Katerina worked as a MMJ at KBTX-TV in Bryan-College Station during summer of 2019. She’s grateful for the experiences and relationships formed in the Brazos Valley. Below are Katerina’s two favorite sports-community based stories while at Channel 3.

Local soccer organization hosting charity tournament for El Paso victim

By Katerina Biancardi, Channel 3

BRYAN, Tex. (KBTX) – Football for the Future is hosting a community soccer tournament on Saturday to support Javier Rodriguez, the youngest victim in the El Paso shooting.

The nonprofit organization’s founder, Carlos Espina, says he was emotionally moved to help.

“When I first saw it, I started crying for a while and just thought of ways we could help,” Espina said.

Javier was an active soccer player in his El Paso community. Espina said after seeing a Facebook post about Javier, he contacted the El Paso Soccer Club, and reached out to Javier’s family.

“They agreed a soccer tournament would be a really good way to not only honor him but also raise funds,” Espina said.

The tournament takes place on Saturday at Pro Soccer Complex in Bryan from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. All proceeds of the tournament will benefit Javier‘s family. The admission for the event is $5.00. Espina says anyone is welcomed to attend and any amount makes a difference.

“It won’t fix the situation, nothing will,” Espina said. “Hopefully we’ll provide a little bit of help and optimism in these moments.”

Leo Garcia owns the complex. He says it was an easy yes to open the fields for the tournament.

“I’m happy to do this for the Hispanic community,” Garcia said.“I hope many people come.”

Jorge Ruiz will participate in the charity soccer tournament. Ruiz says what gathering together says about the community.

“Countless times we have risen to the occasion,” Ruiz said. “This is another prime example of what the community can truly do.”

Espina mother’s Adriana adds what gathering people quickly for a cause says about the Bryan-College Station community.

“It brings me joy that even though it happened somewhere else, we can get together and support people from a tragedy like this one,” Adriana said.

If you are interested in attending the event or support Javier, please look on KBTX.com.

Two Bryan Thunderbolts share unique bond for Track and Field

By Katerina Biancardi, Channel 3

COLLEGE STATION, Tex. (KBTX) – 30 Bryan Thunderbolts Track Club members will compete in the 2019 Summer Games of Texas. Six years ago, the Malone family started the club.

Audrey Malone says her mother Nancy, a former Nebraska Cornhusker track and field athlete, wanted to extend the family’s passion to Bryan and College Station.

“When we moved here, it was her first order of business,” Malone said. “Just to get the community involved with track and field.”

Malone and her sister, Maggie, continued their sport at Texas A&M University. Both girls placed Top 3 in the javelin at the NCAA Track and Field Championships in 2016. Malone still remains involved with track and field.

10-year-old team member Jaxson Soria joined the club a couple of years ago. He says isn’t a bit worried to compete on such a large stage like the Games of Texas.

“I’m not feeling nervous because I feel good for my team that we can win,” Soria said.

Soria competes in the 4×400 and the high jump. Like Malone, he also shares a sports family connection.

“My dad was an A&M high jumper,” Soria said.

Soria’s dad holds the high jump record at Bryan High.

“Even though I live in College Station, I want to jump in Bryan to beat my dad records,” Soria said.

Samuel Pittman, II, coaches the Thunderbolts. He says the sports background Malone and Soria share is unique.

“Both of them are following in their parent’s footsteps,” Pittman said. “Not every day you see that.”

Soria wants to pursue track and field at A&M like his dad and coach Malone.

“It’s my hometown,” Soria said. “They’re really fast.”

Malones simply hopes the Thunderbolts walk away with inspiration after the games.

“Just to keep pushing themselves and believing in themselves,” Malone said. “It’s amazing to get here.“

Track and field athletes make up the largest participation at the Games of Texas. More information on the games schedule and the Bryan Thunderbolts is in on the related links section on KBTX.com.