Sulphur Springs Lady Cats Clean Up All-District Awards
The 2023-2024 season was a historic one for the Sulphur Springs Lady Cats, as they reached new heights for the second season in a row. With their season finally coming to an end last week, they were able to announce the All-District awards, in which they took home a number of awards.
The expectations were high coming into the season for the Lady Cats, after winning an undefeated district championship and tying a school record by making it to the Regional Quarterfinal a year ago. This year, they were able to not only meet those expectations, but even surpass them.
Not only did they win a second consecutive district championship, they even made school history, by making it all the way to the Regional Semifinal. They opened their postseason run with huge wins against Chapel Hill and Palestine, beating them 5-1 and 5-2, respectively.
Once they got to the Regional Quarterfinal again, they kept their strong play going, this time taking down Bullard, a team they had lost to earlier in the season. The Lady Cats set the tone early, before going on to win 3-1.
It wasn’t until the Regional Semifinal when the Lady Cats run would finally come to an end, when they went up against Frisco Panther Creek. Sulphur Springs would take a 2-0 lead from a pair of goals from Jolea Moore, but Panther Creek would answer back with two late goals to send it to overtime, where they would eventually win 3-2.
With all their success, the Lady Cats were bound to show out in a big way in the All-District awards and that is exactly what they’ve done.
District MVP
Junior Rowan Faircloth was named District MVP for the second season in a row, and for good reason. Faircloth broke the Sulphur Springs school record for goals in a single season, finding the back of the net 45 times. The school’s previous record was 38, which Faircloth broke during the regular season, before going on to make the record even tougher to break. Still with her senior season in front of her, Faircloth will have a chance to win a third consecutive MVP and to possibly break her own record. Faircloth also had the second most assists on the team, playing a huge role in the Lady Cats offense.
Midfielder of the Year
Senior Anna Williams was awarded the Midfielder of the Year award, which like Faircloth, was the second year in-a-row that she’s done so. Williams led the Regional Semifinalist Lady Cats in assists and was third on the team in goals scored. The back-to-back Midfielder of the Year, was also one of the players who did their best work in the biggest moments, with over half of her goals and assists coming during district play and the postseason. As a four-year starter, Williams has played a crucial part in helping the Lady Cats build the program to the best place they’ve been in school history.
Defender of the Year
Senior Emma Romero was named the Defender of the Year for District 13-4A. “After a series of unfortunate team injuries, Emma played various defensive positions throughout the season,” the SS LadyCats Soccer Facebook page said. “Her versatility played an integral part of the Lady Cats success this season. She was a four-year starter and served as team captain this year.”
Romero not only played a huge role with her versatility and willingness to contribute at any position, but she also did so in the big moments of the season. Romero came up huge for her squad during their postseason run and helped contribute in a number of ways.
All-Academic Player of the Year
Senior Annaston Price was named All-Academic Player of the Year, being a great example of what it takes to be a successful student athlete. “She’s currently ranked No. 4 in her class of 281,” SS Lady Cats Soccer said. “As this year’s starting center back, she was able to balance performance on the field and in the classroom.”
First Team All-District
Maya Olvera, Jr– As the goalkeeper for the Sulphur Springs Lady Cats, Olvera had a fantastic junior campaign. The Lady Cats only allowed 28 goals over the course of 28 games, including 13 shutouts along the way. Olvera also came up huge when it mattered the most, winning The Way Bible Church Co-Player of the Game in multiple playoff wins. 
Haylee Shultz, Sr– Shultz was another player who did her best work when the lights were at their brightest, with over 70% of her goals and assists coming during either district play or the postseason. Shultz joined Olvera and Williams as Co-Player of the Game when she came up huge in their Area victory, helping them reach the Regional Quaterfinal for the second season in a row.
Kylie Clarke, Sr– Clarke has played a huge role in the Lady Cats historic run over the last few seasons, giving everything she had to the program over the last four years. While her season was cut short due to injury, Clarke’s presence still played a huge role, contributing in every way possible and bringing veteran leadership to her team on the sideline and in the huddle.
Addy Fenton, So– In her two seasons on varsity, Fenton has already carved out a huge role in the Sulphur Springs Lady Cats program. Fenton was one of just three Lady Cats to finish in double-digit’s in both goals and assists. Already accomplishing a ton as just a sophomore, Fenton will look to play an even bigger role in her upcoming junior and senior seasons.
Jolea Moore, So– Much like Fenton, Moore has already accomplished a ton as just a sophomore on this program. Moore was able to find the back of the net 17 times this season, including both of the teams goals in the Regional Semifinal loss. She also earned The Way Bible Church Co-Player of the Game in their Bi-District playoff win, coming up huge the entire postseason.
Second Team All-District
Rainey Johnson, So– Joining a list of numerous talented underclassmen, Rainey Johnson also played a huge role for the Sulphur Springs Lady Cats. After earning All-District honors in both volleyball and basketball, Johnson continued to show her versatility, this time playing a big role on the Lady Cats defense.
Addie Jones, Jr– As the fourth consecutive underclassmen to make All-District honors, Jones is further proof of how bright the future is for the Sulphur Springs Lady Cats. With back-to-back deep postseason runs under their belt, the Lady Cats will have all the returning talent they need to continue to make program history in future seasons.
Mackenzie Adams, Fr– Mackenzie Adams is the lone freshman to receive district honors this year and for good reasons. Adams played a huge role defensively for the Lady Cats, using her quickness and versatility to contribute all over the pitch. With her role continuing to expand all season long, she will look to take those opportunities and even more to carve out a big place in program history over the next three seasons.
Zoe Crump, Sr– “Zoe’s passion for the game and energy on the field provided great depth for the Lady Cats roster.” Crump was among a group of eight seniors to be awarded with All-District honors this season, a class that will be remembered for helping build the Lady Cats program to the new heights they have been able to reach.
Valerie Flecker, Jr– Flecker was also one of the Lady Cats to be named Second Team All-District. “Flecker provided a great spark of energy throughout the season and will also be a big part of the Lady Cats success during her senior campaign.”
Honorable Mention
The awards didn’t stop there, however, as a number of Lady Cats also received Honorable Mention honors, including Camila Mejia, Jr
Beida Palomino, Sr
Bryanna Ruiz, Jr
Addison Schubert, Sr
Keydi Ladino, Jr
After such an incredible season, the Lady Cats were definitely given the recognition they deserve. While they will surely miss this group of seniors who have played such an integral part in helping build the Lady Cats program into what it is today, as you can tell by all the returning talent they will have, the future is very very bright in Sulphur Springs.
