Players for the Wylie Pirates volleyball team celebrate after defeating Rockwall-Heath in five sets in a Class 6A Division I bi-district playoff match. Photo by Tina Lopez / C&S Media
By David Wolman
From the gridiron to the tennis and volleyball courts to the hardwood to the wrestling mat to the track, baseball, football and softball fields, the Wylie Pirates were a force to be reckoned with during the 2025-26 school year.
The Wylie News is proud to introduce the first installment of a three-part series celebrating the best teams, athletes, moments and performances from this past school year. The categories and winners for the second annual C&S Media High School Sports Awards were chosen by sports editor David Wolman, with winners being published over three weeks.
Part 1 (July 16) includes the Biggest Story, Breakthrough Moment, Newcomer of the Year and Best Team
Part 2 (July 23) will highlight the Best Game, Best Finish, Biggest Upset and Multi-Sport Athlete of the Year.
Part 3 (July 30) will wrap up the series with Coach of the Year, Most Improved Athlete, Best Male Athlete and Best Female Athlete.
These are the winners of the first installment of the series.
Biggest Story: Pirates capture six district championships
Wylie won undefeated district titles in girls’ basketball and volleyball, with the Pirates volleyball team not losing a set during 9-6A play. The Pirates also won their fourth consecutive district title in both boys’ basketball and girls’ golf, while the tennis and softball teams added to their legacy.
Going undefeated in district play in girls’ basketball was an impressive feat, especially given that Wylie came into this season with a new head coach. Nate Heckelman conducted his first practice just four days prior to the start of the season, but the Pirates were quick to adjust to his coaching style.
The Pirate boys basketball team had the same head coach, but Stephen Pearce had to adjust to a new starting five. However, the Pirates rounded into form quickly. They guided Wylie to a fourth consecutive 9-6A crown, followed by a dominant 63-36 victory over Rockwall-Heath in the bi-district round.
An experienced Wylie volleyball team added to its success with head coach Sherry Olivares. Olivares earned her 250th victory as Pirates head coach. Wylie lost two matches over the final two months of the season, outlasted Rockwall-Heath in a dramatic five-set thriller in the bi-district round for their third playoff victory in the last two seasons and finished 30-13.
Heather Damron guided Wylie’s softball team to another district crown behind a dominant late-season run, one that saw the Pirates win their final 15 district games after losing 1-0 to Sachse.
Despite losing two of its top players from the 2025 team that made the state golf tournament for the first time, the Lady Pirates retained their position at the top of District 9-6A, shooting a two-day total of 865. Incoming junior Serina Armendariz won the individual title for the second consecutive season, shooting a 150.
On the tennis court, Wylie won its eighth consecutive district team title. The clincher was a 16-1 victory against crosstown rival Wylie East. In the spring, the Pirates won every division at the 9-6A Tournament for the first time.
Breakthrough moment: Soccer teams reach regional semifinals
After not making the playoffs for more than a decade, the Wylie boys’ soccer team has now made the postseason in three consecutive seasons.
The third trip proved to be the charm for the Pirates this season as they finally advanced past the bi-district round. Wylie’s offense generated 11 goals during the first two rounds of the playoffs as the Pirates cruised past Rockwall-Heath (5-2) and Duncanville (6-1). The Pirates lost 2-1 against back-to-back Class 6A Division I champion Klein Cain in the regional semifinals.
The Lady Pirates had a new head coach this season as Shelby Ternus was promoted from varsity assistant following the resignation of Chris Bezner. After losing 1-0 in the area round during the 2025 season to Duncanville, Wylie took things one step further this year and finished as a Class 6A Region II semifinalist.
Kennedy Butler, an incoming senior and Mississippi State pledge, scored two goals in overtime in Wylie’s 3-1 win against Rockwall-Heath in the bi-district round. The Pirates cruised to a 5-1 victory against Waco Midway in the area round before losing 1-0 to Grand Oaks in the regional semifinals.
Newcomer of the Year: Luke Montgomery, boys’ soccer
In their only season playing high school varsity soccer together, brothers Luke and Logan Montgomery formed one of the area’s most dangerous scoring duos for the 18-3-6 Pirates.
Luke and Logan combined for 20 goals, with Luke accounting for 13. Luke elevated his efforts in the playoffs. He scored six goals in three postseason games, including three in a victory over Rockwall-Heath to commence the playoffs.
Following the conclusion of the season, Luke was named the 9-6A Offensive Newcomer of the Year, and he later earned a selection on the Texas Association of Soccer Coaches All-Region 2-6A team, while Logan captured 9-6A Utility Player of the Year.
Best team: powerlifting
One year after winning its first state championship in the equipped division, Wylie not only won its second consecutive state title, but did so in dominating fashion.
The Pirates finished with 45 points – almost double the point total of the second-place team at the Texas Women’s Powerlifting Association Class 6A meet, Los Fresnos (24 points).
Wylie finished with 10 equipped state medalists and one unequipped state medalist.
Isabella Ortega claimed top honors in the 132-pound class with a 1,005-pound total between the bench press, deadlift and squat.
Yanelle Munoz won the 181-pound class state title after lifting 1,050 total pounds.
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