Brownwood residents flocked to Warren Gym Wednesday afternoon in celebration of the 2025 Lady Lions track and field team, the first team state champion in a girls sport in school history, and the first team state championship in any sport for Brownwood High since 1986.

Athletic Director Mitch Moore introduced the members of the state championship roster – Hannah Deen, Rebekkah Delgado, Icess Hall, Aniah Hines, Braycee Lee, Jade Morin, Kaya Phillips, Kate Tindol, Sidney Windham, Inylah Hall, Grace Sparks, Jentry Coalson, Jaidyn Hope, manager Talia Craff, assistant coaches Bryan Clark and Heather Hohertz-Perez, and head coach Chelsy Lipsey – who then received UIL state championship gold medals from BISD Superintendent Dr. Joe Young, Deputy Superintendent Liesa Land and BHS Principal Lindsay Smith.

Lipsey addressed the members of the Lady Lions team and the crowd, stating, “Thank you to everyone that came out this afternoon to show support for these girls and to everyone that was in Austin last Thursday to watch them compete. I know it meant so much to them to see all of their families, friends and community members there to support them and be there to congratulate them afterwards. This season has been the biggest blessing and definitely one that we will never forget. I know I’ve said this before but they really are the best girls with the best hearts and I am so grateful to be their coach. This didn’t come easy and every girl sitting here knows that. They have poured blood, sweat and tears into making this happen, and so much hard work. I’m sure there were many days at practice where they were questioning their life choices, but I am so thankful to every one of you for believing in each other and this team, and trusting in me. I really feel like the luckiest coach in the world to have you girls in my life and as awesome as winning a state championship is, the relationships that we’ve built will always mean so much more to me. I love y’all and I’m so proud of you.”

The Lady Lions finished first as a team in all nine meets this season in which the entire team competed, including the UIL Class 4A State Championships at the University of Texas’ Myers Stadium in Austin, generating 64 points to the 45 of runner-up Canyon on Thursday, May 1.

The Lady Lions also collected team titles at San Angelo Lake View (196 points), McMurry (147 points), Jim Ned (202 points), Graham (194 points), Abilene (146 points), the District 6-4A meet (256 points), the 5-4A/6-4A Area meet (216 points), and Region I-4A meet (113 points).

Out of the 17 track and field events, the Lady Lions broke or tied records in 10 of those this year including:

• 4×100 relay: Icess Hall, Kaya Phillips, Jade Morin and Aniah Hines (47.0) – state champion
• 200 meters: Kaya Phillips (23.75) – state champion
• 4×200 relay: Jade Morin, Kaya Phillips, Aniah Hines and Kate Tindol (1:39.14) – state silver medalist
• 4×400 relay: Kate Tindol, Jade Morin, Rebekkah Delgado and Braycee Lee (3:50.93) – state silver medalist
• High jump: Hannah Dean (5-7) – regional champion, state qualifier
• Long jump: Kaya Phillips (18-6.5) – regional runner-up, state qualifier
• 300-meter hurdles: Kate Tindol (44.017) – regional runner-up, state qualifier
• 3200 meters: Sidney Windham (11:22.33) – area champion, regional qualifier
• 1600 meters: Sidney Windham (5:15.19) – area champion, regional qualifier
• Pole vault: Grace Sparks (11-6) – area champion, regional qualifier

Prior to this year, the 1986 Brownwood Lions golf team was the last to earn a state title for the school, the second of two consecutive state championships for the program.