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BY DAVID “TDDAVE” AMADOR • HSSM SPORTS DIRECTOR

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To The Finish! James Cole from Sharyland High He will be at the RGVCA Meet of Champs March

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School leads the pack in the 100m and 200m dash. He was a UIL State 5A 4x100 qualifier in 2014.

27-28th in Weslaco. Also pictured are RGC Danny Perez and Ricky Zapata of Pioneer HS. (HSSM Images/Cesar Montalvo)

Maria Gonzalez from Mission Veterans HS is one of the top pole vaulters in the Rio Grande Valley. (HSSM Images/Cesar Montalvo) throw with a 44’0”. She also qualified in the discus event at the 3A State Meet and finished with a bronze medal with a throw of 128’03”. Other state qualifiers, discus thrower, Nora Monie, Sharyland Pioneer, 140’10” finished 7th overall in 2014 in Class 5A; 5A bronze medalist high jumper Joan Cepeda, PSJA Memorial, 5’4” could be looking at another state return while Gabby Torres from Port Isabel has a best of 5’4” this season and she hopes to return to the state meet again. She finished 7th overall with a 5’2” jump. Both jumpers will be at the RGVCA Meet of Champions. Alexus Henry from Bridge City Midland Greenwood won the 3A title with a 5’8” crossing. This year’s RGVCA Meet of Champions will honor past coaches and expect many records to be broken too.

HSSM’s Best of the Best Track & Field Results: TEAM STANDINGS: 1) Sharyland High 81; 2) Edinburg Vela, 64; 3) McAllen Memorial, 63; 4) Los Fresnos 50; 5) Harlingen High, 44; 6) La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 37; 7) Weslaco East, 37; 8) Donna High, 30; 9) La Joya Palmview, 26.75; 10) San Benito, 22.

Daniella Murchison of Port Isabel HS is the defending UIL State 3A Champion in the shot put. (HSSM Images/Alec Amador)

FIELD EVENTS SHOT PUT: 1) Anthony Esparza, McAllen Memorial, 54-8.5; 2,Mike Zuniga, Rio Hondo, 54-1; 3) John Melmares, San Benito 49-10; 4) Johnny Howell, Sharyland Pioneer, 49-8; 5) Edward Pequeno, McAllen Memoiral 49-1; 6) Travis Barnes, Harlingen High, 48-5.

Discus: 1) Angel Espinoza, Brownsville Rivera, 180-8; 2) Edward Pequeno, McAllen Memorial, 163-3; 3) Lucas Rios, McAllen Memorial, 154-2; 4) Gilbert Castro, Progreso, 153-9; 5) Gabriel Almandariz, Edcouch-Elsa, 150-8; 6) Mike Zuniga, Rio Hondo, 150-6.

LONG JUMP: 1) Sean Landez, Sharyland High, 22-4; 2) Michael Boltie, McAllen Memorial, 22-1.5; 3) Ciro Hernandez, PSJA North, 21-6; 4) Roel Garcia, Mercedes, 21-3; 4) Trevor Speights, McAllen Memorial, 21-1; 6) Felipe Flores, Browwnsville Veterans, 21-0.

TRIPLE JUMP: 1) Pete Perez, Los Fresnos, 43-1.75; 2,Dominick Castillo, Donna North, 42-9; 3) Carlos Barrera, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 42-7; 4) Hector Bosquez, McAllen Rowe, 42-3; 5) Mark Reyna, IDEA Quest, 42-2.5; 6) Damien Quintanilla, La Joya Palmview, 42-0.

HIGH JUMP: 1) Brendon Rivera, Edinburg Vela, 6-10; 2) Diego Martinez, Sharyland High, 6-2; 3) Robert Rosales, Valley View, 6-1; 4) Anthony Garza, Weslaco High,

6-0; 5) Kris Marrogquin, Weslaco High, 6-0; 6) Adrian Morales, Harlingen South, 6-0; 6) Victor Bocanegra, La Joya Palmview, 6-0.

POLE VAULT: 1) Michael Boltie, McAllen Memorial, 146; 2) Seth Carter, Sharyland High, 13-6; 3) Jose Garcia, Mission High, 13-6; 4) Albert Villarreal, Harlingen High, 13-6; 5) Marcos Carrizales, Rio Hondo, 13-6; 6) 3 tied at 13-0.

RUNNING EVENTS * denotes fully automatic time 100-METER DASH: 1) James Cole, Sharyland High, 10.86*; 2) Gabe Vasquez, San Benito, 10.99*; 3) Sean Landez, Sharyland High, 11.03*; 4) Adrian Rodriguez, McAllen High, 11.04*; 5) Rodrigo Vega, Donna High, 11.04*; 6) Lupe Moron, Weslaco East, 11.08*.

200-METER DASH: 1) James Cole, Sharyland High, 22.24*; 2) Christopher Rosales, Harlingen High, 22.36*; 3) Sean Landez, Sharyland High, 22.52*; 4) Michael Boltie, McAllen Memorial, 22.54*; 5) Mike Medellin, Edinburg Economedes, 22.62*; 6) Jose Torres, PSJA North, 22.64*.

400-METER DASH: 1) Sean Landez, Sharyland High, 50.52*; 2) Christopher Montemayor, Harlingen High, 50.58; 3) Marcos Medina, Harlingen High, 50.70; 4) Yariel Matute, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 51.04*; 5)

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Jennifer Pena of Sharyland HS leads in the hurdles against Mission Veterans Memorial HS hurdler Nyla Vela. Both will compete at the RGVCA Meet of Champions on March 27-28th at Bobby Lackey Stadium in Weslaco. (HSSM Images/Cesar Montalvo)

Michael Cavaozos, Edinburg Vela, 51.04; 6) Victor Castillo, McAllen Memorial, 51.06.

800-METER RUN: 1) Ricardo Mendoza, La Joya High, 1:55.73; 2) Jesus Mata, Mission Veterans, 1:57.39; 3) Dante Goana, PSJA Southwest, 1:57.79; 4) Carlos Rodriguez, La Feria, 1:57.96; 5) Isaac Arevalo, Edinburg Vela, 1:58.39; 6) Michel Lara, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 1:58.65.

1600-METER RUN: 1) Adam Herrera, Edinburg Vela, 4:25.75; 2) Eliseo Rodriguez, La Joya Palmview, 4:25.80; 3) Victor Pedraza, PSJA Southwest, 4:27.37; 4) Joshua Perez, Donna North, 4:28.97; 5) Anthony Garza, Brownsville Rivera, 4:29.02*; 6) Tristan Rena, Edinburg North, 4:31.10.

3200-METER RUN: 1) Eliseo Rodriguez, La Joya Palmview, 9:36.75; 2) Victor Pedraza, PSJA Southwest, 9:39.05; 3) Albert Herrera, Weslaco East, 9:39.81; 4) Adam Herrera, Edinburg Vela, 9:41.02; 5) GJ Reyna, Mission Veterans, 9:46.25; 6) Christian Machuca, Brownsville Rivera,

For the record: 8

9:47.49.

110-METER HURDLES: 1) Vince Castillo, Donna High, 14.22; 2) Marcus Pena, Sharyland High, 14.79*; 3) JR Villarreal, Weslaco East, 15.60*; 4) Tristan Guerra, Sharyland Pioneer, 15.74*; 5) Alan Martinez, Mission High, 15.74*; 6) Brnadon Bradford, PSJA North, 16.09*.

300-METER HURDLES: 1) Vince Castillo, Donna High School, 38.40; 2) Jorge Cantu, Can Benito, 39.53; 3) Omar Silva, Port Isabel, 40.10; 4) JR Villarreal, Weslaco East, 40.54; 5) Rene Pecina, La Joya Palmview, 40.62; 5) Edward Velasquez, Brownsville Riverea, 41.27.

400-METER RELAY: 1) Los Fresnos, 42.81; 2) Weslaco East, 42.96; 3) McAllen Memorial, 43.35; 4) Donna High, 43.59; 5) Mercedes, 43.74; 6) La Joya JuarezLincoln, 43.83.

800-METER RELAY: 1) Los Fresnos, 1:30.17; 2) Edinburg Vela, 1:31.64*; 3) La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 1:31.84*; 4) Sharyland High, 1:31.98; 5) Weslaco East, 1:32.36*; 6) Mercedes, 1:32.45.

1600-METER RELAY: 1) Edinburg Vela, 3:23.99; 2) Harlingen High, 3:25.25; 3) La Joya Juarez-Lincoln,

San Benito HS graduate Bobby Morrow appeared on the cover of LIFE magazine after winning three Gold Medals in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics in Australia.

He won the 100 and 200m meter dash and 4x00 relay.

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3:29.49; 4) La Feria, 3:30.45; 5) La Joya Palmview, 3:31.06; 6) Sharyland Pioneer, 3:31.75*.

GIRLS

TEAM STANDINGS: 1) Sharyland Pioneer, 76; 2) Harlingen South, 69; 4) Edinburg High, 58; 4) Brownsville St. Joseph Academy, 45; 5) Los Fresnos 42; 6) McAllen Memorial, 40; 7) Port Isabel, 37; 8) Weslaco High, 35.83; 9) Edinburg North, 35; 10) Edcouch-Elsa, 26.33.

FIELD EVENTS

SHOT PUT: 1) Nora Monie, Sharyland Pioneer, 45- 3.5; 2) Daniela Murchison, Port Isabel, 44-4; 3) Brittany Vielma, PSJA Southwest, 40-11; 4) Valeria Granados, Los Fresnos, 38-5.5; 5) Maisie Trevino, Edinburg Economedes, 38.05; 6) Clarissa Chavez, Brownsville Veterans, 37-11.

DISCUS: 1) Nora Monie, Sharyland Pioneer, 140-10; 2) Clarissa Chavez, Brownsville Veterans, 134-9; 3) Daniela Murchison, Port Isabel, 134-7; 4) Brittany Vielna, PSJA Southwest, 127-7; 5) Karen Guerra, La Joya Juerez-Lincoln 119-2; 6) Gertrudis Ruiz-Balls, Brownsville Pace, 118-2.

LONG JUMP: 1) Cierra Pena, Harlingen South, 18-4.5; 2) Gabby Torres, Port Isbabel, 17-10.5; 3) Jiovanni Solis, McAllen Rowe, 16-11; 4) I’Dasha Sorrell, Donna North, 16-10.5; 5) Eleanor Arndt, Weslaco High, 16-7.5; 6) Jacklynn Flores, Mercedes, 16-7.5.

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The 2015 Rio Grande Valley Coaches Association Meet of Champions will be held at Bobby Lackey Stadium on March 27-28th featuring the top performers like Sean Landez from Sharyland HS and high jumper Adrian Cavazos from Sharyland Pioneer HS. Also pictured is Danny Perez from Rio Grande City. (HSSM Images/Cesar Montalvo)

TRIPLE JUMP: 1) Abriana Saenz, Edinburg North, 37-4; 2) Jaleah Calvillo, Los Fresnos, 37-1; 3) Jacklynn Flores, Mercedes, 35-7.25; 4) Celeste Elizondo, Grulla, 34-9; 5) Malory Raad, McAllen High, 34-4.5; 6) Nyla Vela, Mission Veterans; 34.75.

HIGH JUMP: 1) Joan Cepeda, PSJA Memorial, 5-4; 2) Gabby Torres, Port Isabel, 5-4; 3) Jaleah Valvillo, Los Fresnos, 5-4; 4) Maria Avila, Brownsville Pace, 5-2; 5) six tied at 5-0.

POLE VAULT: 1) Megan Lopez, Brownsville St. Joseph, 10-6; 2) Marifera Valencia, Brownsville St. Joseph, 9-6; 3) Aaryn Martinez, Mission Veterans, 9-6; 4) Carolina Carrillo, PSJA North, 9-0; 5) Sydney Salinas, Weslaco High, 9-0; 6) Crystal Hernandez, Edcouch-Elsa, 9-0.

RUNNING EVENTS * denotes fully automatic time 100-METER DASH: 1) Cierra Pena, Harlingen South, 11.86; 2) Valerie Mancha, PSJA High, 11.98; 3) I’Dasha Sorrell, Donna North, 12.08; 4) Caitlin Alaniz, Weslaco East, 12.94*; 5) Yasmine Martinez, Harlingen South, 13.02*; 6) J’yah Cook, Port Isabel, 13.04*.

200-METER DASH: 1) Cierra Pena, Harlingen South, 25.18; 2) Gaby Garza, Brownsville St. Joseph, 26.01*; 3) Rebeca Martinez, Sharyland Pioneer, 26.21; 4) Valerie Mancha, PSJA High, 26.30; 5) Mia Hinojosa, La Joya Palmview, 26.37; 6) Nicole Gonzalez, Harlingen South, 26.71.

400-METER DASH: 1) Cierra Pena, Harlingen South, 59.49*; 2) Nicole Gonzalez, Harlingen South, 60.30*; 3) Fabiola Carbajal, Mission Veterans, 60.76*; 4) Alexandria Cruz, Edinburg High, 60.84; 5) Katherine DeLeon, McAllen Memorial, 61.04; 6) Juliana Guerrero,

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Harlingen High, 61.22.

800-METER RUN: 1) Kyrsta Martinez, Edcouch-Elsa, 2:15.18; 2) Alexandria Cruz, Edinbug High, 2:15.44; 3) Sofia Salinas, Brownsville Hanna, 2:23.70; 4) Adriana Cruz, Rio Grande City, 2:24.38; 5) Isabel Mendoza, Sharyland Pioneer, 2:24.39; 6) Olivia Aranda, PSJA Southwest, 2:24.52.

1600-METER RUN: 1) Alexandria Cruz, Edinburg High, 4:59.85; 2) Krysta Martinez, Edcouch-Elsa, 5:09.13*; 3) Beth Ramos, Edinburg North, 5:11.46*; 4) Lizate Chapa, Sharyland Pioneer, 5:24.0; 5) Brianna Robles, Sharyland Palmview, 5:29.25; 6) Angela Nuno, Edinburg North, 5:30.76.

Sharyland Pioneer, 50.70*; 3) Los Fresnos, 50.77*; 4) McAllen Memorial, 50.84; 5) La Joya Palmview, 51.05; 6) McAllen Rowe, 51.24.

800-METER RELAY: 1) Weslaco, 1:48.25; 2) Sharyland Pioneer, 1:48.35; 3,Edinbrg High, 1:49.37; 4) McAllen Rowe, 1:50.19*; 5) Mission Veteran, 1:50.30; 46; 6) La Joya Palmview, 1:50.77.

1600-METER RELAY: 1) McAllen Memorial, 4:07.34; 2) Edinburg High, 4:08.90; 3) Weslaco High, 4:09.71; 4) Edinburg North, 4:10.49; 5) Sharyland Pioneer, 4:12.52; 6) Los Fresnos, 4:13.0.

3200-METER RUN: 1) Beth Ramos, Edinburg North, 10:50.89; 2) Alexandria Cruz, 11:14.45; 3) Krysta Martinez, Edcouch-Elsa, 11:34.46; 4) Lizette Chapa, Sharyland Pioneer, 11:43.75; 5) Brianna Robles, La Joya Palmview, 11:44.52; 6) Ana Ochoa, Edinburg Economedes, 11:59.83.

100-METER HURDLES: 1) Gaby Garza, Brownsville St. Joseph, 14.96*; 2) Jaleah Calvillo, Los Fresnos, 15.27; 3) Gabby Torres, Port Isabel, 15.81*; 4) Maria Avila, Brownsville Pace, 16.44*; 5) Jennifer Pena, Sharyland High, 16.64*; 6) Olivia Garcia, Edinburg Vela, 16.64&.

300-METER HURDLES: 1) Gaby Garza, Brownsville St. Joseph, 44.87; 2) Thanya Garza, McAllen Memorial, 47.51*; 3) Brittany Cano, La Joya Palmview, 48.65; 4) Nyla Vela, Mission Veterans, 48.75; 5) Yasmin Gonzalez, McAllen Memorial, 49.06; 6) Karla Reyes, San Benito, 49.18.

400-METER RELAY: 1) Harlingen South, 50.10; 2)

Meet of Champions Track & Field Bobby Lackey Stadium March 27-28th

______________________________________ 2015 Region IV Track and Field sites 6A Alamo Stadium, San Antonio, TX May 1-2nd 5A Alamo Stadium, San Antonio, TX May 1-2nd 4A Javelina Stadium, TX A&M Kingsville May 1-2nd 3A D.W. Rutledge Stadium, Converse, TX May 1-2nd 2A Javelina Stadium, TX A&M Kingsville May 1-2nd 1A Hendrickson HS, Pflugerville, Tx May 1-2nd

______________________________________

2015 UIL Track & Field State Meet May 14-16th Mike A. Myers Stadium-UT Austin

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t’s been raining, raining, and it just keeps raining on baseball teams across the Rio Grande Valley. Teams are now scrambling to make up games and then having to deal with regular scheduled games. Last Tuesday, more than 20 games were postponed due to rain. The baseball playoffs begin May 9, but head coach Angel Perez from 30-6A McAllen Nikki Rowe knows that you have to be ready to play. “It’s been crazy with this rainy weather. It hasn’t been this bad in a long time. Now, we just have to get into tournament mode and get ready to make up games. The Warriors climbed to the No.6 spot in the latest HSSM polls and Perez says that this district could go down to the wire.

“We have some great ball clubs in our district this year.

It will go down to the last week of baseball as to who wins the title and who makes the playoffs,” adds Perez.

In Brownsville, athletic coordinator Tom Campos says that his fields are flooded because of the rains. “We have had some down pours and we have not played a softball or baseball home game in two weeks,” adds Campos. Despite the rain pours, McAllen takes the No.1 spot in the High School Sports Magazine’s Top Ten polls. Eliseo Pompa of the McAllen Bulldogs is the winningest head baseball coach from the Rio Grande with 613 wins to date and after twelve years, he has the Bulldogs back in the district title hunt in 30-6A. Last season, the Bulldogs went 17-11 and captured fourth place. They made a Class 5A Bi-District playoff appearance and lost to Harlingen South 6-3, 8-6. But, that was last year. The Bulldogs have defeated Austin HS (2-1), El Paso Bowie (11-5), Austin Eastside (16-0), Copperas Cove (6-1), en route to an impressive 10-1 overall record this season. Their only blemish was a 8-6 loss to PSJA Memorial. Returning for the Bulldogs are seniors Fred Hover (C/OF), Justin Gonzales (OF), and Ashton Rolls (1B) along with eight pitchers on the mound. Four sophomores, one freshmen, and two juniors make up the bullpen for the Bulldogs. All have combined for an impressive 2.28 era. Junior pitcher Rodrigo Sanchez (6’2” 205lbs) is 2-0 for the Bulldogs and has allowed 1.75 era on the mound with ten strikeouts in 12 innings pitched. The McAllen Bulldogs have stolen 19 bases this season and batted .281 overall as a team. Senior Justin Gonzalez (6’0”) leads

Charlie Wayne Vaughan, a graduate from Brownsville High School (born October 6, 1947, in Mercedes, Texas) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for two seasons.

He pitched for the Atlanta Braves for one game during the 1966 Atlanta Braves season and one game during the 1969 Atlanta Braves season.

Vaughn was the youngest player to play in the MLB in 1966, the second youngest being Nolan Ryan. Vaughan had one career hit in four at bats.

(McAllen, Texas) the team with .400 batting average. Teammates Hover (.375), sophomore Luis Keola Zamora (.348), and junior Jose Moreno (.368) have also combined for 20 runs scored and 21 hits. Teammates to watch in District 30-6A are McAllen Rowe (7-2, 1-0), La Joya (6-4, 0-0), with fourth place still wide open for McAllen Memorial (2-6), Palmview (3-3), Mission (2-8), and Juarez-Lincoln (1-4).

In District 31-6A, the PSJA Memorial Wolverines (6-4, 1-0) and head coach Ricardo Caballero are both showing signs of winning a possible district title with but they will have to contend with head coach Damian Gonzalez and his Edinburg North Cougars (8-1-2, 1-0); Weslaco (4-2, 1-0); and the Edinburg Bobcats (7-1-1, 0-0) if the Wolverines expect to win its first ever title.

The Wolverines started the season at 0-3 and then reeled off wins over Harlingen and Rio Hondo, before shocking No.1 McAllen. Head coach Eddie Serna of the Weslaco Panthers, already with 306 career wins under his belt is coming off a huge win over Austin Westlake (7-1) and that should give the Panthers plenty of confidence to play for a district title.

Moving over to District 32-6A, No.2 Brownsville Veterans Memorial are leading the charge with an overall record of 7-0-2 and stand 1-0 in district play with first-year head coach Joesph Benavides enjoying an early start in his first ever head coaching position.

The Chargers have posted wins over CC Flour Bluff (5-0), San Antonio Holmes (12-2), McAllen Nikki Rowe (7-0), La Joya Palmview (7-1), before tying Edinburg 3-3 in non-district action. Last season the Chargers went 14-10 and 9-7 in district play. Teams to watch are Brownsville Hanna (5-4, 1-0), Los Fresnos (8-2, 1-0), and Harlingen (5-5, 1-0).

The biggest question will be in District 31-5A. Which team will win the outright title? State-ranked No.9 Mission Veterans Memorial (10-4, 1-0), Valley View HS (1-0), and Sharyland (9-2, 1-0) will slug it out for the district title. Do not be surprised if all three teams share the district title. Patriots head coach Casey Smith already has more than 100 career wins and they finished tied for first place last year with a 23-6 overall record and lost in the first round of the state playoffs to Laredo Martin (9-7, 3-4, 9-8). Sharyland moved down one classification this season after finishing third with a 22-8 overall record. Like the Patriots, they lost in the first round too. Roma, Edinburg Vela, Sharyland Pioneer, and Rio Grande City could all play for the final playoff spot in District 31-5A. The Patriots return senior Edward Pena (3-0) on the mound and he has struck out 17 batters in 18 innings pitched. Newcomer, sophomore Noel Vela is 3-0 this season and has retired 34 batters in 18 innings pitched. His pitching ERA is at 1.17. Five other pitchers make up the Patriots rotation with a combined 2.06 ERA. After starting the season at No.1 in the HSSM PreSeason polls, the Hidalgo Pirates have slipped all the way down to the No.9 spot. Head coach Karlos Carrasco enters his third season as the leader. The 324A Pirates were just one step away from advancing to the University Interscholastic League’s State Baseball

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t’s playoff time again in Texas and the 2015 University Interscholastic League State Soccer Tournament kicks off April 15th at Birkelbach Field in Georgetown. The UIL will debut 6A as the third classification for competition. Since 1998, 5A was the highest classification but with the increase in schools and student athletes that has changed. On the boys side the McAllen High Bulldogs(9-2) emerge from District

in the big dance last season. Edinburg North was defeated in the Area round and PSJA North made it to the Regional Quarterfinal round where they lost to Brownsville Rivera. The city of Brownsville will be well represented in District 32-6A with four Browsville schools advancing to the UIL State Soccer Tournament. They consist of Brownsville Rivera(13-0), Lopez(7-6), Hanna(10-3) and Veterans(7-6).

Brownsville Lopez made it to the Region IV semi-

(McAllen, Tx) State Championship. District 31-5A is represented

by Sharyland(10-1), Sharyland Pioneer(7-5), Valley View(9-2) and Edinburg Vela(6-5). The Valley View Tigers have appeared in the 4A Soccer State Finals in each of the last two years but failed to win the big game. The challenge for the Tigers will be getting over the hump. The Brownsville Porter Cowboys(12-0) and the PSJA Southwest Javelinas(8-4) advance from district 32-5A. Porter is striving to bring home it’s

UIL State Soccer Playoffs Begin March 26th 30-6A with their 2nd playoff appearance in as many years. Out of District 31-6A, Edinburg North(9-1), PSJA North(8-3) and Edinburg Economedes(5-5) have qualified. Edinburg North and PSJA North were both

finals in 2014 and is looking to improve on this season by advancing to the state championship. A state championship this season will be their second title since 2004 when Lopez won Class 4A UIL

Love this but I wish there were more stuff on the Roma gladiators.

Salma Guzman

second state title since 2006. Hidalgo, La Grulla and Zapata represent 31-4A while Port Isabel, Progreso, and Brownsville Idea Frontier will be competing from District 32-4A.

I luv to catch sports highlights on HSSM. Great work on those action shots -proud mom of Alyssa Olivarez #1 MHS. Norma Munoz Olivarez

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On the girls side, the three teams advancing in 30-6A all made the post season last year. McAllen High(9-2), Mcallen Memorial(9-1), and Nikki Rowe(7-4) advanced again this season. The Lady Mustangs were one victory away from a state title shot last season before falling short with a loss to San Antonio Churchill. The Edinburg North Lady Cougars(10-0) and the Edinburg Economedes Lady Jaguars(9-1) represent District 31-6A. Economedes is back in the post season this year pushing to improve upon last season when a loss to Laredo United in the first round ended their playoff run.

In 32-6A, Brownsville Hanna(11-2), Brownsville Lopez(8-5), Los Fresnos(11-2), and Harlingen South(10-3) made the playoffs. The Lady Lobos have high expectations this season after getting knocked out in the Regional Semi-Finals by San

Antonio Reagan a year ago. Moving down to district 31-5A, Sharyland High(11-0), Sharyland Pioneer(10-2), Edinburg Vela(7-4) and Roma(56) will advance. Donna North is the only school emerging from district 32-5A for the second time in as many years. All four teams in District 31-4A qualified for the tournament, Hidalgo(5-0), Raymondville(3-2), La Grulla(2-3), and Monte Alto(0-5). Raymondville is the only team in District 31-4A with back to back appearances in the UIL State Playoffs but they also did not make it out of the Bi-District round last season.

La Feria(10-0), Port Isabel(6-4), Progreso(7-3) and Rio Hondo(4-5) all qualified from District 32-4A. La Feria has high expectations for this season after being eliminated in the Area round of the UIL Girls Soccer State Tournament last year with a loss to Mission Veterans Memorial.

The UIL State Boys and Girls Soccer Playoffs will kick off on March 26th.

HSSM always has the latest on all sports!! Love being able to see and share photos of our Valley athletes.

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Sharyland HS junior Gabriel Garza is assessed a penalty during the game against Hidalgo. Top photo is Avi Garcia of Hidalgo getting a head shot.

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By Alec Amador HSSM images

Excellent work guys from proud parent Laredo Martin.

Jesus Inclan

Jill Holland Zamora

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of the Olympics in 1896 for men and in 1948 for women.

Today, Coach Howell is still watching track and field events. He continues to hold camps. He also continues to work with his student, Stephen Saenz. “That’s what I love about this sport. It never ends,” says Howell.

it’s all about the game...

How Far Can You Throw?

H

e’s the guru of track and field when it comes to the shot put and discus events at the high school, college, and Olympic levels. He says, “you have to put in good work ethics.” His name is coach Larry Howell. “I love coaching and watching these kids become successful,” says the longtime coach. One of his most successful students was Rio Grande City High School graduate and Auburn All-American, Stephen Saenz. The Rattlers graduate made history by competing in the 2012 London Olympics by representing Mexico. A moment that Coach Howell will never forget. Coach Howell can be seen wearing his trademark hat and he will sit and

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watch student athletes compete. Those that want to take their throwing abilities to the next level will spend time with Howell on the weekends learning more about the proper techniques of throwing a discus and tossing a shot put. He talks about the training Saenz would put in through each week and the “almost 10,000 throws” he made each year. With such training, Saenz won two gold medals in the shot put in Class 4A and 5A at the University Interscholastic League State Track and Field meets. He also won the 2012 SEC Conference Championship title in the shot put and captured the 2013 SEC Indoor Championship title. This is a sport that was developed in th 16th century and later became part

Larry Howell, shot put & discus coach with Stephen Saenz. ________________________________________ A former Olympian and two-time UIL Shotput Champion.

SOccerStandingsGIRLS

SoccerStandings BOYS District 31-4A

Season

Hidalgo Grulla Zapata Monte Alto Raymondville

00 00 00 00 00

00 00 00 00 00

District 32-4A

Season

Progreso Port Isabel IDEA-Frontier La Ferria

00 00 00 00

District 32-5A

Season

Brownsville Porter PSJA Southwest Donna North Brownsville Pace Donna Mercedes PSJA Edcouch-Elsa

00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

00 00 00 00

00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

District 31-6A

Season

Edinburg North PSJA North Ed. Economedes Edinburg PSJA Memorial Weslaco East Weslaco

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District 07 04 03 02

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District 12 08 07 07 06 05 01 02

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District 09 08 05 06 04 02 02

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District 31-5A

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Sharyland Valley View Sharyland Pioneer Edinburg Vela Roma Mission Veterans Rio Grande City

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District 30-6A

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McAllen La Joya Palmview LJ Juarez-Lincoln Mission La Joya McAllen Memorial McAllen Rowe

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Brownsv. Rivera Brownsv. Hanna Brownsv. Lopez Brwnsv. Veterans Harlingen South San Benito Los Fresnos Harlingen

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District 10 09 07 06 04 02 01

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District 09 07 06 05 05 04 00

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District 13 10 07 07 05 04 03 03

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District 31-4A

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Hidalgo Raymondville Grulla Monte Alto

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District 32-4A

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La Feria Progreso Port Isabel Rio Hondo Lyford IDEA Frontier

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District 32-5A

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Donna North Edcouch-Elsa Brownsville Pace PSJA Southwest Brownsville Porter Donna PSJA Mercedes

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District 31-6A Edinburg North Ed. Economedes PSJA Memorial Edinburg Weslaco Weslaco East PSJA North

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District 10 07 06 04 01 01

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District 11 09 08 07 07 04 01 01

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District 31-5A

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Sharyland Sharyland Pioneer Edinburg Vela Roma Mission Veterans Valley View Rio Grande City

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District 30-6A

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McAllen McAllen Memorial McAllen Rowe LJ Juarez-Lincoln La Joya Palmview Mission La Joya

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District 32-6A

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Brownsv. Hanna Los Fresnos Harlingen South Brownsv. Lopez Brownsv. Rivera Harlingen Brwnsv. Veterans San Benito

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District 11 10 07 05 03 03 00

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District 09 09 07 05 03 03 00

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District 11 11 10 08 05 03 03 01

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District 10 09 05 06 04 02 00

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BY DAVID “TDDAVE” AMADOR • HSSM SPORTS DIRECTOR

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HSSM: What an opportunity to coach at the same high school you graduated from and played?

Ashley: It’s an honor to come back. I have been an assistant here at Harlingen High School and to have this opportunity. It’s breath taking but, I have been taught to coach by my peers. This is just an honor and these players are buying into the program.

HSSM: With head coach Nora Zamarippa out on medical leav

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April 15-18th UIL SOCCER STATE TOURNAMENT Birkelbach Field Georgetown HS Class 4A, 5A, 6A

UIL REGION IV GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS 6A Girls Brackenridge Park Golf Course - San Antonio April 15-16th 6A Boys Cedar Creek Golf Course San Antonio April 13-14th 5A Republic Golf Club San Antonio Boys April 13-14th Girls April 15-16th 4A Lozano Golf Course Corpus Christi Boys April 13-14th

Oso Golf Course Corpus Christi Girls April 13-14th 3A Quail Creek Country Club San Marcos April 13-14th

April 27-30th GOLF STATE TOURNAMENT Austin, Texas Class 1A Lions Municipal Golf Course Class 2A Roy Kizer Golf Course Class 3A Grey Rock Golf Course Class 4A Onion Creek Golf Club Class 5A Wolfdancer Golf Club Class 6A University of Texas Golf Club

May 12-13th TENNIS STATE TOURNAMENT Mitchell Tennis Center & Omar Smith Instructional Tennis Courts Texas A&M University College Station Class 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A

May 14-16th TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS Class 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A Mike Myers Stadium Austin, Texas

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BY DAVID “TDDAVE” AMADOR • HSSM SPORTS DIRECTOR

MARCH 19 - APRIL 28, 2015

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I

(San Antonio, Texas)

t’s March Madness! Thirty-one teams from the Rio Grande Valley qualified for the University Interscholastic League’s Basketball playoffs with hopes of winning a state championship title and in the end, it was so sweet, well almost. Four teams advanced to the UIL Region IV Tournaments in Class 2A, 4A, 5A, and 6A. McAllen, Edinburg Vela, Hidalgo, and San Isidro all watched their state title hopes fade away too. This would be the first season that the UIL returned to San Antonio after the Rio Grande Valley played host to the regional tournament in 2013 and 2014. “This was a great season and playoff run,” said McAllen High School head coach Ryan Flores.

The Bulldogs faced state-ranked No.6 ShertzClemens in the regional semifinals at the regional site for 2014-16) the University of Texas-San Antonio Convocation Center on March 6th and lost to the Buffaloes 97-47.

The 30-6A Co-Champions, McAllen Bulldogs (30-8) basketball team watched the 25-6A Co-Champions, Shertz-Clemens (34-4) players make slam dunks during warm-ups. It was a pre-game show. Shertz Clemens High School went on to defeat 29-6A Laredo Alexander 117-85 to advance to their second straight UIL 6A State Basketball Tournament next week at the Alamodome. “Shertz-Clemens was real good but I am very proud of our team. We made it this far and that was an accomplishment,” said McAllen first-year head coach Ryan Flores.

With more than 1,000 fans making the trip to see the Bulldogs, both watched the Buffaloes race out like a herd, taking a 49-27 lead at the half. By the time the third quarter was over, the Buffaloes had their reserves playing. Joan Lopez led all McAllen scorers with 15 points. Shertz-Clemens senior Cayne Edwards led all scorers with 17 points. “It was a great game,” said Buffaloes head coach Cliff Ellis.

“Both teams had fans supporting the programs.

Hopefully, we can make it back to the state tournament.” The McAllen Bulldogs defeated Del Rio (56-43), Brownsville Hanna (64-56), and Harlingen South (54-48) to advance to their first UIL Region IV Basketball Tournament appearance since 2010. It was a great year for Valley basketball. Across town on Loop 410 in San Antonio, Edinburg Vela fans made the trip for the first time in school history to watch the Sabercats play in the Class 5A Region IV Boys Basketball Championships at the Blossom

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Tough Defense! Edinburg Vela HS Christian Enriquez looks for passing against sam houston in 5a region iv semifinals.

(HSSM Images/cesar Montalvo)

Edinburg Vela HS sabercats’s season ends.

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(HSSM Images/cesar Montalvo)

ks ls.

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Tough loss! San Isidro H.S. Shane Melton guards Shulenburg HS Josh Brown in the class 2a region iv semifinals. the tigers lost 62-53. Isaiah Torres Brownville Veterans Memorial HS reacts after their loss to weslaco in the 6a bi-district championships. (HSSM Images/Alec Amador)

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wo-time class 4a region iv semifinalist! the hidalgo pirates lost to wharton 57-43 in the semifinals. pictured is senior Frankie Sanchez from Hidalgo H.S. (HSSM Images/Juan Orozco)

A

thletic Center. Unlike the Bulldogs, Edinburg Vela High School had their opportunities to reach the final eight or regional finals. But instead, Vela lost to San Antonio Sam Houston 66-58 on the same night. It was like a hurricane coming on shore in the second half as the San Antonio Sam Houston Hurricanes showed their gale force defense and defeated Edinburg Vela. The 31-5A Co-Champions Sabercats (31-7) led at the half

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30-20 but the 28-5A Hurricanes (16-14) changed course and blew in with a strong defense to defeat the Sabercats 46-28 in the second half. “We dropped this one,” says Sabercats head coach Lalo Rios.

“We gave this one up.” The Sabercats were led by Mark Castillo and Alec De la Garza both scored 12 points each and Devon Allen led all scorers with 17 points for the Hurricanes. In the regional finals, the Hurricanes lost to Cedar Park 53-41 to end their state championship run on Saturday. Many fans traveled north on Expressway 77 to Kingsville, as the Hidalgo High School Pirates were back in the State 4A Region IV Tournament for the second straight season. Last year, the Pirates lost to Sam Houston in the same round. Yes, the same team Vela lost to on Friday night. Before the game, Hidalgo High School head basketball coach Gus Sanchez spoke with HSSM and felt pretty good about their match up against the Wharton High School Tigers on Friday night. “We match up pretty good,” said Sanchez. But, on Friday night, before a near-packed crowd at the Texas A&M Kingsville Field-house, the Tigers came on stronger to

beat the Pirates 57-43. The 32-4A district champion’s loss ended their hopes of a state title bid for the second straight year after advancing to the regional tournament. The No.8 ranked team in Class 4A by the Texas HS Basketball Coaches Association held the No.19th Pirates almost scoreless in the first quarter to lead 21-6. Senior point guard, Frankie Sanchez led his team with 19 points as they struggled to field points

oe Filoteo, former Edinburg High School Basketball head coach led his running Bobcats to three Region IV Semi Final appearances in his career. He is now retired.

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Oh, Sweet it is! Hidalgo played Wharton in the class 4a region iv semifinals. pictured is Michael Espinoza Hidalgo H.S. (HSSM Images/Juan Orozco)

with a low-scoring percentage. The Pirates were worst from the free throw line hitting 9-of-17 from the line.

Nerves must have played a role in the first minutes as the Pirates committed nine turnovers which led to 17 points. “I don’t know what happened in the first half,” said Sanchez. “We were better than how we played.

That might have been the same issue for the San Isidro Tigers playing in New Braunfels on Friday night in the Class 2A Region IV Boys Basketball Semifinals too.

Traveling North on I35 to New Braunfels, head coach Rolando Garza felt comfortable as he watched his team during warmups. “We are the smallest 2A school in the state,” said Garza. “Based on our enrollment of less than 85 students, we have almost 25 players on the basketball team,” laughed Garza. Basketball in San Isidro is a popular sport. The enrollment in Class 2A is 105-219. The 32-2A District Champions San Isidro Tigers (29-4) had everything going in their favor after the first quarter leading 12-8 but then, head coach Garza watched his team come apart with turnovers which led the District 28-2A Champions, Schulenburg Shorthorn (30-7) to take control early on. The Tigers

lost to the Schulenburg Shorthorns 62-53. After a timeout in the second quarter, Garza told his players, “we can play with these guys but we have to eliminate those turnovers.” The Shorthorns went on to take a 2623 lead the half and never looked back. The Shorthorns also won the regional tournament by eliminating Thorndale to advance to the State 2A UIL Tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The other twenty-seven RGV teams were either eliminated or came close to advancing to the state regional tournament. In Class 3A, Santa Rosa High School lost to 31-3A Falfurrias 54-41in the regional quarterfinals.

Surprisingly, the Jerseys would advance to the regional semifinals and defeated Halletsville 53-50. In Class 6A, the Harlingen South High School ended up as the other Rio Grande Valley team to lose in the regional

quarterfinals to McAllen 54-48. The Hawks, coached

by Brian Molina, was making its second straight regional quarterfinals appearance at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley Field-house in Edinburg. Like last season, the Hawks would lose again in the same field house 54-48. In the upper bracket of the Class 6A area playoffs, District 31-6A Champions, Weslaco lost to Laredo Alexander 68-56 while 32-6A Tri-Champions, Los Fresnos was knocked out by Laredo United 57-30.

The lower bracket was just as painful. District 30-6A third place qualifier, La Joya Palmview (21-14), coming off its first Bi-District title with a win over Laredo United South 64-58) lost to Harlingen South 56-53. “We had that game but luck was not on our side,” said Lobos head coach Andy Saenz.

Houston Wheatly (4A) and San Antonio East Central High School(5A) are the only two teams to score one hundred plus-points when winning a state championship game. WHeatley won the title in 1969-70 and East Central 1994-95.

For the record:

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he Houston Yates Lions were the last 4A boys team to win back-to-back UIL State Basketball Championships. They won repeat State Titles in 2009 and 2010.

T

Oh, So Sweet! Edinburg Vela Ryan Garza dribbles past San Antonio Sam Houston in the 5A Region IV Semifinals.

(HSSM Images/Juan Orozco)

Edinburg Vela HS Alec De La Cruz blocks San Antonio Sam Houston in the class 5A Region IV semifinals.

(HSSM Images/Juan Orozco)

he last boy’s team to win three UIL T 2A State Basketball Championships in consecutive order was the Ponder Lions from 2007-2010.

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“We lost one of our starters to an injury in the first quarter. That really hurt our chances. We had eight players on our roster and now, we were down to two players on the bench,” said Saenz. Trailing by as much as 14 points, the Lobos narrowed the lead 54-47 with two minutes left to play but things just didn’t go the Lobos ways as head coach Andy Saenz did not seem to agree with fouls being called throughout the night.

Still, with one shot left, the Lobos had the ball and dribbled down court and missed. Probably, the two most exciting games in this year’s state basketball playoffs from South Texas had to have been the Edinburg Vela Sabercats against the Corpus Christi Miller Buccaneers and the Donna Redskins (23-11) playing Laredo Martin (17-13). “We came so close,” said Redskin head coach Zeke Rodriguez. “We just did not play well that night.”

The 32-5A champions, Donna Redskins won their first Bi-District title since 2000 as they defeated 31-5A Roma 56-33 at McAllen Memorial HS on Tuesday night.

Head coach Zeke Rodriguez talked about how his team had matured throughout the season and how this team has responded to his coaching philosophy. Ruben Arrambide led the Donna team with 22 points and nine rebounds. Roma head coach Abelardo Escobar praised his Gladiators for playing tough and also gave credit to the Donna Redskins. “They are a good team,” adds Escobar. Against Martin, the Redskins could not connect as both teams struggled in the first quarter scoring just nine points apiece. Still, the Redskin had one last shot and missed as time expired. Redskins lost 45-43. In the Class 5A Area Championships, Lalo Rios, head coach of the Edinburg Vela High School Sabercats (29-6) clinched his fists with their 70-68 overtime win over Corpus Christi Miller. It would be the first area title in school history for the Sabercats. “We are making history,” said Rios. Hector Rios lead the team with 19 points but the Buccaneers played the game till the end. After blowing a 49-41 lead in the second half, the Buccaneers still had one more shot left with 1.75 seconds left in overtime.

The attempt on the inbounds pass to Breon Muckelroy sailed off the rim as the Sabercats won. “I hate those shots. I just held my breath,” said Rios. March Madness has come and gone for all thirty-one teams from the Rio Grande Valley. Oh, so sweet it was in the UIL State basketball playoffs. Till next season. “We were one step closer and one step away,” says Flores.

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The Donna Redskins won It’s first District and a class 5a Bi-district title since 2000.

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Edward Guajardo of donna H.S. goes up past Roma H.S. player Hector Lopez in State 5a Bi-District Championships. the Redskins won 57-33.

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Big rattlers! Patrick De La Torre, Sharyland HS led his team to a Class 5A Region IV Bi-District title win over edcouch-elsa. (HSSM Images/Alec Amador)

In the State 5A region iv bi-district game, Edinburg vela defeated psja 101-57. the sabercats also advanced to the Region IV semifinals for the first time in school history. (HSSM Images/cesar montalvo)

31-6A District champions! The Weslaco HS Panthers defeated Brownsville Veterans Memorial HS in the Class 6A Region IV Bi-District championships. The panthers are coached by gabe valdez. (HSSM Images/Alec Amador)

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