[EDITOR’S NOTE: 

At press time on Wednesday, there were rumors that the UIL had cancelled all athletic events for the remainder of the school year, but the News was not able to confirm that in time for this edition. If that proves to be the case, most of the facts in this story are obsolete.]

By Donnie A. Lucas

High school sports statewide have been suspended through March 29 by the University Interscholastic League as part of an effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus, meaning all practices and games are prohibited.

By Kathy Thomson

Albany High junior Wesley Estridge competed in the Texas High School Powerlifting Association Region 1, Division 3 Championships in Sundown last Saturday, but did not advance to state.

The initial event was the squat, followed by bench press, and then dead lift.

Estridge was successful in his attempt of 700 pounds in his squat. He improved the score on his second attempt, matching his personal meet record of 710 for the squat. 

However, he was unable to tie his personal best of 405 in bench press.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: 

At press time on Wednesday, there were rumors that the UIL had cancelled all athletic events for the remainder of the school year, but the News was not able to confirm that in time for this edition. If that proves to be the case, most of the facts in this story are obsolete.]

By Kathy Thomson

By Donnie A. Lucas

After a rocky start due to a loss in Anson last week, the Lady Lion softball team turned things around to win the championship game at the Clifton tournament despite being the smallest school entered.

The softball team was off this week for spring break, but is scheduled to be back in action next Friday in Snyder with a 5:00 p.m. first pitch.

Albany opened last week with an 11-8 loss in Anson, but came back to win four of five games in Clifton for the championship.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lion baseball team is off to a strong start, winning all three games at the Hamlin tournament last week and picking up a victory in Eastland to post an undefeated 5-0 record so far for the season.

Albany will play in the Lloyd Burton Memorial Tournament in Brock Thursday and Friday, opening with a 12:00 noon game against Covenant and a 2:00 p.m. bout versus Grandview.

The Lions will return on Friday for a 4:00 p.m. game against West, followed by a 6:00 p.m. pairing with DeLeon.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Members of the Lion varsity basketball team were honored with various selections to the All-District Team for District 8-2A .

Junior Cade Neve received the Lions’ lone superlative award as 6th Man of the Year for the district, while two seniors were tapped for the first team and a senior and a freshman were named to the second team.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany senior Alayna Koemel participated in her first golf meet of the season last week, playing as a medalist and tying for sixth overall at the Hawley golf tournament held before spring break on March 4.

“Alayna set a personal goal to break 130, and she accomplished that,” said golf coach Tate Thompson.

Koemel recorded an 18-hole score of 128 for the day.

She was Albany’s only entry at Hawley.

The local senior will travel to Shady Oaks Golf Course in Baird for a girls competition hosted by Jim Ned on March 16.

By Melinda L. Lucas

After taking a week off for spring break, members of the Albany High School tennis team will be back in action on Wednesday, March 18, hosting players from Breckenridge and Anson at the local courts starting at 2:00 p.m.

AHS athletes will then participate in the Seymour Invitational Tournament, with the girls’ matches planned on March 25, and the boys teams playing on March 30 along with mixed doubles.

The district meet is set for the following week on April 6 and April 8 at Abilene’s Rose Park Tennis Center.

By Kathy Thomson

Close to 40 girls are signed up to participate in the Albany Girls Softball Association this year, and the new president, Beth Roysdon, is working on schedules.

“As of now, the 8-U and 10-U are playing against Breckenridge teams,” said Roysdon. “The 8-U will compete in a tournament in Eastland on Saturday, April 4. We are also trying to get games scheduled with Anson and Stamford teams.”

District tournaments for the 8-U and the 10-U teams will be in mid-May, according to Roysdon.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Despite working short-handed, Albany track-sters competed in the Buckaroo Relays in Breckenridge last Thursday, placing in a number of events.

The local high school teams will compete in Hamlin on Saturday, with preliminary running events and field events starting at 9:00 a.m. Running finals will start at 3:00 p.m.

“This was our first meet of the season and we are still getting out feet under us,” boys coach Rod Britting said. “We are pleased with the times and places considering the short amount of practice time we have had.”