Sports

Killyon School of Isshin Ryu Sensei, Paula Killyon, center, was promoted to Sixth Degree Black Belt Master on Saturday, June 25. Ronnie Hicks, right, was promoted by Sensei Killyon to Third Degree Black Belt. Master Clinton Ward, who instructed Killyon, is seen with the newly promoted Black Belts.

 By: Toni Walker

Editor

news@steelcountrybee.com

They say a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Kori Hellison, a member of the Killyon School of Isshin Ryu, took the next step in her martial arts journey on Saturday, June 25, when she overcame grueling heat, mental testing, and physical exhaustion to earn her Black Belt.

Hellison has trained under Sensei Paula Killyon in the Killyon School of Isshin Ryu for several years. Hellison was one of two students who received their brown belts in 2015, but was the only who stuck with it to test for her Black Belt.

Killyon, who had been out for two months due to illness, gave her most seasoned Black Belt, Ronnie Hicks, charge over Hellison’s test. During Killyon’s absence, “Mr. Pops,” as he is known in the dojo, stepped up and continued Hellison’s training towards the Black Belt ranking.

 By: Toni Walker

Editor

news@steelcountrybee.com

They say a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Kori Hellison, a member of the Killyon School of Isshin Ryu, took the next step in her martial arts journey on Saturday, June 25, when she overcame grueling heat, mental testing, and physical exhaustion to earn her Black Belt.

Hellison has trained under Sensei Paula Killyon in the Killyon School of Isshin Ryu for several years. Hellison was one of two students who received their brown belts in 2015, but was the only who stuck with it to test for her Black Belt.

Killyon, who had been out for two months due to illness, gave her most seasoned Black Belt, Ronnie Hicks, charge over Hellison’s test. During Killyon’s absence, “Mr. Pops,” as he is known in the dojo, stepped up and continued Hellison’s training towards the Black Belt ranking.

Daingerfield High School Junior Denver Mims has been has been selected as a 2016 All-Star in track by the Texas Girl's Coaches Association. Mims was one of 15 from all 1A through 4A conferences statewide, chosen by member coaches. Selections are made from nominations of member coaches, and athletes must be juniors to earn selection.

Mims was a member of the 2016 State Championship 400 meter relay team, and placed fourth in the 100 meter.

By Rick Colegrove 

The Hughes Springs Lady Mustangs faced a familiar foe this past weekend in the regional semifinal round of the playoffs. The Redwater Lady Dragons were the opponent and Longview’s Pine Tree softball field was the place.

The ladies squared off in a weekend series for the chance to advance. It was a best of three series, and all three games were needed. All the action started Thursday night and after three tense, nail biting games and days, Hughes Springs sadly saw their season end.

After winning the first game Thursday night 4-2, the ladies were not able to come away with a win Friday night or Saturday afternoon, ultimately falling by the scores of 4-3 and 7-6 to Redwater.

By Rick Colegrove 

The Hughes Springs Lady Mustangs faced a familiar foe this past weekend in the regional semifinal round of the playoffs. The Redwater Lady Dragons were the opponent and Longview’s Pine Tree softball field was the place.

The ladies squared off in a weekend series for the chance to advance. It was a best of three series, and all three games were needed. All the action started Thursday night and after three tense, nail biting games and days, Hughes Springs sadly saw their season end.

After winning the first game Thursday night 4-2, the ladies were not able to come away with a win Friday night or Saturday afternoon, ultimately falling by the scores of 4-3 and 7-6 to Redwater.

As schools wind down, and summer vacations begin, we at The Steel Country Bee would like your help.

Although the area schools will not be participating in sports over the summer, there will still be summer ball teams and various other activities that would be considered newsworthy. Send us your photos and stories of your summertime events, and we will try and get them published in The Bee.

Did your child’s team win the tournament championship? Maybe you know the winner of the local fishing tournament. Send us those stories and photos, and we will let everyone know about it. Maybe you know some of the participants in the local rodeo. Or, your budding golf pro hit their first hole in one. Again, let us know, and we will share the event with our readers.

You can email information and photos to n e w s @ s t e e l c o u n t r y - bee.com, or give us a call at 903-645-3948.

by Engra Patt-Mason

Coach Michael Mason is known by many as coach, friend, dad, motivator, inspirer, and the lists goes on. Being an individual that continuously preaches to his student/ athletes by striving to do their best, he’s a man that practices what he preaches.

Recently, Coach Mason obtained his Master’s Degree in Curriculum & Instruction from Texas A & M - T e x a r k a n a University and graduated with a cum laude distinction. After a disappointing outcome when not selected as the Athletic Director/Head Football coach in Daingerfield where he’d coached for sixteen years, Coach Mason was torn about leaving the place he’d called home for so long. Mason said, “I feel as though I let my kids down.”

By: Toni Walker

Editor

news@steelcountrybee.com

The Daingerfield Lady Tigers are the 2016 Girls Track Champions in the 400 meter run after turning in a blistering time of 47.82 seconds in Austin on Friday, May 13.

The Lady Tigers, who were two-tenths of a point off a school record, were started off by senior Chablis Barber, who then handed off the baton to junior Denver Mims. Mims, who finished fourth in the 200 meter dash, passed the baton to Alexis Porter, with Daingerfield running slightly ahead of their nearest competitor. Anchor Layla Johnston breezed across the finish line a good three strides before the second place team.

Hughes Springs Senior Bailey Tenbrook, seated, center, has signed to play softball with NTCC. Seated with Tenbrook are her parents, Brian and Amanda. Joining them standing, from left are Coach Wayne Mosley, Logan Tenbrook, Rylie Tenbrook, and Coach Tisha Thompson.