From basketball courts and football fields to baseball diamonds and track meets, dozens of the Big Country’s top high school athletes stood out with incredible individual performances and achievements in the last year.
The Abilene Reporter-News seeks to recognize the Abilene area’s most outstanding high school athletes across all sports from the 2024-25 school year.
That poses the burning question: Who should be the Abilene Reporter-News’ 2024-25 Male High School Athlete of the Year?
We want to hear from you! Let us know what you think by reviewing our list of finalists below and voting for your pick.
Candidates were selected by the ARN’s staff based upon statistics, individual accolades and team success.
Voting will be available for one week before the poll closes at Noon on Monday, July 28.
Check out the full list of finalists for the Abilene Reporter-News’ 2024-25 Male High School Athlete of the Year:
Candidates listed below in alphabetical order.
Tye Briscoe, Abilene Wylie, Sr.
Briscoe was tabbed the ARN’s 2025 All-Big Country Baseball Player of the Year after shining for Abilene Wylie on the diamond. The senior standout – who made appearances at pitcher, first base and in the outfield – helped the Bulldogs capture the District 4-5A championship and advance to the regional semifinals in the Class 5A Division II UIL Baseball Playoffs. Briscoe anchored the middle of Wylie’s deep lineup, posting a .422 batting average (35-for-83) and 1.376 OPS at the plate with 28 RBIs, 26 runs scored, 33 walks, 11 doubles, four triples, four home runs and seven stolen bases. The Arkansas Razorbacks signee also tallied a 2-1 record with 53 strikeouts, 41 walks, four hits allowed, 2.45 ERA and 1.75 WHIP in 25 ⅔ innings pitched.
Chip Chambers, Albany, Sr.
Chambers was a true triple threat on the football field, basketball court and baseball diamond during a strong senior year. The senior quarterback helped push the Lions to a district championship on the gridiron and into the regional semifinals of the Class 2A Division II UIL Football Playoffs after throwing for 2,244 yards and 25 touchdowns on 60.1% passing (143-of-238). He played a big role in the backcourt too during Albany’s run to the area round of the 2A DII UIL Boys Basketball Playoffs. Then in a stacked District 8-2A, his excellent pitching helped the Lions break through to reach the regional semifinals of the 2A DI UIL Baseball Playoffs. Chambers ended a superb senior season on the mound for Albany with a 6-1 record, 86 strikeouts, 39 hits allowed, 25 walks, a 2.04 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP in 53 innings pitched. He added a .339 batting average (21-for-62) and .933 OPS with 23 runs scored, 14 RBIs, three doubles, two triples, 17 walks and eight steals.
Tristian Gentry, Stephenville, Sr.
Gentry made waves on the gridiron and on the track during an impressive senior year. On the football field, he was a standout wide receiver and kick/punt returner with game-changing athleticism. Gentry – a Texas Tech Red Raiders signee – helped guide the Yellow Jackets to the regional finals of the Class 4A Division I UIL Football Playoffs and recorded 93 receptions for 1,778 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also thrived in several track and field events for Stephenville, earning three silver medals in the long jump, triple jump and 4×200-meter relay and a bronze medal in the 4×100-meter relay at the UIL 4A Region I track and field meet.
Stryker Reed, Gordon, Jr.
Reed helped Gordon win its second straight six-man football state title during an undefeated run to the Class 1A Division I UIL Football State Championship. The junior also starred for the Longhorns on the basketball court and baseball diamond, earning All-Big Country honors in both sports. Reed helped propel Gordon to its first ever Class 1A UIL Baseball State Championship game appearance with frequent starts at pitcher, third base and center field. On the basketball court, he helped the Longhorns achieve a top-five statewide ranking and an area round playoff appearance. To cap off an exceptional junior year, Reed won gold medals in the 110-meter hurdles, the 4×400-meter relay and the 300-meter hurdles at the UIL State Track and Field Meet to help Gordon win the Class 1A boys track and field team state championship.
Sean Stanaland, Jayton, Sr.
Stanaland achieved an extraordinarily rare feat during a tremendous junior year at Jayton – he captured three UIL state titles in three separate sports. He played a major role in the Jaybirds’ undefeated six-man season on the gridiron, which culminated in the Class 1A Division II UIL Football State Championship game. Stanaland was also an integral component in Jayton’s run to the 1A DII UIL Boys Basketball State Championship, where the Jaybirds claimed their second straight boys basketball state title. Finally, Stanaland wrapped up an incredible junior year by bringing home a gold medal in the 800-meter run and a silver medal in the 4×400-meter relay at the Class 1A UIL State Track and Field Meet.
Kaston Vega, Stamford, Sr.
Vega was an instrumental part of the Bulldogs’ deep playoff runs in both football and basketball. The senior running back and middle linebacker was a relentless rusher and the Big Country’s toughest defender during Stamford’s run to the Class 2A Division I UIL State Championship game. He was named the ARN’s 2024 All-Big Country Football Player of the Year after racking up 1,728 rushing yards and 31 touchdown runs on 148 carries offensively and 217 tackles (162 solo), 31 TFLs, four pass deflections, 2.5 sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery defensively. Vega was also a regular fixture at catcher and center field on the baseball field, helping the Bulldogs claw their way to the 2A DII state semifinals of the UIL Baseball Playoffs. He tallied a .462 batting average (43-for-93) with 37 runs scored, 27 RBIs, 10 doubles, three triples, 23 walks, 1.199 OPS and 24 stolen bases.
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Vote for the ARN’s 2024-25 Male High School Athlete of the Year
