Breckenridge Texan

From track to powerlifting and football and basketball to cheerleading, Breckenridge athletes — both current and former Buckaroos — are out in the sports world representing the community. Check out this list of recent sporting accomplishments.

Chase Lehr sets record at UNT

Former Buckaroo Chase Lehr opened the outdoor track season on a high note, winning the men’s 800 meters to lead University of North Texas track and field at The TCU Alumni Invitational on Saturday, March 22..

Coming off a second-place finish in the 800 meters at the American Athletic Conference Indoor Championships that saw him set a new indoor school record in the event (running a 1:49.12), Lehr carried that momentum into the outdoor season, winning the first individual race of his UNT career. He crossed the line in 1:52.53 to beat out a trio of TCU runners who finished behind him.

Lehr, a University of North Texas sophomore, was also on the 4×400 relay team that finished third at AAC event, and he broke the UNT school record earlier in the year, running a 3:08.76 on Feb. 15 at Texas Tech University. Lehr was also a member of the Distance Medley Relay team that broke the UNT school record at the American Conference Championships, running a 9:57.26.

Girls Powerlifting

Breckenridge High School’s Maria Duran earned a fifth-place medal at the State Powerlifting Meet in Edinburg on March 18.

She was one of eight students to qualify for the Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association’s State Championship.

“This season has been an amazing experience. These young ladies have worked so hard to be their very best,” Coach Jarrod Shepperd wrote in a post on the Breckenridge Buckaroos Athletics Facebook page. “I am so glad I got a front row seat to watch them reap their harvest. Maria traveled with us last year to support her teammates at state. She made up her mind this year she would qualify for state. Instead of just qualifying, she medaled. She deserved that finish to her powerlifting career.”

“Isabelle Biddison, Joni Jackson, and Rylee Fuller just completed their second State Powerlifting Meet,” the coach continued. “They fought like the champions they are. I am very proud of their accomplishments. Cabel Perkins and Maria Duran have been talking about going to State since they were freshmen. I’m so glad they reached their goals. Two freshmen, Rihana Fuller and Sofia Lopez, made their debut at the State Meet and did not disappoint. Ashlyn Owen is only a sophomore that had an outstanding first performance at State. These young ladies have surpassed my expectations. I’m so proud of our seniors. So excited for the future. Keep raising the bar Bucks.”

Jaime Cruz at FBU

Jaime Cruz, a Breckenridge High School junior, attended the FBU (Football University) Dallas football camp earlier this month.

The only player from Breckenridge to go, he was named one of 11 students on the High School All-Camp Team in defense.

Cruz received an invitation to Naples, Florida, June 19-22 to participate in the FBU Top Gun Showcase, a three-day event that brings together the middle school and high school student-athletes, offering them an opportunity to compete in position-specific tests of skill and ability, with the goal of identifying and elevating top talent.

Breckenridge FCA All-Stars

More than 330 of the area’s top athletes representing more than 75 high schools have been selected to participate in the FCA All-Star Festival this summer, and five Breckenridge student athletes and one coach are included.

The 26th annual All-Star Festival is scheduled for June 3-7 in Abilene and Brownwood and includes football, men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball, and cheerleading. The Breckenridge athletes selected to participate in the Big Country Chevy Dealers 2025 FCA All-Star Festival include:

• Solae Mendez, cheerleading
• Cabel Perkins, cheerleading
• Giselle Reyes, cheerleading
• Hunter Clayton, boys basketball
• Brent Lucas, boys basketball coach
• Joni Jackson, softball

The All-Star Festival schedule of events includes:

• Thursday, June 5 – Softball Game – 6:30 p.m. – Brownwood High School, Brownwood, sponsored by 1st Community Federal Credit Union
• Thursday, June 5 – Baseball Game – 6:30 p.m. – Brownwood High School, Brownwood, sponsored by 1st Community Federal Credit Union
• Thursday, June 5 – Volleyball Game – 6:30 p.m. – ACU Moody Coliseum, Abilene, sponsored by Abilene Sports Medicine and Orthopedics
• Friday, June 6 – Women’s Basketball Game – 5 p.m. – ACU Moody Coliseum, Abilene, sponsored by Hendrick Medical Center and First Community Federal Credit Union
• Friday, June 6  -Men’s Basketball Game – 7 p.m. – ACU Moody Coliseum, Abilene, sponsored by Hendrick Medical Center and First Community Federal Credit Union
• Saturday, June 7 – Football Game – 10 a.m. – Shotwell Stadium, Abilene, sponsored by Big Country Chevy Dealers and the Greathouse Foundation.

Ryan Mendoza makes Big Country Superteam

Breckenridge High School senior Ryan Mendoza was named to the Abilene Reporter-News’ All-Big Country High School Football Superteam, which recognizes the area’s top players, coaches and teams from the 2024 season.

Superteam selections were determined through a combination of coach nominations, statistics, all-district honors and team success, according to a recent article in the Reporter-News.

Mendoza was named to the All-Big Country Football – Honorable Mention Special Teams – Kick/Punt Returners.

Spring Sports

Spring sports are in full spring at BHS, including baseball, softball, track and field, tennis and golf.

To see schedules for each sport, visit the Breckenridge Independent School District’s website (click here). Schedules and game/meet updates also are often posted on the Breckenridge Buckaroo Athletics Facebook page.