Colt Pride: 5 Unforgettable Athletes From Arlington High School

Sports run deep in Arlington, and Arlington High School has long been at the heart of it. It’s no surprise some standout talent once wore the Colt uniform. Today we're celebrating five unforgettable athletes from Arlington High School who made a name for themselves well beyond the hometown field.

Tervel Dlagnev – Olympic Medalist & International Wrestler

After moving from Bulgaria to the U.S. at age four, Tervel Dlagnev discovered wrestling at Arlington High School, where he competed for just three seasons and still finished among the state’s top heavyweights. He went on to become a four-time All-American and two-time NCAA Division II national champion at Nebraska–Kearney, leading the program to its first team national title in 2008 with a perfect 38–0 senior season. Internationally, Dlagnev emerged as one of America’s most consistent heavyweight wrestlers, earning World Championship bronze medals in 2009 and 2014 and representing the U.S. at two Olympic Games. His fifth-place finish at the 2012 London Olympics was later upgraded to bronze following doping disqualifications, an honor he formally received in 2022. Dlagnev later transitioned into coaching, working with elite wrestlers at Ohio State before joining the University of Nebraska’s staff. (Source: Team USA Wrestling, Eleven Warriors)

Abigail Moore – Inaugural Women’s Pro Baseball League Draft Pick

Abigail Moore made history as one of the first players selected in the inaugural Women’s Pro Baseball League draft, earning a sixth-round selection by the New York franchise while still a senior at Arlington High School. A true multisport standout, Moore competed in baseball, basketball and softball, but baseball remained her passion. Moore’s selection marked a breakthrough moment for women’s professional baseball, and she is currently preparing for the WPBL’s debut season in 2026. (Source: Arlington ISD)

Ali Haji-Sheikh – Record-Setting NFL Kicker & Super Bowl Champion

Ali Haji-Sheikh developed his athletic foundation at Arlington High School before becoming one of the most reliable kickers in college football history at the University of Michigan. He set Big Ten and school records for consecutive extra points and was drafted by the New York Giants in 1983, where he promptly broke the NFL rookie record with 35 field goals in a single season. Haji-Sheikh later played for the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Redskins, winning Super Bowl XXII with Washington and earning a Pro Bowl appearance. (Source: Pro Football Reference, USA Football, Big Blue View)

Luke Joeckel – No. 2 Overall NFL Draft pick & Outland Trophy Winner

A dominant force at Arlington High School, Luke Joeckel anchored one of Texas’ most productive offensive lines before becoming a cornerstone at Texas A&M. Starting every game of his college career at left tackle, Joeckel protected Johnny Manziel during his Heisman-winning season and earned the Outland Trophy as the nation’s top interior lineman, along with unanimous All-American honors. Selected second overall in the 2013 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars, Joeckel spent several seasons in the league and later joined the Seattle Seahawks. (Source: Star-Telegram, Texas A&M Athletics, Seattle Seahawks (archived))

Madison Zdrojewski – Standout Swimmer

Madison Zdrojewski represented Arlington High School in competitive swimming while excelling academically and overcoming dyslexia through discipline and determination. Specializing in the butterfly and freestyle events, she committed herself fully to both training and community involvement, earning recognition as an outstanding student-athlete. After graduating in 2022, Zdrojewski pursued academic interests in biology and animal management, carrying her work ethic into collegiate life and professional development. (Source: NCSA Sports)

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