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Elgin athletes made their community proud in 2022.
The EHS football team had a remarkable single-season turnaround to finish as district runners-up. The powerlifting team, Purple Diamonds dance team and cheerleading squad all earned championship hardware. The Wildcat baseball and softball teams punched their ticket to the playoffs, and runners on the cross country and track teams made it all the way to area and regional finals.
A number of Elgin athletes attained individual accolades as well. Star football player Justin Strong capped off his career with district Defensive Player of the Year honors. Soccer player Dory Estrada earned the Newcomer of the Year award, Jessica Cantrell made history by pitching a no-hitter, and Nya Kirk Jones established herself as one of the best powerlifters in the state.
New coaches were hired, and records were broken. 2022 provided a handful of memories in the world of Elgin sports.
Football
The Elgin Wildcats were one of the great stories of Texas High School football in 2022, attracting media attention from all over with an unprecedented single-season turnaround. After going 0-10 in 2021, the Wildcats finished 7-3 and clinched their first playoff berth since 2014. Junior quarterback Nathen Lewis took a huge leap as he led the team in rushing and total yards. The Elgin defense (aka the beasts and ballhawks) was dominant at many points throughout the season. They racked up 21 takeaways, 20 sacks and allowed just 17 points per game. Safety Justin Strong, offensive tackle Jackie Williams, outside linebacker Derrius Holiday, defensive end Rogelio Huitron, middle linebacker Cameron Hardy and defensive tackle Kevin Love all earned first-team all-district honors. Paden Maass was named Kicker of the Year in the district.
Softball
The EHS Lady Wildcats softball team steamrolled many of their opponents in 2022. They finished the season with a 19-7 overall record and finished as district runners-up by going 11-2 in district play. At one point, the Lady Wildcats reeled off 12 straight victories, winning by an average of nearly 11 runs per game during that stretch. They held their competition to zero runs on 12 different occasions and dominated McCallum in their opening playoff game. Sophomore pitcher Jessica Cantrell played at an elite level throughout the season. Mackenzie Farris provided a burst of offensive firepower, leading the team with three home runs and 24 runs scored. Farris and Cassady Davis led the team in runs batted in with 20 each.
Baseball
Elgin’s baseball team showed resilience and steady improvement in 2022. After an 0-10 start, the Wildcats went 8-6 in district play which was good enough for a playoff berth. Tyson King provided solid pitching for the Wildcats throughout the season. Nathen Lewis drove in runs consistently for the Wildcats, while Alex Gamez and Bobby Humphries contributed with solid batting as well. Coach Edward Stringer left the program after the 2022 season to accept a head coaching position at Hutto High School. Jason Bourgeios will take over as head coach in 2023.
Boys Basketball
The Wildcats basketball squad struggled in the 2021-22 season, but an abundance of young talent has given the program a promising future. Elgin finished last season with an 11-23 overall record and an 0-14 district record. However, underclassmen such as Nathen Lewis, Amar Bermudez and Noddyn Bailey acquired ample experience playing against high-level competition. With new head coach David Wilson at the helm, the Wildcats have shown significant strides to start the 2022-23 season. They currently hold a 5-12 record but are getting better with each contest. Lewis has been dynamite to start the season, as he recently scored 29 points in a win over Smithville.
Girls Basketball
The Lady Wildcats just missed out on a playoff appearance in 2021-22. They finished with an 18-16 record, while going 6-8 against district opponents. Talented seniors such as Paige Bailey and Tianna Upton departed the program, but a slew of young players have returned as the 2022-23 season is underway. Junior Jaylan Roberson has been rock steady for Elgin. So far, the Lady Wildcats have a 2-12 record, but they have plenty of district games left to turn their season around and reach the postseason.
Boys Soccer
After winning five of their first seven games, the Elgin soccer team went 1-13 within their district, resulting in an eighth place finish. Offense will likely be a focal point for head coach Eduardo Lerma as the Wildcats prepare for the 2023 season. They were held to zero goals 10 times last year, but their defense showed promise.
Girls Soccer
The Lady Wildcats soccer squad finished fifth in their district in 2022, barely missing out on a postseason appearance. Nonetheless, with a 10-7-1 overall record, it was a huge step in the right direction for a girls soccer program that tallied just three wins the year prior. Coach Taylor Cansler’s roster was filled with budding young superstars who will return in 2023. During her freshman campaign, Dory Estrada scored 13 goals to win the district’s Newcomer of the Year award. Maria Yanez also scored 13 goals as a sophomore and was voted offensive player of the year by her teammates. Goalkeeper Juliet Almazan was named to the all-district team the past two years and her defensive prowess will be relied on once again this season.
Powerlifting
The Lady Wildcats powerlifting team took home the first place prize at the 2022 regional finals. Overall, it was a historic year for the program. Nya Kirk Jones set regional records with a 505 pound squat, 280 pound bench press and 1160 total pounds lifted between squat, bench press and deadlift. Ultimately, eight different Elgin lifters qualified to compete at the state finals, including Jones, Maria Yanez, Ralyssa Enueshike, Zoey Smith, Galilea
Trujillo, Dayla Palacios and Kynadi Blackmore. Jones ended up earning a gold medal, and Enueshike won a silver medal. As a team, the Lady Wildcats finished fifth at the state meet out of 40 schools.
Cross Country
Elgin’s cross country team is one of the most bonded teams on campus with the majority of runners being soccer teammates as well. Lane Eckerdt, Juan Mendoza, Israel Juarez, Ricky Rivas and Luis Rodriguez provided senior leadership all season long for Coach Hector Garcia’s squad. The story of the 2022 cross country team, however, was Courtney Shepard. The junior runner made it to regional finals after finishing tenth at the district meet, clocking in with a time of 21:20. Shepard’s accomplishment was especially impressive given that she spent her sophomore year rehabilitating an ACL tear.
Track & Field
The relay team consisting of Justin Strong, Jonathan Meurin, Khrystofer Washington and Emmanuel Asafotei represented Elgin High School at the 2022 regional meet. In the 4x200 meter event, they finished with a time 1:32:88, which ranked fourth among qualified teams. Strong nearly made it to regionals in the triple jump as well, placing fifth in the event at the district meet.
Golf
In February, the Wildcats golf team won first place at the Duck Invitational with a score of 356. The team included Payne Lochridge, Jack Grames, Cameron Hardy, Wyatt Fisher and Blaine Mueller. Meanwhile, the girls team finished fourth at the same event. Genna Crafts, Abby King, Bethany Smith, Zoe Grames, and Zoey Smith represented Elgin.
Tennis
Several EHS tennis players raised their game to new heights in 2022. Wyatt Fisher made it all the way to the semi-finals at the Del Valle tournament and was a standout player for the entirety of the season. Jared Kirkpatrick and Katerina Puente also had impressive outings at the same event.
Volleyball
Coach Patrica Rivers’ team found themselves in many tightly contested battles throughout the 2022 season. Unfortunately, the Lady Wildcats were on the losing side in many of these matchups. They finished with a 6-24 record and finished eighth in their district. A devastating injury to senior leader Bieryn Elliott was tough for Elgin to overcome, but they fought hard and competed each and every game. Josephine Jackson was stellar for the Wildcats. Genna Crafts, Cinthia Navarro and Audrey Plummer also performed at a high level.
Purple Diamonds
Elgin’s Purple Diamonds dance team were crowned as state champions back in February, setting the bar high for a program that’s enjoyed consistent success. According to director Ashley Sengsouvanh, the Purple Diamonds’ recent accolades can be attributed to a simple formula: an unrelenting work ethic and great leadership. For the 2022-23 year, officers Olivia Tabor, Juliette Hernandez, Ralyssa Enueshike, Cayli Johns and Abigail Bristoll have been responsible for maintaining a standard of excellence. The Purple Diamonds entertained audience members during halftime of each football game with their high-flying performances.
Cheerleading
The EHS cheerleading squad is another program that has established a tradition of excellence. Coach Marissa Marx’s group earned a division championship earlier this year, and they are determined to repeat in 2023. Marx said this year’s team has some of the best leadership she’s seen since taking over as coach. Fernanda Chavarin Ferrusca has served as the head captain. Assistant captains are Brooklyn Motes and America Solorio. Marx credited the captains for the discipline and togetherness they instill in the team.
