TCU defensive back Chris Hackett runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

BY MATTHEW POSTINS, Sports Correspondent

 

Two former East Texas stars, John Tyler’s Chris Hackett and Gilmer’s Gus Johnson, had their opportunity to impress scouts last weekend at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

Hackett was an All-Big 12 first-team performer in the secondary for TCU, which won a share of the Big 12 championship and beat Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl. Hackett chose to leave the Horned Frogs after his junior season.

Hackett had some difficulty at the combine, running 4.81 seconds in the 40-yard dash, which was the slowest among defensive backs. Hackett had a 32-inch vertical leap, a 110-inch broad jump, a 7.12-second three-cone drill, a 4.20-second 20-yard shuttle and a 12.14-second 60-yard shuttle.

As a senior, Johnson, who played for Stephen F. Austin, earned Southland Conference Player of the Year honors and set SFA records for all-time rushing yards, all-time touchdowns and single-season rushing yards. That was more than enough to earn him a combine invite.

During the workout portion of the combine Johnson ran a 4.70 in the 40-yard dash and was a combine top performer among running backs in the bench press, where he lifted 225 pounds 26 times. He also recorded a 36.5-inch vertical leap, a 120-inch broad jump, a 7.09-second three-cone run, a 4.13-second 20-yard shuttle and an 11.76-second 60-yard shuttle run.

Both will have the opportunity to further impress scouts at their respective pro days next month.

 

ASC HONOR ROLL HONORS SEVERAL

One former East Texas star earned American Southwest Conference Player of the Week honors while several others earned honor roll recognition.

Hallsville’s Cody Blankenship was named the men’s track and field athlete of the week for Feb. 24 after taking first place in the high jump at the East Texas Time Trials.

In baseball, former Hallsville product Justin Jenkins earned recognition on Feb. 17 after giving up six hits and no walks in a loss in which he gave up five unearned runs.

In women’s tennis former Spring Hill standout Amy Miley earned recognition after losing her match against UT Dallas’ Katie Purdum in a third-set tiebreaker.

In women’s basketball former Grand Saline standout Amanda Rucker scored 25 points in a win over Sul Ross State and another 17 points against Howard Payne, pushing her number of 20-point games this season to 14.

In softball former Henderson star Karley Free led Mary-Hardin Baylor to a 2-1 record last week as she hit 6 for 12 during that stretch.

 

CUNIGAN LSC WOMEN’S FIELD ATHLETE OF WEEK

Holly Cunigan, a sophomore at West Texas A&M and a former standout at Wills Point High School, is the reigning Lone Star Conference Women’s Field Athlete of the Week.

During the Angelo State NCAA Qualifier last weekend Cunigan bested her own school and LSC record in the women’s shot put with a best of 46 feet, 10 ﾼ inches. The toss allowed her to win the event and improved her national standing to No. 13. She also set a new personal best in the weight throw at 50-4. That is now the best throw in the LSC.

Cunigan guns for a Lone Star Conference indoor championship this weekend in Lubbock.

 

ET SWIMMERS IN CONFERENCE EVENTS

Robert E. Lee’s Sam Lewis is out to win some hardware at the Big 12 Championships this weekend.

Lewis hopes to defend his titles in the 800 freestyle relay and the 1,650 freestyle, captured last season.

Another former Lee standout, Meredith Oliver, swam for Texas A&M at the Southeastern Conference championships last weekend. Oliver reached the finals of the 100 free and placed 18th with a time of 49.37. Oliver also finished second in the women’s 800 freestyle relay, swimming the second leg as the Aggies swam to a time of 7:00.17.

Oliver also reached the finals of the 200 individual medley (1:58.83, 13th) and the 200 freestyle (1:45.70, 9th).

 

East Texas Pipeline appears in the Tyler Morning Telegraph and is dedicated to updating readers on East Texas athletes who have gone on to college sports. If you know of a former East Texas high school athlete who is now competing on the college level and is worthy of recognition, e-mail Matthew Postins at TMTpipeline@hotmail.com with the information.