April Athletics Newsletter

Our Athletic Department’s philosophy is that our student athlete’s pursuits on the field should be equally measured with those off of it. To that end, a Bloodhound athlete should pursue personal growth through academic work, team experiences, and as an ambassador of our school. The department strives to maintain an outstanding athletics program, conducted in a manner of our Marist faith.

Thank you for being a member of the 101 Club. I hope you remain engaged in our Bloodhound sports and continue to support SJA as we shoot for the stars through life’s difficulties. On behalf of the many athletes we thank you for your unwavering support and spirit Go Bloodhounds!

PLATINUM MEMBERS 101CLUBMEMBERS

Sholom Gorovitz

Tom Cepeda

John Cowen

Terri Cristiano

Luigi Cristiano

John Edge

SILVER MEMBERS

Emilio Hernandez

Kyra Hudson

Mauricio Ibarra

Ernesto Knosel

Joe Lopez

LuisPablo Rhi

Javier Rivera

Michael Rodriguez

Karina Saldivar

RobertShaun Saunders

Gonzalo Garza

Alvaro Garza

Manuel Martinez

Ramiro Munguia

Jim Starkey

Nick Tipton

Estibaliz Gonzalez

Jorge Green

Marco Guajardo

Michael Gutierrez

John Ortiz

Beth Pace

Jorge Puig

Jaime Torres

Eddie TrevinoJr

Kay YoungEzell

Alfonso Zolezzi

Jaime Garza Cristy Ortiz Victor Reis

Claudia Pirtle

Ethan Salazar

Katy Abete

BRONZE MEMBERS

Perla Garza

Nora Anderson

Maria Arellano

Marsha Atkinson

Felipe Barrera

Humberto Garza

ErnestoG Garza

Nicolas Garza

Meme Garza

Paul Marian

Rex Martin

Jorge Martinez

Daniel Matar

Dulce Meyer

SandraM Betancourt

JuanJose Camorlinga

Hugo Cano

Joanna Cappella

Andy Cedillo

Miguel Contreras

Pedro Coronado

Armando Covarrubias

Robert Daniels

Eliseo Davila

Maria DeCoss

Luis DeLaGarza

Adrian DelPozo

Isaac Escamilla

Hector Escobar

Jennifer Esparza

Alejandro Farias

Ricardo Filizola

Humberto Flores

Gerald Gabbert

Venissa Gallardo

Alfredo Garza

JorgeR. Garza

VictorH Gonzalez

Jeff Gowen

Betty Gross

Edith Guerra

Adrian Guerra

Mark Guerra

Hector Guerra

Alejandro Guerrero

Peter Harris

John Herrera

John Herrera

Michael Hoskins

Ronnie Humphreys

Wale Ibarra

Kristi Jones

Donnie Jones

Ruben Leal

Eddie Leandro

Chad Lentscher

Carole Montemayor

Rafael Munguia

Terry Murphy

Martin Olguin

Dolores Olguin-Trevino

Antonio Ortiz

Karla Paez

Daniel Perez

Iran Perez

Sergio Puig

Claudio Reyes

Hortencia Rios

Amy Rodriguez

Cesar Rodriguez

Lalo Rodriguez

Marisela Rodriguez

Gloria Schlatter

Enrique Serna

Houston Simmons

Phillip Steffy

Jose Trevino

Javier Gallegos

Vanessa Garcia

Mike Garcia

Homero Garcia

JuanCarlos Garcia

Joseph LoGiudice

Samuel Lucio

Samuel Lucio

Carlos Luna

Gabriela Luna

Arturo Trevino

Bertha Ukoli

Ingrid Vicent

Raul Villanueva

Teno Villarreal

Patricia Zamora

SJATEXASSTATECHAMPIONS

TENNIS 23 State Champion24

GAMEZCEMENTSSJA LEGACY

WACO -Inevitable. That is the one word we could use to describe Fran Gamez. The senior secured his third straight boys singles state title in Waco earlier this month. “It means a lot, I’m very excited and happy. I really don’t know what else to say I am just glad.” Gamez rolled through the RGV and secured his third striaght district bid in San Antonio. In Waco Gamez sailed through Day 1 with a win over Bishop Dunne’s Kaden Polackek (60,6-0) and later defeated Emery-Weiner’s Alex Aronson (6-1,6-1). “I am happy with both wins. The first match was not too complicated. My opponent in the second

match was more challenging. He had better shots, serves and better technique. It means a lot to be able to make is back to the semis.” Day 2 was a challenge for Gamez. In the semis he rallied past Hyde Park’s Anthony Tegan (2-6,6-1,10-1), and in the championship match Gamez earned every pointvagainst Austin Regents Tucker Rannala (6-2,6-4). “I have a lot of emotions right now, it was a tough match. I was down early but I found my rhythm. I’m going to miss everything at St. Joe. the coaches, the matches my team and the environment. I’m thankful for everyone at and I’m ready to see what is next for me.”

TENNIS

WACO-TheBloodhoundssentmixeddoublestothestatemeet.JuniorMaxSalazarand FreshmanNicoleDeLaGarzaeachcompetedattheirfirststatemeet.Theduobowedout toHillCountry8-5.DeLaGarzaandSalazarbothmadetheirstatetournamentdebutin 2024 “Ireallyenjoyedtheexperience,”DeLaGarzasaid “Ilovedtheenergythateveryone hasbroughttothemeet.”Salazaralsotookinthestateexperience.“Ithinkitwasagreat experienceanditissomethingwecanbuildongoingforward.”Salazarsaid.

VOLLEYBALL

CORTINASINKSLOIAT

RANGERJRCOLLEGE

BROWNSVILLE- Senior Deliany

Cortinas signed her letter of intent to play volleyball at Ranger Junior College in Ranger, Texas. Cortinas received a full scholarship and is the first SJA athlete to sign a LOI this scchool year. “I was very happy to see all of my teammates and friends here to support me,” Cortinas said. “I am greatful and I am hoping for the best.” Cortinas shined at the East vs West All-Star game and caught the the attention of Ranger Junior College. “When I got the chance I did what I was supposed to do and I played with a lot of confidence.” Cortinas said. Cortinas recived a full scholarship to play volleyball at Ranger College. “It hasn’t hit me yet but I am excited and nervous at the same time.” Cortinas said. The senior left her mark at SJA as one of the most feared hitters in the district. Cortinas secured 253 digs and 374 kills. On her career, she logged 453 kills and 223 digs. “She is an amazing player and I knew when I first met her she was going to be an amazing player.” said head coach Dolores Olguin.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

RIOSPORTSLIVE2024SHOWCASE

EDINBURG- Three Lady Bloodhounds were invited to play in the 3rd Annual Rio Sports LiveNetworkShowcase JuniorMiaVillarreal, Senior Regina Tovar and Freshman Seanah Mireles. The trio were able to take the court togetherasteamLightning.

BOYS BASKETBALL

RIOSPORTSLIVE2024SHOWCASE

EDINBURG-ThreeBloodhoundswereselectedtoplay in the 3rd Annual Rio Sports Live Network Showcase.

The

were able to take the court together as team Lightning. Rivera and Aguilar alsocompetedinthethreepointcontest

Junior Mikey Rivera, Senior Lucas Cristiano and Sophmore Jason Aguilar

trio

Thank you to OFFICIALSPONSOR oftheSJA BLOODHOUNDS

BASEBALL

SJAWRAPSUP2024 SEASON

BROWNSVILLE- The Bloodhounds season came to and abrupt halt in Beeville.

SJA fell to St. Mary’s Hall 13-3 in five innings in a play in game, ending their season. SJA wound up with a 13-10 record overall and 5-8 in district play. The Bloodhounds will bid fairwell to four seniors, Jorge Albores, Mauricio Gonzalez, Juan Garza and Emilio Cano. “It meant a lot to play for SJA,” Garza said. “We started from the bottom and from our freshman year to last year making the playoffs and up until now. We did miss the playoffs but I am content with our results.” Returning next year will be Gael Ponce who will look to lead the pitching staff. Behind him will be Axel Gonzalez, Emmanuel Mendez who played a solid first base will return for his senior year along with Lalo Braunschweiger who showed versatility in the out field and infield.

TRACK AND FIELD

SJASENDSEIGHTTO STATEMEET

SEGUIN- Eight Bloodhounds will represent Saint Joseph at the state meet in Waco. Alondra Loya and Olivia Wood will throw the discus, Andrea Fletes will compete in the high jump, Jose Tijerina will run the 100M dash, Nicole Richer will make her second consecutive trip in the pole vault and the boys 4x1 team which includes, Tijerina, Gavin Cisneros, Claudio Torres and Leo Hernadnez. Loya broke her own throwing record with a throw of 145-0. Her previous record was 141 that was set earlier this year in Rio Hondo. “ It was my last regional meet and I had to break it, I had to do something big,” Loya said.

“This was just something I had been working for and this shows that work has paid off. I felt I had it in me to do it and it established to myself that I was able to do it and going back to state is a great opportunity.” Tijerina set a school record with a 10.87 in the 100m dash and won the race. The record was previously held by Nick Garza in 2002 11.01. Wood finished second with a throw of 121-4, Richer placed second with a mark of 10-0, Fletes placed fourth with a mark of 4-10, in the 4x1 the boys secured fourth with a 44.13 time. The Bloodhounds will compete at the state meet May 3rd through the 4th.

GOLF

SJASEASONENDSAT REGIONALMEET

LEAUGE CITY- The Bloodhounds season ended at the Reginoal Meet in League City. SJA sent a total of six golfers. Caleb Zimmer, Ian Meyer, Lucas Cristiano, Wale Ibarra, Juan Kattas and Silvia Martinez. Cristiano shot a 86 and finished 31st, Meyer shot a 83 and placed 28th, Zimmer shot a 94 and finished 42nd, Ibarra shot a 97 and wound up 39th, Martinez also shot a 97 and placed 17th and Kattas shot a 91 and placed 39th. “I’m proud of myself,” said Kattas. “I wanted to finish all 18 holes and I was able to do just that. I was not able to finish tennis so I knew that I wanted to finish my golf season on a positive note.” SJA will lose three seniors in Cristiano, Kattas and JP Viddauri. Heading into next year, the Bloodhounds will look to build on their experience. Martinez led the team with a 17th place finish and will have high expectations heading into her senior year. “I feel we have a lot to build on going forward,” said head coach Alex Cortez. “We gained a lot of experience and it will pay off in the long run. I want to thank my seniors for givning me a complete effort all year.”

FOOTBALL

SPRINGBALL

KICKOFFSATSJA

BROWNSVILLE-The

Bloodhounds are back on the field for Spring Ball. SJA kicked off spring ball April 29 and will run through May 16th. The Bloodhounds will return multiple weapons in the fall, including QB Gavin Cisneros who will be a junior next fall. Dynamic playmaker Claudio Torres will also return for his senior year. The offensive line will be anchored by senior Diego De La Cruz. On defense they will be led by seniors Alex Garcia and Emile Gonzalez. SJA will kickoff the preseason at home August 16 at home against La Grulla. The regular season will kickoff August 30 at home against Raymondville.

“Anytime you get football going, it is a great time at SJA,” said head coach Tino Villarreall. “We have a great group of guys and have new people at positions and new guys to come in and help. It is a new era for SJA football.”

FOOTBALL

COACHING STAFF

COACHING STAFF

EdgarTovar HeadCoach Soccer HeadCoach Golf

AlexCortez

BOOSTER CLUB

The Purpose of the SJA Athletic Booster Club is to promote athletics at Saint Joseph Academy in an atmoshere that is consistent with the mission, academic and athletic philosophy of Saint Joseph Academy. The Athletic Boosters support this purpose primarily through fundraising.

Jaime and Renata Garza

Stephany Luna

Ingrid Vicent

Luigi and Terri Cristiano

Maryana Martinez

Vero Garza

Karina Saldivar

Genaro Martinez

JaimeandRenataGarza BoosterClubPresidesnts

150K

30K