Welcome to VarCity Magazine! Laredo has always been a sports town, and Laredo has also been a town that has been consistently overlooked. The idea of VarCity Magazine is to make sure being overlooked is a thing of the past. Positive energy brings positive vibes and we believe positive press will bring positive results for all things sports and athletics for the people of Laredo. Anyone who has ever left Laredo can attest that Laredo’s familia culture runs deep, and we always support each other when we are out in this big world. Laredo has talent that has spread not only all over the United States, but all over the world. I can’t wait for you to read our “Where are they now” section to see what some of our former athletes are out there doing to make this world a better place. All of our athletes featured in this magazine have big dreams and many of them will have to leave Laredo to realize them. VarCity Magazine will be here to give them the platform they need to share their dreams and garner support from the community. I’m honored to be VarCity Magazine’s first Editor-in-Chief, and I’m grateful to be working with my partners who are the best at what they do in Laredo, Joey Sanchez & Rafael Garcia. We look forward to bringing you, the reader, on this journey with us. Each issue will give you something new and fresh to read and indulge in. We plan to roll out some big things in the coming issues and we look forward to your input. Feel free to reach out to us via email, phone, in person, or any of our social medias – there’s nothing better than hearing your opinions. Thank you to all our athletes, coaches, parents, schools and everyone else that has assisted us in putting this first issue together. Thank you to all our sponsors who decided to jump in for the ride, we promise you made the right choice. Let’s continue moving forward and giving Laredo the platform it needs to be the brightest shining star in Texas. Humbly, L. Adrian Zapata Editor-in-Chief, VarCity Magazine
Any team goals for this season? Come together as a team and make the playoffs.
Any team goals for this season? Win District
Which game do you look forward to playing the most this season? Nixon‌they give us the most trouble.
How about individual goals? Get over 50 steals for the season.
Favorite NBA Team & Player? Miami Heat & Dwayne Wade Favorite School Subject? Science Plans after high school? Graduate & get a degree in Physical Therapy.
Favorite NBA Team & Player? San Antonio Spurs & Manu Ginobili Plans after high school? Go to college & get a degree in Criminal Justice. Play any other sports other than basketball? Cross country, volleyball, track & softball.
Any team goals for this season? Getting past the first round of the playoffs.
Any team goals for this season? Win District
How about individual goals? Be the best contributor for my team I can be.
How about individual goals? Win MVP
Favorite NBA Team? Cleveland Cavs
Favorite NBA Team & Player? San Antonio Spurs & Tim Duncan
Favorite Player? Tim Duncan
Play any other sports? Soccer
What game are you looking forward to the most? Alexander
Looking forward to any games in particular this season? United
Any team goals for this season? Win a District Title How about any individual goals? Help my team out in any way possible...an MVP wouldn’t hurt either! Which game are you looking forward to the most this season? Martin vs Nixon - Rivalry Game Favorite NBA Team & Player? Cleveland Cavs & Lebron James
Any team goals for this season? Make the playoffs and improve our record from last year. How about individual goals? Make some district selections. Favorite NBA Team & Player? San Antonio Spurs & Tim Duncan What game are you looking forward to the most this season? Nixon...Rivalry games are always fun!
Any team goals for this season? Work hard and have a better season than last year.
Any team goals for this season? Have a good winning season and make the playoffs.
How about individual goals? Be the best player I can for my team and contribute in any way possible.
How about individual goals? Become a better defensive player for my team.
Favorite NBA Team & Player? San Antonio Spurs & Kevin Durant What game are you looking forward to the most this season? Every Game
Favorite NBA Team & Player? Mercury Pheonix - Brittany Griner Any games you are looking forward to this season?? Cigarroa...because we lost to them in a close one last year.
Any team goals for this season? Get passed the sweet 16
Any team goals for this season? Win District & go to regional finals.
How about individual goals? Help my team in any way possible.
How about individual goals? To lead my team in the right direction.
Favorite NBA Team? Orlando magic because I was born in Tallahassee.
Favorite NBA Team & Player? San Antonio Spurs & Tony Parker
Looking forward to any game in particular this season? United south @ United South...I like the crowd, they always show up!
Looking forward to any game in particular this season? Alexander...the rivalry game is always fun and intense. Play any other sports other than basketball? Softball
Any team goals for this season? To advance to the sweet 16
Any team goals for this season? District Title & make it to the sweet 16
How about individual goals? Lead my team to an undefeated season.
How about individual goals? Just to get better every game.
Favorite NBA Team & Player? San Antonio Spurs & Russell Westbrook
Favorite NBA Team & Player? Oklahoma City Thunder & Kevin Durant
Looking forward to any game in particular this season? No, I look forward to every game.
Looking forward to any game in particular this season? Every game.
Favorite School Subject? I’m a math whiz!
Any game you look forward to playing this season? United...I like playing at the Arena.
Any team goals for this season? Make a showing in the playoffs.
Any team goals for this season? To advance to the sweet 16
How about individual goals? Do anything and everything I can for my team.
How about individual goals? Lead my team to an undefeated season.
Favorite NBA Team & Player? San Antonio Spurs & Dwayne Wade
Favorite NBA Team & Player? San Antonio Spurs & Russell Westbrook
Looking forward to any game in particular this season? United South - Battle for the south side.
Looking forward to any game in particular this season? No, I look forward to every game.
Play any other sports? Baseball
Favorite School Subject? I’m a math whiz!
Any team goals for this season? Win district and make a good run in the playoffs.
Any team goals for this season? Win every game.
How about individual goals? Perform the best I can to help lead my team to a successful season.
How about individual goals? Do my best for my team.
Favorite NBA Team & Player? Golden State Warriors & Stephen Curry Looking forward to any game in particular this season? John Paul - Rivalry Game
Favorite NBA Team & Player? San Antonio Spurs & Michael Jordan Play any other sports? Cross Country
Eugenia “Yuyi” Mendez is a sophomore attending Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas. Being from Laredo and graduating from Alexander High School, Yuyi has plenty of good advice for the VarCity readers who want to get involved in extracurricular activities in college and make some new friends. VarCity: Thanks for being part of VarCity’s first issue. We wanted to ask someone who’s already in college for some advice to share with our younger generation of readers; hopefully you can inspire some of them! Yuyi: Awesome! VarCity: Having not been a cheerleader at Alexander High School, what gave you the confidence and what made you want to try out for the cheerleading team at OLLU? Yuyi: Well I chose to attend Our Lady of the Lake University because it was a different school than my friends were attending; I knew none of them were going to go there. I wanted to get to know new people so when I got word that they had a cheer team I decided ‘why not this is a perfect way to make new friends!’ VarCity: That’s pretty bold; did you have any experience cheerleading before? Yuyi: I did! I cheered in middle school at Mary Help, I just didn’t get the chance to in high school. VarCity: What advice do you have for future students who didn’t previously play sports or participate in cheerleading/dancing or any other activities in High School and now want to take that step and participate in college? Yuyi: I would say go for it. I didn’t have the experience a high school cheerleader had but I did know the basic essentials I needed to know. Taking a chance on this was the best thing I could have done for myself. I honestly love going to the cheer gym, working out, stunting and tumbling – it’s all so fun. All the people I’ve met and organizations I have joined have become part of who I am now. VarCity: Thanks Eugenia, we wish you much success the rest of your college career!
Bravo. Not only is it Johnny’s last name, but when you’re talking to him you’ll realize there are plenty of reasons to keep praising and congratulating him. Johnny isn’t your typical high school kid; he’s a 6’3 basketball stud that happens to be attending the Business and Technology Magnet at United South High School. Friends and family of Johnny are starting to wonder what this kid CAN’T do. Johnny is featured on the cover of the first issue of VarCity for plenty of reasons; finding one reason over another is where it got tough. When speaking with Johnny, you’ll realize it’s going to be pretty difficult to get his bravado out of him, all of the giddiness he had was to hype up his teammates and coaches. Johnny takes no credit for himself, when asked who the best player on his team was, his own name didn’t come out of his mouth. Always praising his teammates, he mentioned one of his best friends and starting point guard, Ricky Cantu, as the guy who kept the team glued together. His eyes lit up with excitement when he started talking about the many ways Jerry Lopez can score the ball. He couldn’t say enough about the coaching staff and how much they have taught him at United South. Coach Gonzalez, Velasquez, Rodriguez, and Lopez were given credit for helping him develop his footwork and better his left hand play. He says the future of the Panther basketball program is in the hands of all the outstanding underclassmen he’s played
with. He knows Louie Ibarra is going to lead the team to much success next year. As for this year, his focus is on winning basketball games and getting out of the first round of the playoffs. The big kid might not say much, but it’s pretty easy to find teammates, classmates, and friends who praise him. His coaches praise his work ethic and leadership; his teachers are enamored with his dedication and attentiveness. Not only is Johnny playing basketball and attending the Magnet school, but somehow he figured out a way to nearly complete his entire freshman year of college. After high school, Johnny has options, and his options are choice. Although he would be enthralled with continuing his basketball career and playing at the next level, Johnny has his sights set on becoming a member of the medical field, as he wants to practice Sports Medicine. As if basketball, high school, and getting ahead in college weren’t enough, Johnny is also interning with the Webb County Indigent Defense Pre-Trial Services. The community of Laredo cannot find a more deserving person to lead them into the future. VarCity is proud to have been able to feature Johnny in the first issue, we are all looking forward to the great success he will have in the future. To that we must say – Bravo Johnny, BRAVO.
Three words to describe Elihu Diaz’s state of mind going into his senior year of play for the Alexander High School basketball team are calm, cool, and collected. Winning an MVP his junior year of play, thrusted a ton of expectations onto the young Diaz for his last high school chapter, but Elihu has taken it all in stride. Being the point guard on a varsity basketball team is hard enough, but doing that while academically maintaining top 7% of your class at a medical magnet school is as tough as it gets – and still Diaz strives for more. Most kids in their senior year of high school are frantically trying to figure out how to fill out college applications and get the necessary money for school; Diaz is ahead of the curve having his college applications and financial aid forms already completed. Elihu has been busy getting his team ready for a run at another dis-
trict basketball title, and defending his MVP, all while raising his GPA and getting ready to attend school at the next level. Early mornings and late nights are routine for him, he works hard for what he wants to achieve. With the work ethic that he has shown, the sky is the limit for both Elihu and his Alexander basketball team. Aside from being busy with basketball and academics, Diaz is a normal high school student. He likes to hang out and have fun with his friends, occasionally debating about basketball and other sports. He enjoys watching Oklahoma City point guard Russell Westbrook play. The intensity Westbrook plays with is something he can relate to. Just like a lot of South Texas basketball fans, his favorite team is the San Antonio Spurs – watching the way the ball moves is something he wants to replicate on the court. When it comes to academics, Elihu’s goal is to attend either the University of Texas or Baylor University, where he eventually plans on becoming an Anesthesiologist, which is no small task.
The man behind the Cigarroa High School’s girls’ basketball team twenty plus winning streak this season is Chris Martinez. At only 24 years old, Martinez may be a newcomer to Cigarroa, but he is well seasoned as not only a basketball coach, but also as a player. Martinez played point guard from 2004 to 2008 on Alexander High School’s Varsity team. According to Martinez, his team was second only to Martin High School to make it as far as they did. The Alexander boys’ team was one game away from a state title in 2008. His senior year, Martinez won MVP at the district level. After high school, Martinez attended Northwest Vista College in San Antonio and played basketball there. He averaged 16 points a game. “The games were so much more faster. Everyone on the team was a true athlete. Everyone could jump. In high school, not everyone could dunk and make every shot,” he said. After finishing up his basics in San Antonio, Martinez attended TAMIU and pursued a degree in kinesiology. While studying at TAMIU, he worked as a personal train-
er for youth wanting to better their basketball technique. “That’s how I put myself through college in Laredo,” he said. This was his first experience coaching and putting together exercises to strengthen players’ speed and ability. Martinez became the girls’ basketball coach in Aug. 2014 after he responded to the job vacancy. He was called immediately after submitting his application. “I was in Montana at the time on vacation with my family, so I actually got a flight to Laredo to interview for the job and then flew back up to Montana the next day,” he said. After a rough start at the beginning of the season, it was not long until the team of 11 girls got acclimated to their new coach and started their winning streak. “I had never worked with girls before,” he said. “The pace of the game is slower than the boys’ teams, but these girls give everything they’ve got.” Because the team only has eleven players, Martinez said their practices emphasize conditioning and endurance. “We do a lot of running,” he said. The most difficult aspect of working with
the girls’ team, said Martinez, was adjusting to dealing with a group of female athletes. “Girls need more encouragement. They don’t respond well to harsh language and criticism. They get emotional sometimes … But they have had a chance to get to know me, and I’ve gotten to know them … A lot of people ask me, ‘How is your team doing so well?’ I tell them, ‘These girls are talented.’” The Cigarroa girls’ basketball team is eying a district title.
United High School’s Daniela Mendez has a personality the size of a VarCity giant and the golf game to back it up. Without lack of confidence, Daniela is ready to take the golf game by storm, and wants you to know she’ll be representing her city all the way through. Standing 5’0’’ tall, being overlooked was something Daniela wanted to make sure was never an option, so she’s dedicated her time to becoming the best golfer to ever come out of Laredo. Already having accomplished a lot in the golf game in such a short amount of time, Daniela is ready for the next chapter in her career. Starting in the 2015-2016 school year Daniela will be taking the next step in her career by enrolling and playing Division 1 Collegiate Golf at the University of Texas Pan America, soon to be called the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Although she held offers from schools as far out as the Miami, Florida area, she ultimately chose to stay close to home and play in the highest division of college athletics.
Competition and long term planning led her to pick up a set of golf clubs prior to entering high school at United. Growing up, Daniela played the same sports all her friends played, especially enjoying basketball and tennis. Shortly after losing a match in a national tennis tournament, Daniela was challenged by a longtime friend of hers to hit a golf ball. Coming off her tennis trip, where she made it all the way to the nationals, she was still feeling ultra competitive and she accepted the new challenge. She didn’t come out on top that time, but after many unsuccessful tries and plenty of trash talk from her friend; she decided she was going to devote her time to becoming a successful golf player. From that moment on, Daniela would dedicate her athletic prowess strictly to golf; thus her quest of becoming Laredo’s best and most accomplished golfer was ignited. Besides proximity to home, Daniela chose UTPA so she could compete at the highest amateur level in collegiate sports, competition is her calling. New incoming UTRGV Head Coach Rise Alexander’s previous success at Pac-12 School Oregon State, and her close relationship with
Daniela during recruitment, led to young Ms. Mendez signing her letter of intent to compete with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Vaquero’s inaugural golf team. As for Daniela, she feels like things are just getting started. Daniela trains locally under the direction of RG Golf Instruction Development Program with Coach Rudy Gonzalez. “Daniela and I created a plan her freshman year that we felt would give her the opportunity to play in college. Kids with a clear vision and direction of where they want to go typically do well. Daniela is one of those kids that stuck with a plan and just did the things she had to do. I believe her best golf is ahead of her.” Young Mexican golf legend Lorena Ochoa is Daniela’s biggest inspiration. Ochoa is widely known and considered to be Mexico’s best golfer of all time, proving it by being ranked number one in the world over 3 years. The bar is set high; Ochoa played Division 1 collegiate athletics at its highest level and soon after turned pro on the Ladies Professional Golf Association, both are goals that Daniela has set for herself. Along with Ochoa; Lexi Thompson, Michelle Wie, Inbee Park, Ricky Fowler
and Rory Mcilroy are some of her other favorite golfers in the professional game today. Talk to her about Jordan Spieth and she’ll blush and wear a huge smile on her face nearly mimicking a young girl daydreaming of Justin Bieber. When you ask Daniela about style in the ladies golf game, she rolls her eyes and acknowledges that there should be more style in the game. If she’s part of golf’s new leading lady stars Daniela will be directing the charge in the style movement. She says there aren’t enough cute outfits made for the ladies golf game. She likes to choose outfits that have a little bit of flair and purple in them. Paula Creamer is one of the golfers in the ladies game that has style that meets her criteria. Whatever is in Daniela’s future, we know it’s going to be filled with success. She will be majoring in business at UTRGV and mentions several business ideas that she has for Laredo’s future. Daniela credits her parents for always pushing her to succeed and being there for her every step of the way. She can’t wait for the next chapter, and we’re excited follow along in her quest for greatness.
VarCity Athlete and current United States Marine, Victor Salazar, is no stranger to hard work and determination. As a 2014 graduate of Martin High School and a former standout basketball player, Salazar learned why it was important to push himself to the limit for the betterment of the team. Private First Class Salazar credited his old High School Basketball Coach, Hector Noyola Jr, with helping build the foundation to the person he has become today. “When I was a freshman, Coach Noyola told me that if I was going to play basketball I needed to dedicate myself to the sport all 4 years,” stated Salazar. Year by
year his basketball game improved; he learned to play different positions on the court as it was necessary to accommodate his teammates style of play. Being the team captain of his basketball team would help him develop into the leader he is today with the Marines. It takes a special kind of person to lead Marines, and that’s what Salazar has been doing. During Basic Training, Salazar was a leader by example, earning him the distinction of Squad Leader upon graduation. A squad leader can be put in charge and be held accountable of up to twenty other Marines – a task only fit for a leader. When we asked Victor what
his reason for joining the Marines was, his answer was simple, he wants to have a career, pursue a college education, and serve his country. Born in Detroit, Michigan and moving to Laredo right before high school, Victor has seen different parts of the United States and wants to defend every single part of it. His dream assignment is to be stationed in Okinawa, Japan – and who can blame him? The beaches are beautiful and the weather is always great. His initial commitment to the Marines is for eight years, with his Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) being Aviation Supply/Logistics. Marines are the first responders in most world crisis and aviation supply is vital to any mission the United States Military carries out, so Victor Salazar is now a key player for his new team. In order to win a game everyone on the team needs to contribute, and being part of the Marines is no different. The best thing about Victor is despite all his accomplishments, he’s still a down to earth guy. Basketball is still his favorite sport to watch when he has free time; he likes the way the San Antonio Spurs move the ball on offense, which he says exemplifies team play. Carmelo Anthony is his favorite basketball player, something that comes as no surprise since he was a scorer in high school too. His biggest inspirations in life are his mother and his brother, without them to keep him on course, he doesn’t know where he would be. Salazar plans on becoming a nurse while he’s in the military – something that fits his personality since he’s always chosen to lead by example. Since joining the Marines he has new hobbies,
new friends, and a new vision, but his roots are still deep and he is very proud of where he has come from. If anyone is ever interested in learning more about Private First Class Salazar don’t hesitate to contact the VarCity offices so we can put you in touch with him. From the entire VarCity staff, we salute you Victor Salazar – we thank you for your service!
Alexander High School has always graduated great students that go to great programs and universities, these young men and women have gone onto become great people helping Laredo and America move forward. VarCity athlete Wayo Salinas, an AHS class of 2014 graduate, is another student that will join the list of difference makers from the Bulldog high school. Wayo is currently attending The United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland and is proud to be one of the few Laredo natives in the past 25 years who have been accepted and attended this prestigious school. VarCity got a chance to sit down with Wayo and discuss some of the memories he made at Alexander, and some of experiences he’s had during his first year at the Naval Academy. Starting at the shooting guard for the Bulldogs,
Wayo was always put in the position to put the ball in the basket and score points for his team, hence his favorite player being Steph Curry. He was a key piece to AHS becoming co-district champions during his senior year of play. He carried the confidence he had in high school to his first year at the Naval Academy and has entrenched himself in campus life. The 4th Class Midshipman, Salinas, is one of the most active members on campus, already being part of the Catholic Midshipmen’s club and serving as the basketball team manager. Being the basketball team manager has given Salinas an opportunity to meet some really cool people, his favorite being Michigan State Head basketball Coach Tom Izzo. On top of these activities Salinas is still training to be an Officer in the Navy and that comes with a lot of hard work and responsibilities itself.
Future applicants might want to know what it takes to get accepted into a prestigious university such as the Naval Academy; Wayo shared his advice. VarCity readers should take this advice and use it to get accepted into a university they want to attend, maybe even the Naval Academy. First of all, he said it’s not all about grades, GPA does matter, but balance is the key. Join as many organizations in high school as you can. Wayo was initiated into the Hispanic Honors Society, a Catholic organization, basketball, and spent time volunteering around the city of Laredo. He made a point to make sure to tell the readers that diversifying their resumes and applications was the key process in getting into their school of choice. Ten years from now I can see Wayo Salinas using his economics degree from the Naval Academy and working in the White House, fixing our nation’s economy and boosting Laredo’s presence on the big stage. Congratulations on a job well done Wayo, we look forward to following your career.
Oscar G. Gutierrez, 56, has been coaching at Nixon High School for over a decade. He has coached softball, football, but it was only recently that he began to coach the sport he began his sporting career with. Gutierrez attended both Laredo Junior College and Concordia University in Austin on tennis scholarships, and now, he is molding a great team at Nixon High School. “We’ve certainly, as a team, come a long way,” Gutierrez said. He trained about 8 students over the summer. The team grew to about 18 at the beginning to the school year, and the team now has about 24 members. Edi Flores is the assistant coach. The team practices Monday through Thursday working on agility, technique, but most importantly, Gutierrez said, how to be competitive. “When you do drills, after a while, they become monotonous. So we try to add competitive aspects to the drills,” Gutierrez said. Grouping students together to play singles, doubles and as mixed doubles helps keep the players on their toes. Keeping a sense of structure, Gutierrez said, is also important. “They all dress the same for practices. They know they need to start practices on their own… Kids love structure,” he said. The team, which only has two seniors, was able to snag the fourth place title in their district. Gutierrez said he is making sure the underclassmen are ready to become better players. The goal, Gutierrez said, is to win in area and regionals and get kids into schools on tennis scholarships like he did. The Nixon High School campus is currently under major renovations. According to Gutierrez, nine tennis courts will be constructed on campus, on the site of the old Nixon annex building. With the construction of these facilities, Gutierrez said he hopes to get middle school age students involved in tennis programs to prepare them for the sport in high school. Gutierrez has high hopes for his team. All we’re going to do is get better, get stronger.”
Joshua J Juarez, a senior at Lyndon B Johnson High School, is one of the most successful amateur boxers Laredo has ever seen – and he’s only 17 years old. To be a champion in any sport, it takes hard work. To be a champion in boxing, it takes living the lifestyle of a champion. Juarez acknowledges that eating healthy, strength and conditioning training,
thing – he’s full of energy and very charismatic. His charisma shows when he’s in front of a camera and speaking about what his passion is, boxing. Josh’s ultimate dream is to represent the United States at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A lot of people in this world like to dream but they don’t have the accomplishments and work ethic to merit what they are
sport that has the dedication that Josh has to boxing. If Juarez doesn’t work at HEB after school, he heads to the PAL’s boxing gym on Zapata Highway to get some sparring in with some of the local fighters at that gym. His trainer, Rudy “Cobra” Gomez, says that sometimes Josh will spar ten straight 3-minute rounds. Every three rounds, they will throw a different fighter at him. Josh
sparring, getting good sleep are integral parts of building a champion. He balances his schedule better than most students. Aside from training to be the best boxer in Laredo’s history, he also maintains a job at HEB on Zapata Highway, where he recently earned himself a promotion. Josh puts himself in a good situation. His trainer, at PAL’s Boxing gym in South Laredo, says that he is one of the most disciplined athletes he’s ever trained. The teachers that have had Josh always say the same
dreaming of. Josh Juarez has a goal, vision, and plan. His typical day is waking up before school starts to go run 3-5 miles, then he’s off to school for a full day of classes. After leaving LBJ, he goes to work at HEB for a shift, and then calls his strength and conditioning coach up to put him through an intense cross fit inspired workout. His strength and conditioning coach, Fidel Hale, says Josh is the hardest working athlete he has ever worked with and doesn’t know anyone in any
takes it all in stride, as he knows he has to train like the best to be the best. Standing 6’2’’, Josh Juarez started to run out of sparring partners in Laredo, so occasionally he travels to Austin or San Antonio with his father, Javier Juarez, to spar boxers closer to his size. Josh’s accomplishments stand out not only in Laredo, but nationwide. He is the three time Ringside National Champion, two time Junior Olympic Regional and State Champion. He’s also the Regional and State
Golden Gloves Champion and a National Golden Gloves semi finalist. He’s ranked in two different weight classes - #6 nationally at 178lbs and #3 nationally at 201lbs. He recently won a Bronze medal at a national tournament in Reno, NV – a tournament that had competitors from all over the United States of America. This spring semester he will be defending his regional and state title at the Golden Gloves tournament and has his eyes set on a national title. Like many of the VarCity athletes, Josh looks up to other athletes. His favorite boxer of all time is Muhammed Ali, and his favorite current boxer is Juan Manuel Marquez. He also tries to emulate their style in the ring. He says the hardest fight a boxer can ever have is with their own self, but other than himself the stiffest competition has been a fighter he met at a Men’s Open tournament in Houston. Josh’s favorite sport, other than boxing, is football. He played varsity defensive end for the LBJ Wolfpack as a sophomore and junior. His family supports him and motivates him wherever he is, no matter the feat he has to tackle. His parents, Debbie Dovalina Juarez and Javier Juarez, will support him no matter the situation and no matter how far his fight is. His brother Frank, his sister Kimberlee, and his Uncle Jerry are Josh’s biggest
supporters. If you ever want an update on Josh, just check out their social media accounts. Once Juarez conquers his goal of reaching the Olympics, his next goal is to turn professional and be the next great World Champion to come out of Laredo, Texas. Josh Juarez is what VarCity athletes are all about.
Five young men who are now seniors at St. Augustine High School have been playing basketball together since 2003. From first grade at St. Augustine day school, to being young adults at St. Augustine High School, basketball has been a way to build a lifelong bond with each other. Guillermo Guajardo, Ricardo Aguero, Antonio Rodriguez, Joseph Hogan, and Jesus Romero Jr. have grown up together and have used competition on the hardwood as a way to show what friendship truly is. All five share memories of being together through the journey of ten plus basketball seasons together. Whether they were winning games or they were losing games, they always had their friendship
to lean on. Basketball was a way to show brotherhood; they suffered and mourned together when tragedy struck within their families. They rejoiced together as a group to celebrate individual accomplishments. They acted as a family. Not everyone is fortunate to grow up with the same best friend every year of grade school but these five young gentlemen have been blessed with having their group intact the entire ride. The voyage will continue after high school, and even if they go their separate ways in college, basketball and the bond it built will always keep them together. St. Augustine ‘s senior boys class is VarCity.
V= VarCity P= Pamela Rosas J= Jessica Rosas V: Which sports do you play, and which is your favorite? P: Basketball & Softball. My favorite is softball. J: Basketball is the only sport I play.
V: What was your most memorable win? P: My most memorable win was last year during basketball season, our second round of playoffs. J: My most memorable win was in playoffs when we made history.
V: What did you learn from a time you lost a game? V: Jersey number? Is this your P: Losing is an opportunity to see lucky number? your mistakes, and push to exceed P: 3. It’s a lucky number that runs in for the next game. J: We win some and lose some, but the family. J: I wear my jersey number because God never said that it would always my brother and sister used that num- be easy. We learn from obstacles and ber, and they inspired me to play. keep working hard and finish the race for Him because I play for God. V: How long have you been playing basketball? V: What is your favorite part about P: I’ve been playing since I was in your team? 2nd grade. P: Favorite part about my team is J: I’ve been playing basketball since that we have a special bond on the kindergarten. court. J: My favorite part about our team is V: What is your position on the that we have a great bond. team? P: Point Guard in Basketball and V: What is something inspiring Catcher in Softball. about your coach? J: Shooting guard P: Our coach teaches basketball philosophy with the outside world as an example. J: The most inspiring about my coach is that he teaches us what the real world is like through basketball.
V: How often do you practice? P: Daily J: We practice everyday for at least 2 hours. V: What is your favorite subject in school? P: Mathematics J: Science V: What do you want to study in college? P: Education J: I want to study kinesiology or major in biology. V: Which college do you want to go to? P: TAMIU J: TAMIU V: Will you play college ball? P: Recently Signed to play Softball at Texas A&M International J: I’m not sure yet. I want to focus on my studies. V: What are your career goals? P: Future Career: U.S. Marshal J: I want to be either a basketball coach or veterinarian.
For the inaugural release of VarCity Magazine, Laredo Sports Medicine Clinic has chosen Isidro “Chilo” Alaniz, Jr. as their first ever “Athlete of the Issue.” It is an honor to feature such a talented and determined athlete. Chilo is a senior attending the Magnet program at United High School who excels in both athletics and academics. Unfortunately, fate took a turn for the worse when he was injured in a football game against Smithson Valley High School his during his junior year. The content you are about to read outlines his journey from the time he got injured all the way through the recovery process and his stellar senior campaign. On September 6, 2013, while playing at Smithson Valley High School and winding down the first half, United High School ran a play they had practiced and used time and time again – give the ball to Alaniz and let him make something happen. As Chilo made a cut to get up field, he fell straight to the ground. The training staff initially thought it was a strain as tests performed on the field suggested it wasn’t a tear. Alaniz ended up walking off the field on his own, the bus ride back to Laredo was dark and gloomy and the feeling of uncertainty made Alaniz weary of what was to come. The next day he was sent to get his injury checked at Laredo Sports Medicine Clinic where Dr. Puig gave him the diagnosis he didn’t want to hear: his ACL was torn. Football and track seasons for his junior year were now in his rear view mirror and the recovery process was set to begin. Recovery, Redemption, Resurgence; these three words defined Isidro Alaniz Jr. while he fully recovered. His goal was to get back on the field by the time football season started during his senior year, so he worked tirelessly to be ready for when that time came. He credits Laredo Sports Medicine Clinic with helping him recover quickly. Alaniz had just seen NFL star running back Adrian Pe-
terson return from a grueling ACL tear in record time. He heard the stories of the hard work that he had put in to recover quickly, so Alaniz was ready to follow his blueprint. The game plan the doctors at Laredo Sports Medicine Clinic drew up gave him the ability to heal and get stronger in light increments. The professionals made sure he wasn’t overdoing his workouts. Dr. Puig is so well connected in the sports medicine and sports rehabilitation world that parts of his rehabilitation was at the San Antonio Spurs rehab facility. Alaniz dutifully followed the recovery plan Laredo Sports Medicine Clinic gave him and was able to reach his goal of fully recovering from his injury in four and a half months. He came back and had a great year running the ball for United High School and is currently training to break his personal best record in the 400-meter dash this coming 2015 track season. Academically, his college applications have all been submitted and in the next few months he’ll know where he will be attending college. Wherever Chilo ends up attending college, he plans on trying out for the football team and continuing his sports career. Who can doubt him after all the obstacles he has overcome? It seems like the sky is the limit for Isidro “Chilo” Alaniz, Jr. VarCity Magazine and the Laredo community look forward to seeing where his future endeavors will lead him. If anyone has a similar injury, or any other type of setback, Chilo encourages, “You have to believe in yourself. Everyone will doubt you, but if you believe in yourself, you can make it happen.” Those are wise words from a wise man. If you have suffered a sports related injury, follow Chilo’s recommendation and let Laredo Sports Medicine Clinic help you… Get back in the game!