Signing Day: King's Lovvorn signs to run at Houston, London baseball duo go Division I

King’s Jackson Lovvorn burst onto the running scene in Corpus Christi as a sophomore and in the three years since, the Mustangs star has been the standard for boys distance runners in the Coastal Bend.

Though he still has one more track season next spring running for the Mustangs, the King star secured his future plans on Wednesday, signing to run at the University of Houston at Roby Gymnasium.

Lovvorn, a three-time UIL State qualifier in cross country in Class 5A, had his best showing of his career this season at the regional meet, finishing second, capping a season where he broke the school record in cross country.

“It means a lot to be able to go to the next level and compete in the Big 12 against really high competition,” Lovvorn said. “I’m just really excited overall. It means everything. I’ve worked so hard for this.

“I think it is the right fit because their new coach coming in has a lot of experience from Oklahoma State. I blend with the team really well and we have some other good recruits coming in as well. I really love it.”

Lovvorn said he will study business and chose the Cougars over Air Force, the University of Portland, Wyoming and TCU.

The senior said at the end of track season last spring he realized that he could accomplish his goal of competing at the next level.

Calallen softball duo heads to UT Tyler

Calallen seniors Megan Geyer and Alaunah Almaraz have played together for years, both with the Wildcats varsity softball team and with various travel squads.

The duo will continue as teammates into college as both signed with Division II softball powerhouse UT Tyler.

Geyer and Almaraz have led Calallen to two state tournaments and last year helped the Wildcats claim the first state softball title in Corpus Christi.

Geyer said she has a goal of studying nursing at UT Tyler and the strength of the Patriots program, which regularly competes for conference and national championships intrigued her.

“Alaunah and I play really good together and well under pressure,” Geyer said. “We are ready to get some more rings.”

Almaraz said UT Tyler was a good fit and she had a good rapport with the coaches and players and felt comfortable on the campus.

“It means the world to me," Almaraz said. "I am super excited that we were able to start this journey together and now we are able to finish it together."

Almaraz was named second-team All-American by the NFCA following last year's state title run.

Even though the pair already have their future plans decided, Calallen coach Teresa Lentz said their journey as Wildcats still has one more chapter as the team sets its sights on another trip to Austin, this time as defending state champions.

London duo make college baseball commitments official

Blayne Lyne and Mason Jacob have been vital pieces to London's historic run to three consecutive UIL Class 3A state baseball tournaments, including the program's first state championship in 2022.

Lyne, a hard-throwing pitcher and Jacob a shortstop who can also play pretty much any position, made their college commitments official on Wednesday in front of friends, family and coaches at the London High School Gymnasium.

Lyne signed to play Division I baseball at Texas A&M and Jacob made his with Division I signing official with UTSA.

Lyne, who is the ace of the Pirates' pitching staff, went 11-1 with 99 strikeouts in 70 innings and a 0.80 earned-run average as a junior.

"It's a great feeling," Lyne said. "Just being able to sign that piece of paper and make it official and going there for good is a great feeling. My grandpa played there when he was younger, so it's a great feeling that I can carry the family tradition."

Jacob was hurt most of last season, but still delivered when London needed him to as the team advanced back to the state championship game.

The stellar do-it-all athlete got going in the postseason by hitting multiple home runs and coming up with key hits in crucial moments.

"This is what I've been working for since I started playing baseball," Jacob said. "It's a big relief, and I'm excited to get it over with. It puts in perspective that all of my hard work has paid off and that someone values me. That's what I like.

"I'm a grinder and I'll find a way to play somehow. I don't' care where it's at or now. I just want to go out there, play and give it my best."

Veterans Memorial's Hernandez to play for Texas A&M-Corpus Christi

Veterans Memorial infielder Damon Hernandez made his commitment to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi official on Wednesday when he signed to play baseball. Hernandez a speedy infielder that led the Coastal Bend in stolen bases in 2023 said the chance to play at home was too good to pass up.

Hernandez said he was also considering UTRGV and San Jacinto College, among other schools.

"Staying home is a good thing, and the environment over there, the coaching staff, everything felt like home," Hernandez said. "I wanted to stay home and play baseball. It means a lot, my family gets to come to most of the games. We have a good schedule, good teams."

The speedy Hernandez finished the 2023 season with 53 bases, and also hit .431 with nine doubles, three triples, 20 RBI and scored 35 runs.

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Signing Day: King's Lovvorn signs to run at Houston