Photo Credit: Halston Fedorowicz
Longhorn fans were extremely confident entering into the 2023 football season. This is a familiar feeling for fans, who are usually disappointed by the end of the season. However, this year was not the same. Steve Sarkisian was entering year three of being the Head Coach for Texas and was exuding confidence. In a press conference in April of 2023, Sarkisian said, “It feels and looks like my team…This is what it is supposed to look like.”
On September 2nd, after a productive offseason, the Longhorns opened their season against the Rice Owls. Even though they beat the Owls in a commanding 37-10 victory, many people believed that Texas didn’t look like the team they were hyped up to be, and they surely didn’t stand a chance against Alabama the following week. However, yet again, the critics were wrong.
The following week, the Longhorns beat the Alabama Crimson Tide in what was a historic victory. This 34-24 win for the Longhorns was the worst home loss for Alabama since 2004 and the worst loss in the Nick Saban era. Sarkisian became Nick Saban’s third former assistant ever to beat him.
The hype was real, but then came the Red River Rivalry.
Texas and Oklahoma sat in the top 15 of the Associated Press rankings. For the first time since 2011, both teams entered the Cotton Bowl undefeated with so much on the line– Texas wanted to continue their dominance on a national level, and Oklahoma wanted to avenge their 49-0 loss from the previous year.
This back-and-forth game was an instant classic. Entering the 4th quarter, the Sooners led 27-20, and the Longhorns faced their first loss of the 2023 season. The Longhorns tried to make a push late in the game, but the Sooners were able to win on a last-second drive.
The hype WAS real. However, this devastating loss meant the Longhorns no longer controlled their destiny in the Big 12 or the College Football Playoffs.
Still, the Longhorns put the loss behind them. They continued on with their season, winning their next six games, and snuck into the Big 12 Championship thanks to losses from Kansas State, Iowa State, Oklahoma, and West Virginia.
Entering the Big 12 Championship in the AT&T stadium in Arlington, TX, the Longhorns were tasked with a favorable matchup against the #18 Oklahoma State Cowboys. In previous years, Sarkisian and the Longhorns had struggled against the Cowboys, but they kept their confidence and handily won 49-21, winning their first Big 12 Championship since 2009.
In the stylish victory over the Cowboys, star quarterback Quinn Ewers threw for 452 yards and 4 touchdowns, setting two Big 12 title game records. The Longhorns outscored their opponents 106-28 in their final two games and did all they could to prove to the College Football Playoff selection committee that they were one of the four best teams in America.
The following day, the Longhorns eagerly waited to see the top 4 teams and if they would have the opportunity to play for the National Championship. For each of the previous rankings, the Longhorns ranked 7th, and no team outside of the top 6 in the penultimate rankings had ever made it to the playoff. However, this year proved to be different, yet again.
In the final four-team playoff, the Longhorns ranked 3rd and were scheduled to play the 2nd ranked Washington Huskies in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, LA. The Longhorns had never made the playoff in its 10-year existence, so Sarkisian and the team were elated to play in the semi-final game.
Entering the game, the Longhorns were 4-point favorites over the Washington Huskies. Led by Heisman finalist Michael Penix Jr., the Washington Huskies were doubted by analysts all season, and this game wasn’t any different. However, the Huskies played a fast-paced, high-scoring game from the first snap.
The Longhorns didn’t play nearly well enough to win and were either tied or trailing for the entire game. After coming up short on a last-second drive, the Longhorns' hopes of winning a National Championship were shattered. The Huskies would defeat them 37-31.
Even though the Longhorns fell short of ultimate glory in the 2023-2024 football season, the program as a whole showed immense progress, and thanks to a strong culture, they set a new precedent. The Longhorns won 12 games and the Big 12 Championship for the first time since 2009 and were carrying great momentum in preparation for their move to the Southeastern Conference.
As the sun sets on countless hours of practice, determination, and unwavering resilience, a day of recognition finally emerges: signing day. The proud display of high school athletes, wearing their college T-shirts, becomes a vibrant scene. As they look out into the audience, the cheerful smiles of family, friends, and teachers mirror the journey that led to this point. Picture, if you will, the collection of years spent chasing excellence. Finally, these athletes step into the spotlight, ready to pen the next chapter of their athletic journey. The chapel resonates with applause for a hard-won victory. It's more than just a day of acknowledging athletic skill, it's a celebration of the relentless spirit and determination that carried these athletes through the challenging climb.
It's important to rewind and view some of the pivotal moments, valuable insights and challenges that some committed athletes faced on their path to becoming a future collegiate athlete. 11th grade Field Hockey star Caroline Simmons gained momentum during the summer before her sophomore year after being devoted to the sport since sixth grade. Her journey was difficult and as the day approached where D1 field hockey coaches could express their interests on June 15, it cast a shadow of anticipation into her life. She proactively reached out to coaches through email, fostering relationships and spent most of her weekends at recruiting camps all over the country. She described the process as “draining,” however, despite the taxing toll of the recruitment process, Simmons recalls the life-changing moment of receiving a call from the head coach at D1 field hockey program, Richmond University. “I remember the day perfectly. I got the call while at school when my mom was working at the Spirit Shop and I rushed to go tell her. She ran out and hugged me while crying.” This profound moment “lifted the weight” off her shoulders and she felt honored, validated, and blessed to overcome the challenges of the collegiate athletic recruiting journey.
This process is a rollercoaster of emotions for many aspiring college athletes. A parallel tale unfolds as we shift our focus to another determined individual set to embark on a future in D3 lacrosse. Despite not deciding to pursue collegiate lacrosse until her junior year, the University of Chicago remained Reese Goodmans’ dream school. Chicago recognized her potential early on, placing her on their watch list. Goodman actively engaged with coaches, establishing relationships on the sidelines while also continuing to prioritize her studies, as she recognized the academic rigor of Chicago. Challenges emerged, with coaches initially silent and the stress of watching club teammates commit before her. Overcoming uncertainties, her dedication paid off when she received a call from the head Chicago coach, realizing her dream of playing at her number one school came true. With relief and excitement, Goodman embraced the commitment, having successfully navigated the challenging recruitment journey. “There were many moments I wanted to give up because I was traveling all over the country and wasn't getting any acknowledgement yet, but once I got the call I knew it was all worth it,” she said. The peak of her journey brought intense feelings of pride as her hard work and determination were rewarded with a well-deserved athletic scholarship to one of the top schools in the country.
Even when you make it to your destination, the work doesn't stop there. Former D1 women's lacrosse power-house from Montclair, New Jersey, Lindsey Ewertsen played at Columbia University and served as a two-time captain in her junior and senior years. She was voted IVY league midfielder player of the year and in 2018 set two Columbia records, including career caused turnovers (91) and single-season draw controls (76). Ewertsen initially had Columbia off her radar until the coach spotted her at an Under Armour tryout hosted at her high school fields. Following a successful ID clinic (recruiting camp with college coaches) and a campus tour, Ewertsen received an offer just 48 hours later, marking a somewhat late but pivotal point in her senior year. Once in college, Ewertsen found the student-athlete schedule facilitated accountability and collaboration. She emphasizes the growth in maturity and mental toughness that being a D1 athlete instilled in her. Her typical training week during the season included 2-3 games (could be traveling to all of them), 1-hour lift sessions in the mornings, 2-hour practices later that day and 30-minute film sessions in between practices.
For those hoping to play at the D1 level, Ewertsen encourages seeking support and that “Competing at the next level is no joke. You have to really want it for yourself, not just because you think it is cool or something you think you should do because others want it for you.” As the final whistle echoed the end of her collegiate lacrosse journey, Ewertsen not only left an undeniable mark on Columbia University's lacrosse program but also on the record books, showcasing the resilience, leadership, and unwavering dedication that defined her D1 experience.
St. Andrew’s, under the guidance of Coach Thomas Sale, the Director of Athletics, is dedicated to supporting athletes through the intricacies of NCAA eligibility and recruitment rules, preparing them both mentally and physically for the collegiate path. Coach Sale emphasizes that the SPC structure mirrors the life of a D1 athlete, providing an environment conducive to success. The program goes the extra mile by supplying individualized gear and merchandise for each sport at the school, enhancing the overall experience for student-athletes.
Head GRIT Austin lacrosse club coach Alex Ross shares a valuable perspective, reminding athletes that the journey “is a marathon, not a sprint.” Despite the challenges and potential rejections, the hard work invested in the process is never all for nothing and Ross encourages a positive outlook, reassuring that everything will fall into place eventually.
So the next time you catch yourself watching a young athlete sign that piece of paper to play at the collegiate level whether it's D1, D2, or D3, know they sacrificed so much to be there. Out of the thousands of student-athletes navigating this journey, those signing represent the 7% of high school athletes achieving the dream of playing a varsity sport in college.
Photo Courtesy of Caroline Simmons
Photo Courtesy of Reese Goodman
Photo Courtesy of Rhys Carter
“It’s game time,” said senior outfielder Rhys Carter. As the first semester of school ends and winter sports progress, spring teams begin their preparation. Specifically, the varsity baseball team. Coming off a 15-11-1 season, with a 4th place SPC finish, expectations are high for the baseball team this year. “I don’t remember the last time I was held to a standard like this. The other seniors and I have to play to the best of our abilities this year. If we’re gonna win a championship, it's going to be this year,” said senior pitcher Reid Manti. Manti has been a leader on the baseball team since his sophomore year. He won the team MVP award back-to-back years, as well as multiple SPC accolades. Manti recently committed to Rhodes College, a competitive Division III school located in Memphis, Tennessee. “It’s easy to lose track of what is important with college baseball around the corner, but at the end of the day, all that matters this year is winning the SPC championship,” Manti said.
“I think there’s finally hope for the team,” said sophomore infielder James Dalton. "There’s something special about this current team. I’d say we have a real chance.” The team has been working extremely hard to prepare by running captain-led practices. Due to new SPC rules, the coach of a team is not allowed to participate in any preseason preparation, so it has been up to the team to prepare themselves. “Preseason is the most important time because it’s an opportunity to tune your fundamentals,” said Manti. The team has been meeting up 2-3 times a week to practice on the field. With the captains' experience, the underclassmen participating felt as though they were improving exponentially. Freshman Eli Moore stated that these preseason practices have helped him hone in on specific skills that he needs to perfect before the season begins.
The pressure is high for Highlanders baseball, as a highly anticipated season is just around the corner. With multiple college commits and a roster full of potential, the baseball team is in grind time. “The team is definitely poised to make a run at the SPC title this year,” stated coach Steven Garcia. “I have confidence that our guys will put in the work to be successful.”
Boys Basketball
Junior Brandon Barker rises up for a dunk during pre-game warmups.
Photo credit: Darcie Westerlund
Girls Soccer
Juniors Emme Orchid and Sonia Singh celebrate on the field after a goal.
Photo credit: Darcie Westerlund
Boys Soccer
Junior Joaquin Alzaga gets ready for a shot.
Photo credit: Darcie Westerlund