Greater Ford Dealers Named September Female Athletes
Seven high school student athletes from across Texas earned recognition for their athletic and academic performances.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Track & Field
Greater Ford Dealers honored seven student athletes as statewide Female Athletes of the Month for September 2026. The selection process evaluated academic performance and statistical achievements during the school year.
Why it matters
These awards highlight the integration of academic and athletic excellence among high school students across various state classifications. Recognizing these achievements supports student athlete development throughout their scholastic careers.
Winning athletes include Carly Chadwick, who recorded 674 assists, and Taylor Youngblood, who surpassed 1,267 career digs. Additionally, Emma Goetz won the 2026 Tyler Legacy Invitational with a 5K time of 17:41.
The players
Taylor Youngblood
A student athlete from Elysian Fields High School who has recorded over 1,000 career digs.
Carly Chadwick
A student athlete from Pine Tree High School recognized for her performance during the month.
Emma Goetz
A student athlete from Grace Community School and a two-time TAPPS individual cross country state champion.
The details
Recipients were chosen from various levels including Class 4A, Class 2A, and private school divisions. The group of seven honorees also features Maria Herron, Harper Vaughan, Brooklyn Byrd, and Caitlyn Battreal.
Timeline
September 2026: The month during which the athletes were honored.
Season Trajectory
These accolades highlight the competitive landscape within the Texas high school circuit, marking significant benchmarks for student athletes. Performance data gathered during the fall season often influences rankings for regional playoffs and future recruiting cycles.
The performance stats of these athletes set a high benchmark for regional competition in the current fall season. High school coaches and scouts often look to these monthly milestones to track individual development trajectories ahead of state tournament brackets.
The takeaway
Student athletes benefit from balancing intensive training with academic responsibilities to maintain high performance standards. Setting specific career milestones, such as reaching 1,000 digs or personal-best run times, provides clear goals for consistent athletic growth.
Further reading
For more on local athletic programs, visit the Texas Track & Field section.
