FROM STAFF REPORTS

MARBLE FALLS — The annual Meet the Mustangs is slated for Aug. 14 at Mustang Stadium. It’s an opportunity for Mustangs fans and friends to come out and see the 2014 athletes as they get ready for the fall season.

But it’s also a chance to meet the KBEY 103.9 FM Radio Picayune broadcast team of Jennifer Fierro and Ben Shields. The two will once again be covering all the Marble Falls High School varsity football games from the booth and broadcasting the coverage on KBEY 103.9 FM and KBEYFM.com.

“We’re excited about a whole new year of Mustang sports,” Shields said.

Meet the Mustangs starts at 7 p.m. and will highlight all the fall sports, including golf, tennis, cross country, football and volleyball as well as the band, the cheerleaders and the Starlettes.

The event is free and is a great way to celebrate the youth and kick off the new sports year.

In addition to the introductions of the high school teams and programs, you can also meet future Mustangs as organizers recognize the Marble Falls Youth Football League athletes.

For fans looking for spirit wear, Meet the Mustangs is a great opportunity to gear up for the new season. The Marble Falls Athletic Booster Club will be selling clothing as well as providing food for the participating students.

Join Marble Falls Independent School District superintendent Robert O’Connor, Marble Falls High School principal Manny Lunoff and Marble Falls High School head football coach and athletic director Matt Green as they kick off the new season.

Attendees can park in both the home and visitor parking lots.

The first Marble Falls football game is 7:30 p.m. Aug. 29 when the Mustangs host the Burnet Bulldogs.

editor@thepicayune.com

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JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF

Marble Falls High School senior outside hitter Taylor Brackenridge falls to the court to make a good pass to the setter during the Lady Mustangs’ scrimmage against Austin Hyde Park on Aug. 8. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro

MARBLE FALLS — The Marble Falls High School volleyball team is backing up its words with sound play.

That was the case during a four-team scrimmage the Lady Mustangs hosted Aug. 8.

Marble Falls outscored Lampasas, Austin Hyde Park and Killeen Harker Heights during the controlled matchups.

The 45-minute scrimmages simulated normal matches with each team running its offense and defense complete with serving and officials.

Lady Mustangs head coach Julie Downs said she noticed a little drop of energy from her players from one opponent to the next.

Still, she commended them for winning the majority of the long rallies against Hyde Park, which will be important come district. Downs said Marble Falls must force and win some five-set matches during District 25-5A play, which starts against Georgetown East View on Sept. 12.

“There’s no question. We will pull everything we can, whatever it takes,” she said. “You still have to push through those levels. We need to make sure we’re more consistent. We need to make sure we’re moving better.”

During the scrimmages, the Lady Mustangs executed more fake jumps and combinations then they have in the past. Downs said that’s the result of having more experienced athletes this season.

“We have the personnel … who can run those options,” she said.

The Lady Mustangs open the season 7 p.m. Aug. 12 against Burnet at The Doghouse, 1000 The Green Mile in Burnet.

jfierro@thepicayune.com

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JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF

BURNET — The Burnet High School volleyball team was all business in its opening-season sweep of Marble Falls on Aug. 12. The Lady Dawgs won 25-14, 25-18, 25-14.

“I’m pretty pleased,” Burnet head coach Salye Coles said. “The missed serves, that’s about the only negative thing I can think of from the whole match.”

Marble Falls head coach Julie Downs said she saw some timid Lady Mustangs. So in an effort to find a positive play or rhythm, she tried different lineups and moved athletes to different spots.

The Lady Mustangs took a six-point lead during the second set. But the Lady Dawgs responded and seized opportunities when they came.

For example, Marble Falls rotated three times and missed three serves in a row.

“We had a lot of nerves and a lot of anxiety,” Downs said. “We had too many out-of-system plays. And when we were in system, we didn’t put the ball away.”

Then, in the final set, Burnet simply stayed in its offensive rhythm. No matter the substitutions and the rotations, the Lady Dawgs had an answer.

“The kids came out and had nice transitions,” the Burnet coach said. “Our block timing was better than it has been.”

Downs said her team committed too many unforced errors.

Coles said this match is exactly what her players needed after traveling to San Angelo for scrimmages Aug. 8.

“I’m most pleased with their choices,” she said. “They played what the game gave them. Their choices to score the ball were phenomenal.”

The Lady Dawgs played together during the offseason in select volleyball and open gyms. In addition, newcomers Makenzie Carpenter and Samantha Edwards gave Burnet more depth.

“They’re really molding in with everyone else,” Coles said. “We have great friendships.”

jfierro@thepicayune.com

ON OFFENSE: Kills — (Marble Falls) Hanna Wall 5, Maddie Johnson 3, Jackie Winn 3; (Burnet) Madison Hall 9, Jill Rosow 8, Sarah Poe 4, Kylah Arnold 3, Kasey Taylor 2. Assists — (Marble Falls) Kelsie Tackitt 8, Lauren Loader 2; (Burnet) Taylor 14, Sami Hogan 6. Aces — (Marble Falls) Tackitt 1, Loader 1; (Burnet) Makenzie Carpenter 2, Hogan 2, Megan Schmidt 1, Rosow 1, Hall 1, Danielle Lindley 1

ON DEFENSE: Blocks — (Marble Falls) Winn 1, Loader 1½. Digs — (Marble Falls) Loader 6; (Burnet) Rosow 7, Hogan 5, Lindley 4, Hall 3, Taylor 3, Arnold 2, Schmidt 2, Madelinne Dietrick 1, Carpenter 1

SUBVARSITY RESULTS — Burnet junior varsity won 25-17, 25-10; Burnet freshmen won 25-9, 25-22

NEXT UP: Burnet (1-0) and Marble Falls (0-1) at Tex-Fest Tournament at Wimberley High School, 100 Carney Lane in Wimberley

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FROM STAFF REPORTS

BURNET — We know you’re excited about the Bulldogs fall sports seasons. So for a chance to see all the Burnet High School athletes in one place, head for Bulldog Field on Aug. 19.

That’s right: It’s Meet the Bulldogs.

The free event starts with free hotdogs at 6 p.m. followed by the program at 6:30 p.m. at the stadium, 1000 The Green Mile. Fans can cheer on the members of the fall sports teams, including football, volleyball and cross country.

Plus, the voices of the Burnet Bulldogs — Mark Edmondson and Chad Nelson — will be on hand to meet fans as well. The duo brings Burnet High School sports to you live. This year, Bulldogs fans can once again follow all the football games, play-by-play, thanks to KBEY 103.9 FM Radio Picayune, KBEYFM.com and Mark and Chad.

But this night is about the kids. The student-athletes have been working hard in preparation for the upcoming season and fans and friends are invited to meet the youth as they get ready for the year.

The first Burnet football game is 7:30 p.m. Aug. 29 when Marble Falls hosts the Bulldogs.

editor@thepicayune.com

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JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF

WIMBERLEY — The Burnet High School volleyball team took another step in establishing itself as a force to be reckoned with in Central Texas.

The Lady Dawgs (4-3) lost to Navarro 22-25, 20-25 in the consolation championship of the gold bracket at the Wimberley Tex-Fest Tournament on Aug. 15-16. They qualified for the championship thanks to a 25-23, 19-25, 25-23 win against Blanco after losing to Kerrville Tivy to begin bracket play.

Burnet won its pool by defeating Harper and Boerne Geneva after losing to Laredo United to qualify for the gold bracket.

Though they lost to Tivy, head coach Salye Coles said her athletes played well. Part of the result was because of a slow start, she said.

Still, the Lady Dawgs fought back from a 12-point deficit in the opening set to lose the first game by three points.

“So the kids had confidence,” she said.

It also helped that Burnet scouted Blanco when it played Wimberley.

“We had an idea of what they could do, and we capitalized on that,” Coles said. “The kids just played confident.”

She attributed her players’ self-confidence of the results where Burnet has yet to lose two matches in a row.

“Kids played very well,” she said. “I am extremely proud of them. After every match they are ready to take tomorrows challenge.”

Burnet welcomes Blanco at 6 p.m. Aug. 18 to The Doghouse, 1000 The Green Mile in Burnet.

jfierro@thepicayune.com

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WIMBERLEY — The Marble Falls High School volleyball team posted a 2-4 record at the Tex-Fest Tournament on Aug. 15-16.

The Lady Mustangs (2-5) defeated Hondo 25-21, 25-21 and Hamshire-Fannett 25-22, 24-26, 25-17. They lost to Cleburne 22-25, 22-25; Ingram Tom Moore 15-25 and 23-25; Uvalde 23-25, 18-25; and Lockhart 21-25, 20-25.

“The girls played tough all weekend,” head coach Julie Downs said. “We will continue to work on our rotations and our consistency. This team has tremendous potential. I am looking forward to seeing them develop as a team.”

jfierro@thepicayune.com

ON OFFENSE: (tournament-match averages) hits – Bayley Adams 3, Lauren Loader 2, Hanna Wall 4, Taylor Brackenridge 2, Jackie Winn 1, Natalie Chapa .33, Amber Clark .5; assists – Maddie Johnson 16, Chapa 2; aces – Chapa 2, Wall .2, Johnson .67, Loader .5, Brackenridge 1, Clark .33, Wall .33

ON DEFENSE: (tournament-match averages) digs – Adams 1, Clark 3, Loader 2, Chapa 1, Brackenridge 1, Wall .33; blocks – Winn 1, Loader .5, Johnson .2, Adams 1, Chapa .33, Wall .33

RECORDS: Marble Falls is 2-5 overall.

UP NEXT: Marble Falls at Liberty Hill, 16500 Texas 29 West in Liberty Hill, 6:30 p.m. Aug. 19.

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FROM STAFF REPORTS

BURNET — The Burnet Consolidated Independent School District cancelled Meet the Bulldogs, which was scheduled for 6 p.m. Aug. 19.

According to a news release from the district, the event was cancelled because of “unforeseen circumstances.”

“We have received information today that there was a tragic incident involving one of our Burnet High School students. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families impacted by this tragedy,” Superintendent Keith McBurnett said. “Our first priority is to take care of the emotional needs of our students, and we are working with district counselors and local pastors to offer needed support.”

With no Meet the Bulldogs event, the public has been invited to the football team’s Aug. 21 scrimmage against Wimberley at Bulldog Field that begins at 5:30 p.m.

According to the district, the booster club will be serving hot dogs before the scrimmage and students will be recognized.

editor@thepicayune.com

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JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF

Zach Haydon will be a member of the Texas A&M University Stock Horse Team this year. Courtesy photo

COLLEGE STATION — Recent Faith Academy of Marble Falls graduate Zach Haydon decided taking a full course load and being a member of the Corp of Cadets wasn’t enough to keep him busy during his first year at Texas A&M University.

So he decided to submit a video and a biography to the Texas A&M stock horse team.

Last last week, Haydon received word that he was selected to be one of 10 members of the reigning national championship team.

“There might be a few late nights and early mornings,” he said. “I’ll find time to study in between classes.

“It’s a big deal for me to be able to make the team,” he added. “For me, it’s a big deal to make the team and represent A&M in the equine industry.”

The team practices three times a week and competes in events, including:

• stock horse pleasure, which measures the ability of the horse to be functional and a pleasure to ride
• trail, which tests a horse’s ability to cope with situations riders would encounter during a ride
• reining, which is the ability of a horse to perform many basic handling maneuvers
• working cow horse, in which horses are directed to work a single live cow in an arena, perform specific maneuvers from circling the cow, turning it in a specified manner, and perform a reining pattern

Haydon said stock horse competitions are different from rodeos in many ways.

Stock horse teams work with the same horses, while in rodeos, athletes might be assigned a horse. Also, stock horse competitions have judges who grade on technique and grace. In rodeos, clocks are used to determine winners, and athletes might be penalized extra time for bumping into an object in the arena such as a barrel or a pole.

“We have to know the horse and show it to the best of our ability,” Haydon said.

The son of Kelly and Russell Haydon will major in biological and agricultural engineering.

During the first semester, the horse team will provide a horse to him. And Haydon said he looks forward to joining a national champion team.

“We’ll be looking to keep that crown,” he said. “We’ll all be competing against the best of the best.”

jfierro@thepicayune.com

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LIBERTY HILL — The Marble Falls High School volleyball team lost to Liberty Hill 18-25, 17-25, 13-25 on Aug. 19.

“The Lady Mustangs were met with some tough-hitting Panthers,” head coach Julie Downs said. 

ON OFFENSE: kills – Lauren Loader 4, Maddie Johnson 3, Taylor Brackenridge 2; aces – Hanna Wall 2, Lauren Loader 2; assists – Maddie Johnson 5, Kelsie Tackitt 3

ON DEFENSE: blocks – Baylee Adams 2, Jackie Winn 1, Lauren Loader 1; digs – Shelbi Wyatt 1, Shelcee Clark 1

SUBVARSITY RESULTS: junior varsity lost 5-25, 22-25; freshmen lost 23-25, 13-25

RECORDS: Marble Falls varsity is 2-6 overall.

UP NEXT: Marble Falls vs. Austin McCallum at Max Copeland Gym, 2101 Mustang Drive in Marble Falls; sub-varsities at 5:30 p.m. with varsity at 7 p.m.

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MARBLE FALLS — The Marble Falls High School volleyball team lost to Austin McCallum 14-25, 25-23, 18-25, 22-25 on Aug. 22.

ON OFFENSE: kills – Taylor Brackenridge 8, Hanna Wall 7, Lauren Loader 6; aces – Wall 5, Lauren Loader 4, Maddie Johnson 2, Brackenridge 2; assists – Maddie Johnson 18, Kelsie Tackitt 10

ON DEFENSE: digs – Brackenridge 16, Shelcee Clark 11, Shelbi Wyatt 7; blocks – Jackie Winn 2.5, Hanna Wall 1, Baylee Adams 1, Lauren Loader 1

RECORDS: Marble Falls is 2-7 overall.

SUBVARSITY SCORES: freshmen won 25-13, 25-22; junior varsity won 25-22, 20-25, 25-16

UP NEXT: Marble Falls vs. Killeen Ellison, 7 p.m. Aug. 26 at Max Copeland Gym, 2101 Mustang Drive in Marble Falls

BURNET AT GLEN ROSE TOURNAMENT

GLEN ROSE — The Burnet High School volleyball team finished fourth in the Glen Rose Tournament on Aug. 21 and 23.

In pool play, the Lady Dawgs lost to Peaster 1725, 27-25, 15-25 but beat Blum 25-12 and 25-9 and Venus 25-9 and 25-12.

Burnet began gold bracket play with a win against Maypearl 25-18, 17-25, 25-23 but lost to Glen Rose 17-25, 21-25.

The Lady Dawgs lost to Joshua 25-22, 16-25, 9-25 in the third-place match.

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM: Sarah Poe

ON OFFENSE: (tournament totals) kills – Poe 28, Jill Rosow 36, Madison Hall 35, Kasey Taylor 15, Kylah Arnold 11, Makenzie Carpenter 8, Danielle Lindley 5, Samantha Edwards 1; assists – Taylor 68, Sami Hogan 54, Edwards 2; aces – Hogan 8, Lindley 5, Arnold 4, Taylor 4, Hall 4, Rosow 4

ON DEFENSE: digs – Hall 33, Rosow 31, Taylor 28, Hogan 26, Lindley 25, Megan Schmidt 20, Arnold 19, Edwards 4, Carpenter 3

QUOTABLE: “I am so proud of these young ladies. We are continuing to grow both mentally and physically. They are taking every situation they face and building on it for the next time they see the floor,” Burnet head coach Salye Coles

RECORDS: Burnet is 7-8 overall.

UP NEXT: Burnet at Ingram Tom Moore, 510 Texas 39 in Ingram, at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 26

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JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF

Marble Falls High School setter Kelsie Tackitt sets the ball for an assist during the Lady Mustangs’ loss to Killeen Ellison on Aug. 26. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro

MARBLE FALLS — The Marble Falls High School volleyball team lost to Killeen Ellison 20-25, 25-23, 17-25, 21-25 on Aug. 26.

The match was much closer than the scores indicate. For most of the sets, both teams were within three points, though each side might have had to fight back from deficits.

“The passing was there, the sets were there,” Marble Falls head coach Julie Downs said. “We need a closer.”

Senior Hanna Wall stepped into that role in the second set. The Lady Mustangs led 20-12, but the Lady Eagles began a comeback. As momentum swung in their favor, Wall’s number was called. She ended the game with a kill to knot the match at a set each.

In the final set, Ellison maintained a three-point lead from the beginning. With four match points, Wall stepped behind the line and served an ace. The match ended when an Eagle spiked the ball that caught on the tape but softly rolled over to the Marble Falls side.

“The varsity played a tough team, whose offense was just about as tough as their defense,” Downs said. “Ellison was very good at getting to all balls, tips and attacks. It was definitely a great game to play in.”

Downs said the Lady Mustangs are still competing.

“Confidence-wise, we’re pretty good,” she said. “We’re getting better every time we play. We’re responding.”

jfierro@thepicayune.com

ON OFFENSE: kills — Hanna Wall 9, Maddie Johnson 4; assists – Johnson 9, Kelsie Tackitt 9; aces – Tackitt 5, Lauren Loader 2, Shelbi Wyatt 2

ON DEFENSE: Blocks – Jackie Winn 2, Kelsie Tackitt 1, Hanna Wall 1; digs – Shelbi Wyatt 14, Kelsie Tackitt 8

RECORDS: Marble Falls is 2-8 overall

SUBVARSITY RESULTS: Junior varsity lost 26-24, 16-25 and 23-25; freshmen lost 20-25 and 20-25

UP NEXT: San Marcos Rattler Tournament at San Marcos High School, Aug. 29-30; Marble Falls vs. Cuero at 3 p.m., Bastrop at 5 p.m. and Corpus Christi Calallen at 7 p.m.

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JARED FIELDS • PICAYUNE STAFF

Mourning dove populations are growing in Texas, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department officials. Photo by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

MARBLE FALLS — Dove populations in Texas are growing, and early dove season hunters should expect higher-than-average numbers.

However, late season hunters might see fewer doves than in the past as the birds migrate out of the area, according to Rufus Stephens, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department District 4 leader.

“From a population standpoint, we seem to be producing more mourning doves; the rest of the country is not,” Stephens said. “White wings — we’ve got lots, and the population continues to grow.”

Dove season opens in the North and Central zones Sept. 1. The South Zone opens Sept. 19. The season ends Oct. 20 for all zones. A late season is Dec. 19 to Jan. 7 for North and Central zones. The South Zone last season begins the same date but ends Jan. 25.

Stephens said this season’s expectations are the result of a mixture of habitat conditions.

“Some rains at the right time created good habitat conditions for doves,” he said. “Drought, followed by some rains means more broadleaf plants and more food for doves.”

According to TPWD, about 250,000 dove hunters harvest 5 million mourning doves each year.

Dove populations for years have been counted by TPWD biologists driving specific routes each year and counting the doves they see. This year was the last year.

“It’s all going to be based on banding data,” Stephens said. “Getting the band from hunters is even more important than in the past. It’s how we make an estimation of the population in the future.”

Last year, 1,462 mourning doves and 2,912 white wind doves were banded by TPWD. Others states do the same thing. This year, TPWD has banded 1,948 mourning doves and 2,886 white wings so far.

The white band is on a dove’s leg and has a toll-free phone number and a website for hunters to visit to enter information about the bird. Other information about the bird, such as where it was banded, will be available.

For more on dove season, hunting licenses or the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, visit www.tpwd.state.tx.us.

jared@thepicayune.com

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FROM STAFF REPORTS

BURNET — The Burnet High School volleyball team defeated Waco University 25-7, 25-11, 25-22 on Aug. 29.

“We played extremely well,” Lady Dawgs head coach Salye Coles said. “We were aggressive both offensively and defensively. All of our primary passers had pass grades above 2.50, and our attack percentages were absolutely fantastic. I was extremely proud of the girls.”

The win came after the Lady Dawgs lost to Ingram Tom Moore 18-25, 25-16, 10-25, 23-25 on Aug. 26.

jfierro@thepicayune.com

AGAINST UNIVERSITY: Kills – Danielle Lindley 9, Sarah Poe 8, Madison Hall 7, Jill Rosow 5, Kasey Taylor 5, Makenzie Carpenter 2; aces – Lindley 4, Sami Hogan 4, Sam Edwards 3, Taylor 2, Jill Rosow 2, Hall 2; assists – Taylor 15, Hogan 8; digs – Edwards 6

AGAINST INGRAM: Kills – Danielle Lindley 6, Sarah Poe 6, Jill Rosow 5, Madison Hall 5; aces – Lindley 4

RECORDS: Burnet is 8-9 overall.

UP NEXT: Burnet at Bangs, 305 N. Third St. in Bangs, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 2

MARBLE VALLS AT RATTLERS TOURNAMENT 

SAN MARCOS — The Marble Falls High School volleyball team posted a 1-4 record at the Rattlers Tournament on Aug. 29-30.

The Lady Mustangs (3-12) defeated El Paso Austin 25-16, 21-25, 25-23 but lost to Cuero 25-16, 20-25, 18-25, Bastrop 22-25, 20-25, Corpus Christi Calallen 9-25, 21-25 and Lockhart 24-26, 25-27.

Had Marble Falls beaten Lockhart, the Lady Mustangs would have played for the copper bracket championship.

“The girls played very hard,” head coach Julie Downs said.

ON OFFENSE: (Tournament averages) kills – Baylee Adams 1, Kelsie Tackitt 1, Maddie Johnson 3, Jessica Winn .8, Hanna Wall 3, Lauren Loader 1.6, Taylor Brackenridge 3; assists – Johnson 6, Tackitt 7; aces – Wall 1, Johnson .4, Brackenridge .4, Loader .06, Tackitt .33, Shelbi Wyatt .6

ON DEFENSE: (Tournament averages) blocks – 3, Wall .33, Adams .33, Loader .2

RECORDS: Marble Falls is 3-12 overall.

UP NEXT: Marble Falls at Killeen High, 500 N. 38th St. in Killeen, 7 p.m. Sept. 2 (change in location from the schedule)

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BURNET — Inks Lake State Park has plenty of activities to get you outdoors this September — even a cooking class.

The park is located at 3630 Park Road 4 near Burnet. Entrance fees are $6 for ages 13 and older; $3 for Texas residents 65 and older; and free for children 12 and younger.

A Dutch oven cooking class on cobblers is 5:30 p.m. Sept. 27. Students will learn the basics of using a cast-iron Dutch oven, handy for whipping up meals on camping trips. Bring a spoon and a plate to sample the finished dessert. There also will be recipes to take home.

Meet at the group pavilion near the boat ramp. The program is free for all ages with park entrance fees.

Other activities and programs include:

• Fishing with a Ranger, 5-6 p.m. Fridays — Learn the basics of fishing. Free with entrance fees. Meet behind the park store.

• Kayaking into the Sunset, 6:30-8 p.m. Fridays — Kayaks and paddles are provided by the park for a sunset trip on the lake. Bring water. If you bring your own kayak, it must have a working 360-degree light. Cost is $10 plus entrance fees.

• Night Sky Party, 8:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays (weather permitting) — View the night sky with a computer-controlled telescope and laser pointers. Cost is $10 plus entrance fees. Meet near the playground in front of Chris’ Landing.

• Devil’s Waterhole canoe tour, 1-3 p.m. Sept. 6 (weather permitting) — Learn the basics of paddling a canoe followed by a guided tour to Devil’s Waterhole. Wear swim clothing and water shoes. Pre-registration required at park headquarters. Cost is $12 for adults and $10 for seniors and children with entrance fees.

• Underwater Discovery!, 10-11 a.m. Sept. 6, 20 and 27 — Explore life in shallow waters with a seining net. Free with entrance fees.

• Junior Angler Education class, 9 a.m.-noon Sept. 20 — Interactive workshop designed for families teaches casting, fish identification, tackle assembly and ethics of fishing. Upon completion, participants will receive a Basic Angler Education certificate and pin. Bring drinks and snacks. Free with entrance fees. Class is limited to 20 participants. Pre-register by calling (512) 793-2223.

• Kids Kayak Clinic, 2-3 p.m. Sept. 20 — Children ages 7 and older learn the basics of kayaking and water safety. Parents must attend. Wear water clothes and shoes. Cost is $3 with entrance fees. Pre-register at park headquarters. Meet behind the park store.

• Geocaching 101 workshop, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 27 — Learn the basics of a modern-day treasure hunt using GPS equipment. Cost is $3 plus entrance fees. Wear closed-toe shoes for hiking and bring water. Meet at back porch of park store.

• Evening paddling trips for ages 15 and older — Moonlight paddle is 8-10 p.m Sept. 6; twilight paddle is 8-10 p.m. Sept. 27. Water water shoes and bring bottled water and a flashlight. Lifejackets and limited number of canoes are provided. Cost is $15 plus entrance fees. Pre-register by calling (512) 793-2223 or visiting the park headquarters.

For more information about the programs, call the park interpreter at (512) 793-4689.

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KILLEEN — The Marble Falls High School volleyball team lost to Killeen High 25-21, 7-25, 31-29, 23-25, 11-15 on Sept. 2.

Head coach Julie Downs said she was happy with the effort, noting the Lady Mustangs “played extremely hard.”

She called the results of the second set disappointing but credited the players for their resiliency.

“The Lady Mustangs were able to regroup and reorganize to come back and defeat the Kangaroos,” she said.

The fourth game went back and forth, but the Lady Roos reeled off six consecutive points. Marble Falls fought back to tie the set at 23. Killeen, however, ended the rally with a kill for the win.

Three missed Marble Falls serves allowed the Lady Roos to claim the match.

ON OFFENSE: Kills – Taylor Brackenridge 16, Hanna Wall 14, Baylee Adams 6, and Lauren Loader 4; assists – Kelsie Tackitt 34; aces – Taylor Brackenridge 3, Kelsie Tackitt 2, Shelbi Wyatt 2

ON DEFENSE: Blocks – Lauren Loader 2, Taylor Brackenridge 1; digs – Shelbi Wyatt 22, Taylor Brackenridge 15, Shelcee Clark 5, Kelsie Tackitt 5, Lauren Loader 5

SUBVARSITY SCORES: Freshmen won 20-25, 25-18, 25-14; junior varsity won 25-19, 25-27 and 25-12

RECORDS: Marble Falls is 3-13 overall.

UP NEXT: Marble Falls vs. Killeen Shoemaker, 7 p.m. Sept. 5 at Max Copeland Gym, 2101 Mustang Drive in Marble Falls

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DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE STAFF

BURNET — After subjecting folks to a series of trail runs during the night and through the countryside, Capt’n Karl’s Trail Series director Brad Quinn is wrapping up the summer event in style.

Basically, he’s throwing the runners a party. Of course, they still have to run.

The four-race series culminates Sept. 6 at Reveille Peak Ranch in Burnet. Competitors can chose among three distances: 10K, 30K and 60K. The races feature a night course as a way to evade, but not totally avoid, the Texas summer heat.

As for the final event, Quinn and organizers have created a festive atmosphere for the race.

“It’s such an incredible venue with the pavilion and lake right there,” he said. “We want to take advantage of it as much as we can.”

Along with running, competitors and fans can enjoy some bluegrass music featuring the Hill Country Gentleman.

“And the Pedernales Brewing Co. is brewing up a keg of beer for us,” Quinn added. Of course, it’s for after the race.

Oh yeah, among all the fun and festivities there is a race. Actually three of them as previously noted.

The Capt’n Karl Trail series started several years ago with a handful of runners daring the night courses. But as word spread about the series and the courses, more and more runners began heading for the hills and the Highland Lakes.

The series features four events this summer starting with Pedernales Falls State Park and followed by Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area and Colorado Bend State Park.

More than 400 competed in the Pedernales Falls event across the three races. The other two races drew about 300 runners.

The Reveille Peak venue features a strong mix of single-track trails as well as some service roads. But runners will find it a technical course with lots of outcroppings and an elevation climb and descent of more than 2,800 feet.

“It’s definitely a challenging course,” Quinn said.

The 60K race starts at 7 p.m. followed by the 30K at 7:15 p.m. and the 10K at 7:30 p.m.

There also will be a kids fun run at 7:45 p.m.

Go to runthehillcountry.com to register, volunteer or for more information.

But if trail running isn’t quite your thing and you enjoy a little road running, the Hill Country Marathon is right around the corner. Quinn, one of the organizers, said last year’s inaugural event was a big success with lots of positive feedback from competitors.

This year, the event sticks with the same course that takes off Oct. 19 from Marble Falls High School stadium, 2101 Mustang Drive in Marble Falls.

But if a marathon seems a bit long, the Hill Country Marathon features half-marathon and 10K distances.

The course takes runners out of the high school stadium to Mormon Mill Road via a back entrance to the high school. Runners continue north on Mormon Mill Road to CR 340 and east on CR 341 before returning to the stadium (for half-marathoners). Marathoners will come back to CR 340 and head north for a ways before returning to Mustang Stadium.

The 10K turnaround is on CR 340 before the CR 341 intersection.

Quinn mixes the event with a dash of music as there will be two bands performing at locations along the course.

“People really enjoyed that,” he said. “And we’ll have the Blue Bonnet Cafe pies again this year.”

Last year, 492 people took part in the inaugural event, but Quinn said those numbers could swell has high as 700 or even more.

“Everything went incredibly well last year,” he said.

Go to the above website to register and for more information. If you’re not a runner but still want to be a part of the event, check out the volunteer opportunities.

daniel@thepicayune.com

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DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE STAFF

FREDERICKSBURG — When Greg Mohr of the Gillespie County Fair Association says the Fredericksburg Professional Bull Riding event puts fans up close to the action, he means it.

“The folks who get there early enough and get a seat by the rail, well, we like to say they’ll leave with a little something extra in their drink,” he said. With the setup of the Gillespie County Fairgrounds, where the PBR Touring Pro Division stops Sept. 13, fans are sitting right up on some of the best bulls and bull riders in the country when the action starts at 7:30 p.m. Mohr said that at some of the other arenas, such as those in Austin and San Antonio, the fan seating is back a bit from the action.

Not at the Gillespie County Fairgrounds, where the PBR bulls and bull riders compete on the horse-racing track, just steps away from the closest fans.

“You are definitely right there on top of it,” Mohr said.

This marks the fifth year the PBR has stopped at the Gillesipie County Fairgrounds, 530 Fair Drive in Fredericksburg.

The PBR is considered the top bull-riding association around the world with the best bull riders and the baddest bulls. The PBR’s top riders compete in the Built Ford Tough Series, but the Touring Pro Division is a way for riders to work their way into those ranks.

But that doesn’t mean the Tour Pro Division isn’t exciting.

“While it’s sometimes referred to as the minor leagues of the PBR, it still pulls in some great bull riders,” said Heather Croze of the PBR. “You can find 18-year-olds who just bought their (pro) card to guys who have been to the finals before looking to work their way back into the top.”

In order to compete in the Built Ford Tough Series, a bull rider must be ranked in the top 35 of the PBR standings. From week to week, those standings can change, making the Touring Pro Division a place for riders to work their way back into the top 35 and get a shot at the 2014 PBR World Finals on Oct. 22-26 in Las Vegas. At the World Finals, the riders will be competing for the PBR title as well as $250,000.

While the venue and fact it’s a PBR event are big draws by themselves, Mohr said the Fredericksburg event takes a little more urgency from the competitors’ standpoints in its one of the few remaining opportunities for riders to move up the rankings.

“They guys are still competing for points to get in the PBR finals,” he said.

In PBR events, riders compete for points as well as cash. Croze said the winner of the Fredericksburg event could walk away with $5,000.

While many local communities host annual open/pro rodeos, PBR events are on an entirely different level, from the spectacle and the athletes to the bulls. And PBR stock contractors pride themselves on having the best bulls around.

Croze said the Touring Pro Division might see some of the stock contractors’ top bulls, but typically these events feature younger, less-experienced bulls that need time in the ring to develop. In some ways, it’s similar to the bull riders who are trying to work their way into the Built Ford Tough Series.

“But you could see some of the BFTS bulls,” she added.

The competitors, Mohr pointed out, are also pursuing bull riding for a living, so it’s not just a hobby — it’s their day jobs.

“A few might work a job during the week, but for most, this is how they earn a living or want to earn a living,” he said.

Along with the bull riding, Mohr said PBR events pack a lot of entertainment and spectacle into the three-and-a-half hour night, featuring no fewer than 35 bulls and bull riders. The Gillespie County Fairground show also sets itself apart in another way: a special military tribute.

“Our event falls in that Sept. 11 timeframe, and we have this special Sept. 11 presentation that really puts us up there as a PBR event,” Mohr said. “Whenever we go around other PBR events, one of the things people talk about when it comes to the Fredericksburg PBR is the 9/11 presentation.”

Tickets for the event are $20 for adults; $40 for box seats; and $10 for children, active military members and EMS personnel. Tickets are available at the gate or www.gillespiefair.com.

Parking is free. Beer and concessions will be available on the fair grounds.

Call (830) 997-2359 for more information.

And remember, just before you take a sip of your drink, check it to make sure nothing unwanted flew into it.

daniel@thepicayune.com

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JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF

Katie Bridges holds her bronze medal from the Junior World Championships held in Granada, Spain. Courtesy photo

GRANADA, Spain — Perhaps the only downside to winning a bronze medal at the 51st International Shooting Sport Federation World Shooting Championship is all the school work Katie Bridges has to make up at Texas Christian University since returning home

Then again, maybe not.

“I definitely would make up the work,” said sharpshooter Bridges, a 2013 Marble Falls High School graduate. “It was really awesome.”

Bridges, who is also a member of the TCU women’s rifle team, was one and nine-tenths of a point from winning gold in junior women’s prone rifle and tying the world record, TCU coach Karen Monez said.

Katie Bridges loads her rifle before competing for Team USA at the Junior World Championships in Spain, where she earned the bronze medal. Courtesy photo

“I focused more than I’ve ever focused in a match,” Bridges said. “I took it one shot at a time. Before I knew it, I was done. It seemed to go by fast. I didn’t worry about score or anything. I was completely focused.”

And Bridges did it in her very first overseas international competition. Bridges has competed in postal competitions, which means she was competing in the United States with a witness verifying results that were sent to other international teams shooting in their homelands.

Both Bridges and Monez maintain competing on foreign land is much different on so many levels.

First of all, there’s the flight and getting through customs with personal firearms. Then, there’s adjusting to a time change, a different language and a different culture. Lastly, there’s competing shoulder to shoulder with other shooters representing 94 countries.

At postal competitions, “you’re in your comfort zone, you’re in familiar territory, you’re shooting with your teammates,” Monez said. “Overseas, you’re in the middle of a new environment. You can’t compare.” Bridges agreed.

“I learned to handle a whole new level of pressure,” she said. “Here, it’s the nation’s best. But at this one, I knew I was competing against the world’s best. I learned how to cope with the pressure.”

Each shooter was given two practice days. Once the competition began, they had 15 minutes to prepare and adjust to the weather and then 50 minutes to fire 60 shots.

“She gets to this level, and it’s really different,” Monez said. “When it comes to international competitions, it’s hard to describe it. You have this melting pot of people wanting to win the gold medal. It’s something you really can’t train for. You have to experience it first hand to get to the point you’re comfortable with it. And Katie handled it very well.”

Bridges said she was nervous at first. But then she realized being a member of Team USA meant being one of the country’s best. And that gave her peace of mind and the confidence to finish strong.

“I had a really good feeling in this match,” Bridges said. “I knew I could do well, but I didn’t know how well it could go.”

Bridges began the event shooting very well, Monez said. She gave the youngster two pieces of advice: Have fun and be confident in your ability and knowledge.

So the coach was not surprised Bridges medaled.

The Marble Falls graduate is starting her second year at TCU. Monez said coaches have worked with Bridges to fine-tune some technical things that have paid off. At collegiate competitions, coaches bring 10 shooters with them and pick five to compete for a team score. The other five compete as individuals. Bridges had been competing as an individual, but then was chosen toward the end of the season to compete for the team. That propelled her to her making Team USA and winning a medal.

Monez said Bridges already has set two new personal bests during practice meets.

“I’m looking for more consistency,” the coach said. “There are high performers on the team; it’s very competitive. To bring someone in as a freshman, I hope they’ll feed off that. Everyone has high goals. Katie has fed off that.”

jfierro@thepicayune.com

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FROM STAFF REPORTS

SMITHWICK — With Copperhead Creek Shooting Club as a backdrop Oct. 11-12, more than 150 professional target shooters from across the nation are hoping to walk away with the 3GN Southwestern Regional Championship.

And some people — competitors and spectators alike — could go home with a new pistol.

The event is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the club, which is located at Hidden Falls Adventure Park, 7030 RR 1431 East, about seven miles east of Marble Falls.

Along with the shooting competition sponsored by Bushmaster, the club is giving away more than $4,000 in firearms with all the proceeds going to Mission Marble Falls.

Mission Marble Falls is a nonprofit organization that works to ensure everybody in the community gets healthy meals. Volunteers routinely serve lunches Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Frederick Baptist Church in Marble Falls.

For a fee of $5 at the shooting event, people can try out the new Para USA 9mm pistol. Freedom Arms is providing the ammunition to help make sure all the proceeds go toward feeding the hungry.

“Many adults and children in Marble Falls go hungry,” said Thomas Cooper-Hicks of Copperhead Creek Shooting Club. “Children only eat when at school, and some seniors have limited abilities to cook meals. Mission Marble Falls provides Meals on Wheels for seniors, a backpack full of food for children to take home from school on Fridays and provides hot, home-cooked meals for lunch on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from their central locations in town all year long.”

Jansen Jones of Freedom Munitions agreed this was a worthy cause.

“We are proud to be helping Mission Marble Falls with the side match at the 3GN Regional event,” he said. “America is the land of the free and home of the brave, but it is also a place where one in six people go hungry each day. Hunger is something that hits all segments of our country, large and small. There are tons of hardworking people who, despite working hard, still go hungry. Freedom Munitions is proud to donate to a cause that seeks to fight hunger alongside Para and Mission Marble Falls.”

One of the firearms that attendees can win is a Para USA Pro Comp 9.

This marks the inaugural season for the 3GN Regional Championship Series. The professional shooters are competing for more than $100,000 in prizes.

Cooper-Hicks said the club is encouraging people to come out and attend the event, watch the professional shooters, try out the new 9mm and, just maybe, take one home.

Go to www.copperheadcreek.com for more information.

editor@thepicayune.com

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FROM STAFF REPORTS

MARBLE FALLS — If you’re looking for a “little” something to do, why not give a marathon a try? And it’s just your luck that one is happening Oct. 19 at Mustang Stadium.

Well, it starts there, but you do get to come back. And when you do, you can dig into some Blue Bonnet Cafe pie. And don’t worry about the extra calories, because you just ran a marathon.

The second annual Hill Country Marathon hits the road at 7 a.m. from Mustang Stadium, 2101 Mustang Drive. If 26.2 miles is a bit too much, the event also includes a half-marathon and a 10K as well. All of the races start and end at the stadium.

The course takes runners out of the west side of the stadium to Mormon Mill Road, where they’ll head north until the road turns into CR 340. At one point on CR 340, the 10K participants will turn around and return to the stadium.

The half-marathoners and marathoners continue to CR 341 and head east before eventually returning to CR 340. At that juncture, the half-marathoners turn south and run back to the stadium, while the marathoners head north. They’ll continue north until the turnaround point and then “dash” back to Mustang Stadium and their pieces of pie.

The Hill Country Marathon is the first one that takes advantage of the beautiful hills and roadways around Marble Falls, which is one of the reasons organizers started the event.

Officials expect several hundred people to run the Hill Country Marathon.

The course features some rolling hills but also several challenging ones. One of the steepest actually comes toward the beginning on CR 340 when runners descend just north of the Marble Falls city limits. It’s a nice way to get things rolling, but then the runners must deal with the same hill — this time going up — as they make their way back to the stadium.

The stretch on CR 341 also “welcomes” runners with a steady incline and more rolling hills.

Despite the hills, the course earned high marks from runners during the inaugural event in 2013.

It’s even a qualifying course for the Boston Marathon and a USA Track and Field certified course.

You can get a sneak peak of the course on a video posted at runthehillcountry.com.

For the younger crowd and families, the Phoenix Fun Run is a one-mile event set for 6 p.m. Oct. 18 (the evening before the marathon) at Mustang Stadium. The run loops around a dirt road next to the high school and is a true family event. Proceeds from the fun run benefit the Phoenix Center, a local nonprofit with the mission of providing high-quality, affordable mental healthcare for local children and their families.

Go to the website above for registration and volunteer information for both the Hill Country Marathon and Phoenix Fun Run.

editor@thepicayune.com

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