Six area athletes named Academic All-State
was one of six area athletes who has been named to one of the
Texas High School Coaches Association Academic All-State teams.
(Photo by John Krueger)
Student-athletes are just that - both students and athletes - and must maintain passing grade point averages to remain eligible to play the sport they wish to participate in. Many athletes go above and beyond the minimum requirements and are recognized for that hard work.
Six Shelby County athletes have been honored this year for making the Texas High School Coaches Association (THSCA) Academic All-State teams for the various sports throughout the school year. They are honored as elite, first-team, second-team members or receive honorable mention.
Athletes are nominated by their coach, who is a member of the THSCA. The student-athlete must maintain an overall grade point average of 92 or above for grades 9-12, including the first six weeks of their senior year. They must also be a member of the team and in good standing, be a senior and be of good moral character.
Two Center High School tennis players lead this year's area honorees. Thomas Howard was named to the Class 3A THSCA All-Academic All-State Elite Tennis Team, while his teammate, Mario Jimenez, was named to the first-team all-state squad.
A Center football player, quarterback/wide receiver Ryan Goodwin, was named to the State Farm Insurance Class 3A All-Academic All-State Football Second Team. Goodwin led the Roughriders to their second consecutive Class 3A playoff berth this past season.
Shelbyville had two football players named to the Class 1A State Farm Insurance All-Academic All-State team. Quarterback/defensive back Brad Estes and wide receiver/defensive back Tyler Adams both received Honorable Mention All-State status for their dual work in the classroom and on the gridiron.
Estes completed 142-of-255 passes (55.7%) for 1,832 yards and 22 touchdowns as a senior, while rushing for 75 yards and two TDs. On defense, Estes finished the year with 39 tackles as he led the team to an 8-3 playoff season.
Adams caught nine passes for 202 yards and three scores this past season, while accumulating 22 tackles on the Dragon defense.
Joaquin linebacker/running back Tyler McSwain was also named to the elite team, being recognized as part of the Class 2A State Farm Insurance All-Academic All-State Second Team. McSwain overcame injuries to finish third on the Rams' team in tackles.