Sports

   Van Vleck ISD trustees unanimously approved Superintendent John O’Brien’s contract extension during their regular meeting Monday night. 
   O’Brien’s new contract officially starts in July.
   “I’m super excited that the board felt confident in me and what we’re doing at the district,” said VVISD Superintendent John O’Brien.
   “We’re breaking ground on three new campuses and that’s big deal. Not to mention renovations to several existing buildings. I am honored to be a part of the district’s growth and plans for the future.”
   Trustees also approved going forward with a “District of Innovation” plan and assigned a mix of 17 parents, educators, and staff to an organizing committee.
   “Almost every district in the state has signed up for and created their own plan,” said O’Brien.
   “The committee is in charge of drawing up the plan that provides for a comprehensive educational program for the district.”

   The Bay City Public Library is hosting a “Robotics Fair” starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, at the Bay City USEO Service Center. 
   The event will include presentations of this years’ FTC game, Rover Ruckus by local area teams. 
   Robotic teams on tap include Bay City High School Robotics, Palacios High School Robotics, Angleton Christian School’s “Revelation” team and Calico ISD’s team.
   Plans include a demonstration area and Rover Ruckus scrimmage field.
   Rover ruckus is geared toward ages 5 and up for participation activities.
   “But all ages can attend to learn more about robotics and see our demonstrations,” said Brittany Miller, BCPL aide and BCHS Robotics representative.
   “I decided to head up this event because after joining Robotics this year, I realized how much people didn’t know about it. I felt that, we as a team should reach out to the community to show them how much fun robotics is.

   We traveled to Tuloso-Midway HS for the Coastal Bend Invitational.
   Diving was Friday morning and swimming preliminaries were that afternoon.  
   Swimming finals were Saturday.
   This was an important meet for our kids, as it pretty much mirrors the way our region meet will be run.
   Divers needed to perform an eleven-dive list and swimmers had to qualify for Saturday's finals.
   Our kids swam season-bests across the board, both individually and on relays.
   We travel to Rosenberg Tuesday for a tri-meet with Lamar & Terry.
   We travel to Manvel Friday (divers) and Saturday (swimmers) for the Alvin ISD Classic.

   The Bay City High School Robotics Teams have competed well this first semester. 
   They have placed at two meets in Palacios this year, with two BCHS teams earning top rankings. The BCHS team “Avenge-a-cats” is currently ranked first in the area, while the BCHS team “Decepticats” is ranked third. 
   The Avenge-a-cats are undefeated at this point in the competition season. 
   BCHS Robotics Team Director Michael Ashleman said, “The credit goes to both teams as the Decepticats have contributed substantial support to the Avenge-a-cats, and there is an element of luck in the drawing of opponents and allies in the contests.  
   The Decepticat team has had some tough draws, but are still in third despite it being uphill all the way.  
   They have had the Avenge-a-cats’ back and provided much of the tech support that allowed them to win against the Decepticats.”

   Van Vleck’s standout senior running back De’Mitri Monroe is an Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE) 3A All-State First-Team running back.
   The APSE noted Monroe’s stellar statistics that include 1,854 yards rushing on 197 carries, with 27 touchdowns.
   The APSE honor is on top of Monroe’s selection as the 2018 Offensive Most Valuable Player (MVP) for District 12-3A-2 - one of seven Leopards on All-District first team offensive and defensive squads.
   First-team offense

•     Daniel Bree, senior, unanimous selection as running back 
•     Tristan Wells, senior, offensive line
•     Dalton Ashcraft, senior, offensive line

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