Spring Branch ISD Featured News

Cody Hanlen, Class of 2026 at Stratford High School (SHS), has set the standard through his focus, work ethic and ability to excel both in the classroom and in athletics.

As a dual-sport student-athlete, he built a high school career defined by discipline, leadership and consistency, qualities that reflect the core characteristics of a Spring Branch Independent School District (SBISD) T-2-4 Ready Graduate.

Competing in both football and basketball, Hanlen made his mark as a wide receiver and guard while earning recognition for both performance and leadership. In football, he finished his senior season as one of Stratford’s most reliable offensive threats, totaling 982 all-purpose yards, including 842 receiving yards, 49 receptions, 14 total touchdowns, 81.8 yards per game and 17 yards per catch. His standout season earned him first-team All-District honors in District 17-6A as a wide receiver, and he was voted team MVP by both his coaches and teammates. Across two varsity seasons, he established himself as one of the program’s most productive and dependable playmakers.

He was also named an SBISD Landrum Award recipient, recognizing overall excellence as a student-athlete and his commitment to representing Stratford with integrity on and off the field.

On the basketball court, Hanlen contributed as a guard while earning second-team Academic All-State honors, further reflecting his ability to balance elite athletic performance with academic success. Managing two varsity sports while maintaining top academic standing strengthened his time management, accountability and focus.

That same dedication led him to graduate as Stratford’s valedictorian with a 6.5 GPA and a perfect 4.0 on a four-point scale. As the top-ranked student in his class, he earned automatic admission to the University of Texas at Austin, where he plans to study urban planning.

For Hanlen, athletics were never just about wins and statistics. They were opportunities to build character and learn lessons that would carry far beyond high school. A four-touchdown playoff performance against Heights and a district win over Memorial stand out as major moments, but he says the relationships built with teammates and coaches meant the most.

“Sports teach you so much about life, but do not make them your identity,” Hanlen said.

That perspective helped him develop leadership and resilience while learning how to stay grounded in both success and adversity. He credits Coach Harvey and Coach Garrett as two of the biggest influences on his journey, describing them as mentors who balanced accountability with support and communication. Their guidance helped shape his approach to preparation, leadership and perseverance.

Through athletics, Hanlen learned how to lead by example, stay disciplined under pressure and remain committed to long-term goals. Those same habits translated directly into the classroom, where he learned the value of consistency, preparation and pushing himself to meet high expectations.

Hanlen's success shows that excellence is built not only through talent, but through daily discipline and the willingness to keep improving.

In the fall, he will begin his next chapter at the University of Texas at Austin, carrying with him the lessons of leadership, accountability and hard work that shaped his journey.

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