From the volleyball court to the track and from the softball diamond to the basketball court, the Big Country area’s top high school athletes left their mark on the 2025-26 school year with record-breaking performances and outstanding individual achievements.
Now with the high school track and field season officially in the books, it’s time to answer a major question – Who was the Big Country’s best girls high school athlete during the 2025-26 school year?
We want to hear from you! The Reporter-News has selected 16 of the top Big Country-area high school athletes as finalists for the 2025-26 Readers’ Choice All-Big Country Girls High School Athlete of the Year.
Finalists were selected based upon statistics, individual accolades, team success, record-breaking performances and feedback from area coaches representing a wide array of different UIL-sponsored sports.
The Readers’ Choice All-Big Country Girls High School Athlete of the Year poll will open on Tuesday, July 21, and close at 5 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 3.
Here is a closer look at every candidate for the ARN’s 2025-26 Readers’ Choice All-Big Country Girls High School Athlete of the Year award:
Athletes listed in alphabetical order below.
Reagan Barr, Eula, Jr.
Barr was a valuable part of the Lady Pirates’ stacked girls basketball roster that reached the 1A DII UIL Girls Basketball State Championship game for the second consecutive season. She received first team all-district and TABC All-Region honors after averaging 10 points, 6.9 rebounds and two steals per game for Eula. She also enjoyed a breakout performance at the 2026 UIL State Track and Field Meet, where she won a silver medal in the Class 1A girls long jump (17-7.25), earned a bronze medal in the triple jump (36-8.25) and helped the Lady Pirates’ 4×200-meter relay team race to a fourth-place finish (1:48.16).
Kiki Bolden, Abilene Wylie, So.
Bolden was one of the Big Country’s most dominant players on the volleyball court during a standout sophomore season where she collected the District 4-5A Hitter of the Year award as well as Class 4A TGCA All-State honors. She tallied 505 kills with a .312 hitting percentage to go along with 304 digs, 50 aces, 28 solo blocks, 38 block assists and a 2.6 passing rating for the 34-8 Lady Bulldogs on their way to the regional semifinals of the 5A DII UIL Volleyball Playoffs.
Gabby Cabrera, Tuscola Jim Ned, So.
Cabrera’s elite breakaway speed helped her stand out both on the softball diamond and on the track for Jim Ned as a sophomore. The Lady Indians’ leadoff hitter racked up a .558 batting average with 57 runs scored, 35 RBIs, 22 doubles, four triples and seven home runs to earn the District 6-3A MVP award. She also helped Jim Ned’s relay teams win a silver medal in the 4×200 (1:42.90) and claim a sixth-place finish in the 4×100-meter relay (48.98) at the Class 3A UIL State Track and Field Meet.
Gracie Caperton, Clyde, Sr.
Caperton was an unstoppable force in the Lady Bulldogs’ frontcourt during basketball season and in the back line during volleyball season. On the basketball court, Caperton averaged 22 points, seven rebounds, 3.9 steals and 1.8 assists per game to lead Clyde to the regional semifinals of the 3A DII UIL Girls Basketball Playoffs, earning first team all-district honors as well as TABC All-Region and TGCA All-State honors. She also made a major impact as the libero on the Lady Bulldogs’ volleyball squad that finished 34-10 overall.
Jace Chisum, Jayton, Sr.
Chisum graduated from Jayton as one of the most decorated Big Country-area high school athletes in recent memory after a big senior year on the track and basketball court. She was recognized as both a TABC and TGCA all-state selection after leading the Lady Jays to the regional finals of the 1A DII UIL Girls Basketball Playoffs. She also made her fourth straight appearance at the Class 1A UIL State Track and Field Meet in 2026, collecting a fifth-place finish in the 1,600-meter run (5:24.08) and a fourth-place finish in the 3,200-meter run (11:41.11).
Keslie Criswell, Aspermont, So.
After a breakout freshman year at Aspermont, Criswell continued to make a name for herself as one of the Big Country’s rising stars. She helped lead the Lady Hornets to a 32-5 record on the basketball court, posting 14.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 1.6 assists per game to lock up Co-MVP honors in District 15-1A as well as TABC and TGCA All-State selections. She also earned three medals at the District 15-1A Track and Field Meet, winning a silver in the 800-meter run (2:46.81) and a pair of bronze medals in the high jump (4-6) and 4×400-meter relay (4:50.00).
Faith Garnett, Gordon, Jr.
Garnett burst onto the scene in her first year at Gordon, helping the Lady Horns reel off their best girls basketball season in program history. The junior earned the District 13-1A MVP award plus TABC and TGCA All-State honors after tallying 14.1 points, 6.1 assists and 2.9 steals per contest to help Gordon finish 34-1 overall with a 1A DII state semifinals appearance. She also helped the Lady Horns’ qualify for the Class 1A UIL State Track and Field Meet in all three girls relay events, winning a gold medal as part of Gordon’s 4×100-meter relay team (49.61), a silver medal in the 4×200 (1:45.77) and a fifth-place finish in the 4×400 (4:19.42).
Pearson Hearne, Cisco, Sr.
Hearne left her mark as one of the Big Country’s most talented high school basketball stars when she helped lead Cisco to the 2A DI state semifinals and a 35-3 overall record. She was named MVP of District 10-2A and received TABC and TGCA All-State nods after recording 19 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. She also shined on the softball diamond during the Lady Loboes’ run to the 2A DI state semifinals, hitting .440 with 23 runs scored, 16 RBIs, 12 stolen bases, 10 doubles, two home runs and a triple.
Chloe Juarez, Ira, So.
Juarez burst onto the Big Country’s high school basketball scene during a sensational sophomore season in which she received the District 14-1A MVP award, a TABC All-Region selection and a TGCA All-State nod. She finished the year as one of the area’s leading scorers, averaging 24.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.3 steals and 2.9 assists per contest. She stood out on the softball diamond for the Lady Bulldogs too, boasting a .583 batting average with 17 runs scored, 15 RBIs, 22 stolen bases, four doubles, three triples and two home runs in 13 games played.
Bree Lewis, Coahoma, Sr.
Lewis was selected as a First Team All-State pick by the Texas Sportswriters Association after making her fourth consecutive trip to the UIL Softball State Championship game as part of a loaded Coahoma roster. She also earned TGCA All-State honors and the District 3-3A Offensive MVP award after hitting .622 with 46 RBIs, 70 runs scored, 31 stolen bases, 16 doubles, 10 home runs and two triples.
Jaylee Lowe, Hawley, Jr.
Lowe earned the District 6-2A Setter of the Year award when she racked up 715 assists, 337 digs, 96 kills and 64 aces for the Lady Cats’ volleyball squad that finished 31-9 overall. She was also an elite two-way player on the softball diamond, earning District 8-2A Co-Newcomer of the Year honors by hitting .597 with 53 RBIs, 36 runs scored, 14 doubles, 12 home runs, one triple and 16 stolen bases to go along with a 1.50 ERA and 113 strikeouts through 70 innings pitched.
Kenzie McLean, Cross Plains, Fr.
McLean made a strong impression as one of the Big Country’s most dominant pitchers and consistent hitters during a breakout freshman season at Cross Plains. The Lady Buffs’ ace helped lead her team to the Class 1A state semifinals with a 14-4 overall record in the circle to go along with 279 strikeouts in 122⅓ innings pitched. She provided Cross Plains with some punch at the top of the batting order too, hitting .539 with an 1.530 OPS, 34 RBIs, 31 runs scored, 17 doubles, four home runs and six stolen bases. She was also a significant contributor on the Lady Buffs’ basketball squad that finished with a 23-9 overall record.
Kaya Phillips, Brownwood, Sr.
Phillips capped off a strong high school career by cementing herself as one of the Big Country’s most dominant track and field stars. She won a silver medal at the Class 4A UIL State Track and Field Meet in the 200-meter dash (23.66) and helped the Lady Lions’ 4×100 and 4×200-meter relay teams finish in fifth (47.24) and sixth-place finishes (1:39.91), respectively.
Raenee Rich, Westbrook, Jr.
Rich dominated down low for the Lady Wildcats during a strong basketball season that ended with a 1A DII bi-district playoff appearance and a 25-10 finish for Westbrook. She nabbed first team all-district honors as well as TABC and TGCA All-State selections after posting 16.1 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.6 blocks and 1.5 steals per game. She also provided a consistent bat to the Lady Wildcats softball squad that reached the bi-district round of the 1A playoffs.
J’Lee Salinas, Comanche, Sr.
Salinas – a Houston Christian Huskies basketball signee – was a lights-out shooter and top-notch defender for the Maidens during their run to the regional semifinals of the 3A DI UIL Girls Basketball Playoffs. She was named District 8-3A MVP and a unanimous all-state pick after tallying 17 points, nine rebounds, five steals, five assists and three blocks per contest. She was also a high-impact outside hitter on Comanche’s volleyball squad that finished with a 27-10 overall record.
Jamie Vassar, Early, Jr.
Vassar was the defensive anchor down low for the Lady Longhorns basketball squad that reached the regional semifinals of the 3A DI playoffs and finished 25-11 overall. She also won a gold medal in the Class 3A girls shot put (44-1.75) at the 2026 UIL Track and Field Meet. But Vassar’s presence was most felt on the softball diamond, where she hit .558 with 32 runs scored, 24 RBIs, six home runs, three doubles, two triples and nine stolen bases.
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This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Fan Vote: Who should be 2025-26 All-Big Country Girls High School Athlete of the Year?
Reporting by Andrew McCulloch, Abilene Reporter-News / Abilene Reporter-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Andrew McCulloch, Abilene Reporter-News | USA TODAY Network
