DAVE FAVILA | Staff Writer

HARLINGEN — At the end of the 2015 high school football season, Brian Ricci walked off the field at NRG Stadium in Houston as the offensive coordinator of the Class 5A Division I state champion Richmond George Ranch Longhorns.

A few months later, he was hired as the new head coach for the Harlingen South Hawks.

On Monday, the Ricci era officially kicked off as the Hawks opened practice to begin the 2016 season.

And while this season may not end with the Hawks celebrating a Class 6A state crown, Ricci wants to make sure that his program will soon be competitive enough to at least compete for a district title and make consistently deep runs in the playoffs.

After Monday’s first practice, Ricci was pleased with what he saw.

“I was fortunate enough to get here before spring football and we had a good spring so the kids are somewhat familiar with what we’re doing, so this is somewhat of a refresher,” Ricci said.

“We’re working now to get them in shape and knock the summer off of them. They’re coming around and we’ve got a good bunch to work with.”

The Hawks had a pretty rough season in 2015, finishing 3-6 and missing out on the postseason for a second consecutive year.

However, the Hawks have several returning starters this time around, including offensive linemen Abel Villarreal and Sky Tatum as well as defensive end Brandon Bennett and linebacker Zach Fayyad.

Still, the Hawks will have to learn Ricci’s system quickly if they hope to compete against the likes of Harlingen High, San Benito, Los Fresnos, Weslaco High and Weslaco East.

Ricci’s system worked wonders for George Ranch. Under his offensive guidance, the Longhorns became a Houston-area power in a relatively short period of time. Last season, the team averaged 45.4 points per game en route to a 16-0 mark and a 56-0 state title game win over Lake Ridge.

The Hawks open the season at home on Aug. 25 against McAllen High. They then host PSJA High before concluding their non-district schedule at Edinburg North on Sept. 8.

The District 32-6A season begins on Sept. 23 with the Hawks taking on Harlingen High in Bird Bowl XXIV. The Green Birds have lost the last eight contests against their intracity rivals. The last time they beat the Cards was in 2007 when they won 21-7.

DAVE FAVILA | Staff Writer

HARLINGEN — Although it was only a little after 8 in the morning, temperatures were already sweltering as the Harlingen Cardinals football team took the field at its mini-stadium for the first official day of practice Monday.

After a little light warm-up, the players were quickly broken up into groups and instructed to run, run and run some more. Some ran sprints on the track while others ran up and down the stadium stairs.

“Come on, guys! Let’s shake the summer off. It’s football season,” shouted one of the coaches.

The running continued for nearly an hour before the exhausted, sweat-drenched athletes were finally given a break.

“Welcome to Cardinals football,” yelled another coach. “There’s no time to waste!”

That’s true.

The Cards have less than three weeks to prepare for their season opener against Mission Veterans on Aug. 25. And with a bevy of talent set to return this season, including running back Leo Tienda, quarterback Jesse Castro and defensive end Edwin Gasca, much is expected from this year’s bunch.

Of course, much is always expected from the Cardinals. Head coach Manny Gomez wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Every year it’s the same thing,” Gomez said. “Expectations are always high around here and every year players say they want to do better than last year’s team, but talk is cheap. The work starts now and for the first day, these guys were not bad, but there is always room for improvement.”

This year’s team will have its hands full trying to live up to last year’s squad, which went 10-3, won a share of the District 32-6A title and advanced to the third round of the playoffs.

However, Gomez believes this year’s bunch has the talent and potential to match and even exceed the 2011 team, which went 13-1, won the league title outright and went four rounds deep in the postseason.

On offense the Cards are stacked. In addition to Tienda, who rushed for 1,849 yards and 25 touchdowns a season ago, and Castro, who passed for more than 1,800 yards and threw for 13 TDs, the Cards also have weapons in the form of wide receiver Kaynon Fuentes, tight end Jeriel Cervantes and wideout Ryan Villarreal.

Meanwhile on defense, the Cards will once again be solid with the return of Gasca, DE Anthony Rodelo, DL Sam Alonzo and DB Steven Martinez.

Still, this year’s new-look District 32-6A, which added Weslaco and Weslaco East this past realignment, won’t make things easy for the Red Birds.

“We’ll be prepared, though, for everyone we face,” Gomez said.

After Veterans, the Cards host Laredo United South in Week 2 then travel to San Antonio in Week 3 for a meeting against Regan on Sept. 9.

Their league opener comes on Sept. 23 against intracity rival Harlingen South when the Cards will look to win their ninth straight Bird Bowl.

The Cards end the regular season on Nov. 4 against intercity rival San Benito, which has beaten Harlingen in the past two Battles of the Arroyo – something that hadn’t happened since 2006-07. The last time the ’Hounds won three straight contests over the Cards was 1960-62.

By DAVE FAVILA | Staff Writer

SAN BENITO — Wake up! Wake up! WAAAAAAAKE UP!

The two-word command echoed loudly throughout Bobby Morrow Stadium, which was only partially lit beneath a still-dark, pre-dawn sky Monday morning.

“Wake up, boys! It’s the beginning of a new season. Time to get to work,” barked one San Benito football coach to a group of players huddled up near one of the stadium’s end zones.

“Yes sir,” the group shouted back in a surprisingly chipper tone, considering how early it was.

“It all begins right here, right now,” shouted another coach. “It’s time, so WAKE UP!”

And with that, the Greyhounds officially began two-a-days in preparation for the 2016 season.

Much is expected from these ’Hounds since the football program has found much success under third-year head coach Dan Gomez.

Since taking over in 2014, Gomez has led the ’Hounds to a share of two straight district titles, guided the program to back-to-back playoff appearances, including a run into the third round last year, and, maybe more importantly, has found a way to beat Harlingen High in two straight Battles of the Arroyo – something that hadn’t been done since 2006 and 2007.

But Gomez isn’t the type of man to rest on his laurels and after nearly 2½ hours of intense practice from his players Monday, Gomez was not pleased with what he saw. Not yet, anyway.

“We’ve got to get better tomorrow and push, push, push because those are the (high) expectations we are going to put on the kids, and we expect the kids to rise to the occasion, to meet those expectation and to push forward,” he said.

Despite the high expectations, the fact remains that the ’Hounds lost a ton of talent to graduation, especially on offense where only one starter (OL Julio Pecina) returns from a team that went 10-3 a season ago.

To make matters even more difficult, the ’Hounds now find themselves in a new-look District 32-6A that was bolstered by the addition of Weslaco High and Weslaco East, which both made the playoffs in 2015.

But Gomez isn’t worried about who’s no longer on the team because he fully expects this year’s bunch to step and take over where last year’s group left off.

Gomez also doesn’t worry about the competition his team will face this season because for him and his staff, the season is about more than just wins and loses.

“For us, the reason we do this is to make sure that these kids become better men, and when they’re done playing football here they can go out of high school and do things to better themselves and better their families.

“Wins will come and we’ll take them, but our main priority is to turn these boys into young men.”

The Greyhounds open the 2016 season at Laredo United on Aug. 25 then host San Antonio East Central on Sept. 2 before wrapping up non-district play against McAllen Memorial at home on Sept. 9.

Their first district contest is at Los Fresnos on Sept. 23 and the ’Hounds conclude the regular season at Harlingen High on Nov. 4.

DAVE FAVILA | Staff Writer

PALM VALLEY — It came down to the wire in both the girls and boys 15- 18-year-old division on the final day of the South Texas Junior Golf Classic on Sunday at Harlingen Country Club.

On the girls side, Anika Hovda, who will be a senior at Weslaco High this year, beat defending champion Julie Lucio, a junior at Brownsville Hanna, on the second extra hole of a playoff.

Meanwhile on the boys side, Aaron Martinez, a senior at Mission Veterans, also needed extra holes to upend Jacob Daniel Serna, a senior at Lyford High School.

Martinez, who ended Saturday as the first-day leader with a 71, settled for a 78 on Sunday to end regulation with a 149. Serna, meanwhile, came into the day just two strokes back and fired a 76 on Sunday to finish tied with Martinez and force the playoff, where Martinez was not to be outdone.

But the day truly belonged to Hovda, who stepped up big in key situations.

She came into the day trailing Lucio by four strokes, but shot a second-round 69, culminating with a birdie on 18 to finish the tournament tied with Lucio at 147.

Like true warriors, the two battled onward and remained tied after both bogeyed the first playoff hole.

On the second playoff hole, however, Lucio’s tee shot sailed wide left and nearly went out of bounds. The shot cost Lucio as Hovda reached the green on two and then sank a beautiful birdie putt for the one-stroke victory.

Afterward, Hovda, who has been playing in this tournament since she was 10, was grateful for her first-ever STJGC win.

“I think today I just knew that I needed to play my best and I tried really hard,” she said. “Julie (Lucio) is a really tough player and she’s not easy to beat at all. She’s gonna keep fighting and she never stops so… I’m happy.”

NOTES: Cole Charvat of Harlingen High School took home third place in the Boys 15-18 division. He combined an opening-round 74 with a 76 on Sunday to finish with a 150… Briana Garza of Los Fresnos finished third on the girls side. After an opening-round 78, she came on strong Sunday to shoot a 76 and finish with a 154.

DAVE FAVILA | Staff Writer

This past year proved to be a sensational one for Harlingen High golfer Hannah Greer.

At the District 32-6A tournament in April, Greer battled her way to a second-place finish to earn a trip to the Region IV-6A tournament in San Antonio.

At regionals, she held off the competition to earn a third-place finish and qualify for the UIL state tournament for the second consecutive year.

And at state, Greer battled a tough Legacy Hills Golf Course in Georgetown to shoot a respectable 158.

For her efforts, Greer is a finalist for Girls Golf Player of the Year at the All-Valley Sports Awards Banquet, which will be held on June 14 in McAllen.

Greer sat down with the Valley Morning Star to talk about her nomination along with a few personal tidbits.

Q: How does it feel to be nominated for this award?

A: It is an absolute privilege to be nominated! I was so excited when I heard I was one of the nominees. There are many great female golfers and it’s an honor to be up there with them.

Q: What would it mean to win this award?

A: Once again, it would be a privilege. I would be overjoyed to win this award! Golf has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember, and I have worked very hard at it.

Q: How would you sum up your high school experience on and off the golf course?

A: My high school golf experience has been unforgettable and something I will cherish for the rest of my life. From moving from Boerne back to Harlingen, I have had such amazing coaches, teammates, and opponents. They have made my experience amazing as well. Overall, these past four years have been nothing short of amazing and filled with many lessons, and memories that will last a lifetime.

Q: What is your favorite memory of playing golf at Harlingen High?

A: There are so many, this is tough to answer. One that really stands out is when my teammate Samantha Mendiola and assistant coach Salinas found and kept a lizard at regionals (during my) junior year. We were in San Antonio and they kept it the whole time. The lizard is now living in Coach (Chris) Milligan’s classroom! I have been so blessed to be able to be on the same team as these wonderful people. They kept every tournament so much fun and never failed to give me so much support.

Q: Who is your favorite pro athlete and why?

A: Lexi Thompson is one of my favorite pro athletes. She started playing on the LPGA at a really young age and she has done really well since. Her career has been really motivating for me.

Q: Who are your heroes in life and why?

A: Of course, my parents. They have given me so much opportunity, support, and have been very involved in my golf career. I can only hope to be as great of parents as them one day.

Q: Do you see yourself playing golf competitively again?

A: Possibly. I may try and walk on at Texas A&M, but for now I am going to play for fun and focus on my grades in college.

Q: Are there any sports you wish you could’ve played other than golf?

A: No, not really. I played other sports for fun, but am glad I stuck with golf because it is something I can play for the rest of my life.

Q: If you could play a round of golf with anyone, who would that person be?

A: If I could pick anyone to play a round with, I would choose Annika Sorenstam. Along with Lexi Thompson, she is a golfer I have always looked up to. She is one of the most grounded female golfers and knows her golf game inside and out. She has always been an inspiration.

Q: What served as your motivation to succeed on the golf course?

A: Of course winning and doing my best was one of the biggest motivators on the golf course. However, I had many friends, family members and coaches motivating me as well. Golf is a very rewarding sport; it takes a lot of practice. Whenever I made a good shot, made a birdie, overcame a tough hole or shot a low round, I was motivated to keep playing and improving.

Q: If you could start your high school golf career all over again, would you do anything differently?

A: If there was one thing I could’ve changed, it would’ve been my mental game. Golf is 90 percent mental and 10 percent physical, so I wish I could’ve improved my mindset earlier on in my high school career. However, I really enjoyed high school golf and all the memories I made along the way.

DAVE FAVILA | Staff Writer

Earlier this year, Harlingen South tennis coach Noe Stillman summed up his freshman phenom Valeria Montero like this:

“She is the best freshman I’ve ever had play for me here at South. And at a program like ours, that’s saying quite a lot.

“She’s just a natural. She’s a super ball striker and has just taken to the sport. It’s comforting to me as a coach to know that she’ll be around for the next few years.”

Montero did indeed have one heck of a debut season, dominating several tournaments including the District 32-6A meet to earn a spot at regionals.

And while she ultimately fell short of securing a berth to the state tournament, Montero has the drive and determination to get there.

For her outstanding efforts this past tennis season, Montero is a finalist up for Girls Tennis Player of the Year at the upcoming All-Valley Sports Awards Banquet.

Montero sat down with the Valley Morning Star to discuss her nomination.

Q: How does it feel to be nominated for this award?

A: It feels very breathtaking and honorable because it’s just my first year in high school tennis, and I’m already nominated for an award just doing my passion.

Q: What would it mean to win the award?

A: It would mean the world because I’m doing something that is very special and that I love, and I’m earning awards for doing it.

Q: How would you sum up your first year of high school on and off the tennis court?

A: I would sum it up as very successful in tennis and in academics. During this year, I became a super champ in the United States Tennis Association Texas Section and got qualified for regionals; this year was a warm up for getting exposed to prepare for the challenges for next year. I also got very good grades at the Harlingen School of Health Professions.

Q: You set the bar pretty high this past season. Do you worry that you won’t live up to expectations come your sophomore year?

A: No, I still have more goals to achieve next year. I shined at the end of the season this year, but I want to be able to achieve throughout the whole year. It is not easy to be able to keep playing at a high level continuously. It requires more dedication and effort on my part.

Q: You still have three years of high school. What are your goals athletically?

A: My goals are the same as this year, which is to win state.

Q: What is your favorite memory of playing tennis for Harlingen South this past season?

A: My favorite memories playing for South were always what happened after we played. How the team bonded and how connected we all were; we weren’t just teammates, we were family.

Q: Who Is your favorite pro athlete and why?

A: My favorite pro athlete is (pro tennis player) Vicky Duval. She has endured many difficult obstacles and one of the toughest one was cancer. This didn’t even come close to setting out the fire in her heart. She became a champion while fighting like one; she teaches me that I cannot have any excuses and to always keep a positive attitude. The only excuse I can have is death.

Q: Are there any sports you wish you could play other than tennis?

A: I would like to play basketball or track.

Q: If you could play tennis against anyone, who would that person be?

A: I would want to play against Serena Williams; I would like to see how many points I can win.

Q: What served as your motivation to succeed on the tennis court?

A: My motivation was always making my parents proud because I wouldn’t be anywhere without them, in or outside the court.

Q: If you could win one major, which one would it be: The French open, the Australian open, Wimbledon or the U.S. Open? Why?

A: I would like to win the U.S. Open so I can do it in front of my home crowd, in the country I grew up in.

FREDDY GONZALEZ | Staff Writer

HARLINGEN — For two local track and field athletes, Tuesday was a day they will remember for a very long time.

Both Nicole Gonzalez and Mikaela Flores of Harlingen South signed their letters of intent, committing their future athletic endeavors to two respectable universities.

Gonzalez, one of the Valley’s most prolific sprinters this year, signed to run track at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.

Despite having other offers on the table, Gonzalez felt TAMUK was the right fit for her.

“I had other D-I and D-II offers, but the University of Texas A&M-Kingsville was able to work with the events I wanted to run and offered me the most, and it’s also somewhere I see myself being the most successful,” she said.

This year Gonzalez was on top of the Valley’s Best rankings in the 100-, 200- and 400-meter dash, setting school records in both the 100 and 200.

To add to Gonzalez’ accolades, the senior captured the District 32-6A championship in all three events, along with the 4×100-meter relay.

Unfortunately for Gonzalez, the injury bug snuck up at the most inopportune time and forced Gonzalez to sit out the regional meet this year.

“Niclole was the rock of the team and a four-year letterman, and when she got on the track everyone knew who she was,” said South track coach Ralph De La Rosa. “When you’re a coach and you have an athlete like that, it helps the younger athletes know how to be and how to work.

“She’s a positive role model not only on the track, but in the classroom as well. She’s a very well-rounded student.”

Meanwhile, Flores’ destination takes her a bit further away from home as she’ll head to the University of the Southwest in Hobbs, New Mexico.

Flores, a multi-sport athlete, was recognized for her pole vaulting abilities and decided to take her athletic talents to USW.

“I feel really good that I was able to continue on the next level,” said Flores. “I really liked how they (USW) told me that I would be able to graduate in four years with a master’s degree and they tried to push that for me.

“Also, they have a really good (track) program and it’s going to become a big program pretty soon, and I wanted to be part of it.”

This season, Flores finished in the top three all season and peaked at the perfect time to take first place at both the District 32-6A and area meets.

“What’s really neat about Mikaela is that she kind of got into pole vaulting more last year and then all of a sudden she started blossoming as a vaulter this year,” said De La Rosa. “Coach Robert Euvino has done a great job working with our vaulters and Mikaela, and I think this year she put all her technique with her ability.

“She was able to put it all together in her head and then physically go out and do it.”

Flores will focus her studies on kinesiology.

DAVE FAVILA | Staff Writer

Prior to last year, La Villa’s Refugio Montelongo had never run cross country before.

The Cardinals sophomore was a self-proclaimed basketball junkie who enjoyed running inside on a hardwood court, not distance running outside in the hot sun on varying terrains.

But after one of his coaches encouraged him to give the sport a try, Montelongo not only took to cross country like a fish to water, he discovered that he was a natural.

Last season, Montelongo not only qualified for the Region IV-2A meet, he also qualified for the UIL state meet in Round Rock where he fared quite well for his first time, finishing in 79th place with a time of 21:13.13.

For his outstanding effort, Montelongo is a finalist up for the Boys Cross Country Athlete of the Year Award at the 2016 All-Valley Sports Awards Banquet, which will be held on June 14 in McAllen.

The VMS sat down with Montelongo to discuss his nomination:

Q: How does it feel to be nominated for this award?

A: It’s a great honor knowing that there are many other hard working runners in the Valley.

Q: What would it mean to win this award?

A: To win this award would mean the world to me because coming from a small school, we are sometimes limited to the things we do.

Q: How would you sum up this past cross country season?

A: In all honesty, it was the greatest experience and the best season that I’ve participated in all my athletic seasons.

Q: You set the bar pretty high this past season? Do you worry that you won’t live up to your expectations come your junior season?

A: I try not to let it bother me, but I also use it as motivation now that I’ve already started training for my junior season.

Q: You still have two years of high school? What are your goals athletically?

A: My goals ultimately are bringing gold to my school, home, and the Valley.

Q: What is you favorite memory of running cross country at La Villa this past season?

A: My favorite memory was going to state with my family and the whole town’s support behind me the whole way. It’s such a great feeling having everyone congratulate you and them telling you that they have you in their prayers.

Q: What goes in to preparing for a cross country meet?

A: A good night’s rest, a lot of stretching and a good mindset.

Q: Describe how hard it is to run a cross country meet?

A: Everyone’s there to win, but it’s ultimately who wants it more in the end.

Q: Who is your favorite professional athlete and why?

A: My all time favorite is (boxer) Julio Cesar Chavez. Every fight of his was fought with heart and passion. His 87 straight wins are awesome, but my favorites have been his losses. His losses were taken to heart, which didn’t bring him down, they only made him stronger in a sense where it showed him that there’s better competition out there so that means work even harder.

Q: Who are the heroes in your life and why?

A: I have two and they aren’t Superman and Batman, but Mom and Dad. In all my 16 years of life, they have developed a great conscious in me and I wouldn’t want to have it any differently.

Q: You play basketball as well as you run cross country. Are there any other sports you wish you could play?

A: Football. It’s a sport that I’ve played since peewee. It’s a great sport, but a decision has got to be made.

Q: If you could only play one sport, which sport would that be and why?

A: If this question would’ve been asked to me a year ago, I would’ve said basketball, but I’ve found so much more in cross country. Running those three miles gives me such a great peace of mind. I feel like I’m free and there’s nothing to do other than breathe.

Q: What served as your motivation to succeed this past season?

A: My mother. She has done so much for me and has opened so many doors, and I feel like I needed to be generous enough and pay her back by closing them myself and locking them so no one would break through them.

DAVE FAVILA | Staff Writer

SAN BENITO — With the meeting of pen to paper, a couple of soon-to-be high school graduates fulfilled their lifelong dreams of getting the chance to play sports in college.

On Monday, San Benito’s JR Gaitan and Armando Medrano inked letters of intent to play sports at the next level.

Gaitan, a standout on the Greyhounds baseball squad, committed to Southeastern Community College in Burlington, Iowa. Meanwhile, Medrano, a star wide receiver for the ’Hounds’ football team, pledged to play for the University of Texas of the Permian Basin in Odessa.

“It’s an accomplishment to be here,” said Gaitan as a bevy of family and friends, all donned in SCC Blackhawks T-shirts, looked on in the San Benito High School Varsity gymnasium.

“It was a dream to play baseball at the next level, and now I’m here and I’m ready to go.”

The SCC Blackhawks compete as part of the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) in the National Junior College Athletic Association.

This past season, the Blackhawks’ season ended in the regional championship where they fell to North Iowa Area Community College to finish the year at 41-20.

Gaitan said he was drawn to SCC because of the baseball program’s coaching staff and his belief that he can help make the program better.

And while Burlington, Iowa, which is located about 165 miles southeast of Des Moines, is a long way from home, Gaitan said he doesn’t think that will be too much of a problem.

“I’ll miss home a little bit, Texas in general, especially the weather here, but I’ll adjust,” he said.

San Benito head baseball coach Ram Partida said he believes Gaitan should prosper at the next level.

“I think he’s going to do OK. He’s always been a special player,” Partida said. “Since the day I first saw him play when he was 5 years old, I knew that he was going to be a special player. He’s gonna be OK.”

As for Medrano, his dream to play at the next level will take him to Odessa where he will play for the UTPB Falcons, who compete in the NCAA Division II Heartland Conference.

“Today is a dream come true,” Medrano said as friends and family looked on with pride. “I’ve been dreaming about signing with a college since I was small.”

Medrano said that UTPB’s coaching staff played a major role in his decision to become a Falcon.

“The coaches are awesome up there,” he said. “I went up there to visit and the head coach (Justin Carrigan) was telling me that I looked pretty good on film, and he wanted to see me on their team.

“I’m looking forward to competing up there. I’ll miss my parents, of course, but my older brother is going to be gong up there, too, so I’m just excited and ready.”

Greyhounds head football coach Dan Gomez said Medrano has what it takes to succeed.

“Mando is a perfect example of hard work paying off, so with the work ethic that he has, he’ll take it up there with him and he’s going to go out there, and compete for a starting position and also be the best student he can be,” Gomez said.

Medrano said he plans on studying kinesiology while at UTPB.

The Falcons open the 2016 season at home on Sept. 3 against Sul Ross.

UTPB plays its home games at Ratliff Stadium, which is also home to Odessa Permian High School.

DAVE FAVILA | Staff Writer

Harlingen South’s Jeremiah Gonzalez’s final trip to the UIL state tennis tournament was by far his most successful, even if it didn’t end exactly the way he might have wanted it to.

In the Class 6A boys’ singles finals on Tuesday, Gonzalez came up short against Arman Dave of Southlake Carroll, falling 6-3, 6-1 at the Mitchell Tennis Center and Omar Smith Instructional Tennis Courts at Texas A&M University.

Regardless, Gonzalez ends his high school tennis career with a silver medal and will be remembered as one of the Valley’s most successful tennis athletes, having qualified for the state tournament each of his four years at South.

“He (Dave) was very consistent and he didn’t miss any balls,” Gonzalez said of his final opponent. “But there were things I could have done differently, but I did the best I could.”

Prior to this year, Gonzalez had failed to win a match at state. But all that changed on Monday after he won two matches to advance to Tuesday’s finals.

“Going into Monday, I was pretty nervous, but I knew I had a good chance to get past the first round and once I did that gave me the confidence I needed going into the semifinals,” he said.

Gonzalez will now get ready for graduation and then take his talents to the college level where he’ll play for St. Mary’s University in San Antonio.

“I’m really excited about going to the next level, but I know that it’s going to be tough and I know that I have a lot of work ahead of me.”

Gonzalez is also a finalist for the boys Tennis Player of the Year award at the 2016 All-Valley Sports Awards Banquet, which is set for June 14 in McAllen.