The 2024 high school soccer season featured plenty of memorable moments from all 10 Killeen ISD varsity squads.
Playing in two competitive districts made the road to the playoffs difficult, let alone standing out among the league’s best a tall task. KISD’s teams, though, produced scintillating performances that rose to the top and were recognized in the form of post-season awards.
Riley Sims helped lead the Ellison Lady Eagles to a second consecutive playoff appearance out of District 22-5A, making an impression on the league’s coaches along the way by scoring 18 goals and adding 13 assists.
Because of that, the senior who is headed to the University of Louisiana in the fall, earned the most valuable player award –– the league's top honor –– on this year’s All-District 22-5A accolades list.
The Lady Eagles, who finished third in 22-5A, had four players, Hayle Brodine, Ava Nautu, Alejandra Lopez-Kelly and Hannah Stowers, voted first-team recipients. Second-team all-district spots went to Alisa Hernandez, Selena Meeks, Brianna Trevino and Tatianna White, and Vanessa Madrigal, Yanely Calvillo and Angelina Wilson were honorable mention.
Killeen ISD’s representatives didn't end there, of course.
Killeen High’s Haley Stokoe nabbed one of the superlatives –– utility player of the year –– and six others earned first-team distinction.
First-team recipients:
Chaparral – Kristin Stevens, Mikayla Strayhorn, Austin Vela-Diel
Killeen – Haley Stokoe, Julissa Martinez
Shoemaker – ZorDae Reed
Second-team recipients:
Chaparral – Trinity Wetli, Caoimhe Gormley, Alina Martin
Killeen – Samantha Garcia, Saraly Gallardo
Shoemaker – Natalie Allsbrook
Honorable mention recipients:
Chaparral – Nakylah Sellers, Hailey Harry, Mikayla Cromwell
Killeen – Dianelis Williams, Yanelis Williams, Cherrice Jackson
Shoemaker – Chelsea Fortin, Hannah Corrales-Pineda
After a season in which the Shoemaker boys soccer team advanced to the playoffs for the first time since 2017 then won the program’s first postseason game, and the Chaparral Bobcats qualified for the playoffs in just their second year as a program, it’s no wonder that the boys All-District 22-5A list was loaded with KISD players.
Five of the nine superlatives were affiliated with Killeen ISD. Shoemaker’s Joshua Torres was voted the offensive player of the year, Chaparral’s David Avalos earned defensive player of the year and Devin Ochoa the newcomer of the year, Killeen’s Gaspar Monteclaro was midfielder of the year, and Grey Wolves head coach Dustin Mann was the coach of the year.
First-team recipients:
Shoemaker – Sebastian Martinez, Jayden Reyes, Gavin McGinn, Antonio Butler, Joshua Torres
Chaparral – Devin Ochoa, Jayden Bennett, Blaze Hiapo, David Avalos
Ellison – Connor Bertles, Landon Ledbetter
Killeen – Israel Melena, Gaspar Monteclaro
Second-team recipients:
Shoemaker – Kayson Casari, Alan Arreguin, Edgar Juarez Aguilar, Noah Kirk
Chaparral – Jayden Terry, Adrian Suarez Cortes, Omarion Bartlett
Ellison – Israel Brown, Jonathan Zamudio
Killeen – Gabriel Garcia Cardenas
Honorable mention recipients:
Shoemaker: Bryan Alonso Morera, Derrek Garcia, Keanuss Lewis Valdivia
Chaparral: Bobby Trivitt, Jonathan Sanchez, Aubrey Meekins
Ellison: Kayden Torres, Ethan Carranza, Bradley De La Cruz
Killeen: Javier Reyes Lopez, Henry Juarez Pena, Enrique Navarro
Despite not making the playoffs, the Harker Heights Knights and Lady Knights certainly fielded impactful players, who challenged opponents and lifted up teammates. The All-District 12-6A list reflected such qualities.
Lady Knights junior Kaylee Humble and Knights sophomore Mekhi Carwise each were voted the utility player of the year from their respective leagues.
Also for the Lady Knights, senior Samantha Forristal was named first-team all-district, while seniors Kristin Burrell and Addison Schoel and junior Elizabeth Leffers were second-team selections. Sophomore Kasi Yonkey and seniors Sarah Gill and Dominika Sapien landed honorable mention recognition.
Carwise and senior Frank Hooker were the Knights’ first-team picks, with seniors Juan Miranda, Archie Nix and Miguel Rocha picking up second-team selections. Seniors Ezequiel Baeza, Max Byse and Leyton Childs were honorable mention.
