Brenham Banner-Press Podcasts

Brenham senior punter Landon Zelenka joins the Sports Corner to discuss his responsibilities as a punter and holder for kicker Bleu Cienega as well as how a teacher has increased his confidence away from the football field.

The Blinn College men's soccer team is on its way to the NJCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship for the first time in program history after earning this year's final at-large bid into the field of 12 teams. Sophomores Noah LeMaster and Nawful Hadj-Hamou join Banner-Press sports editor Nicholas Hodell to talk about Blinn's season and its ambitions for the national tournament.

Burton junior Adison Harmel and senior Aerynn Huntsman caught up with sports editor Nicholas Hodell earlier this week to discuss the Lady Panthers' upcoming playoff run with the UIL Class 2A Division II volleyball playoffs approaching.Burton's run begins Thursday with its bi-district match against McDade.

Blinn College cross country runners Ryan Fernandez and Mia Guillen join the Sports Corner to discuss the Buccaneers' victory in the Region 14 championships and their preparation for the upcoming NJCAA Division I cross country and half marathon championship events in Iowa in November.They also discuss some nuances in cross country, including how to compare meets with hilly courses with ones on flatter courses and when to use spiked versus flat shoes when running.

Brenham senior defensive end Jase Mueller joins Banner-Press sports editor Nicholas Hodell to discuss the No. 6 Cubs ahead of their upcoming District 10-5A-II game against Rudder. Mueller discusses Brenham's defensive performances, the Cubs' long road trips in recent weeks and the honor of being on Brenham's homecoming court ahead of its homecoming game on Oct. 24 against Killeen Ellison.

Brenham volleyball seniors Swayzee Huckert, Kylie Baker and Zoe Zwerneman join Banner-Press sports editor Nicholas Hodell to discuss the program's upcoming Dig Pink night on Oct. 14 and the Cubettes' season ahead of the final two and a half weeks of the Texas high school volleyball regular season.

Brenham student athletic trainers Jordyn Dickson and Hadley Hodges join the Sports Corner to discuss their roles in tending to the Brenham Cubs. They talk about their in-game roles, the importance of good communication and how much being an athletic trainer means to them, the lessons they will take with the athletic training experience after their senior year and more!

Blinn sophomore setter and 2025 Fall Sports Preview cover athlete Leah Hoss joins the Banner-Press Sports Corner ahead of this week's Kruse Kickoff Classic, which begins Thursday at Blinn College. Hoss discusses Blinn's performances during last week's Cisco/Ranger Tournament as well as the Buccaneers' ambition under head coach Gregg Whitis.

Brenham football seniors Doyle Brown and Cartelle Brown join the Sports Corner ahead of the Cubs' Thursday night scrimmage at Navasota. They discuss the mentality needed to chase the Class 5A Division II state championship this season and the improvements they have worked on their own games ahead of the 2025 season, which officially starts Aug. 29 against Huntsville at Cub Stadium.

Burton volleyball senior libero Paige Fritsch joins the Sports Corner after Burton's 5-0 start to the season, including wins over Iola, Giddings and Sealy. She discusses moving to the libero position for her senior season and what it will take for Burton to go after a state championship this fall after making the regional finals last year.

The 2025-26 season of the Banner-Press Sports Corner podcast begins as Brenham volleyball is only days away from opening its season. Seniors Antyiahna Lang and Kori Levi join the show to discuss the Cubettes and their improvement heading into the season as they look to return to the playoffs this year.

Blinn pitcher Brok Eddy and Hayden Morris join the Sports Corner ahead of Blinn baseball’s Region XIV Super Regional series against San Jacinto College with the winner advancing to the NJCAA Division I Baseball World Series. They discuss working with Blinn’s coaching staff and the confidence everyone has in each other as well as what they can learn from regular season meetings against the Ravens to apply in the Super Regional.

Burton Lady Panther softball coach Zack Zorn joins the Banner-Press Sports Corner ahead of Burton’s Conference 2A Division II regional semifinal series against Weimar. He discusses his team’s performance through its bi-district and area round series as well as the team’s prospects of making a run to Austin and the state championships.

Burton Lady Panther track and field regional qualifier Kinsey Lunbeck joins the Banner-Press Sports Corner ahead of this weekend’s UIL Conference 2A Region IV meet at Texas A&M-Kingsville. She discusses the improvement of her own speed and the 4x100 and 4x200 relay teams she will run with at regionals as well as the track and Lady Panther athletic programs as a whole. Lunbeck also discusses the improvement it will take at regionals to qualify for the 2A state meet in Austin.

Brenham girls track and field hurdlers Adrianna Phillips and Laynee Appling join the Sports Corner this week with the road to the UIL state meet well underway. Phillips, a senior, qualified for the area meet in the 300 meter hurdles event and will compete Wednesday at Splendora HS. While Appling did not qualify for area herself, she ran well in three events during Thursday’s District 17-5A running finals and represents the future of the Cubette track and field program as a freshman.

Brenham junior designated hitter Drake Bentke joins the Sports Corner to discuss the Brenham Cubs and their quest to return to the playoffs. He discusses the resolve behind Brenham’s Friday night road wins the last two weeks as well as the mentality needed in a tough District 17-5A alignment. Bentke also discusses how the Cubs forge connections with Brenham’s youth ahead of Youth Night at Fireman’s Park on Friday.

Blinn softball freshman third baseman Annie Beckendorf joins the Sports Corner to discuss the Buccaneers and her continuing ties to the Brenham community. She discusses how herself along with other former Brenham Cubettes Halle Scheel and Nevaeh Holmes have made the adjustment to college together along with the jump from high school and travel softball to junior college softball in Region XIV.

Blinn sophomore Caden Ferraro joins the Sports Corner to discuss the Blinn Buccaneer baseball team, which is on a seven-game winning streak after defeating Wharton County Tuesday evening. He discusses how he and his team have been able to perform well in a 21-6 campaign as defending national champions and how the team has come together outside the baseball field. Ferraro also discusses how much the team watches college and professional baseball and how players coming in from Division I schools bring additional insight to the team.

Brenham community and public relations manager Melinda Gordon joins Banner-Press managing editor Keith E. Domke to discuss all of the responsibilities under her role, including the public relations process behind getting the news of Brenham police chief Lloyd Powell’s recent retirement out through releases and assisting in follow-up calls. Gordon also details the process other situations may require her to utilize.

Brenham softball coach Katie Roberts joins the Sports Corner after the Cubettes finished non-district play earlier this week. She discusses the team’s 5-3 win over Giddings as well as her team overall, which includes two seniors at the top of the lineup and a young freshman group complementing them. Roberts and sports writer Nicholas Hodell look at some advanced stats and also discuss the theme nights coming up at Alumni Field this district season, including a celebration of the 2005 4A state championship team on March 28.

Blinn women’s’s basketball coach Jeff Jenkins joins the Banner-Press Sports Corner with just a week remaining in the Buccaneers’ regular season. He discusses the key players in Blinn’s Region XIV title chase, major games this season in conference play, his support for alumni currently playing at four-year colleges and what has made the last four years at Blinn a great period for the program.

Burton senior pitcher and cover athlete of this year’s Banner-Press Spring Sports Preview Bailey Glaesmann joins the Sports Corner to discuss the Burton Lady Panthers’ start of the season and ambitions of a deep playoff run. She discusses the nuances of pitching through cold and rainy conditions as well as what the team has done when games have been rained out so far this year in addition to having catcher Reagan Roemer for her entire high school career.

Washington County Prescient 1 commissioner Misty Corn joins Banner Press managing editor Keith E. Domke to discuss her role. She discusses her background in Washington County, how she decided to run for a county commissioner seat, the rewarding things about her position and what she believes will be the most challenging things in the year ahead.

Brenham senior guard Elijah Ferguson joins the Banner-Press Sports Corner after the Cubs clinched the District 17-5A championship with a win over Lake Creek on Tuesday. He discusses that game in detail as well as the pivotal games and mindsets Brenham had along the way. Ferguson also discusses last year’s playoff experience and the lessons Brenham can take into this year’s playoff run.

The Banner-Press editorial team, including managing editor Keith E. Domke, discusses the 2024 Progress edition of the Banner-Press in this special edition of the Banner Buzz. They all discuss their beats and their favorite Progress stories this year along with extensive discussion over the 2024 top 10 stories of the year. The Progress edition is delivered with Thursday’s Banner-Press and includes 72 pages of stories recapping 2024.

Blinn baseball head coach Dusty Hart joins the Banner-Press Sports Corner to discuss the Buccaneers ahead of their season-opener Saturday against Temple College. He discusses some of the key returners and newcomers on this year’s team as well as how last year’s NJCAA Division I national championship is being used as a special opportunity and motivator in Blinn’s bid to repeat as national champions this year.

City of Brenham development services director Stephanie Doland joins Banner-Press managing editor Keith E. Domke to discuss the growth of Brenham. She also discusses the distinctions of the staff in the Development Services department and exciting projects that are in the works around Brenham.

Brenham cheerleading captain Kailyn Stugart joins the Sports Corner to discuss her team’s preparation for this week’s UIL Spirit State Championships in Fort Worth. She discusses the balancing act Brenham’s cheerleaders had to do between cheering at football games and pep rallies in the fall and preparing for state as well as added detail that goes into the state routines.

Brenham tourism and marketing manager Katherine Briscoe joins Banner-Press managing editor Keith E. Domke to discuss how the Smithsonian exhibits at The Barnhill Center are faring in the middle of their run in Brenham. Briscoe also discusses upcoming activities planned around the 100th anniversary of the historic Simon Theatre.

Brenham sophomore goalkeeper and bowler Lane Janner joins the program to discuss both the Brenham boys soccer team after a tournament weekend in Madisonville and the Brenham bowling team ahead of the start of Bluebonnet District action. He talks about the mindset of a goalkeeper and the communication he needs to have with his defenders and striving for individual regional qualification on the lanes and team qualification for the Texas High School Bowling Club Dick Atkinson State Championship in 2025.

Sharon and Barry Brass join Banner-Press managing editor Keith E. Domke to discuss everything about The Barnhill Center in downtown Brenham. They talk about themselves and their positions at the venue before discussing the ongoing Smithsonian exhibit at the venue and the venue’s upcoming 100th anniversary year in 2025.

Brenham volleyball Class of 2023 alum Charli Crowson details her first year at Liberty in the latest edition of the Banner-Press Sports Corner. She discusses life at Liberty and balancing academics as a student-athlete as well as discusses how she has been keeping in touch with the Brenham program.

Brenham ISD Chief Communications and Engagement Officier Brooke Trahan joins Banner-Press managing editor Keith E. Domke to discuss her position in full. She also gives an update on the Cub Stadium scoreboard project that was first discussed in January.

Burton boys basketball coach Tim Honeycutt joins the Sports Corner to discuss the progress the Panthers have made during his second season at the helm of the program. He talks about the entire journey of Burton’s two seasons with him at the helm, including last year’s dramatic improvement and this season’s road to a playoff berth and touches on this year’s progress ahead of the Panthers’ appearance in the Snook tournament.

Texas Cotton Gin Museum director Steph Jarvis joins Banner-Press managing editor Keith E. Domke to discuss the history of and the latest big happenings at and surrounding the museum.

Brenham senior forward JaLayla Hancock joins the Sports Corner to discuss the Cubette basketball team’s progress ahead of its upcoming tournament in Navasota. She also discusses her time on the volleyball team in her senior year, the transition from volleyball to basketball and her basketball team’s goals in the 2024-25 district campaign, which begins Tuesday at College Station.

Jennifer Eckmann joins Banner-Press managing editor Keith E. Domke on the Banner Buzz to discuss Brenham hosting the Smithsonian’s “Crossroads: Change in Rural America” exhibit in two weeks’ time.

Brenham city manager Carolyn Miller joins Banner-Press managing editor Keith E. Dome on the Banner Buzz to discuss her position, career pathand the changes she has seen in Brenham over her nearly 20 years working with the city in multiple roles.

Brenham junior middle linebacker and defensive captain Caleb Espinoza joins the Sports Corner ahead of the Cubs’ bi-district home playoff game against Texas City. He discusses the state of Brenham’s defense as well as the hopes and confidence of the Cubs heading into the postseason.

Brenham ISD chief academic officer Sara Borchgardt joins Banner-Press managing edition Keith E. Dome to discuss a wide varsity of topics related to the academic curriculum in Brenham’s schools.

Burton senior guard Jennifer Lopez joins the program to discuss the Lady Panthers team through two games this season and her own progress as a senior leader. She also discusses become one of the team’s primary point guards, working with a smaller group of teammates at the start of the season and what Burton will get on the hardwood when a few of its players make the transition from volleyball to basketball at the conclusion of Burton’s volleyball postseason run.

Burton ISD Superintendent Vikki Curry joins Banner-Press managing editor Keith E. Domke on the Banner Buzz to discuss her position and progress on Burton ISD's bond project, which includes the opening of the new Panther Stadium Friday night.

Brenham junior offensive lineman Andre Mojica joins the Banner-Press Sports Corner ahead of the Cubs' matchup against Waco University Friday night where a win for Brenham clinches the District 10-5A Division II championship. Mojica discusses the technical skills of being an offensive lineman and using those skills to pave the way for a historic rushing season for sophomore running back Jakoby Dixon. Mojica also discusses how Brenham assistant head coach and powerlifting head coach Ryan Jones helps him in both football and powerlifting as well as his love for cowboy hats.

Banner-Press managing editor Keith E. Domke is joined by Washington County Precinct 2 Commissioner Candice Bullock in this week's Banner Buzz. They discuss how Bullock's family has shaped her into who she is today as well as how she transitioned to a role on the Washington County Commissioners Court, which is also discussed.

Blinn cheerleader Sydney Junak joins Banner-Press sports writer Nicholas Hodell on the heels of Blinn's participation in the first NJCAA-sanctioned competitive cheerleading meet against Navarro last weekend. Junak discusses last Saturday's meet and how the cheerleading team prepared for it along with how the NJCAA meets will help the team work on skills before NCA and NDA championship meets early next year.

Chappell Hill Chamber of Commerce president Joel Romo joins Banner-Press managing editor Keith E. Domke to discuss the chamber's role in the Chappell Hill, Texas community.

Peyton Sigsbee, Burton High School's most prolific cross country runner, joins the Sports Corner this week to discuss Burton's district meet, which took place last week. Sigsbee and Banner-Press sports writer Nicholas Hodell discuss her ambitions and expectations for Monday's UIL Conference 2A Region IV meet in Corpus Christi and her hopes to qualify for the state cross country meet for a third straight year. They also discuss how Sigsbee's previous trips to state are fueling her senior season.

Bannner-Press managing editor Keith E. Domke invites Burton mayor Karen Buck on this week's edition of the Banner Buzz to discuss her background and the things that make Burton a special place in addition how Buck operates different things as mayor.

Blinn sophomore forward Na'el Shalabi joins the Sports Corner to discuss the Buccaneer soccer program ahead of the team's final three Region XIV matches before the postseason. Shalabi and Banner-Press sports writer Nicholas Hodell discuss the team and Shalabi's own progress throughout the season as well as the sophomore's ambitions after his time at Blinn concludes this year.

Brenham mayor Atwood Kenjura joins Banner-Press managing editor Keith E. Domke to discuss the latest happenings in Brenham as well as Kenjura's wokring relationship with the different departments he works with and how the people of Brenham make the city special.