Alice Coyotes Close Out 2026 Season at UIL 5A State Championships

Alice High School’s swim team closed the 2026 campaign by competing at the UIL Class 5A State Championships, according to a local Alicetx report published Feb. 20, 2026. The local write-up recapped individual swims and relay performances and specifically noted the program’s relay qualification to state earlier in t.

The swim-team finish arrives amid a busy stretch for Alice athletics. In football, more than 2,500 fans packed Alice Memorial Stadium, also known as the Skydome, to watch the Coyotes roll to a 54-14 Class 5A Division II bi-district win against Brownsville Pace, a turnout detailed in a Corpus Christi Caller-Times story. That same Caller-Times report said Alice Memorial Stadium is expected to be demolished in December with a new stadium to be built in time for the start of the 2026 high school football season, and that the Coyotes will play all of their games on the road next season because of ongoing construction.

The stadium transition has been a throughline for local conversation about legacy and access. Alice football head coach J.R. Castellano captured that sentiment when he said, "This is something special. You know, whether they want their legacy however they want it to be remembered. It's going to be remembered regardless just because of the fact that it's the last year in the Sky Dome." Players and coaches have balanced that history with turnover on the roster; KIII reported Alice graduated 28 seniors last year but returns key pieces on defense, with senior defensive end and H-back Jesse Villarreal saying, "The front six definitely has the most experience. We also have returning safeties, so we have a lot coming back and we've got a lot of experience this year." KIII also noted sophomore leadership on offense with junior Lucian Cruz entering his second year as starting quarterback.

The marching band has supplied community momentum outside of the stadium debate. KIII reported the Alice Coyote Marching Band swept the Gregory-Portland Tournament of Bands, taking first-place trophies for Colorguard, Drum Majors, and overall in the 5A division. Director of Bands Emerico Perez said, "We’re trying to make sure we uphold all that excellence before us and do it today at a very high level." Colorguard member Lena Garza and Drum Major Emilia Valdez both spoke to confidence and leadership on the field and in rehearsals.

For public health and equity, the swim team’s state appearance highlights the role of school-based aquatics in youth fitness and community wellbeing. With the community investing in a new stadium set for the 2026 season and crowds of more than 2,500 showing up for high-school football, local leaders may face decisions about ensuring similar investments in pool access, competitive swim programs, and year-round recreational opportunities so that swimming remains a pathway to physical activity and opportunity for Alice youth. The Coyotes’ trip to the UIL Class 5A State Championships closes one season while the district builds toward new facilities and continued athletic ambition.