By Melinda L. Lucas

In their last two warm-up meets before next week’s district tournament, Albany High School golfers have continued to improve and turned in some impressive results from a March 29 practice at Shady Oaks Golf Course in Baird.

AHS athletes also played at Shady Oaks the previous Tuesday.

The local boys team didn’t place as a team, but golf coach Tate Thompson was encouraged with their performance.

“There were four of our district opponents at this tournament, and we beat all of them,” said Thompson.

By Sandy Morris

It’s been six years in the making with the past four years of dedicated hard work, but Albany High School senior athlete Wesley Estridge finally made his goal become a reality.

Estridge lifted his way to win the Division 3 super heavyweight class at the Texas High School Powerlifting Association state meet held this past Saturday at the Taylor County Expo in Abilene.

“I don’t feel like I can take credit for it,” said Estridge. “If it hadn’t been for all the support I had at the state meet, I don’t know that I’d have done as well as I did.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Lion baseball team opened district last week with a pair of wins, including a rally for a win over Stamford and a no-hitter against Haskell.

Albany hosted Anson on Tuesday, posting a 7-5 win over the top-ranked Tigers, improving their record to 9-3 overall and 3-0 in district.

The Lions will travel to Cisco on Thursday, April 1, with a first pitch at 4:30 p.m. The JV game against Cisco was cancelled.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany track teams competed in Breckenridge last Thursday as the final tune-up before the District 10-2A meet.

Albany hosted the district meet on Wednesday (yesterday), but results were not available prior to the printing deadline for this week’s issue. A complete report including those who qualified to advance will be printed next week.

Boys coach Rod Britting said earlier this week that he was still evaluating his players in preparation for the district meet.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The junior high district track meet is set for Saturday, March 27, in Hamlin.

All four Albany teams will participate, including seventh and eighth grade boys and girls teams.

Field events for the four divisions will begin at 9:00 a.m., with events rotating among sessions also starting at 9:45 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.

Running events will start at 1:00 p.m. on a rolling schedule.

By Sandy Morris

The Moran varsity track team members competed over Spring Break on Thursday, March 18 at the May Tiger Relays.

The next meet is scheduled for Friday, March 26 at Paint Rock.

Varsity Girls Results

Hannah Noble placed second in the 100 and 200 meter dash.

Alli Scott came in first in the 100 and 300 meter hurdles and second in long jump.

Dariann Hawley was third in the 800 meter run and fifth in high jump.

By Donnie A. Lucas

After taking a break last week, the Lion baseball team and Lady Lion softball girls both returned to district play this week.

The softball team was 2-0 as spring break started, with district wins over Gorman and Baird.

The girls traveled to Cross Plains Tuesday, winning 13-5. Details will be reported next week.

The team will play in Eula on Friday, March 26, starting at 5:00 p.m., followed by another district bout in Cisco on Tuesday, March 30.

Lions Open District

By Sandy Morris

Senior athlete Wesley Estridge has worked his way to the top of Region 6, Division 3 Single Heavy Weight Powerlifting, and has advanced to the state meet, set for Saturday, March 27 in Abilene.

A send-off for Estridge will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 26, with Estridge weighing in that afternoon at the Taylor County Expo Center and competing on Saturday starting at 8:30 a.m. 

Tickets are $5 each and are general admission only. Those wishing to attend the meet can purchase tickets at ­taylorcountyexpocenter.com.

By Sandy Morris

The Big Country Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) recently announced the list of coaches and athletes selected to participate in the Big Country Chevy Dealers 2021 FCA All-Star Festival.

Albany High School senior athletes selected for football are Ryder Wilkins for the Red Team and Wesley Estridge for the Blue Team.

Wilkins and Estridge will face off against each other on Saturday, June 12 at the 22nd Annual Myrle Greathouse All-Star Football Classic in Abilene.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Despite schedule conflicts because of spring break last week, the Lion and Lady Lion track teams competed well at the Eastland meet held March 18.

The varsity boys won both relays they competed in at Eastland and had several jumpers medal, while the girls placed in the lone relay they ran and finished well in field events.

The Albany teams will compete at Breckenridge on Thursday (today) starting at 4:00 p.m. with field events and 6:15 p.m. with running events.