La Grange’s Orona Competing to be Starting Kicker at Texas State

Alan Orona is competing to be the starting kicker for the Texas State University football team.

The La Grange High School graduate is among three kickers, including two returnees, in camp, according to Nick Whitworth, Texas State special teams coordinator. “That’s going to be a great competition,” he said.

Last year Orona appeared in three games. He converted his three extra point attempts, had a 63-yard kickoff and missed his lone field goal try of 47 yards.

“He has plenty of leg strength. His leg strength is above average,” Whitworth said, noting that Orona is able to generate plenty of height on his field goal attempts.

That height is necessary because, Orona said, “The really athletic, tall guys try to block the ball. You don’t want any of them blocking it.”

The redshirt freshman said he has been working on his technique, becoming more fluid, to achieve consistency in his field goal attempts. “Kick the ball more straight,” he said.

He has been practicing twice a week, he said, averaging about 30 field goal kicks and five kickoffs each time. On kickoffs, he has moved more steps back from the ball before kicking it, which he said results in more power.

His conditioning has included stretching. “I’m stretching a lot to be more flexible,” he said, adding that increased flexibility will help the distance on his kicks.

He has the temperament to handle the pressure that comes with trying to convert a critical kick, Whitworth said. “He’s kind of a gamer,” the coach said. “Things don’t bother him. He’s very, very mature. He’s very ahead of his age. He doesn’t get rattled.”

Baseball

Out of Flatonia High, Kaddin Mikulik has committed to continue his career at University of the Incarnate Word. The junior infielder played two years for North Central Texas College.

Softball

Flatonia product Kylie Mica batted .242 in starting all 22 games for St. Edward’s University. The senior catcher and outfielder had one home run and six runs batted in. She finished with a .967 fielding percentage in 91 chances.

Women’s track and field

Krissalynn Henderson is a freshman on the Dodge City Community College roster. The La Grange alumna is listed as specializing in the 200 and 400-meter dashes.

Send updates about area athletes to Barbara Boxleitner at jdanddoc@gmail.com.