A healthy rivalry is good for any athlete.
At Colleyville Covenant, there's a sibling rivalry brewing.
Freshman Audrey Smith and her older brother Adam, a junior, each run the 100 meters and both sport the best times among 3A runners entering this weekend's TAPPS state track and field meet in Waco.
Adam Smith, the reigning boys state champion with a time of 11.16 seconds, won the 100 at the TAPPS 3A North Regional meet with a time of 10.71, but has recorded a hand time of 10.50 this season. Audrey Smith was the girls regional winner in the 100 in 12.46.
"Adam pushes his younger sister quite a bit," Colleyville Covenant coach Dennis Harris said. "He pushes her in practice all the time. She's very confident and tough to beat right now."
Harris said Audrey's technique is her strength and said Adam's dedication to the weight room this past off-season has helped him better his time.
The Colleyville Covenant boys team will attempt to win its second consecutive state title while the girls will try for a three-peat. Both teams swept the three relays (4x100, 4x200 and 4x400) at the regional meet and won by considerable margins (the girls by 50 points, the boys by 106), thanks to strong performances in the field events. Harris said the school's new field coach this season, Adam Setliff, participated in the 1996 and 2000 Olympics. A discus thrower, Setliff is a 1998 graduate of Hurst L.D. Bell High School.
"We've always been good in the running events, but we've gained confidence with our field events, and that could help us seal the deal in this meet," Harris said.
Still alive
The Fort Worth Nolan Catholic, Arlington Grace Prep and Grapevine Faith baseball teams have advanced to the second round of the TAPPS playoffs. Nolan Catholic plays Houston St. Pius X in a 6A regional at 10 a.m. Saturday; Grace Prep plays Houston Christian in a 5A regional at 7 tonight in Houston; and Grapevine Faith plays at Baytown Christian at 2 p.m. Monday.
This week's weather forced much of Grace Prep's practices to indoor batting cages.
"All we can do is a lot of hitting," Lions coach David Reese said. "You have to make the best of a bad situation."
The performance of Matt Thompson (7-2) on the mound will be a key for Grace Prep. Eight of Houston Christian's nine players are batting better than .300. Thompson recorded the win in Grace Prep's first-round win against Dallas First Baptist.
Breaking barriers
Chelsea Symula of Arlington St. Alban's wanted to play softball this season, but since the 2A TAPPS school didn't have a team, the freshman did the next best thing -- she joined the baseball team.
Symula pitched six innings in St. Alban's win against Rockwall Heritage in the first round of the playoffs, and most likely will get the start in the 2A regional game against Tomball Rosehill at 3 p.m. Saturday in Waco.
When she's not on the mound, she starts at third base.
First-year coach Jared Randolph said some opposing teams haven't always given her the warmest reception, but by the end of the game, she earns their respect.
"Fundamentally, she's very good," Randolph said. "She hasn't been hit very hard all year. Her teammates don't see her as a girl. She's just one of the guys. She's a very hard-nosed player."
