Kyle Thornell will join the Highlanders in Waco, Texas
Magnolia High School senior, Kyle Thornell, has signed a National Letter of Intent with McLennan Community College. Kyle will join the Highlanders in Waco, Texas. Coach Pete Mejia has developed a winning tradition with the Highlanders. The Highlanders were conference champs last year and have started strong again this year. Kyle will follow in the footsteps of his brother, Brett, who is the starting short-stop this year.
Kyle is the son of Joe and Connie Thornell. Kyle missed the 2011 season after being injured during the preseason tournament in Austin. He has battled back from a severe injury through hard work, dedication and determination to regain his strength and work on his skills. It is these attributes that will allow him to make an impact on the team this year. The Diamond Club appreciates all Kyle has done for MHS Bulldog Baseball. The Diamond Club looks forward to following Kyle’s season this year and his career after high school. The Diamond Club wishes him only the best.
Weston Wernecke Commits to Texas Lutheran University
Magnolia High School senior, Weston Wernecke, has committed to continue playing baseball at Texas Lutheran University with an academic scholarship and roster position. Weston will join Head Coach Greg Burnett (105-67) in his sixth season as the head coach of the TLU Bulldogs. TLU is a three-time champion of the NCAA Div III American Southwest Conference and has won eight ASC West Division crowns since 2001. Weston has traded his maroon and white for black and yellow but will continue to be a part of a winning bulldog program.
Weston is the son of Craig and Tina Wernecke. He is a two year letterman for head baseball coach Jason Fojt and the Magnolia Bulldogs. Weston was a member of 2011 Regional Semi Final Champion Bulldogs. Weston has also been active in both the FFA and BPA organizations and is a member of Wildwood United Methodist Church. The TLU Bulldogs are receiving a great player, scholar athlete, and outstanding person. The Diamond Club wishes Weston continued success in his life and looks forward to following Weston’s baseball career after high school. Craig and Tina have been vital supporters of MHS Bulldog Baseball and have helped to mold the Diamond Club into the premier booster club it is today. Craig and Tina will be greatly missed but we hope to see them supporting the maroon and white bulldogs when they are not at game for the black and yellow dogs.
Magnolia’s Birdwell, Butler, Green sign with UTSA, Mary Hardin-Baylor, Arkansas
Magnolia High School’s Madison Butler, left, will play volleyball at Mary Hardin-Baylor, Jarred Green will play baseball for Arkansas and Victoria Birdwell will play softball at Texas-San Antonio.
Three Magnolia High School athletes recently signed scholarship acceptance sheets indicating their intentions for life after high school.
Victoria Birdwell is a four-year varsity player going to the University of Texas at San Antonio. She has been named to the Class 4A all-state team twice. She was also a player on the 2010 state runner-up team and was named to the state all-tournament team. She was named all-district, and All-County by the Courier. She has also won the Magnolia High School Golden Glove.
Madison Butler, a 5-foot-10 senior middle blocker, signed a letter of intent to continue playing volleyball at Mary Hardin-Baylor University. Madison is a two-year letter winner at Magnolia and a starter on this year’s team. She was named to the All-District 17-4A academic team and All-District 17-4A first team.
Jarred Green is a four-year varsity baseball player going to the University of Arkansas. He was a member of the 2011 regional finalist baseball team and was voted first team all-district in 2011 and second team all-district in 2010.
From Your Houston News: Magnolia
4A Preseason Houston Area Rankings from Houston 5A Baseball:
1. BARBERS HILL
2. FRIENDSWOOD
3. GC MEMORIAL
4. MONTGOMERY
5. MAGNOLIA2012-4A H5AB PICK 4
DISTRICT 17-4A
1. MONTGOMERY
2. MAGNOLIA
3. BRENHAM
4. STRATFORD2012 HOUSTON 5A BASEBALL - PRE SEASON - ALL HOUSTON – 4A
PITCHERS FIRST TEAM
JARRED GREENE - MAGNOLIAUTILITY / DH FIRST TEAM
GARRETT LUNA – MAGNOLIA
MAGNOLIA BULLDOGS PRIMED AND READY
The Bulldogs graduated five college players in Joe Kirkland, Duncan Wendel, Colin Tornberg, Travis Lee and Jordan Schuetz. Returning lettermen Jarred Greene, Garrett Luna, Kyle Thornell, Noah McGowan Kyle Black and Conner Lee will provide a solid core of experience that along with Justin Hickman, Cole Williams, Weston Wernecke, Preston Leonard and Baylor Rowlett will create a formidable line-up. The bulldogs have the pitching and the strength up the middle to contend for the district championship in 2012.
Magnolia Bulldogs
District 17-4A
Head Coach- Jason Fojt (30-49)
Asst. Coaches- Taylor Shiflett, Troy Hebert, David Moore, and Corey Hendricks
Previous Record (23-14-1) (8-4)
2011 Play-Offs- Regional Finals (lost to Brenham in three games)
Key Losses- Graduated 6 players: Joe Kirkland and Duncan Wendel- Baylor, Travis Lee- Paris JC, Colin Tornberg- Hill JC, Brady Reed, and Zach Brooks
Returning Starters/Lettermen: Jarred Greene, 1st Team All-Dist. Pitcher, Garrett Luna 2nd Team All-Dist DH, and Noah McGowan Hon. Mention, Kyle Black, Conner Lee Justin Hickman, Cole Williams, Justin Leonard, and Weston Wernecke.
From the dugout – “The Magnolia Bulldogs reached the Regional Finals for the first time in school history in 2011 and they are primed to bust the door down to Round Rock in 2012. The 2012 Bulldogs must build on the momentum created by their three straight play-offs appearances and attain the ultimate goal of a State Championship”.
