FRIENDSWOOD — Friendswood athletes, coaches and families gathered at Henry Winston Stadium on Saturday evening for Meet the Mustangs, a community event showcasing the school district’s athletic programs ahead of the new school year.
Athletic teams hosted booths throughout the stadium, where children could meet student-athletes, collect autographs and participate in activities connected to each sport. Community vendors also took part in the event.
“The purpose is to bring the community in, surrounded around athletics,” Friendswood Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Jordan Johnson said. “All of our sports have a booth, and in each of those booths, they have a setup that is specific to their sport.”
Johnson said the activities allow children to experience different sports while interacting directly with the athletes who represent Friendswood.
Meet the Mustangs previously took place in the community before being revived in 2023 following Johnson’s arrival. He said the event has grown each year since its return, with Saturday producing its largest turnout yet.
“This is our best turnout yet, and I’m sure that there will be hundreds more people show up as soon as the sun goes down,” Johnson said during the event.
For Friendswood senior Gabriella Palermo, the gathering provides an opportunity for the district’s athletic programs and the larger community to reconnect at the beginning of the school year.
“I love having all the sports coming together at one spot,” Palermo said. “You get to see all your old coaches, all your old teachers and your old friends. It’s just a great place for little kids to bond with all the sports teams.”
Senior Nathalie Medina said she enjoys introducing younger children to activities they could eventually pursue through Friendswood’s varsity programs.
“Every year, it’s a big turnout, and it’s so nice showing the little kids new sports that they can try out,” Medina said. “It’s so fun interacting with them.”
The event followed a successful day for Friendswood’s volleyball team, which captured the championship at the Port Neches-Groves tournament. The Mustangs finished the tournament 10-0 without losing a set.
“We looked pretty solid this year,” Medina said. “We have a fresh start this year. Last year, we lost a couple people who were pretty vital to our program, but we were very solid.”
Palermo described the tournament victory as a strong start to the season, saying the team did not drop a set on its way to the championship.
Friendswood’s football program is also preparing for its upcoming season. Johnson said the team’s older players began practice Monday after participating in spring football, while the freshmen were entering their second week of practice.
Johnson expressed optimism about the team, citing the energy and efficiency he has seen during its early practices.
“Our leaders are leading. They’re playing fast,” Johnson said. “I just think collectively, as a group, we’re pulling in the same direction, and everybody’s really excited. I feel really good about it.”
The roster is expected to feature experienced upperclassmen alongside a considerable number of sophomores. Johnson believes that balance will give the Mustangs both veteran leadership and young talent to develop.
“There’s a lot to build on, but then a lot of experience — guys who can get us through tough games,” Johnson said. “I think they’re going to complement each other.”
For Palermo and Medina, Saturday’s event also marked the beginning of their final school year at Friendswood. Both said they are trying to appreciate the remaining moments with their teammates, classmates and teachers.
“I’m really just trying to make the most out of my last high school season and school year,” Palermo said.
Medina encouraged younger students not to take their time in school for granted.
“Everything’s gone by so fast,” Medina said. “Even to the little kids, just enjoy every moment — your friends during the school year, your teachers, everyone you meet along the way. You can’t take it for granted.”
