The Texas Girls Coaches Association held its annual banquet last weekend in Arlington and Austin County was represented at the state level by two coaches of the year and three all-stars.

TGCA, the largest association of girls’ athletics in Texas, awarded coaches of the year at the sub-varsity and middle school levels for basketball, cross country, track, softball and volleyball and split up the honorees between Classes 1A-4A and Classes 5A and 6A. The classification splits were the same for the all-star honorees.

Sealy High School assistant coaches Danielle Eschenburg (cross country sub-varsity coach of the year) and Caroline Owen (basketball middle school coach of the year) took home plaques celebrating their work in the sub-varsity levels. Lady Tiger rising senior Breanna Brandes was also selected as a track all-star after she qualified for the state championship in pole vault.

From Bellville, Neelie Schiel was similarly honored as a track all-star after she reached the regional championship in the hurdles, pole vault and triple jump competitions. Madison Morgan – who helped the Brahmanette volleyball squad finish as state semifinalists as a junior – represented Bellville in the volleyball all-star game.

Both Sealy coaches – who also serve as varsity basketball assistant coaches to head coach Anthony Branch – said it was an honor to be awarded two of the five awards given to its classification.

“I was speechless and I’m never speechless in my entire life,” Owen said in a May 24 interview after the awards were announced. “It’s been a dream come true, I’m amazed at all of the support from the community that we have.”

“I texted Caroline that I’m super proud of us, for one being nominated by Coach (Branch), but also for walking away with the awards,” Eschenburg said.

Branch shared his appreciation for his coaches that have made an impact on the program.

“(Eschenburg) did so many little things that a head coach needs that you don’t always know. If there are problems or issues, she was always very good about saying, ‘Hey coach this is going on, you might want to do this,’” Branch said. “When you have someone like that, it’s important. You realize how important they are to you and the success of the program. Without those people you won’t have the success.”

He said his excitement about Owen’s arrival started before the deal was done but he has since provided hands-on experience she’s taken advantage of.

“When I found out we were getting (Owen) two years ago, I was like doing backflips and fist pumping and she wasn’t even signed on all the way,” Branch said. “It was the first summer we could work skills and she comes in there and starts working with the kids, then during the season I’d always say if y’all want to come and sit on the bench during the games, you can help us out if you have a suggestion or see something.”

That experience may have helped Owen on the bench but the 2013 Sealy High School graduate said it was the athletes that got the job done.

“Very glad we got to have a season, especially at the junior high level you’re never sure but that group of eighth grade girls are amazing,” Owen said. “We went 20-1 over the last two seasons, they’re the real deal.”

On the cross country course, a pair of Lady Tigers made it all the way to the state championship and Eschenburg said the goal will be to bring more of their teammates back next year.

“I am really glad we got to go through the entire season and get to where we got with the two freshmen (Allyson Guerrero and Annabelle Williams) going to state and next year is going to be even better, the plan is to bring two teams to state,” Eschenburg said. “I’m also really proud we got our boys and girls to regionals as teams this year.”

Brandes was also no stranger to top competitions and learned valuable lessons in her first trip to state that she hoped wouldn’t be her last.

“You go in there prepared but sometimes when you get there, things change and you’ve got to adjust to those changes and just go with it,” Brandes said in a May 10 interview.

She said her sights were set on increasing her marks in her final go-around in black and gold.

“I have a lot to work on, a lot to do but I’m excited for my senior year,” she said. “I’ll do summer workouts, I’ll still be vaulting over the summer and then we’ll be starting volleyball soon.”