On February 3, two of the Young Women’s Preparatory Network schools, Irma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School (Irma Rangel) and Young Women’s Leadership Academy at Bill Arnold (YWLA), faced off in game one of the varsity lacrosse season with Irma Rangel scoring a victory. It was the first time these schools played each other as it’s the inaugural season for YWLA.    

Irma Rangel has had lacrosse as a team sport for seven years, thanks to BRIDGE Lacrosse, a nonprofit that uses the game to broaden the horizons of urban youth and to promote health and wellness.

Ties to the sport have helped strengthen the team as its coach, Diney Hobgood, played on the inaugural Irma Rangel team, while she was a student. She graduated from Irma Rangel in 2011 and the University of North Texas in 2015. Assistant Coach Maddie Nayfa, a 2011 Irma Rangel graduate and 2015 Texas State University graduate, joined her this year to provide additional coaching.  

Hobgood said, “Watching my girls play lacrosse is incredible. They work hard in classrooms all day and still come to practice ready to give 110% and leave their hearts on the field after every single game. This group of girls exemplify what it means to be a well-rounded student-athlete. They are committed; they take care of each other; they persevere, even when we are the underdog, and their enthusiasm is unparalleled. All of this put together has really amped up the team's performance and evolution as a true competitor in North Texas. Being their coach and ‘big sister’ is truly an honor.”

Afterwards, the teams talked as this is the first year of a lacrosse program at YWLA. Hobgood added, “We gave them words of encouragement as it took us almost seven years to establish our team. They left enthused and eager to improve. It was awesome to watch both teams laugh and embrace each other.”