Moran teams place in tourney
By Sam Waller
Moran’s Tyler Waddell and Connor Hail took third place in boys doubles Tuesday, March 7 at the Santa Anna tournament played at Early High School.
“This was our first tournament of the season,” coach Jo Hise said. “I’m very proud of how everyone played. I’m excited for a great tennis season.”
Moran had five entries in the tournament.
Ellis Hise and Caleb York won the boys doubles consolation bracket, while Emily Murk and Samantha Hinkle reached the quarterfinals in girls doubles. Chase Murk played boys singles and Alayna Baker played girls singles.
Waddell and Hail opened with a win over a pair from Lohn, then won 8-8 (7-4) against Santa Anna before falling to opponents from Lometa in the semifinals 6-6 (7-3), 4-6, 5-10. The Moran pair then beat a team from Bangs 6-4, 7-5 in the third-place match.
Ellis Hise and York lost their first match 6-8 to a team from Bangs, then won three matches in a row. The duo beat Coleman in the first consolation round, Blanket 8-3 in the semifinals, and Santa Anna 9-7 in the finals.
Emily Murk and Hinkle won 8-6 against Coleman in the first round and 8-2 against Brookesmith in the second before losing to another Coleman pair 6-8.
In singles, Chase Murk and Baker were both eliminated with two losses. Murk fell 0-8 to Zephyr and 2-6 to Lometa. Baker’s scores were 0-8 against Panther Creek and 0-8 against Blanket.
Track And Field
Moran’s track teams competed Thursday, March 9, at the Rising Star meet with the girls finishing sixth in the team standings with 40 points while the boys scored 10 points.
“The kids competed well,” coach John Hughes said. “Weather conditions were not that great and had some effect on everyone who was there. Again, I’m proud of the job the kids did.”
Alli Scott, who won four events at Rising Star, will compete Thursday, March 16 at Angelo State’s spring break meet. The meet is open to last year’s state qualifiers.
The full Moran teams return to competition Thursday, March 23 at Blanket. Moran’s junior high teams will compete Tuesday, March 21 at Blanket.
At Rising Star, Scott won the 100 hurdles (17.2), 300 hurdles (50.72), high jump (5-4), and long jump (15-5).
Jayla Bussell competed in the 400 (1:20.41) and the 800 (3:50.02).
Kacenda Thompkins and LeAnna Sikes both competed in the shot put and discus, showing improvement from the previous meets. Terra Thompson competed in the 1600 (10:43.21).
“Terra has continued to drop her time as the year has progressed,” Hughes said.
For the Moran boys, Ellis Hise was third in the triple jump (35-0½) and Hail was fourth in the shot put (35-1).
Hail also competed in the 100 (11.84) and 400 (1:01), while Hise also competed in the 100 (13.93), 400 (1:04), and 200 (28.96).
Chase Murk competed in the long jump (no mark), 100 (14.94), 400 (1:11), and 200 (33.0).
