University Star

Any Texas State sports fan knows about the success the athletic program experienced last season. From improved facilities to numerous conference titles and individual awards, the Bobcats have begun to prove they have what it takes to move to the Football Bowl Subdivision and it only gets better from here.

Despite having players graduate this year, the Bobcat football team has acquired a strong incoming freshman and transfer class to the team. With standouts such as Prestin Brown, USA Football Junior World Championships player, and Woody McClendon, two-time All-American, as well as the advantage of 12 returning starters, the Bobcats have the potential to repeat their conference championship title.

The football team also has the potential to improve its record from last year (8-5). They will face Texas Christian (11-2 and Poinsettia Bowl winner in 2008) and seven other Southland Conference rivals, but the Bobcats have the talent, the mindset and their first outright SLC title since 1982 to bring them to victory this season.

The football squad isn’t the only one destined for greatness this semester. The volleyball, soccer and cross country teams are all riding on successful seasons.

The Texas State volleyball team took the Southland Conference title with a 21-13 (14-2 SLC) record in 2008. The team lost key players such as Emily Jones Wilkes, Amy Weigle and Lawrencia Brown to graduation, but they have signed five incoming freshmen. One of these newcomers, Caleigh McCorquodale, was named MVP at the Junior Olympic Girls’ Volleyball Championships in which her club team took the national title. Young talent like McCorquodale’s is what the team needs to continue its achievements and have these rookies fill the shoes of women who have graduated.

The women’s soccer team may have had the best season of any Texas State athletic program in 2008. The Bobcats had an undefeated league record which led them not only to an SLC title, but an appearance in the NCAA Tournament and an SLC Coach of the Year award given to Kat Conner. The team has 18 returning starters and five freshmen, three of whom have played together on the same club team. This mix of the multitude of returning players and rookies who are familiar with one another’s playing styles could lead to a repeat SLC Championship and another appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

These three teams possess different characteristics that will lead to the ultimate goal of repeating the SLC Championship titles in their respective sports and advancing beyond being atop the conference. Each team knows what it has to do to accomplish these goals and what they must continue to do, or improve, in order to meet these goals. Each team is capable of continuing its success and will help Texas State go forward in its move to the FBS.