DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER
While senior Andre “Nico” Mercado remains the central figure of Edinburg Vela’s tennis program, he has more help this season as the SaberCats push for regionals.
Mercado, who has won all the tournaments he has competed in this season, is a returning district champ in boys singles and has placed at regionals every year of his high school career so far.
“He’s a hard worker,” Vela coach Monica Gonzalez said. “He’s focused. He’s been playing for a long time now, so he has the experience. He just has a passion for the game.”
But Gonzalez has seen depth become a strength for her program. Aside from Mercado, there are seniors Eric Carlson and Clarissa Castaneda in mixed doubles, senior brothers Andy and Rollie Rodriguez in boys doubles, and sophomores Victoria Villanueva and Mikayla Perkins in girls singles.
Gonzalez has six seniors, including Aaron Lumbreras, and said that has made the difference.
“They’re all hungry,” she said. “They all want to go out fighting and leave it all their senior year.”
Only Mercado has been a regional participant in the SaberCats’ three years. But Gonzalez said there is a strong chance he won’t be the lone qualifier once next month’s district meet is wrapped up in Roma.
“When I came in, I saw the talent right off the bat,” Gonzalez said. “I wasn’t expecting it this quickly, I guess, but now the pressure is to keep it going.”
31-6A GOLF MEET LOOMS
The District 31-6A golf meet is scheduled to be played Tuesday and Thursday at Los Lagos Golf Course in Edinburg.
It’s expected to be a heated competition, with the Weslaco High, Edinburg North and Weslaco East boys teams all shooting for the district championship.
“It will come down to the wire,” Weslaco East coach Paul Aguilar said. “It will come down to the No. 3 and No. 4 players on each team. If those kids can score well and handle their own, that will make the difference.”
Aguilar’s star player, senior Paul Meints, is a favorite to repeat as district champion.
“I’ve seen a different Paul this year,” Aguilar said. “I’ve seen a very mature Paul, more serious. He’s taken every tournament very focused, and you can see that. We’re confident he can shoot in the low 70s both days.”
On the girls side, Weslaco High is considered a strong favorite to take the district team title, thanks to star player Anika Hovda. Edinburg North is also considered a threat.
BEST OF THE BEST
This weekend will feature pre-district golf invitationals for 30-6A, 31-6A, 31-5A and 32-5A.
District 31-6A will have its tournament next week. Districts 30-6A, 31-5A and 32-5A will have theirs the following week.
By average, the top three boys teams in each district this season are as follows:
30-6A: McAllen Memorial (346), McAllen High (357.9), La Joya Palmview (392.4).
31-6A: Weslaco High (341.5), Edinburg North (345.1), Weslaco East (362).
31-5A: Edinburg Vela (323.7), Sharyland High (335.4), Mission Veterans Memorial (343.4).
32-5A: Edcouch-Elsa (330.3), Roma (392.0), Mercedes (396.8).
The top three girls teams in each district are as follows:
30-6A: La Joya Palmview (402.4), McAllen Memorial (453.5), Mission High (457.4).
31-6A: Weslaco High (395.1), Edinburg North (405), Edinburg Economedes (456.4).
31-5A: Sharyland High (322.8), Edinburg Vela (364.1), Sharyland Pioneer (391).
32-5A: Mercedes (422.3), Edcouch-Elsa (424.1), Donna North (447.5).
By average, the top 10 boys in the Valley are: Edinburg Vela’s John Torres (75.5), Weslaco East’s Paul Meints (76.8), Weslaco High’s Austin Lackey (77.8), Brownsville Porter’s Adrian Saenz (77.8), Brownsville Hanna’s Santiago Garcia (78.1), Brownsville Hanna’s Ruben Samaniego (79.1), Edinburg Vela’s Albert Uriegas (79.8), Brownsville Veterans Memorial’s Ivan Gonzalez (80.3), McAllen Memorial’s Taylor Kucia (80.5) and Brownsville Veterans Memorial’s Rich Tarpey (80.8).
The top 10 girls in the Valley are: Sharyland High’s Ana Erana (73.6), Brownsville Hanna’s Julie Lucio (74.5), Harlingen High’s Morgan McClaugherty (74.6), Weslaco High’s Anika Hovda (76.4), Los Fresnos’ Briana Garza (78.3), Harlingen High’s Anna Greer (78.8), Sharyland Pioneer’s Carina Hernandez (79.4), Brownsville Hanna’s Alejandra Rodriguez (80), Sharyland High’s Mariana Flores (80.1) and Mission High’s Leah Lerma (83.4).