Seguin High School’s barbecue team, the Bar‑B‑Cougs, made school history last Saturday at the regional competition hosted by Arlington ISD’s Career and Technical Center. Despite early‑morning alarms and rain‑soaked conditions, the team delivered a strong performance that earned the program its first team ribbon and a coveted berth in the state finals.
Strong Showing in a Tough Field
The regional event drew high school teams from across Texas for a demanding cook‑off. The Bar‑B‑Cougs arrived before dawn, set up their pit, and worked through wet weather to produce a menu that impressed the judges. Their overall placement was fifth, but the real highlight came in the brisket category, where they secured a second‑place finish, and a fourth‑place finish in the beans category.
Coach Fanning Praises the Effort
“This is a huge win for our team and in arguably the most difficult category,” said Sean Fanning, the Bar‑B‑Cougs coach and a Seguin family and consumer sciences teacher. “With that, we are officially bound for state at the end of April.” His comments underscored the dedication of the students, many of whom balanced rigorous academic schedules with the demanding preparation required for competitive BBQ.
Collaboration with Arlington ISD
The competition also highlighted the partnership between Seguin’s culinary program and Arlington ISD’s Career and Technical Center. Several Seguin students enrolled in Advanced Culinary at the CTC helped prepare meals for visiting teams, serving dinner on Friday night and providing breakfast and lunch throughout the event. The CTC’s own barbecue team, the Smokin’ Ferrets, includes Seguin culinary students Elija Young and Mya Terrel, further cementing the collaborative spirit.
Team Roster and Upcoming Events
The Bar‑B‑Cougs roster features Dana Marshall, Nate Jeffery, Vanessa Morales, Liam Fletcher, and Haylee Brown. With a state‑bound ticket already in hand, the team is looking ahead to its next challenge at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo Cook‑off on November 7, where they hope to build on their recent success.
Community Pride
Seguin residents have rallied around the Bar‑B‑Cougs, celebrating the achievement as a testament to the school’s commitment to excellence in both academics and extracurricular activities. The victory reflects the strong family‑oriented values of the community, where parents, teachers, and local businesses have long supported student endeavors.
As the Bar‑B‑Cougs prepare for the state competition slated for the end of April, the team’s momentum and community backing promise an exciting chapter for Seguin High School’s culinary tradition.
Original reporting: Arlington ISD District News — read the source article.
