/a> honors.<\/p>\n Geralynn Byers-Veal, Westlake volleyball\/basketball: After being named Central Texas’ newcomer of the year in volleyball, Westlake’s star freshman helped the Chaparrals reach the state title game in basketball.<\/p>\n Vandegrift Vipers wide receiver Brock Chilton (1) is tackled by C. E. King Panthers defensive back Dwight Wiley (6) in the first quarter as the Vipers play the Panthers in the Class 6A Division II state semi-final game at McClane Stadium in Waco, Dec. 13, 2025.<\/p>\n Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n Brock Chilton, Vandegrift football: One of the area’s most dynamic players, the Vipers senior led Central Texas with 114 catches and 14 TDs last fall.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Lucy Clarno, Dripping Springs wrestling:\u00a0After winning a state title last year as a freshman, the Tigers’ sophomore standout went 31-1 this year and reached the semifinals at the UIL state meet.<\/p>\n Amelia Clark, Lake Travis soccer: The Cavaliers senior who will play at UTSA tallied 18 goals and 17 assists to finish off a career in which she became the program’s all-time scorer.\u00a0<\/p>\n Connor Comeau, Anderson baseball: Signed by Texas A&M, he is projected to be taken early in the MLB draft <\/a>this summer.<\/p>\n Anderson infielder Connor Comeau bats in the first inning of the District 24-5A game between the McCallum Knights and Anderson Trojans at Northwest Pony Field, March 31, 2026.<\/p>\n Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n Eva Cragnolino, LASA track and field: After winning the Class 5A state, the senior standout won a pair of medals at the UIL state track and field meet.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Caleb Crenshaw, Anderson football: Bound for Stephen F. Austin, he set the career rushing record for Austin ISD<\/a> with 5,430 yards.\u00a0<\/p>\n Rylen Darter, Taylor golf:\u00a0Only a freshman, she won the state golf meet in 4A and won 10 tournaments during the season.<\/p>\n MORE: Luke Hawley of Vandegrift headline All-Centex soccer team<\/a><\/p>\n MORE: Westlake dominates All-Centex golf teams<\/a><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Jack Devine, Regents football: The junior quarterback passed for 34 touchdowns and ran for 10 more and earned the Statesman’s Central Texas private school player of the year honors.<\/p>\n Emma Durkin, Wimberley soccer: The Texans freshman was named MVP of the 4A DII state championship game, scoring Wimberley’s first goal of a 3-1 win over Sunnyvale.<\/p>\n Wimberley Texans midfielder Emma Durkin (20) reacts as she is named MVP of the Texans State Championship, beating Sunnyvale 3-1 to take the UIL State 4A Division II title at Georgetown ISD Athletic Complex in Georgetown, April 9, 2026.<\/p>\n Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n Grace El-Deir, Round Rock soccer:\u00a0The Central Texas player of the year finished her senior season with 40 goals, including one in the Class 6A DI state championship victory over Keller.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Brooke Frushour, Leander swimming: After winning a gold and silver medal at state as a sophomore, she earned gold and bronze<\/a> medals this year.<\/p>\n Mason Gonzalez, Rouse baseball: The District 25-5A MVP hit .379 and also went 8-2 on the mound with 50 Ks and a 2.03 ERA.<\/p>\n Rachel Grundei, Leander softball: The Lions senior led the team to the Class 5A DI state semifinals with a batting average of .625 with 12 home runs and 74 RBIs.<\/p>\n Jorian Guinn, Weiss football: The Wolves senior finished with a team-high 126 tackles, blocked three punts and had four INTs.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n St. Dominic Savio\u2019s Chayse Madison-Haire wins the D1 100-meter dash in a time of 11.91 on Saturday afternoon during the 98th Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin, April 4, 2026.<\/p>\n Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n Chayse-Madison Haire, St. Dominic Savio track and field:\u00a0Won TAPPS gold in the 100 and 200 meters and took first in the 100 at the Texas Relays.<\/p>\n Luke Hawley, Vandegrift soccer:\u00a0The Statesman’s Central Texas boys player of the year produced 20 goals and 10 assists as a senior. He’ll play Division I soccer at Lipscomb.<\/p>\n Luke Hawley (9) of Vandegrift chases the ball vs. Hutto on Feb. 4, 2025 at Vandegrift High School. James Hehman (8) of Vandegrift is also pictured.<\/p>\n Photo provided by Andre Fuegner<\/p>\n Aidan Hernandez, Round Rock soccer: The MVP of the 6A DI state tournament, her two goals propelled the Dragons<\/a> to their first championship and the school’s first team state championship in three decades.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Louis Hickman Jr., LBJ football\/track and field:\u00a0After catching 40 passes for 1,040 yards last fall, he earned gold and silver medals<\/a> at the 4A state track and field meet in the spring. At state he joined teammates Javarlyn Smith, Josian Covington and Ladanian Green to win the 400-meter relay that finsihed 10 meters ahead of runner-up Stafford.<\/p>\n Trinity Jackson, Hendrickson basketball: The Hawks’ senior standout averaged 19.2 points a game and finished her high school career with more than 1,400 points and 1,000 rebounds.<\/p>\n Ben Jaggers, Anderson swimming: One of the top swimmers at the state meet, the Arizona State signee earned two gold medals and a silver.<\/p>\n Mila Juarez, San Marcos wrestling: The Statesman’s Central Texas girls wrestler of the year capped her spectacular junior season by going 31-1 and winning a Class 6A state gold medal<\/a> at 120 pounds. She won silver in the same weight class in 2025.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Tamia King, Westlake basketball: The\u00a0Central Texas girls player of the year<\/a> averaged 18.7 points and 14 rebounds for the Chaparrals who went 40-1 and reached the Class 6A state title game. She will play for the Houston Cougars.<\/p>\n HOME: Lake Travis, Vandegrift headline All-Centex football team<\/a><\/p>\n HOME: What area high school athletes are thankful for<\/a><\/p>\n Kiran Kini, LASA soccer: With 32 goals and 14 assists this season, Kini led LASA to the Class 5A DII boys state semifinals.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Emree Massaad, Johnson softball: A Texas Longhorns pledge, the Jaguars junior batted .441 and was 31-for-31 in stolen base attempts.<\/p>\n Morgan Nelsen, Hendrickson cross-country\/track and field:\u00a0The Hawks junior finished 10th in 5A cross country and earned a silver and bronze medal at UIL track.<\/p>\n Liberty Hills’ Jack Pitchford (7) celebrates a touch down as Liberty Hill and Bastrop face off in the District 11-5A Division 2 championship in Liberty Hill, Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. Liberty Hill won 48-14.<\/p>\n Mikala Compton\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n Jack Pitchford, Liberty Hill football\/track and field:\u00a0Made the All-Central Texas football team as a utility player and competed at the regional track meet in two events.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Nathan Reilly, Cedar Park wrestling:\u00a0The Timberwolves junior did it again, winning his third straight Class 5A state title by going 49-2. It was his\u00a0third state championship<\/a> at 120 pounds.<\/p>\n Alyciana Rogers, Liberty Hill wrestling: One year after earning a silver medal at state, she won gold at 235 pounds this spring as a junior.<\/p>\n Jaxon Schad, Weiss football: After throwing 51 touchdowns and running for 10 more TDs, the Wolves’ sophomore standout was named first-team quarterback on the Statesman’s All-Central Texas team.<\/p>\n Henry Talarico, Westlake golf: The Chaparrals sophomore led Westlake to its 15th state golf championship<\/a> and won the Class 6A state individual championship.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Cole Taylor, Pflugerville football\/baseball: Bound to play baseball at Wharton College, the Panthers senior also was among the area’s top quarterbacks with 41 touchdown passes.<\/p>\n Pflugerville Panthers quarterback Cole Taylor (7) looks for play directions from the sideline offensive coach during the third quarter against the Liberty Hill Panthers at the District-11-5A2-RIII football game on Friday, Oct 18, 2024, at the Pfield Stadium in Pflugerville, TX.<\/p>\n John Gutierrez\/Special to American-Statesman<\/p>\n Miles Teodecki, Vandegrift football: The future quarterback at Penn, the Vipers senior finished with a two-year total of 27 victories as the starter. He led the Vipers to the 2024 Class 6A DII state title.<\/p>\n Cooper Webb, Lake Travis baseball: Signed by Texas, the right-handed pitcher who led the Cavaliers to the 6A DI championship game is projected to be taken in the second or third round of the MLB draft.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n A look back at our 2024-25 All-Central Texas teams<\/p>\n All-Centex volleyball: Three Austin-area teams made state title matches this year<\/a><\/p>\n All-Centex football: Lake Travis and Vandegrift led the way this year<\/a><\/p>\n All-Centex cross-country: Two area state champs led our annual honor team<\/a><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n All-Centex wrestling: Dripping Springs and San Marcos grapplers were our headliners<\/a><\/p>\n All-Centex basketball: Westlake’s 40-1 state finalists ruled over our honor team<\/a><\/p>\n All-Centex soccer: Our boys team<\/a> was led by Vandegrift’s Luke Hawley, the girls by Round Rock’s Grace El-Deir<\/a><\/p>\n All-Centex swimming\/diving: Our boys POY will swim for Texas, our girls POY will dive for Duke<\/a><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n All-Centex tennis: Westwood and tennis stars netted top honors for our boys and girls area teams<\/a><\/p>\n All-Centex golf: Half of our six boys first-teamers from Westlake? After 15th state title, you bet.<\/a><\/p>\n All-Centex track and field: An Anderson runner and a Thorndale thrower were our top stars<\/a><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n All-Centex softball: Our ’26 squad was led by state semifinalists Dripping Springs and Liberty Hill<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n