The following are Rio Grande Valley high school baseball standings as of Thursday, April 14:

District 30-6A

Overall District

Team W L W L GB

McAllen High 14 6 7 2 —

La Joya High 15 7 6 3 1

LJ Palmview 12 9 5 3 1 ½

Mission High 8 10 4 4 2 ½

McAllen Rowe 6 10 4 5 3

McAllen Memorial 11 9 4 5 3

LJ Juarez-Lincoln 1 14 0 7 6

District 31-6A

Overall District

Team W L W L GB

Edinburg North 17 6 8 0 —

Edinburg High 12 7 6 1 1 ½

Weslaco High 11 8 5 3 3

Economedes 8 11 3 4 4½

PSJA North 10 12 3 5 5

PSJA Memorial 6 14 2 6 6

Weslaco East 2 16 0 8 8

*Edinburg High has tied twice

*Economedes has tied once

*Weslaco East has tied once

District 32-6A

Overall District

Team W L W L GB

Brownsville Vets 19 2 9 1 —

Los Fresnos 14 4 8 2 1

San Benito 10 6 6 4 3

Bronwsville Hanna 12 8 6 4 3

Harlingen High 12 10 4 6 5

Brownsville Lopez 9 10 3 7 6

Harlingen South 8 11 2 8 7

Brownsville Rivera 4 15 2 8 7

*Brownsville Lopez has tied twice

*Brownsville Veterans has tied once

District 31-5A

Overall District

Team W L W L GB

Mission Vets 18 3 7 0 —

Valley View 12 7 6 1 1

Edinburg Vela 13 4 6 2 1 ½

Rio Grande City 8 11 4 4 3 ½

Roma 6 13 3 5 4½

Sharyland High 9 11 2 5 5

Shary Pioneer 7 13 0 8 7

*Edinburg Vela tied once

*Mission Veterans Memorial tied once

*Valley View tied twice

District 32-5A

Overall District

Team W L W L GB

PSJA High 15 6 7 2 —

Donna North 9 10 6 3 1

Edcouch-Elsa 9 7 6 3 1

Mercedes 8 8 5 4 2

Brownsville Porter 8 10 4 5 3

Donna High 9 8 4 5 3

Brownsville Pace 6 10 4 5 3

*PSJA Southwest 1 17 0 9 7

*Donna High has tied once

*PSJA Southwest has tied once

District 32-4A

Overall District

Team W L W L GB

Hidalgo 14 7 8 1 —

Port Isabel 12 4 7 2 1

Grulla 8 11 6 3 2

Progreso 10 9 5 4 3

Rio Hondo 9 11 4 5 4

Zapata 8 9 4 5 4

Raymondville 5 15 1 8 7

La Feria 4 13 1 8 7

*Port Isabel has tied once

*Zapata has tied once

DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER

All season long, Sharyland High’s girls golf team had one goal: win state.

On Thursday, it took a step closer to claiming the crown.

The Lady Rattlers finished as runner-up to Austin Vandegrift at the Region IV-5A meet in San Antonio, falling a stroke short of their central Texas rivals at the Golf Club of Texas.

Sharyland High had a team score of 599 to Austin Vandegrift’s 598. Austin Vandegrift’s ‘silver’ team finished third. Those three teams advance to the Class 5A state tournament April 26-27 at Wolfdancer Golf Club.

“We played good,” said Sharyland senior Ana Jose Erana, a second-place medalist after posting a two-day score of 146. “We played to the best of our abilities. Of course we wanted to win, and to be so close is motivating for state. We’re looking forward to practicing and working even harder.”

The Lady Rattlers are making their fourth consecutive trip to state. Last year, they finished four strokes back of medaling. Four players return from that state qualifier — Erana, the Flores sisters Raquel and Mariana, and Christina Shinn-Roldan.

“We just want to go up there and play our game and play mentally focused,” coach Fernando Rodriguez said. “We don’t want to put too much pressure on ourselves. We just want to play the course. We can’t worry too much about the grand prize.”

Raquel Flores was a third-place medalist, finishing one stroke behind teammate Erana. Mariana tied for sixth, Laura Rodriguez tied for 14th and Shinn-Roldan finished 17th.

The Lady Rattlers shot a 301 on Thursday after scoring 298 on Day 1. They were the top finishers on Day 2, but Vandegrift’s 293 score on Day 1 helped edge it past Sharyland High overall and earn a repeat as regional champion.

“Ever since last year, we’ve been really close as a team and really focused,” Erana said. “We know what it takes to get to state, and for us to have qualified the past four years in a row, I’m really proud of that. But we have the mentality to win. We’re not there to have fun. So that’s what we’ve been doing all year.”

[email protected]

===================================================

Region IV-5A Girls Meet
April 14, 2016
Golf Club of Texas
Second Round
Par = 72
Girls
Team Scores
1. Austin Vandegrift ‘Black’ 293-305-598
2. Sharyland High 298-301-599
3. Austin Vandegrift ‘Silver’ 324-326-650
4. Victoria East 329-333-662
5. Alamo Heights 1 346-336-682
6. Sharyland Pioneer 361-359-720
7. Castroville Medina Valley 371-369-740
8. Alamo Heights 2 371-377-748
9. Bastrop 385-392-777
10. Mercedes 406-420-826
11. Edcouch-Elsa 422-409-831
12. Uvalde 445-418-863
13. S.A. Harlandale 506-491-997
Individual Scores
1. Kelly Xac, Tuloso-Midway, 73-71-144
2. Ana Jose Erana, Sharyland High, 72-74-146
3. Raquel Flores, Sharyland High, 72-75-147
T-4. Sophia Di Gesualdo, Austin Vadegrift ‘Black,’ 76-73-149
T-4. Hailey Derrickson, Austin Vandegrift ‘Black,’ 70-79-149
T-6. Jensen Jalufka, Austin Vandegrift ‘Black,’ 73-77-150
T-6. Mariana Flores, Sharyland High, 77-73-150
8. Story Shaw, Austin Vandegrift ‘Black,’ 74-77-151
T-9. Charlotte Davis, Tuloso-Midway, 75-78-153
T-9. Madi Lake, Victoria East, 77-76-153
T-11. Jordyn Caruso, Alamo Heights 1, 76-80-156
T-11. Jordan Jalufka, Austin Vandegrift ‘Silver,’ 82-74-156
13. Lindsay Koppel, Dripping Springs, 81-77-158
T-14. Laura Rodriguez, Sharyland High, 77-82-159
T-14. Alex Ozuna, Cedar Park Vista Ridge, 80-79-159
16. Annika Ellrott, Edinburg Vela, 79-81-160
17. Christina Shinn-Roldan, Sharyland High, 82-79-161
18. Sarah Beamer, Austin Vandegrift ‘Silver,’ 81-81-162
19. Maddie Mattocks, Victoria East, 81-82-163
20. Sarah Rovenstine, Austin Vandegrift ‘Black,’ 86-78-164

DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER

When Weslaco High senior McLean Beckwith wrapped up his Day 2 of the Region IV-6A tournament on Tuesday, he knew he had done well.

Beckwith scored a 68, rebounding nicely after shooting 79 on Day 1 on Monday, but he wasn’t sure that was enough to advance him to state.

“I wasn’t too confident,” said Beckwith, whose 68 on Day 2 was the tournament’s second-best round of the day. “But it held off. We were even about to leave. My parents almost drove off with my clubs.”

Instead, a play-off ensued, and Beckwith prevailed over Brownsville Hanna’s Santiago Garcia to earn the third and final individual qualifying spot to move on to the state tournament April 25-26 at Legacy Hills Golf Course. Beckwith knocked in a straight and flat 10-foot putt to make birdie on the play-off, and that was enough. The top three teams and top three individuals not on those top three teams move on to state.

Beckwith is the first Panthers boys golfer to make it to state under coach Chris Gracia, who has coached at the school since 2002.

“I was nervous, but I just tried to keep positive thoughts and focus on the task at hand,” Beckwith said of his play-off win. “I knew I had a good putt walking up to it.”

Beckwith and Garcia produced drastic reversal of fortunes. Beckwith finished tied for sixth with Garcia after he ended Day 1 tied for 29th. Garcia, however, dropped significantly after he was tied for first place after Day 1, shooting a 78 after scoring 69 on Day 1.

It was the complete opposite for Beckwith.

“Day 1 wasn’t too bad,” Beckwith said. “I just had some unlucky breaks. Day 2, I just went for all the pins and played really aggressive.”

Beckwith is one of two Class 6A and 5A boys players from the upper and Mid-Valley to make it to state. The other is Sharyland High freshman Jun Min Lee. Lee, who goes by “Jimmy,” shot a two-day score of 143 to advance to the Class 5A state tournament on April 25-26 at Wolfdancer Golf Club.

Lee shot a Day 2 score of 72 after shooting 71 on Monday. He is the first Rattler freshman to make the boys golf state tournament.

“The competition was great. The course was great,” Lee said. “I knew the guys, and I knew to win I had to stay under par. My score was good, but I honestly feel like I didn’t play that well. I had a rough back-nine (holes) where I missed a lot of steady putts. It’s golf. Missing by a millimeter can mean a bad shot.

“I got a little too positive toward the end. I shot three-under after eight holes and I started feeling good. I lost my zone a bit. I had a bad putt, it got into my head and I just know I can’t let that happen. I have to kill that early.”

Lee, who has a 74.1 average this season, has dominated most tournaments, but it was a round during a personal tournament recently when he shot a 94 that changed his way of thinking.

“It hit me hard,” Lee said. “I hadn’t shot that high in three or four years, and at the worst time, going into district, I shot the highest score in my life. It shocked me. But I talked to my coaches and teammates. I re-committed to my game and I told myself I’m not going to play bad. Period. I changed my mental mindset. I know my long game is there. My short game is there. My swing is fine. It’s all about the mind, and that’s where I’m at right now.”

[email protected]

===============================================

Region IV-6A Boys Meet
April 12, 2016
Republic Golf Course
Second Round
Par = 72
Boys
Team Scores
T-1. San Antonio Johnson 295-304-599
T-1. San Antonio Brandeis 296-303-599
T-1. New Braunfels 305-294-599
4. San Antonio Reagan 311-314-625
5. San Antonio O’Connor 310-322-632
6. Weslaco High 322-312-634
7. Brownsville Hanna 308-333-641
8. Harlingen High 308-336-644
9. Laredo Alexander 325-330-655
10. Smithson Valley 328-339-667
T-11. Corpus Christi Ray 331-344-675
T-11. Laredo United 340-335-675
13. McAllen Memorial 346-345-691
14. McAllen High 352-348-700
15. PSJA North 355-346-701
16. Corpus Christi King 352-369-721
Individual Scores
1. Christopher Kane, S.A. Warren, 69-66-135
2. Gabe Castilleja, New Braunfels, 72-70-142
3. Andres Acevedo, S.A. Brandeis, 72-71-143
4. Johnny Keefer, S.A. Johnson, 72-72-144
5. Cole Donielson, S.A. Churchill, 71-75-146
T-6. McLean Beckwith, Weslaco High, 79-68-147
T-6. Santiago Garcia, Brownsville Hanna, 69-78-147
8. Garrett Martin, S.A. Johnson, 73-75-148
T-9. Nick Duggan, S.A. O’Connor, 75-75-150
T-9. Charles Gambrel, Del Rio, 71-79-150
T-9. Ricardo Lopez, Brownsville Veterans Memorial, 73-77-150
T-12. Trenton Leffingworth, New Braunfels, 76-75-151
T-12. Troy Lopez, Corpus Christi Carroll, 77-74-51
T-12. Trent Oliver, S.A. Brandeis, 74-77-151
T-12. Bailey Burgett, S.A. Brandeis, 74-77-151
T-12. Tyler Thurmond, S.A. Reagan, 75-76-151
T-12. Darryl Fulgham, New Branfels, 78-73-151
T-18. Mike Yang, S.A. Brennan, 76-78-154
T-18. Gerardo Daniel, S.A. Johnson, 74-80-154
20. Matthew McCarthy, New Braunfels, 79-76-155.

Region IV-5A Boys Meet
April 12, 2016
Republic Golf Course
Second Round
Par = 72
Boys
Team Scores
1. Austin Vandegrift ‘Black’ 285-275-560
2. Alamo Heights 299-298-597
3. Austin Vandegrift ‘Silver’ 297-302-599
4. Boerne Champion 304-298-602
5. Victoria East 305-301-606
6. Sharyland High 312-317-629
7. Edinburg Vela 327-320-647
8. Uvalde 328-322-650
9. San Antonio Southside 324-331-655
10. Victoria West 336-337-673
11. Edcouch-Elsa 356-335-691
12. Bastrop Cedar Creek 347-358-705
13. Bastrop 356-351-707
14. Mercedes 374-383-757
15. San Antonio Brackenridge 449-422-871
16. San Antonio Harlandale 463-443-906
Individual Scores
1. Cooper Dossey, Austin Vandegrift ‘Black,’ 66-68-134
2. Tobin Niblett, Austin Vandegrift ‘Black,’ 76-64-140
T-3. Mac Meissner, Alamo Heights, 70-71-141
T-3. Jake Stevenson, Boerne Champion, 70-71-141
5. Brandon Hoff, Austin Vandegrift ‘Black,’ 70-72-142
6. Jun Min Lee, Sharyland High, 71-72-143
T-7. Lucas Mylet, Austin Vandegrift ‘Black,’ 73-71-144
T-7. Ben Lake, Victoria East, 69-75-144
T-9. Daniel Martinez, Austin Vandegrift ‘Silver,’ 70-76-146
T-9. Levi Valadez, Alamo Heights, 77-69-146
T-11. Ben Dunne, Cedar Park, 75-72-147
T-11. Daniel Montes, Cedar Park, 72-75-147
13. Jose Perez, Alice, 71-77-148
T-14. Clayton King, Uvalde, 73-76-149
T-14. Hunter Redding, Victoria East, 73-76-149
T-16. Luke Dossey, Austin Vandegrift ‘Silver,’ 74-76-150
T-16. Chan Pham, Boerne Champion, 77-73-150
T-18. Canaan Vasquez, Edcouch-Elsa, 77-75-152
T-18. Jacob Flores, PSJA High, 79-73-152
T-20. Justin Martinez, Edcouch-Elsa, 77-76-153
T-20. Heath Noonan, Castroville Medina Valley, 78-75-153
T-20. Wyatt Speaks, Austin Vandegrift ‘Black,’ 77-76-153

Updated Rio Grande Valley high school baseball standings as of Thursday, April 7.

========================================

District 30-6A

Overall District

Team W L W L GB

McAllen High 13 5 6 1 —

La Joya High 14 6 5 2 1

LJ Palmview 11 8 4 2 1 1/2

McAllen Rowe 6 8 4 3 2

Mission High 7 10 3 4 3

McAllen Memorial 9 9 2 5 4

LJ Juarez-Lincoln 1 13 0 6 5

District 31-6A

Overall District

Team W L W L GB

Edinburg North 15 6 6 0 —

Edinburg High 11 7 5 1 1

Weslaco High 10 7 4 2 2

PSJA North 10 10 3 3 3

Economedes 7 11 2 4 4

PSJA Memorial 5 13 1 5 5

Weslaco East 2 14 0 6 6

*Edinburg High has tied twice

*Economedes has tied once

*Weslaco East has tied once

District 32-6A

Overall District

Team W L W L GB

Brownsville Vets 18 1 8 0 —

Los Fresnos 13 3 7 1 1

Bro. Hanna 11 7 5 3 3

San Benito 9 5 5 3 3

Harling. South 8 9 2 6 6

Bro. Rivera 4 13 2 6 6

Harlingen High 10 10 2 6 6

Bro. Lopez 7 10 1 7 7

*Brownsville Lopez has tied twice

*Brownsville Veterans has tied once

District 31-5A

Overall District

Team W L W L GB

Mission Vets 17 3 6 0 —

Valley View 11 7 5 1 1

Edinburg Vela 11 4 4 2 2

Roma 6 11 3 3 3

Sharyland High 9 9 2 3 3 1/2

Rio Grande City 6 11 2 4 4

Shary Pioneer 7 10 0 5 5 1/2

*Edinburg Vela tied once

*Mission Veterans Memorial tied once

*Valley View tied twice

District 32-5A

Overall District

Team W L W L GB

PSJA High 14 5 6 1 —

Donna North 8 9 5 2 1

Bro. Porter 8 8 4 3 2

Edcouch-Elsa 7 7 4 3 2

Donna High 8 7 3 4 3

Mercedes 6 8 3 4 3

Brownsville Pace 5 9 3 4 3

*PSJA Southwest 1 15 0 7 6

*Donna High has tied once

*PSJA Southwest has tied once

District 32-4A

Overall District

Team W L W L GB

Hidalgo 12 7 6 1 —

Port Isabel 11 3 6 1 —

Progreso 10 7 5 2 1

Grulla 6 11 4 3 2

Rio Hondo 9 9 4 3 2

Zapata 6 9 2 5 4

Raymondville 5 13 1 6 5

La Feria 3 12 0 7 6

*Port Isabel has tied once

*Zapata has tied once

DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER

PHARR — This season was supposed to be a rebuilding one for PSJA High. However, the Bears are simply reloading.

“I lost some really good talent from last year and we were going to be real young,” PSJA High coach Marco Guajardo said. “I knew we’d be inexperienced and we’d have bad games, but we’ve been playing well. These young kids, they know the game. It’s been a great surprise.”

These Bears, featuring five freshmen and four sophomores, are 14-5 and alone at the top of District 32-5A with a 6-1 record heading into Friday’s game against Edcouch-Elsa.

PSJA High has lost twice since Feb. 27.

The success may come as unexpected to Guajardo, but not players.

“I felt like we had a good team at the beginning,” junior Marc Castillo said. “We just had to grow. We have a bunch of young guys, but I’m impressed how they’ve come around and how they’ve stuck it out. They’re doing their job.”

Three of the five freshmen play significant roles: Trey Guajardo, Ariben Gutierrez and Ezequiel Marroquin.

Guajardo is the shortstop and team’s best hitter, batting .460 with 13 RBIs, three triples and a homer. Marroquin has emerged as a dominant arm on a stout staff with senior Andrew Castañeda and Castillo.

Marroquin, a right-hander who tops out at 86 miles per hour and boasts a wicked cutting curveball, is 3-0 with a 1.86 ERA and 35 strikeouts to eight walks in 26.1 innings.

“He makes us more dangerous, gives us more rest,” said Castañeda, the team’s ace. “Instead of having a week’s rest, we’re getting a week and a half, so we’re feeling fresh and ready to go every start.”

Gutierrez is not even 5-feet tall, but is a “firecracker,” per coach Guajardo, who has “the heart of a senior.” Gutierrez, who has played baseball since he was 4, has finished all 33 of his defensive chances and has a .414 on-base percentage.

“We’re all just trying to do our best, and us young guys feel like we’re prepared to help,” Gutierrez said.

Everything sounds good now, but it wasn’t always that way.

Coach Guajardo said it was a “touchy situation” bringing up a bunch of freshmen to varsity. Upperclassmen were complaining and team chemistry was threatened.

“But I said, ‘Look, I would not be bringing up freshmen if I didn’t think they were ready,’” Guajardo said. “These kids don’t play like freshmen and it shows.”

Guajardo said every player now understands his role and has accepted that Guajardo is, indeed, playing the best players.

“There were a lot of freshmen and only a couple returning seniors and 3-4 juniors,” said Castañeda, an invaluable mentor to the underclassmen since he, too, was a varsity baseball player as a freshman. “It was hard. But we took them under our wing and we showed them how to play and how to be aggressive. These young guys are an impressive bunch.”

During the season, players routinely hang out at each other’s houses, join together for barbecues or go on fishing trips as a team. Any animosity that may have been there no longer is.

“It’s been great,” Gutierrez said. “These guys, these upperclassmen, give us confidence. They’re always talking to us, supporting us. They’re helping us move on to the next play.

“All we want to do is contribute and help this team win. We feel we can go a long way.”

[email protected]

DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER

With only two seniors on its roster, Edcouch-Elsa has been wildly up and down this season. The Yellowjackets are responsible for the lone blemish on District 32-5A power PSJA High’s district record, but also have underwhelming defeats to Donna High and Donna North.

“It doesn’t matter how young you are, it matters how good you are,” E-E coach Xavy Acosta said. “Sometimes young or inexperience doesn’t mean bad. We just haven’t been able to put all three phases of our game together.”

It would behoove Edcouch-Elsa (7-7, 4-3) to remedy that sooner than later. Five teams are vying for two playoff spots in the district, assuming that PSJA High and Donna North don’t suffer collapses with seven games left in the regular season.

The Yellowjackets are one of those teams. Senior right-hander Jacob Martinez has been solid on the mound, going 5-2 with 48 strikeouts. Junior Josh Garcia is batting .500.

But it will take more, Acosta said. A lot more.

“They’re fighting and they’re keeping afloat, but we’re not playing to the level I thought we’d be at right now,” Acosta said. “The biggest thing we hope for is great pitching. It’s at the point where we may need a shutout from Jacob every night. But what we are trying to do is keep them together and keep them motivated and having a positive outlook.”

CORTINAS RETURNS TO ROMA

Rio Grande City coach Rock Cortinas returns to the place he spent the last 12 years when the Rattlers visit neighbor Roma on Friday for a big District 31-5A game.

With a win, the Rattlers can force a tie with Roma for the fourth and final playoff spot in district with five games left.

“That’s the team we’re trailing right now,” Cortinas said. “It’s a big game and a big rivalry and it’s more important for us to get back into it.”

Cortinas also returns to his former home, where he spent 12 years and rebuilt Roma’s baseball program into a playoff participant and district threat following a thrilling postseason run last year.

“It’s a place I spent 12 years and had a lot of success,” Cortinas said. “Twelve good years. Now I’m here in Rio and this is where I have my full attention.”

Cortinas is in a similar situation at Rio Grande City as when he started at Roma. He’s trying to establish his culture. He’s trying to find leaders.

The Rattlers missed the playoffs last season and made it as a fourth-place team in 2014.

“The hard part is trying to get some consistency going,” Cortinas said. “We’ve shown good signs of playing good ball and then we lose it. It’s a confidence thing. It’s like every close game we’ve played has gone the other direction.

“It’s not because of a lack of commitment and effort. The kids are buying in. It’s breaking them out of the mold.”

Cortinas has some help. Junior left-hander Ruben Sepulveda has been the team’s anchor on the mound and at the plate. He missed the first game against Roma with an ankle injury during the first round of district play, but will pitch today.

“He’s just even-keel, one of those cool guys,” Cortinas said. “Nothing seems to faze him. He’s smooth in everything he does and the game looks easy for him.”

Robert Briseño is another key piece. Cortinas said the three-year JV player has been a humble professional and the team’s second-best hitter.

CLOSE, BUT NOT ENOUGH

Of Mission High’s 10 losses this season, six have been by one run.

“We just haven’t been able to hit with guys in scoring position,” coach Rick Lozano said. “Our pitching has kept us in the games.”

The Eagles are 7-10, 3-4 in District 30-6A. They have been a feisty and competitive bunch and are one game out of a playoff spot.

The pitching has been fine. Senior Brian Cantu has been the Eagles’ rock. Boasting experience, Cantu has a good knuckleball, a decent slider and gets ahead in counts and throws strikes.

Offense, however, has been an issue. The Eagles, Lozano said, don’t work the count and swing at bad pitches.

“We haven’t had timely hitting,” Lozano said. “And then some nights we get timely hitting, but have six errors.”

Mission High is both young and inexperienced, not an ideal recipe. The Eagles have started two freshmen and play three juniors.

[email protected]

DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER

McAllen Memorial, McAllen High and McAllen Rowe will be well represented at the Class 6A regional tennis tournament in two weeks in San Antonio. Memorial, in particular, had plenty of stars.

The Mustangs had three first-place finishes and a second-place finish to highlight the District 30-6A tournament Thursday at Mission High. The Bulldogs had one first-place and two second-place finishers. The Warriors had first-place and second-place finishers.

The top two finishers in each category advance to the Class 6A regional tournament April 19 in San Antonio.

For McAllen Memorial, junior Jack Wang and senior Valeria Garza won their singles categories, as well as its boys doubles team of brothers Daniel and Alan Magadan.

“I kind of knew, for the boys singles, girls singles and boys doubles, that we were going to do well,” Mustangs coach Rhodora Elizondo said. “We’ve had consistent results since playing tournaments in December.

“No one really gets close to us. It was very unlikely that that would happen with the doubles, and with Jack and Valeria.”

Wang and Garza did not lose a game during their finals matches Thursday.

The Mustangs’ mixed doubles team of sophomores Andres Spinetti and Annabel Rodriguez earned second in their category despite playing together for just the second time this season.

“They’re very good friends and they’re comfortable with each other,” Elizondo said. “Annabel needs a partner that is strong and doesn’t limit himself. Andres has a very strong serve and he capitalized on that.”

McAllen High’s Somer Washington and Nathalie Galligan (girls doubles) won first place, while Camila Gonzalez (girls singles) and Robert Galligan and Nick Sanchez (boys doubles) each placed second.

Rowe will be sending its mixed doubles team of Francisco Salinas and Kassandra Guerra and girls doubles team of Marissa Soler and Jennifer Alvarado to regionals.

DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER

MISSION — Mission High freshman Mia Lerma started playing golf not long ago, picking up the sport when she was 9-years-old. Though she found any sport she played to be fun, golf engaged her.

“I spent almost all my summers on it,” Lerma said. “It was interesting to me, having to do it all by yourself. I knew whatever I accomplished was because of what I was able to do.”

And what she’s been able to do is win, and win a lot in a short amount of time. Lerma added “district champion” to her résumé on Tuesday morning, shooting a 77 to cap a two-day score of 154 and win the District 30-6A girls individual title at Howling Trails Golf Course.

Lerma shot two strokes better than she did during Monday’s first round. And coach Danny Castillo said she even could have done, and eventually will do, better.

“I knew she had a lot of talent, and we just had to mold her,” Castillo said. “We still have to mold her even more. Even though she shot 79 and 77 these two days, she can actually do even better. She’s made some mistakes, and with a year or two she’ll really be a state contender.”

Lerma helped win the Lady Eagles’ first district golf team title since “10-12 years ago,” according to Castillo. Her older sister Leah, a junior, finished second with a two-day score of 161.

Mission High and La Joy Palmview advance to next week’s Class 6A regionals as teams. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln’s Karla Martinez and McAllen Memorial’s Adriana Gonzalez also qualified for regionals.

The top two teams and top two players not on the top two teams advance to regionals next week in San Antonio.

“It feels amazing,” Castillo said. “We’ve finished runner-up several times and it doesn’t feel good to be the bridesmaid that often, so finally winning it feels good, especially with such a young group. Everyone’s coming back next year.”

Lerma said she shot short in her short game Monday, so she focused more on getting on the green and getting close for putt-ins Tuesday. The strategy worked.

She said there was not a hole that posed a challenge for her.

“I was more nervous, but I was more aggressive,” Lerma said. “I knew I had to play harder to stay in the lead. I felt more comfortable knowing that I didn’t have to play perfect to win. I just had to play my best and I’d be OK.”

Lerma said she was “thrilled” to win, though the nerves remained.

“It’s exciting,” said Lerma, who also plays softball and volleyball for the Eagles. “But it’s nervous knowing people will expect more out of me. But just to have the opportunity to be the best I can right now, that’s the most exciting part about it.”

McAllen Memorial’s boys team defended its district title, largely in part because of stellar performances from its current No. 1 and No. 2 golfers.

With No. 1 golfer Carlos Reyes, last year’s district champion, out with a broken elbow, Trevor Kucia and C.W. Phillips stepped up.

Kucia shot a two-day score of 145 to win the individual boys championship, just one stroke better than teammate Phillips.

“I heard going into my last couple holes, he was right behind me,” Kucia said of his teammate. “I had a lot of pressure. My last two holes, I went birdie and birdie to shoot a 72, and he had a chip-in to tie but he missed by a foot. It was fun. It’s a friendly competition between us and we’re always looking to test ourselves.”

It was an outstanding tournament for Kucia, who shot a 73 on Monday. Kucia said he hit more fairways, more greens, on Tuesday and gave himself more opportunities for birdie.

Phillips shot a 70 on Tuesday, six strokes better than he did Monday.

“When my No. 1 and No. 2 boys fight for medalist … they’re champions,” Mustangs boys coach Celso Gonzales said. “I hate to see one win and one lose, but in my eyes they’re champions and they all contribute to that one big team trophy, and that’s what it’s all about.

“We didn’t know what our expectations were, but I’ve never been prouder. These boys came through. Of this team, we have one junior and four sophomores. We’re ready. I told them next season starts this weekend, and good things are going to happen.”

[email protected]

========================================

District 30-6A Tournament Meet

April 5, 2016

Howling Trails Golf Course

Second Round

Par = 72

Boys

Team Scores

1. McAllen Memorial ‘1’, 318-316-634

2. McAllen High, 331-336-667

3. La Joya Palmview, 351-343-694

4. La Joya High, 409-411-820

5. McAllen Memorial ‘2’, 421-408-829

6. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 416-405-831

7. Mission High, 442-404-846

Individual Scores

1. Trevor Kucia, McAllen Memorial, 73-72-145

2. C.W. Phillips, McAllen Memorial, 76-70-146

3. Cristian Zuniga, La Joya Palmview, 80-76-156

4. Carlos Cano, McAllen High, 82-80-162

5. Lucas Abbott, McAllen High, 80-83-163

6. Colton Henderson, McAllen Memorial, 81-88-169

7. Vinny Zamora, McAllen High, 81-89-170

8. Tyler Pena, McAllen High, 88-84-172

9. Ross Gonzales, McAllen Memorial, 88-86-174

10. Joseph Lopez, La Joya Palmview, 91-85-176

Girls

Team Scores

1. Mission High ‘1’, 366-346-712

2. La Joya Palmview, 376-384-760

3. McAllen Memorial, 421-409-830

4. McAllen High, 457-436-893

5. La Joya High, 471-451-926

6. Misison High ‘2’, 471-491-962

Individual Scores

1. Mia Lerma, Mission High, 79-77-154

2. Leah Lerma, Mission High, 84-77-161

3. Briana Silerio, La Joya Palmview, 79-90-169

4. Caroline Cerda, La Joya Palmview, 94-83-177

T-5. Michelle Raya, La Joya Palmview, 89-92-181

T-5. Karla Martinez, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 93-88-181

7. Adriana Gonzalez, McAllen Memorial, 98-89-187

8. Silvia Barrientos, Mission High, 95-94-189

9. Alexis Gutierrez, McAllen High, 96-94-190

10. Miranda Guerrero, McAllen Memorial, 101-100-201

DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER

MISSION — McAllen Memorial boys golf coach Celso Gonzales did not know what to expect.

Coming into the first day of the District 30-6A tournament Monday morning at Howling Trails Golf Course, Gonzales was without his No. 1 player Carlos Reyes, dealing with a broken elbow, and another one of his top five players. He knew he needed other players to step up. He didn’t know who would, however.

Enter Trevor Kucia. The junior shot a day-best 73 to pair alongside teammate C.W. Phillips (76) as they helped the Mustangs to a first-place finish heading into the final round of district play Tuesday.

“We can’t win it the first day, but we sure can lose it,” Gonzales said. “I’m just happy the boys came out and were ready. I didn’t know what to expect. Whenever your No. 1 player is gone and another player is gone, you never know. But we had guys step up and I’m so pleased.”

Kucia’s season scoring average was 82.6. Gonzales said Kucia is expected to be the team captain next year, but he got an early start Monday.

“I wanted to shoot my best, play my best,” Kucia said. “See how low I can go. Chipping was the main part of my game today. The greens were tough, but the green speed was really good.

“I told our guys we had to step it up. Carlos is a great player and we know we have to make up a lot of strokes. C.W. and I, we had the mentality to shoot low.”

The Mustangs shot 318 as a team, 13 strokes ahead of second-place McAllen High. La Joya Palmview is third with 351.

On the girls’ side, Mission High is in first with a 366 score, followed by La Joya Palmview (396) and McAllen Memorial (421).

“We can do better,” Mission coach Danny Castillo said. “We can be 15-20 shots better. We have to adjust to the different play of the greens and the scores will get better.”

The top two teams and top two individuals not on the top two teams advance to regionals next week.

Mission High’s Mia Lerma and Palmview’s Briana Silerio are tied for first with a first-day score of 79. Lerma, a freshman, had a goal of winning a district championship this season, and she’s close.

“My drives were working for me, the distance was there,” Lerma said. “My short game, though, that’s something I need to improve on. I had putts that were too long, and increasing my putting, doing better on the short game will help.”

Lerma is five strokes ahead of her sister, Leah, who shot an 84. Each of the last two years, Leah has finished in second place in the district tournament.

“We push each other to help each other,” Lerma said. “We know by doing that, we’re helping the team as well. It’s exciting to know I have a shot at regionals. Winning district is important for me, especially because my sister has been so close for two years. It would be a big deal winning.”

Palmview’s Michelle Raya (89) and La Joya Juarez-Lincoln’s Karla Martinez (93) round out the top five individual girls. Memorial’s Kucia and Phillips were the top individual boys finishers, followed by Palmview’s Cristian Zuniga (80) and McAllen High’s Lucas Abbott (80) and Vinny Zamora (81).

Colton Henderson, a fill-in this tournament, was another surprise for the Mustangs, shooting an 81 to finish tied for sixth with Zamora.

“It just shows what we’re capable of,” Kucia said. “We’re ahead and we want to keep it that way.”

[email protected]

===========================

District 30-6A Tournament Meet

April 4, 2016

Howling Trails Golf Course

First Round

Par = 72

Boys

Team Scores

1, McAllen Memorial, 318

2, McAllen High, 331

3, La Joya Palmview, 351

4, La Joya High, 406

5, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 416

6, McAllen Memorial “2”, 421

7, Mission High, 442

Individual Scores

1. Trevor Kucia, McAllen Memorial, 73

2. C.W. Phillips, McAllen Memorial, 76

T-3. Cristian Zuniga, La Joya Palmview, 80

T-3. Lucas Abbott, McAllen High, 80

T-6. Vinny Zamora, McAllen High, 81

T-6. Colton Henderson, McAllen Memorial, 81

7. Carlos Cano, McAllen High, 82

T-8. Tyler Pena, McAllen High, 88

T-8. Ross Gonzales, McAllen Memorial, 88

T-10. Omar Martinez, La Joya Palmview, 91

T-10. Joseph Lopez, La Joya Palmview, 91

T-10. Jordan Vargas, McAllen High, 91

13. Alan Salinas, La Joya High, 95

Girls

Team Scores

1. Mission High, 366

2. La Joya Palmview, 396

3. McAllen Memorial, 421

4. McAllen High, 457

5. Mission High “2”, 471

6. La Joya High, 475

Individual Scores

T-1. Mia Lerma, Mission High, 79

T-1. Briana Silero, La Joya Palmview, 79

3. Leah Lerma, Mission High, 84

4. Michelle Raya, La Joya Palmview, 89

5. Karla Martinez, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 93

6. Caroline Cerda, La Joya Palmview, 94

7. Silvia Barrientos, Mission High, 95

8. Alexis Gutierrez, McAllen High, 96

9. Adriana Gonzalez, McAllen Memorial, 98

T-10. Miranda Guerreero, McAllen Memorial, 101

T-10. Kathia Varela, McAllen Rowe, 101

=====================================

District 31-6A Tournament Meet

April 4, 2016

Tierra Santa Golf Course

First Round

Par = 72

Boys

Team Scores

1. Weslaco High, 291

2. PSJA North ‘A’, 329

3. Edinburg North, 363

4. Weslaco East, 375

5. Edinburg High, 391

6. PSJA North ‘B’, 438

7. Edinburg Economedes, 468

8. PSJA Memorial, 488

9. Edinburg North ‘B’, 495

Individual Scores

1. Austin Lackey, Weslaco High, 66

2. McLean Beckwith, Weslaco High, 74

3. Nathan Salazar, Weslaco High, 75

4. Quinlan Vos, Weslaco High, 76

5. Victor Gonzalez, PSJA North A, 77

6. Jacob Gil, Edinburg North, 79

7. Mathew Jasso, PSJA North A, 80

T-8. Andrew Cabrera, PSJA North A, 83

T-8. Bradley McCaleb, Weslaco High, 83

10. Gabriel Flores, Weslaco East, 85

Girls

Team Scores

1. Weslaco High ‘A’, 366

2. Edinburg North, 388

3. Edinburg Economedes, 401

4. Edinburg High, 412

5. Weslaco East, 413

6. PSJA Memorial ‘A’, 483

7. Weslaco High ‘B’, 493

8. PSJA North, 500

9. PSJA Memorial ‘B’, 553

Individual Scores

1. Anika Hovda, Weslaco High A, 73

T-2. Anna Palacios, Weslaco High A, 89

T-2. Selina Ozuna, Edinburg Economedes, 89

4. Mia Martinez, Edinburg Economedes, 90

5. Alex Sagredo, Edinburg North, 91

6. Alex Serrato, Edinburg North, 93

7. Beatriz Chavez, Edinburg High, 95

8. Landry Munoz, Weslaco East, 99

T-9. Natalie Marquez, Weslaco East, 101

T-9. Lissett Salinas, Edinburg High, 101

T-9. Vanessa Arevalo, Edinburg North, 101

T-9. Michelle Mata, Weslaco High A, 101

T-9. Karyme Medina, PSJA Memorial A, 101

===============================

District 31-5A Tournament Meet

April 4, 2016

Shary Golf Course

First Round

Par = 72

Boys

Team Scores

1. Sharyland High ‘A’, 300

2. Edinburg Vela ‘A’, 312

3. Mission Veterans Memorial ‘A’, 326

4. Edinburg Vela ‘B’, 329

5. Sharyland High ‘B’, 363

6. Sharyland Pioneer, 374

7. Roma, 407

8. Mission Veterans Memorial ‘B’, 414

9. Rio Grande City, 434

Individual Scores

1. Jun Min Lee, Sharyland A, 67

2. Diego Hernandez, Mission Veterans Memorial A, 72

3. Matthew Gonzalez, Sharyland A, 74

4. Mario Rios, Edinburg Vela A, 75

5. Albert Uriegas, Edinburg Vela A, 77

T-6. Bryan Navarro, Edinburg Vela A, 78

T-6. Hector Dominguez, Edinburg Vela B, 78

T-6. Aaron Martinez, Mission Veterans Memorial A, 78

9. Orlando Garcia, Sharyland Pioneer, 79

T-10. Victor Rodriguez, Sharyland A, 82

T-10. Jordan Olivarez, Edinburg Vela A, 82

Girls

Team Scores

1. Sharyland High ‘A’, 304

2. Sharyland Pioneer ‘A’, 337

3. Edinburg Vela, 373

4. Sharyland High ‘B’, 381

5. Mission Veterans Memorial, 449

6. Sharyland Pioneer ‘B’, 455

7. Roma, 492

Individual Scores

1. Mariana Flores, Sharyland A, 72

2. Carina Hernandez, Sharyland Pioneer A, 73

T-3. Ana Jose Erana, Sharyland A, 77

T-3. Laura Rodriguez, Sharyland A, 77

T-3. Linsey Garza, Sharyland Pioneer A, 77

6. Raquel Flores, Sharyland A, 78

7. Christina Shinn-Roldan, Sharyland A, 80

8. Annika Ellrott, Edinburg Vela, 82

9. Ariel Chavana, Edinburg Vela, 87

10. Carolina Cantu, Sharyland B, 89

11. Maria Guajardo, Sharyland Pioneer A, 93

12. Ashley Briseno, Sharyland Pioneer A, 94

13. Paulina Flores, Sharyland B, 94

14. Klarissa Farias, Mission Veterans Memorial, 95

=================================

District 32-5A Tournament Meet

April 4, 2016

Tierra del Sol Golf Course

First Round

Par = 72

Boys

Team Scores

1. Edcouch-Elsa, 351

T-2. Mercedes ‘A’, 382

T-2. PSJA High, 382

4. Donna North, 383

T-5. Mercedes ‘B’, 484

T-5. Brownsville Pace, 484

7. Donna High, 503

8. PSJA Southwest, 521

Individual Scores

T-1. Canaan Vasquez, Edcouch-Elsa, 74

T-1. Jacob Flores, PSJA High, 74

3. Tomas Zamorano II, Donna North, 79

4. Justin Martinez, Edcouch-Elsa, 80

5. Daniel Pena, Donna North, 83

6. Timothy Tamez, Mercedes ‘A’, 84

7. Nicholas Reyes, Edcouch-Elsa, 94

8. Gavin Garcia, Mercedes ‘A’, 94

T-9. Eric Posadas, Mercedes ‘A’, 99

T-9. Isaac Rodriguez, PSJA High, 99

T-9. Reynaldo Jimenez, Brownsville Pace, 99

T-9. Alfredo Mireles, Mercedes ‘B’, 99

Girls

Team Scores

1. Edcouch-Elsa, 415

2. Mercedes, 422

3. PSJA High, 428

4. Donna North, 485

Individual Scores

T-1. Miranda Medrano, Edcouch-Elsa, 96

T-1. Kristi Villanueva, Donna North, 96

3. Michelle Medina, Mercedes, 98

4. Catherine Trevino, PSJA High, 101

5. Flor Rojas, Edcouch-Elsa, 104

6. Cameran Rodriguez, PSJA High, 105

7. Jaymee Gonzalez, Mercedes, 106

8. Meagan Nichols, Edcouch-Elsa, 107

9. Nathalie Lopez, Edcouch-Elsa, 108

T-10. Brianna Garcia, Mercedes, 109

T-10. Brianna Rivera, Mercedes, 109

T-10. Ronika Galvan, PSJA High, 109

DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER

From the Sharyland High girls to McAllen Memorial boys, to Weslaco High’s Anika Hovda and Mission High’s Lerma sisters, there are plenty of golfers boasting great expectations as district tournaments begin Monday morning.

The 30-6A, 31-6A, 31-5A and 32-5A tournaments start Monday and finish Tuesday.

There are plenty of contenders as teams and individuals eye the state tournament April 25-26.

DISTRICT 30-6A

The McAllen Memorial boys were the undisputed favorites heading into the district tournament at Howling Trails Golf Course in La Joya.

But things changed once the Mustangs’ No. 1 golfer Carlos Reyes, who had boasted a district-best 75.2 scoring average this season, broke his elbow during a house accident two weeks ago.

There is an “outside chance,” coach Celso Gonzales said, that Reyes could return for regionals.

“It was a shock,” Gonzales said. “He’s my senior, and now I’m looking at it like next season starts (Monday). It’s going to be a tighter race, but if my boys step up to the plate, we should be OK.”

Fortunately for Memorial, it has two top golfers in C.W. Phillips (79.4 average) and Trevor Kucia (82.6). Trey Mikulik has also had an encouraging season with an 87.8 average.

“I’m not asking for miracles,” Gonzales said. “I just want them to shoot what they’re capable of shooting. If they do that, things should pan out.”

Memorial will be challenged by McAllen High, led by Lucas Abbott (79.8), Vinny Zamora (85.2) and Carlos Cano (87.2), and La Joya Palmview, anchored by Christian Zuniga (84.6) and Omar Martinez (87.6).

On the girls side, Mission High has the upper hand with Mia and Leah Lerma. Mia leads all 30-6A girls with an 81.5 average and older sister Leah is right behind her with an 82.5.

La Joya Palmview, however, boasts three of the top girls in the district in Michelle Raya (90.8), Carolina Cerda (91.6) and Briana Silerio (91.7) and could make things interesting.

DISTRICT 31-6A

Weslaco High boys coach Chris Gracia feels pretty good about his chances this week. He has the top two boys individuals in Austin Lackey (75.4) and McLean Beckwith (79.6).

“They’re ready to go,” Gracia said. “They want to go beyond regionals and they’ve been working. They want state.”

The Panthers will be threatened by PSJA North and its trio of Andrew Cabrera, Mathew Jasso and Victor Gonzalez. But Lackey and Beckwith boast averages that are almost four strokes better than everyone else among 31-6A boys.

“Their games are real sold,” Gracia said. “They’re long hitters off the tee, so the most improvement is their short game — their approach shots, getting within 15-20 feet of the pin. The putting has been a work in progress, but it’s coming along.”

Weslaco High’s Anika Hovda is far and away the best of the district’s girls competitors. Hovda has a 77.3 scoring average. Second-place Mia Martinez, of Edinburg Economedes, is almost 15 strokes behind with a 92 average.

DISTRICT 31-5A

No one is in the class of Sharyland High’s girls. The Lady Rattlers have three of the top four golfers by scoring average in the district, and four of the top six.

Led by Ana Jose Erana and Laura Rodriguez, coach Fernando Rodriguez’s team is eyeing a state championship after falling short during last year’s Class 5A state tournament.

“We have some unfinished business,” Rodriguez said. “Last year we were right there, and we let it get away from us. The girls have been working hard to get back to state and hopefully we produce a stronger finish.”

To do that, Rodriguez has emphasized the short game. The team has spent more time on approach shots, and it’s worked. The Lady Rattlers are more consistent in scoring this season.

Erana carries a 74.3 average and Rodriguez has a 77.2. But the Lady Rattlers have depth behind their top duo in Mariana Flores (79.9), Raquel Flores (81.4), Christina Shinn-Roldan (86.5) and Carolina Cantu (87.5).

Edinburg Vela has talent in Annika Ellrott (80.6), and Sharyland Pioneer might pose the biggest threat to the Rattlers with a dangerous trio in Carina Hernandez, Linsey Garza and Maria Guajardo. But this district title appears to be the Rattlers’ to lose.

Sharyland High is also a favorite on the boys side, led by precocious freshman Jun Min Lee and his 74.1 average, but will have a challenger in Edinburg Vela. Lee, Matt Gonzalez and Victor Rodriguez steer the Rattlers, but the SaberCats have their own trio in Albert Uriegas, Jordan Olivarez and Mario Rios.

At the pre-district tournament in San Antonio last week, the SaberCats shot a one-day team score of 302 to the Rattlers’ 312.

“It’s a great competition,” first-year Vela boys coach Corey Mayes said. “For sure, it’ll be between us and Sharyland. We have smart kids who have shown good course management. We’ll be playing at Shary Golf Course and the kids have played there many times already on their own, talking about the greens and the lies. They’re ready.”

DISTRICT 32-5A

PSJA High’s Jacob Flores and Edcouch-Elsa’s Canaan Vasquez and Justin Martinez are the top contenders for the boys individual title. All shoot between 76 and 78 on average.

There is parity for the team championship between Edcouch-Elsa and Mercedes, and PSJA High also could make a run.

Donna North’s Kristi Villanueva is six strokes better than any other 32-5A girls golfer. She shoots a 91.3 on average.

For the girls team title, Mercedes has more depth than anyone else with Briana Garcia, Michelle Medina, Jaymee Gonzalez and Brianna Rivera. Garcia (97.4) and Medina (99.4) are two of the top four girls individuals in 32-5A.

[email protected]