Now a Roadrunner

Congratulations to senior Shantel Swift, who signed a D1 Track scholarship with UTSA.  Swift, who plans to study biology and eventually become a dentist, has given Cougar fans plenty to cheer about in her career at Clark.  This past year, Shantel qualified for the State Meet in the triple jump and 400-meter dash.

You can read more about Shantel and volleyball signees Alyssa Pruett and Marcella Arellano in this Express News article.

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Cougars keep playin' (Menezes, Barrientez and Van Buren with AD/HC McGhee)

Congratulations to Manny Menezes, Nate Barrientez and Tri-Rice Van Buren who all signed with Texas colleges to continue their football careers.

Manny will be attending Trinity University.  Excited to be playing for a quality program, Manny also was looking forward to a top education.  “I’m very excited about it and very excited to play four more years of football.  The team won their conference last year and got rings and that’s pretty cool and the academics there is great, too.  To come out of there with a degree would be a great thing to have and I’m looking forward to that, too.”  Currently undecided on his major, Manny is leaning toward pre-med studies.  Manny is the son of Sharon and Lewis Menezes.

Nate Barrientez is jumping up to Sherman, Texas to play for the Austin College Kangaroos.  Expected to play outside linebacker, Nate was impressed by the football program.  “I visited a couple of times and really enjoyed the campus, the coaches there, and the teaching philosophy of how the coaches coach and the players and everything.  It was really nice.  It was small…but I like small towns.”  Nate plans to study pre-engineering and then transfer to Texas A&M to complete a degree in Petroleum Engineering.  He is the son of Norma Rae and Matt Barrientez.

Playing at former head coach Lloyd Alexander’s alma mater, Tri-Rice Van Buren will be playing for former Clark offensive coordinator Danny Padron at Texas Lutheran College.  “I wanted to go and play football somewhere and not not end my football career in high school.  So I’m really happy about that.  I really like the environment and the coach was here and a Cougar once so I know we have that connection.”  Tri-Rice will study Sports Medicine at TLC.  He is the son of Martin and Jaekel Van Buren.

Congratulations to these Cougars and GOOD LUCK!

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Clark Cougars from the 2011-2012 season in pictures and sound:

McGhee-Alexander-SuperDave-Robbins

The Clark Athletic Booster Club held its annual All-Sports Banquet and several honors were given to Clark athletes and supporters. SASports.com’s Jay Tope was the Master of Ceremonies.  Seventeen $1000 scholarships were awarded to senior student athletes, team and individual accolades were announced and “Super” Dave Dalkowitz was presented a special honor for his contribution to Clark sports.

Special guests included former head coaches Mike Robbins and Lloyd Alexander, who along with current AD/HC Steve McGhee, presented “Super” Dave with a plaque.

Highlights included:

• Softball’s history making playoff run
• Clark tennis’ 21st consecutive district title, #19 state ranking of all tennis teams
• Boys basketball regional final appearance
• Austin Wells’ and Shantal Swift’s state track qualifications
• Boys track district title (first Clark title in 20 years)
• Baseball’s 6th consecutive year of playoffs
• Boys soccer 2nd round playoff
• Volleyball’s playoff appearance

Thanks for a great year, Seniors, and best of luck.  Remember what “Super” Dave says, “It’s a great day to be a Clark Cougar”!

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Cougars advancing to 2nd round

The Clark Cougars softball team earned a Bi-District Championship with a two game knockout over East Central.  The Coogs took game two from the Hornets 7-3.  The Cougar bats started and finished strong, with 3 runs scored in the 1st inning as the Cougars sent East Central’s starting pitcher to the showers early.  Hornets errors and three Clark runs in the 6th inning sealed the victory.

Next up will be the winner of the New Braunfels/Roosevelt matchup.  Way to go, ladies.

Express News article

Congratulations to Clark Cougar junior Austin Wells who will be competing at the Texas state track meet after winning the Region IV 3200m race.  Austin, a national AAU gold medalist, also competed earlier this season at state in cross country.  Enjoy this video of his regional race (as the video begins, Austin is in 3rd place):

UPDATE: Shantel Swift places 2nd in Triple Jump.  She. too, is going to the state meet.  Congrats!

Miller leaps to victory with Cougars

Congratulations to the Clark Cougar boys varsity track and field who brought home the district 27-5A title for the first time in 20 years.  The win was set up by several wins in the field events and a gold medal in the 3200m by Austin Wells, and the sprinters carried the baton from there.

Brandon Yates took gold in the 200m, Ben Deschner took gold in the 400m, Presley Miller took gold in the 110m hurdles and bronze in the 300m hurdles, and the Clark 4 x 100 relay team took gold as well.

The Clark girls team placed 6th at the district meet.  Shantel Swift placed 1st in the 100m, 3rd in the 200m and 1st in the 400m.

Congratulations to the Cougars and Coach Allen and Wilson for a great district win.

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• Express News article/photos

Dullnig mows 'em down

Scoring eight runs in the sixth inning, the Clark Cougar(#8) varsity baseball team whipped the Holmes Huskies 14-2 with Chad Dullnig on the mound.  The win improves the Cougars district record to 6-1 and sets up a great game Friday against district leader O’Connor(#2),  Friday evening at 7:30pm at Northside  Field #1.

Way to go Coogs!

Josephs' block in the 4th qtr.

The Clark Cougar varsity basketball team, looking to make it 2 out of 3 against the District 27-5A champions,  did just that in the regional quarterfinals.  Clark sent the Brandeis Broncos to the glue factory, 45-39. They now play Laredo Alexander at the regional semifinals Friday at UTSA at 8pm and with a win will play again on Saturday at noon.

Clark started off with a 9-0 lead after the 1st quarter.  Travis Matthews had 4 pts. and the Clark defense and an enthusiastic Clark student section kept “my little ponies” scoreless with an 0 for 8 and three turnover opening period.  The Broncos fought back in the 2nd quarter.  With Adam Perez on the bench with early foul troubles, the Cougars committed 7 turnovers in the 2nd quarter and the teams went to the locker rooms tied 14-14.

The 2nd half was a back and forth affair, with the nags taking a 26-21 lead after three quarters.  The Cougars rallied in the fourth behind blocks by Carter Josephs, a key block by Troy Ogletree, solid free throw shooting by Perez and inside shooting by Travis Matthews. Justin Brickman also had a key steal and bucket that kept the Cougars ahead late in the game along with a key assist to Matthews.

Editor’s Note:  Special recognition goes out to the LOUD, ROWDY and well behaved Clark student section.  Nice showing but don’t slack up now. You were great!   And this website has taken its last shot at the Brandeis Broncos.  No more “brandees”, “my little ponies”, “bronc-no’s”, “nags”, “rented mules”, “geldings”, etc.   Your success earns you the right to be called by your proper name as our NISD little sisters.  (OK,  last one, I promise…)

• envision! PHOTOS
• Express News article
• sasports.com PHOTOS
• Laredo Alexander article

Perez scores 2 of his 18 points

The Clark Cougars varsity basketball team advanced to the 3rd round of the 5A playoffs with a 56-51 over the #7 Wagner Thunderbirds.  A loud crowd saw the Cougars once again clamp down on defense and make baskets when needed to get the win.

A tight game opened up to an eight point lead at halftime by Clark.  Adam Perez’ 3-point basket at the buzzer sent the Cougars to the locker room with a 29-21 lead.  Wagner flew back in the third with three point shooting to make it a 39-38 game after three periods of play.  The game wasn’t a certain win until Carter Josephs made a steal with :08 seconds left in the game.

NOW PAY ATTENTION:  This means the Cougars will take on BRANDEIS on Tuesday at Paul Taylor next.  These Coogs need a LOUD CROWD to help them on their way. The “my little ponies” fans will be there with support.  Show up, tweet, facebook your friends, and get ready to get rowdy!

Great game Coogs!

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• Express News coverage