Cedar Park High School

30°28′19″N 97°50′38″W / 30.472°N 97.844°W / 30.472; -97.844

      Forest Green, Black & SilverAthletics conferenceUIL Class AAAAA (2014–2016) UIL Class AAAA (2010–2014) UIL Class AAAAA (2004–2010)MascotTimberwolfNewspaperThe WolfpackWebsitecphs.leanderisd.org

Cedar Park High School (CPHS) is a high school in Cedar Park, Texas. It was established in 1998 to serve as the second high school in the Leander Independent School District due to the rapid growth in the area.

The school's mascot is the Timberwolf, and the colors of CPHS are Forest Green, Silver, and Black. Cedar Park High School competes in UIL district.^[2]

Demographics

The demographic breakdown of the 2,081 students enrolled for the 2022-2023 school year was:

• Male - 50%
• Female - 50%

• White - 64.0%

• Hispanic - 20.9%

• Asian - 8.0%

• Two or More Races - 4.3%

• Black - 2.4%

• American Indian/Alaska Native - 0.3%

• Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander - 0.1%

Organizations and athletics

Football

For the most part of the early Cedar Park dynasty runs of the early 2010s, Cedar Park was considered a perennial powerhouse in the Austin area and around Texas. Cedar Park has made the playoffs every year since 2008 and has won Two UIL Football State Championships. Cedar Park is the only school in Leander Independent School District to win a UIL Football State Championship.^[3] The Cedar Park Football Team plays at John Gupton Stadium, in Cedar Park, Texas.

For the 2009 football season under Head Coach Chris Ross, the Cedar Park Timberwolves football team competed in the 16-5A district. They were District Champions. They were also District Champions in the 2010 season.

In 2012 Cedar Park hired Joe Willis as their new head coach. The team was the 2012 UIL 4A (Division 2) state finalist. After the final playoff game on December 21, 2012, Cedar Park became the 2012 State Champions.

In 2014, Cedar Park went to the state championship once (in UIL 5A division 2) again and became runner-up in the state. After an undefeated season and playoff run,

In 2015, Cedar Park hired Carl Abseck as their new head coach. On December 19, 2015, CPHS won their second state title defeating Frisco Lone Star 22–6.^[4]

In 2020, Cedar Park went to the UIL 5A Division 1 state championship and became runner-up in the state losing to Denton Ryan 41-10.

2021, Carl Abseck was hired by Barbers Hill High School. Cedar Park was 71-10 under Abseck.

In 2021, Cedar Park hired Michael Quintero who previously served as Red Oak High School (Texas) Football Head Coach for 1 year. In Quintero's first year as head coach, Cedar Park went 7-6 and would lose in the playoffs to Paetow.

In 2022, Cedar Park went 4-7 losing to Smithson Valley High School in the Bi-District Playoff Football Game.

In 2023, Cedar Park started off the season 4-1 before losing two straight. They finished the regular season 8-3. Cedar Park would end up losing to A&M Consolidated High School in the Regional Finals ending the season 9-4.

As of 2024, Cedar Park is 18-15 and with 2-2 record in the playoff under Head Coach Michael Quintero.

Baseball

The Cedar Park Timberwolf Baseball Team has made the playoffs every year since 2013 (with the exception of 2020). Cedar Park has been a consistent playoff team throughout the 2010s.

In 2023 Cedar Park hired Tyler Frost as their new Baseball Head Coach/Manager. Cedar Park went 25-13-2 and made the playoffs. Cedar Park was the 5A Region IV Area Champs. Cedar Park would lose in the Regional Quarter Finals against Rouse High School 9-8 in a Rouse comeback. ^{[citation needed]}

In 2024 Cedar Park went 28-8-2 under Coach Frost. Cedar Park made the UIL 2024 Baseball 5A Playoffs. Cedar Park beating Pieper 2-0 and Medina Valley 2-0 before losing again to Rouse in the Regional Quarter Finals 0-2. Following the season, Head Baseball Coach Tyler Frost announced he would be stepping down as Cedar Park's Head Baseball Coach.

Boys' basketball

The Cedar Park Timberwolves Boys' Basketball Team led by Head Coach Blake Brown has had Ten Straight Post Season Appearances, Three District Championships, and Two Appearances in the UIL Boys State Basketball Tournament.

In the 2014–2015 season, the boys became the champions of District 25-AAAAA with a district record of 13–1. They made a run through the UIL playoffs that ended in the state semi-finals on March 12, 2015, in the Alamodome with a 57–46 loss to Beaumont Ozen. They ended the best season in school history with an overall record of 28–7.

In 2018, Cedar Park were the 5A Region III District 17 Champions Regional Quarterfinals. Cedar Park would lose to Manor in the playoffs 46-41.

In 2019, Cedar Park were the 5A Region III District 17 Champions Area. Cedar Park would lose to Lake Creek in the playoffs 52-44.

Cedar Park has failed to make the playoffs from 2020-2022.

In 2023, Cedar Park went 19-14 in the regular season and making the playoffs for the first time in 3 years. Cedar Park would up losing in the Bi-District Playoffs 52-33 to Boerne-Champion High School.

Girls' basketball

The Cedar Park Girls Basketball Team had a short-lived dynasty run under Donny Ott. The girls' 2014-2015 basketball team tied the Georgetown Eagles for a second-place spot in district 25-A. That marked their 9th consecutive year to advance to playoffs. The Lady Wolves made it to the 3rd round, right before the regional tournament, to once again face the Georgetown Eagles. The Wolves took a tough loss by three points to end the season.

In 2017, Cedar Park hired Donny Ott as their new Girls' Basketball Head Coach. In Ott first year, Cedar Park in 1st in the District going 16-0, and 30-8 overall. Cedar Park made the playoffs put would lose to Crosby High School (Texas) 53-47 in the playoffs.

In 2018 and 2019, Cedar Park had successful in both years season but would fall short in the playoffs.

In the 2020-2021 season, the Lady Timberwolves led by Donny Ott and Texas Commit Gisella Maul, won the 5A state championship, beating Frisco Liberty 46-39. This was the first time Leander Independent School District sent a girls' basketball team to the state tournament. The following year, the team won the 5A state championship again, beating Frisco Memorial 45-40 in double overtime. The girls had a 62-game winning streak and were the first Austin-area team to have a perfect season.

In 2022, Cedar Park had its worst season under Ott tenure. The Lady Timberwolves did not win a playoff game.

In 2023, Donny Ott was hired by Summer Creek High School. Ott amassed a 157-17 overall record with a 68-0 district record, 4 regional tournament appearances in 5 years, 22-3 playoff record, and 2 Class 5A State UIL Championships, Back to Back accomplishments during the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 seasons.   Coach Ott and his staff have received District Coach of the Year honors, Central Texas Coach of the Year honors, TGCA and TABC Coach of the Year honors as well as the Sectional National Coach of the Year during the 2021-2022. ^[5]

In 2023, Cedar Park hired long time Assistant Head Coach of the Lady Timberwolves under Donny Ott, Kami Williamson. She became the Female 5A/6A Coach of the Year and led her team to the UIL Texas State Tournament. The Lady T-Wolves lost in the semi-finals to Mansfield Timberview capping off a storybook season. In their playoff run they defeated Liberty Hill HS (2nd in district) and Glenn HS (1st in district) to advance to the state tournament.

Marching band

For over 25 years, the Cedar Park High School Timberwolf Marching Band has been "moving and inspiring" audiences around the nation. Cedar Park High School Timberwolf Marching Band have made many national appearances which include Bands of America (BOA) Grand Nationals, University Interscholastic League (UIL) Marching Contest, and many more competition. ^[6] The Cedar Park Timberwolves Marching Band dynasty runs has lasted for well over 2 decades and has no plans of stopping anytime soon. Cedar Park Timberwolves Marching Band has won 7 State Titles which tied second in the state of Texas for most Marching Band State Titles every won.

Most of the Cedar Park High School Timberwolf Marching Band success came under the direction of Director of Bands Steve Wessels. During his tenure at Cedar Park, the band won UIL 4A / 5A State Marching Contest in 2001, 2011, 2015, 2017, and 2019, UIL 5A Silver 2004, UIL 4A Silver 2013, BOA Grand Nationals Finalist 2010 and 2016, The Sudler Shield 2007, Numerous Marching Festival Championships, Concert Music Festivals Championships, UIL Concert & Sight Reading First Divisions all years, and TMEA Honor Band finalist 4A / 5A 2002, 2007, 2012, 2018 and 2014 TMEA Honor Band, 2018 Texas Bandmasters Association Meritorious Achievement Award, 2020 Texas Bandmasters Association Exemplary Band Award to Cedar Park High School, Steve Wessels Director. Steve retired in 2020, completing thirty-four years as a Texas Music Educator. ^[7] In 2020 Christopher Yee was named Director of Bands at Cedar Park High School.

The Timberwolf Band has been a finalist at UIL State and Bands Of America Regional and Super Regional marching band competitions. The band is also a two-time Bands of America Marching Band Grand National Championships Finalist, placing 10th in 2010 and 5th in 2016. The Cedar Park High School Timberwolf Band was crowned the 2001 UIL State 4A Marching Band Champion and also in 2011.^[8] In 2013, the band was awarded the silver medal at the UIL 4A State Competition.^[9] In 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2023, the band was crowned the UIL 5A State Marching Band Champion.^[10] The Cedar Park High School Percussion has won multiple Lonestar Classic "State Championships," including 2011 and 2017. The Color Guard has won 1st place in the 2011 Texas Color Guard Circuit State Championship. The band won their first Bands of America Championship title in 2021 at that year's BOA Waco competition. The band is a two-time participant and finalist at the Bands of America Grand National Championships.

It was announced in 2024 that The Cedar Park HS Timberwolf Band are heading to Bands of America Grand Nationals in 2024 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis

Cross country

The Cedar Park Timberwolves boys' cross country running team took eighth place at the 2008 Nike Cross National championships and were ranked number 1 in the nation for boys' cross country as of Oct. 2, 2009. The boys' team won state in 2010.^[11]

Boys' lacrosse

The Cedar Park Timberwolves boys' 2008 team posted a 7-0 district record and went 16-2 overall. The team made it to the state championship weekend falling to eventual champion, Highland Park, 10-8 in the state semifinal. ^[12]

Robotics

Cedar Park High School is home to FIRST Robotics Competition team 5052 and FIRST Tech Challenge team 14361. The team was started in 2014 and has gone to world championships. Team 14361 was founded in 2018. The following year won Innovate 1 for GEMS league and Central Texas league. Also 5A UIL State champions and FTC Texas State Control 1 winners. WORLDS JEM, 11-0 Qualifiers, Captain of Seed 1: 17962 Ro2D2, 14503 Robo-Sapiens. ^{[citation needed]}

Journalism

Cedar Park High School's online newspaper, The Wolfpack, was ranked #8 for Distinguished Sites by School Newspapers Online with a total of 33 articles listed on Best of Sno in 2019.^{[citation needed]} The Tracks yearbook and CPHS News Broadcast each received Bronze Stars in the 2022 ILPC ratings.^[13] In addition, the school's journalism programs have been recognized multiple times for UIL student leader awards, including Producer of the Year,^[14] Yearbook Editor of the Year,^[15] and twice for Online Newspaper Editor of the Year.^[16][17]

UIL Academics

The school competes in UIL Academics District 25^[18] in speech & debate, social studies, literature, journalism, and STEM competitions. Cedar Park was the district champion team in 2022,^[19] and third at the regional meet^[20] and fourth at the state meet.^[21] The school also won the journalism team state championship in 2022.^[22] During the 2023 season, Cedar Park was the district champion team,^[23] as well as the regional champion team.^[24] As for State, Cedar Park was the third place team,^[25] though Cedar Park Social Studies team was second in the State Social Studies competition.^[26]

Notable alumni

• Chris Paddack – Major League Baseball player.^[27]
• Spencer Drango - National Football League player.
• Ronja Bosy - Singing artist and featured competitor on Season 8 of The Voice (Norway).
• Mason Brooks - National Football League player. ^[28]
• Levi Bell - National Football League player. ^{[29] [30]}
• Tyler Lavine - former running back for SMU Mustangs football ^[31]
• Josh Cameron- Wide receiver for Baylor Bear Football ^[32]
• Ronnie Caldwell- Collegiate football player for Northwestern State Demons football ^[33]
• Hunter Luke- Collegiate football player for Kansas Jayhawk Football ^[34]
• Jack Hestera- Collegiate football player for Colorado Buffaloes Football & Charlotte 49ers Football & Utah State Aggies Football ^{[35] [36] [37]}

References

External links

• Leander ISD