Muleshoe ISD builds champions in science and athletics

MULESHOE, Texas (KJTV) – Muleshoe Independent School District is a source of real pride for the Bailey County region.

“We won a Blue Ribbon Award in 2022. The last time the state gave ratings, we were an A campus. We offer all five of the TEA endorsements,” said Cindy Bessire, principal of Muleshoe High School.

“For a small school, that’s pretty rare. We offer 11 programs of study, and students have the option of earning anywhere from one to 21 industry-specific certifications. The staff is incredible, the leadership, it’s just a great place to be.”

Academically, the district has been very competitive in robotics from elementary through high school.

“I grew up here, my husband and I are both alumni. Muleshoe is not only a place that you care about, it really takes over,” said Ashley Turnbow, Muleshoe ISD School Board President. “And there’s nothing better than being in a small town like this and understanding what makes the town tick, and that’s the school.”

This pride is also reflected in athletics, which also includes a recently completed indoor complex.

“The amount of practices we miss due to weather changes the entire game,” said Muleshoe Head Coach and Athletic Director Jason Richards.

“And when we look at the size, we have over 58,000 square feet here. We can play baseball and softball here. We can play track and field here, we can play golf here. So in the spring, we don’t miss a single practice. And I can tell you, it really shows. We had a great softball season, and our baseball team won their first district baseball game in four years, and I attribute that to the good reps, that we were able to get here.”

After a 9-3 season in 2023 and a dual district title, the Mules football team is ready for another banner year.

“We had these kids as eighth graders, they were in our system. They know what we do, they know our expectations,” Coach Richards said. “We had a huge momentum builder winning the state championship mile relay on the boys side. Success breeds success, and the bar is set. We’ve been building the monster for four years now, we’ve got to feed it!”

The Mules open their 2024 season on Friday, August 30 with an away game against the Brownfield Cubs.

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