Italy High School freshman track star, Kortnei Johnson, leaves for Austin to race for the gold.

Italy Baseball wraps up their 2012 season leaving plenty of memories floating on dust stirred up between the bases. Enjoy extra photos from their final games against Rio Vista.

Additional photos from the final JV/varsity baseball games between the 2011-2012 Italy Gladiators and the Rio Vista Eagles.

It was bittersweet for the Gladiators as they put their gloves down after the last game of the season. The team traveled to Rio Vista and after a gallant effort, the Eagles soared high with a final score of 2, Italy 1.

The Lady Gladiators defeat Mildred in two games to claim the AA Area Championship and advance to regionals against Crawford on Friday.

The Lady Gladiators win in dramatic fashion during a seventh-inning rally to overtake Mildred in game 1 of the Area Championship before sealing the deal in game 2.

Friday, May 4 there will be a Fan Bus departing at 5:00pm from the Italy High School Dome parking lot for the Lady Gladiator Softball playoff game at Mildred High School just east of Corsicana. The invitation to ride via the Fan Bus is open to all students in grades 7th and up. Students will be responsible for admission fee into the game as well as any food purchase.

If you didn’t make the trip to Waco last night to see the Lady Gladiators battle it out with the Troy Trojanettes you missed a great “display.” It was a display of heart and determination by the Lady Gladiators, a display of calm and calculation by the coaches, and lastly display of love and support by the fans! It was a GREAT day to be a Lady Gladiator and a GREAT day to be a Lady Gladiator Fan!!

Jameka Copeland, Jimesha Reed and Kortnei Johnson represent Italy High School during the regional track meet held at Tarleton State University with Johnson advancing to the state meet in Austin.

The battle raged on between the Lady Gladiators and Clifton while the JV/varsity Gladiators were contained by the Cubs.

Lady Gladiator track and field athletes, Jameka Copeland, Kortnei Johnson and Jimesha Reed will represent Italy during the regional competition at Tarleton State University.

The Gladiator Athletic Booster Club will have a meeting on Sunday, April 29, 5:00pm at the Italy High School library. The upcoming athletic banquet will be discussed along with planning strategies for next year.

The 2012 Senior Lady Gladiators and Gladiator were honored before their games against Whitney on Tuesday.

Seniors reflect during final home games as they defend their diamonds one last time.

Italy Gladiator, Larry Mayberry, Jr., attends the Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ 4th annual Victory Banquet on Sunday along with family.

The Italy varsity baseball team hosted the Whitney Wildcats during district play on Tuesday night. This was the last home game of the season and in Gladiator tradition, the seniors were escorted to first baseline by their parents and family. This year the Varsity includes seven graduating seniors.

The Italy JV Gladiators improved as the day went on during a double-header in Glen Rose Saturday.

More images from the double-header between the Italy JV Gladiators and the Glen Rose JV Tigers.

Italy’s Lady Gladiators improve to 8-2 in district play while the Gladiators get overpowered by Maypearl in Pantherville.

Enjoy extra photographs from Lady Gladiator Softball and Italy Gladiator Baseball from Friday’s games in Maypearl.

The Italy JV Gladiators were unable to contain Grandview’s offense on Tuesday but hope to fair better against the JV Panthers today in Maypearl.

Monday night, the Italy Gladiators hosted the visiting Grandview Zebras at Loyd Davidson Field.  In the varsity matchup, the Gladiators were strong but the Zebras put another mark in their win column which moved Grandview to a 7 and 0 statistic.

The Italy Gladiator Baseball team sponsored a fundraiser benefitting the Susan G Komen Foundation on Friday night at the Loyd Davidson Field in conjunction with the Lady Gladiator Pink-Out night held previously in March.

The Lady Gladiators drop a close one to the district leading Grandview Lady Zebras but Italy played outstanding defense and hammered the ball offensively as their confidence continues to grow.

The Italy JV and varsity Gladiators along with the Hubbard Jaguars, joined forces on Friday to “Pitch in for a cure!” Both teams adorned pink shirts and wristbands as part of a fundraiser to help support cancer research while the Lady Gladiators traveled to Axtell for a district rematch.

The Gladiators invite the community to come and join their efforts to raise money for cancer research. On Friday, April 6 the Gladiators varsity and JV squads will take on the Hubbard Jaguars in non-district match ups beginning at 4:30pm. Also planned is a Easter egg hunt in right field immediately following the varstity game. Come for the cause and stay for the candy!

The Italy Gladiators lead 1-0 early, but Axtell gets the 2-1 comeback with an RBI double in the bottom of the ninth-inning.

The Lady Gladiators and Gladiators earn impressive home wins over Rio Vista teams on Friday.

Italy Junior High Boys and Girls track teams gave it their all at the recent Itasca Jr High Track Meet. They ran with passion and had some incredible finishes. Participating schools in the event were Italy, Itasca, Rice, Blum, Dawson and Maypearl. Coached by Jeff and Heather Richters, the Gladiators took the track by storm.

Italy freshman, Kortnei Johnson, qualified for the 85th Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays (High Schools) as a 7th Grader back in 2010 and traveled to Austin on Friday to test her speed against the state’s top sprinters.

With the district tennis meet nearing, Italy Tennis held consecutive practice matches with Milford on Wednesday and St. Joseph Catholic School on Thursday.

Friday, March 16 marked Kaytlyn Bales’ fourth trip to the State Powerlifting Meet in Corpus Christi. After hard work and dedication, Kaytlyn medaled 4th place in the competition. This was Kaytlyn’s fourth medal in four years.

The Italy Lady Gladiators team up to conquer the Clifton Lady Cubs while both Gladiator squads endure low scoring losses to the Cubs. 

Carrying their tennis rackets as if they were wielding their swords in battle, the Gladiators and Lady Gladiators entourage marched onto Rice’s courts with a point to prove.

The JV Gladiators, the Gladiators and the Lady Gladiators all record district wins in Whitney with the Clifton Cubs on deck.

Richard Kampen of Italy was named winner of the two Texas Ranger 11-game tickets given away by the Italy Gladiator Band Booster Club Friday morning.

The Lady Gladiators host Pink-out to help raise funds for cancer research with honored guest and cancer survivor Karen Mathiowetz delivering the ceremonial opening-pitch before Italy’s district game against Maypearl.

Italy was unable to collect a win in Grandview but big plays and special moments prove both the Gladiators and Lady Gladiators are charging in the right direction.

Richard Cook throws out the opening pitch to get things started between Italy and Maypearl at Loyd Davidson Field and Gladiator Brandon Souder takes one for the team allowing his hair to be cut as part of a team fundraiser.

The second district game for the Italy High School Gladiators came and went Friday night. Italy had clear intentions they would travel to de-stripe the Grandview Zebras but the herd just wouldn’t stand for it.

Due to the rescheduling of the baseball game Tuesday, the Gladiator Band Boosters will hold the drawing for the Texas Ranger baseball tickets Friday at 10:35 a.m. at the high school. The drawing will be held during morning announcements.

The Lady Gladiator Softball team would like to extend an invitation to the community to come and join their efforts to raise money for cancer research. On Tuesday, March 20 Wednesday, March 21 the Lady Gladiators will take on the Maypearl Lady Panthers in a district matchup beginning at 6:00pm 6:30pm. All proceeds from this softball game will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. 

The Gladiator Athletic Booster Club will have a meeting on Sunday, March 25, 5:00pm at the Italy High School library. The upcoming athletic banquet and year end business will be discussed.

The 2012 Lady Gladiators continue to build on their early season momentum and start 2-0 in district play.

The Italy Lady Gladiators are packing a collective punch and have come out swinging for the fences with the team’s expectations high.

Italy High School baseball is in full swing and started on a high note. Axtell High School traveled to Italy on Monday and stood their ground as best they could. Senior Justin Buchanan was the winning pitcher with the final score Italy 4, Axtell 1.

The Italy School Board announces Hank Hollywood as the new athletic director, head football coach and social studies teacher at Italy High School.

Ward’s Warriors shine in all facets of the game to dehorn the Axtell Longhorns at home.

Italy High School Senior, Brandon Souder, has a head full of hair, thick and curly and reminiscent of Harpo, a member of the comedy team, The Marx Brothers or Epstein, a character from the 70’s show, “Welcome Back, Kotter.” Well, that’s not a bad thing because Brandon is willing to go out on a limb and take one for the team.