High School Sports Magazine-February 2007 Issue

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Feburary 27-March 31, 2007 Volume 3 Issue 1

Roxanne Rodriguez PSJA NORTH

Rio Grande Valley

BASEBALL & SOFTBALL

Kezia Cabrera

JoAnn Herrera

Carlo Cordova

Vianca Villasenor

INSIDE: March Madness Pg.6 ends in San Antonio...

Joey Caceres

Who’s No.1

in softball & baseball...

Claire Galindo

Pg.15

Danee Miramontez Nicole Hernandez

Track & Field Pg.20 getting ready...

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Volume 3 Issue 1 February 27, 2007 Publisher & CEO David A. Amador Alec D. Amador HSSM Photographer Jason O. Martinez B.B.A., C.P.T. HSSM Columnist Emails hssmonline@yahoo.com Daniel Silva Web www.hssmonline.net HSSM Online Photos www.hssm.photoreflect.com HSSM Online Subscriptions

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New Phone Number: 956.984.8871 High School Sports Magazine 2416 Frontera Road McAllen, Texas 78504 All stories and photos published by High School Sports Magazine may not be reprinted without written premission. All stories may be submitted for consideration in the upcoming issues. High School Sports Magazine prints 13 issues annually beginning in August and ending in July. Mail all inquiries to: 2416 Frontera Road McAllen, Texas 78504

Copyright Protected 2006.

a company of HSSMMedia Group L.L.C. www.HSSMONLINE.net 4

U.I.L. State Basketball Tournament The Boys Final Four begin March 9-10th. For tickets, log on to the www.uil.tx.edu for more information.

Pictured is Francisco Rodriguez of Weslaco scoring against Jonathon Landry of San Antonio Madison.

(HSSM Images)

Oh So Sweet!

U.I.L. STATE 5A BASKETBALL

B Y D A V I D A. A M A D O R HSSM SPORTSWRITER

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See Story On Next Page

(San Antonio, Texas)-The Weslaco Panthers (32-5) came to San Antonio with one thing in mind: win the Class 5A Regional Basketball Tournament.

From the get go, balls were bouncing off the rim; the Panther’s big man, Francisco Rodriguez got into early foul trouble in the first four minutes of play; and star player, Edgar Segura was feeling sick to his stomach…litterly.

San Antonio Madison (35-4) ended Weslaco’s state-title hopes with a 68-34 victory in the teams’ Region IV semifinal game on Friday at the University of Texas-San Antonio Convocation, played before some 4,000 fans.

A disappointed Panther head coach, Gabe Valdez expressed his thoughts after the game by stating that “we could have played better” but also added that his team was not connecting from the start. “Madison is a great team. The first four minutes set the

only 11. Rodriguez and Segura were only one of five Panthers to score in the game. Danny Ryan (7), Eddie Cantu (2) and Sotuyo were the other three.

Ten different Mavericks scored in the game led by Roshan Jackson (18) and Travis Smith (14).

In other Regional Semifinal action, it was Roma losing to New Braunfels Canyon

67-37 at St. Mary’s University, while La Villa lost to Thorndale 72-56 in Austin on Friday night.

For the Panthers, this ended their win streak of 17 in a row after going undefeated in 32-5A. The Roma Gladiators improved from last year’s winless season to make it the Class 4 Regional Tournament.

Region IV Semifinals Class 5A Weslaco Panthers 34 SA Madison 68 Class 4A Roma 37 New Braufels Canyon 67 Class A La Villa 56 Thorndale 72

trend for the rest of the night,” added Valdez, who guided Weslaco to its first regional tournament in school history.

Madison’s Travis Smith broke loose on the court and raced to the opposite side and slamed a towering dunk, drawing cheers from the Mavericks fans. Weslaco inbounded the ball, Smith again, took the ball down court for another back-to-back “Air-Jordan” dunk. This time, the Mavs bench came off the bench waving their towels and high-fisted arms, cheering on Smith. With the dunks, Madison took a 35-13 lead into intermission.

The Mavs had three steals in the first minute of play as the Panthers had trouble breaking the press.

The Panthers were 2 for 10 by the end of the first eight minutes of play. It did not help that Weslaco was nine of 26 from the charity stripe in the game.

Senior post Francisco Rodriguez was in early foul trouble and scored

State-ranked Weslaco Panthers (32-5) forward Edgar Segura dribbles past Madison’s Cody Lara. Segura scored 13 points in his final game of his career Madison. (HSSM Images)

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Season Ends State 5A Regional Quarterfinals

“I’m real proud of my team. We kept fighting bac www.HSSMONLINE.net 8

State 5A Bi-District Championships

for Mustangs

ck...� Sam Cortez, McAllen Memorial head coach

(HSSM Images)

(See Story-Next Page) www.HSSMONLINE.net 9

Loose Ball. SAI Pina (22) of McAllen Memorial tries to get the basketball along with teammates Mark Masso (1) and Rene Vela (5).

Weslaco’s Robert Trejo wins the battle as the Panthers defeated the Mustangs in the third round of the State 5A Regional Quarterfinals. Weslaco will play San Antonio Madison in the State 5A Region IV Tournament. (HSSM Images) (McAllen, Texas)-An emotional McAllen Memorial head basketball coach, Sam Cortez hugged his players one by one in the locker room after their 4632 loss to Weslaco in the State 5A Regional quarterfinals game.

“This was tough tonight. We tried everything but things did not go our way. I’m still proud of my Mustangs,” added Cortez.

Weslaco’s Francisco Rodriguez led the Panthers on the court with his biggest night of the season by scoring 21 points, 16 rebounds and six blocks to lead his team. Panther head coach Gabe Valdez could only shake his player’s hands as time expired. “I thank God for tonight. He has guided me this season with this team,” says Valdez. Weslaco (32-4) will now meet San Antonio Madison on Friday in the opening round of the four-team Region IV-5A tournament on the campus of Texas-San Antonio. The Panthers took control from the start before a sellout crowd of more than 2,300 fans with Rodriguez slapping the ball back into the stands

after blocking a shot by Chris Pallagi. The Mustangs (21-13) struggled against the Panthers’ full-court press, and when they did manage to break the pressure, Rodriguez made sure he was there for another rejection.

Sam Cortez, head coach In total, the Mustangs made 20.6 percent (14of-54) of their attempts from the field and connected on just 14.3 percent (3-of-18) of their attempts from beyond the arc.

Weslaco held a 12-7 lead after the opening quarter and then watched as Rodriguez went to work down low for nine of his game-high points during the second quarter. After Segura (eight points, 11 assists, three rebounds) dished off to an open Tommy Sotuyo (eight points) for a jumper, the Panthers took a 25-12 advantage into the break. Senior center Lazaro Perez netted a team-high nine points for Memorial, with teammate forward Chris Pallagi had a teamhigh eight rebounds. Weslaco went undefeated in 32-5A.

“This was tough tonight. We tried everything but things did not go our way. I’m still proud of my Mustangs,”

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State 4A Regional Quarterfinals

Gladiators Surprise

(Roma, Tx)-Don’t tell the Roma Gladiators that they were not suppose to advance past District 32-4A or even make the playoffs in 2007. Last year, seven players were suspended from the team for violating school policy and because of the infractions, the Gladiators went winless in 2006. What a difference a year makes. Roma defeated Port Lavaca Calhoun 52-45 in the third round of the Class 4A State Basketball playoffs. The Gladiators (22-11) will now meet New Braunfels Canyon (30-4) at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio this weekend.

Against Port Lavaca, Luis Nava scored 20 points and teammate Mario Garza added 18 as both players led an offensive 3-point attack and a tough full-court press. Second year head coach Homer Garr watched his team enter the final quarter down by one point 4140. The Gladiators will be making their second trip the Regional semifinals since 1984.

State A Regional Quarterfinals

La Villa Advances

(La Villa, Tx)-The La Villa Cardinals (26-3) are back in the Regional semifinals since 1991 after a thrilling 54-52 win over Sabinal. The Cards were led by Mark Bernal with 22 points followed by Luis King who had a double night scoring 19 points and hauling in 12 rebounds.

La Villa will play Thorndale in Austin. The Great Year. Roma Gladiator forward Luis Nova led his team to the State 4A Regional IV semiCards led at halftime by eight-points. finals. (HSSM Images)

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State 5A Regional IV Bi-District finals: McHi 48 Laredo United 61

McHi Bulldogs Drop Close One (McAllen,Tx)-McAllen High School head basketball coach Roy Swift traded places by coming from District 32-5A to 30-5A over the summer after accepting the head coaching position with the Bulldogs. “This was a great move for me and my family,” said Swift, the former head coach at Weslaco.

With the move, he led the Bulldogs with, at times, three freshmen players in the starting line up to a second place finish in 30-5A and a playoff appearance in the State 5A playoffs in 2007.

The Bulldogs (17-15) played Laredo United in the first round of the state playoffs losing 61-48 but Swift is anxious to begin the season. “We have four

starters back and it should be exciting,” added Swift after the game. McHi led 20-17 at the end of the first half with 6’5” freshmen J.J. Avila and 6’0” senior Anthony Wilkerson giving the Bulldogs a one point lead at the half 29-28.

In the second half, the Bulldogs came out cold scoring 19 points in both quarters while Joe Firova scored a game high 20-points to lead the Longhorns.

Corey Pace led all McAllen scorers with 14 points with Wilkerson adding eight points followed by Nick Garza with seven. Mike Vela added 16 and Greg Munoz scored 12 points for the Longhorns. “It was a great year,” says Swift.

Back in the Playoffs. The Bulldogs made the playoffs for the first time since 1997 after placing second in 30-5A. (HSSM Images)

2007 HSSM ONLINE.net

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State 5A Regional IV Bi-District finals: PSJA North 64 Los Fresnos 60

Raiders Win In OT; Lose in Area

(Pharr,Texas)-All season long the PSJA North Raiders (28-8) managed to rebuild one game at a time and it paid off in overtime as the Raiders downed the Los Fresnos Falcons 64-60 in in the first round of the State 5A basketball bi-district playoffs. The 31-5A district runners up moved on to the second round where they lost to McAllen Memorial 59-50. “This season was all about rebuilding. This team had a lot of heart,” added PSJA North head coach Jaime Gongora. The Raiders managed to stay within reach, trailing the Mustangs in McAllen 38-34 headed into the fourth quarter. The Raiders pressed and applied pressure defense all night long but the Mustangs kept breaking their plans by fast breaking down the court with an injured Neo Sanchez trying to keep up with the opposing team. The Raiders were led by Ricky Garcia, with 14 points and junior guard Neo Sanchez adding another 13 points. Sanchez played with a lot of heart despite being injured with a possible torn medial collateral ligament. He averaged 24 points per game. The Raiders will return eleven lettermen, with Hector Jasso listed as the only senior graduating this year.

Season Ends for Raiders. The PSJA North Raiders head coach Jaime Gongora is pictured with Noe Garcia. The Mustangs stuffed the Raiders in the State 5A Area Championships. (HSSM Images)

HSSM BOX SCORES Regional Quarterfinals

Class 5A WESLACO HIGH 46, McALLEN MEMORIAL 32 At McAllen Memorial WH 12 13 12 9 — 46 MEM 7 5 5 15 — 32 WESLACO HIGH (46) — Daniel Ryan 1, Marcus Cabrera 4, Francisco Rodriguez 21, Tommy Sotuyo 8, Edgar Segura 8.

McALLEN MEMORIAL (32) — Robby Salinas 2, David Morales 4, Scott Schneider 4, Chris Palagi 4, Lazaro Perez 9, Rene Vela 3, Sai Pena 4, Alex

Gomez 2.

RECORDS: Weslaco High 324; McAllen Memorial 21-13

Jesus Andrade 2.

RECORDS: Port Lavaca Calhoun 20-14; Roma 22-11.

Class 4A ROMA 52, PORT LAVACA CALHOUN 45 At Texas A&M-Kingsville PLC 13 11 17 4 — 45 ROMA 9 17 12 12 — 52 PORT LAVACA CALHOUN (45) — Chris Baldera 3, Tyler Mecasce 5, Marcus Blevins 6, Corey Barrientos 2, Carlos Cortez 7, Jackson Gayle 1, Josh Daniel 21.

ROMA (52) — Luis Nava 20, Tony Alanis 5, Angel Garcia 5, Tyler Garcia 2, Mario Garza 18,

Class 2A SAN ANTONIO COLE 70, SANTA ROSA 56 At Calallen SR 11 8 22 15 — 56 SAC 10 19 22 19 — 70 SANTA ROSA (56) — Casario Ojeda 17, Ruben Vela 16, Michael Lopez 7, Ralph Lara 5, R.J. Alaniz 5, Jacob Garcia 3, Bo Garza 3.

SAN ANTONIO COLE (70) — Jerome Walters 24, Trey Griffith 14, Patrick Newcomer

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13, Paul Parker 11, Mike Cornett 4, Aaron Bailey 4.

RECORDS: Santa Rosa 19-17; Cole 24-5.

Class A, Division I LA VILLA 54, SABINAL 52 At Orange Grove SAB 9 13 17 13 — 52 LV 10 20 13 11 — 54 SABINAL (52) — Nathan Alejandro 19, Jeff Seott 5, Stevie Rodriguez 11, Steven Sanchez 6, Dalton Haughey 4, Joseph Juarez 7.

LA VILLA (54) — Luis King 19, Rey Perez 3, Mark Bernal 22, J.D. Cisneros 11.

RECORDS: La Villa 26-3.

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standings

SEASON DISTRICT 32-1A 1. LA VILLA 11-1 5-0 2. BEN BOLT 6-4 4-1 3. BRUNI 7-2 3-2 4. BENAVIDES 3-5 2-3 5. SANTA MARIA 2-7 1-4 6. AGUA DULCE 1-8 0-5

final

DISTRICT BY DISTRICT 2006-07 BASKETBALL GIRLS FINAL STANDINGS

30-5AAAAA 1. MCALLEN 1. SHARYLAND 3. MCA MEM 4. MCA ROWE 5. DONNA 6. LA JOYA 6. RGC

SEASON DISTRICT

32-5AAAAA 1. HANNA 2. RIVERA 3. WESLACO 4. SAN BENITO 5. LOS FRESNOS 6. BRO PACE 6. BRO PORTER 6. BRO LOPEZ

SEASON DISTRICT

31-6 12-0 24-9 10-2 17-16 7-5 15-21 7-5 14-18 3-9 7-23 3-9 0-18 0-12

28-3 18-11 18-15 16-12 13-20 13-19 4-26 10-21

14-0 10-4 9-5 8-6 7-7 5-9 2-12 1-13

SEASON DISTRICT 31-5AAAAA 27-7 14-0 1. HAR SOUTH 24-10 12-2 2. HARLINGEN 3. ECONOMEDES 18-13 8-6 19-15 7-7 4. EDINBURG 20-16 7-7 5. PNORTH 11-21 4-10 6. PSJA 8-24 4-10 7. ED NORTH 2-25 0-14 8. PSJA MEM

32-4AAAA 1. WES EAST 2. MISS VETS 3. MISSION 4. VALLEY VIEW 5. ED-ELSA 6. MERCEDES 7. ROMA

SEASON 32-2A 1. HEBBRONVILLE 7-3 10-3 2. FREER 4-7 3. BISHOP 4-6 4. PREMONT 3-7 5. BANQUETE 3-7 6. SANTA ROSA 0-10 7. RIVIERA

32-3AAA 1. HIDALGO 2. LA FERIA 3. PORT ISABEL 4. PROGRESO 5. RIO HONDO

DISTRICT

6-0 5-1 4-2 3-3 2-4 1-5 0-6

SEASON DISTRICT

29-4 21-11 11-14 9-16 5-20

8-0 6-2 3-5 2-6 1-7

SEASON DISTRICT

26-7 12-0 23-11 10-2 15-12 6-6 12-17 5-7 16-15 4-8 12-17 4-8 12-19 1-11

SEASON 31-3AAA 15-11 1. SAN DIEGO 2. RAYMONDVILLE 14-13 16-15 3. ZAPATA 8-17 4. FALFURRIAS 2-24 5. LYFORD

DISTRICT

6-2 6-2 6-2 2-6 0-8

Note: The top four teams from every district in Class 5A now advance to the state playoffs.

HSSM All-South Texas Coach of the Year: Teresa Casso, McAllen High School HSSM All-South Texas Team of the Year: McAllen High School Lady Bulldogs HSSM All South Texas Player of the Year: Ellieen Pruneda, Brownsville Hanna H.S.

MVEC presented by

Magic Valley Electric Co-op

1-866-525-5683 www.magicvalley.coop

2007 HSSM ONLINE.net

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SEASON 2007 Baseball & Softball

HSSM TOP 10 Rankings

BEGINS B Y D A V I D A. A M A D O R HSSM SPORTSWRITER

Softball...

1. PSJA North 2. La Joya 3. Harlingen South 4. Raymondville 5. San Benito 6. Harlingen 7. Weslaco 8. Brownsville Porter 9. Weslaco East 10. Sharyland

(Pharr, Texas)-Sometimes playing tournament games prior to the regular season can prove to be rewarding or even devastating, like it did for the San Benito Lady Greyhounds (17-5, 3-0).

An early favorite to return to the Class 5A Region IV tournament, they are hoping that they can now survive the district after losing both starting pitchers a few weeks ago. “Now we have only one pitcher and she’s a freshmen,” says head coach Elias Martinez of San Benito.

But that was then and the Lady Greyhounds are off to an early lead in the district race behind freshmen pitcher JoAnn Herrera. Her sister, Jackie, also a pitcher was hampered by an elbow injury is now back.

Baseball...

1. McAllen H.S. 2. Harlingen South 3. Weslaco H.S. 4. La Joya 5. Sharyland 6. Harlingen 7. Valley View H.S. 8. Brownsville Porter 9. Rio Grande City 10. Edinburg

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Lady Cards are back. The Harlingen Lady Cards will be competing in District 31-5A, along with Harlingen South. Pictured on the left photo is El Paso transferDeserae Guevara, starting pitcher for the Lady Hawks. (HSSM Images)

Also plagued by early pitching losses are the Brownsville Porter Lady Cowgirls (11-6, 2-1), who also advanced to the Regional tournament in 2006, but with pitching ace Alicia Guevara off the mound, Porter has struggled to find a starter in 2007. “It will be tough to replace her,” says Luis Guevara.

In 2006, the Lady Greyhounds finished as 32-5A District runner-ups and surprised every team they faced in the state playoffs by advancing to the Class 5A Region IV semifinals, along with Porter. Both teams fared well, but both programs ended their state title run, losing to San Antonio Taft (San Benito 8-4, 9-4) and Spring Branch Smithson Valley (Porter 9-1). Smithson Valley defeated Taft in the Regional finals 4-0. This leaves the PSJA North Lady Raiders (12-5, 3-0) as the second team to beat in South Texas with ace pitcher back on the mound, Roxanne Rodriguez. “This will be a tough district,” says Johnny Medrano, head coach of the Lady Raiders. “With both Harlingen Schools now in our www.HSSMONLINE.net 16 2007 HSSM ONLINE.net

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Top team. The La Joya Lady Coyotes are ranked No.1 in South Texas by High School Sports Magazine in the pre-season polls. On the right, San Benito pitcher, Jackie Herrera missed several weeks on the mound due to an injury and now she’s back. (HSSM Images)

district, it will be very competitive,” he adds. Last year, Edinburg North, PSJA North, Edinburg, made the playoffs, with both Harlingen schools staying home. In 2007, the Harlingen Lady Cardinals (11-6, 1-2), and Harlingen South Lady Hawks (10-8, 3-0), have fared well in tournament and district play. South Hawks coach, Judy Smith is excited about this year’s squad. “This will be fun. This district

will be very competitive,” she adds.

So who’s No.1? The La Joya Lady Coyotes are picked as HSSM’s No.1 Team in the Valley and head coach Carlos Rodriguez knows that his team is loaded with talent. “We have a great team. These players have worked together for a long time,” he adds. The Lady Coyotes (15-4, 2-0) captured the 30-5A title in 2006 and advanced to the Class 5A Regional quarterfinals, losing to Brownsville Porter 9-0, 11-6. Leading the team is Vianca Villasenor in the outfield along with Clara 2007 HSSM ONLINE.net 17 17 2006 HSSM Football Playoffs

SANDER PHARMACY Prescription & Compounding Specialists

Hawks Ranked No.2. The Harlingen South Hawks will be favored to win the 31-5A title after upsetting Class 4A state champion, Calallen in McAllen. (HSSM Images)

Navarro and Aysha Soliz, Gina Villarreal, and Vanessa Barrera. Against McAllen Nikki Rowe, pitcher Monica Rodriguez (7-2) gave Michael H. Sander, R.ph. up one hit while striking out seven.

In District 32-4A, the Mercedes Lady Tigers (13-4, 1-1) should be the team to 916 East Street beat, but after struggling in district play (loss Weslaco, Texas 78596 to Mission Veterans); head coach Betty Morrell will have her hands full in 2007. “I’m excited about this team and we hope to take it a step further in the state playoffs”, she Medicaid Medicare Ins Accepted adds. In 2006, the Lady Tigers won the title and advance to the Regional quarterfinals www.HSSMONLINE.net 16 2007 HSSM ONLINE.net 18

956.968.4528

High Fives. The No.3 Weslaco Panthers will now compete in 32-5A and are favored to capture the title. Weslaco recently won the Sharyland Diamondback Classic. Pictured is Mark Ortiz (6) with Fabrian Cuellar (21). (HSSM Images)

in Class 4A, losing to Gregory Portland (1-0. 50). Both Edcouch-Elsa (13-6, 2-1) and Mission Veterans Memorial (9-4, 3-0) also captured playoff spots but lost in the opening rounds of the State 4A playoffs. Another team that could contend for the 32-4A title will be the Weslaco East Lady Wildcats (2-0 in district).

If capturing the Brownsville I.S.D. Tournament shows any indication that the 32-3A Raymondville Lady Bearkats (11-4) are headed in the right

direction, don’t tell this to head coach Pete Soria.

Instead, he would love to get another State 3A playoff rematch with Crystal City (0-1, 8-2, 8-4).

“We made too many mistakes. We could have played better,” added Soria. Despite last year’s set backs, the Lady Bearkats defeated Weslaco 3-2 to win the 2007 BISD Tournament. Also making the state playoffs were the La Feria Lady Lionettes (87, 1-0), and Lyford (9-4).

2007 Baseball Preview

Panthers, Bulldogs, Hawks Teams To Beat (McAllen, Texas)-Now make it two tournament championships in a row for the Weslaco Panthers (13-2) and if this is any indication that the purple and white will breeze through District 32-5A, the only thing left for this district are playoff slots two through four. The Panthers captured their own Weslaco A.N. “Tony” Rico Mid-Valley Baseball Invitational by blanking Laredo Nixon 9-0. The next week, the Panthers proved that they were the better team in the Sharyland PEN Baseball Classic

by downing host Sharyland 7-5, after building a 7-0 lead, and then went on to capture the tournament championship with a win over surprising McAllen Nikki Rowe 13-5. The Panthers are ranked No. 3 in the HSSM Baseball Polls due to the fact that the Harlingen South Hawks defeated the Panthers in the McAllen Baseball Tournament earlier. Panther players to watch are Mark Ortiz, Arnold Rivera, David Martinez, and Jason Cavazos.

However, if last year’s fourth round playoff exit

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Up and Over!

RGV Track & Field Highlights

Valley To Field More State Qualifiers?

(Mission, Texas)-With the Meet of Champions Track and Field Meet just a few weeks away, Pole Vaulter Chase Riley has leaped to 13’1” to remain as one of the best vaulters in the region along with Jesus Soto, who has already topped his mark at 13’9” recently. Both vaulters compete in District 30-5A and 31-5A respectively.

At the Stark Relays held at Sharyland High School, Soto won the event, while Riley finished second.

At the state meet in Class 5A, Jason Colwik of San Marcos won the title with a vault of 16’06”. In the eighth place, David Cochran crossed the bars at 13’06”.

The Meet of Champions Prelims will be held at McAllen Memorial Veterans Stadium on March 30th and 31st. This event will feature the best of the best

track and field competitors from South Texas.

Already making another run at a possible State 5A gold medal, last year’s bronze medalist Mike Sanchez of Sharyland H.S. caught the wind and threw his discus a whopping 174’8” along with a shot put toss of 58’0 at the Stark Relays. Sanchez threw a season best in Austin at the State 5A Meet of 177’0, which ranks him first in his heat in 2007. State 5A Champion Chris Cralle of College Station A&M won the gold with a throw of 187’03”.

Challenging Sanchez in this event will be Stephen Saenz of Rio Grande City and Oscar Barrera of McAllen High School. Both discus throwers have surpassed the 160’0” mark.

In running events, the Region IV Champion in the 4x400 Meter Relay team from Weslaco will

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Chase Riley of Sharyland High School gets over in the Pole Vault held during the Sams Relays in Brownsville.

(Alec Amador/HSSM Images)

be looking to better last year’s eighth place finish in state with a time of 3:25.94. So far, the team made of up of Mishak Rivas, Jorge Rojas, Mike Garza, and Gerardo Espinoza have posted a time of 3:24.22, one second less than last year’s performance. Panther track coach David Fuentes knows that this time will have to improve if the Panthers expect to win the state title. “It’s going to be tough. Last year’s winning time was 3:11.99 from Fort Bend Marshall,” he adds.

Also vying for another state meet appearance will be Mishak Rivas. He placed fourth in the Class 5A long jump event as a sophomore with a jump of 23’5” but he knows that one mark should have been over twenty-five feet. “I fell back on one jump that was well over twenty-five feet. My hands touch

backwards on one jump,” says Rivas. To date, he holds a Valley’s best of 22’6”. Only Oscar Garcia of Edinburg trails him with a jump of 21’6”.

Will Rio Grande City’s Andrea Guerra fair better than she did at the State 5A long jump event? She finished with a mark of 16’11” at state, and so far she is being pushed by teammate Kendra Alanis who holds a Valley best of 17’7 ½” with Guerra closing in at 17” 1 ¾”. A third teammate making headlines is Vanessa Sanchez who has jumped 17’1” this season.

At the McAllen Rowe Relays, Kendra won the long jump event with a better jump of 17’8 ½”. She also participates in the discus, 100m dash, and relay teams. All three Rio Grande City long jumps are making bids for a state meet appearance. In

2007 HSSM ONLINE.net

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The Cats Relays will take place on March 24th at the Edinburg Football Stadium featuring some of the top distant runners. Pictured below is long jumper Vanessa Sanchez of Rio Grande City.

HSSM Images)

2006, Sonetria Mayfield of Round Rock won the title with a jump of 19’05”. Another Lady Rattler showing hopes of posting a fast time in the 100m dash is Andrea Guerra. The Rio Grande City lady speedster has a Valley best time of 11:99, good enough to have placed eighth overall at the state meet. The winning time at the Class 5A State meet was 11:46 by Erica Alexander of Friendswood Clear Brook.

In the 100m hurdles, Kassie Larios of Harlingen South is already showing signs of making a trip to state with her time of 15:23; this mark would have placed her seventh overall in Austin. The winning time was 13:83.

McAllen Memorial’s long distant runner Tricia Terry is improving her times in the 3200m run with hopes of making another bid for a possible state medal. Last year, Terry placed sixth with a time of 11:19:93. To date, her best time is 11:27.03 but she easily ran past her previous best with a winning time of 11:09.09 at the Stark Relays held recently in www.HSSMONLINE.net

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Lupe Martinez of Brownsville Hanna H.S. tips one hurdle but finishes the 300m event.

(HSSM Images)

Sharyland. Terry would need to improved her time to 10:25.33 if she expects to contend for a state title in 2007 at Austin, Texas.

Also trying to make another return to the Class 4A 3200m run is Bianca Alvarez of Mission High School who placed eighth overall with a time of 12:08.95.

She has improved her time by a time of 12:01.56.

The top 100m dash runners are Marco Adriana of Edinburg North (10.70) followed by Danny Reyes of PSJA North (10.77), John Regino of PSJA (10.86),

Jaoquin Martinez of Mission Veterans (10.90), and Fernando Ruiz of Santa Maria (10.90). In the 400m, Trent Milby of Hanna leads with a time of 50.65.

As the season winds down with track meets slated for Roma (March 23), Weslaco Meet (March 23), Cats Relays (March 24), and the Red Ant Relays (March 24), with weather permitting, the influx of Valley athletes making a sound appearance at the State Meet in Austin this May 11&12th will probably be the best field the Valley will feature in a longtime. www.HSSMONLINE.net

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2007 Track & Field Schedule March 23rd

Roma Gladiator Relays Weslaco Meet March 24th

Cats Relays-Edinburg Red Ant Relays-Progreso March 30-31

Meet of Champions-McAllen April 27-28

Region IV Meet-San Antonio May 11-12

State Meet-UT Austin

Oscar Barrera of McAllen High School gets ready for his Shotput toss. (HSSM Images)

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Cont’ from Pg 19 loss to Corpus Christi Moody (9- the state, the No.1 ranked 2) isn’t still fresh in the minds of HSSM team in the Rio Grande every returning Harlingen South Valley, the McAllen Bulldogs are Hawks baseball player, you turning heads in South Texas, better think again. Head coach especially with the pitching ace, Tony Leal fields a returning team Joaquin Hinojosa who threw a that will compete for the 31- no-hitter in the championship 5A title along with PSJA North, game against Harlingen Edinburg, Harlingen, and PSJA. South at the annual McAllen Last year, the No.2 Hawks Baseball Tournament. At the competed in 32-5A and won the Corpus Christi Tournament, the title but with the new realignments, Bulldogs defeated Gregorythis will be an even tougher Portland 10-2 and then lost district to contend with in 2007. In to Corpus Christi Moody 2-1. the State 5A playoffs, the Hawks Head coach Eliseo Pompa defeated Laredo Martin (4-2, 9- has kept quiet throughout the 2) to advance to the Regional preseason knowing that early quarterfinals game where they games really don’t mean much also downed stated-ranked until you reached the playoffs.

Sharyland in one game, 4-2. Last year, the Bulldogs lost in Than was then, this is now. In the the first round to Laredo Martin McAllen Tournament, the Hawks in two games 2-1, 2-1. proved that they were destined At No. 4, “Baseball Town to make a run at a possible state U.S.A.”, the La Joya Coyotes, title as they defeated the 2005 featuring a pro-like baseball State 4A Champions and last stadium with “Take Me To year’s Regional finalist, Corpus The Ballpark” themes played Christi Calallen. In La Joya, the throughout the game, will give Hawks would finish fourth overall the Bulldogs a run for the 30in the championship bracket.

5A title. In 2006, the Coyotes The HSSM Top Ten 2007 teams captured the Bi-District title from the Rio Grande Valley with shutout games (3-0, 4-0), feature at No.1 McAllen, followed over Laredo Alexander before

by Harlingen South, Weslaco, falling to PSJA in three games La Joya, PSJA North, Mission, (9-4, 1-5, 11-9). The Coyotes Rio Grande City, Sharyland, finished first in the their own Harlingen, and Valley View La Joya Invitational ahead of High School. Of the ten teams Laredo United, Sharyland, and mentioned, only Rio Grande City Harlingen South. and PSJA North did not make And finally, the Valley View the post season in 2006. The High School Tigers defeated Panthers took third place last Mathis 8-2 in the area playoffs year in 31-5A and won their first before losing to Sinton 9-4, 7round playoff game against Pace 6 in the Class 3A Region IV before losing to Laredo United Quarterfinals. They will contend in a best-of-three series, (5-4, for the 32-4A title with Mission.

6-5). “Those two games really Here are “Touchdown Dave’s hurt last year because we had District Predictions: 32-2A: our chances,” said Eddie Serna, Santa Rosa; 32-3A: Port Isabel; head coach of the Weslaco 32-4A: Valley View H.S.; 30Panthers.

5A: McAllen; 31-5A: Harlingen With baseball tournaments South; and 32-5A: Weslaco already making headlines across High School.

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