2016 May-June Issue

>UIL State 6A Softball

Weslaco to play

Pearland in Semifinals!

>STATE TRACK RESULTS >MCHI HURDLER WINS >INSIDE WITH TDDAVE

May 30, 2016

>Lady Panthers Pitcher, Tafolla Leads Team...

Purple Reign!

BETTER SELECTION BETTER SERVICE BETTER PRICES

Cheering Squad!

Weslaco High School sophomore, Amaya Salinas puts on a “Mustang” mask with her teammates in costumes as they are seen regularly rushing out on the field cheering to the crowds.(HSSMIMages/Alec Amador)

High School Sports Magazine/May 31-June 30, 2016

04 Softball

16Two Silvers

Weslaco heads to first State 6A Softball Semifinals at Austin.

Solis wins two silver medals at UIL Track and Field Championships.

12 Hurdles

22 UIL Track

McAllen High School senior competes in four events and wins one.

UIL Track and Field Championships delayed for five hours due to storms.

19 Perfect

30Lightning

After three tries, EdcouchElsa senior brings home her first 5A medal.

McAllen Memorial senior wins 6A Bronze Medal in Pole Event.

Purple Reign Wheelchair

Golden Boy

Finish

Rain! Rain!

Bolt

32 HSSM

with Tddave

Practice Paid Off. McAllen HS senior talks about winning his Gold Medal.

35 HSSM

Track & Field

RGV qualifiers compete at UIL Championships. See complete results.

Founded in 1995

Robert Amador III High School Sports Magazine, L. L.C.

>UIL State 6A Softball

Weslaco to play

Pearland in Semifinals!

>STATE TRACK RESULTS >MCHI HURDLER WINS >INSIDE WITH TDDAVE

May 30, 2016

>Lady Panthers Pitcher, Tafolla Leads Team...

Purple Reign!

OnTheCover Weslaco HS Softball player Taylor Tafolla.

(HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

For more on UIL State Playoffs

HSSM State Softball Highlights

UIL SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

High School Sports Magazine

////////////////////////////

FINAL FOUR

Red & Charline McCombs Field-Austin, Texas

////////////////////////////

Rei Purple Reig District 31-6A (33-7)

District 22-6A (31-6-1)

Weslaco vs Two-time Champions, Pearland in

4 High School Sports Magazine/May 31-June 30, 2016

HSSM State Softball Highlights

<

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

HSSM Sportswriter

_______________

W

By David A. Amador

Photograph by Alec Amador for HSSM

PHOTOS

____________________________________________________________

Road To STATE

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

eslaco knows that the Pearland Lady Oilers are a softball dynasty.

The Lady Panthers also knows that the Lady Oilers have been to the University Interscholastic League State Softball Tournament six times since 1995. The Lady Panthers also knows that they have won two state titles in 1996 and 2010. But, for head coach Mario Rodriguez, he knows that his team will continue to do what they do best; play as a team and have fun. “That’s what these girls do, they have fun. We do a lot of crazy things and I let them too,” says Rodriguez.

One of the biggest reasons that this Lady Panther team has been so successful this season is due in part because of their strength an dconditioning program.

“We lift weights and work on conditioning,” says High School Sports Magazine

5

RESULTS

ign! gn!

n 6A Semifinals

See Story Next Page

UIL State CHAMPIONSHIPS Special Section

GOING TO STATE! Weslaco HS Aylssa Escamilla and Madelyn Ybarra, along with Gabriela Rivera (left) celebrate their win over New Bruanfels Canyon in the Class 6A Region IV Finals.

For more on UIL State Playoffs

HSSM State Softball Highlights

Go Lady Panthers! Weslaco head softball coach Mario Rodriguez cheers his team on as they advanced to the University Interscholastic League State 6A Softball Semifinals for the first time in school history.

The Lady Panthers recorded 17 shutouts and outscored those opponents 184-0. The Lady Panthers also boast the best overall record at this year’s state tournament in Red and Charline McCombs Field in Austin, Texas. (HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

6 High School Sports Magazine/May 31-June 30, 2016

Rodriguez. And it has paid off too. The Lady Panthers have recorded seventeen shutouts and have outscored those opponents 184-0. Most impressively, the Lady Panthers can hit and score. The Lady Panthers, who finished third in District 31-6A have outscored their opponents 318-91 in 40 games this season.

Yet, the Lady Panthers finished in third place overall in District 31-6A with all four teams advancing to the third round of the state playoffs. Edinburg, Edinburg North, and PSJA Memorial, including Weslaco met in the State 6A Region IV quarterfinals with Weslaco and Edinburg North advancing to the regional tournament.

Only Weslaco survived by sweeping New Braunfels Canyon last week against highly-touted pitcher and Oklahoma committ, Brooke Vestol. She’s only a 6’0” sophomore. “She was probably one of the best pitch-

HSSM State Softball Highlights ers we have faced all season long,” says Rodriguez. At Cabaniss Field in Corpus Christi, Vestal allowed nine hits and one homer in Game Two as Weslaco defeated the Lady Cougars 7-1. “We played in a tough district and that has prepared our team. Again, strength and conditioning,” added Rodriguez. On Friday night, the Lady Panthers will face another powerhouse team that has made a name for themselves...Pearland High School. The Lady Oilers will feature fourteen seniors on its roster and they will face a team with eight sophomores, three freshmen, and just five juniors. On the mound, Weslaco HS junior pitcher, Taylor Tafolla will face a team that can slap the ball and hit.

Leading the Lady Oilers will be Lindsey Stewart, a senior outfielder with a batting average of .495 with 47 hits and 23 RBIs. She has scored 28 runs for the sea-

son. In the Oilers win against Deer park, she went 4-for-4, in their 3-2 win and sweep in the Class 6A Region III Softball quarterfinals. Another player to watch will be 6’1” senior pitcher, Alyssa Denham. She has struckout 196 batters in 118 innings pitched with 15 wins this season. Her ERA is 0.95. Overall, the Lady Panthers will be facing their toughest test against a team that has 11 homeruns and features a team batting average of .378.

Defensively, the Lady Panthers will have to be sharp behind the plate because the Lady Oilers have stolen 103 bases this season.

Stewart, Ashlyn Walls, and Sydney Gutierrez all have 34 stolen bases this year.

The Weslaco Lady Panthers can boast about their seventeen shutouts they have posted this season too. Despite being underclassmen, Rodriguez knows that his team is poised and can play ball. Leading the Lady Panthers is third baseman, Jenny Guillen. Only a junior, she had two homeruns against Corpus Christi Carroll and New Braunfels Canyon in the Region IV Tournament last week. Other players to watch are sophomore SS, Alyssa Escamilla, Gabby Rivera (C, 1B), Charlene De Anda ((P, LF, CF), Lauren De Anda (OF), and Iliana Trujillo. The Lady Panthers are 9-1 in the State 6A Softball Playoffs and this is the first year that they have gone past the second round.

First State 6A Softball Tournament Appearance! Weslaco HS third baseman, (left photo) Jenny Guillen will lead her team against the Pearland HS Lady Oilers for the first time in school history. The Weslaco Lady Panthers have never advanced past the second round of the state playoffs. (HSSMImages/Alec Amador) dgonzalez1@farmersagent.com

Andrew Gonzalez Insurance Agent 709 Angelita Dr. Suite C Weslaco, Texas 78596

956.973.8479

Auto Home Life Commercial Health

956-975-7651 (cell)

Twitter#SanJuanitaLaw

High School Sports Magazine

7

For more on UIL State Playoffs

HSSM State Softball Highlights

District 22-6A Team Rosters Overall Record 31-6-1

Two-Time State Champs! Pearland High School defeated Katy in the Region III Championships to advance to itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sixth UIL State Softball tournament appearance. Pictured are Oiler fans. (HSSMImages/Special)

1 10 11 12 13 15 17 18 19 2 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 29 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Rebecca Mainard Sydney Gutierrez Mariah Gaitan Makalah Norman Lauren Sheperd Ashlin Moreno Haley Liccketto Alyssa Denham Alyssa Fort Janna Roberts Lauren Ochoa Haylie Rocha Kaylee Hoppens Shelby Barrick Megan Hiers Brittany Sockwell Tori Stoddard Adriana Chavarria Avery Ratcliff Alexa Montemayor Madison Clements Lindsey Stewart Aileen Garcia Ashlynn Walls Natalie Romeo Kaylee Buck

www.SpikesFord.com www.SpikesFord.com

Ronnie Gomez Ronnie Gomez New Cars Sales Director New Cars Sales Director

805 East Expressway Mission, Texas 956-585-1601

805 East Expressway 805 East Expressway Phone 956-585-1601 Phone Fax 956-519-5580 956-585-1601 Fax 956-519-5580 Mission, Texas Mission, Texas Cell 956-393-7639 Email Ronnie.Gomez@Spikesford.net Cell 956-393-7639 Email Ronnie.Gomez@Spikesford.net 956-585-1601 956-585-1601

Good LuckCongratulations Lady Win5AState!

Congratulations UIL Panthers!

State 5AUIL Semifinalist!

State Semifinalist!

High School Sports Magazine/May 31-June 30, 2016

Senior Senior Senior Senior Junior Sophomore Freshmen Senior Freshmen Sophomore Sophomore Sophomore Junior Senior Senior Senior Senior Sophomore Junior Senior Senior Senior Senior Junior Senior Sophomore

P 1B OF C IF OF OF P P 2B C UT C/IF 1B 1B IF P P 1B OF OF OF C/IF SS/IF 3B/IF OF

.000 .469 .300 .429 .429 .000 .500 .368 .500 .371 .480 .250 .274 .000 .238 .400 .000 .400 .000 .150 .338 .490 .380 .489 .247 .424

The Road to the UIL State Tournament

District 31-6A Team Rosters Overall Record 33-7

1 10 11 12 14 15 16 17 23 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Sydney Zepeda Gabriela Rivera Charlene De Anda Madelyn Ybarra Taylor Tafolla Amaya Salinas Laurynn De Anda Amberly Becerra Iliana Trujillo Mikella Trevino Audrey Escamilla Alyssa Escamilla Helen Gonzalez Ariel Amador Jenny Guillen Ashley Sada

Sophomore Sophomore Sophomore Junior Junior Sophomore Sophomore Sophomore Sophomore Junior Freshmen Sophomore Freshmen Junior Junior Freshmen

2B 1B LF CF P OF 2B/RF RF 3B SS C SS/P SS OF 3B P/1B

.368 .388 .342 .389 .406 .000 .338 .000 .200 .250 .400 .439 .352 .000 .486 .000

Mound Ace! Weslaco High School Lady Panther Taylor Tafolla (27-5) will lead her team against the two-time state champions, Pearland Lady Oilers in the 6A semifinals.

(HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

Letty Lopez

City Commissioner- District 5

State 6A Softball Semifinals Pairings Friday, June 3rd 3:00 p.m.

Humble Atascocita (30-6) vs Keller (30-7) Friday, June 3rd 6:00 p.m.

Weslaco (33-7) vs Pearland (31-6-7) State Appearances Pearland (1995, 96*, 2009, 10*, 11, 16) *Wins state titles Keller (1995, 96, 97, 2003*, 05*, 06, 16) *Wins state titles

255 S. Kansas Ave Weslaco, Texas 78596 956-968-3181 www.Weslacotx.gov

Good Luck to our Weslaco HS Lady Softball Team!

GameDay Charter Tours

July 23-31 Call & Book!

Book Now and Save!

GameDay Charter Tours Edinburg, Texas

956-270-4289

$599

High School Sports Magazine

9

For more on UIL State Playoffs

HSSM State Softball Highlights

High School Sports Magazine

Weslaco ISD Athletic Director-Oscar Riojas Weslaco HS Athletic Coordinator-Eddie Serna Weslaco HS Principal-Mrs. Yvett Morales Weslaco ISD Interim Superintendent-Dr. Filomena Leo Weslaco ISD School Board President-David Fuentes

Congratulations!

2016

District 31-6AAAAAA

Weslaco High School Softball Team

Staff

Road To State!

Head coach: Mario Rodriguez Assistant Coaches: Melissa Banda, Craig Johnson, Tomas Perez, Barbara Salinas

Red and Charline McCombs Field Austin, Texas June 3-4th, 2016

Class 6A State Tournament

Class 6A State Semifinals (vs Pearland HS) Class 6A Region IV Champions (defeats New Braunfels Canyon) Managers, Trainers, Stats Class 6A Region IV Semifinals Champions (defeats CC Carroll) Stacey Perez Alfonso Cerda Class 6A Region IV Quarterfinals Champions (defeats Edinburg) Class 6A Region IV Area Champions (defeats Eagle Pass) Class 6A Region IV Bi-District Champions (defeats Brownsville Veterans)

Team

Sydney Zepeda Gabriela Rivera Charlene De Anda Madelyn Ybarra Taylor Tafolla Amaya Salinas Laurynn De Anda Amberly Becerra Iliana Trujillo Mikella Trevino Audrey Escamilla Alyssa Escamilla Helen Gonzalez Ariel Amador Jenny Guillen Ashley Sada

319 West Fourth Street, Weslaco, Texas 78596-0266

www.WISD.us High School Sports Magazine/May 31-June 30, 2016

Book Now!

GameDay Charter Tours 2806 West Trenton Road Edinburg, Texas

Leaves McAllen...

956-929-4700

VIP Package $329* GameDay Pkg $199*

956-212-5737

Offer Ends June30th!

Hotel Stay at Hilton Lincoln Centre in Dallas, Visit Galleria, Round Trip, Plus Go to the Game!

*Chicago, Washington, Tampa, Eagles stay at Hilton **Bengals, Ravens stay at Courtyard

by Marriott

*Rates based on four to room with two queen beds Extra charge for single rms

YOUR GAMEDAY TICKET

ADMIT ONE AT&T STADIUM-ARLINGTON , TX *Sept 25th

7:30p

**Oct. 9th

3:25p

*Oct. 30th

7:30p

**Nov 20th

12:00p

*Nov. 24th

3:30p

*Dec 18th

12:00p

Dec 26

7:30p

High School Sports Magazine

11

For more on UIL State Playoffs

HSSM Track & Field Highlights

UIL TRACK & FIELD

High School Sports Magazine

////////////////////////////

6A State Champ

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Mike A. Myers Stadium-Austin, Texas.

////////////////////////////

THE GOLDEN

McAllen HS Josh McGowen Competes in Fo

12 High School Sports Magazine/May 31-June 30, 2016

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

HSSM Track & Field Highlights

<

UIL State TRACK & FIELD Special Section

See More Results

_______________

HSSM Sportswriter

Photograph by Alec Amador for HSSM

PHOTOS

M

By David A. Amador

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

cAllen High School senior Josh McGowen raised his arms high after crossing the finish line in Austin, Texas. It would be a moment of a lifetime for the Sam Houston State-bound track and football star.

McGowen won the 300m hurdles race, setting a new Rio Grande Valley record time of 36.42 seconds. He defeated Branndon Marion from Houston Cy-Ranch and William Watson from Belton HS, who fell at the last hurdle and crawled to the finish. Instead of racing towards the media field, McGowen turned around and helped Watson up. “It’s all about sportsmanship and he took a big fall. It was the right thing to do by helping William up,” said McGowen. The McAllen High School track star becomes the first state qualifier to compete in four events from McAllen.

High School Sports Magazine

13

RESULTS

N BOY!

our State Events

GOLDEN BOY! McAllen HS Josh McGowen won the 300m hurdles and also captured the Silver medal in the 110m hurdles at the UIL Track and Field Championships in Austin, Texas. He competed in four state events.

Road To STATE

McGowen’s State 6A Results: Long Jump-6th Place Triple Jump-6th Place 110m Hurdles-2nd Place 300m Hurdles-1st place

____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

For more on UIL State Playoffs

High School Sports Magazine

2016 Edinburg HS Baseball Class 6A Region IV Area Champions!

Region IV Area Champions...

Edinburg Vela HS 2016 Class 5A Boys Baseball

Edinburg North HS 2016 31-6A District Champions!

2016 Edinburg HS Softball Class 6A Region IV Area Champions!

Advertisement Paid

By ECISD

Edinburg North HS State 6A Softball Region IV Quarterfinals Champions

Edinburg Vela HS Varsity Boys Soccer

State 6A 3200m Qualifier Ariana Ramos-9th Place State 6A Shotput Qualifier Gaston Cortina-6th Place

2016 UIL State 5A Bi-District Finalist

High School Sports Magazine/May 31-June 30, 2016

HSSM Track & Field Highlights

High School Sports Magazine

15

For more on UIL State Playoffs

UIL TRACK & FIELD

HSSM Track & Field Highlights

Two Silvers...

Joe Solis becomes the first Weslaco HS Athlete to win Two Silvers at the UIL Track and Field Meet

(Austin,Texas)-The soft-spoken Weslaco High School junior never imagined that he would be competing at the University Interscholastic League State Track and Field Championships at Mike A. Myers Stadium. He watched in awe and just smiled as the crowd cheered him on as he finished second in the 100m and 400m dash Wheelchair race. “I never thought I would win a medal, much less than make it to the state meet,” said Solis. His coach, Pablo Almaguer asked Solis if he would be interested in competing and agreed. “My coach said that I should try it. He also said I could win,” adds Solis. “I won two silver medals.”

At the UIL State Track and Field Championships, Joe Solis proudly shows his two Silver medals.

(HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

High School Sports Magazine/May 31-June 30, 2016

HSSM Track & Field Highlights

Mission Veterans Memorial HS Fabian Garcia finished fourth overall in the 1600m run at the 5A Track and Field Championships. La Feria HS Carlos Rodriguez also finished fourth overall in the 800m run in Class 4A. In Class 5A, Brownsville Porter HS Anthony Gonzalez finished 8th overall in the 400m dash.The UIL Track and Field Championships were held at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin, Texas.

(HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

www.KokosRestaurant.com

4809 West U.S. Highway 83 McAllen, Texas 78501 956.631.5656

Mon-Friday 11 am to 11pm Sat 11 am to 12 am Sunday 11 am to 11 pm Catering: Call and Plan High School Sports Magazine

17

www.eeisd.org

Edcouch-Elsa High School Principal Miguel Castillo

Congratulations teams!

Edcouch-Elsa ISD Superintendent Dr. Richard Rivera

Edcouch-Elsa ISD Athletic Director Christian Navarro Edcouch-Elsa HS Athletic Coordinator Joe Marichalar

2016 Class 5A Bi-District Finalist

>32-5A Boys Baseball Playoff Qualifiers >32-5A Boys Golf Champions >32-5A Girls Golf Runner-ups >5A Bi-District Girls Soccer Finalist

Building.

Succeeding.

College Bound.

High School Sports Magazine/February 26, 2016

UIL TRACK & FIELD

////////////////////////////

(HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

Perfect Finish Edcouch-Elsa HS Senior Krysta Martinez wins Bronze Medal

(Austin, Texas)-It was the perfect finish to end the high school running career for Edcouch-Elsa High School senior, Krysta Martinez. She raced to the finish to capture her first-ever University Interscholastic League Class 5A Track and Field Bronze medal in the grueling 1600-meter run with a third place time of 5:00.43 at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin, Texas. She missed out last season after making her first trip to the state meet as a freshmen in 2013. She finished seventh overall that year in the same event with a time of 5:08.95. As a sophomore, Martinez captured fifth place honors. “I cannot believe this,” she cried. “Thank-you Jesus.”

Since 1933...”We’re Family.”

801 W. Business 83 McAllen, TX

956.686.5441

www.clarkchevrolet.com High School Sports Magazine

19

For more on UIL State Playoffs

HSSM Track & Field Highlights

UIL TRACK & FIELD

At the UIL State Track and Field Championships, Weslaco HS Stephanie Sauceda (top photo) finished 9th overall in the 800m run; Bottom photo (left) Rio Grande City HS Ana Bautista fights her way in the 5A 3200m run as she would finish 6th overall while Mercedes HS Soledad Cruz took 9th place honors.

////////////////////////////

(HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

Long Distance

Newly Elected Judge...

Good Luck To the Weslaco Lady Panthers!

High School Sports Magazine/May 31-June 30, 2016

Sidelines

Charlie Strong & Alec Amador

Yvette Tamez

Krysta Martinez

Valery Tobias

Joseph Lunn

Michael Gonzalez

Texas Football Coach

Edinburg IDEA Quest

Donna HS

La Feria HS

Ed-Elsa HS

PSJA Memorial HS

HSSM captures the frustrations, dedicated, competitive, head coaches on the sidelines at various games throughout the Rio Grande Valley. Coaches love this game and spend countless of hours with their teams to prepare for Gameday. Their expressions tells it all. (HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

Jose Rosales-Weslaco HS He became the first athlete from Weslaco HS to win two University Interscholastic League silver medals at the UIL State Track and Field Championships in the wheelchair race divisions. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was asked by my coached if I wanted to partcipate in the wheelchair races this year and I said, ok. I never imagined that I would win two silver medals at the state championships,â&#x20AC;? said Rosales. (HSSMImages/File)

High School Sports Magazine

21

For more on UIL State Playoffs

UIL TRACK & FIELD

HSSM Track & Field Highlights

////////////////////////////

When it Rains, It Pours...

UIL Track and Field Championships Delayed for Five Hours

(Austin, Texas)-The 2016 University Interscholastic League Track and Field Championships was hit by thunder storms and strong rains with lighting on Saturday morning on May 14th. The bleachers at Mike A. Myers Stadium were cleared just in time

as the storms approached the Capitol City of Austin, Texas. Fans found plenty of shelter underneath the parking garage of the stadium while others scrambled to Darrell Royal Memorial Stadium across the street. For almost five hours, fans waited and waited

4701 S. Business Hwy 281 Edinburg, Texas 78539 Mari E. Angulo Your Agent

Auto Home Life Commercial Flood Renters Boats Jet Skis RVs ATVs

956.467.4515 fax mangulo@farmersagent.com

www.farmersagent.com/mangulo

22

956.287.4892 phone

Monday-Friday 8:30 am to 5:30 pm

High School Sports Magazine/May 31-June 30, 2016

1802 Scobey Ave Donna, Texas 1802 Scobey Ave Donna, Tx 956-464-5898

HSSM Basketball State Basketball Playoffs Donna ISD Athletic Director-Manuel Moreno

Donna HS Athletic Coordinator-Ramiro Leal Jr. Softball head coach-Adrian Lopez Alexis Mendoza State 5A Region IV Qualifier

Team Members Alexis Mendoza Jonathan Del Bosque Andre De Los Rios Esteban Lopez James Gomez

2015-16 2014-15

Golf

Donna ISD Interim Superintendent-Fernando Castillo Donna ISD Offices 904 Hester Ave-Donna, Tx 78537

Donna North Athletic Coordinator-Matthew Rokovich

Kristi Villanueva District 32-5A Champion

Team Members are *Tomas Zamorano II, Daniel Pena, Juan Reyna, Jared Galvan, and Martin Sauceda. Girls team members include Kristi Villanueva*, Norma Chapa, Jacueline Garcia, and Liliana Montemayor.

Tommy Zamorano State 5A Region IV Qualifier

2015-16 2014-15

Golf

For more on UIL State Playoffs

HSSM Track & Field Highlights

Blowing Dry! The UIL brought out the blowers to dry the track at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin, Texas. It was the second straight season that the UIL event was plagued by storms and weather delays. More than 20,000 fans were evacuated on Saturday. Fans sought shelter underneath the stadium garage. (HSSMIMages/Alec Amador)

until the storms passed. The announcer brought back the fans, eager to watch the final races of the day, but more storms hit the stadium. Fans, again were evacuated. By 5:00 p.m., the events started and finished that night at midnight with every event taking place.

24

High School Sports Magazine/May 31-June 30, 2016

High School Sports Magazine

25

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

For more on UIL State Playoffs

HSSM Track & Field Highlights

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

////////////////////////////

UIL TRACK & FIELD

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Up & Over!

Valley View HS High Jumper Robert Rosales finished 5th overall at the UIL Track and Field Championships

(Austin, Texas)-At the UIL Track and Field Championships held at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin, Texas plenty of excitement took place in the high jump, discus, and hurdles events. Joseph Lunn from La Feria High School surprised the field with his gold medal finish in the 300m hurdles with a time of 39.34 seconds. “I did not expect to win this race,” as Lunn’s coach rushed onto the track field to embrace him with a ever-lasting hug. Lunn lunged his way to the finish to beat Remington Crossnow from Bushland HS by .8 seconds. It was close.

In the Class 5A High Jump, Valley View High School Robert Rosales was making his first school’s first-ever state appearance in track and field. Rosales

Auto Home Business Flood Recreational Switching saves you over $500 Average*

Rina R. Casas Insurance Agent

Access Insurance Agency 5115 S. Business 281 Suite B Edinburg, TX 78539 Phone: (956) 702-9002 Fax: (956) 702-9344

26 High School Sports Magazine/May 31-June 30, 2016

Institute of Sports Performance & Rehab L.L.C.

Specializing In: Aquatic Therapy Work-Related Injuries Back Pain Relief Arthritis Care/Prevention Sports Injuries Post-Operative Rehab Special Population Exercise

2001 South D. Street McAllen, Tx 78503 (956) 686-2242

HSSM Track & Field Highlights

Great Finish! PSJA Memorial HS senior Mike Gonzalez finished in seventh place with a throw of 169’05” in the UIL 5A Discus Championships at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin, Texas.

(HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

was medals away from a Top three finish but he would fall short.

The Tiger missed his three attempts at 6’6” and had to settle for fifth place at 6’4” while three finishers crossed the bar at 6’6”.

Samuel Taylor from Vidor HS won the silver and Iyanu Adeyeye from Mansfield Lake Ridge brought home the bronze. Kene Nwangwu from Frisco Heritage HS won the event with a 6’10” win. PSJA Memorial HS Mike Gonzalez was pleased with his 6A Discus throw despite finishing seventh overall.

517 E. Nolana Loop Suite 6 Pharr, Texas 78577 Erika Cortez Roaring Lion! Joseph Lunn won the gold medal in the 300m hurdles in Class 4A at the UIL State Track and Field Championships at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin, Texas. He defeated Remington Crossnoe at the finish line with a time of 39.34. (HSSMImages/Alec

Amador)

Your Agent

Auto Home Life Commercial Flood Renters Boats Jet Skis RVs ATVs

956.961.4216 phone

956.517.1358 fax ecortez1@farmersagent.com

www.farmersagent.com/ecortez1

Monday-Friday 8:30 am to 5:30 pm High School Sports Magazine

27

______________________________________

______________________________________

For more on UIL State Playoffs

HSSM Track & Field Highlights

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

////////////////////////////

UIL TRACK & FIELD

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

On A Quest!

Edinburg IDEA Quest Valery Tobias Wins 3A Gold Medal in 800m

(Austin, Texas)-From the start, Valery Tobias was on a vision quest. She wanted a gold medal. At the University Interscholastic League Track and Field Championships held at Mike A. Myers Stadium, the Edinburg IDEA Quest HS runner won her first Gold Medal in the 3A 800-meter run with a time of 2:16.86. She out paced Jenna Brazeal from Little Rivera Aca HS and Oliva Zint

28 High School Sports Magazine/May 31-June 30, 2016

Tina Sierra from La Feria HS finished fourth overall in the 3200m run at the 4A UIL Track and Field Championships in Austin, Texas.

(HSSMIMages/Alec Amador)

from Pottsboro HS. Both runners finished one second behind Tobias. The soft-spoken runner could only smile after receiving her Gold medal at the UIL Awards stand. “They announced my name over the intercom. They announced that I was the winner,” said Tobias. “I never imagined that I could do this but, I trained hard to make it happen.”

UIL TRACK & FIELD

HSSM Track & Field Highlights

Bronze Medal

(Austin, Texas)-Rio Hondo High School senior, Michael Zuniga proudly stood holding his Bronze Medal he won in the shot put event in the Class 4A Track and Field Championships held at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin, Texas. “This is what I came here for,”said Zuniga. In his first throw, Zuniga spun around and let go of a shot put throw of 56’04.50”. Good for a first place lead. He would hold on to that lead for just one round after Lane Michna from Lorena HS heaved his second shot 56-09.75” to move into first. Still, Zuniga was determined and again, on his third attempt, watched his shot put fly 57’-00.50” feet. Zuniga clinched his fist and let out a yell, knowing that he could win a state title. On Michna’s last attempt, he nailed the gold with a toss of 58’-09.50” and then Jacob Allen from Bullard HS took second with another shot of 58-’00.75”.

HSSMLive.com

Top Medal Winners! In the Class 4A Shotput event, Rio Hondo HS senior Michael Zuniga (right) proudly holds his Bronze medal with state champion, Lane Michna from Lorena HS (middle) and Jacob Allen from Bullard HS with his silver medal. (HSSMIMages/Alec Amador)

REMAX Hacienda 2201 N. Sugar Rd Pharr, Texas 78577 956.782.9222

www.HaciendaPropertiesREV.com.com

Hector Guerra, Broker/Owner

Congratulations District Champs!

High School Sports Magazine

29

____________________________________________

__________________________________________

For more on UIL State Playoffs

HSSM Track & Field Highlights High School Sports Magazine

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

////////////////////////////

UIL TRACK & FIELD

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Lightning BOLT...

McAllen Memorial HS senior Michael Boltie Vaulted to his first UIL State 6A Pole Vault Medal...

(Austin, Texas)-McAllen Memorial High School senior, Michael Boltie had no idea that he would be competing in two UIL State 6A Track and Field Championship events at Mike A. Myers Stadium. “This is unreal. I cannot get over this moment,” says Boltie. In the 6A Pole Vault event, Boltie vaulted and soared his way to his first-ever Bronze Medal finish with a vaulted-height of 16’0” on Saturday morning. Then, the rains came, along with a five-hour delay. “It was a long wait,” added Boltie as he bolted his way to a sixth place finish with an impressive finish in the 200m dash. He also earned a full track and field scholarship to Texas A&M University at College Station.

McAllen Memorial High School senior competed in the pole vault and 200m race. He would finish in third place in the 6A Pole Vault event and sixth overall in the 200m dash.

(HSSMIMages/Alec Amador)

1988 McAllen Memorial Graduate

ALEJANDRO GUERRA Attorney at Law Federal Practice

1510 N. 10th Suite A McAllen, Texas 78501 956-630-0291 alexguerra.law@gmail.com www.alejandroguerraattorney.com

30 High School Sports Magazine/May 31-June 30, 2016

Score BIG with a loan from us.

HSSMLive.com

Installment loans from

$205 to $205 to$1,315* $1,315* Telephone applications welcome.

Hablamos EspaĂąol

0982 Sunbelt Credit

Brownsville

(956) 544-6400

1867 Merit Finance

Brownsville 0378 Security Finance

Harlingen 0913 Security Finance

McAllen 1796 Security Finance

Elsa 1906 Security Finance

Alamo

0960 Security Finance

Mission 1823 Security Finance

Los Fresnos 0394 Security Finance

San Benito 0956 Security Finance

Mercedes

(956) 702-6882 (956) 584-7497 (956) 233-1916 (956) 399-1811 (956) 514-9441

1733 Security Finance

Alton

1648 Security Finance

La Joya 0470 Security Finance

Weslaco 0699 Security Finance

Brownsville 0629 Security Finance

Raymondville

(956) 542-1734 (956) 423-0154 (956) 687-1290 (956) 262-6948 (956) 584-3117 (956) 583-1431 (956) 968-0558 (956) 541-1413 (956) 689-2495

1213 Continental Credit

Brownsville 1741 Continental Credit

McAllen

(956) 541-1543 (956) 631-0920

*All loans are subject to credit limitations and our underwriting policies, including verifiable ability to repay. Actual loan proceeds may vary based upon loan terms. Dollar amounts are rounded to the lowest whole dollar and are subject to change.

High School Sports Magazine

31

Practice Paid Off...

As another year comes to an end, the University Interscholastic League still showed favor to several Rio Grande Valley athletes competing in their last high school events, Track and Field. Senior athletes like Josh McGowen from McAllen is a great example of what hard work is all about. He also found out what sportsmanship is all about too. He qualified for five UIL Track and Field Championship events but, he opted to just compete in four events. At Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin, Texas, he won two medals in his favorite event: the hurdles.

In the 110m hurdles, he finished second and then won the gold in the 300m hurdles on Saturday night in front of a crowd of more than 20,000 fans. “This is what I trained for all my life,” said McGowen. “Now, it paid off. Thank-you God.” McGowen competed in the long jump and triple jumps and the Stephen F. Austin scholarship football and track athlete looked somewhat tired and frustrated. “It was a long day with that storm-delay,” said McGowen.

In his final race, McGowen crossed the last hurdle in the 300m race and won. He turned around and helped pick up another hurdler, who had trampled at the finish line. “The race was important but I was more concerned about the athlete being hurt,” said McGowen.

32

High School Sports Magazine/May 31-June 30, 2016

Get discounts up to 40%.

Call, click, or visit on your car insurance and find out Call howOne you of canthese saveAgents moneyToday! by switching to the #1 team.

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.

CALL FOR A QUOTE 24/7

Daniel agent agent 1221 S 77Reza, Sunshine Strip 2701Julian RubenGarza, M Torres Ste B 1221 S 77 Sunshine Strip 1529 W. Expressway 83 Ste A Harlingen, Texas78550 78550 Brownsville, Texas78596 78526 Harlingen, Texas Weslaco, Texas 956-425-3276 office 956-550-8080 office 956-425-3276 Office 956-447-9704 office 866-528-2326 Fax 956-447-0814 866-528-2326 fax 956-550-8088 fax www.DanielReza.com www.juliangarza.net www.DanielReza.com www.BelindaZapata.com

Bobby agent 411 N Palacios, Jackson Rd A6 411 N Jackson Rd A6 Pharr, 78577 Pharr, Texas Texas 78577 956-86-7400 office 956-686-7400 Office 956-686-7400 877-682-0098 Fax 877-682-0098 fax www.BobbyPalacios.com www.BobbyPalacios.com

Ruben Solis, agent 112 E. Expressway 83 112 E. Expressway 83 La Texas78560 78560 LaJoya, Joya, Texas 956-584-3333 office 956-584-3333 Office 956-584-0497 Fax 956-584-0497 fax www.Ruben Solis.com www.RubenSolis.com

High Company School Sports Magazine IL PO90236 State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company State Farm Indemnity Bloomington, 39

HSSMLive.com

Friday, May 13th

UIL Track and Field Championships Mike A. Myers Stadium Austin, Texas

Thursday, May 12th

Class 5A Results 9th Place Diego Trevino-PSJASouthwest Shot put 50’9.50” 9th Place I’Dasha Sorrell-Donna North HS Triple Jump 36’00.75” 9th Place Luis Trujillo-Mission Veterans High Jump 13’09” 6th Place Ana Bautista-Rio Grande City 3200m run 11:09.40 9th Place Soledad Cruz-Mercedes HS 3200m run 12:01.37 5th Place Dominic Cavazos-Mercedes HS 3200m run 9:37.44 8th Place Fabian Garcia-Mission Veterans 3200m run 9:59.59

Class 4A Results 4th Place Tina Sierra-La Feria HS 3200m 4A 11:29.53 Class 6A Results 9th Place Ariana Ramos, Edinburg North HS 3200m run 11.31.46 8th Place Cruz Gomez, PSJA Memorial HS 3200m run 9.27.62 6th Place Ana Bautista-Rio Grande City 3200m run 11:09.40 9th Place Soledad Cruz-Mercedes HS 3200m run 12:01.37 5th Place Dominic Cavazos-Mercedes HS 3200m run 9:37.44 8th Place Fabian Garcia-Mission Veterans 3200m run 9:59.59 4th Place Yvette Tamez-Donna HS 6A Discus Throw 123’10” 3rd Place Michael Zuniga-Rio Hondo HS 4A Shot put 57’00.50” 9th Place Christian Trejo-PSJA Southwest HS 5A Shot Put Wheelchair 14.02.75” 5th Place Robert Rosales-Valley View HS 5A High Jump 6’06” 8th Place Isaiah Martinez-La Feeria HS

43’11” Triple Jump 4A 6th Place Josh McGowen, McAllen HS Triple Jump 6A-47’06.75” 6th Place Gaston Cortina, Edinburg North Shot put 6A 54’11.25” 1st Place Valery Tobias, Edinburg IDEA Quest 800m run-2:16.86 9th Place Jesus Mata, Mission Veterans 800m run 2:00.39 2nd Place Joe Solis, Weslaco HS 100m Wheelchair Dash 8th Place Anthony Gonzalez, Brownsville Porter 400m Dash 49.51 2nd Place Joe Solis-Weslaco HS 400m dash Wheelchair 1:01.98 3rd Place Krysta Martinez, Edcouch-Elsa HS 1600m run 5:00.43 4th Place Fabian Garcia, Mission Veterans 1600m run 4:20.05 8th Place 4x400 Relay Mission Sharyland Pioneer HS 3:22.69

Saturday, May 14th

5th Place Michael Zuniga, Rio Hondo HS 4A Discus 152’11” 3rd Place Michael Boltie, McAllen Memorial HS

6A Pole Vault 16’0” 7th Place Mike Gonzales, PSJA Memorial HS 6A Discus 169’05” 5th Place Josh McGowen, McAllen HS 6A Long Jump 22’10.25” 8th Place Karen Guerra, LJ Juarez-Lincoln 6A Discus 124’04” 4th Place Carlos Rodriguez, La Feria HS 4A 800m Run 1.56.34 Reyes Rodriguez, La Feria HS 4A 800m run 1:58.65 9th Place Stephanie Sauceda, Weslaco HS 6A 800m run, 2:15.55 2nd Place Josh McGowen, McAllen HS 6A 110m hurdles 13.82 8th Place Christian Perales, Los Fresnos HS 6A 100m dash, 10.97 4th Place Natalie Garza, Port Isabel HS 400m dash-58.23 1st Place Joseph Lunn, La Feria HS 4A 300m hurdles 39.34 1st Place Josh McGowen, McAllen HS 6A 300m Hurdles 36.42 6th Place Michael Boltie, McAllen Memorial HS 200m dash 21.74 6th Place La Feria HS 4x400 relay 3:26.25

The Sharyland Pioneer HS 4x400 relay team advanced to the UIL State Track and Field Championships in Austin, Texas and finished 8th overall. (HSSMIMages/Alec Amador)

High School Sports Magazine

35