By Riley Zayas
Kouskova claims third straight national award
As the old cliché goes, “the third time’s a charm.”
It sure was for standout Texas golfer Sara Kouskova, who this week was named the Czech Ladies Amateur Golfer of the Year for the third straight year. It came as no surprise, as she is currently the No. 1-ranked amateur in the Czech Republic and 53rd overall in the world. Even at the age of 20, she has hung in with the best Europe has to offer, finishing 37th at the European Ladies Championship last summer, and taking second at the Czech International Junior U18 & U21 Championships as well. The 2019 All-Big 12 honoree has [s2If current_user_can(access_s2member_level2)]begun her sophomore season continuing the momentum she was able to build up last season, finishing in the top 10 at four different tournaments this fall. Her best finish was third place at the White Sands Invitational.
Top high school pitcher among 11 baseball signees
Texas baseball head coach David Pierce and his staff have good reason for optimism in coming seasons, as UT signed the nation’s top-ranked recruiting class this last week, a huge home run for the team who looks to rebound on last season’s disappointing ending. It was the second consecutive season in which Pierce and his staff have secured a class ranked among the nation’s top 10.
“The class of 2020 will be one of the best classes in the country,” Pierce said. “Their baseball talent is amazing, but their character and integrity sets them apart for me.”
The class is made up of six pitchers (each of whom is right-handed). Four are two-way players, meaning they can hit, play the field and pitch. UT also signed four infielders and a single outfielder; three of the new players are from out of state.
One of the biggest scores in the class was picking up Refugio High’s Jared Kelley, the No. 1-ranked pitcher in the 2020 class.
Refugio head coach Jarod Kay describes Kelley as “a competitor, leader and an encourager.” Kay recalled an instance during Kelley’s sophomore year, when Kelley threw a no-hitter but lost on an error. Kay said that Kelley was always there for his teammates, never frustrated with his individual stats but rather with the team’s overall success.
“When things aren’t going great, when times are tough, instead of griping and yelling complaining at his teammates, he tries to encourage them,” Kay said.
Kelley has played in places that many players his age do not, such as at Wrigley Field in Chicago, or in South America with USA Baseball’s Under-18 team, where he helped bring home a gold medal. Kelley compared the atmosphere in South America to a college football game, but was still able to maintain his confidence, composure and focus on the mound, which speaks to Kelley’s maturity and poise.
Kelley’s best pitch is his fastball, which can climb over 95 miles per hour and Kay has seen reach 99 mph, which is nearly underheard of for a high schooler; his heater is complemented by a solid changeup and curveball.
Whether or not Kelley — his father, John, also played at UT — ever suits up for the Longhorns remains to be seen. The uncertainty stems from the fact that is projected to be a top-10 pick in the June Major League Baseball Amateur Draft.
“At the end of the day, it’s up to Jared and his family to make the decision that’s best for him,” Kay said. “I honestly couldn’t tell you one way or another what his plans are, but I do know he loves UT. I don’t know if I’d be surprised either way. If he signed with a Major League team, he’d do a great job, or if he came to UT, he’d do a great job there too. Either team that gets him will be extremely pleased with what they’ve got.”
Odessa Junior College’s Ivan Melendez is the only junior college signee of this class. After playing one season as an infielder for the Wranglers, the same team that produced former Longhorns and current minor leaguers Matteo Bocchi and Masen Hibbeler, Melendez will play the spring season in Odessa before starting with Texas next fall. The El Paso native, who says that it has always been his dream to become a Longhorn, hit .411 in his first college season.
“Ivan is just a natural hitter with huge raw power,” Texas’ Recruiting Coordinator Sean Allen said. “He’s big and strong and can play either corner infield position. A Juco All-American last year at Odessa Junior College, Ivan has proven he can be a huge presence in the middle of our order. We are excited to get Ivan to Austin next fall.”
Also signing was Mitchell Daly, the highest-ranked shortstop in Alabama. Daly is a disciplined hitter who drew 31 walks while batting .321 last season as a junior, and has been timed at 6.75 seconds in the 60-yard dash.
“Mitch has good speed, an excellent glove and shown power in his swing,” Pierce said. “We are excited to welcome him to the Forty Acres.”
The players in this recruiting class come from athletic backgrounds — 10 of the 11 signees are sons of parents who played sports beyond high school, and nine of the 11 are multi-sport athletes.
New kicks revealed
“Whooooo!” That was the only sound that could be heard coming from the Texas football locker room. Players were clapping and cheering after head coach Tom Herman revealed new Longhorn-inspired cleats for the team’s Alamo Bowl game against Utah on New Year’s Eve. This year’s design is a variation of the basketball shoe design made popular by Kevin Durant. The NBA superstar wore a similar gold shoe design on Christmas Day against the Orlando Magic in 2011, and now the entire UT team will be wearing it on New Year’s Day against the Utes.
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